News

Opposition Leaders Arrested in Sudan

By Hannah Stewart
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan — On the night of January 14, Abdul-Aziz Khalid, Chairperson of the Central Council of the National Sudanese Alliance Party, was arrested at his home by Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).  Reports state that he is being detained incommunicado in an undisclosed location.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. (Photo Courtesy of IRIN)

Abdul-Aziz Khalid is the sixth political opposition member to be detained by NISS since a coalition of Sudanese political opposition parties and armed rebel groups attended political negotiations in Kampala, Uganda.  Dr. Jamal Idris, Enstar Alagali, Professor Mohamed Zain Alabidein, Dr. Abdulrahim Abdalla, and Hisham Al Mufti are also reportedly being detained by the NISS.  The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) fears that the six detainees are at serious risk of torture and ill-treatment

At the Kampala meeting on January 7, opposition leaders discussed the overthrow of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir’s regime in order to institute a national democratic alternative.

President al-Bashir has been under international scrutiny over the years for the events transpiring in Darfur.  The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued two arrest warrants for Al-Bashir for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in Darfur in 2009 and 2010. The warrants charge him with criminal responsibility on 10 counts, including murder, extermination, forcible transfer of population, torture and rape.

The Kampala negotiations culminated in the adoption of the New Dawn Charter.  The charter calls on parties to work together to topple the regime through either “democratic civil peaceful means” or “revolutionary armed struggle.”  Abdul-Aziz Khalid signed the “New Dawn” document on behalf of the National Sudanese Alliance Party.

The ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of Sudan has publicly opposed the charter.  Sudanese authorities described the signatories as “traitors” and pledged that 2013 would be a year of “decisive action against armed opposition movements.”  The authorities also accused Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni of playing a “dirty role” in the region, asserting that they are aware of his conspiracies.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounced the arrest of several opposition party leaders by security forces.  ANHRI stated that “the security forces’ harassment of the opposition is a serious violation of basic human rights and their freedom to express their political opinions and stances freely and safely.”

This comes at a time when the presidents of Sudan and South Sudan will hold their second summit in a month.  Sudanese President al-Bashir and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir are to meet on January 24, in an attempt to resolve tensions over oil, territory, military concerns and other disputes.

For further information, please see:

Sudan Tribune – Sudanese political opposition leaders detained incommunicado and at risk of torture – 15 January 2013

All Africa – Sudan: Security Forces Arrest Opposition Party Leaders – 9 January 2013

Al Monitor – Sudan Crisis Escalates as Dissidents are Arrested in Khartoum – 9 January 2013

Reuters – Leaders of Sudan, South Sudan to Meet in Second Push for Peace – 15 January 2013

Thousands Gather to Protest New Anti-Adoption Law

By Alexandra Sandacz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – On Sunday, thousands of individuals gathered in Moscow to protest Russia’s new law banning Americans from adopting Russian children. A vast number of individuals showed their outrage with President Vladimir Putin and expressed their rage with his government’s ability to make orphans a counter attack on the United States in a political dispute.

Thousands gather to express anger over new anti-adoption law. (Photo Courtesy of RFE/RL)

The new anti-adoption law was rushed through parliament in response to a recent U.S. law that places sanctions on Russian officials suspected of involvement in human rights abuses.

Despite the winter conditions, police reported that an estimated 9,500 people participated in the march, including many with children and baby strollers. However, opposition organizers put the figure at 30,000 or more.

Protestors continuously shouted “shame on the scum,” and hoisted in the air posters of President Vladimir Putin and members of Russia’s parliament who voted for the retaliation law last month.

Individuals who oppose the new adoption ban believe it victimizes children to make a political point. Furthermore, the ban is evidence that Putin and his parliament have lost the moral right to maintain power in Russia.

Former Duma Deputy, Gennady Gudkov, also attended the march. She stated, “I disagree with this law, I think that the authorities now are in a state of hysteria, they are totally lost. They don’t understand what to do with the country, for the country, for the people.

Interestingly, the loudest voice to oppose the new anti-adoption law is a blind Russian high schooler. Natasha Pisarenko blogged sarcastically, “Mr. Putin was ‘saving children from American evil,’ and Russians rarely adopt disabled children because the country’s medical system is backward and can’t take care of them. They [the children] die because Russia doesn’t have modern medicine.”

Concluding, Natasha challenged Mr. Putin to adopt five or 10 children with serious congenital disorders.

The Kremlin, however, has used the adoption controversy to accuse the opposition as “unpatriotic and in the pay of the Americans.”

Likewise, Russian lawmakers justified the adoption ban by 19 deaths of Russian-born children who were adopted by American parents. The law is named after Dima Yakovlev, a boy who died after his adoptive American father left him locked in a sweltering car. Lawmakers believe U.S. Courts and police are too lenient with the deceased children’s American parents.

