Turkey Expels Uzbek Refugees to Iran

Turkey Expels Uzbek Refugees to Iran

By Lauren Mellinger
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

VAN, Turkey – On September 12, authorities in the Turkish town of Van delivered 24 Uzbek refugees and asylum seekers to a group of unidentified officials in Iran, where they face death threats and forcible deportation to Uzbekistan.

The refugees fled Uzbekistan for Tajikistan in the 1990s to escape religious persecution from the Uzbek government.  After moving to Afghanistan in the late 1990s, the refugees left in 2001 following the US led invasion, and moved to Iran.  There, they were recognized as refugees by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.  In 2007, the group fled to Turkey after the Iranian government threatened to forcibly deport them to Uzbekistan.  In Turkey, they were again recognized as refugees under the UNHCR.

According to Amnesty International, Turkish security services deceived the refugees, who were not aware that the government was planning to return them to Iran.  The Turkish security services told the refugees that they were invited to the Van General Directorate of Security where Turkish authorities would distribute educational materials to their children.  However, upon arriving at the station, they were forced to board a bus and were transported a deserted area near the Iranian border.  The Turkish security agents who transported the refugees are alleged to have told them “We don’t need you here” as they forced them to enter Iran.

According to Amnesty International, Turkey has violated international law by deporting refugees and asylum seekers to places where their lives could be in danger.  There is a concern that the refugees, if forcibly returned to Uzbekistan, will face torture and other ill-treatment.  In November 2007, the UN Committee against Torture concluded a study documenting the incommunicado detention, torture, and other ill-treatment of refugees and asylum seekers that were forcibly returned to Uzbekistan.  The refugees often face unfair trials with evidence based on confessions extracted under torture and are sentenced to long prison terms where they are held under cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions.

Amnesty International is urging people to petition the Iranian government to immediately release all 24 Uzbek refugees and to prevent their deportation to Uzbekistan.

For more information, please see:

Central Asian News – Turkey Expels Uzbek Refugees to Iran– 19 September 2008

Amnesty International – Turkey: Forcible Return – 18 September 2008

Amnesty International – Iran: 24 Uzbekistani Nationals Including Children – 17 September 2008 – 17 September 2008

Myanmar Court Sentenced Ten Activists to Jail

By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar – A prison court in the central Myanmar City of Thayet sentenced 10 men to jail.  Four of them are the members of the ‘National League for Democracy’ (NLD) from Yenanchaung, Chauk and Magwe of Magwe Division and seven people from Pakokku.  They were arrested in connection with last year’s uprising, and sentenced to various prison terms ranging from two to nine years by Judge Daw Soe Soe Khet this week.  Charges brought against them included inciting public disturbances, discrediting the government, and participating in public demonstrations, several of the men’s wives said.

Tun Tun Nyein, NLD Youth Wing member from Chauk in Magway Division, was given 2-1/2 years for taking part in a demonstration.  “I felt it is unfair as he is innocent. He was just following protesting monks while they were marching in procession. He is my eldest son. I feel extremely sorry to hear the sentence. Please don’t neglect and ignore my son,” mother of Tun Tun Nyein said.

Ko Htay Win, NLD member from Natmauk, in Magway Division, was given two years for taking part in a demonstration.  “Day by day, we have come to realize more and more that we will suffer when we become involved in politics,” Myint Oo’s wife, Sanda Win, said.  Her husband, she said, “has suffered for the past year, and now, after a year, they have sentenced him. I don’t know how difficult or complicated it must have been to question and interrogate him, for it took a year to come up with an answer. We had expected this right from the beginning.”

Amnesty International also reports that police in Myanmar have arrested an anti-government activist after she spent a year in hiding, and says she now faces the risk of torture.  Authorities detained Nilar Thein, known for her role in anti-government protests in 1988 and 2007, while she visited the mother of a jailed associate in Rangoon, according to Amnesty International.  Another activist, Tun Myint Aung, voiced concern and called for her release.

For more information, please see:

Democratic Voice of Burma – Eight sentenced for political activities and media contact – 12 September 2008

Radio Free Asia – Burmese Court Sentences 10 – 12 September 2008

Radio Free Asia – Burmese Activist Arrested – 16 September 2008

Mizzima – Magwe Division activists sentenced to long prison terms – 12 September 2008

Yemen Arrests 30 In Response to U.S. Embassy Blast

By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen – Authorities in Yemen arrested at least 30 people suspected of belonging to al-Qaeda following the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen on Wednesday, September 17.  Around 9 A.M. Wednesday morning, two cars carrying suicide bombers and armed fighters arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a killing four civilians, six guards and six of the attackers.  A bystander died on Thursday bringing the death total to 17; several more were injured.

