“Dirty War” Officials Testify in Argentina

“Dirty War” Officials Testify in Argentina

By Sovereign Hager
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

Undated photos of former top Argentine military offciers; (upper row from L) admiral Eduardo Massera, general Antonio Domingo Bussi, dictator Jorge Videla and general Guilermo Suarez Mason. (Bottom row from L), brigadier Basilio Lami Dozo, captain Alfredo Astiz, admiral Jorge Isaac Anaya and Armando Lambruschini, who among 38 others are thought to have committed crimes during the 1976-83 Dirty War dictatorship. Photo Courtesy of Human Rights Watch.

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina-Seventeen former Naval Officers are currently on trial in Argentina for the deaths of political opponents detained at the Naval Mechanics School. Estimates are that over 5,000 people were brought to the Naval Mechanics School, where they were tortured and most died. Only one hundred people are thought to have survived detention.

Notorious Mechanics School Official Jorge “El Tigre” Acosta took the stand next week on charges that he was the leader of  “Task Force 3.2.2,”  a group that kidnapped, tortured, and murdered people detained at the complex. Acosta admitted that he is liable for all military orders and that the deaths were unavoidable in what he considered to be a “civil war.”

Alfredo Astiz, also known as the “blond angel of death” is also on trial. He is charged with infiltrating circles of families of the disappeared that led to the abduction of the three founders of the group Mothers of the Plaza del Mayo. He has been sentenced in absentia for the abduction and murder of two nuns who were thought to be counseling the families of disappeared individuals.

When Astiz took the stand, he spoke for over an hour and harshly criticized the current Argentine government. He denied all the charges against him and alleged that his conviction was “already on paper.” Astiz insisted that all charged officials should be tried in a military court.

Roughly 30,000 people are thought to have disappeared during Argentina’s military government. Since 2005, prosecutors have convicted sixty defendants. There are three hundred and twenty-seven cases open nation wide. The courts have requested declassified U.S. Cables that contain information about what the United States knew about Argentine military action against leftists. Argentina’s ambassador has reportedly petitioned the C.I.A. and other U.S. agencies to release information.

For more information, please see:

BBC Mundo-Argentina: Militar Admite Detenciones Iligales-19 March 2010

AFP-Face of Argentine Military Repression Defiant in Court-18 March 2010

Publimetro-Represor Astiz Se Delacra Democrático y Republicano-18 March 2010

PressTV-Argentine “Dirty War” Defendants on Trial-28 December 2009

Amnesty International Report Reprimands Numerous European Nations For Selling Torture Instruments

By David Sophrin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

LONDON, United Kingdom – A newly released Amnesty International report has criticized a number of European countries for exporting instruments that can be used to commit torture, which is a violation of the European Union human rights standards.

Legislation passed by the EU Parliament in 2006 banned the international trade of any instruments that are designed for the purpose of conducting torture.  In cases when an item was made for other purposes, but has the potential nevertheless to be used for torture, the law requires that their trade be monitored.

During the time period of 2006-2008, the Czech Republic government approved the sale of chemical sprays, electric shock devices, and shackles.  In many cases, these sales were made to foreign nations with questionable human rights records.

A spokesman for Amnesty International’s European Union office described the extent of the sales.  “There are a number of exports that have been granted to countries such as Georgia, Pakistan, Mongolia and Senegal where there is evidence of torture.  We are still awaiting a response from thee Czech government on what the destination of the exported equipment actually was.”

The Czech Republic has not, however, sold to all potential buyers.  The central European nation refused to sell torture equipment to Iran and Azerbaijan.  The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government agency who holds the final authority to approve a sale, utilizes a standard of taking in consideration a potential buyer country’s United Nations human rights and torture records as well as their own diplomatic reports on those nations.

In responding to the Amnesty International report the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union stated that it was taking the report “very seriously” and will “examine the suggestions in the report with great attention.”

The Amnesty International report also noted that Germany, Spain and Italy have also sold equipment in recent years that could be used for torturing purposes.  Germany has sold foot chains and various chemical sprays to China, India and the United Arab Emirates.  Additionally, the majority of European nations have yet to disclose their exports of the banned items.

Uncertainly regarding the implementation and enforcement of the EU torture legislation was also echoed in the report.  Amnesty International researcher Mike Lewis noted that “although the legislation exists, and was a leader in its field when it was introduced, European member states have not uniformly followed up on their obligations under the regulations.”

