The Middle East

Saudi Blogger Arrested in Malaysia for Tweets about the Prophet Mohammed

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Malaysian police have arrested a Saudi blogger who was fleeing Saudi Arabia following calls for his execution, stemming from comments made on Twitter thought to be insulting to the Prophet Mohammed.

 

A series of tweets has led to calls for the execution of a Saudi blogger (Photo courtesy of RatedSawj).

Hamza Kashgari was hoping to gain political asylum in New Zealand when he was intercepted upon his arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

A spokesperson for the Malaysian police confirmed that they had detained the 23-year old blogger.

“This arrest was part of an Interpol operation which the Malaysian police were a part of,” the spokesperson said.

No details were announced on whether Kashgari would be extradited to Saudi Arabia.  Even though the two countries do not have an explicit extradition treaty, Kashgari could still be extradited under other bilateral security agreements between the States.

Clerics and locals in Saudi Arabia have called for Kashgari’s execution based upon three comments he made on Twitter on the Prophet Mohammed’s birthday.

The tweets depicted a fictitious conversation between Kashgari and the Prophet.

“On your birthday, I find you wherever I turn. I will say that I have loved aspects of you, hated others, and could not understand many more,” one tweet read.

Kashgari later deleted the tweets after he received over 30,000 responses within a day of posting.  The online reaction to the tweets included a series of tweets with the hashtag #HazmaKashgari, YouTube videos (one of which including his home address), and a Facebook group with over 12,000 members entitled “The Saudi People Demand the Execution of Hazma Kashgari.”

Some in Saudi Arabia feel that Kashgari has been made a scapegoat for a larger conflict between the ultraconservatives and liberals in the majority Muslim nation.

The incident once again highlights the impact of Twitter and related social networking sites in the Middle East.  The free forums allow for debate and discussion, but it can also lead to scandal.

Saudi Arabia does not have a written set of criminal laws, however blasphemy has been recognized as a crime punishable by execution under Saudi Arabia’s strict interpretation of Islamic sharia law. It is not a capital crime in Malaysia.

Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations are calling on Malaysia not to send Kashgari back to Saudi Arabia.

“If Kashgari is not presumed innocent, he can hardly expect a fair trial if returned to Saudi Arabia,” said Christopher Wilcke, a senior Middle East researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Malaysia should save him from any travesties of justice and allow him to seek safety in a country of his choice.”

Due to its role in Kashgari’s arrest, Interpol has been accused of abusing its powers.

“If an Interpol red notice is the reason for his arrest and detention it would be a serious abuse of this powerful international body that is supposed to respect basic human rights (including to peaceful free speech) and to be barred from any involvement in religious or political cases,” said Jago Russell, the chief executive of the British charity Fair Trials International.

He went on to call on Interpol to uphold its obligations to fundamental human rights and to stay out of this case “which is clearly of a religious nature.”

Interpol, which has 190 member countries, has a series of colored notice systems that police forces around the world use to pass on requests for help.

Last year Interpol was accused by Fair Trials International of allowing the system to be abused for political purposes when it issued a red notice for the arrest of the Oxford-based leader of an Asian separatist movement, Benny Wenda, who has been granted asylum and has lived in the UK since 2003.

Interpol has not commented on the arrest of Kashgari.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Malaysia arrests Saudi blogger over tweets — 10 Feb. 2012

Guardian — Interpol accused after journalist arrested over Muhammed tweet — 10 Feb. 2012

HRW — Malaysia Don’t Send Saudi Back — 10 Feb. 2012

New York Times — Malaysia Detains Saudi Over Twitter Posts on Prophet — 10 Feb. 2012

Washington Post — Saudi blogger’s tweets about prophet Muhammad stir Islamists to call for his execution — 09 Feb. 2012

 

 

Alleged BBC Persian Journalists Arrested in Iran

By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – On Monday, 6 February, Iranian security forces detained several freelance reporters for possible connections with the British Broadcast Corporation’s (“BBC”) Persian service.  Iran has banned affiliation with the BBC in the country.

In June 2009, supporters of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad hold signs against the British media.

BBC stated “no BBC Persian staff members or stringers [were] working inside Iran.”  It added, “We strongly condemn any actions against the families and acquaintances of BBC Persian staff.”  BBC also accused Iranian authorities of intimidating and bullying its Persian service staff last week.

The semi-official Mehr news agency reported the arrests of “a number of people deceived by the lie-spreading BBC Persian network.”   The unnamed “knowledgeable source” said BBC had “the mission of gathering news and information, producing content in various formats, recruiting, training and preparing for the departure of Iran’s elite media workers from the country.”  The source claims the arrested journalists “received huge amounts of money from the company.”

