News

English Hospital Exhibits Horrific Health Care

By Alexandra Sandacz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

LONDON, United Kingdom – On Wednesday, a report, which examined conditions at Stafford Hospital in Staffordshire over a 50-month period between 2005 and 2009, exposed horrific inhumane treatment of patients. The subpar care led to hundreds of unnecessary deaths.

English hospital is under fire for their inhumane treatment of patients. (Photo Courtesy of The Independent)

The report cited various examples of the specific conditions. Some patients were left unbathed and lying in their own urine and excrement. Other patients drank water from vases because of thirst. Overworked staff members denied patients their medication, pain relief, and food. Furthermore, many patients died from contracting infections, and patients were sent home to die after a misdiagnosis of disease.

Approximately between 400 and 1,200 more deaths occurred than expected between 2005 and 2008.

Robert Francis, the government appointed lawyer, stated, “This is the story of the appalling and unnecessary suffering of hundreds of people. They were failed by a system which ignored the warning signs and put corporate interests and cost control ahead of patients and their safety.”

He continued, “There was a lack of care, compassion, humanity and leadership. The most basic standards of care were not observed, and fundamental rights to dignity were not respected.”

One widow stepped forward because she believed it was the medical and care management’s faults that led to her husband’s death. She stated, “Whether it’s a hospital or factory, if you have bad management the people below them are not going to care.”

After the Prime Minister questioned why no one was fired after the original release of the Hospital’s indignity, the General Medical Council (GMC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) began to take action against the personnel.

At least four doctors and 10 nurses face public professional misconduct hearings over their constant failure to provide adequate health care.

For example, Bonka Kostova, a healthcare assistant at Stafford Hospital, faces charges because she allegedly forced a patient into his wheelchair when he stood up, pushed him into a bathroom and dragged him out. When other nurses intervened, she began to scream, “I hate you” and “You are no longer a human being but an animal.”

Katherine Murphy, the chief executive of the Patients Association, said the report was a “watershed moment” for health service. She states, “It is clear from the report that there is a lot of blame to go around for what happened in Stafford. Unfortunately too many people have escaped genuine accountability.”

For further information, please see:

The Independent – Stafford Hospital Carer Accused of Dragging 73-Year-Old by Collar – 8 February 2013

Mirror – ‘Heartless Bunglers Allow My Husband to Die Alone’: Widow Blasts Crisis Hospital for Appalling Mistakes – 7 February 2013

BBC – Stafford Hospital: Hiding Mistakes ‘Should Be Criminal Offense’ – 6 February 2013

The New York Times – English Hospital Report Cites ‘Appalling’ Suffering – 6 February 2013

Nine Women Administering Polio Vaccines Shot Dead in Nigeria

By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KANO, Nigeria — At least nine women who were inoculating children against polio have been shot dead in northern Nigeria by gunmen suspected of belonging to the radical Islamist sect, Boko Haram.  The attacks took place in Kano, the largest city in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north, where families typically feel more comfortable allowing women inside their homes.

Nigerian women wait for their children to be immunized against polio in Akwa Ibom, Nigeria. (Lost Angeles Times via Deji Yake / European Pressphoto Agency)


On Friday morning gunmen arrived by three-wheel taxis and opened fire in the Hotoro Hayi neighborhood, killing at least eight female vaccinators.  Four more people were killed in a second attack in the Unguwa Uku neighborhood.

The final death toll remains unclear; however, a Kano police spokesman, Musa Magaji Majia, said the attacks killed nine women who were administering oral drops to children as part of a polio vaccine drive.

Unfortunately, this is not the first strike against polio vaccinators in Kano.  For example, in October police reported that two officers who were involved in guarding an immunization drive were shot and killed.

While officers said there were no immediate suspects for the shootings, witnesses said the Islamist militant group Boko Haram was responsible.  Boko Haram, whose Hausa name is often translated into “Western education is sacrilege/forbidden,” has been behind a series of violent attacks across northern Nigeria.  Boko Haram continues to fight the country’s weak central government as the death toll climbs.

The sect has been blamed for the deaths of some 1,400 people in central and northern Nigeria since 2010.  This includes an attack in Kano in January 2012 that killed at least 185.

The attack on vaccinators highlights the religious tensions surrounding the inoculation of children in one of three nations where polio still remains endemic.  Last year, Nigeria registered 121 new polio infections, more than half of all cases reported around the world, according to data from the World Health Organization.  The other two countries are Pakistan and Afghanistan, where there were 58 polio cases in Pakistan and 37 in Afghanistan in 2012.

