Europe

Thousands of Hungarians Protest in Support of Central European University

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

 

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Over 70,000 people rallied in Budapest on Sunday in support of a university founded by American George Soros.  Soros, who was born in Hungary, founded Central European University (CEU) in 1991.  CEU has been operating in Hungary as a partial American institution with little Hungarian oversight and control.  The bill was set forth by the ruling Fidesz party of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.  Hungarian President Janos Ader must sign the bill by Monday in order to make it law.

Protestors rally against the proposed higher-education law in front of the Hungarian Parliament on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 (Photo Courtesy of The Washington Post).

The bill arguably affects two dozen universities, however many believe its main target to be CEU.  The bill would require CEU to change its name, open a campus in the United States, and become part of binding university agreements between Hungary and the U.S.  The bill also includes a provision which would restrict the independence of universities that offer diplomas from countries where they do not have a campus or offer courses, which is a restriction that would only affect CEU.

Many see the university as a target for Orban and his “illiberal policies.”  The proposed law has been criticized by the U.S. government, European Union, and leading academics across the world.  Protestors shouted phrases such as “What do we want Ader to do? Veto,” and “Free country, free university” in hopes of convincing Ader to reject the bill and consider it under constitutional review.

Kornel Klopfstein, a protest organizer and PhD student at the University of Bielefeld, commented that “[t]he government wants to silence pretty much everyone who doesn’t think the same as them, who thinks freely, who can be liberal, can be leftist.”  Michael Ignatieff, CEU rector, assured that CEU will remain open and demanded the law be thrown away.  Ignatieff also suggested that additional international safeguards for academic freedom should be added to current legal policies.

On Friday, Orban commented that CEU’s status as a partial American institution gives it an unfair advantage over other Hungarian universities. Orban also commented that CEU conducted a “fraud” and that billionaires are not above the law.

CEU enrolls over 1,400 students from 108 countries, and is currently an accredited school in New York state.

Orban and his party have recently faced criticism for targeting nongovernmental organizations, most of which rely on financing from Soros and are critical of Orban’s administration.

 

For more information, please see:

ABC — Hungary: Thousands Rally in Support of Soros-Founded School — 9 April 2017

The Guardian — Thousands Protest in Hungary Over Threat to Soros University — 9 April 2017

The Washington Post — Why is Hungary Trying to Close George Soros’s Prestigious University — 7 April 2017

NY Times — Hungary’s Parliament Passes Law Targeting George Soros’s University — 4 April 2017

Germany to Investigate Suspected Turkish Spying

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BERLIN, Germany — Thomas De Maiziere, German interior minister announced last week that it will no longer tolerate “foreign espionage” within its country.  The announcement was made following reports that Turkish secret services were spying on supporters of the Gulen movement within Germany.

Turkish voters in Berlin, Germany wait in line at the Turkish consulate to vote in a constitutional referendum on March 27, 2017 (Photo Courtesy of U.S. News & World Report)

The Gulen movement originated with Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Muslim cleric who has a large following in Turkey and is accused of orchestrating the coup in Turkey last July.

At a security conference in February, Hakan Finda, head of Turkey’s intelligence service MIT, allegedly gave a list of 300 people and 200 organizations that are suspected to be involved in opposition movements to his German counterpart Bruno Kahl.  The list reportedly includes surveillance photos taken by hidden cameras, and personal data.  Finda’s apparent goal in handing over the list was to convince German authorities to assist Turkey’s efforts of surveilling these individuals.

De Maiziere affirmed that Germany has “repeatedly told Turkey that something like this is unacceptable.”  He also noted that despite any amount of evidence that Turkey might have on the Gulen movement, “German jurisdiction applies and citizens will not be spied on by foreign countries.”

The espionage claims further the strain in the relationship between Germany and Turkey, who are Nato allies and have had recent disputes regarding human rights issues.  Boris Pistorius, interior minister of the German state Lower Saxony, called the Turkish espionage “intolerable and unacceptable” and publicly deplored the “intensity and ruthlessness” of Turkey’s attempt to spy on Turks living in foreign countries.

