News

Russia Receives Rebuke from World as Anti-Gay Law and Russian Athlete Receive Attention

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – Activists and celebrities started campaigns against the Sochi Olympics, pointing to Russia’s prohibition on homosexual “propaganda” and pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva’s (Russia) apparent support of it. Amidst outcry, U.S. President Barack Obama and athletes rejected boycotting the Olympics.

 

Campaigners called for a boycott against the Olympics; however, President Obama and Olympic athletes state the U.S. will participate. (Photo courtesy of RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty)

In June 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a ban on homosexual “propaganda”. While the Russian Interior Ministry stated that the law would be enforced during the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee said that it “received assurances from the highest level of government in Russia that the legislation will not affect those attending or taking part in the Games.”

Olympic athletes have expressed their support for the LGBT community. After all, speed skater Blake Skjellerup (New Zealand) and figure skater Johnny Weir (U.S.) stated that the Olympic Games in Russia is best place to stand against homophobia.

Going on record about his sentiments in a blog post for Runner’s World Magzine, Runner Nick Symmonds (U.S.) stated his support for the LGBT and his disagreement with Russia’s law. However, he also wrote, “I say this not out of fear of prosecution by the Russian government, but out of respect for the fact that I will be a guest in the host nation. Just as I would not accept a dinner invite to a friend’s house and then lecture them on how to raise their kids, neither will I lecture the Russian government on how to govern their people.”

On 13 August 2013, high jumper Emma Green Tregaro (Sweden) and 200m runner Moa Hjelmer (Sweden) painted rainbow colors on their fingernails before competing in Moscow.

On 15 August 2013, pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva (Russia) received criticism for defending her country’s laws. “We consider ourselves like normal, standard people, we just live boys with women, girls with boys,” she said. “It comes from the history. [The protests are] disrespectful to our country. It’s disrespectful to our citizens, because we are Russians. Maybe we are different than European people and people from different lands. We have our law which everyone has to respect. When we go to different countries, we try to follow their rules. We are not trying to set our rules over there. We are just trying to be respectful.”

To clarify her comments, Isinbayeva made a statement released by the local organizers of championships: “What I wanted to say was that people should respect the laws of other countries, particularly when they are guests. I respect the views of my fellow athletes, and let me state in the strongest terms that I am opposed to any discrimination against gay people.”

FIFA, which planned for Russia to host the 2018 World Cup, asked for clarification on the law because FIFA statutes “foresee zero tolerance against discrimination.” Qatar, which also prohibits homosexual activity, has been awarded the 2022 World Cup.

Amidst mounting tensions, creating unity remains the ultimate goal.

For further information, please see:

CNN – Nick Symmonds Blasts Russia on Gay Rights at Moscow Track Championship – August 16, 2013

Euronews – ‘I Was Misunderstood’ Says Gay Row Russian Athlete – August 16, 2013

RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty – As Gay Athletes Prepare to Take a Stand in Sochi, the Question Is How to Do It – August 16, 2013

Sky News – Yelena Isinbayeva: Respect Russia’s Gay Law – August 16, 2013

Washington Post – Russian Pole Vaulter Says She May Have Been Misunderstood When She Condemned Homosexuality – August 16, 2013

The Guardian – Isinbayeva Says Green Tregaro’s Gesture Was Disrespectful to Russia – August 15, 2013

Bloomberg Businessweek – FIFA Asks WCup Host Russia to Explain Anti-Gay Law – August 14, 2013

USA Today – Entertainment World Leads Olympic Outcry against Russia – August 11, 2013

Violence Continues to Escalate in Egypt, Sparking Condemnation from U.S. President Barack Obama

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Dozens of civilian protesters were killed across Egypt as security forces clashed with protesters. At least 95 people were killed and hundreds more injures in Cairo’s Ramses Square after Egyptian security forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters orchestrating a “Day of Rage” against the military-led government.

Violence continues to rock Egypt as government forces clash with civilians. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

In Alexandria, at least 21 people were killed in clashes between supporters and opponents of the military coup. More people were reportedly killed across the country, with at least eight protesters being killed in Damietta and four in Ismailia.

The Muslim Brotherhood and other anti-coup groups, calling themselves the Anti-Coup Alliance, had called for the “Day of Rage” protests on Friday to protest the Egyptian military’s crackdown on sit-in demonstrations that left hundreds of civilians killed on Wednesday, August 14. The Muslim Brotherhood denied any involvement in these attacks.

Said Mohammed, an anti-government protester, reportedly witnessed snipers and men in helicopters gun down people in the crowds. “Helicopters started to shoot us as we were walking,” he said. “Not bombs this time, it was bullets. My friend took a shot in the neck and he died. This was the first time we saw helicopters shooting. There were people shooting from the windows.”

