The Middle East

Car Bombs Attack Shiite Pilgrims, Ignite Tensions in Iraq

By Emily Schneider
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – Shia pilgrims were targeted by a car bomb yesterday, resulting in twenty deaths. Many Shiite Muslims made the pilgrimage to the holy city of Karbala, about 100km southwest of Baghdad, to celebrate the festival of Arbaeen.

Thousands of Shia Muslims have been attending a religious festival in Karbala, Iraq. (Photo courtesy of BBC)

Millions of pilgrims have visited Karbala to mark an anniversary associated with the revered Shia figure, Imam Hussein. Provincial governor, Amal al-Din al-Har, quoted by AFP, said that the festival drew around 750,000 pilgrims from 30 different countries.

The most recent spate of attacks is reinforcing fears that sectarian violence is increasing. In the past, Shiite pilgrims were targeted by Sunni militants during religious festivals.  Zaid Mohammed, a 21-year old student, walked to Karbala from a nearby city to celebrate the festival in spite of these fears.

“All the people came here to show their gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices made by Imam Hussein while fighting injustice,” he said. “We have decided to confront all the security risks that we might face on our way to Karbala.”

As pilgrims were returning from the festival in the late afternoon, a car bomb exploded in the small town of Musayyib, about 60 kilometers south of Baghdad. This is the second explosion this week. The first blast occurred this past Monday in the town of Musayyib. That blast killed seven people.

The bomb went off near a bus stop frequented by pilgrims from Karbala taking them to other Iraqi cities, police told BBC News. There were no reports on Thursday of any group claiming responsibility for the bombing. Oftentimes, past attacks on Shia pilgrims have been blamed on Sunni militants even when they did not directly claim responsibility.

Ali Sabbar, a pilgrim who witnessed the explosion, told Reuters news agency: “I was getting a sandwich when a very strong explosion rocked the place and the blast threw me away. When I regained my senses and stood up, I saw dozens of bodies. Many cars were set on fire.”

Another witness, teacher Ibrahim Mohammed, said, “the explosion shook the whole block and smashed the windows of my house. I ran to the scene of the explosion only to find charred bodies and burning cars. There were women screaming and searching for their missing children.”

Although Iraqi authorities typically tighten security in Karbala and along routes used by pilgrims during the festival, they admit they are unable to prevent all attacks.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Shia Pilgrims Killed by Car Bomb in Iraq – 4 Jan. 2013

BBC News – Car Bomb Kills Shia Pilgrims South of Baghdad Iraq – 3 Jan. 2013

Huffington Post – Car Bomb in Iraq Kills 20 Shiite Pilgrims – 3 Jan. 2013

Washington Post – Car Bomb Targeting Shiite Pilgrims Reflects Iraq Tensions – 3 Jan. 2013

 

Egyptian Satirist Could Face Prosecution for “Insults” Against Morsi

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt — Popular Egyptian satirist Dr. Bassem Youssef was investigated by prosecutors on Tuesday for allegedly insulting President Mohamed Morsi.  A judicial source said that prosecutors initiated their investigation when his show, Al-Barnameg, poked fun at the issue of Morsi’s extensive power creation during the months of November and December.  The charges in the formal complaint brought against Youssef state that he made the jokes with the purpose of “undermining the standing” of Morsi.

Egypt filed a complaint against Bassem Youssef for “insulting” Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi. (Photo Courtesy of Al Arabiya)

The case is likely to come under public scrutiny, as Egypt has been heavily criticized because of its lack of press freedoms.  The case was transferred to a Cairo prosecutor after Ramadan Abdel Hamid al-Aqsari, a lawyer, filed the initial complaint.  This is not the first time he raised a complaint against an entertainer.  In the past, Aqsari tried to sue a range of media personalities and politicians.

Aqsari brought forth his complaint because of separate sketches in which Youssef portrayed Morsi as a pharaoh, nicknamed him “Super Morsi” for retaining both executive and legislative powers, and, for putting the president’s image on a pillow that was used to parody his speeches.

Youssef, a doctor, rose to fame after creating a satirical online program following the Egyptian uprising that resulted in the overthrow of ex-President Hosni Mubarak.  Youssef’s program has been compared to the Daily Show in the U.S.

Youssef has been the subject of a number of complaints in the past, none of which resulted in his prosecution.  It is possible that the most recent complaint will follow the trend.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, Youssef said that his show is merely satirical, and that it is not his aim to criticize anyone.  “I don’t criticize, I satirize.  I make fun, which is even more shocking.  Whoever is in authority will have to deal with our program,” said Youssef.

