The Middle East

Resurgent Islamist Party Wins Big in Tunisia’s First Democratic Election

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

TUNIS, Tunisia – Monday was a historic day for Tunisia as the results of its election following January’s revolution were announced.  The moderate Islamist Ennahda party garnered 89 out of 217 seats in the country’s new constituent assembly, more than three times that of the next closest party.  The elected members face the task of assembling a government and writing a new constitution.  More than half of the electorate turned out to vote.

The victory for Ennahda, which had once been banned from taking part in Tunisian politics, marks a comeback for a strong, organized force whose ability to function had been crippled for decades.  Unlike political parties in the United States, Ennahda is also “a social movement,” according to Noah Feldman, a law professor at Harvard University.  This organization “gave it a substantial leg up when it came to organizing dedicated volunteers to motivate voters,” he wrote in a column for Bloomberg.

Ennahda is expected to form a coalition with the next two leading vote-getters, the left-wing Congress for the Republic (CPR) and the Popular Petition.  Negotiations to assemble the new government are still underway, but CPR leader Moncef Marzouki was selected as the interim president.  Marzouki’s position will be largely ceremonial, other than the possibility of mediating disputes between leading parties in the assembly.  Mustapha Ben Jaafar, head of the fourth-place Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties, had been pushed as president, but it bogged down in negotiations.  He has since been offered the position of assembly president, but has yet to accept.  The interim government will also retain defense minister Abdelkrim Zbidi, who has gained respect among Tunisians for using the military to maintain order without being active in the political game.

Two parties ran anti-Islamist platforms, focusing on Ennahda in particular.  They won a combined 21 seats in the new assembly.

“Unlike the young secularists, many Tunisians see Islam as a defining feature of their personal and political identities,” Feldman said in an effort to explain why Ennahda faired so well.  “Islamists are also highly skilled at reaching across economic and social classes to build support. In poor rural areas, the mosque is sometimes the only gathering place, and Islam can be leveraged to provide a simple, time-tested and powerful political message.”

The elections were highly organized, even though the North African country had only four months to do so.  Kamel Jendoubi, leader of the election commission, said his group “clearly contributed to restoring the trust of Tunisians in their electoral process.”  He told the Associated Press that he planned to ask the assembly to make the commission a permanent aspect of future contests.

The assembly will hold its first meeting on November 22, and the interim government that it appoints will remain in place until the next round of elections, which has been tentatively scheduled for next year.

For more information, please see:

Washington Post — Tunisian Parties Choose Veteran Human Rights Activist as Country’s New Interim President — 15 November 2011

Al Jazeera — Final Tunisian Election Results Announced — 14 November 2011

AllAfrica.com — Tunisia: Islamists Win 89 of 217 Seats — 14 November 2011

Washington Post — Final Tunisian Election Results Confirm Win for Islamist Party — 14 November 2011

Al Jazeera — Tunisia Coalition to Be Formed in ‘Days’ — 10 November 2011

Bloomberg — Islamists’ Victory in Tunisia a Win for Democracy — 30 October 2011

Jailed UAE Activists Plan Hunger Strike, Demand Release For Allegedly “Insulting” Government Officials

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates–Five activists who were jailed seven months ago for “publicly insulting” United Arab Emirates officials plan to begin a hunger on Sunday 13 November 2011. According to Human Rights Watch, the activists will let the strike continue until the authorities release them unconditionally and cease all judicial proceedings against them.

The wife of detained activist Nasser bin Ghaith discussing the hunger strike. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

The five activists, who were arrested earlier this year in April and whose trial opened on June 14, are: Ahmed Mansoor, an engineer and blogger; Nasser bin Ghaith, an economist, university lecturer at Sorbonne Abu Dhabi, and an advocate for political reform; and online activists Fahad Salim Dalk, Ahmed Abdul-Khaleq, and Hassan Ali al-Khamis.

The charges against the activists are under Article 176 of the Penal Code, which deems it a crime to publicly insult top officials. The charges stem from the usage of the banned online political forum known as UAE Hewar. According to Human Rights Watch, a review of the messages posted by these activists did no more than criticize government policy or political leaders. No evidence exists that shows the activists used or incited violence in the course of their political activities.

Article 176 permits a sentence of up to five years in prison for “whoever publicly insults the State President, its flag or national emblem.” Article 8 broadens the application of the provision to encompass the vice president, members of the Supreme Council of the Federation, and others.

