News

WOZA Protesters Beaten and Detained During Anti-Constitution Demo

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Several members of the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) were assaulted and detained after two consecutive protests against the new draft constitution.

More than 200 WOZA members gathered outside the police station as they demanded to be arrested in solidarity with their colleagues. (Photo courtesy of The Zimbabwean)

On February 13, WOZA members in Harare marched towards the parliament to stage a demonstration against the draft constitution.

Believing that the draft constitution is a “result of negotiations behind closed doors and a deal that suits the principals and the political parties in the inclusive government”, around 50 women filled the streets and rallied against its enactment. “… it was written for a current political climate and not for the future generation. A constitution is supposed to be written by the people because they should determine how they want to be governed. It is their role to give the rule to the rulers,” read some of the flyers the WOZA members were distributing during their march.

However, as they were approaching the parliament building, they were blocked by police officers. In an attempt to disperse the group, the police fired tear gas at the WOZA members. Afterwards, they arrested a number of protestors. Reports say that the police also used baton sticks, locally known as “sjamboks”, to beat up the detainees as they were being bundled into police vehicles.

The arrested WOZA members were eventually released without charge on the same day. But according to Dr. Tarisai Mutangi from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, a number of women sustained major injuries from the assault.

The following day, members from the Bulawayo chapter held their annual Valentine’s Day protest. With the theme – One Love, the protest was set to be staged outside the police Headquarters in 9th Avenue, at Southampton House. It aimed to raise awareness about police brutality and to urge the police to respond to the group’s formal complaints about arbitrary arrests and the police’s use of indiscriminate violence against protesters. Although the march began smoothly and peacefully, as the members neared the venue, police officers started chasing them off with baton sticks. Once again, WOZA members were brought into custody without charge and released on the same day. However, according to WOZA leader Jennifer Williams, unlike the arrests the previous day, six of their male co-members and one female co-member remain in detention.

Amnesty International’s southern Africa director Noel Kututwa condemned the violent treatment of WOZA members by the police forces. “This most recent incident sounds yet another alarm bell for the exercise of internationally guaranteed rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly in advance of the referendum on a new constitution and elections later this year,” Kututwa stated. “Human rights violations by the police, including arbitrary arrests and raids at offices of human rights defenders, go against the calls for tolerance made by President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai,” he added.

 

For further information, please see:

WOZA – 195 arrested during Valentines Day protest, 50 beaten, Bertha remains in custody – 15 February 2013

All Africa – Zimbabwe: Woza Valentine’s Day Protestors Beaten And Arrested in Bulawayo – 14 February 2013

Amnesty International – Zimbabwe: Eight women arrested after handing out teddy bears and roses in peaceful protest – 14 February 2013

The Zimbabwean – Police arrest and assault WOZA members – 14 February 2013

ZimEye – Woza Woman Strips Naked Before Police, 180 Arrested – 14 February

SW Radio Africa – WOZA women beaten & detained after anti-constitution demo – 13 February 2013

 

Zimbabwe Prepares for New Constitutional Reform

By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe—Recent reports from the country of Zimbabwe indicate the country’s intent in preparing to hold major constitutional reform in March of this year.

Threats of violence, however, surround the upcoming votes and elections. (Photo Courtesy of TRNS)

Zimbabwe’s constitutional affairs minister says that a referendum on a new constitution has already been “tentatively” set for March 16, 2013. Following this referendum, the country will partake in elections later in the year to end the country’s current shaky coalition government.

The nearness of this March vote, however, has raised some suspicion among activist groups that Zimbabwe voters will not have enough time to read and become informed on the stances of this new constitution, a document the government has slated for a print run of 90,000 copies for distribution to Zimbabwe’s six million registered voters. This plan was announced at a half day public awareness workshop for members of parliament.

The Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga said, “On my way from Mvurwi (in Mashonaland Central) I learnt that the Office of the President was looking for me. I was then advised through the Minister who stood in for me at that meeting that the principals wanted to convey to me that tentatively the referendum will be held on the 16th of March.”

Matinenga hopes to have a two-day referendum in order to allow people to express their opinions. He commented further saying, “I am trying to gain audience with the powers that be and try to argue with them for a two-day referendum.” He also noted that this draft Constitution would be publicized, for “any document of this nature must be officially publicized.” This explains the 90,000 copies ready for distribution.

