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HRW Calls 2012 Kremlin Political Crackdown Worst Since U.S.S.R.

By Madeline Schiesser  
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – The year 2012 began in Russia with street protests demanding that the newly elected parliament honor its promises of political reform.  It ended with Russian President Vladimir Putin signing a ban terminating American adoptions of Russian orphans.  In between, the collection of human rights abuses caused U.S.-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) to describe the year as the worst for human rights since the fall of the Soviet Union in a newly released annual report.

2012 began with a bang as thousands of Russians took to the streets to demand the then newly elected parliament enact reforms; what followed was the worst year for human rights in two decades. (Photo Courtesy of BBC News)

The report analyzed key human rights issues in more than 90 countries, including Russia.  (The United States was also examined.)  The report found that since his return to power, Putin “oversaw the swift reversal of former President Dmitry Medvedev’s few, timid advances on political freedoms.”  Critics say that the Kremlin’s actions have been aimed at quashing public dissent.  The authors of the report suggest that Putin’s acts, backed by a parliament dominated by members of the pro-Putin United Russia party, are motivated by a fear of mass street protests.

The year has seen a sharp increase in laws and government control that, according to Rachel Denber, deputy director of HRW’s Europe and Central Asia division, create an atmosphere of fear.  A June law significantly raised fines for people found participating in unapproved public demonstrations, re-criminalized libel, and imposed new restrictions on internet content.

Another summer law, which went into effect in November, requires nonprofit groups that receive foreign funding to register as “foreign agents.”  Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) fear this label, which has Soviet-era undertones, will scare away the very people they want to help.  USAID (United States Agency for International Development) was forced to stop operating in Russia in September, and, thanks to a December law, NGOs can further be sanctioned if they engage in “political” activities and receive funding from US citizens or organizations.

Furthermore, a widened definition of treason has loomed since autumn, which could threaten organizations and individuals conducting international advocacy.

The report was further critical of Russia’s treatment of the Pussy Riot punk band protestors, two of whom were sentenced to 2 years in prison for an anti-Putin song-protest in a Moscow cathedral.

It has furthermore been a difficult year for opposition leaders and opponents of Putin’s Russia.  In May violent protests erupted in response to Putin’s inauguration; the courts have been slow to deal with the protestors, but have been harsh.  Opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov was charged with conspiracy to organize mass riots.  Facing the same charge is Leonid Razvozzhayev, who claims he was kidnapped from Ukraine and forced to sign a confession.

Recently in the new year, legislation for a nation-wide ban on “gay propaganda” came before parliament.  However, the report drew attention to Russian local “anti-gay propaganda” laws, under which in May a prominent Russian LGBT rights activist was convicted.  Moscow drew further criticism for its ban on Gay Pride Events.

The report further discussed persecution and torture of practitioners of Salafism (a form of Islam) in the North Caucasus by authorities who assume the practitioners support the Islamist insurgency there.  The report further criticized Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov’s system of collective punishment against insurgents’ relatives and suspected supporters.

Concerning the Olympic Games in Sochi scheduled for February 2014, the report additionally condemned the removal of hundreds of local families to make way for Olympic buildings.  Although most homeowners were compensated, often the amounts were unfair and the process lacked transparency.

Russia’s sudden termination of the bilateral adoption agreement between the United States and Russia in retaliation for the Magnitsky Act, catching Russian orphans, some with disabilities, in “an eye for an eye” crossfire, was not included in the report, although HRW commented on it in a subsequent press release.  Sergei Magnitsky is expected to be tried posthumously later this year.

Creating a permanently broken system, the authors noted that while the European Court of Human Rights has issued more than 210 rulings against Russia, the government only pays the required compensation, and fails to conduct effective follow-through investigations, thereby failing to carry out the core of the judgments.

Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director explained, “Instead of meaningfully investigating human rights abuses, the government is spending time and energy retaliating against civil society and free speech.”