On Friday 11 November 2011, the activists released a joint statement, declaring their intention to begin the hunger strike. Also, they detailed violations of their basic rights by judiciary, prosecution, and prison officials, including their prolonged detention on politically motivated charges and an unfair trial. According to Human Rights Watch, the five activists felt “compelled” to go on a hunger strike after suffering in prison for seven months and having “exhausted all possible means of redress.”

The statement also detailed how the activists have endured a “vicious, orchestrated smear campaign” through text messages, social media, and satellite channels since their detention. Their lawyers have made numerous criminal complaints to officials, including the attorney general, public prosecutors, and police officers. These complaints have been ignored. Government authorities have reportedly also failed to investigate threats, including death threats, against the activists.

“The pressure and mobilization of public opinion to ensure our conviction for a crime that we have not been proven to have committed-all of this has stifled public liberties in general, and particularly freedom of opinion and expression, in our dear country to which we pledge our exclusive allegiance.”

On Sunday 13 November 2011, Weded al-Muhairi, the wife of Nasser bin Gaith, shared these sentiments with Al-Jazeera.

“They began a hunger strike to get their voices through to UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and not to challenge the authorities. The decision came after all our efforts have been thwarted, after we have knocked on every door and exhausted all possible means of redress, after we have lost all hope of a fair trial and even civilized, humane treatment.”

Joe Stork, Deputy Middle East Director at Human Rights Watch, shared these words about the developing situation.

“Every month that these men remain locked up on absurd charges of insulting UAE rulers further undermines the government’s claim that this is an open and tolerant country. This trial is all about zero tolerance for political dissent and has nothing to do with justice or security.”

Under UAE’s Constitution as well as international human rights law, the prosecution of the five activists violates guarantees of free speech. The Federal Supreme Court is trying the case and has stated that it will issue a verdict on 27 November 2011.

The court has not allow the defendants to review the evidence, not allowed them to review the charges against them, and not allowed the defense lawyers to cross-examine one prosecution witness and did not provide sufficient time to cross-examine others. Without any sort of explanation, the authorities closed the first four hearings to the public, journalists, international observers, and the families of the accused activists.

According to Human Rights Watch, on several occasions, the court has denied or even failed to rule on motions to release the defendants on bail, even though none of them are charged with a violent offense. The authorities have not suggested once that the activists are potential flight risks.

Article 32 of The Arab Charter on Human Rights guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and to impart news to others by any means. The United Arab Emirates has ratified this charter, submitting itself to the rights listed therein. The only restrictions the charter allows on the practice of this right are those imposed for “respect for the rights of others, their reputation, or the protection of national security, public order, public health, or public morals.”

With the progress of the Federal Supreme Court thus far, one can only hope that its expected verdict on 27 November 2011 recognizes that the five activists have done nothing listed under Article 32’s exceptions, as reflected by the current evidence available.

 

For more information, please see: 

Al-Jazeera – Jailed UAE Activists Begin Hunger Strike – 13 November 2011

Human Rights Watch – UAE: Activists Planning Hunger Strike – 11 November 2011

Financial Times – UAE Democracy Activists Plan Hunger Strike – 11 November 2011

Press TV – UAE Prisoners To Go On Hunger Strike – 11 November 2011

Amnesty International – UAE: Trial Observer Finds Flagrant Flaws in ‘UAE 5’ – 2 November 2011

 

Syria Calls for Arab League Meeting to Discuss Political Solution to Unrest

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria is calling for an emergency meeting of the Arab League’s heads of state to discuss the continuing unrest throughout the country.  The request comes a day after the regional organization threatened to suspend its membership if Syria did not stop its deadly crackdown on anti-government protests.

Syrian protesters continue to rally despite the harsh government crackdown (Photo courtesy of the United Nations News Centre).

The Arab League gave Syria three days to end its crackdown or face sanctions.  The action, which is the Arab League’s strongest against Syria since the violence began in mid-March, does not amount to a full suspension of Syria’s membership from the organization.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) recently classified the systematic nature of abuses by Syrian government forces as an indication of crimes against humanity.  It urged the United Nations Security Council to impose an arms embargo and sanctions, as well as referring Syria to the International Criminal Court.

The report released by HRW focused on abuses in the Syrian city of Homs and its surrounding areas. Homs has become the focal point for insurgencies against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and in the period between mid-April to August security forces killed approximately 587 civilians.  Since 2 November at least another 104 people have been killed.

“Homs is a microcosm of the Syrian government’s brutality,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, the Middle East director at HRW.

Security forces have conducted large-scale military operations in the area surrounding Homs.  These operations involve the usage of heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft guns to fire into neighborhoods with the intention of frightening people.  The security forces have also cut off communications, and restricted the movements of people, food, and medicine by establishing checkpoints.

