Protests in Sao Paulo Turn Violent During World Cup Match

by Delisa Morris

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, Brazil – While the England and Uruguay World Cup match was coming to an end, protests in São Paulo on the other side of town turned violent.  This demonstration turned into antigovernment riots, ostensibly calling for free public transit in Brazil.  The riot was one of the largest demonstrations over the course of the World Cup so far.

A protester jumps over a fire barricade during a violent protest in Sao Paulo. Image courtesy of Time.com

Initially more than a thousand people had gathered to commemorate the one-year anniversary of a successful protest against a transit fare hike.  However, like other transit protests, this one was a flash point to release deep-seated frustrations over poverty and government spending.

At first things were peaceful, like most of the recent demonstrations across Brazil over the course of the World Cup have been, the protest quickly escalated when groups of masked men began to set fires in the street and shatter bank windows.

Tensions were high in the city after a group of men dressed in black threw explosives – possibly fireworks – into a bar crowded with England supporters viewing their country’s match.  The men fled to a bus and were arrested harboring knives, more fireworks and brass knuckles.

A few hours later, around 2,000 Brazilian protesters took to the streets to mark the anniversary of last year’s public transportation protests.  The demonstration was organized by Free Fare, the same group that started last year’s massive protests.  Thursday’s protest began peacefully, but some marches later turned to violence and vandalism as the England-Uruguay game started on the opposite side of the city.  As they did last year, the demonstrators set up burning barricades.  Police responded with tear gas and finally quelled the unrest after five hours or so.  Eyewitnesses claim the anarchist group “Black Block” was behind much of the violence and destruction of property.

The protesters broke the windows of banks and broke into a car dealership to smash the cars there.  Television images showed groups of masked men spray painting graffiti on cars, firing off rockets and smashing public property as police responded with tear gas

One of the largest Brazilian protests during the World Cup soccer tournament thus far, and it was the first to become overtly violent.  A police spokesperson reported no injuries to either protesters or foreign soccer fans.

While a number of anti-government protests have broken out in Brazil since the World Cup began, most have been on a much smaller scale.  Most of the demonstrations in the past few weeks have sought to confront a government that protesters say pays insufficient attention to both public resources and its employees.

The protest shut down one of the city’s main thoroughfares, though the impact of traffic was limited due to a national holiday on Thursday. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters — Sao Paulo protest turns violent as World Cup game ends — 19 June 2014

The Wall Street Journal — Protests in Sao Paulo Turn Violent — 19 June 2014

International Business Times — Sao Paulo Protests Devolve Into Violent Riot After England-Uruguay World Cup Match — 19 June 2014

Time — Amid the World Cup, a Violent Reminder of Brazil’s Discontent — 20 June 2014

Syrian Justice and Accountability Center: Learning from Experience: Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission

June 18, 2014

“There can be no sustainable democracy without acknowledging and addressing mistakes of the past.”– Tunisian President Moncef Al-Marzouki, 9 June 2014

Last week, Tunisia launched a Truth and Dignity Commission, tasked with investigating alleged human rights violations. The Commission’s mandate calls for a review of events from 1955 to today.  In forming this commission, Tunisia recognizes that no transition is complete without addressing past wrongdoings. Other countries experiencing violent conflict–such as Syria–can learn from Tunisia’s efforts.

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Tunisians drafted a strong mandate, proactively avoiding hurdles encountered by other countries’ commissions. In the past, truth commissions have had limited effect due to lack of government buy-in, inadequate access to data, weak mandates, and insufficient resources and/or commitment to follow through with truth and dignity efforts. While the Tunisian Truth and Dignity Commission may not weather every obstacle, its mandate positions it well. The Commission was created by the government — indicating institutional interest and buy-in. The Commission will have access to public and private archives (article 40). Its mandate is thoughtful and clear, including balanced language on gender inclusion (article 19), consideration of funding (part 6), and requirements for government follow-through on the Commission’s recommendations (articles 64, 70).

