News

Sri Lanka Government Initiate New War Crimes Investigation

By Hojin Choi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka’s new regime is planning a new investigation into human rights violations committed during the country’s civil war. Sri Lanka had the longest civil war in Asia, lasting 26 years, and ending in 2009. Sri Lanka initiated an investigation into the issues on its own accord, but had not reached credible results in the process.

The new phase of the investigation is highly related to the launch of the new regime. The former president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, had refused to cooperate with the U.N. investigation. According to the U.N., Rajapaksa interfered by creating a “wall of fear” to prevent witnesses from giving testimony and tried to “sabotage” the investigation.

The U.N. investigators also argued that the government intimidated human rights defenders by “surveillance, harassment, and other forms” of coercion. Rajapaksa was ousted by a surprising election result at the beginning of January. He was then accused of an attempted coup aimed at staying in power after the election. He denied the allegation.

The U.N. reports that about 40,000 civilians, mostly members of Tamil rebel group, were killed in a final government assault that ended the civil war, and that both sides committed serious human rights violations. The new president Maithripala Sirisena promised a new inquiry under an independent judiciary and with support of foreign experts.

“We are thinking of having our own inquiry acceptable to them, to the international standards,” said a government spokesperson. New president Serisena also sent his senior advisor to meet U.N. officials to discuss the investigation.

Pope Francis delivering his speech in Sri Lanka (EPA).

Two weeks before the government’s announcement, Pope Francis, during a visit to Sri Lanka, also urged the nation to pursue the truth about alleged war crimes. He said that reconciliation after tragic bloodshed could be found only “by overcoming evil with good, and by cultivating those virtues which foster reconciliation, solidarity and peace.” During his speech, he did not mention the former president’s alleged refusal to cooperate with the investigation.

“The process of healing also needs to include the pursuit of truth, not for the sake of opening old woulds, but rather as a necessary means of promoting justice, healing and unity,” Pope Francis added. The new president, Sirisena, welcomed him at the Cololbo’s International Airport.

Besides the investigation into the final week of the civil war, human rights activists argue there seem to be more issues to be addressed by the new regime. Tamils, the oppressed side in the war, still say that they are suffering from discrimination. A government spokesperson said that the government is also considering the release of political prisoners who were suspected of rebel activities associated with the Tamil group.

For more information, please see:

Arab News – New Sri Lanka govt plans fresh war crimes probe – 29 January 2015

Jurist – Sri Lanka to initiate new war crimes investigation – 29 January 2015

The National – Pope Francis says Sri Lanka must investigate war crimes – 13 January 2015

Reuters – Pope says Sri Lanka should seek truth over civil war – 13 January 2015

 

Assassination of Putin Critic Draws World’s Attention

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – As multiple theories continue to float up about the assassination of Boris Nemtsov, Vladimir Putin wrote a letter to Nemtsov’s Mother promising to find and bring to justice the murderer. Theories currently range anywhere from Putin ordering the assassination of Nemtsov, a strong opponent of Putin’s, to rumors that perhaps an ally of Nemtsov killed him to make him a martyr. Internationally, reactions have been skeptical that Putin is entirely clean from involvement.

A crowd gathers at the site of Nemtsov’s death to create a memorial. (Photo courtesy of The New York Times)

Vladimir Milov, a former deputy minister of energy and co-author of pamphlets created by Nemtsov, believes that Putin was behind the murder “to revive a culture of fear in Moscow.” The Kremlin disagrees, however, stating that they have “half a dozen” leads, and that perhaps Islamic extremists are responsible for the killing.

French president Francois Hollande, British prime minister David Cameron, and European Union foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini all spoke out today to voice disapproval of the killing and demanding a transparent investigation into the murder. German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the killing “cowardly,” and Obama asked the Russian government to be “prompt, impartial and transparent” in investigating the murder. Finally, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko commented on the impact Nemtsov had, calling him a “bridge between Ukraine and Russia.”

