Iraqi Kurds Protest Regarding Possible Turkish Invasion

Iraqi Kurds Protest Regarding Possible Turkish Invasion

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

IRBIL, Iraq- The Turkish parliament has approved a resolution to allow its military to attack Northern Iraq. Turkey is seeking to retaliate against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Over 30,000 people have died in the warfare between the PKK and the Turkish military. The PKK is a rebel militia based on fighting for liberty and independent statehood for the Kurds. In response to the Parliamentary vote, over 5,000 Kurds filled the streets in Irbil to protest the the possible invasion.

The Kurds are one of largest people groups without its own independent nation. Around 20 million Kurds live in Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria. The Kurds are a largely Sunni Muslim people. Previous to World War I, the Kurds were a nomadic people. After World War I their lifestyle drastically changed forcing them to partially integrate their culture, which has caused them to fight for independent statehood.

This has caused tension between the Kurds and their host nations. Turkey has been reluctant to designate the Kurds as a minority people group and the Kurdish language was banned in Turkey until 1991. Also in Iraq during the Anfal war, over 100,000 Kurds were killed forcing many Kurds to flee to Iran for safety.

Currently, Ali Hassan al-Majid, Saddam Hussein’s cousin, widely known as ‘Chemical Ali’ for his usage of chemical agents to kill Kurds, is being held by the Iraqi government and will be executed in “the coming days.” (Al- Jazeera)

In response to the Turkish Parliament’s vote, the Kurds protested in the streets of Erbil, which is located in Northern Iraq. The Kurds have promised to support the PKK if the Turks attack Iraq. The Kurds believe that an attack against the PKK would be degrading the new found independence that the Iraqi Kurds have obtained since Saddam Hussein’s removal from office.

Turkey has stated that it would prefer the US and the Iraqi government to respond to the PKK’s attacks firmly and that invasion is not the first option. However, if the Turks do attack Iraq, then it is likely that the Kurds will stick together and fight back.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera- ‘Chemical Ali’ execution ‘in days’- 18 October 2007

BBC News- Kurds ‘will fight Turkish raids’ – 19 October 2007

Bloomberg News- Turkey Urges U.S. to Seize PKK Rebels to Prevent Raid (Update2)- 18 October 2007

Encyclopedia Brittanica- The Kurds: People without a country- Accessed 20 October 2007

Reuters- Turkey expects US actions against Kurd rebels-PM- 20 October 2007

WashingtonPost.com- Who Are The Kurds?– Accessed 20 October 2007

USA Today- Iraqi Kurds protest Turkish incursion vote- 18 October 2007

State of Emergency in Eastern Chad

By Meryl A. White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NDJAMENA, Chad– Along the border of Eastern Chad and Sudan, there has been heavy fighting since a state of emergency was declared in the region. During the month of October, more than 300 people have been killed in the region.

Houmadji Moussa Doumgor, spokesman for Chad’s government, has stated that the government and military will use the state of emergency to “survey all comings and goings to prevent continued attacks.”

Annette Rehrl, a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, believes that the recent flare up of events were predictable. She stated, “I think the violence has been interrupted only by celebrating Ramadan for the past month. So we were expecting it, it is not completely news to us, because we are still in a very volatile and very dangerous political situation here.

Rebel leader Mahamat Nour agreed to sign a peace agreement with the government of Chad. Nevertheless, Nour was recently quoted saying that the agreement will represent only “partial peace” and rebel fighting will continue.

On October 10, Steve Godbold, a 48-year-old American aid worker was kidnapped by militants in Tibesti, located in the northern part of Chad. This kidnapping was directed as a warning to foreigners to stay out of the militant region. Negotiations are currently under way with the Movement for Democracy and Justice in Chad (MDJT) rebels to secure the release of Godbold.

In early November, 3,000 European peacekeepers are expected to assist in Chad and the neighboring Central African Republic. They will help to provide protection to more than 300,000 Sudanese refugees who have crossed the border into Chad.

For more information, please see:

Reuters- Chad says US missionary kidnapped by rebels – 18 October 2007

BBC- Chad rebels battle army in east – 19 October 2007

VOA- State of Emergency Takes Effect in North, Eastern Chad – 17 October 2007

Iran Detains Leading Human Rights Activist

By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – On October 14, one of Iran’s most prominent human rights defenders was arrested, raising fear of many who believe that the government is taking a tougher line with its critics to silence them.

Journalist Emadeddin Baghi was arrested on Sunday and charged with “propaganda against the system” and “publishing secret government documents” for his activities as president of the Society for the Defense of Prisoners’ Rights. Although bail was initially set for 500 million rials (approximately US $50,000), prison authorities revoked it by converting a 2003 suspended sentence to imprisonment. His family currently has no idea where he is detained.

