Nigerian Government to Share Oil Revenue with Niger Delta Residents

October 19, 2009

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – As promised, the Nigerian government has proposed a deal to transfer a portion of its oil and gas revenue to the residents of the Niger Delta.

Earlier this year, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) declared an “oil war” on the national energy sector in protest against the lack of wealth sharing of incoming oil revenue.

The Nigerian government promised rebel groups amnesty and reform in the energy sector in return for a cease fire. During the final moments of the amnesty offer many MEND leaders laid down their arms. Many of the MEND leaders remained very skeptical of the governments ability to fulfill their promise to reform the energy sector.

On Monday MEND ended the 90-day cease fire and warned the oil industry to expect new attacks if they did not fulfill their end of the bargain.

In response, the government has said it has plans to transfer 10 percent of the national oil and gas revenue to Niger Delta residents as part of a broader effort to reform the energy sector. This would allow the local residents to receive cash benefits from a version of a trust fund.

President Umaru Yar’Adua’s advisor on the oil sector, Emmanuel Egbogah, told the Financial Times that they are aiming to pass a serious of reform, which the government hopes will promote peace in the war torn area.

“Every community, whether blind or deaf or dumb, every citizen will say: ‘I own a part of this business,'” assured Egbogah.

In addition, the State-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) confirmed that discussions were being held to find ways to give a share of the oil wealth to the nine oil-producing Delta states.

In the first quarter of 2009 the oil revenue fell by 50 percent due in part to the militant activity targeting the energy sector in the Niger Delta. Recent reports have shown that since the cease fire, the oil production is rising.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Nigeria to Offer Oil Money Back to Delta People: Report – 19 October 2009

BBC – Nigeria “To Give 10% of Oil Cash” – 19 October 2009

UPI – Nigeria in Deal with Niger Delta Residents – 19 October 2009

Opposition Officials Call on Rudd: Indonesia Should Not Be “Heavy Lifting”

October 18, 2009

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia and Indonesia will discuss Australia’s immigration policy in an effort to slow the number of asylum seekers attempting to enter Australia.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will travel to Indonesia this week, to attend the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and also to address the problem through a strategic agreement.

Reports reveal that similar to the “Pacific Solution”, implemented by former Prime Minister John Howard, Rudd’s proposal will increase aid to fund Indonesian detention centers. The aid would also resettle asylum seekers already detained in Indonesia.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Australia is attempting to balance the deterrence of people smuggling while also treating asylum seekers humanely. She notes that close cooperation with Indonesia has enabled the Australian Federal Police to disrupt people smuggling activities by bringing charges against more than forty people.

Some urge the Prime Minister to put pressure on Indonesia to sign the United Nations Convention for Refugees.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, said, “We need our Government to be working with the Indonesians, with the Malaysian Government, with all of our regional neighbours in partnership, ensuring that whoever, whenever, wherever people reach and approach for asylum that they can have their claims processed fairly and have their rights under international law upheld.”

Those opposing Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s administration criticized the use of Indonesia to prevent the influx of asylum seekers into Australia.

Dean of the Melbourne University law school and refugee law expert, James Hathaway, claims that the Prime Minister is using the Indonesians to keep refugees out of Australia rather than using Australia’s own resources to do so.

“Nothing in international law allows Australia or any other state party to imprison refugee claimants – directly or by paying off partner states – for the simple act of seeking asylum.”

Refugee advocates claim that the increase in Afghan and Sri Lankan asylum seekers is a result of “life and death” not “economic” push factors, not the Rudd government’s dismissal of harsher border-protection policies imposed by the former Howard government.

Frederika Steen, a former immigration official and refugee advocate, expressed her disapproval of the hard-line border protection practices of the Howard government, which the Rudd government has dropped.

Opposition attributes the new government’s policy, which abandoned temporary protection visas and ended mandatory detention practices, to the rise in the number of asylum-seeker boats over the last year. The Rudd government must act now, rather than simply letting Indonesia do the “heavy lifting”, says spokeswoman Dr. Sharman Stone.