Rachel Denber stresses “We can’t be silent about the situation in Russia today,” because, as part of the Kremlin crackdown, Russian authorities equate human rights work with violating Russian sovereignty.  She summarized, “Any activity can be portrayed as betrayal.”

Moscow has yet to make an official statement on the report, however, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich, dismissed the severity of the situation in Russia while he remarked an official statement would be issued soon.  “I have not read the report yet,” Lukashevich said. “I think we will make a comment later and show that the human rights situation in Russia is not the worst.”  Instead, he suggested the United States and European Union look at their own histories “before criticizing others.”

However, although Williamson considers this “the worst year for human rights in Russia in recent memory,” he notes that “Russia’s civil society is standing strong.”  Yet, he also says, “With the space around it [civil society] shrinking rapidly, it needs support now more than ever.”

For further information, please see:

Moscow Times – Last Year’s Repression ‘Worst’ in Decades – 1 February 2013

BBC News – Russia’s Freedoms Crackdown ‘Worst Since USSR Fall’ – 31 January 2013

HRW – Russia: Worst Crackdown Since Soviet Era – 31 January 2013

RIA Novosti – Human Rights Watch Blasts Russia in 2013 Report – 31 January 2013

RFE/RL – Rights Group Warns Of Challenges to Democracy – 31 January 2013

Washington Post – HRW: Worst Year for Human Rights in Russia Since the USSR Collapsed – 31 January 2013

HRW – World Report: 2013 [Full Report] – 31 January 2013

British Prime Minister Visits Algeria for Security Talks

By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

ALGIERS, Algeria—David Cameron, the British Prime Minister arrived in Algeria today for security talks and negotiations only two weeks after a hostage crisis that took place at a gas plant in the Sahara on January 16. 2013.

Prime Minister Cameron arrives in Algeria for security talks with Algerian President Bouteflika. (Photo Courtesy of The Washington Post)

Following their discussion, Cameron led a press conference where he stressed the importance of a “tough and intelligent” response to the growing threat of Islamist militants in that region of Africa.

He said, “Both Britain and Algeria are countries that have suffered from terrorism and we understand each others’ suffering. What we have agreed to is a strengthened partnership that looks at how we combat terrorism and how we improve security of this region. This should be about our perspectives, about the risks and dangers that there are, but also sharing expertise,” he continued.

The United Kingdom, specifically Britain, was among several other countries with citizens held hostage in the crisis in the Ain Amenas that also was not told in advance that Algeria planned to storm the gas plant. The new security partnership created today, Wednesday January 30,2013, between Cameron and Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, now focuses on cooperation between the two countries and working together for a common goal. Together, they will look more broadly at threats in North Africa and the region known as the Sahel, the region stretching across the Sahara Desert.

British soldiers will also come together with the Algerian army on a certain limited number of operations. Potentially, these operations could include training of the Algerian special forces by Britain’s special forces. This however, has not yet been confirmed by the British government. Cameron commented further that his aim was to help the country “help itself” amid and amongst the ever-growing threat from al-Qaida linked groups in that region of Africa.

Cameron also stressed, “the greatest threat of terrorism in this region is to the countries of this region. Of course there are potential threats to the UK, but the focus is very much on helping these countries to protect their security and protect British people in this region. It is very much about helping the region help themselves,” he added.

At the end of Cameron’s trip, he made a special visit to the monument of the martyrs of the Algerian war of independence. He placed flowers at the monument, showing respect and the growing relationship and link between the two countries.

 

For further information, please see:

Algeria Press Service – Algeria, UK “United” in Fight Against Terrorism Says David Cameron – 30 January 2013

Al Jazeera – UK’s Cameron in Algeria for Security Talks – 30 January 2013

The Independent – Britain Forges New Algeria Alliance to Fight Terrorism – 30 January 2013

The Washington Post – UK’s Cameron Visits Algeria – 30 January 2013

Israel Boycotts UN Human Rights Council Review

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel — Last Tuesday, Israel became the first country ever to boycott the United Nations’ human rights forum, which had allegedly planned to scrutinize Israel’s record.

