Mexico Urges United States to Stop Weapons Trafficking

Mexico Urges United States to Stop Weapons Trafficking

By Brittney Hodnik
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – President Felipe Calderon created a billboard asking the United States to stop the flow of weapons into Mexico.  The access to automatic weapons significantly contributes to the extensive violence in Mexico.  The message is in English and can be seen from the United States.

The billboard reads "NO MORE WEAPONS!" and is constructed from 3 tons of seized weapons. (Image courtesy of Fox News)

According to Fox News, the billboard weighs three tons and it was constructed from seized guns and other weapons.  It was placed on an international bridge in Ciudad Juarez.  President Calderon gave a speech while unveiling the billboard, urging the United States to stop the flow of weapons across the border.

CNN reports that Ciudad Juarez has become Mexico’s murder capital.  It is just across the border from El Paso, Texas where many guns – specifically automatic weapons – cross the border every day.  The United States has expressed interest in helping Calderon fight the drug wars; he says the most helpful move would be to stop the gun trafficking across the border.

Calderon went on to describe the trafficking as “inhumane” according to CNN.  Beyond the weapons, Calderon urged the United States to cut back on its drug consumption as well.  He said, “We need your help to stop this violence.  We need you to reduce your consumption of drugs and to dramatically reduce the flow of money to criminal organizations in Mexico.”

Although more than 140,000 weapons have been seized since December 2006 when Calderon took office, more than 47,500 people have been killed since then, according to The Associated Press and government reports.  Drug related violence is a huge problem in Mexico and the access to automatic weapons fuels the issue.

Calderon does acknowledge and praise President Obama’s attempts at reducing the flow of automatic weapons from the United States to Mexico, but emphasized that it is still not enough.

Recently, the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives carried out a “Fast and Furious” operation that only exacerbated the problem, according to the LA Times.  The operation was supposed to serve the purpose of tracking the flow of illegally purchased American guns.  The effect was just to allow hundreds of weapons into Mexico without being intercepted, reports CNN.

Calderon’s somewhat-theatrical presentation will hopefully get the message across to U.S. lawmakers.  Calderon wants to see stricter laws to prevent the ease of access to automatic weapons.

For more information, please visit:

Associated Press — ‘No More Weapons!’ Billboard Placed on US Border — 17 Feb. 2012

CNN — Mexico’s President to  U.S.: ‘No More Weapons’ — 17 Feb. 2012

Fox News Latino — Mexico Billboard to US: No More Weapons! — 17 Feb. 2012

LA Times — Mexico to U.S.: ‘No More Weapons!’ — 17 Feb. 2012

 

Judicial Probe Accuses Iraqi VP of Running Death Squads

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq — An Iraqi judicial panel has found that Sunni Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi and his employess ran death squads that killed both security officials and Shi’ite pilgrims.  The findings, the first independent assessment of accusations against the vice president, are likely to increase sectarian tensions in the already politically divisive case.

Vice-President Hashimi (Photo Courtesy of Livingston Daily).

Al-Hashemi has denied the charges, and the accusations themselves have angered many Sunnis who see them as part of a campaign by the Shi’ite prime minister to push them out of Iraqi politics.

The announcement comes at the end of a two-month investigation where the nine-judge panel found at least 150 cases of either al-Hashemi, his bodyguards, or his other employees with links to violent attacks such as roadside bombs and the assassination of security agents and Shi’ite pilgrims.

A statement from Judicial Council spokesman Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar did not offer any evidence to support the panel’s conclusions.

Decisions from the panel are not legally binding.

The Interior Ministry, which is run by Shi’ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Malaki, issued an arrest warrant for al-Hashemi in December.

The case originates in part from television footage that aired on state-run television in December, showing supposed confessions by men said to be al-Hashemi’s bodyguards.  The men said that they killed officials working in Iraq’s health and foreign ministries, and Baghdad police officers, receiving $3,000 from al-Hashemi for each attack.

Al-Hashemi has taken refuge from arrest in the autonomous Kurdish government in Northern Iraq.  He has refused to return to Baghdad where he does not feel safe and has expressed concerns about no receiving a fair trial.  There is a belief amongst al-Hashemi and other Sunni officials that the judiciary is not independent of al-Malaki’s government.

“We are an independent body that is not linked to any executive body,” Saad al-Lami, one of the nine judges, said after the findings were announced. He said al-Maliki’s office has “nothing to do with these investigations.”

