News

Protesters in Northern Spain Support Transfer of Imprisoned Members of Group Labeled Terrorist by EU, U.S.

by Tony Iozzo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

BILBAO, Spain – Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in northern Spain on Saturday to protest the imprisonment of members of a separatist group known as “ETA.”

Thousands took to the streets on Saturday in northern Spain. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Tens of thousands of protesters formed a demonstration in the city of Bilbao, in Spain’s Basque region, after a judge had banned an initial demonstration to demand concessions for the ETA prisoners, such as being imprisoned in facilities closer to their families.

Spain’s Basque region has seen an ongoing standoff between authorities and secessionists in the area. ETA has been campaigning for an independent Basque homeland in northern Spain and southwestern France for over 40 years. The organization, which has been labeled a terrorist organization by the European Union and the United States, has been blamed for 829 murders.

The organization has been depleted in recent years due to the arrests and imprisonment of its leadership in both Spain and France. Roughly 520 members have been imprisoned, and only an estimated few dozen active fighters are on the run. The ETA pledge to end armed activity back in 2011, but Spain and France remain opposed to negotiating with the organization due to its past.

On Friday, a judge of the highest criminal court in Madrid issued a ruling against a planned demonstration to explicitly support the imprisoned ETA members, reasoning that the protest was organized by a banned terrorist group. Both Basque nationalist and separatist parties called for a new “rights march” for Saturday. They had originally called for a silent demonstration, but shouts and cries were audible when family members of the prisoners marched. Shouts such as “Basque prisoners home!” could be heard.

The conservative Basque National Party, which governs Spain’s northern region, and a left-wing pro-independence party combined forces for Saturday’s march. Between them they accounted for more than half of the votes in the last regional elections, as pro-independence Basques set their sights on a political solution.

“Parties and unions that represent the political majority of this land decided they had to call this demonstration to defend the right to freedom of expression,” Pernando Barrena, spokesman for the left-wing party, stated.

The spokesman for the Basque National Party, Josu Erkoreka, stated that the original ban on the first planned demonstration was “incomprehensible to the Basque people.”

On Saturday, an additional judge ruled that the new gathering called by the parties was not illegal.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Thousands March in Bilbao in Support of ETA – 12 January 2014

Fox News – Large March in North Spain Calls for ETA Prisoners to be Allowed to Serve Jail Terms Near Home – 12 January 2014

The Washington Post – March in North Spain Backs Return of ETA Prisoners – 12 January 2014

BBC News – Huge March in Spain After Ban on ETA Prisoner Rally – 11 January 2014

US-Cuban Relations Warm During Obama’s Second Term

by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

HAVANA, Cuba – US and Cuban government officials met in Cuba’s capital on Wednesday to begin talks intended to tackle the issue of Cuban citizens migrating to the United States. Edward Alex Lee, a US State Department official, praised the tone of the talks explaining that the “very constructive” nature of the talks could lead to strengthened US-Cuban relations.

President George W. Bush suspended migration talks, which occur biennially, in 2003. President Obama reopened talks in 2009 before suspending them again after the arrest of US contractor Alan Gross. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

The strained relationship between the United States and Cuba has eased considerably since President Obama began his second term. State Department and Cuban officials point to President Obama’s handshake with Cuban President Raul Castro at Nelson Mendela’s funeral as evidence is the change in tone.

“Despite our historically difficult relationship, over the course of the past year and a half we have been able to speak to each other in a respectful and thoughtful manner,’ Mr. Lee said in a Havana press conference.

Mr. Lee confirmed on Friday that he had visited Alan Gross, a US citizen sentenced to 15 years in Cuba for smuggling illegal satellite equipment into the country. He noted that US government was “deeply concerned” for Mr. Gross’s well being.

During the talks, Cuban officials reiterated their stance against the Cuban Adjustment Act, which allows Cuban citizens to gain permanent residency after one year. Further, Cuban officials point to the “wet foot, dry foot” rule as a major source of unsafe migration attempts. The “wet foot, dry foot” rule allows Cuban citizens who reach US soil to remain in the country while repatriating Cubans detained at sea.

“These are the main encouragement to illegal departures and irregular arrivals of Cuban citizens in the U.S. territory,” said a statement released by the Cuban government.

The talks that began Wednesday are part of a series on migration that began in July of last year. Neither government had released information on when more discussions might occur.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Cuba: US ‘very open’ to new relationship – 10 January 2014

Reuters – U.S. official praises new tone with Cuba, visits jailed contractor – 10 January 2014

Miami Herald – US-Cuba migration talks to be held Wednesday in Havana – 6 January 2014

The Washington Post – Cuba, US hold migration talks in Havana – 9 January 2014

The Guardian – US and Cuba to hold fresh round of diplomatic talks in Havana – 8 January 2014

Libyan Cabinet Minister Killed by Unknown Gunmen

By: Danielle L. Gwozdz
Impunity Watch News Reporter, Africa

TRIPOLI, Libya – Libya’s deputy industry minister has been shot dead during a visit to his hometown of Sirte, east of the capital of Tripoli.

