Somali Member of Parliament Killed In Mogadishu Ahead Of Cabinet Vote

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Immunity Watch, Managing Editor

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Al-Shabab fighters have shot and killed Abdulahi Qayad Barre, a member of Somalia’s Parliament in Mogadishu. “Abdulahi Qayad Barre was shot dead, men killed him as he left his house to go to parliament,” fellow Member of Parliament Abdukarim Hajji announced on Monday. The killing is the latest in a string of assassinations of politicians in the war-torn nation of Somalia. At least five Members of Parliament were assassinated in 20014, Barre was the first to have been assassinated in 2015. The al-Shabab rebels, an al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist organization, are fighting to overthrow the country’s internationally-backed government. The fighters claim they are targeting members of the Somali Parliament because they allowed the deployment of foreign troops in Somalia through the African Union’s peacekeeping mission known as AMISOM. Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia have contributed troops to the region.

Somalia Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke during a ceremony in the capital Mogadishu, December 17, 2014 (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

“Shebab commandos shot and killed Barre, and all the so-called MPs are a legitimate target subject to be killed or captured, to face the justice of Allah,” al-Shabab spokesman Sheikh Abdul Aziz Abu Musab said. “This [is] the fate of all non-believers.” Al-Shabab’s recent attacks in Somalia have targeted key government and security facilities in an attempt to discredit claims by the government and by African Union troops that they are winning the war.

The assassination occurred amid heightened security as lawmakers gathered to vote on whether to approve a new cabinet, after parliament first rejected the new prime minister’s last list of candidates. Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke was named prime minister in December.

Somalia’s parliament approved the new cabinet on Monday despite the assassination. The approval is considered a pivotal step in preparing Somalia to vote on a new constipation and hold presidential elections in 2016. Western donors have put considerable pressure on the Somali government to adopt a new cabinet. “The new cabinet now has little time left to deliver against the priorities that the Somali government set out in Vision 2016 and that formed the basis for international support,” European Union envoys said in a joint statement.

The United States department of State welcomed the announcement from the Somali government. “The United States welcomes the February 9 parliamentary confirmation of Somalia’s Council of Ministers. As the new Council of Ministers assumes office, we urge the Federal Government of Somalia to make swift progress in the important work that remains to realize its Vision 2016, including a constitutional referendum and national elections, a state department statement said. “Somalia’s progress toward realizing the peacebuilding, governance, and security goals is of critical importance to the people of Somalia and the broader region. The United States is committed to supporting the government and people of Somalia. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Somali Government and people as they work to stabilize and rebuild their country.”

For more information please see:

United States Department Of State – Confirmation of New Somalia Council of Ministers – 10 February 2015
Al Jazeera – Somalia Lawmaker Shot Dead in Mogadishu – 9 February 2015
Reuters – Al Shabaab Militants Kill Another Somali Lawmaker in Mogadishu – 9 February 2015
Reuters – Somali Parliament Approves Cabinet after Weeks of Wrangling – 9 February 2015

 

Indonesia Set to Execute Two Australian Nationals Convicted of Drug Smuggling

By Max Bartels 

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania 

 

Jakarta, Indonesia

Indonesia is in the process of performing more executions of convicted drug smugglers, many of who are foreign nationals. Indonesia has recently clamped down on the drug smuggling trade and resolved to pass more strict sentences. Two Australian citizens have been convicted by the Indonesian courts and sentenced to death. Both Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran are being held on death row on the Indonesian island of Bali. They are member of the “Bali Nine” and were attempting to smuggle heroin from Indonesia into Australia.

Andrew Chan on the left and Myuran Sukumaran on the right. (Photo curtesy of ABC News)

The Australian Government has been pleading with the Indonesian government and the President Joko Widodo. Over 100 Australian federal politicians have written to the Indonesian Ambassador pleading for the lives of both prisoners. The letters ask that the sentences for both convicts be commuted to appropriate sentences so that they can be deported back to Australia. The politicians letters all make clear that they understand the terrible impact the drug trade has on Indonesian society but asks them to consider rehabilitation and to think of prisoners suffering and their families suffering. The letters also mention that the tip that led to both the arrests was given by the Australian Federal Police and that the harm of the crime was intended for Australia and not on Indonesia.

Andrew Chan’s mother traveled to Bali to visit her son on death row. She made statements to the press pleading  clemency for her son’s life in the hope that President Widodo would hear her plea. Both Ms. Chan and Myuran Sukumaran’s mother,  traveled to Jakarta to meet with Indonesia’s Human Rights Commission to get support against the death penalty. Ms. Sukumaran pleaded that her son is not the same man who committed the crime 10 years ago and pointed out the differences from other capital cases that Indonesia has executed recently, including that the drugs were meant to be smuggled into Australia.

