News

Syrian Refugees Relocating to Germany in First Wave of Temporary Resettlement Program

by Tony Iozzo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

GENEVA –  The United Nations announced on Tuesday that over 100 Syrian refugees were being relocated to Germany this week, in the first step of a plan to relocate nearly 12,000 Syrians this year.

The first wave of refugees will leave Lebanon on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of World Bulletin)

107 Syrians will be the first among a group of 5,000 Syrians to be relocated to Germany by the end of this year in what the U.N. is deeming a temporary humanitarian admissions program, according to Melissa Fleming, the spokeswoman for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

This first wave of refugees being relocated to Germany are identified as particularly vulnerable, and includes “women and girls at risk, people with serious medical conditions, survivors of torture or others with special needs,” according to Fleming.

“This is a lifesaving tool for most of them,” Fleming stated.

Neighboring countries such as Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon have taken in most of the Syrian refugees so far, as 2 million Syrians have fled. The refugees are faced with makeshift conditions in these countries, however, and the U.N. is calling on additional western countries to contribute.

The U.N. has only managed to find homes for roughly 7,000 refugees in twelve western countries in the current plan, despite the goal of reaching 12,000. Other countries that have agreed to accept Syrian refugees include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Under this program, Germany’s relocation plan is currently the largest. The country has announced that it will extend two-year residence permits which allow the Syrian refugees to work, and the permits could potentially be lengthened if the Syrian conflict remains unsettled.

This first group of 107 Syrians are departing from Lebanon on Wednesday, and will travel to the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees where they will be greeted before being transported to an accommodation center for two weeks. At the center, the Syrians will receive basic language training, and receive an orientation on the schooling and healthcare system of Germany. After the two-week orientation, the Syrians will finally depart to their temporary homes across Germany.

For more information, please see:

Fox News – Syrian Refugees Temporarily Resettling in Germany Under Biggest Relocation Program – 10 September 2013

New York Times – Germany to Accept Syrian Refugees – 10 September 2013

World Bulletin – Germany to be Temporary Home of 107 More Syrians – 10 September 2013

Deutsche Welle – Syrian Refugees Heading for Germany – 9 September 2013

 

 

Asia-Pacific Study Reveals That One in Four Asian Men Have Committed a Rape

By Brian Lanciault

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

ASIA– Nearly 24% of men surveyed in a U.N. report looking at violence against women in parts of Asia have admitted to committing at least one rape. Some ten thousand men from six countries took part in the survey.

A women demonstrates holding a sign demanding justice for a Delhi gang-rape victim. (Photo courtesy of The Hindu)

Researchers interviewed more than 10,000 men at nine sites in Bangladesh, China, Cambodia,Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Sri Lanka in a first of its kind, multi-country survey on the prevalence of rape. Of those who admitted rape, just under half said they had done so more than once.

The prevalence of rape varied between countries.

In Papua New Guinea, more than six out of 10 men surveyed admitted forcing a woman to have sex. It was least common in areas of Bangladesh, where it was just under one in 10 and Sri Lanka where it was just over one in 10. In Cambodia, China and Indonesia it ranged from one in five to almost half of all men surveyed.

The men in the survey were questioned by trained male interviewers, and were left alone to record the answers to the most sensitive questions. The word “rape” was not used. Men were asked indirect questions such as, “Have you ever forced a woman who was not your wife or girlfriend at the time to have sex?” The results averaged around 11% of the men surveyed. When the question was altered to account for forcible intercourse with a wife or girlfriend, the average rose to 24%.

Nearly three quarters of those who committed rape said they did so for reasons of “sexual entitlement”. Report author Dr Emma Fulu said: “They believed they had the right to have sex with the woman regardless of consent.”

“The second most common motivation reported was to rape as a form of entertainment, so for fun or because they were bored,” Fulu reported. Some indicated using rape as a form of punishment or because they were angry. According to Fulu, “the least common motivation was alcohol.”

Men who had suffered violence as children, especially childhood sexual abuse were more likely to have committed rape.

