Turkey Detained and Released Academics who Declared an End to Operations Against Kurds

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

ANKARA, Turkey –  On Friday, Turkish authorities briefly detained 27 scholars who were among more than 1,100 academics to sign a petition urging for an end to the military campaign against the Kurdish militants. The scholars were reported to be released Friday evening, according to Turkish news reports.

President Erdogan denouncing the petitioners on Tuesday. (Photo Courtesy of The New York Times)

The scholars were accused of “making propaganda on behalf of a terrorist organization “and of insulting the state, the Turkish people, and authorities. The petition, “We Won’t Be a Party to This Crime,” was signed by more than 1,100 academics from 90 different Turkish universities.

The petition, which was published on Monday, urged “the state to abandon its deliberate massacre and deportation of Kurdish and other peoples in the region. We also demand the state to lift to curfew, punish those who are responsible for human rights violations, and compensate those citizens who have experienced material and psychological damage.”

The petition also stated that, ” the right to life, liberty, and security, and in particular the prohibition of torture and ill treatment protected by the constitution and international conventions have been violated.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Friday, “Just because they have titles such as professor, doctor in front of their name does not make them enlightened. These are dark people.” He continued, ” They are villain[s] and vile because those who side with the villain are villain[s] themselves.”

President Edorgan’s statement was made shortly after he visited a nearby site of suicide bomb attack’s on Tuesday. Tuesday’s attack which killed 10 German terrorists has been blamed on the Islamic State.

While no details are available regarding the investigation, the scholars could face one to five years in jail if convicted at a trial. The detention of the scholars has caused concern over freedom of expression, especially academic expression and intellectual debate.

Senior Turkey Researcher at Human Rights Watch, Emma Sinclair-Webb, stated, “The campaign against academics this week certainly targets a new group and has very serious consequences for academic freedom in Turkey, as well as free speech.” She continued, “There are concerns for the physical safety of some academics in provincial universities after being targeted in such a way.”

The Turkish military operations against Kurdish militants have displaced thousands and have caused more than 100 civilian casualties, according to human rights groups.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera America – Turkey Detains Academics Who Denounced Military Operations Against Kurds – 15 January 2016

CNN – Turkey Detains at Least 18 Signers of Petition Opposing Kurdish Operation – 15 January 2016

Reuters – Turkey Detains 27 Academics Accused of Signing ‘Peace Declaration’ – 15 January 2016

The New York Times – Turkey Releases Detained Academics Who Signed Petition Defending Kurds – 15 January 2016

United States Imposes New Sanctions on Iran

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

Tehran, Iran – On Sunday, the United States imposed new sanctions on 11 companies and individuals. The sanctions came in response to Iran’s precision – guided ballistic missile test, which violated a United Nations ban last October.

Members of the Iranian Parliament kiss after hearing that the sanctions had been lifted on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy of the New York Times)

The new sanctions came just less than 24 hours after the United States lifted the broader sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. President Obama hopes that the new agreement will start a new chapter with Iran.

President Obama stated, ” We have a rare chance to pursue a new path, a different, better future that delivers progress for both our peoples and the wider world.” He continued, “That’s the opportunity before the Iranian people. We need to take advantage of that.”

The sanctions lifted Saturday now allow Iran to re-enter the oil market. In addition, Iranian ships will be allowed to enter and leave foreign ports and Iranians will be able to access the global financial markets. The United States State Department has also agreed to release $400 million and $1.3 billion in interest in funds from Iran that had been frozen by the United States. The funds were to be used by Iran for U.S military equipment prior to Iran’s revolution in 1979.

On Sunday, after American detainees had been released from Iran, President Obama announced that the “United States is imposing sanctions on individuals and companies working to advance Iran’s ballistic missile program. And we are going to be vigilant about it. We’re not going to waver in the defense of our security or that of our allies and partners.”

