By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran — A Christian pastor who converted from Islam to Christianity is facing the death penalty in Iran for refusing to return to Islam.

Youcef Nadarkhani, of the Church of Iran, currently faces hanging after refusing to follow a court order to renounce Christianity.  If the execution goes ahead it will be the first time a Christian has been executed in Iran for religious reasons in 20 years.

Nadarkhani was originally detained in his home city of Rasht in October 2009 when he attempted to register his church.  His supporters claim he was arrested after questioning the Muslim monopoly on the religious instruction of Iran’s children.

The original charges Nadarkhani faced were for protesting, but those charges have since been changed to ‘apostasy’ – or abandoning Islam — and ‘evangelizing Muslims.’   Both of these charges carry the death penalty in Iran.

He was tried and found guilty of apostasy in September 2010.  The court sentenced him to death.

Last June, the Supreme Court of Iran upheld the death penalty, but also asked the lower court to re-examine whether or not Nadarkhani had been a practicing Muslim adult prior to his conversion, offering recanting as an option.

Nadarkhani has made it clear that he has no intention of returning to Islam. He said: “Repent means to return.  What should I return to?  To the blasphemy that I had before my faith in Christ?”

The court is ordering his repentance because of his deep Islamic ancestry.  Based upon the type of apostasy Nadarkhani has been charged with he will likely be given a short period of time to repent or else he will be executed.  Many believe the execution could occur as early as Friday, however due to misinformation practices carried out by Iran there is a chance, though unlikely, that it already happened.

The written version of the Supreme Court’s ruling included a statement that the death penalty would be annulled if the pastor recanted.

Nadarkhani’s lawyer is hopeful that an appeals court will acquit his client, but history does not give much defense for his optimism.  Even if the sentence is commuted he could still face life in prison, and if were to be set free his life would still be in danger.  Rumors abound of numerous counts of other Iranian Christian converts who have been assassinated because of their beliefs.

The story has garnered outrage and condemnation from Christian organizations worldwide.

Estimates put the number of devoted Christians in Iran at around 100,000.  Iran’s leadership is concerned about the spread of Christianity throughout the state, and has been cracking down on its influence.

For more information, please see:

The Daily Mail — Christian pastor faces execution in Iran for refusing to renounce his faith — 29 Sept. 2011

International Business Times — Iranian Pastor Sentenced to Death: Nadarkhani Refuses to Convert — 29 Sept. 2011

Voice of America — Lawyer Hopes Iranian Christian Sentenced to Death Will be Freed — 29 Sept. 2011

The New Statesman — The Trial and punishment of Yousef Nadarkhani — 28 Sept. 2011

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia took a gigantic step forward Sunday.  Claiming to “reject any marginalization of women in Saudi society in every domain,” King Abdullah used his address to the Majils Al-Shura, a council that advises him on issues of public policy, to grant women the right to vote in the municipal elections of 2015.  Women will also be able to run for office in that election and be eligible for appointment to the council as full voting members.  They will not, however, be able to vote in Thursday’s elections, which a group of at least 60 Saudi intellectuals and activists have called to boycott for that reason.

“Because we refuse to marginalise women in society in all roles that comply with sharia, we have decided, after deliberation with our senior clerics and others… to involve women in the Shura Council as members, starting from next term,” he said.  “Women will be able to run as candidates in the municipal election and will even have a right to vote.

The Middle Eastern country has historically been one of the most conservative countries in the world when it comes to women’s rights.  One of the most notable restrictions is a ban on women drivers, which was challenged by numerous women in May.  The general rule in Saudi Arabia is one of male guardianship, which means that women cannot make decisions about their lives without the approval of a male relative.

King Abdullah’s announcement is viewed as a possible response to the “Arab Spring” that has gripped the Middle East for much of this year.  He has promised reform for over a decade, but his efforts have been slow to take hold due to fear of a religious backlash.