When Putin signed the law at the end of December, he also ordered improvements of conditions to be made for orphaned children, and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, encouraged Russians to adopt.

For further information, please see:

The Washington Times – Blind teen sees inequality in Russia’s adoption ban – 14 January 2013

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Thousands March in Moscow Against Adoption Ban – 13 January 2013

Reuters – Russians protest against ban on adoptions by Americans – 13 January 2013

USA Today – Thousands march to protest Russia’s adoption ban – 13 January 2013

Iraqi Government Frees 335 Prisoners Held Under Anti-Terrorism Law

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq released 335 prisoners held under anti-terrorism laws as a goodwill gesture to Sunni Muslim demonstrators who have been protesting against Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki for the last three weeks.

In an effort to appease Sunni protesters, the government released 335 Iraqi prisoners who were not formally charged but were held under anti-terrorism law. (Photo Courtesy of BBC News)

Deputy Prime Minister Hussein Shahristani announced their release during a ceremony that was held at a Baghdad prison last Monday.  The ceremony itself was attended by dozens of freed prisoners, both male and female, who then shook hands with Shahristani after his speech.  It was at the ceremony where Shahristani apologized “on behalf of the Iraqi state” to those prisoners who suffered a prolonged detention.  “I, and the committee, will follow up all the cases to accelerate the release of the prisoners who are freed or completed the sentence,” said Shahristani, who heads the committee formed to look into the Sunni protesters’ demands.

Officials declined to provide statistics over how many prisoners had finished their jail terms and how many had been detained without being formally charged.  An AFP journalist who was present for the mass release said that a number of old men and women were among the prisoners freed.  “This is a good step,” said Mehdi Saleh, a prisoner who was held without charges since 2009.  “We were really desperate to be released,” he said.

For three weeks, Sunni demonstrators had assembled in Iraq’s Anbar province and other predominately Sunni regions to protest alleged discrimination.  Sunni leaders claim that the anti-terrorsim law was used to unfairly target and arrest Sunnis.  Aside from the demand to release prisoners held under the anti-terrorism law, protesters had made other demands, some of which are considered extreme.  They range from calls for Maliki to resign, to ending the campaign to track down former members of Saddam Hussein’s Baath party.

Thousands of protesters are still in Anbar, and do not feel that their demands were adequately met.  “This is not enough.  We didn’t ask for a gesture or a gift for the people.  We want to give people their rights,” said Jaber Al-Jaberi, a lawmaker who represents the Sunni-backed Iraqiya block.  The protests began on December 23, when officials arrested 9 members of  Sunni Finance Minister Rafa Al-Essawi’s security team on terrorism charges.  Tensions have been high for both the demonstrators and government officials since the start of the protests, and Maliki has even threatened to direct security forces to forcibly intervene.

Since Hussein’s fall in 2003, many Iraqi Sunnis felt that they have been discriminated since the Shi’ite majority took power.  Since then, Iraq’s government, comprised of Shi’ite, Sunni, and ethnic Kurds, have struggled to cooperate together in rebuilding Iraq.

For further information please see:

Al Arabiya — Iraq Frees Hundreds of Detainees to Appease Protesters — 14 January 2013

Al Jazeera — Iraq Releases Hundreds of Prisoners — 14 January 2013

BBC News — Hundreds of Prisoners Released  in Iraq — 14 January 2013

Kurdish Globe — Iraq Says it Freed Hundreds of Inmates — 14 January 2013

Reuters — Iraq Frees Prisoners in Gesture to Ease Sunni Protests — 14 January 2013

Former Serb Policeman Sentenced for Srebrenica Massacre

By Madeline Schiesser
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina – Bosnia’s highest war-crimes court has sentenced 42-year-old Božidar Kuvelja to 20 years in jail for his role in the 1995 Srebrenica Massacre in which over 8,000 Muslim Bosniak men were killed.  Although Kuvelja was found guilty of crimes against humanity, the court acquitted him of genocide.

Božidar Kuvelja, the most recent war criminal to be sentenced by Bosnia’s highest war-crimes court, has received 20 years in jail for his role in the July 1995 Srebrenica Massacre. (Photo Curtsey of Srebrenica Genocide Blog)

Towards the end of the Bosnian war, in which about 100,000 people died, the east Bosnian city of Srebrenica, which had been under the protection of the U.N., fell to the forces of Serb General Ratko Mladic.  (Mladic and his wartime political master, Radovan Karadzic, are currently standing trial on charges including genocide before the U.N at the war crimes tribunal in The Hague.)

In the worst mass execution in Europe since World War II, Muslim civilian families living in the Srebrenica ghetto were rounded up, and the men, boys, and elderly were separated from the women and children, killed, and their bodies dumped into mass graves.  Many of the women were brutally raped.