“These data justifiably create global outrage, accentuated by horrific recent high-profile cases, including the brutal gang rape of a student in New Delhi,” said Dr. Michele Decker from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

More than half of non-partner rape perpetrators first did so as adolescents, which affirms that young people are a crucial target population for prevention of rape.

“The challenge now is to turn evidence into action, to create a safer future for the next generation of women and girls,” said Dr. Decker.

For more information, please see:

Hindustan Times — Asia-Pacific study points to a seething crisis of rape — 10 September 2013

The Hindu — ‘One in four men across Asia admit to having committed rape’ — 10 September 2013

BBC — Almost a quarter of men ‘admit to rape in parts of Asia’ — 9 September 2013

Bloomberg — One in Four Men Surveyed in Asian Study Say They Raped — 10 September 2013

 

At Least 60 Killed in Central African Republic Clashes

By: Dan Krupinsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BANGUI, Central African Republic – As violence continues to plague the Central African Republic, officials announced early in the week that fighters believed to be loyal to ousted President Francois Bozize killed dozens of people and displaced tens of thousands over the weekend.

CAR has been unstable since independence in 1960 (Courtesy: BBC)

The fighting was in the western region of the country, an area that has been the site of several massacres in the past few month, allegedly carried out by the Seleka coalition of fighters, who ousted Bozize in March. Since that time, Seleka leader Michel Djotodia was sworn in as president, vowing to return the country to democracy by organizing elections within a year and a half.

“The international community should keep a watchful eye on what is happening in this country, as we have just made a policy shift to pave the way for elections,” said presidential spokesman Guy Simplice Kodegue.

Kodegue put the death toll at 60, some estimates say that as many as 73 people were killed. According to the official government statement, a column of army soliders, with the support of Seleka fighters, were dispatched to the western region from Bangui to stop the assailants, who are accused of abusing civilians in the town of Bossangoa, which is located near Bozize’s home village.

According to Orongaye Rigobert, a community leader in Bossangoa, the pro-Bozize fighters had destroyed bridges used to access the town from Bangui in a bid to halt the army’s advance.

The clashes caused about 80 percent of the town’s population, some 30,000 people, to flee into the forest.

The latest fighting comes on the heels of a UN warning that the country is on the brink of collapse.

Another spokesman for the government accused Bozize of coordinating the most recent attacks, asking the international community for assistance in halting the violence and restoring order.

“It is an attempt by Bozize and his supporters to take power,” said Crepin Mboli-Goumba. “Six towns have been taken. This shows Seleka does not control the situation so we call on the international community to mobilize (peacekeepers) so they can intervene.”

According to recent estimates by UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos, who recently visited the country, about one third of the country’s 4.6 million people need assistance with food, shelter, healthcare or water.

Since coming to power, Seleka fighters have been accused by aid workers of looting the healthcare system, as well as civilians.

If the accusations are true, it would be the first large-scale operation launched by the former President’s forces since his overthrow in March.

 

For further information, please see:

All Africa – New Fighting Reported As Security Continues to Deteriorate – 10 September 2013

BBC – Central African Republic says scores killed in new clashes – 9 September 2013

Reuters – Death toll rises in battles in Central African Republic – 9 September 2013

Washington Post – Official: 60 killed in attacks in home region of deposed Central African Republic leader – 9 September 2013

 

 

 

 

 

Russia Proposes Plan to Destroy Syrian Chemical Weapons; U.N. Chief Warns of Action

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – Russia has proposed that Syria turn over all of its chemical weapons to the United Nations for destruction. The plan involves the creation of safe zones within Syria where U.N. chemical weapons experts can gather and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons supply. U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon addressed the media regarding the plan.

United Nations chemical weapons experts take samples of sand near a part of a suspected chemical missile. (Photo Courtesy of AP/United Media Office of Arbeen)

“I am considering urging the Security Council to demand the immediate transfer of Syria’s chemical weapons and chemical precursor stocks to places inside Syria where they can be safely stored and destroyed,” Ban said.

Ban was optimistic at the suggestion of the plan, but took issue with the lack of action from a Security Council that has been suffering from “embarrassing paralysis”. He added that if Syria is found to have used chemical weapons that it would be an “abominable crime” that demands an international response, but did not elaborate on what exactly that response would entail.