Israel became the first country ever to boycott the U.N. Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review. (Photo Courtesy of Jerusalem Post)

The United Nation’s Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was set to conduct a Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which in every four years reviews the human rights record of the 193 U.N. member states. Israel stopped cooperating with the council after it comprised a committee to review Israeli settlements and their effect on Palestinian human rights. The last time Israel cooperated with the council was in 2008. It is not a member of the 47 member state council.

“I see that Israel is not in the room,” said Council President Remigiusz Henczel to delegates present at the United Nations in Geneva. Henczel was urged by the council to encourage Israel’s participation in the rights review.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesman Yigal Palmor made it clear that Israel intended to boycott the review. “We cut all our contacts with the council last March, including the current activity,” said Palmor. “Our policy has not changed.”

Arab states specifically were set to criticize Israel for its naval blockage and settlement expansion of the Gaza Strip. Palestinians see these acts as collective punishment, yet Israel finds them vital for security.

Pakistan’s Ambassador Zamir Akram, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said the group is concerned that Israel was creating an “unhealthy precedent” which other countries would follow in boycotting the UPR process. “What is surprising for us, is the level of leverage and understanding that is being extended to Israel by some countries for its behavior in violation of all its international obligations,” Akram said.

Ireland’s representative, speaking on behalf of the European Union said it appealed to Israel to join the review, saying that a phone conversation held earlier with Israel on calling of the boycott was a “positive signal.”

Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, Ambassador to the UNHRC, addressed the council on the matter last Tuesday. She avoided naming Israel, but stressed how essential it is for Washington to ensure that all countries’ human rights records are examined. “The Universal Periodic Review has been a valuable mechanism both becasue it is universally applicable to all U.N. member states on equal terms and because it is conducted in a cooperative and collaborative manner.”

Eight Israeli human rights groups called on Israel to reverse its decision and participate in the UPR. However, United Nations Watch Director Hillel Neuer said that Israel is justified in its boycott, saying that the council had a history of signaling out Israel, and that it had passed more resolutions against Israel then all other countries combined.

For further information, please see:

Israel Hayom — Israel First Country Ever to Boycott UN Human Rights Review — 30 January 2013

Al Jazeera — Israel Boycotts UN Human Rights Council — 29 January 2013

Jerusalem Post — UN Avoids Israel Showdown, Delays Rights Review — 29 January 2013

JTA — Israel Boycotts Scheduled U.N. Review of Human Rights Practices — 29 January 2013

 

U.S. to Establish Drone Base in Niger

By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NIAMEY, Niger — The United States signed an agreement with the central Africa nation of Niger that will allow for the deployment of surveillance drones to monitor Islamic militants in the region.  Currently, reports state that United States seeks only to deploy surveillance drones to Niger; however, the agreement could lay the legal groundwork for armed drones in the future.

U.S. Predator drone that can be used for surveillance or air strikes. (Photo Courtesy of The Guardian)

The use of drones, even if solely for surveillance purposes, remains controversial given the deadly drone strikes in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen, Afghanistan and Somalia.  The use of drones by the United States has caused outrage among civil liberties groups over the secrecy that surrounds their operation and the high incidence of civilian casualties.

The drones could be stationed in Niger’s northern desert region of Agadez, which borders Mali, Algeria and Libya.  The goal is to improve intelligence on al Qaeda-linked Islamist fighters in northern Mali and the wider Sahara.  The United States has drones and surveillance aircraft stationed at several points around Africa.

Niger government sources reported that U.S. Ambassador Bisa Williams asked Niger’s president, Mahamadou Issoufou, for permission to use surveillance drones and had been granted it.  The United States has reportedly been negotiating with Niger for some time, but France’s intervention in Mali increased the urgency of the deal.