As Egyptian forces cracked down on protests camps organized by the Muslim Brotherhood in Cairo, some Morsi supporters directed their anger at the nation’s Christian minority. Churches, houses, monasteries, orphanages, schools, businesses and other establishments belonging to Coptic Christians were attacked in nine provinces across the country. The Maspero Youth Union, a Coptic activist group, said Thursday that these attacks caused “panic, losses and destruction for no reason and no crimes they committed except being Christians.”

Bishop Angaelos, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom, said that he was told by colleagues in Egypt that 52 churches, in addition to Christian owned homes and business, were attacked in a 24-hour time period beginning Wednesday. Ishak Ibrahim, from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, reported that he has confirmed at least 30 of these attacks.

Two days before Wednesday’s violence, Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II called on all Egyptians for peace in Egypt and for all Egyptians to prevent further bloodshed. He said, “With all compassion I urge everyone to conserve Egyptian blood and ask of every Egyptian to commit to self-restraint and avoid recklessness and assault on any person or property.”

Egypt’s violence has been condemned by the international community. U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the actions of Egypt’s Intern government and called for it to end the month long state of emergency that was put in place by the intern government following Wednesday’s violent crackdown on civil protests. In response to the violence in Egypt, President Obama cancelled a planned joint military exercise in protests of the state’s bloody clashes with civilians protesting the ouster of former President Morsi, suggesting a growing right between the historic allies.

For further information please see:

Al Jazeera – Scores Dead in Egypt’s ‘Day of Rage’ Clashes – 16 August 2013

NBCNews – Obama Condemns Egypt over Violence, Cancels Joint Military Exercise – 15 August 2013

USA Today – Egypt’s Christians under Attack Since Morsi’s Ouster – 15 August 2013

CNN International – ‘Horrible’: Christian Churches across Egypt Stormed, Torched – 1 August 2013

Doctors Without Borders Leaves Somalia, Citing Violence

By Dan Krupinsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Frequent attacks on its staff have caused Doctors Without Borders to withdraw from Somalia, after more than two decades of humanitarian service in the country.

A Somali boy is vaccinated (Photo courtesy of Dai Kurokawa/European Pressphoto Agency)

Since the group, known internationally by its French acronym MSF, began providing basic and emergency healthcare to millions across the nation in 1991, 16 people working for the group have been killed and dozens more attacked.

Two workers were shot and killed in December 2011 by a Somali employee who learned that his contract was not going to be renewed. The shooter was convicted and sentenced to 30 years in prison, but after serving only three months, was released.

In a statement, the group accused the civilian leaders of the nation of supporting the violent actions, denouncing “extreme attacks on its staff in an environment where armed groups and civilian leaders increasingly support, tolerate, or condone the killing, assaulting, and abducting of humanitarian aid workers.”

Dr. Unni Karunakara, the group’s international president, cited the realization of active support and approval for the attacks as the “final straw.”

“In choosing to kill, attack, and abduct humanitarian aid workers, these armed groups, and the civilian authorities who tolerate their actions, have sealed the fate of countless lives in Somalia,” said Dr. Karunakara.

“Respect for humanitarian principles, always fragile in conflict zones, no longer exists in Somalia today.”

Somalia, without effective government for most of MSF’s tenure in the country, was thought to be headed towards more stability when the first parliament in over two decades took office in 2012. But working conditions for MSF have not improved, prompting the group to pull out of a country for only the second time in its history, after the death of five workers at the hands of the Taliban caused the group to pull out of Afghanistan in 2004.

The decision to pull out leaves hundreds of thousands of Somalis with no healthcare services at all.

Just last year, MSF delivered more than 7,000 babies, treated more than 30,000 malnourished children and vaccinated 60,000. Additionally, they operated the only pediatric clinic in Mogadishu and in some cities were the only establishments for women to get C-sections.

According to the New York Times, a Mogadishu hospital employee called the group’s pullout “disastrous,” although also added that they pledged to continue supporting the hospital for an additional three months.

The Somali government offered no comment on the move, other than to say that it will be discussed in a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

 

For further information, please see:

ABC News – Doctors Without Borders Pulls out of Somalia – 14 August 2013

All Africa – Somalia: Doctors Without Borders to End Mission in Somalia After 22 Years – 14 August 2013

CNN – Doctors Without Borders to pull out of Somalia over attacks on staff – 14 August 2013

New York Times – Doctors Without Borders to Pull Out of Somalia – 14 August 2013

NPR – Violence Causes Doctors Without Borders To Exit Somalia – 14 August 2013

 

Suspected Boko Haram Attack in Northeastern Nigeria kills 13

By Erica Smith
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria — A suspected Boko Haram attacked carried out late Thursday night in Damboa Village, about 52 miles north of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, is believed to have killed as many as 13 people.

