By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

LEIDSCHENDAM, Netherlands — Former Liberian President, Charles Taylor, began to appeal his conviction 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including murder, rape, torture and the use of child soldiers.  Taylor, 64, is the first former head of state since World War II to be convicted of war crimes by an international court.

Taylor began in Liberia’s civil war as a warlord in 1989, and was elected president in 1997.  He governed for six years before being forced into exile in southern Nigeria.  He was arrested in 2006 while trying to flee Nigeria and was tried before the Special Court for Sierra Leone, for what was described “some of the most heinous crimes in human history” by one judge.  Throughout his trial Taylor maintained his innocence.

Taylor was sentenced to 50 years in prison last year for aiding and abetting rebels in Sierra Leone during the 1991-2002 civil war.  Over more than a decade of brutal conflict, Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels murdered, raped and mutilated their way across Sierra Leone.

Prosecutors contend that Taylor’s sentence should be extended to 80 years for giving orders to rebels.  Prosecutors say that this will send a stronger message to those who facilitate atrocities.  Prosecutor Nicholas Koumjian said that the court should, “hold responsible not only those who perpetrate the crimes but also those who promote them.”

In return for providing arms and ammunition for the conflict, Taylor received “blood diamonds,” as the stones from Sierra Leone’s conflict zones were known, including a 45-carat diamond and two 25-carat diamonds.  The prosecution argues the relationship was even closer, and that Taylor was in direct charge of the rebels as they terrorized a civilian population.

In their written appeal, Taylor’s lawyers claim “the Trial Chamber’s approach extends criminal liability far beyond its proper bounds as recognized in international law.”  Moreover, they contend that the judges had erred in convicting Taylor last year, because they failed to link him to criminal acts committed during the war.  Ultimately, the defense argues that crucial evidence against Taylor was no more than hearsay.

Prosecutors disagree.  They told Tuesday’s appeal hearing that Taylor’s involvement went beyond helping the commission of crimes, saying that he should be convicted for the direct commission of war crimes and for instigating them.  The appeals hearing will continue on Wednesday.

Notably, last week Taylor reportedly wrote to the senate demanding a presidential pension of $25,000 (£15,600) in Liberia.  He described the withholding of his state presidential pension as a “mammoth injustice.” Taylor was quoted in the letter as saying that he was entitled to consular access and diplomatic services at The Hague, but he had been “denied that right.”

For more information, please see:

ABC News – Charles Taylor Appeals War Crimes Conviction – 22 January 2013

BBC News – Liberia’s Charles Taylor Appeals at The Hague – 22 January 2013

Fox News – Former Liberian President Charles Taylor Appeals War Crimes Conviction, While Prosecutors Urge Rejections – 22 January 2013

Reuters UK – Prosecutors Seek Tougher War Crimes Term for Liberia’s Taylor – 22 January 2013

 

 

By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria—At least six people were killed today, January 20, 2013, when a number of gunmen attacked the convoy of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero. Around noon today, the gunmen attacked the convoy of the Emir along the Zoo road. The gunmen killed the driver, his orderly and the traditional guard who tried to protect the Emir. The gunmen also wounded two of the Emir’s sons who were also part of the convoy. The Emir’s sons, the Turakin Kano and the Ciroman Kano Alh sustained some injuries and have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

Kano police spokesman Magaji Majia said, “The interim chairman of Kura local government and his driver were also killed by some gunmen who pursued them from the scene of the attack on Emir Ado Bayero.” Another official in Kano also reported, “Nothing is clear, but people are saying the attackers were not from Kano because one of them apparently asked, ‘who is the emir.’” “Two of those who died did so while shielding him from bullets,” he continued.

The Emir had been on his way back from a Quranic graduation ceremony that had taken place at Masallcin Murtala when his convoy was attacked. During the attack, the window opposite where he was seated in the vehicle was shattered, but there have been no indications that he suffered any injuries.

The 82 year old Emir fled the country after the attack and found refuge in the United Kingdom. An official noted, “The Emir left for London around 1:15pm to cool off after the traumatizing event of yesterday.”

This incident comes just one day before the first anniversary of the deadly bombings and shootings that killed 184 people in Kano last year. The assault was blamed on the Islamist sect called Boko Haram. This group has called for Sharia, Islamic law, to be applied more widely and more strictly across Nigeria. This attack marks the third such attack by gunmen on Muslim figures in northern Nigeria since July of last year. The violence linked to Boko Haram’s insurgency has left about 3,000 people dead since 2009, also including people killed during operations by the country’s security forces.

