Hungary Launches Investigation into Soviet War Crimes

Hungary Launches Investigation into Soviet War Crimes

By Polly Johnson
Senior Desk Officer, Europe

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation (NNI) will launch an inquiry into alleged war crimes committed by the Soviet army more than sixty years ago in Osaszfalu, near Zirc, Veszprém County, according to Hungarian newspaper Magyar Hírlap.

More than forty years passed until residents of the village of Olaszfalu were able to erect memorials to honor the thirty-two massacre victims (Photo Courtesy of Digital Journal/flickr).
More than forty years passed until residents of the village of Olaszfalu were able to erect memorials to honor the thirty-two massacre victims (Photo Courtesy of Digital Journal/flickr).

During World War II, Red Army soldiers allegedly shot thirty-two men and boys while their parents watched. Reports vary as to whether the dead were buried in mass graves or in pits.

It is the first time in Hungary’s history that the Soviet Red Army and the secret police, the NKVD, have been accused of mass atrocities and war crimes. It is widely known that both groups committed mass looting, rape, murder, and deportations.

The murders remained a secret while the Soviets occupied the small village from 1945 until 1989. It was not until ten years after the Soviets left that families erected tombstones and raised memorials.

A Hungarian website reporting the allegations quotes Jozsef Toth, the vice mayor of the village, who said: “They laid them in a long trench, a few centimeters from each other. None of them were given coffins, they just took them off a wagon where they lay wrapped in sheets, there was no funeral. Neither priest, nor the families, not even the mothers could weep above those murdered.”

In related news, ninety-seven year old Hungarian Sándor Kepiro, a former police captain and alleged Nazi war crimes criminal who was acquitted this year, died on September 3.

Kepiro was acquitted in July of charges of the deaths of thirty-six civilians in northern Serbia during World War II raids by Hungarian forces. More than 1,200 civilians, mostly Serbs and Jews, were killed during the raids. The massacre became known as the Novi Sad massacre.

His case was turned over to the Hungarian authorities in 2006 by the Simon Wiesenthal center, which had deemed him the most-wanted Nazi war crimes criminal. He admitted to rounding people up prior to the massacre, but denied shooting or ordering anyone to be shot.

Kepiro had been found guilty in two previous trials, first in 1944, and second, in 1946. He was released after his first conviction because Germany was under the control of Nazis. By the time of his second conviction, Kepiro had fled to Argentina.

For more information, please see:

Digital Journal – First-ever war crimes prosecution against Soviet Army in Hungary – 12 September 2011

Budapest Times – Suspect dies after war crimes acquittal – 12 September 2011

New York Times – Sandor Kepiro Dies at 97; Acquitted of Holocaust-Era Crimes – 4 September 2011

Politics.hu – Hungarian investigators to probe alleged Soviet war crime – 29 August 2011

Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation Report Details Evidence of Escalating Government Control and Oppression in Cuba

By Ryan T. Elliott
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America/Oceania

HAVANA, Cuba – The Ladies in White are counted among the most determined groups battling against human rights abuses in Cuba. The Ladies in White work towards the release of hundreds, if not thousands, of political prisoners.  Earlier this week, the Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation released a report that focused on the beatings, violence and kidnappings the Ladies in White suffered from authorities in August.

Ladies in White were beaten and detained by Cuban authorities in August. (Photo courtesy of the Wall Street Journal)

On August 7, 2011, the Ladies in White suffered a series of violent attacks during peaceful demonstrations in the cities of Santiago de Cuba and Palmarito de Cauto, which are located in the Eastern province of Cuba. Comprised largely of Cuban women who are family members or supporters of Cuban political prisoners, the group was battered, and in some cases, pushed into buses headed for unknown destinations by Government-organized agents.

In the wake of these violent attacks, it was discovered that six activists were hospitalized with fractures, contusions, and wounds that required sutures. Meanwhile, the political police ordered doctors not to supply victims with medical certificates. This was an interesting and clever maneuver on the part of the political police, considering that medical certificates are required in order to accuse the Cuban authorities of any wrongdoing.

The Cuban Commission for Human Rights and National Reconciliation (“CCHRN”)found that police violence against peaceful dissidents (persons who happen to hold or voice a different belief) was at its highest in recent years. The report found that police violence against peaceful dissidents (persons who happen to hold or voice a different belief) was at its highest in recent years. In fact, the panel found at least 2,221 arrests that were made for political reasons. This is an average of 278 arrests per month, a number that represents a hundred percent increase from the same period last year.

While the commission said there is little doubt that the crackdown on pro-democracy groups was approved at the highest level of government, the Catholic Church, which often acts as a go-between for dissidents and Cuban authorities, said it had received assurances that there was no national policy to target opposition groups. Nevertheless, the commission warned that the figures in its report suggest a serious deterioration of civil and political rights in Cuba. The commission stated that it believes that this represents a trend, which is likely to continue unless the Cuban government introduces new reforms or ratifies and complies with the U.N. human rights pacts.

