News

Senate Shifts Negotiations From Shutdown to Debt Limit

by Michael Yoakum
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States –  Focus over the government stalemate shifted to the Senate Saturday, where leaders are in talks to end the nearly two week shutdown.  Word of negotiations between Senate leaders from both parties came in the wake the Senate’s rejection of a bill that would increase the government’s debt ceiling.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke at a press conference regarding negotiations to end the government shutdown. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Talks between Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell  on Saturday were their first face to face meetings in four months and their first in person negotiation about the government shutdown.

“The conversations were extremely cordial but very preliminary of course – nothing conclusive, but I hope that our talking is some solace to the American people and to the world,” Reid said.

While resolving the shutdown appears a high priority for the Senate, the rare session held Sunday had one item on the agenda: resolve the debt ceiling issue before markets open on Monday.  A near party line vote on Saturday failed to pass an increase to the debt limit problem.  Conservative members of the Senate cited the lack of clear plans to cut spending as reason for voting against the bill.

“This bill would have taken the threat of default off the table and given our nation’s businesses and the economy the certainty we need,” the White House said in a statement.

In the wake of Congressional debate over the shutdown and debt ceiling, many Americans have taken notice of the role of the federal government in their daily lives.

Political leaders from both parties have taken to characterizing the nature of the shutdown in a way that highlights their differing views of the role of government.  President Obama highlighted the federal government’s role as a source of jobs for hundreds of thousand of Americans as well as a place for farmers and small business owners to obtain loans.

Conservative members of Congress have used the shutdown as a demonstration of the impact that a smaller government would have on Americans.

Marsha Blackburn, a Republican House member from Tennessee said, “People are going to realize they can live with a lot less government.”

For more information, please see:

ABC News – Shutdown Driving Debate Over Role of Government – 13 October 2013

The Economic Times – Shutdown debate moves to US Senate as debt deadline creeps up – 13 October 2013

Al Jazeera – Government shutdown: Senate takes center stage in budget debate – 12 October 2013

BBC News – US shutdown debate shifts to Senate – 12 October 2013

The Washington Post – Government shutdown debate grates on Congress members’ moods – 12 October 2013

The Extraordinary AU Summit on the ICC

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

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia– The African Union (AU) will convene an Extraordinary Summit on Implementation of International Jurisdiction, Justice and International Criminal Court (ICC).  This is a follow-up to the AU’s Summit in May where it criticized the ICC for “witch-hunting African leaders.”

President Mugabe chats to VP Mujuru at the Harare International Airport before his departure for Ethiopia (photo courtesy of The Herald)

A possible collective pull-out of the 34 African countries that ratified the Rome statute – the ICC founding charter – will likely emerge among the most contentious points of debate.  Zimbabwe is not party to the treaty on the strength of its deep-rooted belief in domestic legal systems.

The AU has decided to set up a contact group of the Executive Council to undertake consultations with the members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in particular, its five permanent members, with a view to engaging with the UNSC on all concerns of the AU on its relationship with the ICC, including the deferral of the Kenyan and Sudanese cases, in order to obtain their feedback.

Some 130 African and international civil society organizations on Monday wrote a letter to African Foreign Affairs ministers, already gathered in the Ethiopian capital, urging them to restate their support to the international court in conformity with the African states’ commitment to protect and promote human rights and end impunity.

The AU has been consistent in its critical stance against the ICC since 2009, when the world court issued a warrant of arrest against Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir.

At the 2009 Summit held in Sirte Libya that year, the Assembly of Heads of State issued a Joint Declaration stating that AU member states will ignore the ICC arrest warrant and will not take any measures to transfer Bashir to The Hague.

When Bashir subsequently visited Kenya, Malawi, Chad, Ethiopia, and Nigeria he was not arrested. The AU has repeatedly reaffirmed its stance against the ICC.

After reaffirming principles deriving from national law and international customary law, by which sitting heads of state and government and other senior state officials are granted immunities during their tenure of office, the Assembly decided that “No charges shall be commenced or continued before any international court or tribunal against any serving head of state or Government or anybody acting in such capacity during his/her term of office.”

Further, the Assembly stated that “To safeguard the constitutional order, stability, and integrity of member states, no serving AU Head of State or Government or anybody acting or entitled to act in such a capacity, shall be required to appear before any international court or tribunal during their term of office.”

ICC stakeholders fear that the Extraordinary Summit will result in an en masse Africa walk out from the ICC, a threat to the future of the Court given that with 34 ratifications, Africa is the largest regional block.

