Convicted Moroccan Blogger Released, Pending Appeal

Convicted Moroccan Blogger Released, Pending Appeal

By Lauren Mellinger
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

AGADIR, Morocco – On September 8, Mohamed Elrraji was sentenced to two years in prison and fined 5,000 dirhams (US $625).  He was found guilty of disrespecting the King of Morocco under Article 41 of the Moroccan Press Law.

Elrraji was arrested and convicted in connection with a blog he published on Hespress, an independent Moroccan website.  The blog, entitled:  “The King encourages the nation (to rely) on handouts,” expressed criticism of King Mohammed VI.  In his blog, Elrraji argues that the King’s charitable habits stifle development in Morocco and force people to be dependent on his government.

On September 4, Elrraji was summoned to the police station in Agadir and questioned for over 8 hours and told to return to the station the following day.  Upon arrival at the police station on September 5, Elrraji was kept in pre-arraignment detention and then transferred to Inzegaine prison on September 7th.

No one in Elrraji’s family was informed of his detention, in violation of Moroccan law that requires the police to notify the relatives of detainees at the beginning of their detention.

Human Rights groups, such as Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and the Moroccan Association of Human Rights, criticized the trial.  They claim that the Moroccan court where Elrraji was tried did not respect the basic elements of a fair trial.  A family member present at the trial claimed that Elrraji did not have time to seek legal counsel due to the secret detention and hurried investigation.  In addition, he stated that the judges barely deliberated before convicting Elrraji.

Elrraji’s lawyer on appeal told Reporters Without Borders that the “trial was conducted badly.  The police, the prosecutors and the local authorities imprisoned Mohamed Elrraji in order to dispose of the case.”

In the past few years many journalists and human rights activists have been convicted under certain provisions of the Moroccan Penal Code and Press Code for peacefully expressing their views.  These provisions carry sentences of up to 5 years imprisonment and/or heavy fines for any “offenses” against the King, the royal family, or for “undermining the monarchy.”  Such provisions are in contravention with the right of free expression, enshrined in the Moroccan Constitution and in international law.

On September 11, at the request of Elrraji’s defense attorneys, Elrraji was temporarily released from custody.  His appeal is scheduled to take place at the Court of Appeals in Agadir on September 16.

For more information, please see:

The Guardian – Silenced Voices Speak Up – 15 September 2008

Amnesty International USA – Moroccan Blogger Jailed for Peacefully Expressing His Views– 11 September 2008

BBC – Morocco Jails King Insult Blogger – 9 September 2008

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information – In One Session, Without Defense or Lawyers, the Sentence of the Moroccan Blogger, Mohamed Elrajji, to Two Years Imprisonment and a Fine– 9 September 2008

BRIEF: Three African Migrants Shot Near Egypt-Israel Border

RAFAH, Egypt – An Egyptian hospital official said Egyptian security forces shot and injured three African migrants who were attempting to cross the border illegally into Israel on Sunday, September 14. 

Two migrants from Sudan and one from Ivory Coast ignored warning shots and continued toward a barbed wire barrier south of the border crossing of Rafah, a medical official said.  He added that their injuries were not serious. 

Egyptian government officials deny allegations that the Egyptian forces sometimes shoot at refugees without a warning, even when the victims lay on ground or raised their hands in surrender.   

Refuge advocates say that Egypt adopted this policy due to the pressure of U.S. and Israel to stop the flow of African immigrants into Israel.  But both U.S. and Israel deny this assertion. 

For more information, please see:

Jerusalem Post – Egyptians Shoot at Three African Migrants Near Egypt-Israel Border – 15 September 2008

News 24 – 3 Migrants Shot at Border – September 15, 2008

Press TV – 3 Migrants Shot at Egypt-Israel Border – 15 September 2008

Washington Post –  Egyptian Policy Imperils Refugees, Migrants at Israel’s Door – 12 September 2008

CMAG to Discuss Returning Fiji to Democratic Rule, PM Bainimarama Resists

By Sarah E. Treptow

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The Commonwealth Ministerial Group (CMAG) will meet later this month to consider further steps to return Fiji to democratic rule.  In August Fiji was given an ultimatum by the Pacific Forum, consisting of sixteen nations, to return to democratic rule by March of 2009 or risk suspension from the Forum.  The Forum was established in 1971 and no country has ever been suspended.  Fiji has been a key member and it is based in Suva.  Bainimarama has resisted the ultimatum, claiming before returning to democratic election the country needs to adopt his People’s Charter which he says will end Fiji’s race-based elections.

New Zealand’s trade minister, Phil Goff, will represent Helen Clark, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister at the CMAG meeting in New York. Mr. Goff reports he will support the Pacific Forum’s stance, “I think that we would like to see the Pacific Islands Forum, the Commonwealth and the United Nations working arm in arm to bring whatever pressure and encouragement can be brought on the Fiji interim government to restore to the people of that country, their normal democratic rights.”  Mr. Goff will be attending the meeting in place of Ms. Clark because he will already be in the area.  She has stressed the importance of New Zealand’s presence at the meeting saying, “It’s absolutely critical. We have views on Fiji and they will be central to the meeting.”

