‘Gutsy’ Human Rights Fighter and Australian Aboriginal Activist Dies

‘Gutsy’ Human Rights Fighter and Australian Aboriginal Activist Dies

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SYDNEY, Australia – One of the most influential individuals in Australia’s Aboriginal community passed away last weekend, suffering from asbestosis.

Charles “Chicka” Dixon contracted asbestosis when he was a “wharf worker”, according to the Maritime Union of Australia.  He died at age 81.

Mr. Dixon was national recognized for his work pertaining to aboriginal Australians.  He was an active participant in the campaign for the 1967 referendum on citizenship for these individuals.

Although many were aware that the activist has been sick for quite some time, learning of his death was still incredibly sad for state officials, who have offered to give him a state funeral.

Mr. Dixon was dedicated to working with the Aboriginal people of Australia for many years.  A New South Wales Premier, Kristina Keneally said that “[he] spent his life fighting for the rights of indigenous Australians.”

Another official, Bev Manton, who is the NSW Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson, noted that he “dedicated his life to fighting for basic human rights and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”  [The Torres Strait Islands are located in the strait between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea.]

Mr. Dixon, who was himself and Aboriginal person, became involved in Australian politics in 1946.

During the 1950s, Mr. Dixon was active in the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.  He also set up services for a community in Sydney.

In addition, he was one of the founding members of the New South Wales Aboriginal Legal Service and the Aboriginal Medical service.

In 1972, Dixon brought a group of Aboriginal Australians to China to speak about “their struggle for justice while at the same time shaming the federal government.”

He was the first Aboriginal individual to be appointed as one of the Australia Council’s members.

According to the National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, “Chicka was a worker, leader and activist who was determined to turn around racism and elitism and gain proper recognition for the extraordinary culture and character of his people and the great injustice done to them.”

Ms. Manton proclaimed that “[t]he Chicka Dixon story is one of Australia’s gutsiest fighters for human rights”.

The state funeral will be held next week.

For more information please see:
Sydney Morning Herald – Aboriginal activist Charles ‘Chicka’ Dixon to receive state funeral – 23 March 2010

ABC News – Aboriginal activist ‘Chicka’ Dixon dies – 22 March 2010

Sydney Morning Herald – Aboriginal community mourns Chicka Dixon – 22 March 2010

Commonwealth Games Construction Workers Endure Unsafe, Unhealthy Conditions

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DELHI, India – As India prepares to host the 2010 Commonwealth games, a multi-sport, multi-national event consisting of over 5,000 athletes and competitions ranging from table-tennis to wrestling, there have been reports stating that the construction workers building the venue for the events endure unconscionably poor working and living conditions.  The a committee of five members of the Delhi High Court has been established to investigate the matter and report on the alleged exploitation of workers.

Construction workers in India generally live and work under derisory conditions.  Employers often fail to reasonably compensate individuals for their work, nor are construction workers provided with adequate amenities.  However, unclean conditions and below minimum wages are among the least of the worries for Indian construction workers.  Construction workers often perform their jobs without proper safety equipment, regardless of the magnitude of the project.

The poor conditions for builders in such a public development reinforces the disregard employers have for the people they assigned to the Common Games venue.   Studies have revealed that numerous workers have been temporarily and permanently disabled due to the haphazard safety precautions and dearth of proper apparatuses.

Furthermore, many employers have arbitrary hired impoverished people from various Indian states to work on the Commonwealth Games stadium.  This creates myriad additional safety issues, as inexperienced and scarcely protected lay people are constantly placing themselves and others, including the more experienced construction workers, at significant risk.  .

Here have also been reports of discrimination and other issue in the payment of the construction workers and others working towards the completion of the Commonwealth Games venue.  It seems women workers have been paid lesser wages than the male workers.  Also, those who have quit working before their time was up have failed to receive timely payment for the work they did complete.

No single entity has been identified as fully liable for the poor conditions of workers in such a significant project.  Although, some have found it appropriate to impose responsibility upon the contractors charged with hiring workers for the project.  The contractors hire migrant workers on contractual terms which deprive the workers from various welfare benefits during the time they work.