For more information, please see:

BBC – EU firms ‘exporting torture equipment’, Amnesty says – 18 March 2010

RADIO FREE EUROPE – Amnesty International Says EU States Exporting Torture Instruments – 18 March 2010

RADIO PRAGUE – Czech Republic picked out in Amnesty International report for exports of ‘torture’ equipment – 18 March 2010

Immigration Reform Legislation Proposed by Senators

By Stephen Kopko

Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON D.C., United States – In the wake of an immigration reform march on Washington two Senators have proposed a plan that would overhaul the United States’ immigration system.  Senator Charles Schumer and Senator Lindsey Graham have worked on the proposed legislation for the past few months.  Their plan to reform the immigration system also received initial support from President Obama.

According to Senators Schumer and Graham, the reform legislation contains “four pillars.”  The first pillar requires workers to obtain a biometric Social Security Card.  The Senators wrote that the card would provide a better employment verification system.  The second pillar strengthens border security and border patrol.  Under this pillar, immigration officials would receive more funding for infrastructure and personnel.  Also, the creation of an entry/exit system would further help Border Patrol agents determine those immigrants that overstay their visas.  The third pillar of the reform bill deals with temporary workers.  Generally, temporary workers are those immigrants that come to the United States for a short period of time to perform seasonal jobs.  According to the proposed legislation, employers would be allowed to hire temporary workers after no United States worker took the position.  The fourth pillar creates a system through which illegal immigrants currently in the United States can begin a path to citizenship without first being deported.

Under the Senators proposed reform, illegal immigrants currently in the United States would be required to perform community service, pay fines and back taxes in exchange for not being deported.  Illegal immigrants also would be required to learn English and pass a background check.  After completing this process, illegal immigrants would then be placed on the path toward citizenship.

Both Senator Schumer and Senator Graham believe their proposed legislation balances the interests of those who support deportation of all illegal immigrants with those groups that support amnesty for illegal immigrants.  The issue of illegal immigration is a top priority for the Obama Administration.  The President issued a statement of initial support for the reform bill created by Senators Schumer and Graham.

The Illegal Immigration Reform Bill was released as Washington D.C. prepares for a rally in support of reform on Sunday.  Approximately one-hundred thousand supporters of legalizing illegal immigrants plan to attend the rally.  Besides holding a rally supporting the legalization of illegal immigrants, protestors will meet with their representatives in Congress to lobby for immigration reform.

For more information, please see:

Center For American Progress – Senate Leaders Reveal Immigration Framework – 18 March 2010

MSNBC – Immigrants head to D.C. to push reforms – 18 March 2010

Washington Post – The right way to mend immigration – 18 March 2010

US Continues Drone Strikes in Pakistan

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NORTH WAZIRISTAN, Pakistan – The US government continued its drone-striking campaign against the Taliban over the past week.  This time the government killed at least two alleged pro-Taliban fighters in the tumultuous northwestern region of Pakistan.  The two attacks, which included direct hits in North Waziristan, occurred within an hour of each other on Wednesday according to Pakistani officials.  The first attack included a series of four missile strikes aimed at a departing vehicle in Miran Shah, an important center in North Waziristan.  This initial four-missile strike also razed a residence which was close to the targeted vehicle.  The second attack consisted of a three-missile strike in Madakhel, another town approximately 40 km from Miran Shah.

These particular missile strikes occurred after a recent US drone strike killed at least eleven peoples all suspected to be agents acting in allegiance with the Taliban.  Previous attack, along with the latest couple of drone missile strikes, demonstrates a pattern of concentrating the targeted killing of pro-Taliban fighters in North Waziristan.

Although the US drone attacks have been an effective means of killing Taliban supporters, their continual use and adverse effects have come under immense scrutiny on a number of occasions.  The UN and the international community, along with many NGOs and other human rights groups, have made numerous human rights violations claims.  There has been a history of significant collateral damage caused by the US drone strikes.  Many opponents of US drone attacks have claimed that the strikes cause an unconscionable arbitrary loss of civilian lives.  Although unintended casualties are to be expected in the theater of war, those challenging the legality of US drone strikes have determined that the high rate of civilian death supersedes allowable collateral damage.