Other Russian opposition has been fairly outspoken, stating that the killing is clearly a politically motivated move by an increasingly militaristic state, particularly in regards to how Russia has handled the situation in Ukraine. Given that Nemtsov blogged two weeks ago in an interview that he was worried Putin would kill him, and that Putin has subsequently ordered the investigation into Nemtsov’s murder be taken over by Putin’s men rather than the police, many are skeptical that the Kremlin has had no part in the what is being called a “contract killing”.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – Fear Envelops Russia After Killing of Putin Critic Boris Nemtsov – 28 February 2015

ABC (Australia) – Boris Nemtsov assassination: Russian president Vladimir Putin vows to bring those responsible for ‘vile’ murder to justice – 28 February 2015

BBC – Reaction to death of Boris Nemtsov – 28 February 2015

USA Today – Anti-Putin leader Boris Nemtsov fatally shot in Moscow – 27 February 2015

Two Killed by Explosion at Pro-Kiev March

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

KIEV, Ukraine – A march in Kharkiv was interrupted today by an explosion that led to the deaths of two and wounding fifteen others. A second bomb was found in a shopping bag in Odessa, but was defused by police.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko pays tribute during the ceremony in honor of the overthrow of Ukraine’s former pro-Russian government. (Photo courtesy of The New York Times)

The rallies today were held in honor of the overthrow of the former Ukrainian President, Viktor Yanukovych, an ally to Russia. Some members of the parades, bearing Ukrainian flags, yelled “glory to the heroes!” Shortly thereafter, an explosion caused over a dozen casualties. Current President Petro Poroshenko said on Facebook, “[t]his is a brazen attempt to expand the territory of terrorism.”

Markian Lubkivskyi, an aide to the head of Ukraine’s SBU security forced, reports that four suspects have been arrested for planning attacks in Kharkiv with a Russian “Shmel” rocket launcher. These citizens, he reports, received weapons and training in Belgorod, a Russian city just across the Ukrainian border from Kharkiv. Moscow has not answered to these claims as of yet. Also, fighting around Mariupol, this time in the village of Shyrokyne, has been reported as well.

Fighting has been on the decline, however, over the past several days. Following the grave situation in Debaltseve, Kiev’s troops made a safe withdrawal and violence in and around the city has dwindled. Kiev reports that both sides are beginning to pull back heavy weapons, in accordance with the recent Minsk agreement. Further, 139 Ukrainian troops and 52 rebels have been exchanged to the village of Zholobok, west of rebel-held Luhansk. While this is not the entirety of prisoners, it is certainly a step in the right direction towards peace.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Ukraine fears spread of war after blast in eastern city – 22 February 2015

The New York Times – New Violence Belies Talk Of Peace In Ukraine – 22 February 2015

ABC – Blast Hits March in Eastern Ukraine, Killing 2 – 22 February 2015

The World Post – Ukraine Says It Will Start Pulling Back Heavy Weapons – 22 February 2015

NBC – First Ukraine War Prisoner Exchange Completed – 21 February 2015

The New York Times – Ukraine Town Eases Back Into Life After Deadly Week of Fighting – 20 February 2015

Triple bombing in Libya kills dozens

By Ashley Repp 

News Desk Reporter- Africa

al-Qubbah- Libya

                Earlier this week, following the release of a gruesome video that showed the beheading of 20 Egyptian Coptic Christians, and one non-Christian, Egypt launched air strikes in and near the city of Derna.  The strikes targeted training camps and arms caches in the city. Groups affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIL) have claimed responsibility for the video, and called the beheaded Coptic Christians, ‘crusaders.’

isis libya

Following these are strikes, Islamic State affiliate groups vowed revenge for the attacks on Derna.  On Friday, Islamic State affiliate groups carried out a triple attack on the eastern city of al-Qubbah.  One of the apparent targets of the attack was the parliament speaker of the internationally recognized parliament of Libya, Aguila Salah.  Medical personnel assert that Salah was not home at the time of the attack.  The two other bombings in the triple strike included a police station, as well as a gas station.  The majority of those killed in these attacks were waiting in line at the gas station.  Over 30 people have died, although a source quoted by Reuters asserts that the death toll is nearer to 40 and over 70 injured.

