By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – West African nations have ordered an arms embargo on Guinea and accused the military government of carrying out “atrocities” and “mass human rights violations” during an anti-government protest last month.

This violence stems from the growing criticism of junta leader Captain Moussa Dadis Camara who seized power in December.  In September, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) condemned atrocities” in which Guinean troops opened fire on civilians during an opposition rally at a stadium in the capital city Conakry.

Human rights groups estimated that 157 people died.  Although the junta puts the toll at 57 saying that the victims were trampled to death rather than shot.  Human rights groups also say that soldiers raped and sexually abused women during the crackdown.  The International Criminal Court (ICC) has recently opened an investigation regarding the deaths.

The European Union has called for Captain Camara to be tried for crimes against humanity and the African Union has called for him to step down.  Leaders with the regional bloc have expressed concern that Guinea’s political crisis is at risk of destabilizing the region.

The ECOWAS chairman, Nigerian President Umaru Yar’adua was called on to take “all necessary measures” to obtain the support of the African Union, European Union and United Nations to enforce an embargo on Guinea.  At a special meeting on Saturday Camara faced an African Union deadline to give a written pledge by midnight Saturday not to run in the upcoming polls.

On Friday, France urged its nationals to leave the country claiming the security situation in Guinea had worsened since the September protests.  Sources say that Criminals have been following travelers from the airport and then robbing them when they arrive home.

Justin Morel Junior, Guinean Information Minister, wrote to Captain Camara explaining that he no longer had the moral strength to be the government’s spokesman.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – France Welcomes Arms Embargo on Guinea – 18 October 2009

AFP – Guinea Junta Names Team to Probe Massacre Decree – 17 October 2009

BBC – Guinea Embargo Over “Atrocities” – 17 October 2009

Reuters – West African Leaders Impose Arms Embargo on Guinea – 17 October 2009

VOA – West African States Order Arms Embargo on Guinea – 17 October 2009

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Halima Hassan, 42, a mother of five, fled her home in Hodan district of the Somali capital in 2007 after intense fighting between insurgents and government forces. Now, home is a makeshift shelter in a camp for the internally displaced within the Elsha biyaha area, 20km south of Mogadishu.

The UN refugee agency reports the number of civilian casualties is rising because of the latest upsurge in fighting in the troubled South Central region of Somalia. The UNHCR says the renewed fighting is sparking a new wave of displacement.

Local humanitarian organizations in Somalia say within Somalia during September alone, 17,000 people were displaced including 11,000 from the capital. This figure does not include the 145 people that have been killed and another 285 who were injured in heavy clashes in Kismayo, Beled Weyne and the capital, Mogadishu just in September.

Hassan is one of at least 900,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) struggling to survive under extremely desperate conditions in Mogadishu-Afgoye corridor. Her family used to receive monthly food rations comprising 75kg of sorghum, 10kg of beans, 10kg of porridge and 3l of cooking oil from aid agencies, but this has been cut in half due to lack of funds and insecurity.

Halima Hassan told IRIN in an interview Wednesday, “I sometimes find myself wondering how God decided to put us in this country; I know I should not but sometimes I find myself wishing I was not Somali. I am losing hope. I don’t know whether or not the situation will ever get better. Every day, I keep wondering where our next meal will come from. I struggle to make sure my children have at least one meal a day. I will do anything so my children don’t go hungry as I am the only one they can depend on. They [the warring sides] are merciless. They fire heavy weapons indiscriminately, where is their kindness? They don’t think about the weak and the mothers struggling with orphaned children. There is no peace and no food to speak of; I don’t how long we can live like this. It is very hard to explain to anyone who is not here what is happening to us. Wars end but ours seems endless. In Somalia, every new dawn brings its own problems. We can’t endure any longer what is going on here. It is better to be in a grave than living here.”

Roberta Russo, spokesperson for UNHCR Somalia, said “The main problem of humanitarian agencies is the lack of access to the needy population due to the highly insecure environment. 8 Human Rights officers have been killed this year alone.” “It is important to note that funding is also a considerable constraint on humanitarian programming throughout Somalia. The Consolidated Appeal Process is funded at only 54 percent of the estimated needs. Some sectors have received as little as 10 percent of the resources they require for adequate programming,” said the agency.

Asha Sha’ur, a senior member of civil society, said “The lucky ones may get a plastic sheeting to cover it”, despite the fact that some of the IDPs pay rent to the owners of the land. Sha’ur, who visited the camps on 28 September said, “These people are living in the most miserable conditions. It is heart-breaking. I honestly don’t know how else to describe it.” Sha’ur said the displaced had no access to clean water and sanitation conditions were bad. “Thousands of families are left with no latrines.” Sha’ur said the displaced were getting a “fraction of what they need. This is intolerable.” “No more excuses” Humanitarian agencies have to find creative ways of reaching the needy, Sha’ur said, adding: “I don’t think they can hide behind insecurity any longer.”