This year alone, thirty-two boats carrying 1706 asylum seekers and crew members have been intercepted and detained at the Christmas Island detention facility.

Today marks the eighth anniversary of the sinking of Suspected Illegal Entry Vessel (“SIEV”) X, when 353 asylum seekers, of which 146 were children, attempted to make the dangerous journey to Australia via boat. Only forty-four individuals survived.

For more information, please see:
The Australian – Jakarta alliance hit by both sides – 19 October 2009

ABC News – People smuggling on Rudd’s Indonesia agenda – 18 October 2009

Brisbane Times – Border policies ‘ strike right balance’ – 18 October 2009

News.com.au – ‘Rudd should pressure Indonesia on refugees’ – 18 October 2009

New York Times – Australia Seeks Indonesia Asylum – Seekers Deal – Paper 16 October 2009

IDF Operations in Gaza and West Bank

October 18, 2009

On June 27, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out two operations in Gaza, one in Gaza City and the other in the southern city of Khan Younis. The IDF states that the purpose of the incursions was to disrupt the terrorist infrastructure inside Gaza by finding and seizing militants and their weapons. The incursions consisted of air strikes, as well a ground assault led by tanks. The IDF claims that it “hit” 15 militants, while the media reports that 11 militants were killed, along with 2 civilians. In addition, 40 people were injured, some in critical condition, and several dozens were arrested. IDF reported that two soldiers were injured in these operations.

Then, early June 28, IDF went into the West Bank city of Nablus. Witnesses stated that around 80 jeeps filled with Israeli soldiers entered the city. Israeli troops interrupted radio and television programs and warned Palestinians to remain at home. Again, IDF justified the incursion by stating that Nablus is a “hotbed” for terrorism and that the goal was to disrupt terror activity. Israeli troops arrested two men suspected of being Fatah fighters and confiscated weapons. Five IDF soldiers were wounded in a bombing in Nablus. Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed branch of Fatah claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Both Fatah and Hamas leadership condemned Israel’s actions. Hamas accused Israel and Fatah of conspiring to pressure Hamas in Gaza. While Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the emergency Palestinian government, viewed the aggression as Israeli attempts to undermine the Palestinian government’s attempts to end the chaos. Abbas condemned both of these military operations; calling the IDF’s actions as “criminal”. He added that Fatah is against violence of any kind and criticized the launching of Qassam rockets. Recently, Abbas vocalized his desire to disband all militias in both Gaza and the West Bank, even those affiliated with Fatah.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera: “Israeli troops raid Nablus” 28 June 2007.

Gulf News: “Israel raids downtown Nablus” 28 June 2007.

Gulf News: “Israeli raids stoke war fears” 28 June 2007.

IDF: “Nablus: an officer and soldier severely injured” 28 June 2007.

Washington Post: “At least 14 Palestinians killed as Israeli military enters Gaza” 28 June 2007.

Al Jazeera: “Israel launches deadly Gaza raids” 27 June 2007.

IDF: “A summary of today’s events in the Gaza Strip” 27 June 2007.

International Herald Tribune: “Israeli raids into Gaza leave 13 dead” 27 June 2007.

New York Times: “Israelis kills 11 militants inside Gaza; 2 civilians die” 27 June 2007.

Kosovo And Macedonia Settle Longstanding Border Dispute

October 18, 2009

By David Sophrin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

PRISTINA, Kosovo – On Friday Kosovo and Macedonia settled a long-term border dispute that has existed since Kosovo announced its independence. The agreement reached clearly defines a stretch of border between the two nations. Diplomatic ties between these two countries should be established immediately following the ratification of the border agreement.

Kosovo’s Prime Minister Hashim Thaci has stated that this agreement, which had been in the works for months, will “[deepen] regional cooperation and stability.” The government of Macedonia still needs to ratify the agreement before it can go into effect.