The Judiciary Council’s findings will be turned over to the Iraqi criminal courts.  This will allow the relatives of those killed to file lawsuits against al-Hashemi.

The political divisiveness of this case has tapped into underlying resentments between the Sunni and Shi’ites in the Iraqi government.  The minority Sunnis fear they are being politically sidelined by the Shi’ite majority as payback for the years of persecution under Saddam Hussein, who had favored the Sunnis.

Likewise the Shi’ites fear connections between the Sunnis and the near daily attacks by al-Qaeda and other insurgents.

Some Iraqis greet the judiciary’s findings with weariness and skepticism after years of endless government infighting.

“This is political immaturity when the government officials are ignoring the devastated country and people and direct all of their attention to settle old scores with political opponents,” said Hassan Hamid, a Shi’ite trader from eastern Baghdad.

For more information, please see:

Al Arabiya — Iraqi VP Hashimi denies any involvement in 150 terrorist operations — 17 Feb. 2012

ABC — Judicial Probe Says Iraqi VP Behind Death Squads — 16 Feb. 2012

AP — Judicial Probe Says Iraqi VP Behind Death Squads — 16 Feb. 2012

BBC — Iraqi’s Sunni Vice-President Hashemi ‘ran death squads’ — 16 Feb. 2012

 

 

South Africans Flood Johannesburg for Miniskirt March

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Hundreds of men and women crowded parts of Central Johannesburg on Friday to take part in a march proclaiming their right to wear miniskirts.  The protest was staged by the Africa National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) to call for an end to gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

A woman wearing a miniskirt stands in front of a banner held by ralliers during Friday's march calling for an end to violence against women. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

The rally was precipitated by an incident in December in which two women at a taxi stop on Noord Street that was caught on camera.  Male drivers at the stop taunted two women about their clothing.  Others groped them and grabbed at their clothing while others took pictures.  One of the two was wearing a miniskirt, and the other had a visible bra strap.  The victim’s identities have not been disclosed, and no arrests have been made as of yet.  An investigation is underway.

In many parts of South Africa, which has one of the world’s highest occurrences of rape, men still believe that women should not wear clothing that is too revealing.  An incident similar to the one from December took place at the Noord Street stop three years ago, when Nwabisa Ngcukana was stripped and molested for wearing a miniskirt; nobody was arrested. Five years ago, the township of Umlazi, located near Durban, banned women from wearing trousers.  That July, a woman was stripped naked and had her home burned down for it.

Organizers of the march told the BBC that its goal was to put a stop to “patriarchal views still entrenched in parts of South Africa’s society.”  ANCWL Spokeswoman Troy Martens called the event one intended to start a country-wide debate regarding abuse of women.

“The 16 days of activism against women and children is clearly not enough! We need a sustained year-long campaign and dedication from authorities that brings men on board to put an end to this social scourge,” she said.

Several top officials in both the national government and the Gauteng province attended.  Lulu Xingwana, the country’s Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, was among the participants.  She wore a skirt, but not a mini.  During the event, she threatened to shut down the Noord Street stop if the drivers did not improve their behavior.

“No one has the right to (commit) corrective rape. Rape is rape,” Xingwana said.  “Real men don’t rape women, real men love and respect women.”

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane was also present.  If the abuse continued, she said that nobody could enjoy human rights.  Taxi drivers needed to be particularly strong in spearheading the human rights movement.

“It is their duty to respect human rights… taxi drivers, taxi commuters: no one should allow violence against women and children,” she said. “As women, we are proud of our bodies, we are proud of our miniskirts.”

Participants waved signs reading various slogans, such as “I am proud of my miniskirt.”  Many danced for the cameras.  Most viewers supported the event, including men.

“It has nothing to do with culture, it is about the working class struggle and [teaching] the masses about human rights,” said one male viewer.

The march ended outside Johannesburg’s High Court building, where the ANCWL delivered a memorandum of grievances to the equality court.  Upon arrival, it was met by Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, who signed a memorandum of understanding pledging that the justice system would support fight against violence toward women and children, adding that those who tried to control fashion were not freedom fighters.

“The struggle for freedom has always been the struggle for human rights, the struggle for women’s empowerment,” Radebe said.  He then said he came to the event “because I like miniskirts,” drawing laughter and applause from the assembled crowd.