Independent reports have revealed over seventy workers have died in the course of the venue construction.  However, reports have not yet revealed how and when remedies will be pursued.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – A Commonwealth shame? – 22 March 2010

ConstructionWeek – Commonwealth chief to to take up Games’ workers deaths in India – 23 March 2010

The Hindu – Workers at Games’ sites getting a raw deal -23 March 2010

As India prepares to host the 2010 Commonwealth games, a multi-sport, multi-national event consisting of over 5,000 athletes and competitions ranging from table-tennis to wrestling, there have been reports stating that the construction workers building the venue for the events endure unconscionably poor working and living conditions.  The a committee of five members of the Delhi High Court has been established to investigate the matter and report on the alleged exploitation of workers.
Construction workers in India generally live and work under derisory conditions.  Employers often fail to reasonably compensate individuals for their work, nor are construction workers provided with adequate amenities.  However, unclean conditions and below minimum wages are among the least of the worries for Indian construction workers.  Construction workers often perform their jobs without proper safety equipment, regardless of the magnitude of the project.
The poor conditions for builders in such a public development reinforces the disregard employers have for the people they assigned to the Common Games venue.   Studies have revealed that numerous workers have been temporarily and permanently disabled due to the haphazard safety precautions and dearth of proper apparatuses.
Furthermore, many employers have arbitrary hired impoverished people from various Indian states to work on the Commonwealth Games stadium.  This creates myriad additional safety issues, as inexperienced and scarcely protected lay people are constantly placing themselves and others, including the more experienced construction workers, at significant risk.  .
Here have also been reports of discrimination and other issue in the payment of the construction workers and others working towards the completion of the Commonwealth Games venue.  It seems women workers have been paid lesser wages than the male workers.  Also, those who have quit working before their time was up have failed to receive timely payment for the work they did complete.
No single entity has been identified as fully liable for the poor conditions of workers in such a significant project.  Although, some have found it appropriate to impose responsibility upon the contractors charged with hiring workers for the project.  The contractors hire migrant workers on contractual terms which deprive the workers from various welfare benefits during the time they work.
Independent reports have revealed over seventy workers have died in the course of the venue construction.  However, reports have not yet revealed how and when remedies will be pursued.

Yemen Clerics Oppose Child Bride Ban

By Brandon Kaufman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANAA, Yemen– A number of Yemen’s most influential clerics issued a decree on Sunday calling supporters of a ban on child brides to be apostates.  It is believed that the religious decree will deeply hurt efforts to salvage legislation that would make it illegal for individuals under the age of 17 to marry.

Currently in Yemen, the practice of having child brides is quite prevalent, due in large part to the country’s extreme poverty.  In many cases, it is tough for families to pass up on child bride prices which can easily run into the hundreds of dollars.

Last year, the Social Affairs Ministry of Yemen published a report saying that more than a quarter of Yemen’s females marry before age 15.  In February of 2009, a new law set the minimum age for marriage at 17, but it was repealed and sent back to the legislature for review after a number of lawmakers called the bill un-Islamic.  A final decision on the legislation is believed to be forthcoming next month.

One of the clerics behind the decree is Sheik Abdul-Majid al-Zindani, one of Yemen’s most influential clerics and one whom the United States has said is a spiritual mentor of Osama bin Laden.  Yet, since Yemen is currently in a fragile situation as a nation, many government officials are reluctant to challenge al-Zindani and other influential clerics for fear of losing power.

The clerics organized a protest against the legislation on Sunday by a group of women.  One of the protestors, a woman in a black veil and face robes, carried a sign that read “Yes to the Islamic rights of women.”  Another woman at the protest said “I was married at 15 and have many children now.  And I will marry my daughter at the same age if I decide she is ready for it.”

Child brides has been a contentious debate in Yemen starting three years when an 8 year old girl in Yemen courageously went by herself to a courtroom and demanded that the judge dissolve her marriage to a man in his 30’s.  The judge ultimately annulled the marriage and since that time legislators have been looking for ways to curb the practice of child brides.