The CCDHRN called on foreign governments and international human rights groups to show “solidarity” with Cuban dissidents and urge Havana to end its controlling and oppressive practices.

For more information, please see:

Emirates 247 – Cuban crackdown ordered from the top — September 7, 2011

Christian Post – Catholic Church in Cuba Condemns Violence Against Ladies in White — September 6, 2011

Miami Herald – Cuba denies it is targeting dissidents — September 6, 2011

Fox News  –  Cuba dissidents complain of escalating repression — September 6, 2011

Cuba Democracy & Life – Activists with Fractures are Hospitalized after Brutal Attack — August 7, 2011

Libyan Women Hopeful as Interim Leader Calls for Civil State

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TRIPOLI, Libya – Monday marked the beginning of a turning point for Libya as Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, chairman of the National Transitional Council (NTC) that will act as the interim government, delivered a speech in Tripoli’s newly named Martyrs’ Square that laid out his vision for the newly liberated country.  More than 10,000 people attended the address, including many women who enthusiastically cheered him on while waving the red, black, and green flag of liberation.

An enthusiastic crowd cheered NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel-Jalils address in Tripolis Martyrs Square Monday night
A passionate crowd cheered NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel-Jalil's address in Tripoli's Martyrs' Square Monday night. (Photo courtesy of the Tripoli Post)

“Women will be ambassadors,” Abdel-Jalil, the former justice minister of exiled leader Muammar al-Gaddafi, declared.  “Women will be ministers.”

Statements such as these from Abdel-Jalil, who defected from the Gaddafi regime when the revolution began, raised the hopes of the crowd.  He emphasized that the new Libya would have a strong focus on women and youth.  The address also made a point of giving credit to all who were involved in the revolution, including the NATO alliance and sympathetic members of the Gaddafi forces, who sabotaged missions or deliberately aimed away from rebels when ordered to fire.

For women of Libya, they anxiously await the payoff for their hard work in organizing rebel cells that turned into small armies that helped send Gaddafi into exile.  They functioned in multiple ways to aid the forces: collecting money, hiding fighters, and even running guns.  One woman, an art teacher named Amal Bashir, acquired ammunition through use of a secret code.  The New York Times described the code as follows: “[s]mall-caliber rounds were called ‘pins,’ larger rounds were ‘nails.’ A ‘bottle of milk’ meant a Kalashnikov.”

But whether that payoff comes will depend in large part on the government that forms.  Abdel-Jalil vowed that the new Libya would not accept extremist ideologies.  He also rejected the idea of a secular country, instead seeing one that is driven by Sharia (Muslim) law.

“We are a Muslim nation, with a moderate Islam, and we will maintain that. You are with us and support us – you are our weapon against whoever tries to hijack the revolution,” he said.

Abdel-Jalil had no plans for reprisals against Gaddafi loyalists.  Part of his speech, which was broadcast nationally, was directed at those who remained loyal to the former despot, who remains at large.  He urged those people to surrender, as Muslims were “a people of forgiveness.”  Abdel-Jalil also encouraged Libyans affected by the Gaddafi regime not to seek revenge against loyalists for past crimes.

“We need to open the courts to anyone who harmed the Libyan people in any way. The judicial system will decide,” he told the crowd.

Women look forward to the possibility of their new role in society: their occupations, unimpeded by the corrupt Gaddafi regime.  Gaddafi’s Green Book contained extensive material on respect for women, including sections on breastfeeding and domesticity.  But when they tried to follow the Green Book, they were held down by the government.  For instance, Bashir dreamed of a career as an artist, but she canceled what would have been her first exhibition after her sponsor, a member of the regime, demanded sex from her.

That fear is gone, having been replaced by optimism.  For Aisha Gdour, a school psychologist who smuggled bullets to rebel fighters in her handbag, there is no looking back.  “Maybe I can be the new president or the mayor,” she said.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Libya’s new leader calls for civil state — 13 September 2011

BBC — Libya: NTC’s Jalil vows state based on ‘moderate Islam’ — 13 September 2011

Libya TV — Libya’s interim leader makes landmark Tripoli speech — 13 September 2011

Tripoli Post — Interim Libyan Leader Calls for Reconciliation in His First Public Speech — 13 September 2011

New York Times — Libyan Transitional Leader Urges Reconciliation, Using Symbolism of Tripoli Site –12 September 2011

New York Times — Libya’s War-Tested Women Hope to Keep New Power — 12 September 2011

Netherland’s Law Violates the Human Rights of Transgender People

By Greg Hall
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands – In 1985, the Netherlands passed a civil code that required transgender people to take hormones and undergo surgery to alter their bodies to permanently and irreversibly sterilize their bodies before their gender would be legally recognized.  This law, article 28 of the civil code, is being scrutinized because it violates transgender people’s rights to personal autonomy and physical integrity and to define their own gender identity.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) argued that the law should be amended to respect transgender people’s rights by separating legal and medical questions for transgender people.