Other strengths of the mandate include consideration of prosecution (articles 42, 45),  provisions for commissioner confidentiality (articles 31, 60, 66), and the responsibility to investigate disappeared persons and determine culpability (articles 4, 8, 39). Moreover, on a programmatic end, the mandate authorizes the commission to develop a comprehensive reparations program (articles 1, 11, 12, 39)–including a fund for victims–and a venue for Tunisians citizens to submit complaints or petitions about rights violations (articles 13, 40).

Particularly relevant to Syria are the Commission’s diverse makeup, well-defined time period under investigation, and commitment to investigate both state and non-state actors. The Tunisian mandate enumerates provisions for a commission representative of Tunisia’s different ethnicities, professions, and genders (part 2). If formed, a Syrian commission may wish to do the same; an inclusive, representative commission has a greater chance of securing popular support and achieving effective results. Moreover, a well-defined timeframe (articles 17, 22) offers clarity. Like Tunisia, Syria has endured human rights abuses for decades. Setting a clear start date and end date for consideration enables commissions to focus. Lastly, Tunisia’s commitment to investigate both state and non-state actors (articles 3, 39) is valuable. Given the range of actors committing human rights abuses in Syria, any truth commissions will be most successful if they consider them all.

Other elements to watch as the Truth and Dignity Commission moves forward:

  • Prosecution: if the Prosecutor declines to pursue a case, what avenues for reconsideration exist? Might the Commission be able to re-open an investigation (for example, to find more evidence) and then re-submit it to the Prosecutor?
  • Duration: the timeframe laid out for submission of grievances and investigations appears short (article 18); will it be sufficient?
  • Arbitration: the Commission’s mandate outlines an arbitration process (articles 45-50), which includes mediation between parties. This is not typical of truth commissions, and therefore this mechanism’s challenges and successes bear careful monitoring.
  • Government participation: the mandate authorizes the Commision to make recommendations to the government to ban certain people from public office (article 43). Ultimately, who will have the final authority to determine whether or not a person can participate in government?

Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission joins over 40 truth commissions from across the globe. Following the progress and impact of other truth commissions can reveal lessons from past successes and mistakes. As Syrians contemplate appropriate mechanisms for achieving accountability and truth for violations, highlights from experiences such as Tunisia’s can be instructive.

Nigeria World Cup Viewers hit by Deadly Suicide Bomber

By: Danielle L. Cowan (Gwozdz)
Senior Desk Operator, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – At least 21 people have been killed in a bomb blast in northern Nigeria as they were watching a World Cup match, a hospital source told BBC News.

Police at scene of suicide bomber (photo courtesy of Associated Press)

 

Witnesses in Yobe state say a suicide bomber in a tricycle taxi detonated explosives as people watched Brazil’s match against Mexico on TV.

At least 27 people are seriously injured.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by Boko Haram, an armed Islamic group that wants to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state, was suspected.

Nathan Cheghan, a Police Assistant Superintendent, said that rescue workers had been careful about rushing to the scene for fear of secondary explosions. The Boko Haram group frequently detonates secondary explosions to kill those who help victims from the first bomb.

Young children were among the victims.

The Nigerian government has advised World Cup fans to avoid crowded public screenings of the tournament in Brazil, fearing possible attacks.

Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden” in the Hausa language, has listed football, or soccer, as one of the sinful and corrupting signs of western influence they want to eradicate.

Nigeria’s military has promised increased security but appears incapable of halting a stream of attacks by extremists holding more than 250 schoolgirls hostage.

A hospital worker told the media that truckloads of injured people are being treated in overcrowded wards.

“The injured people are so numerous I cannot count them,” the worker said after the blast.

An emergency has been declared in three states, including Yobe, amid attakcs by suspected Boko Haram militants.

There have also been warnings of potential attacks at venues showing the World Cup in East Africa – Somali Islamist group al-Shabab killed 76 people watching the 2010 World Cup final at two restaurants in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

The kidnapping of the girls two months ago and failure of Nigeria’s military and government to rescue them has roused international concern. The US is searching for the girls with drones and has sent experts along with Britain and France to help in counter-terrorism tactics and hostage negotiation.

Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to sell the girls into slavery unless the government agrees to exchange them for detained extremists, but President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will not exchange prisoners.

Nigeria’s military has said it knows where the girls are but that any military campaign could get them killed.

For more information, please visit:
BBC News – Nigeria World Cup viewers hit by deadly bomb blast – 18 June 2014
CBC News – Nigeria suicide bombing of World Cup viewing site kills 14 – 18 June 2014
The Globe and Mail – Blast at Nigerian World Cup viewing site kills 14 – 18 June 2014
International Business Times – Nigeria: Boko Haram Kills Children in ‘Un-Islamic’ World Cup Bombing – 18 June 2014
The Independent – ’14 killed’ in Nigeria suicide bomb attack on World Cup viewing venue – 18 June 2014
Daily Monitor – Bomb attack kills Nigerian World Cup fans – 18 June 2014

Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Gains More Ground in Iraq; US to Deploy Troops to Secure American Embassy

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Managing Editor

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) attacked the Kurdish town of Basheer on Tuesday in an attempt by the jihadist group to gain ground in the oil-rich area just south of Kirkuk. Officials from the Kurdish militia, the Peshmerga, said at least three of their soldiers were killed during the fighting. “Basheer is mostly all Shia. So ISIS just came to kill all of them,” a Peshmerga official said of the Sunni group. The attack on the town of Basheer comes just one day after three car bombs exploded in the city of Kirkuk. These events indicate that ISIS has not given up efforts to gain ground in North Iraq despite its simultaneous success in capturing ground to the south as it makes its way towards Baghdad.

The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has expanded its operational presence from Syria into the heart of Iraq with major after the group successfully took control in Mosul, the largest city in Northern Iraq.

Since launching their attack on Iraq by seizing Mosul, Iraq’s second most populous city, last week ISIS fighters have advanced into the heart of Iraq through the Tigris river valley, reportedly killing hundreds of Iraqi troops in mass executions. United Nation’s staff and other sources on the ground in Iraq reported the executions of hundreds of Iraqis following the ISIS takeover of Mosul. The victims included disarmed soldiers swell as religious leaders and other civilians. “Based on corroborated reports from a number of sources, it appears that hundreds of non-combatant men were summarily executed over the past five days, including surrendered or captured soldiers, military conscripts, police and others associated with the Government,” Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said.  Pillay stressed that “although the numbers cannot be verified yet, this apparently systematic series of cold-blooded executions, mostly conducted in various locations in the Tikrit area, almost certainly amounts to war crimes.”

ISIS fighters have been joined by other Sunni factions, including former members of the ousted Baath Party and tribal figures, who share widespread anger felt among Iraq’s Sunni minority at perceived oppression by the Shi’ite-led government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki which has failed to allow appropriate Sunni representation in Iraq’s new government.  Several western countries, including the United States, have urged Prime Minister al-Maliki to reach out to the Sunni population to rebuild national unity as the only way of preventing the disintegration of the country.

According to the Kurdish regional Prime Minister, Nechirvan Barzan, Kurdish Peshmerga forces will not help Iraq’s army retake the city of Mosul from jihadist militants, the head of the Kurdistan Regional Government says. Barzani has said that his “top priority” is to protect KRG-administered areas in the north-east. Over the past week Kurdish Peshmerga fighters have taken control of several towns and cities that were deserted by deserted Iraqi government soldiers when ISIS began to advance into the region. These communities include the city of Kirkuk, which is at the center of a political dispute between the KRG and al- Maliki’s central government in Baghdad.

Barzani also argued that Iraq’s Sunni Arabs should be given their own autonomous zone by the Iraqi government. The Iraqi constitution, which entered into effect after the U.S. led occupation of Iraq, allows for the establishment of semi-autonomous regional governments. However the Iraqi government has made no moves to establish a new regional government since the Constitution entered into effect and the Kurdish region of Iraq remains the only semi-autonomous regional authority in the country.

