Europe

Refugees Flock to Europe as Migrant Boats Capsize in Mediterranean

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

ROME, Italy –This past week, more than 14,000 refugee migrants from Libya were rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by European forces.  At least 65 migrants have died in shipwrecks associated with these rescue missions.  Spanish and Irish vessels, Spanish planes, Luxembourgian planes, and the Italian navy have all contributed to the rescue of these refugee migrants.

One of the refugee migrant ship that capsized this past week in the Mediterranean (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

Warmer spring weather has led to a surge in migrants attempting the journey from the North African coast to Europe’s borders.  The crossing between Italy and Libya is now the main route used by migrants since a deal between the European Union (EU) and Turkey has decreased the number of migrants from entering Greece via the Aegean Sea.  Under the deal, all new “irregular” migrants crossing from Turkey to Greece must be returned to Turkey.  Turkey must also take all measures necessary to prevent any newly developed land or sea routes accessible to migrants from Turkey to the EU.

Many European nations have voiced reluctance to take in migrant refugees.  Some rescued migrants are taken to Porto Empedocle on the Sicilian coast, and some are placed in Sicilian and Greek shelters.  However, not all refugees will be granted asylum in the EU once they arrive.  Most rescued migrants are asked to leave the EU within seven days of their arrival.  To prevent the potential massive influx of asylum seekers, some have suggested sending these migrants straight back to Libya despite its currently being a war-zone.  Austria has gone so far as to change its laws to prevent migrants from applying for asylum at their border.  Germany has recently revealed plans to add Morocco and Tunisia to its list of “safe countries” which would prevent migrants from those countries to qualify for asylum in Germany.

These migrants pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to make this journey to Europe, and travel from a wide variety of countries including Morocco, Tunisia, Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan.

For further information, please see:

CNN — 700+ Migrants Missing or Feared Dead in Mediterranean Shipwrecks — 30 May 2016

The Irish Times — Migrant Crisis: Shipwrecks ‘kill up to 700’ UN Agency Says — 29 May 2016

The Guardian — Dozens Feared Dead as Migrant Boat Capsizes in Mediterranean — 28 May 2016

BBC — Migrant Crisis: Many Feared Dead in Shipwreck off Libya — 26 May 2016

European Commission — EU-Turkey Agreement: Questions and Answers — 19 March 2016

Muirfield Golf Club Votes to Continue Ban on Women Members

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

EDINBURGH, Scotland —After a two year consultation process, over 600 male members of the Muirfield Golf Club in Scotland have failed to reach a two-thirds majority vote which would allow women to join the club.  While women can continue to use the club as guests and visitors, they will not be allowed to join as members.

Muirfield Golf Club (Photo Courtesy of The Guardian)

This decision is a deviation from the recent trend set by other golf clubs in the United Kingdom.  The Royal & Ancient Club of St. Andrew’s and Royal St. George’s have both voted to admit women as members within the last two years.  As a result, Muirfield and the Royal Troon club are the only remaining traditional British Open host venues to maintain a ban against women members.  Royal Troon is currently reviewing their own membership policies to consider allowing women to join as members.

Among the reasons given for voting against women to join the club, dissenters have stated that they believe women would endanger the speedy play of the game, and would “feel uncomfortable” as members.  They also urged that the allowance of women members would go against the very nature of the club – “a gentlemen’s club where golf is played.”

Prominent golfers and various leaders have voiced their disagreement with the vote.  Scotland’s first female Prime Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, called the vote “simply indefensible” and urged the club to revisit the vote in the future.  Rory McElroy, former British Open champion, stated that the vote would damage golfs image.  Lesley Sawers, the Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland commissioner, estimates that the decision will cost the Scottish economy £100m as a result of loss of revenue generated from the Open.

In response to Muirfield’s vote, Royal & Ancient, the organizer of the British Open, has refused to host the British Open at the club for as long as they continue to ban women as members.  Muirfield has hosted 16 British Opens in the past.

For more information, please see:

BBC — Muirfield to lose right to host Open after vote against allowing women members — 19 May 2016

CNN — Muirfield banned from hosting British Open after refusing women members — 19 May 2016

New York Times — Muirfield Golf Club Picks Discrimination Over the British Open — 19 May 2016

The Guardian — Muirfield loses right to hold Open after voting to remain men-only — 19 May 2016

Lech Walesa Faces Allegations of Spying for Communist Secret Police

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

WARSAW, Poland–

Former Polish President Lech Walesa has announced that he will be defending himself in court on new claims that he was a paid communist informant for the country’s secret service during the Soviet era. Former President Walesa was the country’s first president of the post-communist era, and was the leader of the Polish Solidarity movement during that time. The state-run National Remembrance Institute (NRI) announced earlier this week that documents confiscated from the house of the last communist interior minister, General Czeslaw Kiszczak, included a letter signed by Walesa indicating his intent to provide the secret service with information. The letter is believed to be authentic.

Lech Walesa faces new allegations of his purported collaboration with the communist secret police. He has faced these allegations many times throughout his career, but was previously cleared in court from any wrongdoing. (Photo courtesy of NPR).

While the allegations themselves are not new, they have resurfaced after Kiszczak’s widow offered to sell the letters to the NRI for 90,000 zlotys (approximately $22,800). Prosecutors seized the documents before the sale was completed because the law requires “important historic papers” to be handed in to the authorities. The documents include 350 pages of secret police files that have never been opened to the public before. Contained in these pages are money receipts signed by “Bolek,” which was Walesa’s code name, according to the NRI president, Lukasz Kaminski.

