Sultan Qaboos Pardons Protesters in Oman

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MUSCAT, Oman – While the Arab spring led to protests throughout the Middle East, those in Oman have felt it necessary to join in over the past year. As a result of expressing their displeasure with the government and the Sultan, numerous individuals have been detained and imprisoned for their roles and statements made in protests and cyber campaigns.

Approximately fifty individuals detained for defaming the Sultan and unlawfully assembling will be released today on a pardon by the Sultan. (Photo Courtesy of the Guardian)

Many of those detained, were jailed specifically for defaming the sultan. The seventy-two year old Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who has ruled over Oman for the last forty-two years, does not hold too big of a grudge though. The Oman News Agency announced that, “Sultan Qaboos  has issued a royal pardon for those convicted of defamation, information technology crimes and unauthorised rallies.” At least fifty individuals who were sentenced from six to eighteen month jail terms are expected to be released today.

This decision to free all the activists was not completely unprovoked. The sultans pardon came shortly after the negative publicity that arises when approximately thirty detained individuals partake in a two week long hunger strike. The hunger strike began when eleven to seventeen cyber activists chose to protest the delays and denials of receiving appeals. These cyber activists were charged with “unlawful assembly and violating the cyber law.” Eventually, another thirteen imprisoned activists joined their hunger strike.

After fifteen days of not eating, the initial cyber activist hunger strikers were told by the Supreme Court that their appeals would in fact be heard. Just a week later, Sultan Qaboos bin Said announced his royal pardons.

Besides for calling for the release of these protesters, the Sultan is also attempting to respond to many of their concerns. One move the government has taken was to announce a plan to restrict the number of foreign workers in the country in order to decrease domestic employment. Additionally, plans are in the works to greatly increase the minimum wage.

While these improvements sound good on paper, the protesters will not be truly happy until they see they see actual actions taken. There has long been a pledge to increase public specter jobs which has never really come to fruition as the country focuses on its oil export role on the Strait of Hormuz. Until actual change comes, expect more to be detained for defamation against sultan, and eventually more pardons as well.

For further information, please see:

Guardian – Oman’s Sultan Pardons Dissidents who Were Jailed for Defaming him – 22 March 2013

Gulf News – Oman’s Qaboos Pardons Activists – 21 March 2013

Middle East Online – Top Court in Oman Orders Retrial for Jailed Activists – 4 March 2013

Daily News Egypt – 30 Jailed Omani Activists end Hunger Strike: Lawyer – 25 February 2013

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute Calls on Russia to Cease the Posthumous Trial of Sergei Magnitsky

Press Release
Hermitage Capital

22 March 2013 – Ahead of another hearing in the trial of late Sergei Magnitsky in Moscow scheduled for today, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has called on Russia to cease the unprecedented posthumous trial of the whistle-blowing lawyer killed in Russian police custody more than three years ago (http://www.ibanet.org/Article/Detail.aspx?ArticleUid=7aeb5b74-e3a7-4164-b959-cdd0b648854a).

“The IBAHRI urges the Russian authorities to cease the posthumous criminal proceedings against Mr Magnitsky and to initiate a full and independent review of his treatment and death in prison,” said the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute.

The IBAHRI has challenged the posthumous trial as unlawful and breaching both domestic and international covenants. The organization said that the way the Russian authorities have opened the case against Mr Magnitsky posthumously is not consistent with the Russian Constitutional Court ruling, which did not give law enforcement agencies powers to prosecute people after their death.

“The Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation decision of 14 July 2011  (http://www.ksrf.ru/en/Decision/Judgments/Documents/2011%20July%2014%2016-P.pdf) does not give law enforcement agencies a basis to pursue or revive charges against a deceased person,” said IBAHRI in their statement.

The posthumous trial also breaches fundamental principles of law and human rights, said IBAHRI referring to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“The rights to choose counsel, prepare a defence case, and be present at one’s trial are enshrined in Article 14(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The rights to defence and to a fair trial cannot be exercised by a deceased accused person,” said IBA’s Human Rights Institute.

“The IBA’s Human Rights Institute, along with other human rights organizations, come to the same conclusion that it can’t be right and there is no lawful basis to put a dead man on trial. The posthumous proceedings is the new definition of Russia’s “legal nihilism,” said a Hermitage Capital spokesperson.

One of the leading international organizations promoting human rights and rule of law, IBAHRI has also called for a full review of Mr Magnitsky’s treatment and death in prison noting that his own appeals to justice while he was alive had “no apparent effect.”

“Russian courts were made aware of the manner in which Magnitsky was investigated, and the conditions of his detention, in great detail by Magnitsky himself while he was still alive, with no apparent effect,” said IBAHRI.