For more information, please see:

BBC — South Africa Mini-Skirt March in Protest over Attacks — 17 February 2012

IOL — Mini Skirts Paralyse Joburg — 17 February 2012

Mail & Guardian — ANC Women’s League March for Rights — 17 February 2012

Sowetan — Minister to Join Mini-Skirt March — 17 February 2012

Times (Johannesburg) — People Gather for Miniskirt March — 17 February 2012

BBC — Anger at SA Trouser “Ban” — 26 July 2007

Tunisian Journalists Detained for Publishing Nude Photo

By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TUNIS, Tunisia – On Wednesday, 15 February, Tunisian officials arrested the head of Attounissia and two of its editors after the Tunisian newspaper published a picture of German-Tunisian soccer player Sami Khedira with his nude girlfriend.  The Justice Ministry claims the publication of the photo violated public morals.

Attounissia's cover page that lead to the arrest of 3 journalists. (Photo Courtesy of Tunisia Live)

The photo the newspaper printed displays the Real Madrid midfielder in a tuxedo covering the breasts of Lena Gercke, Khedira’s girlfriend and German model, with his hands.  German GQ magazine published the same photo on the cover its of March 2012 issue.

Chokri Nafti, the Justice Ministry spokesperson, reported the prosecutor charged publisher Nasreddine Ben Said, editor in chief Hbib Guizani, and editor of the world section Hedi Hadhri with “disrespecting public decency.”  The prosecutor detained the men while the Justice Ministry investigated the case.  The journalists argued they were simply reporting sports news.

On Thursday, Mr. Ben Said’s lawyer Chokri Beledi reported Tunisian officials released Mr. Guizani and Mr. Hadhri.  Mr. Beleid added, “Ben Said’s imprisonment is illegal and is aimed at terrorising the media…The judiciary used the same law that Ben Ali used to pursue journalists and it is being utilised to strike down enemies just as it was under Ben Ali.”

The police are guarding the newspaper’s building after a female journalist reported receiving phone calls that threatened to burn the office.  Reuters identified her as the informant for these calls, but the Associated Press concealed her name to combat her fear of retaliation by religious extremists.

Although Tunisia is a more moderate Muslim country, the newspaper does not tend to publish such bold photographs.  The country has struggled balancing its strong secular societal norms with the ultraconservative movement that spurred after its secular dictator fell last year.  Secular Tunisians fear the conservative Muslims leading the government will censor the media to align the country with its religious moral standards.

The Tunisian Union of Journalists stated, “We are condemning the continued detainment and arrest warrant issued against Ben Saida. The lack of professionalism of Attounissia’s editorial decision-makers does not justify the state taking away an individual’s freedom, rather this problem can be solved within the professional institutions for the journalists.”  Attounissia has also accused Mehdi Mabrouk, the Minister of Culture, of censoring the newspaper by standardizing artistic tastes.

Furthermore, Tunisia’s highest appellate court will issue its delayed ruling on a lower court’s decision to block pornographic websites on Friday, 24 February.

In response to the arrests, the anonymous female journalist said, “This issue is political and aims to quell the voice of the media and stop its criticizing the government.”

For further information, please see:

Money Control – Tunisia To Try 3 Journalists In Morality Dispute – 17 Feb 2012

Tunisia Live – General Prosecutor Frees Two Newsmen But Continues Detainment of Paper’s Owner in Sami Khedira Photo Publication Case – 16 Feb 2012

All Africa – Tunisia: Newsmen Arrested in Tunis After Publication of Racy Sami Khedira Photo – 15 Feb 2012

The Boston Globe – 3 Tunisian Journalists Arrested Over Nude Photo – 15 Feb 2012

Ecuadorian Court Enforces $40 Million Punishment in Libel Case Brought by President

by Emilee Gaebler
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

QUITO, Ecuador – Ecuador’s National Court of Justice, the highest court in the nation, has upheld a ruling in a libel case that restricts the freedom of the press.  On Wednesday, the court sentenced three people from the newspaper El Universo to pay a fine of $40 million to Ecuador’s president, Rafael Correa. 

Correa rips up a copy of the daily newspaper, La Hora, during a conference, to indicate his aggressive stance towards media. (Photo courtesy of Committee to Protect Journalists)

Emilio Palacio, an editor and the writer of the article in question, was fined $30 million.  The owners of the newspaper, Cesar Perez and Nicolas Perez, were fined $10 million.  All three of the men were additionally sentenced to three years imprisonment.