U.N. chemical weapons experts are expected to present their report about an alleged August 21 chemical weapons attack by the Syrian government to the U.N. Chief later this week or next. The attack, reportedly carried out by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad forces, killed one thousand four hundred people, many of whom were children.

The sudden twist in the chemical weapons saga was prompted by a comment by United States Secretary of State John Kerry when he responded to a reporter’s question asking how Syria could avoid U.S. military intervention. Kerry responded by suggesting that a potential strike could be avoided if Syria was to surrender all of its chemical weapons within a week.

Shortly thereafter, Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that he advised Syria that it should place its chemical weapons under international control if it would avert military intervention. Lavrov said that he expected “a quick and, I hope, a positive answer” from Syria.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem issued a statement responding warmly to Russia’s proposal, but refused questions and did not address any specifics of the proposal.

“Syria welcomes the Russian proposal out of concern for the lives of the Syrian people, the security of our country and because it believes in the wisdom of the Russian leadership that seeks to avert American aggression against our people,” said al-Muallem.

Meanwhile, President Obama expressed caution at the plan’s potential, stating that the plan could avert U.S. action “if it’s real”.

“It’s going to have to be followed up on,” he said. “And we don’t want just a stalling or delaying tactic to put off the pressure that we have on there right now.”

For further information, please see:

ABC – Russia, Syria Push for UN Chemical Experts Return –  9 September 2013

Al Jazeera – Syria welcomes proposal on chemical weapons  – 9 September 2013

CNN – Syria chemical arms plan promising ‘if it’s real,’ Obama says – 9 September 2013

Reuters – U.N. floats plan to destroy Syrian chemical weapons stock – 9 September 2013

Guatemalan Gunmen Kill 11 and Wound Others

By Brandon Cottrell
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – A group of unidentified men shot 29 people in the mountain town of San Jose Nacahuil just outside of Guatemala City this past Saturday.  The shooting left 11 dead and many of the wounded are in critical condition.  The majority of the victims were shot near the street as they patronized the local cantinas.

Bodies taken away by police after an attack in San Jose Nacahuil, on the outskirts of Guatemala City. (Photo Courtesy AP)

A local newspaper reported that prior to the shooting, a group of individuals were dismissed from one of the liquor stores that was attacked.  The individuals left but returned shortly wearing balaclavas and carrying guns.  They then began shooting at the people in the cantina, in the liquor store and in the street.

Guatemalan officials say that gang violence was the cause of the shooting and suggest that when the shooters could not buy alcohol from the cantinas, they opened fire in retaliation   Local residents, however, blame the shooting on the corrupted National Civil Police and cite the minimal gang presence in their town.  The NCP, which is frequently accused of corruption, extortion and is linked to local gangs, arrived Saturday night after receiving several anonymous calls reporting that an attack was imminent.  The NCP determined that no attack was imminent and left, but within an hour of their departure, the attack occurred.

Santos Peinado, a 28-year-old construction worker whose cousin, Santos Suret, was killed thinks that the NCP “had something to do with it, because they showed up and 20 minutes after they left there was the attack; why didn’t they stay and why didn’t they arrest the attackers?”  Another Guatemalan told reporters that the NCP threatened to shut a cantina down if the owner did not pay them a $60 bribe.  That owner, who was killed in the shooting, refused to pay.

Six years ago, San Jose Nacahuil residents who were dissatisfied with the NCP, set up a community police force to patrol the town with machetes.  The residents then expelled the NCP by burning down their police station. The community police force proved effective, as the town had some of the lowest crime rates in Guatemala, despite no official police force being present.

Though no arrests have yet been made and a motive remains unclear, the shooters get away car was found abandoned just outside of the town.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Guatemalan Bar Attack Leaves 11 People Dead– 8 September 2013

Global News – Gunmen Kill 11, Wound 18 In Poor Guatemala Town– 8 September 2013

Global Post – Drive-By Shooting Kills At Least 11 In A Rural Town In Guatemala – 8 September 2013

Washington Post – Gunmen Attack 2 Cantinas In Rural Guatemala Two, Killing 11 People And Wounding 18 More – 8 September 2013