The IBAHRI statement was released just a day before the Russian Investigative Committee announced this week that it had closed the three-year long investigation into the death of Sergei Magnitsky due to “no event of crime” (http://www.sledcom.ru/actual/287357/).

For further information please contact:

Hermitage Capital
Phone:             +44 207 440 1777
Email:              info@lawandorderinrussia.org
Website:           http://lawandorderinrussia.org
Facebook:        http://on.fb.me/hvIuVI
Twitter:            @KatieFisher__
Livejournal:     //hermitagecap.livejournal.com/

New Pope, Same Old LGBT Opinion

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – With the unprecedented resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the quick inauguration of Argentinian bishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio South America rejoices and celebrates the first non-European pope in 700 years. However the ascension of Pope Francis has not been the boon that many activists hoped it would be, with the new pope’s past casting a shadow on the future of the Vatican’s stance on LGBT unions and adoption rights.

The  new Popes ascension leaves many worrying about the Vatican’s new stance on LGBT rights. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Fresh on many people’s minds will be how Pope Francis handles the clergy’s sexual abuse scandals that plagued Pope Benedict and the Vatican administration. With the resignation and litigation of many top cardinals, notably Britain’s Keith O’Brien and Los Angeles’s Roger Mahoy, many speculate whether the new pope will take a harsher stance. The question will become whether Pope Francis will continue to shield many complicit with the child abuse cover-ups or remove them from positions of power.

While Argentinians are naturally ecstatic about the selection, many voicing their opinions in support; many gay and lesbian South Americans are naturally skeptical. While many media outlets have noted statements made during 2010 coming out in favor of same-sex civil unions, this may have been us as a political smokescreen for private statements that may represent his, and the churches true views. During Argentina’s 2010 decision to legalize gay marriage with the Marriage Equality Bill he took a hard stance against it, declaring that all children have the fundamental right to be raised by a father and a mother, and not any “sinful” combination of the two.  However realizing that fighting gay marriage may have been a losing battle he insisting on supporting civil unions, as a way to undercut and prevent the passage of the bill.

Despite his attempt to derail the bill, it passed and allowed gays to adopt children without the three-year waiting period. His response? “Gay parenting is a rejection of God’s law engraved in our hearts.”

While not quite as adversarial as Cardinal Peter Turkson who supported homophobic legislation in Ghana that could make homosexuality punishable by death, Pope Francis does not represent a much more liberal and progressive stance on the issue. Only time will tell if his support of same sex civil unions was legitimate and whether he will shape the Vatican’s opinions of LGBT rights and marriage in a positive way, or whether it will be more and the same from the Golden City.

For more information, please see:

Mommyish – The New Pope Believes He Is The Authority On How Children Should Be Raised And Educated – 15 March 2013

Al Jazeera – Gay Argentine React To Pope Francis – 14 March 2013

News Vatican – Biography: Who Is Jorge Mario Bergoglio – 13 March 2013

NPR – As Pope Resigns, Clergy Abuse Survivors Remember 2008 Meeting – 27 February 2013

Mommyish – The Hypothetical New Pope Might Actually Be More Gay-Hatey Than The Old Pope – 17 February 2013

 

Syrian Revolution Digest: Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Oh Mr. Postman, Give me a sign!

Chemical Weapons might be the poor man’s nuclear missiles, but mixing these chemicals and mounting them on a rocket then launching it successfully still requires a certain level of expertise that rebel groups in the country do not seem to have. Moreover, before the Aleppo attack was reported, activists in Damascus made similar claims and produced similar videos regarding an attack on the town of Al-Otaybeh in Eastern Ghoutah. Considering the timing of the Aleppo attack, if confirmed, less than 24 hours after the opposition selected a PM, and considering the drive by France and the UK to arm rebels and the current military setbacks the regime is facing in showdowns all over the country, the regime seems to be desperate enough to seek comfort in chemistry.

 

Today’s Death Toll: 131, including 6 women, 9 children and 3 under torture: 46 in Damascus and Suburbs, 41 in Aleppo, 13 in Deir Ezzor, 8 in Hama, 7 in Idlib, 5 in Daraa, 4 in Raqqa, 3 in Homs, 2 in Lattakia, and 1 in Quneitra (LCCs).

Points of Random Shelling: 354. Aerial bombardments by warplanes counted in 15 points. Scud bombing counted in 6 points. Shelling using Surface-to-Surface missiles counted for in 8 points, most targeting Deir Ezzor. Explosive barrels were used in 9 points. Shelling using cluster bombs was recorded in Tabaqah in Raqqa. Artillery shelling counted in 127 points. Mortar shelling counted in 98 points. Rocket shelling counted for 97 points (LCCs).

