By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

ABU DHABI, The United Arab Emirates — Five activists charged with insulting state officials are facing ongoing prosecution in the United Arab Emirates.

Ahmed Mansoor, Nasser bin Ghaith, Fahad Salim Dalk, Ahmed Abdul-Khaleq, and Hassan al-Khamis have been charged with committing crimes of instigation, breaking laws and perpetrating acts that pose a threat to state security, undermining the public order, opposing the government system, and insulting the president, the vice president and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi.

One of the men, Ahmed Mansoor, faces additional charges for supporting a petition advocating for wider powers for the UAE’s quasi-parliament.

The defendants deny all the charges.

The men’s lawyers have complained about the secrecy of the first four hearings, and their inability to adequately cross-examine state’s witnesses. State officials opened up the trial to the public on Sunday, but critics of the trial were not satisfied.

“If this was the showcase hearing, we can only imagine what previous hearings were like,” said Samer Muscati, a researcher with Human Rights Watch.  “This is more a political theater than a trial.”

The trial is unprecedented for the small gulf Arab nation. The United Arab Emirates is a young wealthy country ruled under a revered hereditary leadership.  Political expression is minimal.

The incident was a small tremor brought on by the larger Arab Spring movement that incited similar outbursts throughout the region. It is likely the fear of further incidents that has led the state to respond the way it has.

Rights groups dispute whether or not there is actually enough evidence for the state to have brought the action to be tried in Abu Dhabi’s Federal Supreme Court, which is usually used for charges like terrorism and forgery.

Due to the type of court this action has been brought in, the men will have no right of appeal.  The lack of due process, and other procedural mishaps has many rights groups

Government supporters, who are camping in a park outside of the court in support of the trial, have called the action of the five men un-nationalistic.

Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Front Line Defenders, and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information have teamed up for a campaign – the first of its kind – to urge the UAE to drop the charges against the men.

A verdict is expected at next week’s hearing.  If the defendants are found guilty they face up to five years in prison, except Mansoor who faces up to nine years if found guilty of his additional charges.

For more information, please see:

Arabian Business — UAE activists boycott court over ‘unfair trial’ — 3 Oct. 2011

Wall Street Journal — UAE Trial of Activists Enters Home Stretch — 3 Oct. 2011

Arab Times — UAE Activists Trial ‘Unfair’: Rights Groups — 2 Oct. 2011

CNN — Activists on trial for insulting UAE president — 2 Oct. 2011

Human Rights Watch — UAE: Trial of Activists ‘Fundamentally Unfair’ — 2 Oct. 2011

Wall Street Journal — United Arab Emirates Trial Attracts Scrutiny — 30 Sept. 2011

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen — As the situation in Yemen grows worse, aid workers fear it is on the verge of a humanitarian disaster.   Needs in the country are on the rise, and the delivery of aid is becoming increasingly more complicated.

Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world, and it currently finds itself in a struggle with a rebel movement in the north, a secessionist movement in the south, and an ever-growing al-Qaeda presence.

Yemen’s inner turmoil has recently been complicated further by the recent violent governmental crackdown on pro-democracy protests across the country, a fuel crisis, and rising food prices.

The region’s insecurity, an almost uniform hesitancy of financial donors, and a series of logistical complexities have brought the delivery of aid to a near standstill.

“We have here in Yemen many concurrent humanitarian situations to deal with,” said Geert Cappelaere, representative of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Yemen. “Each and every one of these humanitarian situations is very often of an unprecedented complexity for us as the international humanitarian community.”

Historically, it has always been difficult to get the international community to pay attention to Yemen.  Donations in the billions of dollars have been made to Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya, but Yemen once again finds itself left behind.

The funding that did exist is quickly shrinking, mainly out of fear that the money would be funneled through a widely reported government patronage system.  Countries and international organizations such as the United States, the European Union, and the World Bank have withdrawn or suspended funding, citing security and governmental concerns. The Friends of Yemen, a group of donors specifically concerned with the future of Yemen, have not met since the current crisis began in February.

“While the political stalemate has caused many donors to pause, this is the time when it is most critical to act,” said Oxfam, the international poverty and injustice organization. “No longer should politics and security be the drivers of aid strategies in Yemen,” it added, referring in part to a US insistence on focusing its aid on counter-terrorism, rather than on the areas of Yemen in most need.

Overall insecurity is one of the biggest complications facing the country.  The violent crackdown on protests throughout the country has led the United Nations to temporarily evacuate almost half of its international staff.  Similarly, most aid organizations have evacuated a large number of their staff in the country.

Renewed fighting in Southern Yemen has led to the displacement of over 100,000 people since May.  The World Food Programme has seen an increase in the number of people it is feeding from 30,000 in June to 63,000 today.  If the turmoil continues to worsen the organization will not have the resources to comply with the need.

In Northern Yemen malnutrition rates are among the worst in the world.  Nearly 1/3 of the children under five suffer from moderate to severe acute malnutrition.  This is more than twice the threshold for an emergency as defined by UNICEF.

