The Middle East

Proposed Saudi Law Would Allow Indefinite Detention

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A proposed Saudi Arabian law would allow the kingdom to detain security suspects indefinitely and without trial.   It indicates that peaceful acts of dissent could in the future be prosecuted as a “terrorist crime.”

Tightened security in Saudi Arabia (Photo courtesy of al Jazeera)

A copy of the law leaked to Amnesty International earlier this year.

Amnesty included commentary on the proposed law in a report released on Thursday about the state of freedom of expression in Saudi Arabia, in which it called the situation “dire.”

It criticized the Saudi “vague and broad” definitions of terrorism, which range from “destabilizing society” to “harming the reputation of the state.”

“The formulation of a new anti-terror law is another apparent sign of the authorities to use the law to silence dissent,” Amnesty International said.

“This opaqueness could be exploited to charge peaceful meetings of a group of people who make political demands or even engage in academic discussions with a ‘terrorist crime’ under this draft law.”

Saudi Arabia has thus far avoided the popular uprisings of the Arab Spring that have consumed much of the region, but it appears they are proactively attempting to repress any future opposition.

Amnesty has called on the Saudi government to release all prisoners of conscience, denouncing the “extremely weak” protection of human rights in Saudi Arabia. It says hundreds of people have been arrested in the east, many without charge or trial.

Detained prisoners are often held for months without trial or access to a lawyer.  Confessions are extracted under duress, including beatings with sticks, punching, suspension from the ceiling by the ankles or wrists, and sleep deprivation.

When cases are brought to trial, the proceedings are often held behind closed doors, and fail to live up to the international standards for judicial fairness and transparency.

Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy that doesn’t have a written criminal code.  Their law is instead based upon an uncodified version of Islamic Shari’a law as interpreted by judges.

The Saudi embassy in London claims that the report is based upon “inaccurate information” taken from a law that has been circulating for years and that is still subject to changes.

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is committed to and respects human rights in accordance with Islamic sharia, which is the foundation of our legal system,” Saudi Ambassador Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud said in a statement.

The embassy says that all those detained were endangering the lives of others.  Most of them were released without charge after questioning. It denied any human rights violations against the detainees.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Draft Saudi security law faces criticism — 01 Dec. 2011

BBC — Saudi Arabia rejects Amnesty repression claims — 01 Dec. 2011

MSNBC — Report: Saudi draft terror law legalizes repression — 01 Dec. 2011

Voice of America — Report Charges Saudis with “New Wave of Repression” — 01 Dec. 2011

Yemeni President Cedes Power; Declares Amnesty for ‘Follies’ During Unrest

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen — Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has declared general amnesty for people who committed abuses during the uprising and political crisis that began in Yemen 10 months ago.

Yemeni President Saleh, having been granted personal immunity, announces amnesty for 'follies' committed during civil unrest (photo courtesy of National Yemen).

Last week, Saleh ceded power to the vice president, however, as his opponents point out, he has yet to step down or stop making decisions.  This has led to some confusion as to what his new role is now that he has supposedly stepped down as president.

Saleh’s opponents have called on him to stop making decisions that affect the country.

The amnesty of those who “committed errors during the crisis” does not extend to the parties responsible for injuring Saleh in a bombing at the presidential palace in June.

Saleh did not give extensive details about his offer of amnesty, but many think that it is meant to pardon his own forces that are accused of killing protesters during the many months of bloody unrest.

Yemeni lawmakers have already agreed to grant Saleh and other government officials immunity from prosecution as part of the power sharing arrangement that led to Saleh’s ceding of power.

There is a presidential election scheduled for 21 February, but currently Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi is the only candidate.   This is the result of of a deal between the ruling party and the opposition.

Despite political progress, Yemen’s armed conflicts are ongoing.  Fighting in the northern Saada Province between Houthi rebels and the government was renewed on Sunday resulting in at least 25 dead.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) released a report on Friday which noted that Yemeni troops have killed at least 35 civilians in the city of Taiz since 21 October, when the United Nations Security Council issued a statement calling on Saleh to end human rights violations in Yemen.