Moreover, in the past month, polio workers have also been targeted and killed in Pakistan, where the Taliban have threatened anti-polio efforts.  The Taliban accused health workers of working as U.S. spies and alleging that the vaccine makes children sterile.  These rumors have only grown since it was revealed that a Pakistani doctor helped the CIA discover Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts by maintaining a pretexual polio vaccination program.

For more information, please see:

ABC – Gunmen Kill Nigeria Women Giving Polio Vaccine– 8 February 2013

BBC News – Nigeria Polio Vaccinators Shot Dead in Kano – 8 February 2013

Reuters – Gunmen Kill Nine Polio Health Workers in Nigeria – 8 February 2013

Washington Post – Suspected Islamic Extremists Kill at Least 9 Women Giving Polio Vaccines in Northern Nigeria – 8 February 2013

Tear Gas Present at Funeral for Chokri Belaid

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TUNIS, Tunisia – Popular secular politician, Chokri Belaid, was shot in the neck and head and killed just outside his home in Tunis, on his way to work, a couple of days ago. This was the first time a politician was assassinated in Tunisia since the Arab Spring uprising of January 2011. Today thousands of supporters attended his funeral while many others protested all throughout the country.

Tens of thousands of Tunisians attend the funeral of assassinated secular political leader Chokri Belaid.

Belaid was a human rights activist and lawyer who was the co-head of the leftist Democratic Patriots Party. Although the party lacked much power in Tunisia, Belaid was seen as an outspoken critic of the government who, for many, symbolized the Tunisian revolution.

French President Francois Hollande stated that, “[t]his murder robs Tunisia of one of its most courageous and free voices.”

A day before his assassination, Belaid partook in a televised interview in which he blamed the moderate, Islamist Ennahda party for giving “an official green light” to political violence. He also claimed that Ennahda and Salafists attacked a meeting of his liberal supporters this past Sunday.

The prime minister, Hamadi Jebali, has promised to act swiftly in arresting the perpetrator of what he deems to be a terrorist act. President Moncef Marzouki said that, “[t]here are many enemies of our peaceful revolution. And they’re determined to ensure it fails.”

Despite not yet knowing who committed the murder, in the wake of Belaid’s death, demonstrators have set an Ennahda party building on fire in Mezzouna. Others ransacked raided the party’s offices in Gafsa where petrol bombs were used. At least half a dozen Ennahda buildings have been destroyed so far.

Additionally, crowds of protestors have been chanting “Ghannouchi, assassin, criminal” and that they want a “second revolution.” Rachid Ghannouchi is the leader of the Ennahda party.

Throughout the many protests across the country, the police have fired tear gas at the demonstrators to disperse them. The use of tear gas was not absent from Belaid’s funeral either; however, this time the police were not trying to get rid of Belaid’s supporters.

The funeral was rather peaceful for a while, with little security intervention. Reports have indicated though, that while the mourners’ procession approached the cemetery to lay Belaid’s body to rest, that young men just outside the cemetery were attempting to steal mourner’s phones cameras, and cars. When police tried to stop these individuals, the young men began throwing stones at the police and began to set the cars ablaze. As a result, the police were forced to use tear gas which ultimately found its way into the cemetery.

Reports out of CNN indicate that the tens of thousands of mourners last stop in its procession may not be the cemetery. Apparently, there may also be a plan to march to the Ministry of the Interior after the funeral. Police fired tear gas there just a day ago to get rid of protestors.

For further information, please see:

Alchourouk – Two Days MRA Assassination Belaid Preoccupation with Security Back: Congestion in the Street and Horror Among Citizens – 8 February 2013

Assabah – The Final Lesson – 8 February 2013

Guardian – Tunisia Turmoil: Chokri Belaid’s Funeral and General Strike – Live Updates – 8 February 2013

BBC – Tunisia: Chokri Belaid Assassination Prompts Protests – 6 February 2013

Chilean Marines Caught On Tape Chanting Xenophobic Tunes

By Brendan Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

SANTIAGO, Chile – Discomfort rocks the already uneasy relations among in the South American continent. The Chilean government has felt the sting of embarrassment as a video surfaced early Wednesday morning of Chilean Marine Cadets jogging through town chanting what is being called, a ‘xenophobic’ chant. “Argentinos kill, fusilare Bolivian, Peruvian killeth,” the video echoes, or translated as “Kill Argentines, shoot Bolivians and slit the throats of Peruvians.”