Shehu Sani, a civil society activist from northern Nigeria said it was unlikely that the attack was directly related to the events in Mali, where French soldiers have joined the Malian government against al Qaeda linked militants. “This Kano attack is a continuation of other attacks on emirs in Nigeria, who are viewed by Boko Haram as the traditional wing of the political establishment and opposed to their own Islamic agenda,” Sani said.

 

For further information, please see:

All Africa – At Least 6 Killed in Attack on Emir of Kano’s Convoy – 20 January 2013

Financial Times – Muslim Leader Attacked in Nigeria – 20 January 2013

Naharnet – Death Toll in Nigeria Emir Attack Rises to Five – 20 January 2013

Voice of America – 3 Killed in Nigeria Attack – 19 January 2013

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

 HARARE, Zimbabwe – On Friday, several Zimbabwean rights groups condemned what they suspect is a crackdown against President Robert Mugabe’s critics. In a joint statement, around 58 civic organizations said that human rights activists and journalists, especially those known for criticizing the incumbent administration, have been experiencing a “well-calculated and intensified” harassment through “slander, intimidation, raids, arrests, prosecutions and persecution.” The statement was released a few days after the Chairperson of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition and Director of Zimrights, Okay Machisa, was arrested.

Machisa was charged with publishing false statements prejudicial to the State, as well as fraud and forgery, after allegedly conducting illegal voter registration. On Monday, he handed himself to the police and has not been released since.

Last month ZimRights Education Programmes Manager Leo Chamahwinya and ZimRights Local Chapter Chairperson Dorcas Shereni, who are known critics of President Mugabe’s party, Zanu-PPF, were likewise arrested for the same charges.

All three were denied bail last week based on two grounds: that the case is a matter of national interest; and that the investigations are so complex that the prosecution needs more time to complete them.

Local media and civil society groups see these series of arrests as an affront to freedom of expression, justice and democracy. They suggest that these are among the administration’s tactics “to intimidate civil society in the run-up to this year’s elections”. According to them, such measures taken by President Mugabe’s camp are meant to keep NGO’s from influencing the masses on the voting process for the upcoming elections.

These alleged attacks on the press and civil society groups come despite President’s Mugabe’s call for free, fair and peaceful elections last year.

“We condemn this calculated assault on activists that is meant to cow civil society organizations that are fighting for democratic reforms before the next election,” NGO Crisis Coalition stated in a recent press release . “We reiterate our position that the political environment in Zimbabwe is not yet conducive for a free and fair election.”

Crisis Coalition also appealed for regional and international pressure on the Zimbabwe government to respect the rule of law. “Such action is important to militate against a possible surge in the harassment and detention of activists especially as we head toward the general election,” urged the organization.

On January 19, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement condemning the arrests of Machisa and other human rights activists.  “We condemn recent attacks against human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, including arbitrary arrests, intimidation and harassment. . . We are concerned about the crackdown on non-governmental organisations and dissenting voices seen as critical of President Robert Mugabe’s rule and apparently politically motivated prosecutions,” said Rupert Colville, spokesperson for the OHCHR.

 

For further information, please see:

Stabroek News – Zimbabwe groups condemn crackdown on Mugabe critics – 19 January 2013

UN News Centre – Zimbabwe: UN condemns attacks on human rights defenders ahead of elections – 18 January 2013

Nehanda Radio – Persecution of human rights defenders unacceptable – 17 January 2013

All Africa – Zimbabwe: Activist Detained for 16 Days – 16 January 2013

By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast — Ghanian authorities have arrested Charles Ble Goude, the former leader of Young Patriots, an Ivory Coast nationalist youth movement.  Ble Goude is wanted in connection the postelection violence that ensued in 2010 when Former President Laurent Gbagbo refused to accept defeat to current president, Alassane Ouattara.  Some 3,000 people lost their lives in the four-month crisis.

Ble Goude has been in hiding since April 2011, when Gbagbo was arrested on charges of crimes against humanity.  The former president, who governed Ivory Coast for a decade, is now awaiting trial at The Hague.

Most top military and political officials from Gbagbo’s regime were killed, are in jail in Ivory Coast or now living in exile.  While Ghanaian police last year arrested former budget minister Justin Kone Katinan, Ivory Coast’s request for his extradition has been stuck in the courts for months.  Ghana has previously stated it considers the exiles to be refugees and has yet to extradite any Gbagbo supporters.  Ble Goude currently faces extradition to Ivory Coast.

Ble Goude is wanted by Ivorian authorities for alleged kidnappings, illegal detentions, torture, incitement of hatred and economic crimes while a member of Gbagbo’s inner circle.   Moreover, he is currently subject to United Nations sanctions including a travel ban and asset freeze.  The UN first instated sanctions against Ble Goude in 2006 when he was accused of inciting attacks against UN personnel.

