Genocide Feared in Kenya

Genocide Feared in Kenya

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Yesterday, President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga met for the first time since the December 27 election that has triggered political and ethnic clashes. The talk was mediated by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, in hopes of coming to a peaceful resolution to the dispute. Unfortunately, a solution was not resolved at the meeting.

In fact, Odinga claims he was offended by Kibaki’s comment that he was Kenya’s “duly elected” president. Today, Odinga informed the press that he would not take a prime minister position under Kibaki and the only acceptable options were Kibaki’s resignation, a vote re-run, or a power-sharing leading to constitutional reform then a new election.

The post-election violence was another issue discussed at the meeting. Both sides expressed concerns and commitments to end the violence and yet each side accused the other of genocide.

Meanwhile, at least, twelve people were killed in Rift Valley after violence erupted in the town of Nakuru. Hundreds of people were taken to the hospital after members of President Kibaki’s Kikuyu tribe and Luos and Kalenjins, who backed Odinga, fought in the street, burned homes and looted businesses. A curfew has been imposed.

As the inter-ethnic violence continues, fear of genocide increase. According to Reverend Cornelius Korir, the catholic bishop of Eldoret, near western Kenya, the attacks targeted specific ethnic groups and were thoroughly prepared and organized. The Human Rights Watch has also claimed that they have evidence “that ODM politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence.”

The incessant violence has caught the attention of the Office of the Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC).  The ICC was organized to exercise jurisdiction and prosecute incidents of serious crimes like genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. As the number of deaths rise within Kenya’s two largest ethnic groups, the ICC has taken the initiative to closely monitor the crisis. 

Kenya, a state party of the ICC, signed the Statute in August 1999. Despite Kenya’s membership, the ICC can only intervene if the case is not the subject of an investigation by national jurisdiction or the State is unwilling or incapable of prosecuting.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa- Worried Kenyans Fear More Rift Valley Bloodshed – 25 January 2008

AllAfrica.com – Kenya: Violence, Death and Justice – 23 January 2008

BBC- Kenya Ethnic Attack ‘Planned’ – 24 January 2008

BRIEF: Khmer Rouge Tribunal Rules Nuon Chea’s Statement Stands

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – The Khmer Rouge Tribunal ruled statements made by Nuon Chea, after his arrest but without legal counsel, would not be invalidated because the statements were consensual. When Nuon Chea was arrested, he was fed, rested, and warned to wait for legal representation before he spoke to authorities. However, he made the statements irregardless.

In a statement to the press, the court explained, “In reality, it appears difficult to imagine a situation where the waiver could have been clearer and more deliberate than in this case, without questioning the intellectual capacity of Mr. Nuon Chea, which does not appear to be in question here.”

In the past Nuon Chea declared publicly that he did not trust lawyers and would want a person “who was there” in order defend the Khmer Rouge regime. Since his arrest, Nuon Chea has hired Cambodian lawyer Sun Aran, a Khmer Rouge survivor.

For more information, please see:

Earthtimes – Cambodian Court Declares Former Khmer Rouge Leader Statement Stands – 25 January 2008

BRIEF: Increased Human Rights Violations in Tibet

DHARAMSALA, India – The Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) released its annual report, finding that the year 2007 saw repression worsen. The report accuses China of human rights violations in Tibet, particularly related to the freedom of expression, association, and religion. Cases of arbitrary arrests and imprisonments increased almost three times compared to 2006.

Within Tibet, there was hope that human rights violations would decrease in 2007, with China under international scrutiny ahead of the Beijing Olympics. As arbitrary arrests, unfair trials, torture and execution continue, there is “a clear indication of the human rights situation worsening in Tibet.”

For more information, please see:

Thaindian News – Chinese human rights violations continuing: Exiled Tibetans – 24 January 2008

Pahyul – Year 2007 sees repression worsening in Tibet: Report – 22 January 2008

Security Official Killed in a bombing in Beirut

BEIRUT, Lebanon – A car bomb exploded in Hazmieh, a mainly Christian suburb in eastern Beirut.  Local newspapers and television state that at least ten people were killed.  Wissam Eid, a captain in the Internal Security Force, was killed in the attack and is believed to be the target.  In his statement, national police chief, Brig. Gen. Ashraf Rifi said Captain Eid specialized in intelligence and was handling important files, including “all those having to do with the terrorist bombings’” in Lebanon.  Interior Minister Hassan Sabei said there were two previous tries to kill Eid.  No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is the most recent attack in a string of politically motivated bombings since former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in 2005.  Most of the attacks targeted anti-Syrian politicians.  However, there is concern in the increasing attacks on members of the securities services.  In December 2007, General Francois El Hajj was killed in a car bombing.  Hajji was likely to next army chief.  The objective of these attacks is likely to cause further instability in Lebanese politics.

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Death at Blast Rocks Beirut – 25 January 2008

BBC – Blast Rocks Beirut Eastern Suburb – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Bomb Kills Security Official in Lebanon and at Least 10 Others – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Lebanon’s Deadly Harvest of Bombs – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Villagers Block Road to Syria After Lebanon Bombing – 25 January 2008

New York Times – Media Report Explosion in Beirut – 25 January 2008

Bangladesh Pardons Professors and Frees Students

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, Bangladesh – On Tuesday, Bangladesh President Iajuddin Ahmed pardoned three university professors hours after a court sentenced them to two years in prison for stoking campus demonstrations. Today authorities released nine students accused of inciting unrest during those same demonstrations. The nine students released were the last of the students detained from August’s unrest.

Hundreds of supporters gathered for two days before the nine students were freed. The release appears to be an effort at reconciliation. Authorities feared the professors’ imprisonments would spark a fresh wave of protests in defiance of a state of emergency.

Last August, violence erupted at Dhaka University when army soldiers allegedly assaulted university students. The government imposed curfews to suppress any further violence; however, one person died, and hundreds were hurt. TheBangladesh government has been under a state of emergency since January 2007. An interim government took power following months of strikes and riots by rival supporters of the two main political parties: the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the Awami League. The interim government has promised to clean up the notoriously corrupt government and hold elections in 2008.

Amnesty International has said the professors’ pardons are not sufficient. Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said, “Charges should never have been brought against the professors in the first place. The arrest and prosecution of the Dhaka University professors is illustrative of the manner in which emergency regulations are open to abuse in cases involving the right to peaceful protest. The restrictions imposed through the Emergency Powers Rules exceed what is permissible under international law. The current rules and restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association are too widely framed and are being selectively applied.”

For more information, please see:

AFP – Bangladesh Frees Nine Students after Mass Protests – 23 January 2008

Amnesty International – Bangladesh: Pardon of Teachers Not Enough Says Amnesty – 23 January 2008

Daily Times Pakistan – Bangladesh Pardons Teachers Jailed over Campus Unrest– 23 January 2008