“There is the element of the Arab Spring, there is the element of the strength of Saudi social media, and there is the element of Saudi women themselves, who are not silent,” said Hatoon al-Fassi, a history professor and one of the women who organized a campaign demanding the right to vote this spring. “Plus, the fact that the issue of women has turned Saudi Arabia into an international joke is another thing that brought the decision now.”

Saudi women enthusiastically responded to the monarchy’s announcement, even if they will have to wait four years to take advantage of their new rights.

Writer Nimah Ismail Nawwab told the BBC: “This is something we have long waited for and long worked towards.”

The Twitter page Women2Drive, a key player in the organized protest where women drove on the streets of Saudi Arabia, also spoke with great hope.  “A new day for Saudi women..a new era..the dream comes so true..Good morning ladies..and gentlemen,” a tweet read.

Deputy Education Minister Noura bint Abdullah Al-Fayez, Saudi Arabia’s first female minister, was strongly encouraged by King Abdullah’s remarks.

“Woman is a partner of man in building society. The new assignments are an honor for Saudi women,” she said.  “During this prosperous era of King Abdullah, women enjoy a lofty position as the king recognized their achievements in the areas of education and science and their ability to carry out different roles in an efficient manner. Women have won the king’s confidence through their hard work.”

Majils Al-Shura President Abdullah Al-Asheikh seconded Al-Fayez’s remarks.  He pointed out the significant contributions that women had made in several fields of Saudi society, including education, heath, and economics.  He also noted that women had done well in research, and some had acted as consultants to the council.  In 2006, six women were appointed in that capacity, which has since grown to 12.  Despite their role as advisors, they lack voting power.  In Al-Asheki’s opinion, allowing women to serve and vote on the council would provide the council with “new blood.”

While the actual reform will have to wait, women are encouraged by the announcement.  A Facebook page titled “We are all Manal al-Sharif,” in support of an activist who was arrested for defying the ban on women drivers, has numerous comments on King Abdullah’s decision, almost all of them positive.  But it is clear that there are other key issues on their minds.

“Al-Bandari Abdallah” commented on that page: “Our hope has grown with the new decisions. God willing Saudi women will drive soon,” and “Sawdiyah La-Diniyah” notes that it’s a “Good start…but when [will women be] driving!!”

On Monday, the Majils Al-Shoura announced that it is reviewing the ban on women drivers in order to reconsider the issue.

For more information, please see:

Saudi Gazette — Shoura Reconsidering Women Driving Issue — 27 September 2011

Arab News — Saudi Women Won Confidence through Hard Work: Al-Fayez — 26 September 2011

Arab News — Shoura Chief Says Women Will Bring New Blood to Council — 26 September 2011

BBC — Saudi Social Media Joy at Reform Promise — 26 September 2011

Human Rights Watch — Saudi Arabia: Women to Vote, Join Shura Council — 26 September 2011

Al Jazeera — Saudi Women Given Voting Rights — 25 September 2011

Arab News — King Abdullah Grants Women the Vote — 25 September 2011

BBC — Women in Saudi Arabia to Vote and Run in Elections — 25 September 2011

New York Times — Saudi Monarch Grants Women Right to Vote — 25 September 2011

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MUSCAT, Oman — A court in Oman has ordered two senior journalists to be jailed for five months after they insulted the justice minister.  The court also ordered the closing of Ibrahim al-Maamary Yussuf and al-Haj’s newspaper, Azzaman, for one month.

Al-Mukeebli, an Omani civil servant, was also sentenced to five months in jail, presumably for giving information to the newspaper about the case.

The three men were convicted of “insulting” Justice Minister Mohamed al-Hanai and his under secretary of state by accusing them of “fraud, deception, and prevarications.”

The insults were published in Azzaman, and were included in a May 14 article alleging corruption inside the justice ministry.  Specifically, the article accused the justice minister and his deputy of refusing to grant salary and grade increases to al-Mukeebli, described as a longtime civil servant.

In response to the article the justice minister brought charges of slander against the newspaper, which led to the court’s ruling.