Clashes: 132. Successful rebel operation include targeting Army Command Headquarters and the Ministry of Defense in Damascus, the Military Airport of Raqqa, and the Military Security Center in the town of Kubajib in Deir Ezzor city (which was also hit by regime’s warplanes by mistake). In Kubajib, also destroyed a loyalist convoy (LCCs).

 

News

Regime & Russia accuse: Alleged chemical attack kills 25 in northern Syria

U.S. evaluates: U.S. evaluating Syria chemical weapons charges

Israel confirms: First use of a chemical weapon in Syria appears confirmed

Experts dispute claim: Chemical Warfare allegations in Syria – An initial assessment

Activists allege another attack in Damascus: Second Chemical Attack in Damascus

Top Democrat endorses Syria no-fly zone Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-MI) endorsed Tuesday the idea of establishing a no-fly zone inside Syria and attacking the air defenses and air power of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad… Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on Tuesday called for the United States to put boots on the ground in Syria to secure chemical weapons sites, in light of new allegations that chemical weapons were used in Aleppo province.

U.S. Commander: Contingency plans under way for Syria “The Syrian situation continues to become worse and worse and worse,” Adm. James Stavridis, the commander of U.S. European Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “No end in sight to a vicious civil war.” Robert Ford, the U.S. ambassador to Syria, said the Syrian people “face a new level of ruthlessness from the Assad regime, which is raining Scud missiles down on residential neighborhoods, destroying hospitals and schools, and sending its thugs rampaging through the streets to terrorize their fellow citizens. The carnage is appalling.” Ford’s comments came in prepared testimony for Wednesday’s House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing. The Associated Press obtained a copy of his statement.

Syrian Opposition Pledges Rule of Law in Rebel-Held Areas Speaking yesterday after opposition delegates elected him to the premier’s post during a meeting in Istanbul, Hitto said his nascent administration would begin to govern from inside the country, appealed for members of the armed forces to lay down their arms and promised that there would be no dialogue with Assad. The opposition should take the Syrian government’s seat at the United Nations and the Arab League and have control over the country’s embassies, he said.

FDD Praises Senators Casey and Rubio for New Syria Legislation If passed, the Syria Democratic Transition Act of 2013 will require the U.S. to support the establishment of a new government in Damascus that is committed to pluralism, democracy, and peace. It will also mean strengthening those within the Syrian opposition who are pursuing this goal. “Economic warfare against the Assad regime, its overseas assets, and those foreign persons who provide the regime a financial lifeline are a crucial part of an overall strategy to overthrow the regime and support Syria’s moderate opposition forces ,” said Mark Dubowitz, FDD Executive Director who leads the Foundation’s projects on sanctions and nonproliferation.

British charities launch first joint Syria appeal Four British charities have publicly admitted for the first time that they are operating inside Syria on the eve of a major appeal for the stricken Middle Eastern nation which is being launched tomorrow by the Disaster Emergency Committee. It is the first time a joint appeal has been launched for Syria following two years of fighting which has killed more than 70,000 people and forced an estimated three million from their homes. Staff with Islamic Relief, Save the Children, Christian Aid and CAFOD are all taking extraordinary risks delivering aid directly to those affected by the on-going war as well as those who have managed to find sanctuary in neighbouring countries.

Reports of Syrian jet fire into Lebanon called ‘significant escalation’ The French Foreign Ministry in Lebanon issued a statement condemning the attacks. “The aerial bombing carried out today by the armed forces of the Syrian regime on Lebanese territory, in the region of Ersal, is a new and serious violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty,” the statement said. “France strongly condemns this escalation and reiterates its commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and the inviolability of its borders.”

 

Special Reports

 Islamic law comes to rebel-held Syria Building on the reputation they have earned in recent months as the rebellion’s most accomplished fighters, Islamist units are seeking to assert their authority over civilian life, imposing Islamic codes and punishments and administering day-to-day matters such as divorce, marriage and vehicle licensing. Numerous Islamist groups are involved, representing a wide spectrum of views. But, increasingly, the dominant role is falling to Jabhat al-Nusra, also known as al-Nusra Front. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States for suspected ties to al-Qaeda but is widely respected by many ordinary Syrians for its battlefield prowess and the assistance it has provided to needy civilians.

A friend brought to my attention this new service launched by NY Times to monitor developments in Syria: Watching Syria’s War Videos and images of the continuing conflict in Syria. The site is edited by Liam Stack known for his balanced reporting. I found the site very useful and in some ways reminiscent of Lara Setrakian’s Syria Deeply.

My new paper, prepared for a briefing in Washington, D.C. that took place on January 15, 2013, is now out and is titled “Syria 2013: Rise of the Warlords.” It should be read in conjunction with my previous briefing “The Shredded Tapestry,” and my recent essay “The Creation of an Unbridgeable Divide.”