Throughout Syria, people have been subjected to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and systematic torture in detention.  Most are released after several weeks in detention, but many are still missing.  The detainees are mainly composed of young men in their 20s and 30s, but witnesses report that people in their 60s and 70s have also been detained.

Allegations of torture of detainees are rampant throughout Syria.  Former detainees report the use of heated metal rods to burn various parts of their body, the use of electric shocks, the use of stress positions for hours or even days, and the use of improvised devices such as car tires to force detainees into positions that make it easier to torture specific sensitive body parts.

There are a large number of reported deaths occurring in custody.  HRW was able to confirm around 17 such deaths independently, and in many of the cases it reviewed video or photos of the bodies that revealed signs of torture.

The Syrian government has repeatedly argued that armed terrorist gangs funded from outside countries are carrying out the violence.

The United Nations human rights office reports that the death toll in Syria has surpassed 3,500.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Syria calls for Arab League meeting — 14 Nov. 2011

CNN — Report says Syrian crackdown amounts to crimes against humanity — 11 Nov. 2011

Human Rights Watch — Syria: Crimes Against Humanity in Homs — 11 Nov. 2011

United Nations — Death toll passes 3,500 as Syrian crackdown continues, says UN human rights office — 08 Nov. 2011

Security Forces Violently Disperse Anti-Government Protests in Bahrain

By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain – On Monday, 8 November, security forces shot rubber bullets and fired tear gas at hundreds of anti-government protesters at Pearl Square in Manama, the nation’s capital.  The protesters advocated for equal rights for the Sunni and Shiite populations.  Although a majority of the population is Shia, the government is Sunni-led.  No protesters sustained injuries during the police action.  On Tuesday, Bahraini pilgrims demonstrated in Mecca to demand the fall of the Al Khalifa regime in support of Monday’s protests.

Bahrainis participating in an anti-government protest. (Photo Courtesy of Voice of Russia)

Also on Monday, Sheikh Eissa Qasim, Bahrain’s top religious leader, asked Bahrainis to maintain their peaceful revolution after he identified the ruling monarchy’s treatment of anti-government demonstrations as a brutal crackdown.  He criticized the government for their alleged torture of detained female protesters.

The Arab Spring inspired the anti-government protests in Bahrain.  Since the protests began in mid-February, thousands of people protested.  Over thirty people have died and several more have sustained injuries.  The government detained and tried hundreds of protesters for anti-state crimes.

On Sunday, people gathered after a massive funeral procession for Ali al-Daihee, the father of the vice president of al-Wefaq – Bahrain’s leading opposition group.  Opposition groups assert al-Daihee died after the police beat the 70-year-old man during a protest in the village of Daih on Wednesday.  However, the authorities state he died of natural causes.  Activists claim al-Daihee is the 45th person the authorities have killed during an uprising against the monarchy.  During the funeral procession in Diah, Saudi-backed Bahraini regime forces attacked the mourners.

The government also released Zulfiqur Naji, a teenage Iraqi soccer player, after seven months of detention on Sunday.  The government detained him under the suspicion of participating in anti-government protests.  Countries such as Iraq and Canada called for Naji’s release.  Naji was one of over 300 prisoners freed after King Hamad bin Isa Al Kahalifa granted a prisoner pardon in honor of Eid al-Adha.

Qasim previously warned the people’s determination to fight for the rights will strengthen after the government harshly cracked down on anti-government protesters.  He added that the government’s refusal to implement demanded changes failed to quiet Bahrainis.

In June, Qasim stated, “We have offered so many sacrifices and cannot back down and end up empty handed. The reactions of the security forces result in damaging the country, but the people are patient and peaceful.”

For more information, please see:

The Australian – Forces Fire on Bahraini Shia Marches – 8 November 2011

Bikya Masr – Bahrain Top Sheikh Condemns Government Violence – 8 November 2011

Press TV – Bahraini Pilgrims Hold Anti-Regime Demo – 8 November 2011

The Voice of Russia – Bahrain’s Police Breaks Up Anti-Governmental Rally – 6 November 2011


 

Gaza-Bound Aid Ships Intercepted by Israel, Preventing The Delivery of Medical Supplies

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel–On Friday 04 November 2011, Israeli authorities detained pro-Palestinian activists, journalists, and crewmembers on board two self-deemed “Freedom Waves to Gaza” vessels. These ships were intending to break the four-year Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory, attempting to bring medical supplies to Gaza.