For more information, please see:

Hurriyet Daily News- Yemeni Protestors Support Proposed Child Marriage Ban– 24 March 2010

The Washington Post- Top Yemeni Clerics Oppose Ban on Child Brides– 22 March 2010

The Straits Times- Women Oppose Child Marriage Ban– 21 March 2010

Charles Taylor Trial Update

By Jonathan Ambaye

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands– Last week saw Charles Taylor’s defense provide key witness testimony that could be potentially damaging to Sierra Leone Special Court Prosecutors.  One witness testified that over 300 Liberians and Sierra Leoneans were based and being trained in Liberia under a top Sierra Leonean rebel leader, prior to attacking Sierra Leone in 1991.

This particular witness, whose name and personal information were kept private, told judges he was a part of the rebel force that trained under the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) leader, Foday Sankoy, in Liberia at Camp Nama sometime around the early 1990’s. The witness also recalled additional rebel commanders who participated in these training camps, some of whom would later be prosecuted and convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for their roles in war crimes committed during the Sierra Leonean conflict.

The witness testified, “I can remember Sam Bockarie who is Mosquito, I knew Sam Quelleh, I knew Issa Sesay, I knew Morris Kallon, I knew Augustine Gbao, I knew Jonathan Kposowa, they were many, I can’t recall all of their names now.”

Prosecutors are alleging that Taylor was aware of, and supported these training facilities at Camp Nama in Liberia. Taylor denies having any knowledge of the camp’s existence.

Another witness testified that Charles Taylor never ordered his rebel forces to commit crimes. The witness further claims that Taylor was actually being prevented from liberating the Liberian people by other foreign countries that interfered in the country’s conflict.

For more information please see:

Charles Taylor Trial – Foreign Countries Prevented Charles Taylor From Liberating Liberia – 11 March 2010

Charles Taylor Trial – Foday Sankoh Wanted To Free Sierra Leoneans From The Misery of Politicians – 12 March 2010

Charles Taylor Trial – Liberian Witness Says Sierra Leonean Rebel Forces Were Trained in Liberia – 13 March 2010

Iraq Commission Rejects Calls for Recount

By Bobby Rajabi

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – On March 21, the Iraqi election commission rejected calls from the country’s prime minister and president for a recount of the votes cast in the March 7 general election. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced that for a full manual recount to take place, there must be evidence of serious electoral fraud. Supporters of current Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki are threatening to loosen ties with Baghdad if their demands for a recount are not met.

Faraj al-Haidari, the chief of the IHEC, explained the commission’s decision. He said that “they are asking for a manual recount, that is like asking for a re-run of the entire election. If they don’t accept that we are running the best election software in the world then how are they going to believe pen and paper.”

Haidari also explained that if Maliki and his supporters believe that there were some errors or have doubts, they are able to ask for recounts of particular regions. The commission, however, is unwilling to recount all of Iraq.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is pushing strongly for a recount of all votes cast in the election. Maliki claims that a recount is necessary to “preserve political stability and to avoid a deterioration of security and a return of violence which has quelled after much effort and loss of blood.” The Iraqi Prime Minister contends that a manual recount will help ensure the legitimacy of the country’s government.

The Iraqi Prime Minister has a supporter in the country’s president. Iraqi President Jalal Talbani has endorsed Maliki’s call for a recount. Talbani released a statement on his website saying that it was his duty “to preserve the constitution and to ensure justice and absolute transparency.” Talbani then demanded that the IHEC recount the ballots from the general election in order to “preclude any doubt and misunderstanding” in the results.

IHEC is reporting that with over ninety percent of the vote counted, Maliki’s State of Law alliance trails former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s Iraqiya political bloc. Maliki’s alliance does stand to gain more representation in a future parliament as seats are allocated based on the outcome of the votes in each province.

For more information, please see:

Los Angeles Times – Bid for Iraq Vote Recount Intensifies – 23 March 2010

Al Jazeera – Poll Body Reject Iraq Recount Call – 22 March 2010

BBC – Iraq Election Commission Rejects Calls for Vote Recount – 21 March 2010