UN Pressures Sri Lanka to Release Displaced Tamils

September 15, 2009

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

MADURAI, Sri Lanka – Lynn Pascoe, head of UN’s political affairs department, recently expressed concern over the lack of progress in the removal of Sri Lankan Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) from government-operated refugee camps. Pacsoe and a small team flew out to Sri Lanka hoping to bolster the evacuation process. Pascoe commented that “[The UN is] particularly concerned about the [IDPs] in the camps, and getting them…home.”

Photo: Tamil children stand behind razor-wire in an IDP camp (Source: Associated Press).

Ethnic Tamils have been subject to inhumane conditions in refugee camps since the May defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam. Military strikes on the rebel group effectively ended insurgencies plaguing Sri Lanka for over twenty-five years. However, post-war sanctuary has been failing to provide proper living situations for the displaced Tamils. Camp dwellers describe unsanitary conditions and a lack of soap and toothbrushes. Movement within the camps is stringently restricted. Many IDPs have been wearing the same clothes since they entered the refugee camps. Food and medical supplies have also been inadequate to support the droves of IDPs forced to take shelter. Tamil IDPs have also reported severe mistreatment at the camps, saying military overseers treat them more like prisoners of war than a protected population.

The UN has delivered sharp warnings to the Lankan government that it may no longer be able to aid in funding the immense interment camps. Fearing the failure of the camps, the UN firmly demanded the release of the unwillingly encamped IDPs. Sri Lanka’s Colombo officials responded with a commitment to release 80-percent of the over 280,000 Tamils by the end of this year. However, the Colombo government claims to be unable to successfully evacuate the interment camps until the Lankan military can identify and remove surviving Tamil Tigers from among the civilian IDPs. Numerous human rights groups have criticized the Colombo government for forcing Tamil IDPs to endure sub-human conditions while performing prolonged and questionable screening processes.

The Colombo government also stated that it would have to clear stray landmines strewn about the areas surrounding the camps before releasing Tamil IDPs. Tamils in the interment camps, however, have voiced skepticism and discontent towards the government’s supposed safety measures.

The extended encampment of Sri Lankan IDPs signifies the affliction of ethnic Tamils after a civil war which stole the lives of up 100,000 people. The camps contain IDPs in mean conditions and cannot sufficiently supply fundamental necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter. The UN and multiple human rights organizations continue to pressure the Colombo government into releasing civilians, yet it seems that until further action is taken, the fortune of nearly 280,000 Tamils remains uncertain.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – UN ‘concerned’ over Sri Lanka camps – 14 September 2009

CBC News – Sri Lankan refugee camps try UN patience – 11 September 2009

Express Buzz – Sri Lankan refugee camps worst in history – 14 August 2009

The Independent – UN warns Sri Lanka over prison camps – 12 September 2009

Many Dead as a Result of Free Food Stampede

September 15, 2009

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KARACHI, Pakistan– A gesture of generosity became a day of sorrow and horror for many when 18 women were killed, among them a 13-year old girl, during a stampede where free flour was being given out. 15 others were also injured during the chaos.

The free-flour was being given out by local philanthropist Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, at his warehouse in Khori Garden, a neighborhood on the southern part of the city, and one of the poorest as well. Thousands of women and children gathered to attempt to take advantage of the offer. However a stampede occurred when the organizers, believing that the women were getting out of control decided to close the doors. Because of Khori Garden’s narrow lanes this created a suffocating atmosphere. The stampede was caused by the panicking women all attempting to leave at once. Witnesses state that what started the chaos were various arguments which broke out during the distribution of the food. One women stated that “Dozens of women just leapt to grab the items and the man distributing just closed the gate,”. One grieving mother named Karima cried “I have lost my little daughter…All I wanted was a bag of flour for my family, but my greed lost me so gravely”

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims traditionally give free food and drink. These gifts are given by private individuals, and by religious and charitable groups.

During this year, a shortage of flour and sugar in the country as a result of hoarding has caused food prices in Pakistan to rise, with food prices rising even further during the Ramadan period. As a result competition for the distributed free food among the poor of this country has been higher than in previous years. Although the government has tried to subsidize flour and sugar prices, they seem unable to provide relief to the ever increasing number of poverty-stricken citizens.

The United Nation’s International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights defined the right to adequate food as a fundamental human right which is inherent to all to have regular access, either through direct or financial to an adequate and sufficient supply of food. In other words, the right to adequate food is achieved when every person in a community has the physical and economic access at any time to adequate food or means to procure it. Evidenced from the chaos erupted from the poverty and hunger stricken masses from a free-food give away, there seems to be a violation of this basic human right of access to food.

This incident was not the first time people have died, with similar scenes of long lines at various centers distributing free food falling into chaos during the last few weeks.

For more information, please see:

BBC News- Pakistan food stampede kills many – 14 September 2009

New York Times- At least 19 killed in Ramadan food stampede– 14 September 2009

Daily Times- 18 women die in Karachi free food stampede – 15 September 2009

The Right to Food- Guiding Principles

President Tandja Uses the Law on Opponents

September 15, 2009

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NIAMEY, Niger– Niger opposition leader Mahamadou Issouf risks becoming yet another alleged victim of Niger President Mamadou Tandja’s recent efforts to control those opposing his bid to change the country’s political structure. In an attempt to secure his third term in office, President Tandja has made controversial political changes which include his current attempts to change the constitution and dissolving the country’s parliament.

Issouf the leader of the opposition party, The Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), was freed on bail while still facing corruption charges he believes to be politically motivated and a consequence of President Tandja’s “corrupt” agenda. With legislative elections scheduled for October 20, Issouf and other opposition leaders believe Tandja will continue his assault on anyone who opposes his attempts to extend his office term by three years. Another opposition leader who is an example of President Tandja’s political agenda is Marou Amadou.