CMAG is convened by the Secretary-General and is composed of foreign ministers of nine Commonwealth countries.  The group is the “guardian of the Commonwealth’s fundamental values and addresses and takes action in response to breaches.”

Returning Fiji to democratic rule remains the only thing on CMAG’s agenda for the New York meeting.

For more information, please see:

The Fiji Times – CMAG to discuss Fiji – 16 September 2008

Radio New Zealand International – New Zealand Minister to seek Commonwealth and UN support for Forum’s Fiji stance – 15 September 2008

The National Business Review – Goff will represent NZ at meeting on Fiji – 15 September 2008

Stuff – Fiji’s Bainimarama defiant: We go alone – 22 August 2008

Airstrikes Kill Civilians in Afghanistan

By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KABUL, Afghanistan – U.S. and NATO air strikes in Afghanistan have increased civilian casualties, nearly tripling the number of deaths from 2006 to 2007.  Although deaths have decreased this year, current air strikes undermine international protection efforts in Afghanistan.  These include the July 6, 2008 helicopter attack on two civilian vehicles that claimed 22 lives and the August 22, 2008 bombing in Azizabad.

“Rapid response air strikes have meant higher civilian casualties, while every bomb dropped in populated areas amplifies the chance of a mistake,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Mistakes by the U.S. and NATO have dramatically decreased public support for the Afghan government and the presence of international forces providing security to Afghans.”

Human Rights Watch reported on the use of air strikes by U.S. and NATO forces and its effect on civilians casualties during situations of lack of ground support and emergency, here.  It is reported that few civilian deaths resulted from planned strikes while all deaths occur from unplanned strikes.  The report also found that the Taliban often deployed their troops in populated villages in order for civilians to act as shield from counterattacks, in violation of the laws of war.

In July 2007, in response to the high level of civilian casualties, the International Security Assistance Force declared targeting tactic changes.  Employing smaller munitions, delaying attacks where civilians might be harmed, and turning over house-to-house searches to the Afghan National Army are among these changes.  Despite evidence that there was a reduction in the civilian death toll, civilian deaths still increased on account of air strikes just this past summer.  “The recent air strikes killing dozens of Afghans make clear that the system is still broken and that civilians continue to pay the ultimate price,” said Adams. “Civilian deaths from air strikes act as a recruiting tool for the Taliban and risk fatally undermining the international effort to provide basic security to the people of Afghanistan.”

For more information, please see:

Asia Times Online – Civilians Ravaged by US-NATO Bombs – 12 September 2008

CNN – Afghanistan:  Airstrikes Kill Civilians – 05 July 2008

Human Rights Watch – Afghanistan:  Civilian Deaths from Airstrikes – 08 September 2008

Deadly Hunger Strike

By Yasmine S. Hakimian
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

KURDISTAN, Iran – Amnesty International released a statement over their concern for more than 50 prisoners currently on a hunger strike. The prisoners are members of Iran’s long-time Kurdish minority group.  The prisoners are protesting against torture and other ill-treatment of prisoners, and are calling for an immediate end to executions.. The protesters are also seeking better prison conditions and independent inspection of Iranian prisons by national and international human rights organizations.

The hunger strike began on August 25, 2008. Of the more than 50 protestors, 15 are being held in Sanandaj, 33 at Oroumiye, three at Saqqez, and four in Tehran. Many of the prisoners are human rights, civil rights or women’s rights activists. Among the group are teachers, journalists, and students.

The trials of these prisoners took place behind closed doors, without a defense lawyer, and, on several occasions, the prisoner was not present. Currently eight prisoners, who are Kurdish intellectuals and activists, await death.  Many of the prisoners are being held without a charge or verdict against them. Many of the victims are accused of crimes they never committed. 

The prisoners claim their hunger strike is indefinite, yet there is little indication that the Iranian authorities will answer the hunger strikers’ demands. To date, the authorities have expressed no reactions to the hunger strikers or their demands.

Families of the idividuals are asking powerful international political organizations, human rights organizations, and supporters of freedom to help these prisoners. They hope to prevent the Iranian government from killing innocent people for their political views or religious beliefs.   

For more information, please see:

Payvand’s Iran News – Iran; Prisoners of Conscience and Death Row Prisoners – 12 September 2008

Amnesty International – Iran: Prisoners of Conscience and Death Row Prisoners on Hunger Strike – 11 September 2008

The Guardian – Tehran Targets Journalists – 11 September 2008

Kurdish Human Rights Project – Iran Prisoners Mount Hunger Strike – 10 September 3008

Iran Political Prisoners Association – Defend the Rights of Kurdish Political Prisoners Who Are on Hunger Strike in Iran – 9 September 2008

Kurd Net – Iran: Jailed Kurds Begin Hunger Strike – 25 August 2008