News

Thousands Gather to Protest in Poland over Parliament and Prime Minister’s Actions

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

WARSAW, Poland – Poland experienced one of its largest demonstrations in recent years, in response to a lagging economy. Prime Minister Donald Tusk characterized the demonstration as an attempt to overthrow the government.

Tens of thousands march in Warsaw against Prime Minister Tusk and his coalition. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

Since 10 September 2013, in response to labor law reform proposals, tens of thousands have marched in Warsaw. Organized by trade unions, the march included a variety of banners, flags, and trumpets. The city council suggested that demonstrators remained peaceful during the march, although some report that smoke grenades were thrown in Castle Square.

While Poland was the only European Union to avoid recession from the economic crisis’s start—and has experienced two decades of uninterrupted economic growth—demonstrators complain that Poland remains behind Western Europe. As the Eurozone struggled through a recession in the first fiscal quarter of 2013, Poland’s economic growth slowed to 0.1%.

“One has to protest because it is getting worse,” said a young woman named Ola. “Compared to Western states we are a sinking ship, despite the fact that we are in the center of Europe and we have the prerequisites to become a European powerhouse.”

In February 2013, the unemployment rate hit a six-year high of 14.4%. Demonstrators demanded that the Polish government increase the minimum wage, provide greater job security, and return the retirement age to 65 for men and 60 for women. Recently, a new law lifted the retirement age to 67 for everyone.

Several also called for Tusk to resign for his failure to improve unemployment rates. Unions add that Tusk refuses to hear their demands or engage in dialogue. While Tusk is Poland’s longest-serving prime minister since communism fell in 1989, his coalition’s popularity is at its lowest level since he took office in 2007.

“We want the departure of Donald Tusk. This is the only way to change social policy in Poland,” Marek Lewandowski, spokesman for the Polish trade union federation Solidarity, told the AFP news agency.

Among the 100,000-120,000 demonstrators, reports suggest that the political right and left joined together in their demands.

“The government gets its last warning today. If it draws no conclusions, we will block the whole country, all roads and highways,” Jan Guz, leader of the OPZZ union told demonstrators.

Marek Duda, the leader of the conservative Solidarity Union said, “We’re becoming slaves in our own country.”

While Tusk’s Civic Platform party waits to compete in the 2015 parliamentary election, regional governments and the European Parliament will hold elections in 2014.

In recent weeks, three of Tusk’s Members of Parliament have resigned. Lawmaker Jacek Zalek, who resigned on 12 September 2013, told reporters the “protests were a sign that we were unable to rise to the challenges that were put before us by Poles.”

Tusk contends that his revised 2013 budget, which passed through parliament, “proves that the government’s majority is stable.”

Peaceful protests provide leaders an opportunity to address public problems, yet can only remain peaceful where the people are heard. Absent an ear, voices become acts, which create arrests and, possibly, impunity.

For further information, please see:

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Poles Stage Huge Antigovernment Protest in Warsaw – September 15, 2013

Al Jazeera – Thousands Protest against Polish Government – September 14, 2013

BBC News – Mass Anti-Government March in Poland against Reform – September 14, 2013

Reuters – Tens of Thousands Join March for Jobs in Poland – September 14, 2013

Washington Post – 100,000 Polish Unionists Protest Government Labor Policies in Warsaw March, Threaten to Strike – September 14, 2013

The Guardian – Poland Must Rediscover the True Meaning of Solidarity – September 13, 2013

United States and Russia Reach Syria Chemical Weapons Agreement

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The United States and Russia have announced an agreement designed to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons supplies by mid-2014. Syria has been given one week to provide a list of its full chemical weapons stockpiles and must allow for United Nations chemical weapons inspections immediately.

John Kerry, United States Secretary of State, and Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia, shook hands and addressed the media after reaching an agreement on Syria’s chemical weapons. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

If Syria fails to uphold the agreement, it may be enforced by a UN resolution under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter which allows for sanctions and military intervention. There is currently no such resolution in place, but President Obama reiterated his position that “if diplomacy fails, the United States remains prepared to act.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry provided a six point outline of the plan:

  1. The amount and type of chemical weapons must be agreed upon and “rapidly” placed under international control
  2. Syria must submit within one week a comprehensive listing of its stockpiles
  3. Extraordinary procedures under the Chemical Weapons Convention will allow “expeditious destruction”
  4. Syria must give inspectors “immediate, unfettered access” to all sites
  5. All chemical weapons must be destroyed, including the possibility of removing weapons from Syrian territory
  6. The U.N. will provide logistical support, and compliance may be enforced under Chapter VII

“Providing this framework is fully implemented it can end the threat these weapons pose not only to the Syrian people but also to their neighbours,” Kerry said. “Because of the threat of proliferation this framework can provide greater protection and security to the world.