The court found that Kuvelja, an officer in a special Bosnian Serb Interior Ministry police brigade, took part in the rounding up of Bosnian Muslim civilians, searching houses for Muslims to take to collection points where men and women were separated.

He further transported detainees to dozens of execution sites, which included a warehouse in Kravica, said the court.  “Members of Kuvelja’s brigade fired from automatic weapons and threw hand grenades into the packed warehouse” the court concluded.  Those who survived the initial onslaught were lured out of the warehouse for medical treatment, where instead they were forced to sing nationalist Serbian songs while Kuvelja’s brigade fired upon them, presiding judge Jasmina Kosovic said.  The court even found that Kuvelja finished off with a pistol those on the pile still showing signs of life.

Kuvelja, who had only joined the brigade shortly before the Srebrenica massacre, pleaded “not guilty.”

“Kuvelja is convicted of taking part in the persecution and forced removal of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) from Srebrenica on religious and ethnic grounds and the killing of several dozen detainees at a warehouse in nearby Kravica between July 11 and July 14,” said Kosovic.

However, she explained that, while the court concurred with the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Tribunal that the Srebrenica massacre was genocide, the court could not find Kuvelja guilty of such because it could not conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Kuvelja knew of the genocidal intent of the massacre.

Prosecutors plan to appeal the sentence, claiming that 20 years is insufficient.  More than 20 former Bosnian Serb soldiers and police officers have been jailed for their actions in the Srebrenica massacres.  Some top officials have received 30 and 35-year jail sentences.

For further information, please see:

On Islam – Serb Policeman Jailed for Muslim Genocide – 12 January 2013

Returns – Bosnian Serb ex-policeman jailed for 20 years over Srebrenica – 11 January 2013

RFE/RL – Bosnian Court Sentences Serb Ex-Cop to 20 Years for Role in Srebrenica Massacre – 11 January 2013

Srebrenica Genocide Blog – Srebrenica: Bozidar Kuvelja Sentenced to 20 Years – 11 January 2013

Washington Post – Bosnian Court Sends Man to Jail for 20 Years for Killing Hundreds of Srebrenica Muslims – 11 January 2013

Canada Agrees to Spend Millions on First Nations Groups, Talks Continue

By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

OTTAWA, Canada — The Canadian government pledged to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in addressing at least some of the demands by First Nations communities, which have protested for better treatment.

Canadian leaders promise more talks with First Nations leaders after ongoing aboriginal protests demanding protection of rights and better living conditions on native reserves. (Photo Courtesy of CBC News)

Talks between Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a group of native chiefs ended Friday, leading to a promise to spend C$330.8 million during the next two years to improve water systems on aboriginal lands.  The government also promised further “high-level dialogue.”

“Our Government is committed to addressing water and wastewater issues on reserves to ensure that First Nations communities have access to safe drinking water,” said Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan in a statement.

The government’s pledge will improve water systems in more than 50 First Nations communities on reservations where complaints target poor infrastructure and housing.

Since November 2012, natives have held protests in a movement called “Idle No More,” which quickly spread.  The demonstrations are aimed at attacking a proposed legislative budget bill called “Bill C-45,” which would change the Navigable Protection Act and the Indian Act, leading many to believe it would breach aboriginal treaty rights.

Native leaders have demanded more federal money, a greater say over what happens to resources on their land, and more respect from the federal government.  Protestors have held demonstrations in a movement called “Idle No More” since November.  At times, the protests have blocked roads and included hunger strikes, including the liquid-only diet of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence since December 11.

Prior to Friday’s talks, native groups warned that the protest was large enough to hurt Canada’s national economy unless the government addressed natives’ deplorable living conditions and high jobless rates.

“We have the warriors that are standing up now, that are willing to go that far,” Grand Chief Derek Nepinak from Manitoba said on Thursday before the talks.  “We’re not here to make requests; we’re here to demand attention.

“We have had enough,” Nepinak added.  “Our young people have had enough.  Our women have had enough.  We have nothing else to lose.”

Aboriginal leaders claimed that the federal government has ignored treaties signed with British settlers and explorers that granted their people rights over their territory.

Canada has 1.2 million natives and more than 600 indigenous reserves dating back to 1763.  The Canadian government spends roughly C$11 billion every year on its aboriginal population, but many reserves are plagued by poverty.  Living conditions on the reservations are low, and some communities have high rates of addiction, unemployment, and suicide.

For further information, please see:

Reuters — Canada Pledges Better Water for Aboriginals Amid Blockade Threat — 13 January 2013

CBC News — Idle No More Protests Go on After PM Meets AFN Leaders — 12 January 2013

BBC News — Canada Native Meeting Ends with Pledge of Further Talks — 11 January 2013

PressTV — Canada Chief Warns of Native Retaliation — 11 January 2013