The “Islamic Jihad in Yemen”, a group tied to al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the attack.  The group has threatened attacks on other embassies including Britain, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.   Tuesday, the group released a statement demanding the release of militants being held in Yemeni custody.  It stated that it would continue to attack Western interests as long as the militants were held.

Photo: President Ali Abdullah Saleh, Courtesy of AFP.Yemen_article_image

Yemen’s President Ali Abdullah Saleh spoke Friday morning and vowed to bring justice to those involved in the attacks.  President Saleh stated that these attacks were not against the U.S. alone but also against the security and stability of Yemen.

U.S. President George Bush also made a statement regarding the attack.  He stated that this attack should serve as a reminder that extremists will injure the innocent to achieve their objectives, and warned Americans in Yemen to exercise caution and vigilance. 

Since the attack, Yemeni security officials have arrested at least 30 people for questioning.  More suspects are still being pursued and the investigation into the attack is still in progress.   Yemen has also increased the security measures in place at other foreign embassies and diplomatic offices in Sana’a.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Yemen Vows to Punish Attackers of US Embassy – 19 September 2008

Reuters – Yemen Vows to Find Those Behind U.S. Embassy Attack – 19 September 2008

Xinhua – Yemeni President Slams Terrorist Attack on U.S. Embassy – 19 September 2008

Al -Jazeera – Arrests Follow Yemen Embassy Blast – 18 September 2008

New York Times – Yemen: 20 Are Arrested After Attack on U.S. Embassy – 18 September 2008

Yemen Times – American Embassy in Sana’a Under Attack – 17 September 2008

BRIEF: Amnesty Urges Syria to Release Islamists Wives

AL-‘OTAYBA, Syria – State Security officers arrested Usra al-Hussein on July 31 and Bayan Saleh ‘Ali on August 4. The arrests took place in the village of al-‘Otayba, located 20 kilometers from Damascus. Both women are married to men detained due to suspicions regarding their associations with Islamist activities.

Usra al-Hussein’s husband, Jehad Diab, is detained at the US military base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. Jehad Diab has been at Guantánamo without any charge or a trial since August 2002. He was arrested in Pakistan in November 2001.

Bayan Saleh ‘Ali’s husband, Ahmad Saleh ‘Ali, is detained in Sednaya Military Prison in Syria. Ahmad Saleh ‘Ali was charged with violating three articles of the Syrian Penal Code, including: “forming an organization with the aim of changing the economic or social status of the state” (Article 306); “weakening national sentiment” (Article 285); and “inciting sectarian strife” (Article 307). He is set for trial before the Supreme State Security Court (SSSC). The SSSC has been known to ignore international standards for fair trials.

Since their arrest, Usra al-Hussein and Bayan Saleh ‘Ali have been held incommunicado. Syrian authorities refuse to release the location of the women, explain why they are being held, and if they will be charged. They are at great risk of being tortured or treated improperly.

For more information, please see:

Amnesty International – Syria: Incommunicado/Torture – 15 September 2008 

Amnesty International USA – Free Wives Being Held Incommunicado in Syria – 15 September 2008

Nepal to Deport Illegal Tibetans

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KATHMANDU, Nepal – This past Saturday 106 Tibetans were detained by Nepali authorities. About 20,000 Tibetans live in Nepal, forming the largest Tibetan exiled community. Since the Chinese crackdown of the Tibetan protests in March, even more Tibetans have been crossing into Nepal.

In the 1990s, Tibetans who choose to leave their homeland were allowed to stay. However, since the new Maoist regime took over in August, the Nepali government has implemented a much stricter policy against exiled Tibetans. Tibetans are routinely checked for refugee certificates or United Nation’s documents. The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) based in Nepal helps Tibetans migrate to a third country. Many migrate to Dharamsala in northern India where the Dalai Lama lives in exile.  Those Tibetans without proper documents will either be referred to the UNHCR or deported back to China where they could face sanctions by Chinese authorities.

Tibetans have demonstrated in the capital, Kathmandu, mainly outside the Chinese Consular office since the Chinese crackdown earlier this year. The new Nepali government accused Tibetans of disrupting the way of life of the Nepali citizens. Nepal has faced some political pressure from China over the anti-China demonstrations. The new Maoist Prime-minister, Prachanda, recently returned from a visit to China where he met with Chinese leaders. In China, Prachanda met with Chinese President, Hu Jin-tao, and reaffirmed his belief in the controversial One-China policy, which recognizes Tibet, Hong-Kong, Macau, and Taiwan as a part of China. Since Prachanda’s return, the Nepali government has banned anti-China protesting and the recent crack-down on Tibetans have been aimed at discouraging their protests.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Nepal to Tackle Illegal Tibetans – 13 September 2008

BBC – Tibetan Monk Speaks Out – 21 March 2008

Reuters – Nepal Says to Deport Illegal Tibetans Back to Tibet – 11 September 2008