News

Although Ceasefire in Ukraine Holds, War Games Continue

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

KIEV, Ukraine – Tensions between Russia and NATO nations remains high despite the ceasefire still holding in Ukraine, and unfortunately this is keeping Ukraine in the spotlight between the two forces. The United States will be sending troops to help train Kiev’s military, much against the demands by Russia to avoid involvement with the United States.

Russian Su-30 jets were used in practice attack runs on NATO ships in the Black Sea. (Photo courtesy of Business Insider)

United States’s senior envoy to Europe claims that there are still “thousands and thousands” of Russian troops deployed in Eastern Ukraine, along with “hundreds of pieces of military equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, rocket systems, heavy artillery.” US Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges estimates that there are 12,000 Russian troops in eastern Ukraine, along with another 29,000 in Crimea. Further, the senior envoy claims that “[t]he Russian military has its own robust command structure in eastern Ukraine … they are funding this war, they are fueling it and commanding and controlling it.”

In response, the United States intends to carry out its plan to send roughly 300 troops to western Ukraine to train Kiev’s troops in fighting the pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine. Further, under the fiscal 2015 budget to help train and equip the armed forces of allies around the world, the US has already set aside $19 million to assist the Ukrainian National Guard. On top of this, the US has still failed to rule out sending lethal aid to Kiev. Additionally, German Chancellor Angela Merkel says that more sanctions may be pressed onto Russia if the ceasefire fails, as it would likely be the result of instability caused at least partially by Russian involvement.

Russia has been active in trying to denounce the involvement of NATO nations in the Ukrainian conflict. Recently, Russian Su-30s and Su-24 aircraft from Russia’s new Black Sea Fleet in Crimea have run mock attacks on NATO warships in the Black Sea.

For more information, please see:

Yahoo – EU ready with sanctions if Ukraine ceasefire violated, Merkel says – 4 March 2015

Yahoo – ‘Thousands’ of Russian troops in east Ukraine: US envoy – 4 March 2015

Business Insider – Report: Russia is practicing attack runs against NATO warships in the Black Sea – 4 March 2015

Defense News – US Soldiers Readying for Ukraine Deployment – 3 March 2015

ABC – US Commander: Arming Ukraine Increases Pressure on Putin – 3 March 2015

Global Research – Despite Russian Warnings, US Will Deploy a Battalion to Ukraine by the End of the Week – 3 March 2015

Bangladesh: Convicted Islamist Leaders Appeal against Death Penalty for War Crimes

By Hojin Choi

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, Bangladesh – Recently convicted Bangladesh Islamist leaders moved to overturn their death penalty sentences for war crimes.

Since 2010, the International Crimes Tribunal has sentenced more than ten ex- and present political leaders for war crimes committed during the country’s civil war. Most were convicted for crimes against humanity by collaborating with the Pakistani Army. According to the government, three million people died and approximately 200,000 women were raped during the nine months of war, and East Pakistan became an independent country, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s ex-minister Syed Mohammed Kaiser appealed his death sentence in middle January. The verdict, sentencing him to death, was delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal a month ago, and he was found guilty on 14 out of the 16 charges brought against him. It is well known that Kaiser organized a militia named after him, “Kaiser Bahini,” in 1971, and guided the Pakistani Army to attack villages and to abuse supporters of Bangladesh’s independence. He fled once Bangladesh achieved liberty, and then rejoined Bangladesh’s political sphere as a parliamentary member. He later became the Minister of Agriculture.

Former Minister Syed Mohammed Kaiser (bdnews24.com)

An Islamist party leader, ATM Azharul Islam (“Azhar”), also moved the Supreme Court to overturn his verdict. He was also sentenced to death in late December for the genocide of 1,400 Hindus and supporters of Bangladesh’s liberation. He was known as a leader of a notorious militia, “Al-Badr,” that attacked villages by cooperating with the Pakistani Army. It is said that his militia committed the one of the largest genocides during the 1971 war.

Azhar is the eighth leader of the Islamist party to be convicted of war crimes. Whenever a conviction has been obtained, the party’s supporters have reacted wildly. They argue that the International Crimes Tribunal has a political and religious purpose that is to oppress the party. The party and its supporters often called for a nationwide shutdown and protests.

One of Justice of the court, Justice Rahim, previously commented on Azhar’s case that “we are trying him as a war criminal suspect . . . his stature as an Islamic or religious figure is not our concern.” However, many human rights activists and politicians from other nations have expressed concern over the continuous death sentences in Bangladesh, but most agree that the inhumane war crimes must be punished, even after a long period of time.

For more information, please see:

Globalpost – Bangladeshi ex-minister appeals against death penalty for war crimes – 20 January 2015

Bdnews24 – Tribunal sentences Kaiser to death for 1971 war crimes – 23 December 2014

Bdnews24 – Jamaat leader Azhar moves Supreme Court to overturn death sentence – 28 January 2015

Bdnews24 – Jamaat leader Azhar to die for 1971 genocide – 30 December 2014

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