The source added Iran’s judiciary department will issue a verdict once the charges, including committing several security crimes, are finalized.  Lastly, the source reminded journalists that “any kind of co-operation with the BBC Persian channel is illegal and will be prosecuted.”

Although the BBC’s Farsi-language service remains outlawed in Iran, illegal satellite receivers transmit the program.  The Iranian government alleges the BBC encourages unrest within the country by broadcasting “anti-revolutionary programs.”  Tehran has also accused the BBC of hosting Iranian dissidents and serving as a cover for British intelligence.

BBC’s Director General Mark Thompson reported Iranian officials are using “disturbing new tactics” in conjunction with intimidation to target the media.  Iranian authorities arrested the sister of a staff member and held her on unspecified charges in solitary confinement at Tehran’s Evin Prison before releasing her.  Thompson added, several staff members’ Facebook accounts were hacked and subjected to a “consistent stream of false and slanderous accusations…ranging from allegations of serious sexual assault, drug trafficking, and criminal financial behavior.”

Iranian official also arrested six film-makers in September for collaborating with BBC Persian.  The BBC countered the allegations by stating the film-makers were independent, and the BBC simply bought the documentaries’ broadcast rights.  Authorities released two of these film-makers in October.

Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) correlates the media harassment with Iran’s parliamentary elections next month.

The BBC spokesperson said “These latest reports appear to confirm our recent statements and should be of deep concern to all those who believe in a free and independent media.”

For further information, please see:

BBC – Iran ‘Detains Alleged BBC Persian Journalists’ – 7 Feb 2012

CBS News – Iran Arrests Several on Links to BBC Farsi Service – 7 Feb 2012

CNN – BBC Accuses Iran of Intimidating Journalists – 7 Feb 2012

Sydney Morning Herald – BBC Freeland Reporters Arrested in Iran – 7 Feb 2012

‘Homs Offensive’ Claims More Lives in Syria, As International Community Continually Debates Resolution

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

HOMS, Syria–One day after a UN Security Council resolution aimed at ending the bloodshed in Syria was vetoed by China and Russia, the Syrian army has increased its attacks on opposition fighters in Homs. The Syrian Revolution General Commission, an opposition group, stated that 15 individuals were killed in Homs on Monday 06 February 2012 and at least three others were killed in Aleppo. Al-Jazeera received video from opposition activists that depicted apparent devastation caused by a military offensive in the Bab Amr neighborhood of Homs.

A wounded woman in Bab Amr with a bandage on her head.(Photo Courtesy of The Guardian)

Activists and witnesses said the army had been shelling the neighborhood “indiscriminately” since the morning of Sunday 05 February 2012. Abu Abdo Alhomsy, an activist of a revolutionary council in Homs, shared these words with Al-Jazeera on Monday 06 February 2012 concerning the attacks.

“It is horrible right here. Rockets are falling. There are massive explosions that shook buildings. We don’t know really what to do. It’s a massive attack-a new massacre is happening here. Nobody can go out, we don’t know how many homes have been hit or how many people died.”

Danny Abdul Dayem, a resident of Homs, shared these words with Al-Jazeera concerning the shelling in Bab Amr. Video images have surfaced showing people who have been shot and hit by shrapnel, including children sustaining fatal injuries.

“It has been terrible. There is non-stop bombing with rockets, mortar bombs, and tank shells. There were more than 50 people injured in Bab Amr today. I saw with my own eyes kids with no legs, and a kid who lost his whole bottom jaw. It is terrible.”

Dayem also indicated that only one field hospital with four doctors was still operating in the city and that it was virtually impossible to get additional medication for anything short of a gunshot wound.

The Syrian state television has denied that there had been any such bombardment in the country. It stated that residents were setting fire to piles of rubbish on the roofs of their homes in an attempt to trick the world into believing that there was an attack. The phrase “terrorist gangs” was used to describe whom was responsible for the blown up buildings in Homs. The government has come out and said that it is fighting foreign-backed armed groups

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a London-based rights organization, army deserters in the northeast region of the country destroyed a military control post early on Monday 06 February 2012, killing three officers and capturing 19 soldiers. The fighting occurred in the village of Al Bara in the Edleb region and that none of the army deserters involved in the skirmish lost their lives.

The death toll in Syria rose to at least 88 people over the weekend, deemed one of the bloodiest since the demonstrations and protests against al-Assad’s regime began nearly 11 months ago. The chaos and turmoil in the country has claimed at least 6,000 lives total in Syria, according to various opposition groups.

The international community continues to react to the situation in Syria instead of taking a proactive approach. According to French authorities, The European Union (EU) is set to strengthen sanctions imposed on Syria in a bid to boost pressure on the government. Alain Juppe, the French foreign minister, shared these words with BFMTV television on Sunday 05 February 2012.

