BRIEF: Turkey Sends Ground Troops into Iraq

BRIEF: Turkey Sends Ground Troops into Iraq

The Turkish military have sent ground troops into Iraq for the first time since the rising tensions regarding the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK).  The Turkish military reported that the attacks were a success and that PKK bases had heavy losses inflicted upon them.

The Turkish intelligence believes that the PKK is being supported by the northern Iraqi Kurds. The Turkish military had previously threatened to strike with ground forces, but before this attack they had only sent air strikes.

Reportedly, the Turkish military was supported by American intelligence to capture the PKK members.  However, the US has denied any such support.  (BBC)  This perception of support by the Americans caused Iraqi Kurdish leader Barzani to skip his meeting with U. S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

For more information, please see:

BBC- US denies backing Turkey PKK raid- 17 December 2007

International Herald Tribune (AP)- Turkey’s military confirms ground incursion; claims inflicted heavy losses- 18 December 2007

Reuters- Iraq Kurdish leader snubs Rice over Turkey raid- 18 December 2007

Abuses Against Women in Zambia

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

LUSAKA, Zambia – Human Rights Watch issued a report yesterday accusing Zambia’s government of failing to stop the escalating violence against women and prevention of access to antiretrovial treatment for AIDS patients.  The report was based on 83 interviews conducted earlier this year of women, police, health counselors, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.   

The Zambian government was commended for its action in dealing with HIV/AIDS treatment, however the report was clear to establish that for many women an HIV positive diagnosis is the equivalent of a death sentence.  While the government has made AIDS treatment drugs free and put more than 93,000 patients on them with the help of international donors, women are still discriminated against and do not receive equal access to treatment. 

The stigma attached to HIV-positive people is still common and significantly affects women’s access to testing and treatment.  Fear of violence from their husbands lead some women to hide their medications and may even prevent them from being tested.  Many women are also left without money for transportation or food after divorce or their husband’s death due to property laws that favor men and “property grabbing” in which the deceased husband’s family seizes all his property, often leaving the widow destitute.  The result is that many women are unable to go to health clinics or afford the proper diet necessary while on medication.

Human Rights Watch called on Zambia to enact and enforce legislation on gender-based crimes and to ensure the the new constitution fully protects women’s equality.  “The Zambian government should also establish systems to enable healthcare providers, including HIV treatment providers, to respond to gender-based abuses. At a minimum, the government should ensure that healthcare providers in the HIV sector receive adequate training, clear guidelines, and support to detect and respond to gender-based abuses.”

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch News – Zambia: Abuses Against Women Obstruct HIV Treatment – 18 December 2007

AFP – Human Rights Watch slams Zambia over violence against women – 18 December 2007

International Herald Tribune – Human Rights Watch says domestic violence, poverty keeps AIDS drugs from Zambian women – 18 December 2007

BRIEF: Somare Blasts TIPNG

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – The Papua New Guinea chapter of Transparency International (TIPNG) has drawn Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare’s ire over the past week for comments made to the press.  TIPNG board chairman Mike Manning told an anti-corruption seminar recently that a third of PNG’s budget is stolen by corrupt politicians.

Manning said that these politicians are not punished for their crimes, but are re-elected instead.  “Until we impose on people a sense of shame for doing wrong, we are never going to stop corruption,” he added.  Manning believes that the pervasive corruption in PNG is degrading the nation’s infrastructure.

In response, Somare challenged Transparency International to name names rather than make “hasty generalizations”.  He requested that if TIPNG has relevant information, that information be turned over to the police and relevant enforcement agencies.  “Otherwise,” he said, “they should stop playing power games under the guise of transparency.”

Somare and Transparency International have had some minor scuffles in the press before, most recently over the Moti affair and Somare’s alleged involvement in it.

For more information, please see:

Stuff.co.nz (AAP) – A third of PNG govt budget stolen each year – 06 December 2007

PNG Office of the Prime Minister – Name corrupt politicians, Sir Michael urges Transparency International – 10 December 2007

Pacific Magazine – Sir Michael Blasts Transparency International Comments – 18 December 2007

Conference To Take Place in Goma, DRC

By Meryl White
Impunity Watch Reporter for Western and Central Africa

GOMA, Democratic Republic of Congo –  In attempts to end the conflict in the east of the country, the Democratic Republic of Congo government has announced a peace conference. The government has invited all parties to the table, including rebel leader, General Laurent Nkunda. The nine day conference is set to commence on December 27, 2007. The conference will take place in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province.

Vital Kamerhe, head of the National Assembly and a deputy from the Sud-Kivu region stated that the conference seeks to “bring an end to the war…and to create the basis for a durable peace.”

As a pre-condition for the talks, Gen Nkunda, has asked the Congolese government to disarm the Rwandan Hutu rebels that he claims are attacking ethnic Tutsis.

This week alone, the United Nations has predicted that over 60,000 people have fled the North Kivu region to escape the fighting. Hundreds of victims, hungry and suffering from disease, have fled toward Minova, a town in South Kivu. There are currently 800,000 civilians displaced by the ongoing war, according to the UN.

The Democratic Republic of Congo army has reported on Tuesday they had pushed back Laurent Nkunda’s rebels in North-Kivu after six hours of intense fighting. The current conflict has resulted in nineteen deaths.

For more information, please see:

AFP – “DR Congo troops push back insurgents; 19 dead”  –  18 December 2007

BBC – Dr Congo Invites Rebels to Talks  –  18 December 2007

AFP – Congolese authorities announce Kivu peace conference   – 18 December 2007

BRIEF: Nauru Seeks Meetings With Australia on Facility Closure

YAREN, Nauru – Australia announced last month that it plans to close its detention facility on Nauru, sparking concerns for Nauru’s economic well-being.  Naruru Foreign Minister, David Adeang, said that the Australian facility provides 20% of Nauru’s GDP.

Since its bankruptcy in 2002, Nauru has become increasingly dependent on Australian aid, and much of Nauru’s annual aid package from Australia is tied to the facility, which former Australian official Mark Thompson characterized as “an unmitigated bribe”.

Nauru MP Kieran Keke said in a statement last week, “The financial arrangement with Australia, combined with initiatives like the resumption of phosphate mining, has helped turn the country around from the brink of economic collapse […] We sincerely hope the Australian government will continue to support our efforts to upgrade our health and education programs, to name just two.  Restoring important infrastructure like the power system is also a priority for us.”

The Nauru government is now seeking to meet with Australia to discuss how Nauru will adapt when the facility is shut down.  Australia has not yet given a time frame for the closure.

For more information, please see:

Impunity Watch – Rudd Gov’t to Close Nauru Detention Facility – 26 November 2007

The Age – Nauru fears gap when camps close – 11 December 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Nauru opposition calls for Australian support as camps set to close – 13 December 2007

Sydney Morning Herald – Australian govt exit worries Nauru MP – 13 December 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Nauru Government seeks early meeting with Canberra to discuss cost of camp shut down – 17 December 2007