United States President Barack Obama announced plans to send up to 275 military personnel to bolster the protection of the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. The President is also reportedly considering the opinion of airstrikes against ISIS. President Ob President Obama is also reportedly weighing air strikes. President Obama oversaw the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, the U.S. combat mission in Iraq officially ended in December 2011 with the final withdraw of combat forces.

For more information please see:

BBC News – Iraq Conflict: Kurds ‘Will Not Help Retake Mosul’ – 17 June 2014

CNN International – Iraq Crisis: ISIS Advances on Baquba as U.S. Moves Firepower to Region – 17 June 2014

International Business Times – ISIS Attacks Near Kirkuk Oil Fields; Kurdish Fighters Vow To Crush Jihadist Group – 17 June 2014

NBC News – Life Under ISIS: Iraqis Return to Mosul, Seeing Militants As Safer Bet – 17 June 2014

United Nations News Centre – UN Condemns Mass Executions in Iraq, Urges Leaders to Prevent Sectarian Reprisal – 16 June 2014

U.S. Prison and Jail Conditions Under Scrutiny

By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch, Desk Reporter

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America – On Wednesday, 4 June 2014, a lawsuit that alleges unconstitutional practices used by California’s Department of Corrections moved forward and was scheduled for trial. Originally filed in 2012, the suit alleges the solitary confinement of inmates in California violates the eighth amendment of the U.S constitution.

Justice Department calls Los Angeles County Jail conditions “deplorable” in a recent report (photo curtesy of BBC)

The suit is the latest in a series of actions taken by human rights activists to end the use of near-isolation in California. The practice of near-isolation keeps inmates with suspected ties to prison gangs in small concrete cells for a minimum of 22 ½ hours per day. There are nearly 120,000 inmates in the California prison system and 4,054 are held in solitary confinement for almost 24 hours a day. The rooms in which these inmates are housed are no larger than 100 square feet.

The focus of the lawsuit is the security-housing unit at the state’s notorious Pelican Bay prison. There, 539 inmates are currently being housed and 227 of them for more than ten years.

Federal Judge Claudia Wilken ruled that the inmates who have been housed in the Pelican Bay units for more than ten years can be part of the suit as a class action. The Judge divided the inmates into two groups, those who have the right to sue under the eighth amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment, and those who may sue under the 14th amendment, which protects a persons due process rights.

The U.S Justice Department has also paid particularly close attention to the poor conditions in Los Angeles County jails. A recent report by the U.S. Justice Department has said that the nation’s largest jail system has “serious systematic deficiencies” and “deplorable environmental conditions”, despite a 2002 court order that required the state to address the appalling conditions.

In a separate lawsuit, the Supreme Court declined on Monday, 9 June 2014 to hear an appeal of a court order that requires California to ensure that disabled inmates who are housed in country jails receive appropriate accommodations.

In her 2012 order, U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken required the state to track 2,000 disabled inmates in its custody and report to county jails when an inmate who was entitled to accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act was transferred  to country jurisdiction.

A report issued by the Justice Department noted that jail officials have failed to address a dramatic increase in suicides over the past two years stating, “fifteen suicides in 25 months produces almost no discernible changes in the jails’ custodial practices.”

The recent reforms in California have sparked other States to follow suit. On Thursday, 5 June 2014, Judge Stephen Reinhardt of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a federal district court ruling that Arizona inmates can press a class- action claim against the state. The case echoes the prisoner civil rights cases that have kept California’s prison system under federal control.

 

For more information please see the following:

BBC – LA Jail conditions ‘ Unconstitutional’– 16 June 2014.

L.A. TIMES – Arizona Prison Litigation Echoes California Cases – 16 June 2014.

REUTERS –  Lawsuit Calling Isolation in California Prisons Torture Moves Forward – 16 June 2014.

REUTERS – Supreme Court Refuses to Hear California Prison Overcrowding Case – 16 June 2014.