Ble Goude has denied leading pro-Gbagbo militias that attacked foreigners and northerners during the 2010 upheaval.  He claims that he only organized Young Patriot rallies and meetings.  Likewise, Ble Goude has denied purchasing weapons or arming Ivorian youth.  Ble Goude further denies holding regular rallies where he used increasingly xenophobic rhetoric until Gbagbo was forced from power.

In 2010, the Young Patriots reportedly played a decisive role in creating a climate of terror, erecting barricades and checkpoints where they attempted to identify “enemies of Ivory Coast.”  Young Patriots killed countless West African nationals at these checkpoints, often by “necklacing” individuals with tires, which were then set on fire.  As President Ouattara is from northern Ivory Coast and has familial ties to Burkina Faso, pro-Gbagbo groups targeted Ouattara’s supporters: anyone with a northern name, immigrants and foreigners.

Netherlands-based attorney Nick Kaufman says he has been in contact with Ghanaian officials seeking the legal grounds for the arrest and has petitioned the International Criminal Court in The Hague to indicate whether Ble Goude was the subject of a warrant from the court.

For further information, please see:

BBC – Charles Ble Goude: Ghana Extradites Ivory Coast Gbagbo Ally – 18 January 2013

Fox News – Lawyer: Authorities in Ghana Arrest Charles Ble Goude – 17 January 2013

Reuters – Fugitive Ivorian Youth Leader Ble Goude Arrested in Ghana – 17 January 2013

The Washington Post – Ghana Arrests Ble Goude – 17 January 2013

 

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somali police have detained freelance journalist Abdiaziz Abdinur Ibrahim, who is also known as “Koronto”, without warrant and charges filed against him. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other local journalist organizations suspect that Koronto was brought to custody for interviewing women who claimed they were raped by national security forces.

On January 6, Al-Jazeera English published a story about government soldiers raping internally displaced women in Mogadishu camps.

4 days later, the Somali police’s Central Investigation Department (CID) in Mogadishu arrested one of those women, along with Omar Faruk, a correspondent for the Al-Jazeera Arabic Service in Somalia.

During interrogations, the head of CID, Gen. Abdullahi Hassan Barisse, allegedly compelled the woman to give them contact information of any journalist who interviewed her for the Al-Jazeera story. According to local news reports, she gave Koronto’s name and phone number. Using the alleged rape victim’s phone, they called Koronto who admitted that he recently interviewed the same woman, but has yet to publish the story. The police ordered him to come to the CID headquarters. Koronto complied and was brought to custody on January 10. On the same day, the police searched his home and confiscated his belongings including his laptop and digital recorder.

During a phone interview with the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), Koronto described what happened: “I received a phone call this afternoon from the number of the woman I interviewed, but, It was Gen. Barise, the CID chief and told me to come to the CID headquarters. When I came to the CID, I saw the woman. . . I was asked if I interviewed this lady and I said, ‘Yes, I interviewed.’ Later, I was told that I was under arrest.”

The CID decided to release the alleged rape victim provided that she returns the following week for further questioning. Omar Faruk was likewise released after convincing the police that he was not involved in the Al-Jazeera report. Koronto, however, remains in detention.

According to the CPJ, both the information minister and deputy information minister refused to answer the CPJ’s calls to clarify why the police is still keeping Koronto in custody.

“It is shameful that Somali authorities have arrested a woman who has reported a rape, and a reporter who documented her story, instead of conducting an investigation into this reported crime,” said CPJ East Africa Consultant Tom Rhodes. “There is absolutely no reason Abdulaziz Abdinuur should be in custody. He should be released immediately and his personal property returned.”

Meanwhile, Africa director at Human Rights Watch Daniel Bekele urged the President to take action, “President Hassan Sheikh should honor his commitment by making sure the police handling of this case doesn’t discourage journalists from reporting government abuses or victims from seeking justice.” “Silencing rape victims and journalists will not end sexual violence, but just reinforce Somalia’s climate of impunity,” Bekele added.
For further information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Somalia: Free Journalist, Others Linked to Rape Allegation – 12 January 2013

RBC Radio – SOMALIA: Vicious Campaign against Somali Journalists Continues in Mogadishu – 12 January 2013

All Africa – Somalia: Journalist Arrested for Interviewing Reported Rape Victim – 11 January 2013

SpyGhana – Police In Somali Are Questioning A Journalist, Whiles Detaining Another – 11 January 2013