A picture taken from Inside Out/Portraits of Cross-gender Children. (Photo courtesy of Human Rights Watch)
A picture taken from Inside Out/Portraits of Cross-gender Children. (Photo courtesy of Human Rights Watch)

Boris Dittrich, advocacy director in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Rights Program at HRW stated, “the Dutch law causes anguish for trans people who have not had the required surgery.  Their documents do not match their deeply felt gender identity.  This leads to frequent public humiliation, vulnerability to discrimination, and great difficulty finding or holding a job.”

HRW interviewed several people about the law.  One of the interviewees stated, “People are left dangling in between two worlds for far longer than is necessary. It is needlessly traumatizing for people who are already very vulnerable.” Another comically commented that the “state should stay out of our underwear.”

Under the current law, some courts have held that the transgender people do not even have the right to use their chosen first name.  The Dutch government has made statements about repealing the law that violates human rights.  In March of 2011 the state secretary for security and justice promised to present a bill that would abolish the infertility requirement.  However, the bill has yet to be introduced.

Dittrich stated, “trans people are tired of waiting and hearing empty promises.  They want legal action now. Before any new law goes into effect, a lot of time will have passed. Meanwhile trans people have to cope with daily humiliation, discrimination, and frustration.”

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Education Associates – The Netherlands: Transgender Law Violates Human Rights – 13 September 2011

Human Rights Watch – The Netherlands: Transgender Law Violates Human Rights – 13 September 2011

Violence Surpasses Car Accidents as Leading Cause of Death for Youths in Mexico

By Brittney Hodnik
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – A new report confirms that the leading cause of death for young people in Mexico is violence.  The country has been fighting drug cartels, drug violence, prostitution rings, and human trafficking issues for about four years and nothing has improved.  Men and women of all ages are subject to daily violence stemming from drug cartels and the government alike.

Map showing which drug cartels are prominent in different areas of Mexico.  (Image Courtesy of BBC News)
Map showing which drug cartels are prominent in different areas of Mexico. (Image Courtesy of BBC News)

According to the Los Angeles Times, Mexico has been involved in a drug war since 2007.  In 2008 and 2009, deaths among young people rose 150%.  Young people are defined as those individuals between the ages of 15 and 29.  Violence is now the leading cause of death, surpassing car accidents. 

Mexico’s government database on deaths shows astonishing numbers.  The Los Angeles Times reports that 1,638 young people died in 2008 due to suspected drug-related attacks.  This number rose to 2,511 in 2009 and 3,741 in 2010.  By no means are the young people targeted in particular.  CNN reports that in the past four and a half years, tens of thousands of people have been killed due to violence in the country.  BBC News puts this number at an estimated 40,000 since 2006 when President Calderon took office.

The most hard hit areas, accounting for half of the total homicides are Chihuahua, Baja California, Guerrero, Sinaloa and the state of Mexico (bordering Mexico City), reported the Los Angeles Times.

One of the major problems is that the drug cartels are so well armed.  It makes violence easy when the gangs have automatic weapons and protective armor.  American dollars largely fuel the success of the drug cartels.  Because there is such profitability for illegal drugs in the United States, billions of dollars go straight into the cartels’ pockets.  Not only does the United States provide the funding, but also, many of the weapons themselves were made in the U.S. and smuggled over the border.

It should also be noted that these are often not accidental deaths.  BBC News reports that the attacks are gruesome and it is common to find mass graves containing dozens of bodies.  Families are taken out one member at a time.  Even though thousands of troops and police have been deployed, violence has gotten progressively worse.  BBC News also reports that many police are corrupt and further escalate the violence.

Interestingly, Mexican citizens between the ages of 15 and 19 years old are the group most approving of torture and the death penalty against suspected cartel criminals, according to the Los Angeles Times.  Mexico’s drug war wages on, attempting to decrease the number of violence-related and drug-related deaths among young people and other citizens.

For more information, please visit:

MySanAntonio.com — Defeating Cartels Serves U.S. Interests — 13 Sept. 2011

The Los Angeles Times — More Mexico Youths Die From Violence Than Car Wrecks, Report Says — 12 Sept. 2011

CNN World — Tales From Mexico’s Drug Wars, WikiLeaks Style — 11 Sept. 2011

BBC News — Q&A: Mexico’s Drug-Related Violence — 26 Aug. 2011