By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
Kathmandu, Nepal – On December 23rd, local Nepalese newspapers published blank editorial columns protesting a Maoist affiliated attack on Himalmedia, an English-language news publisher. On December 21st, a group of 50 union protestors stormed Himalmedia offices and attacked the employees and burned 2,500 copies of newspapers injuring 12 people.
By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
CAIRO, Egypt – As many countries throughout the Middle East protest the air strikes on the Gaza strip, many protests are focused on Egypt. Egypt has offered to send humanitarian aid into areas affected by the strikes, but has seriously restricted crossings into Egypt at the Rafah border crossing. These restrictions have been in place since 2007, but Egypt refuses to reconsider them in light of the number of residents attempting to flee the area. The Rafah crossing is the only passing into Egypt from the Gaza strip.
By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
TYRE, Lebanon – On December 30, a boat carrying international peace activists and medical supplies to Gaza sailed to the port city of Tyre, Lebanon after it was damaged in a collision involving Israeli patrol ships. The SS Dignity was carrying crew and 16 passengers – physicians from Britain, Germany and Cyprus and human rights activists from the Free Gaza Solidarity Movement. The SS Dignity was attempting to break the Israeli blockade to deliver humanitarian aid.
By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
TEL AVIV, Israel – On December 31, Israel’s High Court of Justice ruled that Israel has until 10:00am Thursday to facilitate limited entry of foreign journalists into Gaza. According to the Jerusalem Post, the ruling would allow a pool of up to 12 foreign journalists into Gaza, but only when the border is already open for humanitarian shipments.
The Jerusalem Post characterizes the ruling as a recommendation and stated that the three-justice panel gave the government until Thursday morning to respond and the petitioners will have until noon Thursday to respond to the government’s position.
By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
BEERSHEBA, Israel – On December 30, long-range rockets fired from Gaza have landed around the southern city of Beersheba, 28 miles (46km) from the Gaza-Israeli border. Correspondents say it is the furthest the Palestinian militants in Gaza have managed to strike.
No causalities were reported as the rockets hit an empty school in Beersheba and an open area in the nearby city of Rahat; several individuals were treated for shock. Also, on December 31, two rockets hit the city of Ashkelon, injuring one person slightly.
By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East
GAZA CITY, Gaza – December 30 is the fourth day of Israel’s aerial campaign in Gaza. In Gaza City, Israeli air raids damaged five government buildings; including an Islamist university building, the Interior Ministry and the office of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader and former Palestinian Prime Minister.
As of December 29, the Palestinian death toll had reached 363, with 1,720 people wounded. According to UN figures, most of the victims have been Hamas security forces but at least 64 of them were civilians, including 39 children.
By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
BEIJING, China- Guo Quan, a former associate professor at Nanjing Normal University and the acting chairman of the newly established China New Democracy Party, was arrested by police near his Nanjing home. “He tried to set up an opposition party, they accused him of ’subversion of state power,’ ” Mrs. Guo’s wife said. “They told me that he had been formally arrested, but they didn’t give me any details,” Li said. “They gave a bunch of documents to his mother.”
By Lauren Mellinger
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
BAGHDAD, Iraq – On December 27, the Iraqi High Tribunal commenced a new trial against several former Baathist officials, including former Iraqi Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Aziz and Ali Hassan al-Majid, also known as ‘Chemical Ali’, on charges that they were involved in the persecution of political opponents while Saddam Hussein was in power. 20 other high-ranking members of Saddam Hussein’s government were also indicted.
By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
WELLINGTON, New Zealand – James Tanis, a former guerilla fighter, has been elected President of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville. Former National Government Cabinet Minister, Sam Akoitai, says he is happy with the choice of Mr. Tanis because he was instrumental in the peace process. He has urged the ABG under Mr. Tanis’ leadership to prioritize weapons disposal and the referendum which are both key issues in the Bouganville peace agreement. Mr. Tanis took up arms against supporters of the Panguna Copper Mine says Bouganvilleans have been isolated from decision making processes over the last few years. Irreconcilable differences over the mine divided the landowners and local communities before it was closed in 1988 during the provinces 10 year long civil war.
By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
NEW DELHI, India – The Indian Parliament has passed anti-terror laws in response to the terrorist attacks that occurred in Mumbai last month in order to enhance police security and combat future acts of terrorism. The new legislation currently awaits approval by the President.
The amendments include changes to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and provisions of the new legislation aiming to set up a National Investigating Agency which will investigate terrorism.