Libya plunged into chaos following the ousting of Col. Moammar Kadafi in 2011.  Since that time, factions have waged war with one another in an effort to gain control over Libya.  No one group has gained significant traction.  ISIL has sought to capitalize on the instability and violence that currently racks Libya, in an effort to gain traction in Africa.  While it is not a group that currently predominates in Libya, recent events have begun to establish the Islamic State as a very real actor in the game in Libya.   Egypt has become increasingly alarmed by the rate at which the Islamic State has been gaining support in Libya, as Egypt is currently fighting another Islamic State affiliate group in the Sinai Peninsula.

For more information, please visit:

ABC News- Triple bombings kill at least 25 in eastern Libya, medics say– 20 Feb., 2015

Al Jazeera- Deaths in car bombings in east Libya city– 20 Feb., 2015

LA Times- Bomb attacks in Libya kill at least 34– 20 Feb., 2015

BBC News- Libya Violence: Bombs kill dozens in al-Qubbah– 20 Feb., 2015

Female suicide bomber kills nearly a dozen in Nigerian city; wounds over thirty others

By Ashley Repp 

News Desk Reporter- Africa

Damaturu, Nigeria-

This past Sunday afternoon, a female bomber, who witnesses assert looked about sixteen years of age, arrived at the city’s crowded market area in a car, and made her way into the crowds.  Local time was about 1 P.M., a busy shopping time on Sundays.  The unidentified female went to a crowded area, positioned herself, and then detonated the bomb that she was wearing underneath her clothes.  With this detonation, the bomber killed at least ten people, and wounded over thirty others in the surrounding area.

Dematuru
Photo Courtesy of BBC News

Witnesses say that after the bomb was detonated, the crowd at the market descended into panic.  Authorities were unable to collect and remove the remains of the female bomber, as a crowd had begun to collect her body parts and light them on fire.

Though no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, Sunday’s bombing bears what some say are the “hallmarks” of a Boko Haram attack.  In the past year, Boko Haram, the Islamic militant group that wishes to install an Islamic state in Nigeria, has increasingly used female bombers to carry out planned attacks.  This attack shares many of the similarities of the previous attacks carried out this year, leading authorities to suspect Boko Haram’s involvement.

Boko Haram has played a key role in destabilizing northern Nigeria with the intent of establishing an Islamic state.  The group has launched previous attacks on Damaturu.  Currently, the violence has begun to spill over into neighboring countries, including Chad, Cameroon, and Niger.  These states, along with Nigeria, have agreed to establish a regional military apparatus that will serve to combat and subdue Boko Haram.

The violence and instability have also pushed officials in Nigeria to postpone the presidential election until March 28th, 2015.  Many Nigerians, investors, as well as states in the international community question President Goodluck’s ability to adequately address and combat Boko Haram, and fear that further instability is likely to arise.  Goodluck’s rival in the presidential election is Muhammadu Buhari.  Many believe that he will take a harder line on security issues, and is better equipped to address the threat of Boko Haram due to his successful quelling of an Islamic uprising in the 1980’s.

 

For more information, please visit:

BBC News- Suicide bomber kills seven in Nigerian city of Damaturu– 15 Feb., 2015

Al Jazeera- Female suicide bomber kills ten in Nigeria’s Damaturu-15 Feb., 2015

The New York Times- Female suicide bomber kills ten in a Nigerian region racked by Islamist violence– 15 Feb., 2015

Reuters- Female suicide bomber kills ten in Nigerian bus station– 15 Feb., 2015