A spokesperson for the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in Germany confirmed that they have launched an investigation against an “unnamed entity on suspicion of espionage.”  The spokesperson declined to comment on which specific entity was being investigated, however federal prosecutors will be looking into how Turkey compiled such detailed information on the people on their list.

This Turkish espionage effort is not the first that Germany has seen.  In February, German police raided the homes of four Turks who were suspected of spying on alleged Gulen supporters on behalf of Erdogan’s government.

Germany’s foreign secret service has not yet commented on the situation.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC — Turkey ‘Spied’ on Pro-Gulen Opponents in Germany — 28 March 2017

Daily Mail — Germany Opens New Probe into Suspected Turkish Spying — 28 March 2017

The Guardian — Germany to Investigate Claims of ‘Intolerable’ Spying by Turkey — 28 March 2017

U.S. News & World Report — Germany Tells Turkey not to Spy on Turks Living on its Soil — 28 March 2017

Hundreds Arrested, Beaten Amidst Protests in Belarus

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

 

MINSK, Belarus — According to a Belarusian human rights group, over 400 people were arrested, and many were beaten, in Belarus on March 25 amidst protests against a tax on under-employed citizens.  The law, known as the “anti-parasite” law, demands a $250 tax on anyone who works less than six months each year who does not register with the state labor exchange.  Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko insists that the tax will not be eliminated and believes it disciplines those who are “workshy.”  Lukashenko has, however, suspended the tax for the year.  Opponents to the new law believe it punishes those who cannot find work.

An opposition activist who was detained at a protest is escorted by a police officer upon his arrival for a court hearing in Minsk on Monday, March 27, 2017. (Photo Courtesy of the Washington Post)

About 700 people marched on Saturday in a demonstration along Minsk’s main street, however were blocked by police holding shields and clubs.  According to demonstrator Alexander Ponomarev, the police were “beating the participants, dragging women by the hair to buses.”  More arrests took place on Sunday when other demonstrators demanded to know the whereabouts of those arrested the previous day.

Prior to the weekend, over 100 opposition supporters were sentenced to jail terms of up to 15 days.  Police raided human rights group Vesna’s office and detained more than 50 people.  20 journalists were among those arrested according to the Belarusian Journalists’ Association.  BBC Belarus correspondent Sergei Kozlovsky told reporters that “[the police] grabbed everybody indiscriminately, both young and old” and that they were “treated very harshly.” Known opposition supported Vladimir Neklayev was allegedly removed from a train by police as he was traveling to Minsk overnight.

About 150 of those arrested were sentenced to jail terms of up to 25 days.  Opponents of Lukashenko ran the protests in Minsk and in other cities across Belarus.  Vladimir Lobkovich, of Vesna, called the jail sentences a “judicial conveyor.”

Demonstrators shouted slogans such as “Shame!” and Basta! (Enough!)” and displayed the opposition’s red and white flag.  “Petrol bombs and “arms-laden cars” were found near the protest in Minsk according to the foreign ministry.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Dzmitryy Mironchyk called the actions of the police “completely appropriate.”  Mironchyk said that because the rallies were unauthorized, “specific consequences” would have been justified “in any country of the world.”  He further commented that no tear gas or water cannons were used by the police.

 

For more information, please see:

U.S. News & World Report — Rights Group: More than 1,000 Arrested in Belarus Protests — 27 March 2017

The Washington Post — Rights Group: More than 1,000 Arrested in Belarus Protests — 27 March 2017

BBC — Belarus Protests: Government Defends Mass Arrests — 26 March 2017

Hawaii News Now — Belarus Police Arrest over 400 Protesters; Many are Beaten — 25 March 2017

 

Eta Militant Group in Spain to Disarm by April 8th

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

 

MADRID, Spain — The Basque Militant Group Eta is rumored to fully disarm by April 8, 2017 according to sources who have spoken with Basque separatists and the Spanish government.  Pro-Basque independence and environmental group Bizi is credited with the disarmament.  Eta has killed over 800 people over the course of more than four decades, and a permanent ceasefire was declared six years ago however the group refused to give up any of its weapons.

People protest against the Basque militant group Eta (Photo Courtesy of The Local ES)

Eta has grown significantly weaker in recent years after many of its members were arrested and police officers seized several of the group’s weapon stashes.

