News

Few Jews in Egypt, Even Less on its Silver Screen

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt –  A day before the film, The Jews of Egypt, was set to open in Egypt, it was banned by an Egyptian security agency. The film captures the lives of the sixty-five thousand some Jews who lived in Egypt prior to the bad blood that developed between Israel and Egypt during the late nineteen-fifties.

A still frame from the film ‘The Jews of Egypt’ which was banned just before its release date in Egypt. (Photo Courtesy of Ahram Online)

Producer of the documentary, Haytham el-Khamissy, has been very disappointed by this recent development. He claims that there is “no excuse for this except delay and obstruction,” and that the Egyptian security agencies seek to “terrorise thought and repress creativity.” Khamissy and director Amir Ramses’ anger is directed at multiple agencies including the culture ministry, the Supreme Council for Culture and the General Censorship Authority, as long as the interior ministry and the National Security apparatus.

The film had been cleared twice by the state’s official censorship body. Its script was approved back in 2010. Later, before it was viewed at film festivals it was granted a screening license by the same censorship body.

The Jews of Egypt was already viewed at the Panorama and Palm Springs International film festivals in Egypt last year. Additionally, it had been aired at festivals in the United States.

The documentary purports to show a heterogeneous society that got along really well together, without many problems. It begs the question in the mind of director Amir Ramses of “how did the Jews of Egypt turn in the eyes of Egyptians from partners in the same country to enemies.”

Because of tension that developed as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict and the creation of Israel as an independent home for Jews in nineteen-forty-eight, very few Jews remained in Egypt. Today, Jewish temples in Egypt are filled mainly with tourists.

The movie was set to open in three different venues before it was banned by local censors. The local censors took their actions after a security agency pre-viewed the documentary, on censorship committee director Abd El-Satar Fathi’s request. Fathi alleges that he never put the kibosh on the film, and that he has “supported the film all along.”

One possible reason that the film’s official premiere was delayed was because there was a fear that the documentary’s title could stir a commotion. This concern developed after Muslim Brotherhood leader Essam El-Erian’s controversially declared that all Israeli’s of Egyptian descent should come back to Egypt.

If the ban on the film is not soon lifted, its producer may take legal action against all relevant ministries. He will do so if he deems that the documentary’s delay has caused economic loss.

For further information, please see:

Guardian – Egypt Bans Film About Jewish Community – 13 March 2013

World Jewish Congress – Egyptian Authorities Stop Cinema Documentary on Jews – 13 March 2013

Abram – Egypt Security Apparatus Delays ‘Jews of Egypt’ Premiere: Producer – 12 March 2013

New York Times – Egypt: Film on Egyptian Jews is Blocked – 12 March 2013

Venezuela Accuses The West Of Assassinating Hugo Chavez

By Brendan Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela – With the death of Hugo Chavez the people of Venezuela have begun their morning period. But with the Venezuelan base restructuring itself to protect the transition of power come rumors and accusations of a western based assassination.

After his death on March 5, conspiracies fly concerning western assassination attempts on his death. (Photo courtesy of Human Rights Watch)

Since his death on March 5, accusations have come from the upper echelons of the Chavez administration have been implying that the United States and Israel conspired to assassinate Hugo Chavez and destabilize Venezuela. In 2011, Chavez upon discovering he had cancer implied that he had been injected by foreign imperialistic forces.

However at this stage, giving other people cancer via injection seems highly suspect. While Oil Minister Rafael Ramirez has implied similarities to Palestinian Leaders Yasser Arafat death, even polonium poisoning does not give you cancer, and merely mimics end stages of cancer.

The assassination of a foreign leader has been denounced by the Geneva Convention, which in Article 37 of Protocol I states “It is prohibited to kill, injure or capture an adversary by resort to perfidy. Acts inviting the confidence of an adversary to lead him to believe that he is entitled to, or is obliged to accord, protection under the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict, with intent to betray that confidence, shall constitute perfidy.” Beyond the rules of International Conflict, President Reagan signed Executive Order 12 333, which prohibits US Intelligence agencies from assassinating foreign leader targets.

Venezuela has since expelled two U.S. military attaches, and the U.S. has in turn expelled two Venezuelan diplomats. It seems that until the Venezuelan administration finishes their probe into Hugo Chavez’s death, tensions will rise between the two nations. Yet the possibility of an unbiased report seems unlikely, as in 2006 Chavez told reporters, “If they kill me, the name of the person responsible is George Bush,” unwilling to acknowledge the numerous Venezuelans who were economically displaced when the President altered the economic and social structure of the country.