Israeli soldiers boarding one of the vessels trying to reach Gaza.(Photo Courtesy of NYT)

The Canadian vessel, the Tahrir (Arabic for “liberation”), and Irish vessel, the MV Saoirse (Gaelic for “freedom”) both were forced to sail into the Israeli port of Ashdod, where all 27 passengers were handed over to Israeli authorities and taken to an Israeli detention facility near Tel Aviv. The activists were from as many as eight countries, including the United States, and set sail from Turkey on Wednesday 02 November 2011. Both ships were approximately 50 nautical miles from the Gaza shoreline when they were contacted by the Israeli navy and told to turn around, reported the AFP news agency.

The Israeli navy said it “advised the vessels that they may turn back at any point, thereby not breaking the maritime security blockade” or could sail to Ashdod or an Egyptian port. According to the AFP news agency, the activists refused to cooperate and then Israeli naval ships approached the boats and boarded them before towing them towards Ashdod.

The group of activists claimed that the Israeli navy undertook “violent and dangerous” seizures methods to obtain the vessels. Fintan Lane, the group’s coordinator, stated that the Israelis pointed guns at the passengers and turned high-pressure hoses on the Irish and Canadian boats, blasting out windows and causing a collision that left the Saoirse badly damaged.

“The method used in the takeover was dangerous to human life. The Israeli forces initially wanted to leave the boats at sea, but the abductees demanded that they not be left to float at sea, for they would have been lost and possibly sunk.”

The Israeli Navy released the following statement.

“The Israeli Navy soldiers operated as planned, and took every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of the activists onboard the vessels as well as themselves.”

Israeli police spokesperson Micky Rosenfeld reported that the activists would be questioned by police and immigrations officials and then returned to their respective home countries.

“The Gaza area and coastal region are closed to maritime traffic as part of a blockade imposed for security purposes. Your attempt to enter the Gaza Strip by sea is a violation of international law. We remind you that humanitarian supplies can be delivered to Gaza Strip by land, and you are welcome to enter Ashdod port and deliver supplies through land crossings.”

The organizers of the flotilla claimed that six people, including the captains of both vessels and two journalists, had been released by the evening of Sunday 06 November 2011. The remainder refused to sign waivers allowing their deportation, according to a statement on the Irish activist group’s website.

“They are refusing to sign not because they are legally challenging deportation or are demanding to see a judge, but rather because the waiver says that they came to Israel voluntarily and that they entered the country illegal. Of course, this is a lie and they won’t agree to it.”

Last year, Israeli troops killed nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists when they resisted an Israeli operation to halt a similar flotilla. Each side pointed a finger at the other for the responsibility of the violence. Israel claimed that that its troops had fired live ammunition only after activists, armed with clubs, knives, and metals bars attacked them and felt that their lives were threatened. The activists claimed that they were attacked first.

After the incident, Israel was forced to ease its land blockade on Gaza, which was imposed in 2006 and tightened, with the Egyptian cooperation, after Hamas seized control of the territory the following year.

Al-Jazeera correspondent Nicole Johnston reported, from the port of Ashdod, shared these sentiments on the continued attempts to bring supplies via water freely into Gaza.

“Another failed attempt for the season of flotillas to Gaza. This attempt was a lot quieter. It left on Wednesday from Turkey. There was no great fanfare with it, but again it didn’t succeed in getting past the Israeli navy, and achieving its aim which was to symbolically break this four-year siege on Gaza.”

The residents of Gaza have endured absolutely deplorable living conditions for some time. They depend every day on international aid and support. According to a 2008 UN Envoy to Gaza, more than 80 percent of the population is dependent upon food aid. Rates of anemia and diarrhea among children have rise to 40 percent in the last several years.

Israel claims that it is concerned about the smuggling of arms to Gaza militants intent on attacking the Jewish state. Gaza is controlled by Hamas, an openly anti-Israel militant group, and is classified as a terrorist group by the United States and Israel.

After prayers on Friday 04 November 2011 at a Gaza City mosque, Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas prime minister shared these sentiments concerning the activists on the boats.

“Your message has been delivered whether you make it or not. The siege is unjust and must end.”

 

For more information, please see: 

CNN – Israel Deports Activists From Gaza-Bound Aid Ships – 06 November 2011

Al-Jazeera – Activists On Gaza-Bound Vessels Detained – 05 November 2011

Ahram – Egyptian Journalist Among Those On Captured Gaza Aid Boats – 05 November 2011

BBC – Israel Boards Protest Boats Taking Medical Aid to Gaza – 04 November 2011

NYT – Israel Intercepts Two Boats Bound For Gaza – 04 November 2011

The Guardian – Israeli Navy Boards Gaza-Bound Boats – 04 November 2011

Reuters – Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Boats – 04 November 2011