A group of Boko Haram members ( photo courtesy of PressTV)

Witness report that about 50 Boko Haram fighters arrived  by car and motorcycle in Damboa at about 7:30 pm local time. The militants first attacked the Damboa police station but were successfully repelled by officers. The militants then tried to attack a military post also located in the village but were again repelled by soldiers. Witnesses  confirmed that while one group was attacking the police and military another group was attacking villagers, setting fire to homes, and looting.

“About 20 houses including that of the local government chairman and several shops were burnt down. The terrorists had also looted most of the shops and filled a truck with food items, but they were not lucky to escape with the loot as the laden vehicle got stuck in the muddy road.”Ayamu Gwasha, who represents Konduga in the Borno State House of Assembly told Premium Times.

A farmer, Mustapha Aji, reported to Premium Times  that villagers had to flee from their houses and spend the night in the bush. He said he believed that foreign mercenaries were among the terrorists who attacked.“The shooting was too much; it started immediately after the Isha (late night) prayers. The shooters came in several cars and began to shoot and burning houses and shops. Some of them are aliens, because they were speaking Arab fluently. They were carrying big, big guns, some were throwing bombs. Everywhere was on fire I had to run for my life,” Aji told Premium Times.

An attack was anticipated by residents and officials of Damboa because the village borders Konduga, where 44 people were killed early this past Sunday. Beefing up Security in Damboa was being discussed before the last night’s attack.

The exact number of injured and dead is not know because Borno State is currently under a communications black out while the military battles the rebels. A state of emergency as been in effect in Borno State since May.

Boko Haram is fighting to establish an Islamic state in northern Nigeria.

 

For more information, please see:

APA — 11 killed in northern Nigeria attack — 17 August 2013

BBC News — Nigeria unrest: ‘Boko Haram’ in deadly attack on Damboa — 16 August 2013

Global Post — Boko Haram suspected in attack that kills 11 in Nigeria — 16 August 2013

Premium Times — 13 feared killed in latest Boko Haram attack in Borno — 16 August 2013

 

 

Israel and Palestine Resume Peace Talks

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel – Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have confirmed that late Wednesday night the two sides resumed peace talks during a secret meeting in Jerusalem. The peace talks are the first between the two sides in three years.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas greets the twenty-six Palestinian prisoners released from Israeli prison on Wednesday. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

The general purpose of the talks is to negotiate a final end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The main solution that the parties have focused on is a two-state agreement that allows for the existence of Palestine and Israel side-by-side.

An anonymous Israel official described the talks as “long and serious,” but did not describe the substance of the talks. The specifics of the talks are expected to be kept private because both parties believe that it increases their chance of success.

The Palestinian side is represented by Saeb Erekat and Fatah official Muhammed Shtayyeh. Israeli is represented by Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni and prime ministerial aide Isaac Molcho.

Tzipi Livn posted on Facebook regarding the peace talks:

“Today, I will continue the important mission I began – to achieve a peace agreement that will keep the country Jewish and democratic and provide security … for Israel and its citizens.”

Leading up to the peace talks both parties have made gestures of good faith. Earlier on Wednesday, Israel freed twenty-six Palestinians, many of whom had been imprisoned for deadly attacks on Israelis. Additionally, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas dropped demands for an Israeli settlement freeze before talks resumed.

Although the news of peace talks generally breeds optimism, members of both side seemed to cast doubt over any chances of success.

“Israel will resort to feints and evasion and put up impossible demands in order to say that these negotiations are fruitless and to continue its policy of stealing land as it has done until this moment,” said Yasser Abed Rabbo. “The talks might collapse any time because of the Israeli practices.”

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said, “We’ve been trying for 20 years since Oslo, and for over 120 years of the conflict. The scepticism in the tone of my remarks is apparent, but we’ve decided to give it a chance.”

“Both for the Palestinians and for us, the hourglass is running out. We will not have many more opportunities to resolve this dispute,” said Israeli cabinet minister Yaakov Peri.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume – 15 August 2013

BBC – Israel-Palestinian peace talks resume in Jerusalem – 15 August 2013

Jerusalem Post – Abbas: First round of peace talks dealt with final-status issues  – 15 August 2013

Reuters – Analysis: Abbas chooses unpopular peace talks over bruising U.N. battles – 15 August 2013