When Hugo Chavez took power after his failed coup d’état in 2002, he seized power away from the court systems, and undercut the ability of journalists, and human rights defenders to exercise their ability to report on violations within the country. Chavez was able to use the government’s free reign to intimidate, censor and prosecute those within the country who challenged his political agenda. In September 2012, Venezuela announced its withdrawal from the American Convention on Human Rights, indicating a radical decision in the face of international scrutiny.

For further information, please see:

BBC – Venezuela To Investigate Chavez Murder Allegations – 12 March 2013

Tehran Times – Assassination Of Hugo Chavez – 8 March 2013

Gawker – Could The U.S. Have Assassinated Hugo Chavez Using Cancer? – 8 March 2013

Miami News Times – Did Assassins Give Hugo Chavez Cancer? Conspiracies Fly As Groups Request CIA Docs – 7 March 2013

Human Rights Watch – Venezuela: Chavez’s Authoritarian Legacy – 5 March 2013

6,000 Dead Pigs in the Huangpu River Ignites Concerns Over Water’s Drinkability

By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – Today, Chinese officials released a statement that revealed the number of pig carcasses found in Shanghai’s Haungpu River, a major source of drinking water for Shanghai, was close to 6,000.  Yesterday, nearly 5,916 dead pigs were removed from the river.

Authorities retrieving carcasses from the river. (Photo Courtesy of New York Times).

Officials stated that the water quality met the government set standard and thus, was drinkable. Specifically, the Shanghai municipal government claimed that the water in Huangpu River was safe.  No contaminated or contaminated pork had been discovered in the local markets.

However, many are still skeptical.

According to the Huffington post, many residents are concerned after seeing the pictures of “swollen and rotting carcasses.”

Laboratory tests have discovered that some of the dead pigs possessed porcine circovirus, a common disease that affects pigs but not humans. Moreover, authorities are disinfecting the pig carcasses before burying them, while incinerating others.

According to BBC News’ John Sudworth in Shanghai, the general mood is of concern opposed to outrage or panic. Chinese citizens are very familiar to food scandals – oil scraped from sewers for cooking and plasticizer in baby formula.

On weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter, users are voicing their concern over the dead pigs.

“Cadres and officials, we are willing to provide for you, but please don’t let us die from poisoning. Otherwise who will serve you? Please think twice,” said netizen Shi Liqin.

“This river’s colour [sic] is about the same as excrement, even if there weren’t dead pigs you couldn’t drink it,” wrote someone with the username Yuzhou Duelist.

In the state-run Global Times, the article claimed that the “pig scandal” comes amid growing concerns about China’s environment, including recent record smog levels in Beijing and water and air pollution affecting villages.

“The country’s citizens, including both ordinary people and officials, should bear in mind the necessity of protecting the environment,” read the article.

Although the cause of death is unknown, officials believe that the pigs may have come from Jiaxing, a city in the Zhejiang province.

“We don’t exclude the possibility that the dead pigs found in Shanghai were from Jiaxing. But we are not absolutely sure,” stated Jiaxing local spokesman Wang Dengfeng at a news conference. Furthermore, Jiaxing officials also believe that the pigs may have been killed by the cold weather.

Today, a Zhejiang court sentenced 46 people to jail for yielding unsafe pork from sick pigs that they had acquired and slaughtered between 2010 and 2012.

Last year, Jiaxing authorities segregated a gang that acquired and slaughtered diseased pigs arresting 12 suspects and seizing nearly 12 tons of unsafe pork.

For further information, please see:

BBC News – China Pulls Nearly 6,000 Dead Pigs From Shanghai River – 13 March 2013

Huffington Post – Dead Pigs In China’s Shanghai River Worry Residents – 13 March 2013

New York Times – With 6,000 Dead Pigs in River, Troubling Questions on Food Safety – 13 March 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hungarian Constitutional Amendment Restricts Freedoms

By Madeline Schiesser
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

BUDAPEST, Hungary – Despite protests in the capital city throughout the weekend, Hungary’s parliament voted to pass an amendment Monday which critics say amounts to an attack on democracy.  The amendment, the fourth to Hungary’s 14-month-old constitution, will limit the ability of Hungary’s Constitutional Court to Challenge new laws as well as effectively annul all decisions made by the Court since January 2012.  Rolling back the Court’s decisions will bring back a narrow definition of marriage as a heterosexual union, a ban on sleeping on the streets, a requirement for students who accept state scholarships to stay in Hungary, and a ban on political campaign adverts in private media.