“Europe will again harden sanctions imposed on the Syrian regime. We will try to increase this international pressure and there will come a time when the regime will have to realize that it is completely isolated and cannot continue.”

The United States closed its embassy in Syria and pulled out its remaining staff on Monday 06 February 2012, citing serious security concerns as al-Assad’s regime increased its crackdown, causing more bloodshed. The State Department released a statement containing the following on the decision to close the Syrian embassy.

“The United States has suspended operations of our embassy in Damascus as of 06 February. Ambassador Robert Ford and all American personnel have now departed the country. The recent surge in violence, including bombings in Damascus on 23 December and 06 January, has raised serious concerns that our embassy is not sufficiently protested from armed attack.”

With all of the attacks and death occurring the around the nation, it can only be extremely disheartening to Syrian civilians to see nations such as China and Russia veto a UN Security Council resolution and the US close its embassy. Regardless of what the “big-time” actors are doing, people are still suffering and dying on the ground. These are the same people that are continually at the mercy of al-Assad’s regime. It would seem that the only way for these people’s voices to be heard and acted on is the permanent absence of al-Assad’s regime. Much like Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Moammar Gaddafi of Libya, the permanent absence of a multi-decade dictator is the only way for the demonstrations and protests to actually mean something for change.

 

For more information, please see: 

Ahram – US Closes Syria Embassy, Pulls Out All Staff – 06 February 2012

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/2/8/33861/World/Region/US-closes-Syria-embassy,-pulls-out-all-staff.aspx

Al-Jazeera – Syrian Army ‘Steps Up Homs Offensive’ – 06 February 2012

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/02/20122614732355122.html

BBC – Syria Crisis: Army Steps Up Homs Shelling – 06 February 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-16902819

CNN – US Closes Embassy As Fighting Rages In Syria – 06 February 2012

http://www.cnn.com/2012/02/06/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=imi_c1

The Guardian – Syrian Forces ‘Kill At Least 50’ In Homs Bombardment – 06 February 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/06/syrian-forces-homs-bombardment

Reuters – Syria Bombards Homs; West Scrambles For New Strategy – 06 February 2012

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/06/us-syria-idUSTRE80S08620120206

Rival Palestinian Leaders Agree To Team Up, But Their Populations Continue to Suffer

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza–The leaders of rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas signed a deal on Monday 06 February 2012 in Qatar to form a unity government. The government would be independent of West Bank and Gaza, currently led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Protesters engage UN chief Ban Ki-moon's convoy in Gaza. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement shortly after the agreement was signed, stating that Israel would not come to the table so long as Hamas was on the Palestinian side.

“Hamas is a terrorist organization which strives to destroy Israel and relies on support from Iran. I have said many times in the past that the Palestinian Authority must choose between an alliance with Hamas and peace with Israel. Hamas and peace don’t go together.”

As the never-ending peace talks between Israel and Palestine continue to prove fruitless, the agreement signed is hoping to pave the way for Palestinian presidential and parliamentary election as a possibility later this year. Also, there is focus and hope on substantively rebuilding Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, following a 2008-2009 Israeli offensive against Hamas.

This deal comes just one weekend after dozens of Palestinians staged hostile protests as the convoy of visiting UN chief Ban Ki-Moon entered Gaza from Israel. Many of the protesters were relatives of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and came to express their anger at Mr. Ban’s refusal to meet with them to discuss the prisoners’ situation. According to the BBC, the protesters were expressing their disgust on behalf of approximately 4,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Some protesters threw shoes at the convoy while others held signs, one which displayed the text, “enough bias for Israel.” Mr. Ban’s visit to the region was supposed to ignite stalled peace negotiations between the two sides. An entire month of “exploratory talks” ended last week without any major or expected breakthroughs.

When Mr. Ban’s armoured convoy entered Gaza, approximately 50 protesters gathered on the Gaza side of the Erez crossing as the convoy came through. According to the AP news agency, the protesters formed a human chain in an attempt to hold up the UN chief’s progress but Hamas security forces removed them from the area. After passing through the protest, Mr. Ban traveled to Khan Younis, where he reportedly was scheduled to visit a school and a Japanese-funded housing project.

As both Israeli and Palestinian authorities continue to make statements, the focus on the region really needs to be placed on the people on the ground. The Israeli populations appear to be functioning properly, while the Palestinian population appear dysfunctional and desolate. According to a Human Rights Watch report released over the weekend, Israeli policies on Palestinian residency have arbitrarily denied thousands of Palestinians the ability to live in, and travel to and from, the West Bank and Gaza. The 90-page reported dubbed “Forget about Him, He’s Not Here” goes into great detail about the arbitrary exclusion by the Israeli military of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians since 1967 and further documents the impact that said exclusion continues to have on individuals and families.