He acknowledges the criticism that he receives from the Muslim Brotherhood, whom he considers to be Egypt’s right wing.  “Our right wing here in Egypt is different from the U.S. because people here are more emotional about religion, they can’t differntiate between politics and religion.  The Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis are the right wing, I don’t deal with them as religious groups but as political groups,” he said.

Human rights activists believe that the State’s complaint against Youssef is only “the latest in a series of criminal defamation cases that bode ill for free speech as Egypt reshapes its institutions after Mubarak was toppled.”  Heba Morayef, the Egypt director of Human Rights Watch, believes that there will be an increase in the number of cases similar to the one against Youssef.  “The problem is now we are more likely to see an increase in this because criminal defamation is now embedded in the constitution,” she said.

For further information, please see:

Al Arabiya — Egyptian Comedy Show Host Investigated Over Mursi Insult — 2 January 2013

Al Bawaba — Egyptian Political Satirist Under Scanner for ‘Mocking’ Morsi — 2 January 2013

Al Jazeera — Egypt Cracks Down on Satirists and Media — 2 January 2013

BBC News — Popular Egypt Satirist Accused of Mocking President — 2 January 2013

 

Sunnis Protest in Iraq

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq ­ –  For the fourth time this week, tens of thousands of Sunnis flooded the streets of Ramadi, in the Anbar province, to denounce Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the rest of the Shia led government. As a result of the demonstrations, the main trade route to Jordan and Syria was blocked.

Thousands of Sunnis demonstrate in Iraq’s Anbar province. (Photo Courtesy of the Guardian)

These protests come just a week after ten of Rafia al-Issawi’s bodyguards were arrested by troops loyal to Maliki. Issawi is Iraq’s finance minister and is one of the government’s most senior Sunni officials. Issawi actually went to one of these demonstrations and declared to his fellow Sunnis that, “injustice, marginalisation, discrimination and double standards, as well as the politicisation of the judicial system and lack of respect for partnership, law and constitution . . . have all turned our neighbourhoods in Baghdad into huge prisons surrounded by concrete blocks.”

The Sunni people believed that their government officials were being persecuted even before the arrests of Issawi’s bodyguards. Prior to the arrests, Vice-president Tariq al-Hashemi, Iraq’s highest Sunni official, was sentenced to death. He was charged with running hit squads which he claims are fabricated and is currently in Turkey on exile.

Protestors at the rally flew the old Iraqi flag which Saddam’s Baath party introduced and chanted that, “the people want to bring down the regime.”

Issawi stated that, “this sit-in will remain open-ended until the demonstrators’ demands are met, and until the injustice against ends.”

Others, like Sheikh Ali Hatem Sulaiman, the leader of the Dulaimi tribe, say that if the protests demands are not met, they will bring the protests to “the gates of Baghdad.”

Shia analysts have discounted the effects that these protests will have on any upcoming election. While the demonstrations may have earned a national audience; analyst for the Iraq Institute for Strategic Studies, Yahya Qubaisi, maintains that the demands are not national but merely regional.

There is a serious fear that Iraq will erupt into sectarian violence. These events are particularly problematic given the health status of Jalal Talabani. Talabani, Iraq’s Kurdish president, suffered a stroke around the same time which Issawi’s bodyguards were arrested. Talabani has been seen as a unifying figure who could successfully mediate among the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish.

Political analyst Sabah al-Mukhtar reminded Al Jazeera not to forget that, “we have the Arab Spring. The Iraqis are saying, “if everybody else revolted, why aren’t we revolting against a regime, which is anyway imposed on us by an occupying force in 2003?”

For further information, please see:

Reuters – Iraq Sunni Rallies Gather Steam – 27 December 2012

Al Jazeera – Iraq Sunnis Block Trade Routes in new Protest – 26 December 2012

Guardian – Iraq Protests Signal Growing Tension Between Sunni and Shia Communities – 26 December 2012

New York Times – Iraq: Sunnis Continue Protests Against Prime Minister – 26 December 2012

Morsi Signs new Constitution Into law

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt — On a late Tuesday evening, President Mohamed Morsi signed into law a new constitution, which was approved by a referendum monitored by the media, judges, and non-governmental organizations just hours earlier.

Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi signed the final draft of the constitution into law last Tuesday. (Photo Courtesy of Daily News Egypt)

The constitution itself was criticized by opponents of Morsi for what was within its provisions and the ratification process it followed.  Some say that it sacrifices individual and minority rights for the sake of ensuring power for the religious and military establishments.  Others criticized the constitution and its passing through a series of unilateral moves that silenced the dissent within both the judiciary and Constitutional Assembly.

A spokesman for the main opposition group, the National Salvation Front (NSF), said that they will still continue with their protests, and will hold one in Tahrir Square and elsewhere in Egypt on January 25, the second anniversary of Hosni Mubarak’s overthrow.