A video showing Chilean Marine students chanting xenophobic songs surfaced earlier this week. (Photo Courtesy of BBC)

The posted video was recorded by tourists visiting the coastal city of Las Salinas. Nearby the Naval Polytechnic Academy was busy, training the new batch of Chilean marines and technical soldiers for the new age. Late in the afternoon a group of ‘apprentices’ began trotting by in formation, led by a superior, chanting as they made their way to the city’s main attraction – a large flower clock tower – before returning to base.

Upon the videos dissemination via the internet the Navy immediately began the process of identification and within hours was able to identify all participants.  According to the Chilean Secretary of State, the event took place on January 28, at about 1600 hours. The Navy was almost immediately able to identify the 27 apprentices from the Academy Polytechnic, including the sergeant who was acting as an instructor.  According to reports, many of the 27 were engineering students, second year apprentices training in the mechanical field for senior technical positions before graduating as a marine. The Navy and Secretary of State were quick to denounce the apprentices actions emphasizing that “these practices are far from their doctrine” and believed that the songs were improvised to move along with the normal military marching songs.

But according to Internet users from twitter and social media, this may not have been a singular instance. While some came to the Academy’s defense, claiming that this was merely the isolated incident, others including a former graduate from the Polytechnic Academy explained that these chants are sung every day during their physical training. Another user managed to quote an allegedly missing line: “and we’ll drink their blood.”

Reeling back from the controversy, the secretary of state was quick to point out that while sanctions and punishments were to be leveled, it is currently unclear where blame should be associated with. Merely the recruits jogging and chanting, or their sergeant. Either way, the State Department will has stated that they establish an administrative inquiry within 20 days to determine possible sanctions.

For more information, please see:

La Nocion – The Chilean Navy Already Plans Xenophobic Chants Sanctions – 8 February 2013

Noticias Terra – Argentina Expressed “Discomfort” With Chilean Sailors Xenophobic Chants – 7 February 2013

Noticias Terra – Government And Xenophobic Chants: “Lyrics Are Offensive” – 7 February 2013

Latercera – Navy Report On Video Identifies Higher By Apprentices And Sets 20 Days To Assess Penalties – 7 February 2013

BBC – Chile Navy Investigates ‘Xenophobia’ In Video – 6 February 2013

Ireland Releases Report on Forced Labor at Magdalene Laundries

By Madeline Schiesser
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

DUBLIN, Ireland – Describing the severe conditions in the Magdalene laundries, one survivor revealed: “In our heads, all we could think of is we are going to die here. That was an awful thing to carry.”  A report released Tuesday by Ireland’s Department of Justice and Equality found “significant” State involvement in their suffering.

Girls as young as 9 were institutionalized at the Magdalene laundries under a regime of intimidation, prayer, and unpaid work. (Photo Courtesy of BBC News)

The Magdalene laundries constitute an infamous chapter in Irish history in which between 1922 and 1996 more than 10,000 women, aged 9 to 89, were institutionalized in ten workhouses run by several Catholic congregations under conditions described as “cold with a rigid and uncompromising regime of physically demanding work and prayer and many instances of verbal censure, scoldings and humiliating put-downs.”  The women and girls worked to exhaustion each day behind locked doors, without wages, from 8:30am to 7pm in strict silence.  Some worked to death.

Following the report’s publication, survivor Mary Smyth described her experience: “You got up at six in the morning and went to the laundry, then ate at two o’clock.  The food was just horrific – dripping every day.  Six o’clock was the rosary, then back to bed we went.  Nobody was allowed to talk whatsoever. It was worse than any prison.”

The Irish government commissioned an inter-departmental committee, chaired by Senator McAleese, to investigate state involvement with the Magdalene laundries after the UN Committee Against Torture called on the government to do so in 2011.

The report also found from interviewing survivors that certain allegations such as severe physical and sexual abuse had been exaggerated, except in isolated cases.  More often, the inquiry, led by Senator Martin McAleese, found that the women had been subjected to “verbal abuse,” “belittling comments” and “mental cruelty.”

