By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

WASHINGTON, United States – Joint reports by several human rights agencies and U.S. funded broadcast services are accusing China of deceptively distributing billions of dollars in aid to Africa with “no strings attached” packages. These packages, the reports provide, subvert human rights and promote Chinese power.

Similar reports accuse Russia, Iran, and Venezuela of using wealth to build alliances without pressing developing countries to promote democracy and avoiding corruption.

The report, prepared jointly over a two year period by Freedom House, a Washington based NGO, did not address the role of US foreign policy or aid, but accused China of excessive abuse.

“These regimes are using soft-power methods to advance their interests internationally, particularly through billions of dollars in no strings attached development aid,” the report said. Chinese leaders, in contrast, have accused Western countries of being self-serving and continue to emphasize the importance of state sovereignty and non-interference.

The report accused Russia of undermining international institutions such as the United Nations that aim to work towards safeguarding human rights and democracy. While Iran, on the flipside, was accused of supporting forces such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine. The report held Venezuela responsible for passing on the torch of corruption through subsidies in developing nations.

Although the reports’ justifiably emphasized the importance of oversight in ensuring corruption-free regimes in developing countries, one has to question whether Freedom House had an ulterior agenda when blacklisting countries such as Iran, China, Russia, and Venezuela. Countries some may argue are not amongst America’s favorites.

For more information, please see:

Washington Post – Human Rights Group Condemn how China gives Aid – June 4, 2009

AP – Human Rights Group Condemn China – June 4, 2009

Miami Herald – Human Rights Group Condemn China – June 4, 2009

By Alishba I. Kassim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

WASHINGTON – A U.S. military investigation in Afghanistan continues to uncover mistakes in airstrikes that have exponentially added to the civilian death toll.

The 2000 pound bomb dropped in the 8 hour long strike was dropped by an Air Force B-1 bomber at night, making it even more difficult to determine whether civilians were present. A U.S. defense official who chose to remain anonymous commented that dropping a 2000 pound bomb was “overkill,” particularly since there is evidence the bomber may have briefly lost contact as well.

Another U.S. official confirmed that the civilian death toll would probably have been much lower if U.S. air crews and ground troops had followed proper rules to prevent civilian casualties. Afghan officials put the civilian death toll from air strikes in the Farah province to as high as 140 deaths. By contrast, U.S. military officials have said that 20-35 civilians have been killed among 80-95 people – the majority of whom they say were Taliban fighters.

The U.S. investigation, ordered by General Petraeus, has largely concluded that one U.S. aircraft, cleared to attack Taliban fighters, did not confirm targets before dropping deadly bombs. This leaves open the possibility of militants fleeing the targeting area, leaving just civilians in place.

The New York Times quoted a senior military official saying “in several instances where there was a legitimate threat, the choice of how to deal with that threat did not comply with the standing rules of engagement.” A second military official told Reuters that certain mistakes were linked to the choice of weapons used in the operation rather than any protocol violation. Regardless of the specific means, the reports are mostly concluding that several mistakes were made that added to the civilian death toll.

A senior military official familiar with the report cautioned that the report was not yet complete and went on to pose the ultimate question “given what was known, what was seen from the air, and given the threat, was that the right choice?”

One would be hard-pressed to answer in the affirmative when protocol is ignored and contact is lost when dropping 2000 pound bombs on a nation already ravaged by war.

For more information, please see:

AP – U.S. Broke Bombing Rules in Afghanistan June 3, 2009

Reuters – U.S. Finds Mistakes in Deadly Afghan Strikes June 3, 2009

Los Angeles Times – Some Afghanistan Airstrikes were Mistakes June 3, 2009