A rupture to a major pipeline in March has made fuel prices rise (The price of transportation has increased by 100% and 200% in urban and rural areas respectively) as well as increase the price of food across the country (up 46% since January).  This increase in food prices comes at a time when 1/3 of the population, around 7.5 million people, already do not have enough to eat.

An Oxfam survey found that out of 100 families nearly 1/5 of them had taken their children out of school to put them to work, and nearly 2/3 were skipping meals.  Others have begun selling valuable items to buy food.

Despite these obvious problems the insecurity has hampered attempts at aid.  Anti-Government tribes make it difficult for humanitarian agencies to deliver supplies.  They have a strong distrust of the motives of outside groups.  Local agents are employed to attempt to bypass this barrier, but it is still proving difficult.  In cities affected by the anti-government protests there is indiscriminate shooting, which can make the humanitarian workers into indirect targets.

The problems in Yemen are so complex and layered that by attempting to deal with one it is possible to create or exacerbate another.  About 20,000 of the displaced people have taken temporary residence in 112 schools in Southern Yemen.   For this reason the new school year for many of the southern cities has been indefinitely suspended.  The government and aid community are searching for a more permanent location for the displaced peoples, but so far one has not been found.  If one can’t be found soon the problem will likely change to finding places to teach the school-less students.

On top of the need for humanitarian aid, international organizations are also worried about the steady increase in violence.  Almost weekly news comes out of new massacres and acts of brutality.  A serious concern for many is the number of women and children that are being targeted.  According to UNICEF, at least 94 children have been killed and 240 wounded since the current crisis began earlier this year.

Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, has called numerous times for the government and opposition groups to meet with his special advisor, Jamal Benomar, to attempt a peaceful resolution to the crisis.  This so far has fallen on deaf ears.

For more information, please see:

Yemen Observer — WFP continues its operations in Yemen amongst civil unrest — 7 Oct. 2011

Bikyamasr — Urgent protection of children needed in Yemen — 6 Oct. 2011

The Examiner — At least 94 children killed so far in Yemen: UNICEF –6 Oct. 2011

AlterNet – Is Yemen on the Brink of Humanitarian Disaster? — 5 Oct. 2011

IRIN – Analysis: Aid delivery in Yemen becomes more complex — 5 Oct. 2011

UNICEF — Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake on the worsening situation in Yemen — 5 Oct. 2011

UN — UNICEF warns of lack of nutrition supplies to meet unprecedented global demand— 5 Oct. 2011

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – The Egyptian revolution that galvanized the “Arab Spring” that dominated headlines for much of the summer approached a new flashpoint Sunday, as the military fired on Coptic Christians who were marching toward Maspero.  At least 25 people were killed.  This incident further eroded public confidence in the military, which has acted as a temporary ruling body since former President Hosni Mubarak was deposed in February.

It was not supposed to be like this.  Eight months ago, Egyptians celebrated as the military refused to follow orders from Mubarak to fire on protesters against his regime.  Since Mubarak’s abdication of power, the provisional ruling council has been under near constant fire for general incompetence in governing and its efforts to retain power now that they are in charge.

The march took place in response to a Muslim attack on a church in the Aswan province that the government did not investigate in the aftermath.  After stones were thrown back and forth between the Christian activists and observers, the military intervened by firing tear gas and live ammunition into the crowd of about 2,000 peaceful demonstrators.  Human Rights Watch believes that at least 17 deaths were the result of being run over by armored vehicles.  State-run television said that the Coptic Christians, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s population of about 85 million, were attacking the military and called for civilians to fight back against the demonstrators.  The Minister of Information has since retracted those statements, attributing them to the announcers being under “emotional stress.”

Regardless of why the riot took place, it does not reflect well on the Egyptian provisional government, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).

“This [incident] reflects an unprecedented failure in running the country during the transitional period,” said Egyptian political analyst Khalil al-Anani. “Since 11 February, the country has been going from worse to worst.  If the military stays in power for much longer, the country might head towards more violence, and social peace will be in jeopardy.”

In response to Sunday’s shootings, Finance Minister Hazem el-Beblawi resigned from his position, saying that it was time for a different way of thinking. The resignation comes as the Coptic community called for a three-day fast to mourn those who died in the violent crackdown.  Thousands attended mass at the Abbasiya Cathedral to honor the dead.  Several Muslims also attended as a show of solidarity.  The ceremony doubled as a protest for the living, who expressed frustration at the military’s response.

A Coptic lawyer who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “Every event that takes place in Egypt against Copts is never investigated properly. Why did they open fire on peaceful protesters while they did not against those who attacked the Israeli embassy?”

The SCAF has called for an investigation of the incident.  But in making that decision, it blamed the conflagration on “efforts by some to destroy the pillars of the state and sow chaos” and said it would “take the necessary measures to restore the security situation.”  What that means is uncertain, as the government did not explain why it opened fire on the protesters.  As of Monday, Egyptian news organizations said that at least 15 people were in custody and facing questioning about their involvement as instigators of the riot.