Correa instigated a libel suit against the newspaper El Universo in March of 2011 for an article they printed about him.  In the article, it was insinuated that the Correa had authorized soldiers to shoot on a hospital with innocent civilians inside. 

The article was printed following a police strike in September of 2011.  The police were revolting against a new austerity law that reduced their bonus pay and Correa pushed into the crowd to personally address some of the officers leading the rebellion.  

Media reports from the time state that Correa confronted them by opening his shirt and stating, “If you want to kill the president, here he is.  Kill him, if you want to.  Kill him, if you are brave enough.”  After this, as Correa’s guards escorted him from the area, he was attacked with tear gas and shoved by the protestors.

Correa was taken to a nearby hospital from which he declared a state of emergency.  Rebellious police protestors surrounded the hospital and Correa was trapped inside of it for the next 12 hours.  He was eventually rescued by the military in an operation that left two dead and dozens injured from gunshots.

The article, printed by El Universo, and written by Palacio, called Correa a dictator and referenced the strike as an attempted coup.  It also stated that the President had ordered the military to fire on the hospital regardless of the innocent civilians that would be injured by such a move.  The article stated: 

 “In the future, a new president, maybe an enemy of yours, may bring you to a criminal court for ordering to open fire at discretion and without warning against a hospital full of civilians and innocent people. Do not forget, there is no statute of limitation for crimes against humanity.”

The libel suit was brought as a criminal and not a civil charge.  The trial court found the article to be libelous and imposed the three year imprisonment and $40 million fine from which El Universo appealed.  The decision handed down yesterday to uphold the sentence was final.  Ecuador’s highest court termed any appeal from their decision as “out of order.”

Amnesty International’s Deputy America’s Director, Guadalupe Marengo, says that this case has raised a number of concerns, “this harsh sentence is an attack on the right to free speech for everyone in Ecuador, and will discourage journalists from engaging in legitimate criticism of the government.”

“Libel cases should be dealt with in civil trials and should not involve jail terms. Peaceful criticism of government policies must never be the subject of criminal proceedings, as regional and international human rights bodies have unequivocally stated.”

El Universo and Palacio have made it clear that they will not accept this ruling as they claim they were restricted from making a proper defense and the judge’s selection was manipulated by Correa.

 “Of course this sets a precedent: For the first time in the history of Latin America, and I suppose, the world, a president wins $40 million for his pocket by manipulating justice, naming the judges he desired, and using his influence,” was Palacio’s statement.

The defense will now take the case to an international level, going first to the Interamerican Human Rights Commission and then the Interamerican Human Rights Court.  In the current political climate of Ecuador this is likely the best option, especially with the recent rising concerns over the increased restrictions of the press.

As reported by Aljazeera, shortly after his election in 2007, Correa re-wrote Ecuador’s constitution to lengthen the presidential term and to allow greater government control of the media.  This allowed for the government to take command of a variety of media outlets including TV stations and radio stations.  Fundamedios, an Ecuadorian free media advocacy group, estimates that there have so far been 400 violations of freedom of the press during Correa’s presidency. 

Prior to the court’s announcement, Correa made it clear that he viewed the case as one in which the “corrupt private press” was going to be held accountable for their actions.  Following the decision he announced that, “the truth has shined…We have set a precedent. This sentence and this process are historic. They demonstrate that nobody has the right to tarnish the truth.”

 

For more information, please see;
BBC – Ecuador Court Uphold $40M Rafael Correa Victory – 16 February 2012
Chicago Tribune – Ecuador Top Court Upholds Libel Ruling Against Newspaper – 16 February 2012
CNN – Ecuador High Court Upholds $40 Million Libel Suit – 16 February 2012
France 24 – Libel Case Brings “Ridicule” on Ecuador Says Lawyer – 16 Febraury 2012
The West Australian – Ecuador Leader Wins Libel Suit Against Newspaper – 16 February 2012
Aljazeera – President v. the Media in Ecuador – 1 December 2012
Refworld- Ecuador Court Sentences Journalists to Prison in Presidential Libel Case – 22 July 2011
The Suffolk Journal – Police Uprising in Ecuador Causes Chaos – 20 October 2011