The United States Treasury Department has blacklisted the UAE-based Mabrooka Trading, owned by Hossein Pournaghshband, because it aided Iran to produce carbon fiber for the ballistic missile program. The sanctions bar financial institutions and companies from dealing with those on the blacklist.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on Sunday that since the sanctions were lifted Saturday, the door had been opened for foreign investments with other countries, including American companies. In regards to American company investments, President Rouhani stated, ” They can invest here anytime, but they have their own obstacles to do so.”

Countries in the Middle East fear Iran will grow more aggressive and will meddle in conflicts throughout the region. Israel and Sunni states fear that Iran will support anti-Israel militant groups, Syrian President Assad, and Shi’ite Houthi rebels.

In response to the lifted sanctions,  Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu stated on Sunday that Israel, “will continue to monitor all of Iran’s international violations.” Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated that there will be sever sanctions for each violation.

For more information please see:

Associated Press – As Sanctions Are Lifted, Iranian Foes Fear the Worst – 17 January 2016

BBC News – Iran: US Imposes New Sanctions Over Missile Tests – 17 January 2016

Reuters – U.S. Imposes Ballistic Missile Sanctions on Iran After Prisoners Release – 17 January 2016

The New York Times – U.S. Imposes New Sanctions Over Iran Missile Tests – 17 January 2016

Taiwan Elects First Female President in its History

By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

TAIPEI, Taiwan –

Taiwan elected Tsai Ing-wen as its new president on Saturday, giving her Democratic Progressive Party greater control in its legislature. Ms. Tsai is the first woman in Taiwan’s history to win the presidential office and is now the most powerful female leader in Asia.

Ms. Tsai after winning Taiwan’s presidential election. (Photo Courtesy of The New York Times)

Ms. Tsai ran against Eric Chu, party secretary of the previously governing Kuomintang party, as well as a third-party candidate, James Soong. According to Taiwan’s Central Election Commission, 56% of the vote went to Ms. Tsai, while 31% of the vote went to Mr. Chu.

Economic issues were at the forefront of the election due to Taiwan’s stagnant economy. Ms. Tsai has spoken of strengthening regional industry and manufacturing as well as strengthening Taiwan’s international trade relationships during her presidency. The DPP will also work to improve education and tourism in Taiwan.

Ms. Tsai is only the second president in Taiwan’s history who does not belong to the Kuomintang party (KMT). The other president belonging to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Chen Shui-bian, held office from 2000-2008.

Taiwan was an authoritarian state under the KMT’s rule until the late 1980s, when democratic reforms began to be implemented. If the DPP is able to win full control of Taiwan’s legislature, it is expected to initiate an investigation into abuses committed by the KMT during the party’s rule.

Taiwan has been independent from China since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has threatened to take Taiwan back by military force. Taiwan is not formally independent from China in the international arena, with only a few countries recognizing it as an independent nation.

The DPP supports Taiwan’s formal independence from China, while some leaders in the KMT have strived to create a closer relationship with China. Taiwan’s previous president, Ma Ying-jeou, formed more than 20 agreements with China during his term.

Ms. Tsai has stated that she wishes to continue positive relations with China while maintaining Taiwan’s democracy and independence. China is Taiwan’s primary trade partner and receives a significant amount of Taiwan’s exports. Ms. Tsai will face the challenge of balancing Taiwan’s economic interests with its independence during her term as president.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC – Tsai Ing-wen Elected Taiwan’s First Female President – 17 January 2016

The Guardian – Taiwan Elects First Female President – 16 January 2016

The New York Times – Tsai Ing-wen Elected President of Taiwan, First Woman to Hold Office – 16 January 2016

Time – Taiwan Elects Its First Female President – 16 January 2016

The Hague to Host Kosovo War Crimes Court

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands–

The Dutch government announced on Friday morning that a special court is being set up at The Hague to try war crimes committed during the 1999-2000 war in Kosovo. The conflict set in opposition the Serbian forces against Albanian rebels, with members of the guerrilla Kosovo Liberation Front (KLF) committing alleged atrocities against political opponents and ethnic minorities. The European Union has mandated the trials to facilitate the country’s integration within the EU system.

 

The Kosovo Relocated Specialist Judicial Institution will be hosted at The Hague, pictured above. (Photo courtesy of Balkans Insight).