Amadou is a Niger human rights defender and President of the United Front for the Safeguard of Democratic Gains. On August 10, 2009 he was detained by the Niger Judicial police and accused of an “offence against the security of the state.” This charge comes a month after a television broadcast by a local news station of Amadou declaring the Niger army’s ability to go against the President’s illegal order that dissolved the parliament. Amadou cites language in Article 13 of Niger’s Constitution that states, “no one shall be obliged to carry out an obviously illegal order.” The same day of this broadcast Amadou was detained by the police. Some of the charges brought against him included “provoking disobedience towards the defense and security forces,” plotting against the authority of the state” and undertaking to demoralize the armed forces.” All of these charges can carry with them the penalty of capital punishment.

Many others like Amadou and Issouf, who oppose Tandja’s political agenda, are experiencing the same treatment by law enforcement. Many believe that the number of arrests will only get higher as the election nears.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Niger Corruption Case “Political” – 15 September 2009

All Africa – Tandja Cracks Down on Opponents – 15 September 2009

All Africa – Mamadou Tandja Finally Opts for Dictatorship – 27 May 2009

FrontLine – Niger: Detention of Human Rights Defender Mr. Marou Amadou – 17 August 2009

Silencing the Voice of Private Media

September 14, 2009

By Ryan C Kossler
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela – The fate of Globovision, the last major channel in Venezuela that is critical of President Hugo Chavez, is unknown.

On September 7, Minister of Public Works and Housing Diosdado Cabello announced that an investigation would be initiated into Globovision’s recent alleged unlawful broadcast of a viewer’s text. The message called for a coup and the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. “If you call for a coup, if you call for assassination, assume your responsibility,” Cabello said.

Earlier in the day, Venezuela’s telecommunications commission issued a statement accusing Globovision of airing messages having the implication of calling for violent acts. The commission also stated that Globovision’s airing of anti government messages sought to “promote public protests, which could generate a climate of tension and nervousness in the population.”

Globovision’s legal advisor Ana Cristina Nunez responded by saying that “We are very careful in attempting to stop people from using Globovision’s screen to make illegal petitions,” and that the channel “would never intentionally broadcast unlawful text messages.”

Opponents to President Chavez see the potential closure of Globovision as another instance of President Chavez trying to silence the media. “There is a clear strategy to control the flow of information and restrict criticism,” said Carlos Lauria of the New York Committee to Protect Journalists.

President Chavez has denied any accusations that his government is attempting to control the private media for political reasons and has said that Globovision is being investigated only for violations of unlawful broadcasting regulations.

The latest accusations regarding Globovsion’s alleged actions come in the wake of the recent closure of 32 private media outlets and the announcement by Cabello that “there are 29 [radio stations] that will be off the air shortly.”

This is not the first instance that Globovision has clashed with the government and is one example among many in the growing tension between the government and Venezuela’s private media. On July 17, 2009, Cabello announced that if Globovision did not comply with the laws, its license would be revoked. This announcement was made shortly after regulators opened five investigations into Globovision’s activities.

For more information, please see:

CNN – Venezuelan Minister: More radio closures coming – 6 September 2009

Miami Herald – Anti-Chavez TV station faces possible shutdown – 7 September 2009

Miami Herald – Venezuela steps up threats against anti-Chavez TV – 17 July 2009

IHRDC Releases Report: Forced Confessions: Targeting Iran’s Cyber-Journalists

September 14, 2009

IHRDC Releases Report: Forced Confessions: Targeting Iran’s Cyber-Journalists

Press Release – September 14, 2009

CONNECTICUT, United States – The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) today published witness statements by three Iranian bloggers and cyber-journalists who were arrested and detained by the Iranian government in 2004 and 2005. The witness statements are the results of interviews conducted by IHRDC staff in 2008 and 2009.

Two of the journalists—Roozbeh Mirebrahimi and Omid Memarian—were active cyber-journalists residing in and around Tehran at the time of their arrests. The third witness—Arash Sigarchi—was the Editor-in-Chief of Gilan-e Emrooz in the northern Iranian city of Rasht. They were charged with (and convicted of) moral, press, and national security crimes. The statements, published under the title, Forced Confessions: Targeting Iran’s Cyber-Journalists, describe, in detail, the journalists’ arrests, detention, torture, forced confessions and eventual convictions.

The experiences of these journalists are not unique. In conjunction with the IHRDC reports Ctrl+Al+Delete: Iran’s Response to the Internet (May 2009) and Covert Terror: Iran’s Parallel Intelligence Apparatus (April 2009), these statements expose a network of Iranian government actors—including members of the security and parallel intelligence forces, the Judiciary, and state-run media outlets such as Kayhan newspaper and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting—responsible for silencing voices of dissent in cyberspace.

Their experiences are also particularly relevant at this time. In an apparent effort to crush any expression of dissent or even disagreement following the disputed presidential election on June 12, the Islamic Republic continues to shut down newspapers, arrest, detain and torture editors and journalists, and arrest and charge Iranian bloggers with crimes such as using the internet to organize demonstrations.

IHRDC continues to call on the United Nations to investigate these and other human rights violations committed by the Iranian government.

IHRDC is a nonprofit organization based in New Haven, Connecticut that was founded in 2004 by a group of human rights scholars, activists, and historians. Its staff of human rights lawyers and researchers produce comprehensive and detailed reports on the human rights situation in Iran since the 1979 revolution. The Center’s goal is to encourage an informed dialogue among scholars and the general public in both Iran and abroad. The human rights reports and an archive of documents are available to the public for research and educational purposes on the Center’s website.