“The world will now expect Assad’s regime to live up to its commitments… There can be no room for games. Or anything less than full compliance.”

Not unexpectedly, General Salim Idris of the Free Syrian Army heavily criticized the agreement.

“We cannot accept any part of this initiative,” he said. “The FSA will work towards toppling Assad and does not care about US-Russia deals. I and my brothers in arms will continue to fight until the regime falls.”

He added that the FSA was “frustrated, and feels betrayed by the international community. It has no faith the UN will ever support it”.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Syria given week to declare chemical weapons  – 14 September 2013

BBC – US and Russia agree Syria chemical weapons deal – 14 September 2013

Reuters – U.S., Russia agree on Syria weapons, Obama says force still option – 14 September 2013

Washington Post – U.S., Russia reach agreement on seizure of Syrian chemical weapons arsenal –  14 September 2013

African Union Demands Halt in Kenyan Leaders’ ICC Case

By Erica Smith

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The African Union (AU) has asked that the International Criminal Court (ICC) to halt the cases against Kenyan president Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang until after its application to have the cases moved.

Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, right, speaks with his defense counsel Karim Khan ( Photo Courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor)

The AU also wants to two leaders to be able to choose which session of the trial they would like to attend so that the leaders will be able to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

The AU sent a letter to the ICC and the United Nations Security Council on September 10th arguing that the court should determine whether the cases can be moved before the trials progress further.

“The prosecution has ignored several procedural requirements having the effect of eroding the principles on natural justice. The court’s attention has been drawn to this aspect on two occasions by its own judges. This leaves the African Union with no option but to ask that until the request of the AU is considered and clearly responded to, the cases should not proceed.” The letter signed by AU Chairperson Hailemariam Desalegn and by AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma stated.

The AU further argued that Mr. Ruto should not be forced to attend all the trial sessions even though the ICC prosecutor is appealing an earlier decision that he would not have to attend them all. The AU believes that Mr. Ruto will be unable to carry out his constitutional duties if he is forced to attend every session.

The AU pointed out that there are two high level security meetings slated for this month that Kenyatta would not be able to attend as a result of the ICC trial against Ruto. The AU believes that  Kenyatta not participating in the meetings will seriously affect Kenya’s efforts towards peace and security.  The AU also believes that the trials would undermine Kenya’s role in the international arena and that the trials should not infringe on the responsibilities of the two Kenyan leaders.

“While Kenya has always cooperated and reiterated its commitment to continue cooperating with the court, it must do so in the context of its own constitutional requirements,” the AU wrote.

For further information, please see:

All Africa — Africa: ICC Allows Five African States to Join Ruto Appeal — 14 September 2013

All Africa — Kenya: Stop Uhuru Ruto Trials, AU Demands — 13 September 2013

The Christian Science Monitor — Can Kenya’s leaders skip part of their international crimes trials? — 13 September 2013

All Africa — Africa: Halt ICC Cases, Give Kenyan Leaders Leeway – AU — 12 September 2013

Suspect in Tennessee Murders in Custody

By Brandon Cottrell
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States – Jacob Allen Bennett was named a suspect in the rural Tennessee murders of John Lajeunesse, age 16; Steven Presley, age 17; Dominic Davis, age 17; and Danielle Jacobson, age 22.  The four victims, who were headed to nearby Renegade Mountain to go four-wheeling, were found dead in a parked car near the mountain.

Jacob Allen Bennett, a possible suspect in the recent murder of four Tennesseans, is now in custody. (Photo Courtesy CNN)

The area where the car was found is part of a 3,000 acre former resort.  The area is very wooded and isolated with less than 50 full time residents.  One of those residents said that with “10 miles of road on 3,000 acres it’s easy to . . . be invisible once you get past the gate.”  Many other residents say the area has lacked sufficient security ever since new owners got rid of a controlled access gate and fence that once surrounded the entire resort.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Director Mark Gwyn believes that, “The citizens of Cumberland County and Crossville can rest assured that we have the person who committed the crimes in custody [and] that the community is safe.”  Bennett, age 26, has been arrested five times previously, though the authorities have released few details pertaining those arrests.  Of the arrests, reporters have discovered that one of the arrests was for being a violent felon in possession of a firearm.  It is also believed that Bennett has been arrested for theft.