There are various efforts from civil societies, the Assembly of State Parties to the ICC (ASP), the United Nations, to discourage a possible Africa withdrawal.

There is legitimate concern that Africa appears to be a target of the world’s first permanent criminal court. Withdrawing from the ICC though is not the solution because this imbalance is not the doing of the ICC. The Court’s judicial processes have been fair, impartial, and transparent.

For further information, please visit:

Africa Legal Aid – Much Ado About the Extraordinary AU Summit on the ICC – 11 October 2013
The Herald – President leaves for AU Extraordinary Summit – 11 October 2013
News Afrique Informations – African Union’s extraordinary summit Ethiopia – 11 October 2013
African Union – Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 11 October 2013
BBC News – African Union urges ICC to defer Uhuru Kenyatta case – 12 October 2013
Yahoo! UK and Ireland – AU calls for halt to ICC cases against Kenyan and Sudanese leaders – 12 October 2013

Arrests at Russian Protest Reminds World that Russia’s Prohibition on Homosexual “Propaganda” Remains

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – Reports demonstrate that Russian authorities waited until fights broke out before making arrests at a gay rights rally. Nevertheless, attacks on the Russian LGBT community remain high.

Fights broke out at the recent St. Petersburg gay rights rally when an opponent attempted to steal an activist’s rainbow flag. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

In June 2013, Russia’s law banning homosexual “propaganda” directed at minors sparked various protests by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) rights campaigners, who claim the law diminishes homosexuals’ rights to free speech and assembly. In the light of international attention, activists have called for Winter Olympics participants and sponsors to boycott the Sochi games next year as a form of protest.

For clarification, the International Olympics Committee requested more information on the law and its effects on the Winter Olympics. President Putin has prohibited all demonstrations and rallies for 10 weeks around the games.

In September 2013, police broke up a gay rights protest outside the Winter Olympics headquarters in Moscow.

On 12 October 2013, gay rights activists planned a rally in St. Petersburg at the “Field of Mars”, which allows demonstrations without special sanctions. However, nearly 200 opponents of gay rights arrived earlier than the scheduled rally time, dressed as Cossacks and Orthodox priests.

Many opponents sang hymns and recited prayers. Although heavily outnumbered by opponents, several dozen LGBT rights activists had gathered to celebrate “International Coming Out Day”.

The fights began when an anti-gay demonstrator tore a rainbow flag from a woman’s hands. Immediately, the police rushed in to arrest fighters. Russian authorities arrested 67 participants in fights between gay rights activists and opponents.

Despite Russia’s prohibition on homosexual “propaganda”, St. Petersburg sanctioned the rally.

While homosexuality has been legal in Russia since 1993 and un-labeled as a “mental illness” since 1999, reported attacks against homosexuals have increased sharply. Some attacks involve gay men being lured into meeting people who then attack them. Additionally, homophobia has been suspected in several homicides.

Recently, one group of anti-LGBT campaigners, “Occupy-Pedofilyay” began posting “sinister” videos online of teenagers it suspects of being gay.

Nikolai Alexeyev, the leader of LGBT-rights group Gay Russia, said that despite their frequency, attacks on homosexuals are almost never investigated as hate crimes. “Homophobic hysteria is being increasingly promoted in Russia.”

Citing to recent attacks on homosexuals, the United States Congress sent the U.S. Olympic Committee a letter requesting assurances of safety for athletes and spectators.

Unlike countries in which large portions of the population have come out in support of the LGBT community, with a large outcry against homosexuality, news from Russia suggests the June 2013 law will be difficult to overcome.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Russian Gay Rally Ends in Fights and Arrests – October 12, 2013

Associated Free Press – Orthodox Protesters Attack Gay-Rights Rally in Russia – October 12, 2013

International Business Times – Russian Gay Rights Activists Attacked in St Petersburg – October 12, 2013

RIA Novosti – Over 60 Detained at LGBT Rally in Russia’s St.Petersburg – October 12, 2013

Sky News – Russia: Arrests after Gay Rights Rally Attacked – October 12, 2013

USA Today – Russian Cops Wait for Clashes before Intervening at Gay Rally – October 12, 2013

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty – U.S. Lawmakers Concerned about Russia’s Gay Law – October 10, 2013

Syrian Rebels Accused of Crimes Against Humanity

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The Human Rights Watch has issued a report that alleges Syrian rebels killed 190 civilians and took 200 hostages during a single offensive in August. The particular offensive occurred on  August 4th in the Latakia province, which is home to many Alawites, a minority sect that supports President Bashar al-Assad.