Indonesia has now informed Australia that the executions will be delayed. Indonesia’s Justice and Human Rights Minister cited the current political situation as well as conflict between corruption investigators and the National Police as the reason for the delay. The National Police is known to be the most corrupt government agency in Indonesia. It remains to be seen if the Indonesian government will carry out the executions but they have recently executed foreign nationals convicted of drug smuggling charges without regard to pleas from foreign states or families.

For more information, please see: 

The Guardian — Bali Nine: Australian Politicians Plead for Indonesia to Spare Condemned Pair — 10 February 2015

The Sydney Morning Herald — Suspected Bali Nine Mastermind Living in Luxury as Andrew Chan and Myrun Sukumaran Sit on Death Row — 10 February 2015

ABC News — Bali Nine: Confusion in Indonesia Government Over Whether Executions of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran Will be Delayed — 10 February 2015 

ABC News — Bali Nine: Andrew Chan’s Mother Helen Makes Impassioned Plea for Her Son’s Life — 9 February 2015

 

Same Sex Couples Wed in Alabama In Defiance of Judge’s Order

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Managing Editor

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States of America – Wedding bells are ringing for same sex couples across Alabama despite an order issued by the state’s chief justice, Roy S. Moore, intended to stop local judges from issuing marriage license to same sex couples. Amid conflicting signals from U.S. federal courts and the chief justice of Alabama’s Supreme Court, some Alabama counties began granting marriage licenses to same­ sex couples on Monday. In major counties like Birmingham, Montgomery and Huntsville, same sex couples lined up outside courthouses as they opened and were granted marriage licenses after being wed by clergy or by the judges themselves in defiance of Roy Moore’s ban. A United States district court ruled last month that Alabama must issue same-sex marriage licenses starting Monday.

Robert Povilat, 60, and Milton Persinger, 47 celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision not to stop same sex marriage in Alabama. They were the first in line for marriage licence at their county courthouse. (Photo courtesy of The New York Times)

Roy Moore issued an order attempting to stop judges in the state from issuing marriage licenses as an attempt to stop the licenses when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene. “Effective immediately, no Probate Judge of the State of Alabama nor any agent or employee of any Alabama Probate Judge shall issue or recognize a marriage license that is inconsistent with [state law],” Moore said in the order. He explained his move as “necessary for the orderly administration of justice within the state.”

At least six counties began granting licenses to same-sex couples in defiance of Roy’s order, including the state’s most populous counties. Judge Steve Blair said the issue of judicial authority is “long settled” and “my personal beliefs … are entirely immaterial.” The actions of judges in these counties made Alabama the 37th state with legal same-sex unions. At least eight counties refused licenses to same-sex couples, including Tuscaloosa, Lee, Elmore, Covington, Calhoun, Cleburne, Franklin and Washington. Washington probate judge Nick Williams said of his action, “I’m not worried about following the US constitution.” Also, at least six counties refused licenses to anyone, straight or gay, including Mobile, Bibb, Clarke, Shelby, Pike and Marengo, where a judge will offer papers but won’t sign them. Additionally at least six counties are accepting applications for same sex marriage license but are waiting for the United States Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue.

For some, the conflict between the federal order and the judge’s order, largely seen as a reflection of Roy’s own beliefs, is reminiscent of the legal struggles waged in the state during the Civil Rights era. “I don’t want to see judges make the same mistakes that I think were made in this state 50 years ago, where you have state officials not abiding by federal orders,” said Judge Steven L. Reed of Montgomery County, who added, “The legacy always hangs over us until we show that we’re beyond it.”

For more information please see:

The Guardian – Alabama Same-Sex Marriages Continue As Governor Refuses To Intervene – Live Updates – 9 February 2015

The New York Times – Same­Sex Marriages Proceed in Alabama as State Judge’s Order Is Defied – 9 February 2015

Time – Gay Marriage Begins in Alabama despite Top Judge’s Order – 9 February 2015

The Wall Street Journal – Alabama’s Chief Justice Fails in Bid to Block Gay Marriages – 9 February 2015

 

Death Toll in Ukraine Conflict Now Exceeds 5,300

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Managing Editor

KIEV, Ukraine – According to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the overall death toll in the recent conflict in the Ukraine now exceeds 5,358 people. An additional 12,235 have been wounded since mid-April of last year. “The rebel offensive continues and civilians are dying on a daily basis,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement issued by his spokesperson. “Any further escalation will prove catastrophic for the 5.2 million people living in the midst of conflict in eastern Ukraine,” the high commissioner for Human Rights said.