Inigo Urkullu, Basque regional government leader, assured that his administration considered the rumored disarmament to be credible and that his authority would do everything within their power for the “disarmament to come through well.”  He commented that he hoped the disarmament would be “definitive, unilateral, irrevocable, complete and legal.”  However, Urkullu added that “not everything is in [his administration’s] hands” and asked that both Madrid and Paris help mediate talks between the group and the government.

No formal announcement has been made regarding the disarmament, however Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Zoido stated in a tweet that Eta must “dissolve itself and disappear. It has had time to disarm and it must know that it won’t get anything in exchange” for doing so.  Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy confirmed that Eta will not receive anything in exchange for the disarmament.

The Spanish government cautioned that the group has made similar promises in the past, however has not followed through.  Rajoy commented that “ETA has made the umpteenth announcement and says it will disarm.”  In the past, Eta has unsuccessfully tried to wager deals with the Spanish and French governments in exchange for disarmament on several occasions.  The Spanish and French governments denied the proposed deals and insisted only that the group hands over their arsenal.

Both the United States and the European Union consider Eta to be a terrorist organization.  The group reportedly hopes to negotiate its disarmament in exchange for amnesty or improved prison conditions for hundreds of its members who are currently being held in Spain and France.

 

For more information, please see:

The Japan News — Spain: ETA Gets Nothing in Return for Disarmament — 20 March 2017

BBC — Spain: Eta Militant Group ‘to Disarm Fully by 8 April — 17 March 2017

The Local ES — Basque Separatist Group Eta to Fully Disarm by April 8th — 17 March 2017

The New York Times — Basque Separatist Group ETA is Said to Promise to Disarm — 17 March 2017

Hungary Tightens Asylum Laws

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BUDAPEST, Hungary — On Tuesday, Hungary’s parliament voted to detain all asylum seekers within the country over the age of 14. Expected to take effect later this month, the new law will mandate authorities to detain all asylum seekers who are currently in guarded and enclosed migrant camps. Hungary previously detained all asylum-seekers, however suspended the practice in 2013 after pressure from the United Nations refugee agency and the European Court of Human Rights.

A Hungarian Police Officer stands guard at a makeshift migrant camp on the border between Serbia and Hungary (Photo Courtesy of The Washington Post)

Asylum seekers will be detained until their applications are reviewed, which is a process that usually takes months to complete. The process will be termed “assigned residency,” however is considered by many to constitute detention. The new law will apply to newly-arrived asylum seekers as well as those who are currently in the country waiting for their applications to be processed.

Human rights advocates called the new law a “reckless breach of international law.” According to Cecile Pouilly, spokeswoman for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the new law means that “every asylum seeker, including children, will be detained in shipping containers surrounded by high razor wire fence at the border for extended periods of time.” The UNHCR predicts that the new legislation will “have a terrible physical and psychological impact on women, children and men who have already greatly suffered.”

Human rights groups protested the new asylum law, including Amnesty International Hungary and the Hungarian Association for Migrants and the Migrant Solidarity Group for Hungary. These groups insist that the law would “serve the government’s xenophobic and discriminatory political propaganda purposes.”

Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orban, justified the measure in saying it will help secure the European Union’s borders from migrants. Orban also believes the law act as a deterrent against migration, which he called the “Trojan horse of Terrorism.” Orban noted that the “flood of migration has slowed down but has not stopped” and that Hungary’s laws “apply to everyone” including “migrants who want to cross Hungary’s border illegally.” According to Orban, the laws which are applicable to everyone “is the reality, which cannot be overruled by charming human rights nonsense.”

Other nations restrict the movement of migrants for security reasons, however Hungary would be the only European nation with such restrictive measures.   The new law can still be vetoed by the Hungarian president, but is not expected to happen.

 

For more information, please see:

USA Today — Hungary Will Detain Asylum Seekers in Shipping Containers — 8 March 2017

The Washington Post — Hungary Votes to ‘Detain’ All Asylum Seekers in Camps — 8 March 2017

Hungary Today — Hungary Parliament Tightens Asylum Law to Throw Migrants Back to the Other Side of the Border – Updated — 7 March 2017

The New York Times — Hungary Approves Detention of Asylum Seekers in Guarded Camps — 7 March 2017