That an investigation will happen at all may be good news for the Egyptian people, “who feel that military has not been interested in finding out who is behind the events of Sunday night,” according to Al Jazeera’s Sherine Tadros.  The Coptic community remains skeptical, as it has long been the victim of various forms of discrimination by the government, even before Mubarak fell.  Since then, the SCAF has done nothing to make practicing their religion easier or bring perpetrators of acts against Christians to justice

To columnist Karina Kamal, Sunday’s crackdown indicates that the SCAF does not plan to ease tensions between the two religions.  “[T]he military has given a clear sign that Copts are easy targets,” she said.  “We have reached the climax… We will either have a civil war or rational people will be able to take the country in the right direction.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Egypt Army Seeks Probe into Cairo Clashes — 11 October 2011

BBC — Egypt Minister Hazem el-Beblawi Quits over Coptic Clash — 11 October 2011

Al-Masry Al-Youm — Maspero Violence Raises Questions about Military’s Fitness to Run Egypt — 10 October 2011

Daily News Egypt — Thousands Mourn Victims of Maspero Violence; Church Blames ‘Infiltrators’ — 10 October 2011

Egyptian Gazette — Maspero Probe States; Egypt Copts Angry — 10 October 2011

Human Rights Watch — Egypt: Investigate Violence against Coptic Christians — 10 October 2011

New York Times — Copts Denounce Egyptian Government over Killings — 10 October 2011

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SIRTE, Libya – Forces of Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) launched an assault on former leader Muammar al-Gaddafi’s hometown of Sirte on Friday.  The coastal city, home to about 100,000 people and one of the few places in Libya still loyal to the deposed despot, has been the site of fierce fighting for several weeks now.  As the battles have raged, civilians caught in the crossfire have tried to leave the city for safer lodging.

NTC forces fire missiles at pro-Gaddafi fighters outside Sirte. Libya’s transitional government began a ground assault on the former leader’s hometown Friday. (Photo courtesy of Libya TV)

Thousands of people took advantage of a 48-hour ceasefire announced by the NTC earlier this week to pack up their belongings and leave.  The rebel organization played a part in the exodus by providing fuel to outgoing cars from a pair of fuel tankers.  Though many of those departing were Gaddafi supporters, but the NTC assisted them as well because they were also victims of the present conditions.  Many of the fleeing families described life in Sirte as a “living hell.”  Others feared for their lives.

“We didn’t know there was going to be an assault,” said Saeed Ramadan, whose vehicle had shrapnel holes and a broken window. “I couldn’t sleep last night, there was very heavy shelling. I was afraid for my kids and had to get them out.”

Medical facilities were also forced to relocate.  A Sirte resident named Abdel Nasser told the Libya TV: “You can smell the rotting corpses at the hospital.”

Workers from Ibn Sina hospital reported that patients were dying in the operating rooms due to lack of oxygen and fuel for the hospital’s generators.  When the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the city on Saturday, it found major supply shortages, while indiscriminate fire left residents at risk.  The organization also brought fresh supplies for the first time since it first came under siege from NTC forces on September 15.  By Monday, the situation had become so bad that the ICRC could not make a scheduled visit.

The NTC has been attempting to evacuate Ibn Sina to a field hospital on the outskirts of Sirte, but concerns remain.

“All those involved in the fighting have legal obligations to spare civilians by ending immediately the use of indiscriminate weapons like GRAD rockets, and not firing artillery and mortars into residential areas,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, on Monday.

Using weapons of this nature is prohibited by international humanitarian law.  The United Nations seconded Amnesty International’s opinion.

“Libya’s revolution is based upon the demand for human rights and dignity,” Ian Martin, Special Representative to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said in a news release. “I appeal to all to respect the calls made by the National Transitional Council that there should be no revenge even against those responsible for war crimes and other grave violations.”

For the NTC, the concern is to take Sirte.  The organization will have the continued support of NATO, which has said that it will remain involved for now.  U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that NATO must first determine whether any remnants of Gaddafi supporters exist and if they pose a threat to civilians, as well as whether the NTC can protect civilians.

The NTC is confident that it will soon have control of Sirte.  One commander told the BBC that it already had three quarters of the city.  Jonathan Head, reporting on site for the BBC, compared Sirte to “a ghost city: there are very few people here now.”  A recent bombing campaign has left many buildings damaged or on fire.

Field Commander Salah al-Jabo told Al Jazeera that he estimated about 400 and about 800 pro-Gaddafi fighters civilians remained in the city.  Despite his belief, concerns exist that thousands of civilians remain because they have been unable to do so or that loyalists told them that the NTC would attack them if they surrendered.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Libya Fighters Launch Assault on Sirte — 07 October 2011

BBC — Libya NTC Forces Take Most of Gaddafi Hometown Sirte — 07 October 2011

Libya TV — NTC Forces Battle for Sirte while Civilians Pour Out — 07 October 2011

United Nations –In Libya, UN Calls on All Sides to Respect Human Rights as Battle for Sirte Nears End — 07 October 2011

New York Times — NATO Is Not Yet Willing to Halt Its Libya Operations — 06 October 2011

Amnesty International — Warring Libyan Forces Must Allow Humanitarian Aid to Reach Sirte — 03 October 2011

Tripoli Post — Thousands Flee Sirte to Face Another Crisis – 03 October 2011