Since the collapse of Gaddafi’s regime, Libya has been plagued with sporadic violence (photo courtesy of the Telegraph).

Local media quoted officials as saying unknown gunmen “sprayed bullets” at Hassan al-Droui near a central market.

The minister was shot several times.

“They opened fire from another car while he was driving, he was shot multiple times,” an official said, asking to remain anonymous. “Later, they found explosives attached to his car. The theory is, the bomb failed, so they shot him instead.”

The anonymous official blamed Islamist militants who have been trying to extend their influence in Sirte, which has been more stable recently than the coastal capital of Tripoli.

The minister, al-Droui, was a former member of the National Transitional Council, the political arm of the 2011 uprising. He was appointed to his role by the transitional government’s first prime minister and kept his position when Ali Zeidan took over.

Since the collapse of Gaddafi’s autocratic regime, Libya has been plagued by sporadic violence, including a string of assassinations targeting top army and security officials.

The motive behind the killing, however, is unclear.

There is speculation that the assassins were from the self-styled Abu Bakr Unis Jabr brigade, who are supporters of the former regime.

Although Libya has seen continued violence and lawlessness since the 2011 uprising, the killing is the first assassination of a member of Libya’s transitional government. Most assassinations have been of members of the military or police.

Separately, a health official in Libya said 15 people were killed in clashes between two tribes in the country’s south. The fighting is pitting the al-Tabw tribe against the Awlad Soliman tribe in the city of Sabha. A local leader said on Saturday that the fighting was sparked by the killing of a guard of the city’s military leader, a member of the Awlad Soliman group.

The violence is the worst between the tribes since they struck a ceasefire agreement in March 2012.

Southern Libya thrives on the business of smuggling contraband goods as well as human trafficking, a BBC correspondent says.

Many of the clashes between the tribes there are rooted in competition over smuggling routes.

For more information, please visit:

BBC News – Libyan cabinet minister Hassan al-Droui killed in Sirte – 12 January 2014
Yahoo! News – Gunmen assassinate Libyan deputy industry minister – 12 January 2014
menafn.com – Libyan Deputy Industry Minister Killed in Sirte – 12 January 2014
Telegraph – Libya’s deputy industry minister shot dead – 12 January 2014
International Business Times – Libyan Cabinet Minister Assassinated During Hometown Visit – 12 January 2014
The Guardian – Libyan government minister shot dead – 11 January 2014

 

Unrest in Ukraine Erupts into Violent Protests

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

KYIV, Ukraine – Ukraine opposition leader Yuriy Lutsenko was among several injured in protests against a recent ruling that convicted three men of plotting to blow up a statue. The protests came amidst lasting tensions from the government’s refusal to strengthen ties with the European Union.

Yuriy Lutsenko was injured during the recent protest, requiring bandages to his head, as well as a patch to his right eye. (Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Times)

On 10 January 2014, protests erupted after a court sentenced three nationalists to six years in prison.  The convicted persons allegedly conspired to blow up a statue of Soviet Union founder Vladimir Lenin in 2011. Protesters claimed that the trial was fixed against the men.

During the night of 10 January, protesters attempted to prevent police from taking the convicted men away from the court building. In the clash with police that followed, over ten activists, three Members of Parliament, and several journalists were injured. Some received fractures, brain trauma, and unconsciousness.

“As we see, the authorities do not stop in their acts of repression, it is not enough for them to deprive us of our rights, they want to put people in jail, give them six-year prison terms, just because they were talking about their rights,” said protester Dmytro Bulatov. “And they want to break our bones.”

By early 11 January, the Ukrainian parliament’s human rights ombudsman reported that eleven protesters had been injured, with two of them hospitalized, including former Ukrainian Interior Minister and current opposition leader Yuriy Lutsenko.

Yanukovych pardoned Lutsenko in April 2013, after four years of imprisonment on charges of embezzlement and ordering illegal surveillance. Lutsenko had been a key figure in the 2004 Orange Revolution, which brought Yanukovych’s rival Yulia Tymoshenko to power.

Lutsenko was struck in the head and hospitalized in intensive care during a clash with riot police. He suffered a concussion, requiring bandages and a patch over his right eye.

“The doctors diagnosed a closed head injury, a concussion, three subcutaneous hematoma, and an open wound on the face. There was no breach of the skull, thank God,” said Lutsenko’s wife, Iryna. “He was conscious, but not the whole time. He asked for people not to take revenge, because the Berkut [riot police] just obey orders. So he is asking people not to take revenge.”