Furthermore, there have been conflicting views of whether or not the US drone strokes constitute an arbitrary deprivation of life and property without due process.  The CIA, which has control over conducting the missile strikes, does not release public statements regarding their attacks, but has continually defended the legality of implementing drones.  However, the intelligence organization has yet to release a statement responding directly to the myriad human rights violations it has allegedly perpetrated.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Pakistanis die in US drone raids – 17 March 2010

BBC News – US drone strike in Pakistan ‘killed key al-Qaeda man’ – 17 March 2010

Radio Free Europe – US Drone Strike Kills Five in Northern Pakistan – 17 March 2010

The US government continued its drone-striking campaign against the Taliban over the past week.  This time the government killed at least two alleged pro-Taliban fighters in the tumultuous northwestern region of Pakistan.  The two attacks, which included direct hits in North Waziristan, occurred within an hour of each other on Wednesday according to Pakistani officials.  The first attack included a series of four missile strikes aimed at a departing vehicle in Miran Shah, an important center in North Waziristan.  This initial four-missile strike also razed a residence which was close to the targeted vehicle.  The second attack consisted of a three-missile strike in Madakhel, another town approximately 40 km from Miran Shah.

These particular missile strikes occurred after a recent US drone strike killed at least eleven peoples all suspected to be agents acting in allegiance with the Taliban.  Previous attack, along with the latest couple of drone missile strikes, demonstrates a pattern of concentrating the targeted killing of pro-Taliban fighters in North Waziristan.
Although the US drone attacks have been an effective means of killing Taliban supporters, their continual use and adverse effects have come under immense scrutiny on a number of occasions.  The UN and the international community, along with many NGOs and other human rights groups, have made numerous human rights violations claims.  There has been a history of significant collateral damage caused by the US drone strikes.  Many opponents of US drone attacks have claimed that the strikes cause an unconscionable arbitrary loss of civilian lives.  Although unintended casualties are to be expected in the theater of war, those challenging the legality of US drone strikes have determined that the high rate of civilian death supersedes allowable collateral damage.
Furthermore, there have been conflicting views of whether or not the US drone strokes constitute an arbitrary deprivation of life and property without due process.  The CIA, which has control over conducting the missile strikes, does not release public statements regarding their attacks, but has continually defended the legality of implementing drones.  However, the intelligence organization has yet to release a statement responding directly to the myriad human rights violations it has allegedly perpetrated.

Iran Arrests Thirty Accused of Launching Cyber War

By Bobby Rajabi

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – On March 13, Iran arrested thirty individuals that were accused of waging an organized, United States-backed cyber against the Islamic Republic. The news was reported by Iran’s Fars news agency. Iran accused the thirty individuals and their American backers of gathering information on Iranian nuclear scientists. The Islamic Republic also claims that individuals are being sent abroad for training on how to gather information for the United States.

Iran’s judiciary claims that the thirty arrested individuals began being funded by the United States in 2006. The plan, allegedly, was to destabilize the Iranian government. The Iranian judiciary continued to allege that former U.S. President George W. Bush supplied four hundred million dollars for the cyber war project against the Islamic Republic. A State Department spokesman chose not to respond to the report by Fars.

The overall project was dubbed “Iran Proxy, ” according to the Fars report. The Fars agency reported that “thirty people were arrested in connection with an organized American cyber war netowrk via a series of complex security measures in the field of information technology and communications.”

One branch of “Iran Proxy” was allegedly capable of infiltrating Iran’s data banks and sabotaging its web sites. It was also capable of facilitating contacts between opposition figures in Iran and, allegedly, U.S.-funded media such as Voice of America radio and Radio Farda. Fars also reports that the cyber war included the staging of “illegal demonstrations and encouraging the public to take part in them after the president elections.”

Fars also reported that the judiciary said the U.S. used anti-filtering software during the demonstrations to wage psychological war against the nation.

Iran claims that it has dismantled several of the allegedly U.S.-backed opposition networks. It claims that among those involved in the cyber warfare is the People’s Mujahideen Organization, a leftist groups exiled from Iran which launched attacks on the country from Iraq during the Hussein Regime. Iran claims that cyber warfare included sending individuals to train with the PMOI in Iraq in order to launch additional attacks on the Islamic Republic.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Iran Says it Struck US-Backed Opposition Groups – 13 March 2010

CNN – Iran Arrests 30 Accused of U.S.-Backed Cyber War – 13 March 2010

Reuters – Iran Arrests 30 Over U.S.-linked Cyber Ring: Report – 13 March 2010