The NSF alleged that there were a few incidents of fraud during the vote, but Judge Samir Abou el-Maati, head of the electoral commission, denied the allegations, saying that the judicial supervision involved with the referendum successfully prevented the occurrence of fraud.

Despite the criticism, the final draft of the constitution passed with the support of just over ten million of Egypt’s 85 million citizens, supporting it during two rounds of votes.  Out of the 33% of citizens who came to the polls, 65% of voters approved of the final draft.

On Wednesday, Morsi addressed the nation to show his support for the constitution’s passing, emphasizing that the powers granted by the document is for the sake of maintaining a democracy and not a dictatorship.  “Today we celebrate our new constitution.  It is a historic day.  Egypt has a free constitution chosen chosen by the people.  It is not a grant from a king or an obligation from a president or dictation from an occupier,” said Morsi.

In his speech, Morsi stressed his focus on the economy, saying that the passing of the constitution will bring security and stability for the people.  “I will deploy all my efforts to boost the Egyptian economy, which faces enormous challenges but has also big opportunities for growth…”

Morsi also promoted the opportunity of working together with his criticizers, yet condemned those who responded with violence.  Morsi also promised Egyptians to relinquish the powers he granted himself once a national charter was passed.

In response to Morsi’s Wednesday address, NSF spokesman Hussein Abdel Ghani accused the government of trying to create an “autocratic tyranny in the name of religion,” and that the dialogue “lacked serious business.”

For further information, please see:

Al Bawaba — Morsi Addresses the Nation, Says Talking is the Answer — 26 December 2012

Al Jazeera — Egypt’s Morsi Signs Draft Charter Into Law — 26 December 2012

BBC News — Egypt’s President Morsi Hails Constitution and Urges Dialogue — 26 December 2012

Daily News Egypt — Morsy Addresses Nation After Passing new Constitution — 26 December 2012

“Provocative” Israeli Settlements Threaten Peace

By Emily Schneider
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel – The Israeli government granted initial approval for a total of up to 3,000 homes in Jerusalem, including a 1,500-unit settlement in East Jerusalem. The announcement came a day after the U.S. State Department strongly condemned Israel’s plans for building in East Jerusalem.

An Israeli construction site in n the east Jerusalem settlement of Ramat Shlomo. (Photo courtesy of AP)

The new settlements and expansions to existing ones on land on the Palestinian side of the pre-1967 “green line” was originally announced during Vice President Biden’s visit in 2010. At the time, the announcement resulted in somewhat of a political crisis. It was put on hold because of the controversy it created, but was reinstated and approved this past week. It is one of many plans pushed by Netanyahu to expand into Palestinian territory since November.

Netanyahu spokesman Mark Regev told CNN: “The actual construction is of 3,000 housing units, as was decided by the government on November 30, 2012. All these units are in Jerusalem and the settlement blocs that will stay a part of Israel in a future peace agreement. All other announcements regarding construction refer to stages of planning and zoning, a bureaucratic process that takes years to complete. In any case, this process necessitates a separate decision by the government before actual construction can begin.”

In November, the U.N. granted Palestine an upgrade of their status to nonmember observer state status. Although the change in status still does not recognize Palestine as a State, the U.N. decision symbolically created a degree of statehood for Palestine.  Israel was unhappy with the outcome of the U.N. vote and some see this expansion of settlements as a direct reaction to Palestine’s change in status.

The United Nations and many countries in the world consider Israeli settlements illegal and an impediment to the peace process because they inhibit a two-state solution.

“If there is a financial cliff in Washington or the United States today, there is a political cliff over a two-state solution (here), and I think we are already slipping down the cliff, because the implementation of the massive settlement program that Israel has announced just today and yesterday it is putting an end to the possibility of a two-state solution,” Mohammad Shtayyeh, a Palestinian Authority negotiator and minister, told CNN on Wednesday.

Victoria Nuland, U.S.  Department of State spokesperson said, “we are deeply disappointed that Israel insists on continuing this pattern of provocative action,” and said that such actions “run counter to the cause of peace. Israel’s leaders continually say that they support a path towards a two-state solution, yet these actions only put that goal further at risk.”

For more information, please see:

JPost – Analysis: In the Eye of the Beholder – 24 Dec. 2012

CNN- Israel Says it Will Build Settlements in East Jerusalem Neighborhoods – 20 Dec. 2012

Telegraph – U.S. Condemns ‘Provocative’ Israeli Settlement Building – 19 Dec. 2012

Al Jazeera – U.N. Votes to Upgrade Palestinian Status – 29 Nov. 2012