However, currently the voting is scheduled for just one day. Advocacy groups expressed concern that such a quick polling period prevents adequate voter education on the new rewritten constitution.

The new document was just completed on February 6, after three years of debates and disputes. Democratic reforms to the constitution were a key demand of the country’s regional mediators after the violent and disputed elections that took place in 2008.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti told members of Parliament that the United Nations had responded to the government’s request for funds in order to finance the referendum and to keep harmonized polls for the vote.

 

For further information, please see:

ABC News – Zimbabwe Sets March 16 Vote Date – 14 February 2013

AllAfrica – Referendum Date Set – 14 February 2013

Fox News – Zimbabwe Sets March 14 For Constitution Referendum Vote – 14 February 2013

TRNS – Zimbabwe and Kenya Brace for Major Elections – 14 February 2013

Teenage Boy Killed in Bahrain Protest

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain — A teenager was killed on Thursday morning while participating in a protest that took place in the village of Daih.  The protest itself took place during the second anniversary of the demonstrations for democratic reforms.

A riot in the village of Daih resulted in the death of a teenager when he was shot by police forces. (Photo Courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry confirmed via Twitter that a person had died, but offered no further details beyond this.  The Interior Ministry tweet stated that “Operations Room received call from SMC [Salmaniya Medical Complex, the country’s largest hospital] reportain an injured individual pronounced dead.”  Al Wefaq,Bahrain’s largest opposition group, said in a report that the deceased teenager was 16 year old Hussain al-Jaziri, and that he was killed by shotgun fire at close range.  Al Wefaq’s report stated that al-Jaziri sustained a serious injury to his stomach.”

Throughout the villages of Bahrain, clashes occurred after several hundred demonstrators, mostly comprised of Shi’ite youths, blocked the roads to Manama and hurled stones and firebombs towards police forces.  Protesters reported that teargas was used in several locations.  Three photojournalists were arrested while reporting in Daih.

The current clashes are the most violent in recent months and have the potential to mar talks that were initiated last Sunday between mostly Shi’ite Muslim opposition groups and the Sunni dominated government in an effort to end the political deadlock that has dominated Bahraini politics.

The Chief of Public Security, Major-General Tariq Hassan al-Hassan, issued a statement reporting that “[t]he worst clashes occurred in Daih where around 300 people at around 8 am attacked the security men stationed there to protect the area,” he said.  Al-Hassan also mentioned in his reports that Police forces in Daih had to take action since they “had come under attack from rioters with rocks, steel rods, and Molotov cocktails. Warning shots were fired but failed to disperse the advancing crowd who continued their attack. Officers discharged birdshot to defend themselves.”

Al-Hassan said that he initiated an investigation, and intends to quiz several members of the unit involved in the incident.  Al-Hassan also pleaded to demonstrators to not use al-Jaziri’s death as means to commit more violence.  “I urge all citizens not to heed the calls to exploit this death to undermine public order and cause further loss of life and property,” he said.

Al Wefaq says that the death of al-Jaziri “exacerbated emotions” for demonstrators throughout the country who participated in protests.  It has called for a massive demonstration to take part on Friday morning, requesting everyone to take part.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera — ‘Teenager Killed’ in Bahrain Protest — 14 February 2013

BBC News — Teenager Killed in Bahrain Anniversary Protests — 14 February 2013

Gulf News — Teenager Killed as Clashes Erupt in Bahrain — 14 February 2013

Reuters — Teen Killed in Protests on Bahrain Revolt Anniversary — 14 February 2013

Peru Experiences Recent Upheaval in Latest Mining Protests

By Pearl Rimon
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

LIMA, Peru – Peru has been experiencing clashes for the last 18 months in the Cajamarca region. Four people were shot and killed and more than 20 wounded in the protests surrounding Newmont’s $5 billion Conga mine due to taking water away from the villages and farms.

Peruvians hold a demonstration at the Conga mine. (Photo Courtesy of Financial Times)

“The only thing the people want is water for families, but the mining companies want to take it. And soldiers will kill if you get in the way”, said Adelaida Tabaco, the widow of a man killed in the most recent clash.

In order to build Conga, two lakes will be dug for the copper and ore while two other lakes will be filled with the debris from separating the metals from ore. Conga is projected to produce 680,000 ounces of gold and 106,000 tons of copper yearly.