The Yemeni opposition has demanded that the United Nations Security Council adopt recommendations contained in the HRW report.  The recommendations include an asset freeze and travel ban on President Saleh and other civilian officials.  They also ask the Security Council to disassociate itself from the agreement that offers Saleh immunity for serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in exchange for leaving office.

“The army’s indiscriminate shelling in Taizz shows President Saleh’s brazen disregard for the lives of Yemeni civilians right up to the time he signed a deal to transfer power,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Because President Saleh’s signature is only as good as the actions that follow, concerned governments and the UN Security Council should still impose targeted sanctions until these unlawful attacks stop and hold Yemeni authorities accountable.”

The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to meet early this week.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera — Yemen’s Saleh decrees ‘general amnesty’ — 27 Nov. 2011

Al Sahwah — Yemeni protesters demands Security Council to adopt HRW’s Recommendations — 27 Nov. 2011

New York Times — Power Ceded, Yet President of Yemen Declares Amnesty — 27 Nov. 2011

Ocala — New Turmoil as President Comes Back to Yemen — 27 Nov. 2011

Amnesty — Yemen: immunity deal would be ‘hammer blow’ to human rights victims — 24 Nov. 2011

Arab League Unveils Sanctions on Syria, Hoping to End Violence Against Protesters

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt–On Sunday 27 November 2011, The Arab League approved a set of sanctions to impose immediately on Syria, a move that it hopes will pressure the government to cease its eight-month crackdown on pro-democracy and anti-regime protesters.

Protesters in Deir Balaba supporting the continued demonstrations in the city of Homs. (Photo Courtesy of NYT)

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani reported at a press conference in the Egyptian capital that 19 of the League’s 22 member nations had approved the sanctions, leaving only three member states in opposition. The sanctions include: cutting off transactions with the Syrian central bank, a stop to Arab government funding for projects within Syria, a stop to trade exchange with the Syrian government, and a travel ban on Syrian officials.

Sheik Hamad expressed these sentiments during the press conference, reiterating that the Arab League desire a regional solution and do want foreign intervention.

“Today is a sad day for me, because we still hope our brothers in Syria will sign the document of the protocol and stop the killings, and to release the detainees and withdraw its military from Syrian districts. The position of the people, and the Arab position, is that we must end this situation urgently. We are trying to prevent any foreign intervention into Syria. All the work we are doing is to avoid this interference.”

Syria, one of the founding members of the Arab League, responded immediately and called the sanctions a betrayal of Arab solidarity. The Syrian state television described the sanctions as “unprecedented measures aimed at the Syrian people.”

The Arab League had previously set a Friday 25 November 2011 deadline for Syria to permit human rights monitors into the country and withdraw tanks from the streets or face sanctions. The ultimatum did not elicit a satisfactory and substantial response from Syrian officials, prompting the Arab League to convene and agree on which sanctions it would impose.

Iraq and Lebanon, two nations that are neighbors to Syria, abstained from the vote. As Syria’s second-biggest trading partner accounting for 13.3% of Syria’s trade, Iraq claimed that an economic blockade would not be practical with Syria.

Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Labeed Abbawi shared these words with Reuters about Iraq’s decision to abstain.

“Iraq has reservations about this decision. For us, this decision will harm the interests of our country and our people as we have a large community in Syria.”

The United Nations estimated that approximately 3,500 people have died since the pro-democracy and anti-regime protests began earlier this year in March. Turkey, which attended the Arab League’s meeting as a visitor since it is not an Arab state, declared that it would nonetheless act in accordance with the Arab League’s sanctions. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu shared these sentiments about the developing situation and concern for the thousands of civilians that have lost their lives protesting for change.