Earlier this month French forces intervened to stop Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) move toward Mali’s capital.  AQIM originated in Algeria and remains active in northern Mali.  AQIM has been connected to the recent assault on the natural gas facility in Algiers.  Moreover, the group has been linked to the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

On Monday, French and Malian troops retook control of the ancient trading town of Timbuktu, as they pushed deeper the desert region seized by Islamist fighters last year. Currently, the U.S. is aiding France by sharing intelligence, flying French troops to neighboring countries, and refueling French jets.

Proponents of the agreement argue that in the short run, a drone base in Niger would allow the U.S. to aid France by supplying intelligence on the militant troops in Mali.  In the long run, the drone base would bolster American intelligence gathering and help strengthen Niger’s own security forces.

For more information please see:

CNN – U.S. to Base Surveillance Drones in Niger, Ambassador Says – 29 January 2013

Fox News – US Planning to Establish a Drone Base in Africa for Better Surveillance of Region’s Militants – 29 January 2013

The Guardian – US Signs Deal with Niger to Operate Military Drones in West African State – January 29 2013

Huffington Post – U.S. Drone Base in Africa Approved by Niger – 29 January 2013

Former Guatemalan Dictator Faces Trial for Genocide

By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala — A former dictator who ruled during one of the bloodiest periods of Guatemala’s 36-year civil war will stand trial on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

On Monday, a Guatemalan court ordered former dictator Efrain Rios Montt to face trial for genocide, accused of ordering the deaths of 1,700 indigenous people during a blood period of the country’s civil war. (Photo Courtesy of Latin American Herald Tribune)

A Guatemalan court ruled on Monday that the trial of Efrain Rios Montt would convene this week.  Montt, 86, is accused of ordering the murder, torture, and displacement of more than 1,700 indigenous people between March 1982 and August 1983.

Judge Miguel Angel Galvez also threw out 13 appeals presented by Montt’s defense, finding sufficient evidence to prosecute Montt and retired Gen. Jose Mauricio Rodriguez for the killings.  Rodriguez is accused of ordering the mass killings, known as the “scorched earth” campaign.

Neither defendant reacted to the judge’s ruling, but families of victims, along with human rights workers, cheered and applauded before setting off fireworks outside, according to the Latin American Herald Tribune.

Human rights advocates called the Montt’s prosecution a symbolic victory for victims of one of the most devastating and horrific conflicts in Central America.

“Until recently, the idea of a Guatemalan general being tried for these heinous crimes seemed utterly impossible,” said Jose Miguel Vivianco, Americas director at Human Rights Watch.  “The fact that a judge has ordered the trial of a former head of state is a remarkable development in a country where impunity for past atrocities has long been the norm.”

Montt, who became de facto president during a coup in 1982 before being ousted in another coup in 1983, is the first former president to be charged with genocide by a Latin American court.

“It’s the beginning of a new phase of this struggle,” said Paul Seils in an interview with the Associated Press.  Seils is vice president of the International Center for Transitional Justice, which has worked on war-crimes cases in Guatemala.  He said the decision to prosecute was “a good step forward,” but he expected the trial would face stiff resistance from loyalists to government-allied forces during the civil war.

A United Nations commission estimated 200,000 people were killed during the war, which lasted from 1960 to 1996.  The commission attributed 93 percent of the human rights abuses it documented to government forces, concluding the military committed “acts of genocide.”

Montt will stay under house arrest until his trial, according to the Judge Galvez’s order.  He is currently in custody at a military hospital, where he was admitted last year for health problems.

The trial is scheduled to convene on Thursday.

For further information, please see:

Human Rights Watch — Guatemala: Rios Montt Trial a Milestone for Justice — 28 January 2013

Latin American Herald Tribune — Guatemalan Ex-Dictator to Stand Trial for Genocide — 28 January 2013

National Public Radio — Guatemala Ex-Dictator to Stand Trial on Genocide — 28 January 2013

Reuters — Guatemala Court Orders Trial of Former Dictator, Rejects Appeals — 28 January 20