The conflict spans the continent of South America, pitting South American governments paired with foreign companies against citizens who are at risk of losing their homes due to their water supply being used for industrial causes. South America is seeing a trend with leaders accelerating the approval of water-use projects like the Conga mine. Peru is on track to expand 6% in GDP this year due to gold, silver and copper mine investments.

The majority of Peru’s mines including Conga are located in the Andes where they experience nearly nonexistent rainfall from May to October. According to the UN, growing populations have decreased the amount of usable water per person by 1/5 since 1992 in Peru.

In the areas of the country where mines are expanding, the water supply is already in short supply according to the National Water Authority. The Peruvian government must spend $394 million on canals and reservoirs by 2016 for use during the annual water shortages that occur during the dry seasons.

The conflict over the limited water resources has become deadly. Since 2010, fifteen people have been killed in protests against the government for allowing mining companies to use the water resources. This water shortage has made it difficult for substantial farming to occur. The protests began in April 2010 against Southern Copper Corporation’s mine near the Chile-Peru border. This escalated the next year by two people dying in protests against water use by a Switzerland-based company’s mine.

The constant hostility due to the mining operations has been an issue for President Humala since his slight margin of victory in 2011.

People in the Andes area are already struggling with water shortage due to the rainfall being below average for two years.

 

For more information, please see:

Bloomberg News — South Americans Face Upheaval in Deadly Water Battles – 13 Feb 2013

Financial Times — Mining: Andean concessions – 05 Feb 2013

Vancouver Sun — Manthorpe: Peru battles widespread local hostility to mining projects – 03 Feb 2013

Human Rights Watch — Peru: Letter to Presidente Ollanta Humala – 20 September 2012

U.S. Senate Renews Violence Against Women Act with Added Protections

By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON, United States — By a more than 3-to-1 margin, U.S. senators voted to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act on Tuesday, expanding the anti-domestic-violence protections to include lesbians, immigrants, and Native American women for the first time.

The U.S. Senate voted on Tuesday to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D–VT). The bill needs House approval before it can be signed into law. (Photo Courtesy of Women’s eNews)

The 78-to-22 vote authorizes $659 million during the next five years for various programs, including more attention to sexual assault prevention and efforts at reducing a backlog in processing rape kits.  The issue now moves to the House of Representatives before the law takes effect.

Dr. Dara Richardson-Heron, CEO of the YWCA, released a press statement saying that House members should followed the Senate’s lead “so that YWCAs across the country can continue to provide safe harbor for the many women who seek protection from violence.”

Sarah Schmidt, Chairwoman of the Lesbian Superpac, went a step further, calling on supporters to lobby their representative.

“This is a hugely important moment for women and LGBT people across the country,” Schmidt said in an email to Women’s eNews.  “We all deserve protections against violence.”

The act expired in 2011, which stalled efforts to strengthen its federal programs.  While both chambers of Congress passed renewal bills last year, the two sides were unable to reach a compromise bill that could become law.

This year, House Republicans appear more willing to ensure the issue succeeds.  House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R­–VA) has led an effort to negotiate the House bill, according to the Associated Press.

Among those who have reached out Cantor is Vice President Joe Biden.  In 1994, Biden—then a senator from Delaware—successfully helped negotiate the original Violence Against Women Act.

An apparent sticking point with the renewal is whether tribal courts will be allowed to prosecute non-natives who are accused of assaulting Native American women on reservations.  Republican senators argued that would be unconstitutional, but their efforts were defeated.  But observers say this issue could be a hurdle still, as lawmakers try to reconcile the Senate version of the bill with a House version that is likely to pass.

All 20 women members of the Senate voted for the VAWA bill, sponsored by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D–VT), which also drew support from 23 Republican votes.  The Senate also voted 93 to 5 to include a provision that targets human trafficking, and 100 to 0 to include a provision that ensures child sex trafficking victims are eligible for grant assistance.

For further information, please see:

All Voices — Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Clears Senate in Significant Gender-Split Vote — 12 February 2013

Huffington Post — Senate Approves Anti-Violence Against Women Act — 12 February 2013

Women eNews — VAWA Passes Senate, Turning Attention to House — 12 February 2013

The Paramus Post — Rape Survivor Demands Congress Extend the Violence Against Women Act Immediately — 11 February 2013