Baghi has been a dedicated campaigner for human rights in Iran despite constantly being summoned to court for various allegations. In 2000, a court sentenced Baghi to a three-year prison term for his writings about the serial murders of dissident intellectuals in Iran in 1990s. In 2003, Baghi was sentenced to a one-year suspended term for “endangering national security” and “printing lies” in his book, The Tragedy of Democracy in Iran. In July, Baghi and his family were sentenced to suspended three-years terms for documenting and publicizing human rights violations in Iranian courts and prisons.

Baghi founded the Society for the Defense of Prisoners’ Rights in 2003 to monitor allegations of torture and to promote abolition of death penalty in Iran. The number of executions in Iran has increased over the years, and this month, nine people were executed in a mass hanging.

Human rights groups around the world have condemned the arrest and many reformist students in Iran have come out in support of Baghi. Joe Stork, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at Human Rights Watch said “the Iranian government should applaud Baghi for his efforts on behalf of prisoners’ rights, not arrest him.”

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Iran Hangs 12 for rape and murder – 18 October 2007

BBC News – Iran Human rights activist held – 16 October 2007

Human Rights Watch – Release leading defender of prisoners’ rights – 16 October 2007

USA Today – Iran detains human rights activist – 16 October 2007

Piracy and Kidnapping Deepens Food Crisis

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia– Somalia has been in a state of crisis since Ethiopian forces helped Somali government troops oust the Islamic court in December. From that point, Somali has experienced un-relentless violence while the new government battles for stability and control. Thousands of people, both civilians and soldiers, have lost their lives. Just two days ago, at least eight civilians and one policeman were killed in a battle which lasted for hours. The fighting began when roughly 100 Islamic insurgents attacked a police station with grenades and machine guns in southern Mogadishu, ultimately seizing the station. Like in many war-ravaged countries, the civilians suffer most.

Crucial food aid and other humanitarian relief have stalled due to incessant piracy off the coast of Somalia. According to the London-based International Maritime Bureau (IMB), within the first nine months of this year, pirate attacks have jumped to 14%. The IMB has advised all merchants to remain at least 200 nautical miles away from the coast. Pirates are suspected of targeting tourist liners as well as ships with food relief cargo. After the United Nations (UN) ship, the MV Rozen, was hijacked in February during a mission to deliver food to northern Somalia, the World Food Program has deferred to the more costly air delivery. The MV Rozen crew was later released in April.

In some instances the hijacking turned deadly. With the Somali government unable to quell violence within the capital, the coasts are virtually un-policed.

According to the UN around 1.5 million Somalis are in need of food aid and protection. To make matters worse, the UN has suspended food distribution in Mogadishu as of yesterday. The suspension comes after the World Food Program (WFP) said 50 to 60 heavily armed government soldiers stormed the UN compound and detained Idris Osman, the local head of the WFP in charge of feeding thousands of people in the capital. Somali’s Interior Minister Mohamed Mohamoud Guled denies any government operation at the compound and claims the WFP recently distributed food without consulting the government. The WFP along with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demands the immediate release of Osman. In addition, UN deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe, asserts that the Somali government’s action violates international law.

For more information please see:

BBC – Somali Aid Stopped after Kidnap – 18 October 2007

Yahoo News (AP) – Somalia Detains U.N. Food Aid Official – 17 October 2007

Yahoo News (AP) – Piracy off Somalia, Nigeria Increases – 16 October 2007

BBC- Somalia’s Pirates are “Thriving” – 16 October 2007

BRIEF: Congo War Crimes Suspect Transferred to ICC

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo – A former Congolese warlord was transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague today to face war crimes charges including murder, sexual slavery, and recruiting child soldiers.  Germain Katanga led the Patriotic Forces of Resistance of Ituri (FRPI) militia in northern DRC.  He is the second suspect to be transferred to the ICC.

The ICC prosecutor alleges that Katanga’s FRPI fighters committed criminal acts against mostly civilians of the Hema ethnic group in Ituri province between January and March 2003.  Katanga is charged with 3 counts of crimes against humanity and 6 counts of war crimes for his involvement.  200 civilians were massacred, women and girls were raped and enslaved, and villagers were imprisoned in a room filled with corpses. Katanga is also charged with using child soldiers in the attack.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Second Congo war crimes suspect transferred to ICC – 18 October 2007

AllAfrica.com – Congo-Kinshasa: Second War Crimes Suspect to Face Justice in the Hague – 18 October 2007

Institute for War and Peace Reporting – Second Congolese Rebel in ICC Custody – 18 October 2007

AP – Hague Court Says 2nd Congo Suspect Held – 18 October 2007