The inside of a local Latakia house after the 4 August rebel attack. (Photo Courtesy of Human Rights Watch)

The attack began in the dawn hours and targeted more than a dozen villages. The report cites evidence, which includes video footage, that demonstrates the rebels attacked with a strategy focused on killing civilian men and keeping their women and children as hostages.

“Eight survivors and witnesses described how opposition forces executed residents and opened fire on civilians, sometimes killing or attempting to kill entire families who were either in their homes unarmed or fleeing from the attack, and at other times killing adult male family members, and holding the female relatives and children hostage,” the report says.

Joe Stork, acting Middle East director at HRW, said the abuses were “not the actions of rogue fighters.”

“This operation was a co-ordinated, planned attack on the civilian population in these Alawite villages,” he said.

The report states that out of the 190 dead civilians at least 67 were executed or unlawfully killed. For example, a video posted online by the rebels shows a fighter leading a peaceful woman in good health out of her house, yet she was found buried days later.

Additionally, two rebel groups are still holding over 200 hostages from the attack according to opposition sources. While negotiations for their release are ongoing, Human Rights Watch has called for their release and demanded that they be treated humanely.

In conducting the report, Human Rights Watch interviewed more than 35 people, including survivors, emergency responders, and fighters on both sides. Further, the group completed an on-site investigation, documenting the destruction caused by the attack. The group also received medical reports for several victims that were consistent with execution.

The report “strongly suggests that the killings, hostage taking, and other abuses committed by opposition forces on and after August 4 rise to the level of crimes against humanity.”

For further information, please see:

BBC – Syrian rebels executed civilians, says Human Rights Watch – 11 October 2013

Human Rights Watch – Syria: Executions, Hostage Taking by Rebels – 11 October 2013

Guardian – Syrian rebels accused of killing hundreds of civilians – 11 October 2013

New York Times – Syrian Civilians Bore Brunt of Rebels’ Fury, Report Says –  11 October 2013

Kerry Says Aid Will Be Restored When Egypt Shows Signs of Democratization

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Speaking shortly after arriving in Malaysia, United States Secretary of State John Kerry addressed the United States’ cut in military aid to Egypt. According to Secretary Kerry, the Obama Administrations decision to suspend shipments of large-scale military systems, as well as suspend $260 million dollars in military aid to Egypt Wednesday, was made in response to the behaviour of Egypt’s rulers.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arriving at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base in Subang, outside Kuala Lumpur. (Photo Courtesy of USA Today)

Secretary Kerry said the United States will consider restoring its aid, which amounts to approximately $1.5 billion to Egypt “on the basis of performance” that encourages democracy through elections.

Kerry said the suspension of a portion of the country’s military aid to Egypt does not signal a severing of ties between Washington D.C. and the military-backed government in Cairo over the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Morsy on July 3. Kerry said, “The interim government understands very well our commitment to the success of this government… and by no means is this a withdrawal from our relationship or a severing of our serious commitment to helping the government.”

Since Wednesday, the Egyptian government has slammed the Obama administration’s move to cut aid. Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdel Atty, said Thursday, “It raises serious questions about U.S. readiness to provide stable, strategic support to Egyptian security programs amid threats and terrorism challenges it has been facing.”

The State Department announced its decision to freeze $260 million of the United States’ $1.5 billion annual aid package to Egypt is an attempt to pressure the Egypt’s military regime to restore democratic rule as soon as possible.

The United States will maintain aid to support for health and education and counterterrorism, spare military parts, military training and education, border security and security assistance in the Sinai Peninsula.

Israel Finance Minister Yair Lapid said that the Administration’s suspension of aid to Egypt should be adjusted to maintain Egypt’s commitment to maintain peace with Israel and counties to combat terrorism in the region.

Eric Trager of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said the administration’s cut to military aid was poorly timed. He argued it sends the wrong message to the Egyptian people. He said, “Cutting aid to Egypt at this moment sends the signal that America doesn’t have Egypt’s back when it’s facing significant challenges.” Trager argued that many Egyptians say the Muslim Brotherhood and the Morsy regime as an emerging fascist dictatorship. However, the administrations cut to aid comes as a direct response to the continued violence that has plagued the nation since the military government began cracking down on Muslim Brotherhood supporters.

For more information please see:

USA Today – Egypt Slams U.S. Aid Cut; Allies Concerned – 11 October 2013

ABC News – Kerry: Cut in Egypt Aid Is Not US Withdrawal – 10 October 2013

Al Jazeera – Kerry Links Egypt Aid to Rulers’ Performance – 10 October 2013

Reuters – U.S. Will Reconsider Egypt Aid Based on Performance: Kerry – 10 October 2013