For more information, please see:

All Africa – Halima Hassan, “It is Better to Be in a Grave Than Living Here” – 15 October 2009

VOAnews – Civilian Casualties Mount in Somalia – 2 October 2009

Inside Somalia – Insecurity “no excuse” to neglect IDPs – 1 October 2009

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

ARUSHA, Tanzania– On Wednesday, October 14 2009, one of the primary suspects in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide pleaded not guilty to war crime charges. The suspect, Idelphonse Nizeyimana was a former intelligence chief at the time of the genocide in which over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), where Nizeyimana  will be tried, is aiming to finish its work by the end of next year. Since 1997 the court has convicted forty people for crimes connected with genocide. The tribunal said that there are eleven fugitives that they are still trying to find. Martin Ngoga, Rwanda’s prosecutor general said, “the ICTR has done a commendable job in bringing to justice those most responsbible for the genocide; those who were in positions of leadership and most importantly, those who were beyond the reach of our jurisdiction.”

Nizeyimana was one of the most sought after suspects in the Rwandan genocide. He had been a fugitive for the last fifteen years, with a five million dollar bounty on his head when he was detained in Uganda earlier this month. Nizeyimana acted as an army captain and as head of intelligence and military operations in the country, during and prior to the genocide taking place. According to prosecutors Nizeyimana gave “clear signals” condoning the attacks against Tutsis. It is further alleged that Nizeyimana not only gave orders to kill Tutsis but in some instances he also participated in the killings directly.

Some of the charges brought against Nizeyimana include an allegation that he participated in a swearing in ceremony of a regional governor that saw the new Rwandan President call on the people of the region to begin slaughtering Tutsis.  Prosecutors also allege that one of Nizeyimana’s units carried out the killing of the Queen Rosalie Gicanda, who was a historic and symbolic figure to many Rwandans.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – Rwanda Suspect Pleads Guilty – 14 October, 2009

AP – Key Rwandan Genocide Suspect Pleads Not Guilty – 14 October, 2009

BBC – Rwanda Queen-Killing Suspect Held – 6 October, 2009

BBC – Profile: Idelphonse Nizeyimana – 6 October 2009

Bloomberg – Rwandan Genocide Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Charges – 14 October, 2009

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Magodonga Mahlangu and her organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), have been named as the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights Award winners.

WOZA is a grassroots movement of over 60,000 Zimbabweans working throughout their country, empowering women from all walks of life to mobilize and take non-violent action against injustice. Tens of thousands of women have joined WOZA in standing up for human rights and speaking up about the worsening economic, social and political conditions in Zimbabwe. Along with WOZA co-founder Jenni Williams, Mahlangu has led campaigns with WOZA supporters to address many of the most crucial human rights issues facing Zimbabwean women, including domestic violence and rape, the right to food and education for children, the rights to participation and the right to association.

Since its founding in December 2002, WOZA has staged more than 100 non-violent marches in support of democratic reform and women’s empowerment. Mahlangu organizes WOZA’s protests and helped create its signature style of peaceful, yet relentless actions. In the course of her work as a human rights defender, Mahlangu has been arrested over 30 times.

“Despite constant harassment and 2500 members spending time in police custody, WOZA members continue to build a grassroots movement to ensure that the voice of the people of Zimbabwe is central to determining the future of their country” said Monika Kalra Varma, Director of the RFK Center for Human Rights.

“I feel both great excitement for the recognition of my work with WOZA and sadness because although my work has gained recognition internationally, in my own country I have been labeled an enemy of the state,” said Mahlangu in reaction to the award. “Now I know I am not alone, the world is watching and one day [Zimbabwe] shall be a normal society. With the determination of the members of WOZA, anything is possible.”

Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy will present Mahlangu and WOZA with the 2009 Award in a ceremony in mid-November. Mahlangu joins 39 RFK human rights laureates in 23 countries as the recipient of the 26th annual prize.

Commenting on the acheivement, Gay McDougall, RFK Human Rights Award Judge and U.N. Independent Expert on Minority Issues said, “In a country torn by violence and economic ruin, Magodonga Mahlangu and WOZA provide a desperately needed voice for the people of Zimbabwe and we were proud to select her and her organization for this prestigious award,”

For 41 years, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights has worked for a more peaceful and just world. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was established in 1984 to honor courageous and innovative human rights defenders throughout the world who stand up against injustice, often at great personal risk. The award includes a cash prize of $30,000 and on-going legal, advocacy and technical support through a partnership with the RFK Center. Winners are selected by an independent panel of human rights experts. The 2009 panel included McDougall; Makau Mutua, Dean of University at Buffalo Law School; Sushma Raman, President of Southern California Grantmakers; and Dr. William F. Schultz, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress.
For more information, Please see:
SWRadio Africa News – WOZA scoops top human rights award – 12 October 2009

SWRadio Africa News – Woza Protestors Beaten by Police in Bulawayo – 22 September 2009

Nehanda Radio – WOZA scoop Kennedy human rights award – 17 September 2009