NOW Lebanon – Ammar Abdulhamid: Why nonviolence failed in Syria
Many people in Syria and across the world continue to wonder why the Syrian uprising took such a violent turn, despite the bravery and selflessness of so many of the early protest leaders. Indeed, the development seems to have come as a result of a sophisticated strategy implemented by the Assad regime from the outset. Understanding this strategy, rather than lamenting the situation, as so many nonviolence advocates and theoreticians continue to do, might help prevent its replication elsewhere. (Keep reading, a longer version can be accessed here)

“The Free Syrian Army Does Exist” by Koert Debeuf & Response by Aron Lund
My colleague Joshua Landis published an interesting debate on the nature of the Free Syrian Army on his blog Syria Comment. Both Koert and Aron provides interesting peaks into the world of rebels affiliated with the Free Syrian Army, and both make excellent points. However, I have to say that, in general, I tend to agree more with Aron’s analysis. Albeit Koert’s analysis seems to capture the dynamics in parts of Aleppo more accurately. We also have to bear in mind that groups like Jabhat Al-Nusra and its affiliates do not consider themselves members of the FSA. So do many of the groups affiliated with the Syrian Islamic Front. In other words, even at its best, the FSA cannot be seen as being able to include all major fighting groups on the scene. At this stage, it’s one of several loosely organized armies active on the scene.  (Lund’s paper can be downloaded here)

 

Video Highlights

State TV claims that “terrorists” launched a chemical attack on Khan Al-Assal http://youtu.be/_b0lGQuNucY While Israel confirms the attack, Dr. Jean-Pascal Zanders, European Union Institute for Security Studies questions whether the images we see reflect a chemical attack:

·  There are no images of the site of the attack; just of some affected people. These people do not show outward symptoms of a CW attack. Definitely not mustard; definitely not a nerve agent.

·  There are far too many people, including non-medical staff, around the affected persons. Apart from a surgical mask, nobody wears any protective garment or gas masks. If there would have been a CW attack with one of the agents known (or believed) to be in Syria’s arsenal, then most of the people present would have been fatally or seriously contaminated.

·  I am deeply sceptical of allegations that the insurgents would have resorted to CW. There would have far greater propaganda benefits if they were to demonstrate to the world that they had overrun one of the storage or production facilities. In addition, insurgent spokespersons were very quick to deny the government allegation.

·  Regarding a case of a transfer to (and, hence, use by) surrogates of the Syrian government, I have already expressed my views on such a scenario.

·  Present-day battlefields are extremely toxic. Many materials may be propelled into the air and inhaled by bystanders. If some (toxic) chemical container were hit by a shell, then bystanders could be badly affected, as we have seen in a variety of recent internal conflicts (former Yugoslavia; Sri Lanka; Iraq; etc.). Bhopal reminds us of the large-scale effects of an industrial accident. Any investigation of the allegation must first exclude plausible alternative explanations.

Meanwhile, rebels provide these videos as evidence of chemical weapons use in the town of Otaybeh in Eastern Ghoutah region, Damascus suburbs. The attacks preceded those in Aleppo and took place in rebel strongholds http://youtu.be/MKZ4QOKqtZI , http://youtu.be/Wip5qSM9mio , http://youtu.be/UwbFPMMxEjY , http://youtu.be/sgL8BeIzsv4 , http://youtu.be/-ME3RLI-yOc , http://youtu.be/n618SrZSVWE Site of the pounding http://youtu.be/MfIz22wbgiE Doctor claims that all patients had respiratory problems postulating that some phosphate based compound was used http://youtu.be/eEm20CyX2lg Three were reportedly killed.

Activists in Baba Amr Neighborhood in Homs City make similar claims http://youtu.be/IuamfvTe088

Rebels in Deir Ezzor blow up a regime convoy heading towards the town of Kubajib http://youtu.be/EvjRqqbqrXY Then attack the survivors http://youtu.be/sLJiQ71iYr0 In the town of Kubajib itself, activists claim that a regime’s warplane bombed the headquarters of the local military security branch seemingly by mistake http://youtu.be/9ZHZkH7albA

Battles are really heating up in the southern parts of Syria, especially in the Daraa Province. This reflects the fact that rebels have received more advanced weapons, and the plan seems to liberate the province and help lay siege to Damascus City. It will still take a few more weeks of pressure before this can be achieved, barring setbacks.

In Daraa City, clashes between loyalists and rebels intensify http://youtu.be/U-GY3poOTf4 , http://youtu.be/ip6rJuuHUfw

In Damascus City, regime uses missile launchers stations at the Mazzeh Military Airport to target rebel strongholds to the west http://youtu.be/owqAkc_IiFQ Neighborhoods to the south are also targeted http://youtu.be/03RIS59XmhQ