One woman told the inquiry: “The nuns were very nasty.  They’d say, ‘Your father is a drunkard’ in front of everyone.  It would degrade me.”  Another said: “They were very, very cruel verbally – ‘Your mother doesn’t want you, why do you think you`re here.’”

Girls from the laundries gained a reputation as “troubled” or being what were then called “fallen women.”  Despite a rumored reputation for such, the report found no evidence that unmarried girls had babies in the laundries or that many of the women were prostitutes.

However, the report did find that half the women shut away in the laundries to do “harsh and physically demanding work” were girls under the age of 23, and that 40%, or more than 4,000 women, spent more than a year incarcerated.  15% of women were kept in the laundries for more than 5 years, although the average term was 7 months.  Some were incarcerated more than once.  Of the deaths on record, the youngest victim was 15, while the oldest was 95.

Mary Lou McDonald, deputy leader of the Sinn Féin party, described the findings of the report as “a very Irish form of slavery.”

The statistics were compiled from only eight of the ten laundry workhouses because two, both operated by the Sisters of Mercy in Dun Laoghaire and Galway, were missing a substantial portion of their records.  The inquiry committee also stressed that it had interviewed just a small sample of survivors who “cannot be considered representative”, and that the interview data was “biased towards more modern years.”

While according to the report nearly a fifth (19%) of the women entered the laundries voluntarily and one in ten (10%) were sent by their families, more than a quarter (26%) were institutionalized by the state.  Petty offences including failure to pay a train ticket, school truancy, and vagrancy were sufficient to land a girl in the Magdalene laundries.  Furthermore, if a girl was recalled to the laundries or ran away, she could be arrested without a warrant by the police.

Previous Irish governments had claimed that the Magdalene Laundries were run purely privately, an assertion flatly contradicted by the findings of the report.  It also appears that the government either directly or indirectly funded the laundries by providing a significant portion of their business.

Fergus Finlay of the Barnardos children’s charity asserted that the report catalogues “how the state turned a blind eye to the appalling conditions in which women lived, while supporting the religious orders who enslaved them in financial and other ways. These women were treated like slaves.”

The Religious Sisters of Charity, one of the orders that operated the laundries applauded the report, while simultaneously apologizing for and defending its actions, saying: “We apologi[z]e unreservedly to any woman who experienced hurt while in our care. In good faith we provided refuge for women.”

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, while expressing sympathy for survivors and the families of those who died, stopped short of issuing a formal government apology.  Instead, he stated: “To those residents who went through the Magdalene Laundries in a variety of ways, 26 percent of the time from state involvement, I am sorry for those people that they lived in that kind of environment.”

Survivor advocacy group Justice for Magdalenes rejected Kenny’s statement and demanded a full, frank admission of responsibility from the government and religious orders involved, saying that the prime minister’s statement fell “far short of the full and sincere apology deserved by the women who were incarcerated against their will in Ireland’s Magdalene laundries”.

There have also been calls for compensation for the survivors, to which the government has not responded, desiring to wait until after the lower house of Ireland’s parliament debates the report in two weeks.  However, Irish president Michael D. Higgins has expressed his support for compensation and a state apology, saying Thursday, “[W]e need a public response, an institutional response and a State response and the State no doubt will make its own decisions and take its own actions.”

Of the women and girls of the Magdalene laundries, report author Senator McAleese wrote: “None of us can begin to imagine the confusion and fear experienced by these young girls, in many cases little more than children, not knowing why they were there, feeling abandoned, wondering whether they had done something wrong and not knowing when, if ever, they would get out to and see their families again.”

For further information, please see:

Irish Times – President ‘Moved by Their Story’ – 7 February 2013

Irish Times – ‘All We Could Think of is We are Going to Die Here. That was an Awful Thing to Carry’ – 6 February 2013

Irish Times – Kenny Under Fire for Failure to Issue Full Apology to Magdalene Women – 6 February 2013

Al Jazeera – Irish PM Says ‘Sorry’ for Laundries Abuse – 5 February 2013

BBC News – Irish PM: Magdalene Laundries Product of Harsh Ireland – 5 February 2013

The Independent – Ireland Issues Apology to the ‘Fallen Women’ it Sent to Catholic Workhouses – 5 February 2013

Irish Times – State had ‘Significant’ Role in Magdalene Laundry Referrals – 5 February 2013

Department of Justice and Equality – Report of the Inter-Departmental Committee to Establish the Facts of State Involvement with the Magdalen Laundries – 5 February 2013