“When civilians are killed in Syria and the Syrian regime increases its cruelty to innocent people, it should not be expected for Turkey and the Arab League to be silent. We hope the Syrian government will get our message and the problem will be solved within the family.”

While the Arab League was announcing these sanctions, activists and protesters continued to display their displeasure and desperation for change. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based opposition group, in the city of Homs on Sunday 27 November 2011, security forces loyal to the government were matched up against army defectors.

“Violent clashes occurred this morning between Syria’s regular army and groups of deserters in the region of Talbiseh. Two troop transporters were destroyed. The regular army is using heavy machineguns in its operations in Talbiseh, four civilians have been wounded.”

While nations around the Arab world attempt to force change upon Syria, many inside Syria fear that the sanctions will only further exacerbate the situation. The Local Coordinating Committees, a group that leads the anti-government demonstrations, supported a collective move to pressure the regime, but feared that the government would find avenues to evade the restrictions.

A 23-year-old Damascus student, who did not wish to be identified for fear of reprisal, shared these words about the sanctions.

“I think it is time the world realized that economic sanctions are not affecting anyone but the Syrian people. Those who couldn’t afford buying bread, now can’t afford even smelling bread.”

It appears that the interests of those involved in the demonstrations and protests might further be harmed by these sanctions, even though they are designed to do precisely the opposite.

According to Al-Jazeera correspondent Nisreen El-Shamayleh, who is currently reporting on the situation from the neighboring nation of Jordan, quoted the Syrian Revolution General Commission (SRGC) that 26 individuals lost their lives on Sunday 27 November 2011. The SRGC is part of the Syrian National Council, another opposition group.

Syria continues to uphold its ban on international journalists, making it impossible to report facts on the ground. Reports coming out of Syria cannot be independently confirmed and verified.

 

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Arab League Approves Syria Sanctions – 27 November 2011

BBC – Syria Unrest: Arab League Adopts Sanctions in Cairo – 27 November 2011

Reuters – Arabs Impose Sanctions On Syria Over Crackdown – 27 November 2011

NYT – Arab League Punishes Syria Over Violent Crackdown – 27 November 2011

Ahram – Cracks Emerge Before Arab Vote on Syria Sanctions – 27 November 2011

CNN – Arab League Proposes Sanctions Against Syria, Including Freezing Assets – 26 November 2011

 

 

 

Israeli Authorities Seized West Bank Land for Kibbutz

By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel – The Israeli authorities seized 365 acres of Palestinian land in the West Bank for Kibbutz Merivav, an agriculture community located inside Israel.  Israeli authorities have annexed land in the West Bank for Jewish settlers for decades, but the seizure of land for communities in Israel is unprecedented.

Construction of a new Israeli settlement unit. (Photo Courtesy of Ma'an News)

The Israeli authorities seized the tract of land from Bardaleh, a West Bank Palestinian village.  The village is located on the Israeli side of the Separation Barrier, a combination of fences and concrete walls designed to protect Israel from Palestinian attackers.  Some Palestinian farmland remains on the Israeli side of the Separation Barrier, and Palestinians will cross the barrier to tend to this land.

Although Kibbutz Merivav has tended to the land for years, Israel has just recently publicly stated the land belongs to Israel.  Palestinians fear this seizure will create a new precedent for West Bank land located on the Israeli side of the Separation Barrier.  The Separation Barrier has carved into 375 acres of Palestinian territory.

Guy Inbar, the Israeli military spokesperson, assured the people that although the kibbutz annexed the land, the seizure did not intent to establish a precedent.  However, Bardaleh villager Mohammed Sawafta reported the kibbutz started scaring the villagers off the land in the 1980s while the Israeli military prevented the villagers from gaining access to the land once the kibbutz began tending the land.

