News

Germany Officially Recognizes Armenian Genocide

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BERLIN, Germany — This past Thursday, a near-unanimous vote by the German parliament officially recognized the killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 as a genocide.  Germany is home to an estimated three million Turks, two thousand of which demonstrated in Berlin opposing the German parliament’s ability to pass judgment.  France passed similar legislation in 2011, to which Turkey responded to by recalling its ambassador in Berlin and freezing military cooperation between the two countries.

German lawmakers vote in favor of decision to recognize Armenian genocide (Photo Courtesy of CNN)

This declaration by the German parliament comes at a time in which strong foreign relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) are vital, as the EU as a whole needs Turkey’s help in managing the refugee migrant crisis.  As a result of a recent migrant deal between Turkey and the EU, a Syrian refugee in Turkey is resettled in the EU for every Syrian refugee that is returned to Turkey from Greece.  Turkey also agreed to take necessary measures to prevent open migration routes between Turkey and the EU.

German diplomats across the world have spoken out to encourage Turkey to maintain ties with Germany despite the decision.  The German Foreign Minister in Argentina, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, stated that he hoped the decision would not cause Turkey to overreact.  German lawmakers see the move not as a jab at the Turkish government, but rather as a way to strengthen reconciliation efforts between Turkey and Armenia.

This decision has caused significant unrest in Turkey.  Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdogan called this decision a “plot” against Turkey, and criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel for not intervening to prevent the vote (Merkel did not take part in the vote).  Erdogan stated that the decision would “seriously affect” Turkey’s ties with Germany, however would not affect Turkey’s ties with the EU.  Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim condemned the decision as “irrational” and predicted that it would put the friendship of the two countries to a serious test.  A spokesman for Erdogan went so far as to blame Germany for relying on “lies” about Ottoman Armenians.

Within two hours of the vote, Turkey recalled its ambassador in Berlin for “consultations” and summoned a German diplomat to the foreign ministry in Ankara, the capital city of Turkey.

For further information, please see:

CNN — Germany Declares 1915 Armenian Killings a “Genocide” — 2 June 2016

Reuters — Germany Triggers Turkish Outcry with Armenian Genocide Vote — 2 June 2016

The Guardian — Turkey Recalls Ambassador After German MPs’ Armenian Genocide Vote — 2 June 2016

The New York Times — German Parliament Recognizes Armenian Genocide, Angering Turkey — 2 June 2016

Business Standard — Turkey Says German Recognition of Armenian Genocide is a ‘Plot’ — 4 June 2016

PRI — Why Germany’s Recognition of Armenian Genocide is Such a Big Deal — 5 June 2016

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

Boko Haram says They are Willing to Negotiate the Release of the Chibok Girls

By: Samantha Netzband

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

 

ABUJA, Nigeria—It has been over two years since the abduction of 219 girls from the Chibok school in Nigeria.  Islamic extremist group Boko Haram is responsible for the abduction.  Boko Haram has killed at least 2,600 people in Nigeria, but they are looking to make a deal with the government for the release of the girls.

chibok girls

Screenshot taken from a video showing some of the Chibok girls alive. (Photo Courtesy of CNN)

Amir Muhammad Abdullahi, who is reportedly second-in-command of Boko Haram, has said that only a third of the original number of girls abducted remain captive.  The Nigerian government has had success in securing the return of 11,595 people between February and April of this year.

One Chibok girl was recently released in what the government is perceiving as a sign of good faith from the members of Boko Haram.  She was found in the Sambisa forest reserve with a suspected member of Boko Haram.  The girl reported that only 6 of the captive girls have died, rather than the larger number claimed by Abdullahi.  The girl believes that they may be located in the Sambisa forest reserve where she was found.  The Sambisa forest reserve is a large forest located near the border of Cameroon.

Reports of a second Chibok girl release turned out to be false. The head of Chibok Abducted Girls Parents group said the second girl was not one of the abducted girls.  The second girl is said to have been abducted from her home in Madagali.  She was returned along with 96 other citizens who had been abducted from their homes and held hostage.

Abdullahi says that no one is winning the battle that Boko Haram has waged with Nigeria.

For further information please see:

Pulse – Insurgents reportedly call for truce to release Chibok girls – 22 May 2016

International Business Times – Boko Haram willing to discuss surrender and release of Chibok girls – 21 May 2016

All Africa – Nigerian Army Confirms Rescue of Another Chibok School Girl – 20 May 2016

BBC – Boko Haram abductees freed in Nigeria – 20 May 2016

Kenya Pushes to Close Dadaab Camp

By: Samantha Netzband

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

 

NAIROBI, Kenya –  Two weeks ago Kenya announced that they plan to close the world’s largest refugee camp, Dadaab, citing fears of terrorism as one of the reasons for the camp’s closure.  Dadaab has been open since 1991 and mainly hosts refugees from Kenya’s neighbor Somalia.  The Kenyan government has formed a task force aimed at disbanding the refugee camps and has said that they are committing $10 million towards the effort.

Kenya

Somali refugee girls attend a Koran class at the Dabaab Camp.  (Photo Courtesy of Reuters and Washington Post)

Other countries were quick to criticize Kenya’s decision, because the countries where many of the refugees are from are still unstable.  Kenya’s refugee camps mainly contain Somalia refugees, but there are also refugees from South Sudan and Burundi.  Some of these countries are not completely safe for the refugees to return to – and some of the refugees in the camps have never lived outside of Kenya.  Returning to their native countries will require assimilation into unfamiliar living situations that are still riddled with conflict.

Kenyan government officials countered that the nations that criticize them are not doing their part given the current refugee crisis in Europe.  Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, is up for reelection and has tried to use the call for the removal of refugees to his political advantage.

With 350,000 people estimated living in the camps the closure of the camps will require a very organized and coordinated closure plan from the Kenyan government.  UN and other countries have suggested that the camps close slowly to ensure that a new humanitarian crisis doesn’t happen.

For further information please see:

All Africa – Kenya: Ban Ki-Moon Urges Uhuru to Go Slow on Refugee Repatriation – 19 May 2016

The Star – Don’t Return Refugees Home Without Guarantees Of Safety – 14 May 2016

Wall Street Journal – Kenya’s Push to Close World’s Largest Refugee Camp Fuels a Sense of Displacement – May 14 2016

The World Post – Why Kenya Announced An Unrealistic But Alarming Plan To Rid The Country Of Refugees – 13 May 2016

Washington Post – Why Kenya’s threat to close its refugee camps is even worse than you think – 11 May 2016

All Africa – Kenya: UN Criticises Kenya for Plan on Refugees – 9 May 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