Under this agreement, approximately 6,100 acres of land will become part of Macedonia. Part of this land is owned by ethnic Kosovo Albanians. It lies in the same area where other Kosovo Albanians began an insurgency against Macedonia in 2001. The original border in this area was set up between Macedonia and Yugoslavia in 2001 while the United Nations was administering Kosovo. In the past this area had been used by Albanian guerrillas for smuggling and gun running.

Following the agreement, U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Christopher Dell noted that the agreement was a positive sign. “This agreement opens the door to the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two countries.” Since Kosovo declared its independence from then Yugoslavia in 2008, 62 countries presently recognize Kosovo as a independent state, including the United States. A number of eastern European nations, including Russia, have continued to refuse to recognize Kosovo’s independence.

There are still more than 1,000 international peace keepers patrolling this border area of Kosovo.

A similar border dispute still exists between Kosovo and its western neighbor Montenegro. Negotiations have not begun.

For more information, please see:

RADIO FREE EUROPE – Kosovo Lawmakers Ratify Border Deal With Macedonia – 17 October 2009

REUTERS – Kosovo Lawmakers Back Border Deal With Macedonia – 17 October 2009

RIANOVOSTI – Kosovo says border with Macedonia demarcated – 17 October 2009

AP – Kosovo, Macedonia sign border deal – 16 October 2009

MACEDONIAN INTERNATIONAL NEWS AGENCY – Report: Macedonia, Kosovo to agree on border demarcation, diplomatic relations soon – 16 October 2009

SOFIA ECHO – Kosovo and Macedonia poised for border deal – 14 October 2009

Hundreds of Thousands Resettled in China for Water Project

October 18, 2009

By Megan E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – An official from the Xinhua News Agency announced today that citizens in Hubei and Henan provinces are being relocated from their homes near the Danjiangkou reservoir. Approximately 330,000 people in central China are being dislocated to make way for a massive project to divert water hundreds of miles for a sluice to be built to divert water from the Yangtze river and its tributaries.

The project is estimated to cost $62 billion, which is nearly three times as much as it cost to construct the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project. When the diversion project is complete, three routes will move billions of tons of water from China’s central, southern and western regions through pipes and canals to flow into Beijing and other fast-growing northern cities. The central route is due for completion by 2014, and is expected to supply about a quarter of Beijing’s water.

In a photograph taken in January, a motorist passes a signboard promising safe water for people on display near a water canal link to the South-to-North Water Diversion Project located in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China. Photograph courtesy of Miami Herald.

Critics of the project have warned the water diversion will cause environmental damage and still not be sufficient to quench the thriving thirst of Beijing and other heavily populated cities. Moreover, opponents are concerned with the displacement that has begun to resettle citizens.

Resettlement, of about 330,000 people, has already begun, and is expected to be complete by 2011, according to official in Xinhua (in reference to reports by an report issued by Henan provincial authorities). Families have been told that they will be compensated for the cost of their immovable property, and be relocated to arable land. Citizens have also been told that their new villages will receive an annual subsidy of 600 yuan ($88) per person for the next twenty years.

Human rights activists share concern over the forced agreement to relocate that was apparently forced upon them. Some citizens came forth stating that some resistant villagers were forced to sign a document indicating they were willing to resettle. Villagers expressed concern because they were being offered less than half the land they currently used for farming and other means of income.

The present water diversion project has been compared to the Three Gorges Dam, which forced over 1.4 million people to move. That project caused surrounding villages to be flooded in order to permit a 410 mile (660 kilometer) long reservoir to allow for a dam to be constructed on the middle of the Yangtze river. Here, though the number of displaced civilians is not as high, the same concerns and worries arise as people affected by the water diversion project face relocation and possible unequal and forced resettlement.

For more information, please see:

China Daily – China pushes international co-op in water sectors – October 19, 2009

Times of India – China to relocate 330,000 people for massive water diversion project – October 18, 2009

China Review – Resettlement of 330,000 people starts to make way for China’s water diversion project – October 18, 2009

Yahoo! World News – China starts resettling 330,000 for water project – October 18, 2009