The Israeli government also planned to meet with construction prospects to develop 2,230 settlement units in the West Bank and East Jerusalem last week.  The Palestinian Authority strongly condemned Israel’s new settlement plans.  The Palestinian Authority Cabinet argued the public bids for new settlement properties “are a blatant example of Israel’s unilateral actions and noncommittal to international laws and understandings.”  The Palestinians called for the international community support to halt settlement activity and reiterated peace talks will only begin once Israel ceases building new settlements.

Throughout the Palestinian communities, this Jordan Valley land seizure dominated their news coverage.  The Israelis consider the seized land as absentee property, which Israeli authorities can allocate for settlement activities.

Research and activist against Jewish settlement in the West Bank Dror Etkes said, “Eventually, Israeli communities on the Israeli side of the Green Line will likely take land from Palestinians in the West Bank. . . .  It seems to be almost inevitable.”  The Green Line is the cease-fire line established prior to the 1967 Mideast War.

For more information, please see:

CBS – West Bank Land Seized by Israeli Kibbutz – 19 Nov 2011

Palestine News and Information Agency – Newspapers Review: Israeli Annexation of Jordan Valley Land Dominates Dailies – 19 Nov 2011

Press TV – Israel Continues to Confiscate Lands – 19 Nov 2011

Ma’an News – PA Cabinet Condemns Settlement Plans – 18 Nov 2011

Egyptian Blogger’s Nude Photo Launches Global Debate on Women’s Rights in Arab World

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

CAIRO, Egypt – On October 23, twenty-year-old Aliaa Magda Elmahdy posted a full frontal nude photograph of herself on her blog as a complaint against a ban on nude models in Egyptian universities and books.  After the photo was removed from her Facebook page, she gave a friend of hers permission to post it on Twitter, under her own name and the hashtag #NudePhotoRevolutionary.  The tweet, first posted last week, has been viewed more than one million times, and her daring act has set off a powder keg of debate in Egypt that may affect the country’s elections scheduled for November 28.

Aliaa Magda Elmahdy's decision to post a nude photograph of herself on Twitter has drawn scorn from people on both sides of the political spectrum in Egypt. She justifies her actions by calling them “echoing screams against a society of violence, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and hypocrisy.” (Photo courtesy of the International Business Times)

The mostly black and white picture depicts Elmahdy – who is naked except for a red ribbon in her hair, a pair of thigh-high stockings and red patent leather shoes – standing with her foot on a stool.  Her blog post features several other nude pictures, including a variant of the main photo that uses it in triplicate with censor bars over her eyes, mouth, and sex organs.  It is accompanied by a caption, written in both Arabic and English.

“Put on trial the artists’ models who posed nude for art schools until the early 70s, hide the art books and destroy the nude statues of antiquity,” it urges.  “[T]hen undress and stand before a mirror and burn your bodies that you despise to forever rid yourselves of your sexual hangups before you direct your humiliation and chauvinism and dare to try to deny me my freedom of expression.”

She later spoke to the media about the post and her motives.

“I accepted [my friend’s request to post the photograph] because I am not shy of being a woman in a society where women are nothing but sex objects harassed on a daily basis by men who know nothing about sex or the importance of a woman,” Elmahdy told CNN during an interview Saturday.

Since the early 1970s, Egypt has become one of the most conservative countries in the Middle East and Africa.  Its majority-Muslim population frowns upon nudity, even as an art form.  Most women wear veils to cover their heads.  Even those who go bareheaded generally keep their arms and legs covered.  In a Facebook post, Elmahdy described her actions as “echoing screams against a society of violence, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and hypocrisy.”  Continuing further, she opined that women wore veils and covered their bodies due to religious and social pressure.

“The women with head veil[s] that I know wear [them] because of their families or because they don’t want to be beaten in the streets,” she wrote in another Facebook post.  “I don’t see why they always dictate to women, and not to men, what they should wear.”