The Israeli military has a list that deems certain Palestinians as lawful and legitimate residents of the West Bank and Gaza has had a plethora of adverse effects on the Palestinian population. According to “Forget about Him, He’s Not Here,” it has separated families, caused individual to lose jobs as well as educational opportunities, barred people from entering the Palestinian territories, and trapped others inside them.

Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, shared these sentiments concerning the report and what it details.

“Israel has never put forth any concrete security rationale for blanket policies that have made life a nightmare for Palestinians whom it considers unlawful residents in their homes. The current policies leave families divided and people trapped on the wrong side of the border in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel should revise these policies and process requests for families to reunite, so that Palestinians can live with their families where they want.”

Israel requires Palestinians to be included in the population registry in order to be considered lawful residents and possess Israeli-approved identification cards and passports. In the West Bank, Palestinians need the ID cards for almost everything, including traveling internally, attending schools, finding employment, admittance to hospitals, and to visit relatives. Israeli security forces controlling checkpoints requires these cards before allowing passage and those controlling the West Bank borders also required Palestinians who are entering or leaving the territory to present an ID card or passport.

Until the conditions and issues surrounding Palestinian populations is substantively pushed to the front of any peace talks, it is very difficult to see how any change will occur. Many words can be written on agreements and signed but until those words mean no more requirements on Palestinians to carry ID and be arbitrarily separated from their relatives, the situation will continue to worsen.

 

For more information, please see: 

NYT – Palestinian Factions Reach Unity Deal – 06 February 2012

Reuters – Palestinian Rivals Agree To Form Unity Government – 06 February 2012

Human Rights Watch – Israel: End Restrictions On Palestinian Residency – 05 February 2012

Al-Jazeera – Two Palestinians Wounded in Israeli Airstrike – 03 February 2012

CNN – Protesters Pelt U.N. Chief’s Vehicle With Shoes In Gaza – 02 February 2012

BBC – Palestinian Protesters Target UN Chief Ban Ki-Moon – 02 February 2012


Russian and Chinese Vetoes Prevent Passage of UN Resolution Condemning Syrian Violence

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria — Russia and China voted against a draft resolution that would have condemned a crackdown on anti-government protests in Syria and called on Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian president, to step aside.

The United Nations Security Council (Photo Courtesy of Al Jazeera).

The countries, two of the United Nations Security Council’s permanent members, have veto power over resolutions put before the Council.

A statement from the Russian ambassador to the United Nations said the resolution, “sent an unbalanced signal to the Syrian parties” by not condemning violence on the part of the armed opposition to the same degree that it did for the Syrian government.

Internationally, the vetoes received tremendous criticism.  Qatar’s minister of state for foreign affairs said the vetoes sent “ a very bad signal to [President Bashar al-Assad] that there is a license to kill.” Other Western and Arab leaders echoed Qatar’s reaction.

Europe will strengthen sanctions imposed on Damascus in a bid to boost pressure on the regime, France said on Sunday. The United States has vowed to block funding and arms supplies to Syria.

“We will work to seek regional and national sanctions against Syria and strenghten the ones we have. They will be implemented to the fullest to dry up the sources of funding and the arms shipments that are keeping the regime’s war machine going,”  US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Sunday.

Despite these international efforts the opposition in Syria is now forced to attempt to stop the government crackdown by itself.

Colonel Riad al-Asaad, commander of the FSA, said that “there is no other road” except military action by his fighters to topple Assad.

Iran welcomed the vetoes from China and Russia, calling the sanctions “just.”

“The Security Council has become a tool for the West’s bullying … of other nations, and this time Russia and China stood up against it,” one of Iran’s top diplomat said.

The Syrian government also saw the vetoes as a victory, saying that the result should be an acceptance of the regime’s program for solving the evolving crisis.

The Tishreen, a state run newspaper, called the vetoes an incentive for Damascus to continue with its announced political reforms, which include drafting a new constitution, allowing the formation of new political parties, and holding parliamentary elections.

It further suggested that the international community support talks between the government and the opposition.

At the same time, it declared that the government would continue with its crackdown, saying it would “restore what the Syrians enjoyed for decades and what they are demanding today which is stability and security and confronting all forms of terrorism.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera —Qatar says UN veteos sent “bad signal” —  05 Feb. 2012

Al Jazeera — Veto power at the UN Security Council — 05 Feb. 2012

Huffington Post — Russia, China Veto Of Syria UN Resolution Sparks Outrage — 05 Feb. 2012

NPR — Syria Veto “Outrageous” Says UN Envoy Susan Rice — 05 Feb. 2012

Reuters — Clinton calls UN Syria vote a “travesty” — o5 Feb. 2012