The documents date from 1970 to 1976. Walesa co-founded the Solidarity movement in 1980, which contributed to the fall of the communist regime in 1989. Walesa was elected president in 1990 as a result of his efforts.

Although Walesa has previously stated he did not collaborate with the secret police, he confirmed in 2008 that he had signed a document that stated his intent to cooperate with the police. He maintains, however, that he did not follow through with this commitment. Walesa wrote on his blog from Venezuela earlier this week, commenting that the documents were forged to discredit him and tarnish his reputation. A special court convened in 2000 had already cleared him of all charges of working with the secret police.

For more information, please see–

BBC– Lech Walesa ‘was paid Communist informant’— 18 February 2016

The Guardian– Lech Wałęsa denies he was secret service informant during communist era— 18 February 2016

NPR– Polish Institute: Files Show Lech Walesa Worked With Communist-Era Secret Police— 18 February 2016

New York Times– Lech Walesa Faces New Accusations of Communist Collaboration— 18 February 2016

UK Prime Minister Secures Agreement to Stay in EU

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

LONDON, England–

Hours after announcing that a deal had been reached between the United Kingdom and other European Union member nations, British Prime Minister David Cameron stated that he will campaign with all his “heart and soul” to keep his country within a reformed EU system. The agreement came after two days of intense talks in Brussels, culminating with a unanimous decision by EU leaders that would allow the UK to stay within the system under negotiated terms.

Prime Minister David Cameron stated that “Britain would never be a part of a European superstate,” but believes a Brexit from the EU could be disastrous for Britain. (Photo courtesy of The Guardian).

Prime Minister Cameron is scheduled to hold a cabinet meeting on February 20th, where he will recommend that the government officially approve the terms, which will allow him to call a referendum on the matter. He stated, ““In an uncertain world is this really the time to add a huge new risk to our national and our economic security? I don’t believe that is right for Britain. I believe we are stronger, safer and better off inside a reformed EU and that is why I will be campaigning with all my heart and soul to persuade the British people to remain in the reformed EU that we have secured today.”

The negotiated agreement allows the UK to remain in the EU system with several major changes. An “emergency break” on EU migrants claiming in-work benefits will be in place for seven years, and individuals will only be covered for four years. Restrictions will also be placed on paying benefits to migrants from other EU countries, and Britain has no obligation to promote an “ever closer union among the peoples of Europe.” The UK also does not have to cooperate with the euro or contribute in eurozone bailouts. However, the UK will maintain full access to the EU’s free-trade market, and receive the advantages of European collaboration on crime and terrorism.

Despite the negotiations, many high profile politicians, including members of Cameron’s own cabinet, will continue to back the British exit, or “Brexit,” from the EU. Their worries primarily focus on backing a failing system of a European “super nation” and having to bear the burden of supporting struggling member nations. Britain has traditionally distanced itself from the rest of the European continent, and a Brexit would be seen as consistent with British foreign policy.

The referendum, if approved by the cabinet, could come as early as June. As of yet, it is unsure whether or not the agreement will be supported.

For more information, please see–

BBC–EU deal gives UK special status, says PM— 19 February 2016

CNN–Cameron: We have a deal with the EU— 19 February 2016 

The Guardian–Cameron will put ‘heart and soul’ into staying in EU after sealing deal— 19 February 2016

The Telegraph–EU summit – live: David Cameron hails deal ‘to give UK special status in the EU’ – including seven-year brake on migrant benefits – paving way for June referendum— 19 February 2016

France May Extend State of Emergency Powers

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

PARIS, France–

France is in the process of extending its state of emergency that has been in place since the Paris attacks in November of last year. The French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, said that the state of emergency must continue for a “necessary” period of time, despite protests from the UN experts and human rights groups. Prime Minster Valls also said that Europe could not handle the influx of refugees fleeing the “terrible” wars in Iraq and Syria, as it could destabilize the country.

French President Francois Hollande speaks regarding France’s future regarding the nation’s state of emergency. (Photo courtesy of CNN).

Valls’ remarks have ignited international debate about how long an emergency state and extra police powers could exist. The French President, Francois Hollande, has stated that the extension of the police powers is probable, with a final decision likely next week.

The state of emergency was supposed to last for a short period of time, but was extended for three months and set to expire on 26 February, 2016. The government first extended the police powers immediately after the Paris attacks on 13 November 2015. The state of emergency allows police to conduct house raids and searches without a warrant during the day or night, gives police the ability to place people under house arrest without extrajudicial process, and allows for restrictions on large gatherings or protests.

Since the state of emergency has gone into effect, there have been around 3,100 raids and searches, and almost 400 people have been placed under house arrest. Most of the raids and arrests occurred immediately after the attacks, but have substantially slowed down since then. At least 500 weapons have been seized, but over 200 of them have been seized from one person.

The Human Rights League of France has taken a case contesting the state of emergency to the highest court of France. Their reasoning states that it is no longer defensible and “seriously impacts public freedoms.” The court will hear the case next week.

Likewise, the UN has condemned the extension of the police powers, as it “lack[s] clarity and precision of several provisions of the state of emergency and surveillance laws.” Their main problems involve issues with freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the right to privacy.

For more information, please see–

CNN–French Parliament considers expanded emergency powers— 19 November 2015

Euronews– France’s national assembly votes to extend state of emergency— 19 November 2015

BBC– Migrant crisis: EU at grave risk, warns France PM Valls— 22 January 2016

The Guardian– France considers extending national state of emergency— 22 January 2016