Another example of such a view of women took place during a Tahrir Square sit-in after the fall of ex-dictator Hosni Mubarak’s regime.  After breaking up the protest with a series of mass arrests, security forces subjected female dissidents to virginity tests, which Elmahdy likened to rape.  Human Rights First has issued a report that decries “a pattern of targeting politically active women” in Egypt.

“Local activists report being assaulted, stripped, sexually baited, and threatened with charges of prostitution and virginity tests,” said Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley.  “There appears to be a policy of trying to intimidate women out of the political sphere through this gender violence.”

A cropped version of the nude photograph posted by Aliaa Magda Elmahdy on her blog and Twitter. (Photo courtesy of Aliaa Magda Elmahdy)

Since posting the photo, Elmahdy has been exposed to criticism from both liberal and conservative factions in Egyptian politics, especially with the election looming next Tuesday.  The hardline Islamist Salafis have run a campaign against more liberal groups by saying that the liberals will corrupt the country’s morals.  In that sense, her post could not have come at a worse time for liberal organizations.

“This hurts the entire secular current in front of those calling themselves the people of virtue,” Sayyed El-Qimni, a prominent self-described secular figure, said referring to Islamists.  “It’s a double disaster.  Because I am liberal and I believe in the right of personal freedom, I can’t interfere,” El-Qimni said Wednesday night on one of Egypt’s most popular political talk shows, 90 Minutes.

An alleged connection between her and the April 6th Movement, a liberal organization that was instrumental in the revolt that drove out Mubarak, forced the organization into damage control mode on television.  When faced with the allegations, a party spokesman said that it urged all of its members “to be role models as far as ethics are concerned,” meaning that her outrageous behavior would have precluded her joining.  Another left-leaning party, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, also expressed disapproval.

“Many movements in Egypt, particularly Islamist movements, are trying to benefit,” said Emad Gad, one of its parliamentary candidates. “They say, ‘We have to protect our society from things like this, and if the liberals win then this woman will become a model for all Egyptian women.'”

Among activists and commentators, Elmahdy received a considerably more favorable reaction.  Iranian-born activist Maryam Namazie was impressed by her audacity, calling the decision “the ultimate act of rebellion” against the Islamists trying to take control of the post-Mubarak Egypt.  To Egyptian-American journalist Mona Eltaway, Elmahdy served as “the Molotov cocktail thrown at the Mubaraks in our heads – the dictators of our mind – which insists that revolutions cannot succeed without a tidal wave of cultural changes that upend misogyny and sexual hypocrisy.”  Human rights activist Ahmad Awadalla also responded, tweeting: “A feminist #Jan25 revolutionary posted her nude photo on the internet to express her freedom.  I’m totally taken back by her bravery!!”

But for Elmahdy, who is suddenly a villain at home and a hero abroad, her plans are simple.  “I am a believer of every word I say and I am willing to live in danger under the many threats I receive in order to obtain the real freedom all Egyptian are fighting and dying for daily,” she said.

For more information, please see:

CNN — Egyptian Blogger Aliaa Elmahdy: Why I Posed Naked — 19 November 2011

Colombo Telegram — Egyptian Feminist’s Blog Received 2.5 Million Hits with Her Full Frontal Nude Shot — 18 November 2011

International Business Times —Aliaa Magda Elmahdy, Nude Blogger, Gains Support from Egyptian Diaspora — 18 November 2011

Daily News Egypt — Activist Posts Herself Nude, Sparks Outrage — 17 November 2011

New York Times — Nude Blogger Riles Egyptians of All Stripes — 17 November 2011

International Business Times — Aliaa Magda Elmahdy, Nude Blogger, Hits Back at Her Critics — 16 November 2011

International Business Times — Aliaa Magda Elmahdy, Nude Blogger: The Fight for Women’s Rights in the Arab Spring — 16 November 2011

Al-Masry Al-Youm — Fury Over Young Activist Publishing Nude Self-Portrait — 13 November 2011

Aliaa Magda Elmahdy’s Original Blog Post — 23 October 2011