Iran’s Vague “Security Laws” Suppress Civil Society

Iran’s Vague “Security Laws” Suppress Civil Society

By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch released a report calling on the Iranian government to amend or abolish laws that allow the government to arbitrarily suppress and punish individuals for peaceful political expression, association and assembly in breach of international law.

In “‘You Can Detain Anyone for Anything’: Iran’s Broadening Clampdown on Independent Activism,” Human Rights Watch documents the expansion in scope and number of the individuals and activities persecuted by the government over the last two years. The 51-page report accuses Iran of using vague “security laws” to suppress in effect any public expression of dissent. Furthermore, those arrested are subject to prolonged detention without charge, solitary confinement, and torture.

“Dozens of Iranian laws provide the government cover for suppressing any peaceful activity they perceive as critical of their policies,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities can trample over people’s basic rights and still claim to be acting legally.”

Since President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad assumed office in August 2005, the Iranian government has increasingly used “security laws” as a pretext for persecuting civil society activists. A set of laws within Iran’s Islamic Penal Code entitled “Offenses Against the National and International Security of the Country” enables the government to stifle peaceful political activities and deny due process rights to anyone, including women’s rights campaigners, student activists, workers, and journalists and scholars.

The report also claims that Iranian authorities often hold detainees arrested on security grounds in facilities operating outside the mandated prison administration, most notoriously in Section 209 of Tehran’s Evin prison. There, detainees are purportedly subject to various psychological and physical abuses during interrogation and in detention.

For more information, please see:

AKI – Political crackdown on public dissent worsens, says rights group – 9 January 2008

Albany Times Union – Human rights? Not in Ahmadinejad’s Iran – 8 January 2008

Human Rights Watch – End widespread crackdown on civil society – 7 January 2008

Semblance of Normality in Kenya May be Fleeting

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Today, several schools in Kenya were reopened after weeks of shutdown due to rioting and looting following the December 27 presidential election. Children walking to school were a positive sign of normality in Kenya, despite the deep tension within the nation. Unfortunately, the image of progress may fade within next couple of days.

On Tuesday, the newly elected parliament is expected to meet and sit since the election. This is the first time the feuding parties will meet diplomatically. President Mwai Kibaki’s party, Party of National Unity (PNU), won 43 seats in parliament. His rival, Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) won 99 seats. Political analysts worry the country may continue to stand still since, Kibaki must get his bills passed through a parliament whose majority believes his administration is illegitimate.

Some opposition officials have vowed to occupy seats by force if necessary.

In response to Tuesday’s parliamentary assembly and the possibility of violence, the police, who have been accused by human rights workers of killing protesters, plan to barricade streets in the area to block any trouble outside.

Meanwhile, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is on his way from Geneva to Kenya to assist in mediation. Kibaki and his cabinet have already expressed their disinterest in outside mediation, after the United States and African Union failed to resolve the issue last week. Before leaving Geneva, Annan appealed to Kenya to remain calm during Tuesday’s assembly and the three day nationwide ODM rally due to start on Wednesday, despite the ban by police.

Western governments, including the United States, Britain and France, have expressed belief that the presidential ballot was flawed.  Kibaki’s rejection of outside mediation may continue to tarnish Kenya’s previous close relationship with the West.

Today, the European Union (EU) announced that it may suspend all aid and impose sanctions if mediation efforts to resolve the crisis failed. During 2002 and 2007, the EU provided 290 million euros ($431.1 million) in aid to Kenya. Another 383 million euros was planned for 2008-2013.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa – EU Could Cut Aid to Kenya- Senior Official – 14 January 2008

Reuters: Africa – Kenya’s Feuding Party Face Parliamentary Shutdown – 14 January 2008

Yahoo News (AP) – Kenya Minister Rejects Annan’s Mediation – 14 January 2008

Malawi Severs Ties With Taiwan, Favors China

By Juliana Chan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TAIPEI, Taiwan – After 41 years, the African nation of Malawi has cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan in favor of establishing ties with Beijing.

Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda told the press on Monday that Malawi has “decided to switch from Taiwan to mainland China after careful consideration on the benefits that we will be getting from mainland China.”

Ms. Banda went on to say that “Malawi recognizes that there is but one China in the world, […] and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory.”

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said the island would break off ties with Malawi effective immediately. Taiwanese officials accuse the Chinese government of luring the Malawians with $6 billion in aid and other incentives. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed its “regret that the government and leaders of Malawi are unwilling to honour their promises to our government and have succumbed to China’s evil forces.”

China has also been using its influence to reduce the number of countries who recognize Taiwan. Since Taiwan split from China amid a civil war in 1949, they have engaged in a “contest to win diplomatic allegiance from countries around the world.”

Most of Taiwan’s allies are small and impoverished nations in Latin America, Africa, and the South Pacific. In Africa, only Burkina Faso, Gambia, Swaziland and Sao Tome and Principe still recognize the island.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – Malawi Cuts Diplomatic Ties With Taiwan – 15 January 2008

AP – Malawi Drops Ties With Taiwan for China – 14 January 2008

BBC News – Malawi severs links with Taiwan – 14 January 2008

Renewed Fighting in North Yemen

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’ADA, Yemen – In northern Yemen, fighting between the Yemeni military and Shiite rebels broke a six-month old ceasefire.  According to a government official, fighting was renewed after rebels attacked military camps in the nearby Marran mountains.  The military responded with ground and air strikes on villages in Saada province, a stronghold for rebel activity.  However, rebel leader, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, denied official allegations and stated that the military struck first.  As a result of the renewed violence dozens of people have been killed in the past week; including 18 rebels and 29 Yemeni military and pro-army tribal fighters.

Earlier, al-Houthi warned the government to honor the terms of the ceasefire and complained of constant government discrimination and campaign of harassment.  While, al-Houthi stated that he was concerned about bloodshed, he added that they must defend themselves “against any assaults by the army.”  Currently, both sides are preparing for what al-Houthi called the “fifth war.”

In June 2007, the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels signed a cease-fire agreement, which was brokered by Qatar.  In the agreement, the government promised to free detainees, compensate victims, and to rebuild villages affected by the war.  In return, the rebels agreed to turn in their weapons and expel al-Houthi from the country.  However, both sides accuse the other of not fulfilling their obligations.

For more information, please see:
Yemen Post – Sa’ada 5th War Ruptures; 47 Killed So Far – 14 January 2008

Associated Press – 30 Killed in Renewed Fighting in Yemen – 11 January 2008

Yemen Times – Sa’ada Crisis Worsens Amid Threats of Violence – 6 January 2008

BRIEF: Two Killed at Yemeni Reconciliation Rally

ADEN, Yemen – At least two people were killed and 15 injured during a rally for reconciliation between the northern and southern provinces of Yemen.  According to a statement by official local authorities, the violence resulted from actions by “criminal elements”, firing indiscriminately into the crowd, and who were later arrested.  The official state news agency, Saba, reported two deaths and 16 injuries.

However, witnesses and rally organizers claim that the violence resulted from actions by the security forces, which had surrounded the rally.  Witnesses report that security forces used water cannons and live ammunition to disperse the crowds.  Ali Mounasser, the secretary of Yemen’s opposition socialist party, told AFP that the rally was conducted in a peaceful manner and was ending when violence broke out.

The rally, “Reconciliation and Forgiveness Rally for Southern Provinces”, was held in the southern port city of Aden.  The rally was intended to draw attention to the inequalities, especially economic, suffered by southern residents since their unsuccessful bid to break away in 1994.

For more information, please see:
AFP – Four Dead in Yemen Protest: Witnesses – 13 January 2008

BBC – Protesters killed at Yemen Rally – 13 January 2008

News Yemen – Two Killed, Some Injured in Aden Reconciliation Rally – 13 January 2008

Reuters – Two People Killed in Clash at Yemen Political Rally – 13 January 2008

Saba Net – Security Detains 11 Persons Due to Aden Clashes – 13 January 2008