Many civilians have fled fighting in Donetsk. since the start of the conflict more than 600,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, 400,000 of whom have fled to Russia. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

Indiscriminate shelling has been reported in residential areas in government-controlled territories such as Debaltseve and Avdiivka and rebel-held cities such as Donetsk and Horlivka the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said. “Bus stops and public transport, marketplaces, schools and kindergartens, hospitals and residential areas have become battlegrounds in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine — in clear breach of international humanitarian law which governs the conduct of armed conflicts,” the high commissioner said in a statement. Last, the most deadly single incident involving civilians occurred in the southeastern city of Mariupol when two attacks were carried out using multiple-launch rocket systems that killed least 31 people and injured 112 others, the United Nations said.

Despite mounting evidence the Russian government denies denies accusations that it has been sending troops and supplying the pro-Russian rebels. Russian President Vladimir Putin blames the current conflict in the Ukraine is the fault of the west, he told an Egyptian newspaper that Western countries had broken pledges not to expand NATO and forced countries to choose between them and Russia.

Putin’s comments come amid new hopes for a peace deal this Wednesday. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande flew to Moscow on Friday to discuss proposals to end the fighting. The details of the proposed peace deal have not been released but the plan is believed to include a demilitarized zone of 50-70km (31-44 miles) around the current front lines of the conflict zone. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reportedly spoke on the phone on Sunday, they announced that a four-way summit could be held Minsk, if the details were agreed before Wednesday.

Chancellor Merkel is expected to brief United States President Barack Obama in Washington D.C. later on Monday on the peace plan as the United considers broadening its role in the region, including the possibility of sending weapons to the Ukrainian government. Some U.S. officials, as well as senior Republicans including Senator John McCain, argue that some form of military support is necessary. However, Chancellor Merkel said she could not “imagine any situation in which improved equipment for the Ukrainian army leads to President Putin being so impressed that he believes he will lose militarily.”

The current crisis in eastern Ukraine began in late February 2014 stemming from an initial internal political crisis and degrading violent clashes in parts of the country and has now reached full scale conflict in the eastern region of the country. Despite the Minsk cease-fire, the situation in Ukraine has deteriorated.

For more information please see

BBC News – Ukraine conflict: Vladimir Putin renews blame on West – 9 February 2015

BBC News – Ukraine crisis: Hollande and Merkel in Putin talks – 6 February 2015

The United Nations News Centre – UN chief ‘gravely concerned’ as civilian death toll from Ukraine conflict continues to rise – 5 February 2015

CNN International – Civilians increasingly under fire as Ukraine devastation grows – 3 February

Push for US to Arm Ukrainian Military with New Minsk Talks Looming

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

KIEV, Ukraine – German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko are all working towards another meeting in Minsk, Belarus to discuss peace. The first such meeting led to a cease-fire, but that agreement has since broken down as fighting has dramatically increased in Eastern Ukraine once again.

Ukrainian troops positioned around Debaltseve, near Donetsk. (Photo courtesy of The Guardian)

 

One point that Ukraine is pushing for is monitored security on the border between Ukraine and Russia. This is due to evidence that has come in at several points over the past year that suggests Russia has sent weapons, troops, and vehicles to Eastern Ukraine for the rebels to use in their fight against Kiev. Regardless, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko is eager to bring back peace to their neighboring country.

While these talks may not include the United States, the US is nonetheless considering sending lethal force to Ukraine to assist in fighting the pro-Russian rebels in Eastern Ukraine. Poroshenko says Ukraine would welcome more non-lethal aid such as “counter-barrage radar …, communications and radio jamming technology,” night-vision goggles, and radios. Further, Obama is set to meet with Merkel before she goes to Minsk for the new round of peace talks, likely to discuss and coordinate the United States’s plan and Europe’s plan.

Pro-Russian rebels in Eastern Ukraine, along with Russia, have been pushing for Eastern Ukraine to gain independence as their own nation – “New Russia.” Recently, rebels in the Donetsk region and the Luhansk region have been discussing working together in making this goal a reality, and Putin has pushed for international recognizance of independence. Kiev agreed in the original Minsk agreement to back off from Eastern Ukraine and grant more autonomy to the rebel-held territory, but given the recent violence and shifting of the front, Kiev is less willing to do so now and it will likely effect Kiev’s willingness to grant this again in the new Minsk talks.

For more information, please see:

Fox – Cruz pushes for US to arm Ukraine, as European leaders push for cease-fire – 8 February 2015

The Guardian – Ukraine conflict: four-nation peace talks in Minsk aim to end crisis – 8 February 2015

Yahoo – Putin-backed rebels just made a huge move right under Europe’s nose – 6 February 2015

BBC – Ukraine crisis: Pentagon ‘chief’ inclined to send weapons – 4 February 2015