Ukrainian tensions have been elevated since President Viktor Yanukovych’s abrupt refusal to sign an association deal with the European Union in November 2013, which would have established closer ties between Ukraine and the Western bloc. Yanukovych’s decision sparked protests into December 2013, which constituted the largest Ukrainian anti-government movement since the Orange Revolution in 2004.

Lutsenko led the organization of the most recent protests, during which pro-EU demonstrators remained in central Kyiv, demanding the resignation of the government and new elections.

The Kyiv prosecutor’s office said it would investigate the actions of both protesters and police.

Leader of Svoboda Union Andriy Ilyenko said that abusive police fighters were photographed after removing their masks, and would be held accountable for their actions.

To ease tensions, Ukrainian officials must acknowledge that citizens have shifted toward an affinity for Western ties.

For further information, please see:

Independent – Ukraine Opposition Leader Yuri Lutsenko Injured in Police Clash – January 11, 2014

Interfax-Ukraine – Three MPs, Over Dozen Activists Seriously Injured in Clash with Berkut, Says Svoboda – January 11, 2014

Los Angeles Times – Ukraine Opposition Leader Injured in Clash with Police – January 11, 2014

RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty – Former Ukrainian Minister Hospitalized in Clash with Police – January 11, 2014

Telegraph – Ukraine Opposition Leader Injured in Fresh Kiev Clashes – January 11, 2014

French Cities Tell Dieudonne That His Tour Is Done before It Begins

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

PARIS, France – Despite France’s ability to nationally ban comedian Dieudonne’s tour, the Interior Minister Manuel Valls called on local officials to make similar decisions, based on the content of Dieudonne’s show. Dieudonne threatened to appeal.

Dieudonne vowed to appeal, after French cities and towns banned his comedy tour. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

Several French towns and cities have banned Dieudonne’s controversial comedy act due to its alleged anti-Semitism, including Marseilles, Tours, Nantes, and Bordeaux. Dieudonne has never paid one of his several fines for anti-Semitic outbursts. He continues to claim bankruptcy from his Theatre du Main d’Or in Paris.

French President Francois Hollande has urged officials to enforce the authorized bans. “I’m calling on all state representatives, especially prefects, to be alert and inflexible. No-one should be able to use a stage show to openly promote anti-Semitic ideas,” said Hollande.

Dieudonne vowed to appeal. While Dieudonne has appeared on stage several times with holocaust denier and historian Robert Faurisson, Dieudonne contended that he is not linked to Faurisson or French right-wing extremists. Instead, Dieudonne claims to be a mere anti-establishment anti-Zionist.

Dieudonne’s attorney, Jacques Verdier said, “The cancellation of a performance is an act of censorship. If there is no public disorder then it is a troubling artist that one wishes to forbid.”

Verdier further stated that he would seek an injunction to overturn the “recommended” bans, which went around French Constitutional provisions leaving the decision to prefects. The comedian has already sold nearly 6000 tickets for his Nantes performance, and remains booked for several French venues until June.

Dieudonne faces six convictions for hate speech against Jewish persons, based on his routine about gas chambers and deriding of Holocaust victims and survivors. He denied completely that his “quenelle” gesture is a variation of the Nazi salute, but rather is an “anti-establishment sign.”

The quenelle consists of a right hand pointing straight down and touching the left hand to that arm. In late-December 2013, West Bromwich footballer Nicolas Anelka performed the gesture during a goal celebration, in what Anelka described as “a dedication to Dieudonne” rather than an anti-Semitic gesture. France’s sports minister criticized Anelka’s action as “disgusting.”

Critics claim French censorship of Dieudonne may cement his cult-like status; especially if the bans against Dieudonne are overturned on legal grounds.

“Rather than embarking on pre-emptive bans with a shaky legal foundation and uncertain political results, the authorities should concentrate on punishing crimes once they are committed,” said a statement by France’s Human Rights League (LDH).

In this light, France must determine whether its ban on Dieudonne is a prior restraint of his future speech, or a fitting punishment for his continued anti-Semitic comments amidst unpaid fines.

For further information, please see:

BBC News – Dieudonne: Hollande Backs Nantes and Tours Bans – January 7, 2014

Euronews – Joke Is on Dieudonne as French Cities Ban His Show – January 7, 2014

The Independent – ‘Anti-Semitic’ Comedian Dieudonné M’bala M’bala Has His Show Cancelled in France after Nicolas Anelka’s Inverted Nazi Salute – January 7, 2014

Reuters – French Cities Ban Comedian Accused of Anti-Semitic Jibes – January 7, 2014

CNN International – Anti-Semitism Row Shines Light on Fractured French Society – January 3, 2014