Hungarian members of parliament voted Monday for an amendment that some critics say will severely limit democratic freedoms. (Photo Courtesy of Al Jazeera)

The European Union and United States expressed concern over the effects the amendment would have on the independent judiciary, the latter saying the amendment deserved “closer scrutiny and more deliberate consideration”.  The Council of Europe (an independent human rights body) urged for delays to allow legal experts time to examine the amendment, claiming the amendment “raise[s] concerns with respect to the principle of the rule of law, EU law and Council of Europe standards.”  However, members of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz ruling party remained persistent, and passed the amendment.

MP Antal Rogan declared in a speech in the chamber: “We won’t allow either any international business lobby or the political forces that speak on their behalf to interfere with the decisions of the Hungarian parliament.”

The amendment, passed by the Fidesz party, which has a two-thirds majority, says that the Constitutional Court will no longer be able to overturn laws passed in parliament with a two-thirds majority and enshrined in the constitution.  Rather, the court will only have the power to review cases on procedural grounds.  PM Orbán explained that the amendment would create an “irreversible” situation in which parliament’s role in protecting the constitution supersedes that of the Constitutional Court.

Furthermore, the president’s veto power has been removed and he will be obliged to sign amendments, except when there is an objection on procedural grounds.

“When they lay down in the constitution how those who have nowhere to go may or may not sleep on the street then we need to ask whether it’s us protesters who have gone crazy or those who write the constitution,” opposition activist Miklos Tamas Gaspar said.

The EU may decide Thursday, when heads of state are scheduled to gather in Brussels, whether to take action. Although the EU has the power to strip a country of voting rights, doing so is a laborious process.

Rui Tavares, a Portuguese MEP, stressed the importance ensuring Hungary’s new constitution remains compatible with European values: “You have to ensure that the judiciary in every member state is compatible with these values we have in the treaties.”

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Hungary amends constitution despite warning – 11 March 2013

The Independent – Hungary Erupts in Protest after PM Viktor Orbán is Accused of Assault on Democracy – 11 March 2013

The Independent – Hungary Votes Yes Over Change to Constitution Despite Human Rights Concerns – 11 March 2013

Xpatloop – EC Prepared To Enforce EU Law In Hungary – 11 March 2013

They’re (Not) Lovin’ It. McDonalds And Labor Violation In Brazil

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILA, Brazil – Ronald McDonald’s has another fire to put out, and this one is not related to its flame broiled burgers. In Brazil new information is being released that would implicate labor violations imposed against young workers in order to keep the costs of running a fast food franchise down.

McDonalds in Brazil has been facing allegations of labor violations towards their young workers. (Photo courtesy of Vice)

Brazil has the second most McDonalds of any country in the Western hemisphere after the United States, and with that comes its share of scandals. While not rocked by the horse meat scandal that has hit the United States, here McDonald’s young workers are coming forth complaining about slave-like working conditions that are being imposed upon them. Conditions such as sexual harassment, lack of minimum worker comfort, and work hours above the weekly maximum – which according to article 7 of the Federal Constitution on employee rights should not exceed 44 hours a week – are unfortunately far reaching. Beyond hourly violations furnishing workers with inadequate food are just some of the conditions many workers are forced to deal with in Brazil.

Last year, the Brazilian corporate office of McDonalds at Sao Paulo was facing 1790 cases for labor violations from claims concerning overtime violations, and minimum wage violations, and until recently has seemingly been able to get away them. The hiring of young workers for fast-food is everyday practice for many corporations, but in Sao Paulo the act has taken a slightly more predatory nature. McDonald’s in Brazil has taken to a habit of hiring teenagers with little to no job experience and no notice of their rights.

These recent labor violations have resurfaced thanks to a suit by a seventeen year old girl. She had been working at a Sao-Paulo McDonalds for 8 months without pay and has agreed to testify against her former employers.

Antonio Carlos Lacerda, a lawyer representing the young girl working for the Hotel and Restaurant Workers Union, believes this is one of many other similar situations. He believes “that when the investigation is concluded, they will prove that there is a systematic pattern of this kind of behavior through the entire McDonald’s system.”

These labor law violations are just some of the issues being discussed by the Inter-American Commission 0n Human Rights and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights this month in Brazil. These issues crucial to Brazil – like slave labor and gender-based violence – are to be addressed to alter Brazil’s sometimes deplorable human rights violations.

For more information, please see:

Vice – McDonalds Is Violating Labor Laws In Brazil – 4 March 2013

Independent European Daily Express – Inter-American Human Rights System Reform Faces Deadline – 1 March 2013

The Drum – Horse Meat Scandal – McDonald’s Is Loving It – 7 February 2013

The Brazil Business – Brazilian Employment Law In A Nutshell – 15 May 2012

Lo De Alla – McDonald’s In Brazil: A Campaign To Cover Up Exploitation – 20 March 2011

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