While Bennett was identified as a suspect quickly, no one has said why Bennett was initially identified.  Deputy District Attorney General Gary McKenzie said that, “There are some indications that there was some connection between the suspect and one, possibly two of the victims,” but he declined to specify which of the victims might have known Bennett.

McKenzie also failed to mention a possible motive or give other details about the case.  Other authorities, however, say they believe the four victims were deliberately targeted.  Additionally, they are pursuing leads and have ruled out the possibility that the murder was one of the victims and that none of the victims committed suicide.

Donald Andrews, the superintendent of the school district where three of the victims attended school, said that the murders were “just a surprise; it’s one of those this doesn’t happen here kind of things . . . it’s actually a grim reminder to us all that we’re vulnerable.”  However, it is not yet clear what made these four victims vulnerable.  Some local residents wonder whether it was a drug deal gone badly, a theft or just a fight but they will have to wait for answers to those questions.

 

For more information, please see:

ABC – Suspect in Shooting of Woman, 3 Teens Arrested – 13 September 2013

CBS News – Four Found Shot To Death In Car Near Former Tenn. Mountain Resort; Person Of Interest In Custody, Report Says – 13 September 2013

CNN- Suspect Detained In Rural Tennessee Slayings Of 4 – 13 September 2013

Fox News – Tenn. Shooting Victims In Car Include 3 Teens; Person Of Interest Taken Into Custody – 13 September 2013 

Catalan Demonstration Presses Spain to Cut Ties with the Region

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MADRID, Spain – Hundreds of thousands of Catalans demonstrated throughout the region in effort to separate from Spain. In Catalonia, many hope that Scotland will separate from the United Kingdom to promote similar referendums throughout European countries.

Demonstrators wave separatist banners as hundreds of thousands link hands along the Catalan coast. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

Catalonia, a wealthy industrial region in Spain, generates a fifth of the country’s economy. Until King Philip V abolished Catalonia’s Generalitat in 1714, Catalonia managed its own affairs. Following a recession and cuts in Catalan public spending, many felt discontent toward Madrid.

“But this is about more than economics,” Al Jazeera’s Emma Hayward reported. “They feel their culture is very distinct from Spain’s and they want independence.”

On 10 September 2013, Catalan President Artur Mas said, ”The people of Catalonia should be consulted next year on their political future.”

11 September is Catalonia’s National Day. On that day for 2013, a poll revealed at 52% of Catalans would vote for a Catalan state separate of Spain.

At exactly 17:14 on 11 September 2013, approximately 400,000 demonstrators dressed in yellow and formed a human chain across 250 miles (400 kilometers) of the region—from the Pyrenees border with France in the north to the Valenica border in the south—to demand independence in “a Scottish-style referendum.” Several waved the regional flag and draped themselves in separatist banners.

The chain, deemed “the Catalan Way”, linked 86 communities in their push for political self-determination. By day’s end, organizers claim that 1.6 million people had participated.

Although a referendum is not permitted by the Spanish Constitution, Mas is determined to hold a 2014 referendum. Mas also stated that he is “firm” in promising “the right to choose their political future” for Catalans; and he is determined to use “all the democratic and legal measures available so that Catalans can decide their future as a country.”

“Today is a historic day,” said Carme Forcadell, President of the Catalan National Assembly, which organized the demonstration. “The Catalan people have reaffirmed their determination to be a free state.”

“We need to put an end to the economic and cultural suffocation we are suffering,” Forcadell further stated. “We have come to the streets in our hundreds of thousands to show in a democratic and inclusive way that we are capable of achieving any aim.”

Regional leader of the People’s Party, Alicia Sanchez Camacho criticized the independence movement: “There are millions of Catalans who feel like orphans because they don’t have a government because it has put all its focus on the separatism movement and the independence of Catalonia.”

While history echoes that “a house divided cannot stand”, Spain and Catalonia must determine whether they are people of and within one house. If they are one house, the European Union is best hearing one voice. However, one voice cannot always speak for two houses.

For further information, please see:

Catalan News Agency – The Majority of Catalan Parties Propose an Independence Vote in 2014 the Day after the Human Chain  – September 12, 2013

Wall Street Journal – Catalan Separatists Pull Off Protest but Referendum Is Harder  – September 12, 2013

Al Jazeera – Catalans Join Hands to Demand Independence – September 11, 2013

Euronews – Catalonia Celebrates National Day Amid Calls for Independence – September 11, 2013

The Telegraph – 400,000 Person Human Chain Stretching 250 Miles for Catalan Independence – September 11, 2013

Reuters – Catalans Form Human Chain to Press for Independence from Spain – September 11, 2013