Although the trials will be conducted in the Netherlands at The Hague, the court will actually be a national court of Kosovo, with international judges applying Kosovo’s criminal laws. It will retain its nature as a court that administers justice outside Kosovo, rather than becoming an international tribunal.

The court was moved outside the jurisdiction of Kosovo due to the sensitive nature of trying war crimes within Kosovo. Many of those who oppose the creation of the court see it as an “insult” to those who fought against Serbian national forces.

“Possible suspects may be seen by sections of Kosovan society as freedom fighters, and witnesses may feel threatened in Kosovo,” hence the reason for cases to be heard abroad. So we are pleased to be able to offer the court a home. It is important for justice to be done,” Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders said.

An EU task force that investigated the alleged war crimes said there was sufficient evidence to prosecute many senior members of the KLA on charges for unlawful killings, abductions, illegal detention camps, sexual violence, and desecration of religious buildings.

The governments of both Kosovo and the Netherlands have agreed to the arrangements for the court, but the parliaments of each country have yet to approve the measures. The costs for the court will be paid through EU funding.

Kosovo Relocated Specialist Judicial Institution will join other war crimes courts in The Hague, including the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The court is expected to begin operating later this year.

For more information, please see–

Balkan Insight– The Hague to Host New Kosovo War Court— 15 January 2016

BBC– Kosovo war crimes court to try KLA suspects in The Hague— 15 January 2016

Expatica– New court to open in The Hague to try Kosovo war crimes— 15 January 2016

Wall Street Journal– Netherlands to Host Kosovo War Crimes Court— 15 January 2016

Chinese Human Rights Lawyer and Husband Arrested for Subversion

By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

BEIJING, China –

Human rights lawyer Wang Yu and her husband were arrested this week based on charges of political subversion. Ms. Wang and her husband, Bao Longjun, were held in detention for six months before they were formally arrested. Members of their law firm were also detained.

Ms. Wang during an interview in Beijing in April 2015. (Photo courtesy of The New York Times)

The couple and other members of their law firm, Beijing Fengui Law Firm, were held in “designated residential surveillance” starting in July 2015. Designated residential surveillance allows authorities to place detainees in solitary confinement in secret locations for time periods lasting up to six months. The month after their release, Ms. Wang and Mr. Bao, along with others from their firm, were arrested and charged with subversion.

Ms. Wang has not been permitted to meet with her lawyer, Li Yuhan, since her detainment. According to Ms. Li, police denied her requests to meet with Ms. Wang seven times during the detainment.

Ms. Wang is charged with subversion of state power and “causing a disturbance”, while Mr. Bao is charged with inciting subversion of state power. Their charges could mean sentences ranging from 15 years to life in prison. Because the Communist Party controls China’s courts, the couple will likely be convicted at trial.

Ms. Wang has defended other human rights activists, including free speech advocate Wu Gan, women’s rights activist Li Tingting, and activist Cao Shunli. She has also represented Uighur scholar and alleged separatist Illham Tohti and victims of sexual harassment, forced evictions, and illegal jails.

Critics of the Communist Party often face subversion charges. Chinese authorities have also increasingly cracked down on human rights activists and lawyers since President Xi Jinping came into power in 2013. More than 130 lawyers were detained in July 2015 after they were accused of starting protests outside of courtrooms.

Chinese authorities also detained a Swedish man, Peter Jespin Dahlin, earlier this month based on suspicion of state subversion. Mr. Dahlin is a co-founder of the China Urgent Action Working Group, an organization that assists lawyers in providing services to victims of human rights violations.

 

For more information, please see:

Jurist – Prominent China Human Rights Lawyer Arrested for Political Subversion – 14 January 2016

The New York Times – China Arrests Rights Lawyer and Her Husband on Subversion Charges – 13 January 2016

Reuters – China Arrests Most Prominent Woman Rights Lawyer for Subversion – 13 January 2016

Voice of America – US Concerned About China Rights After Lawyers’ Arrest – 13 January 2016