Ahmed al-Ajmi, the defense lawyer for the three men, has succeeded in getting them freed on bail and the order closing the newspaper suspended, until an appeal on 15 October.

The newspaper will continue to operate until the appeal decision is reached.

The case has given rise to complaints about media suppression in the Gulf Arab nation, which underwent pro-reform protests earlier this year.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on the appeals court to immediately overturn the lower court’s decision, citing that the charges appear to violate international standards of freedom of expression, including the right to criticize government ministers.

“Journalists should be permitted to report freely about the government without fear of criminal charges and retribution,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at HRW. “Omani authorities shouldn’t use the courts to silence independent publications critical of the government.”

Freedom of expression is guaranteed under international human rights law.  The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) holds that “everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression…to seek, receive, and impart information, and ideas of all kinds.”

Oman is not party to the ICCPR, but the covenant serves as an authoritative guideline that reflects the international standard.  Accepted international standards only allow restrictions of the press in extremely specific circumstances, for example cases of slander or libel against private individuals or speech that threatens national security.

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch — Oman: Newspaper Verdict Aims to Silence Dissent — 23 Sept. 2011

The National — Oman jails newspaper editor for slandering justice minister — 22 Sept. 2011

BBC News — Oman editors jailed for ‘insulting’ justice minister — 21 Sept. 2011

Boston Globe — Oman paper shut for month over corruption series — 21 Sept. 2011

Times of Oman — Oman journalists get jail terms for insulting minister — 21 Sept. 2011

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen – Tuesday’s ceasefire announced between government forces and a revolutionary group headed by a military leader who defected to protect protesters against the Yemeni regime has been shaky at best.  From September 18-21, security forces killed at least 77 activists in Sana’a, the capital, and wounded hundreds more.  At least seven more people died as a result of sniper fire on Thursday. The ceasefire, announced by Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour al-Hadi Tuesday evening, has not been as effective as expected.  Shortly after the announcement, explosions were heard across Sana’a. 

This new round of violence comes less than a week after President Ali Abdullah Saleh gave Hadi permission to negotiate a proposed deal backed by the United States and European Union.  If signed, Saleh would step down from his position in exchange for immunity from prosecution for himself and his family.  But since that authorization was granted, negotiations for that agreement have not proceeded as quickly has hoped because of the conflict.

The proposed agreement has not been viewed favorably by the Joint Meetings Parties (JMP), one of the opposition groups.  For such negotiations to take place, it felt that either Saleh or Hadi would have to sign a power transfer document.

“They have to say that we accept the initiative,” said JMP leader Yassin Saeed Noman, in reference to the agreement. “Then we can talk about the implementing mechanisms.”

Last week, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a report on the situation in Yemen.  It noted that Yemen’s authorities “appeared to have lost effective control of parts of the country and within the major cities” and warned that Yemen was confronted by the prospect of civil war.

Human Rights Watch, which has closely followed the recent attacks, considered the security forces’ efforts disproportionate to the protesters’ actions.  For instance, a September 18 protest had thousands of activists chanting, among other things, “This is a peaceful march.”  Security forces responded by firing sewage, tear gas, and live ammunition at the dissenters, who responded by throwing rocks.

“These latest killings by Yemeni security forces show exactly why there should be no get-out-of-jail-free card for those responsible,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The Gulf Cooperation Council and other governments involved in negotiating President Saleh’s exit cannot grant immunity for international crimes.”

A September 20 rally in Taiz, in response to the September 18 shootings, was met by a similar show of force.  Eyewitness Anas al-Mashreqi told the Yemen Times about what he saw.

“We were surrounded in a cafeteria and I was scared and expecting to be hit by a stray bullet,” he said.  “I wonder why should a Yemeni kill another Yemeni? Why should the regime insist on crushing the people to stay in power? The ruling party should submit to the will of the people demanding change, a more favorable present and a better future.”

Taiz has been a particularly dangerous location during the months-long conflict.  Residents say that shelling takes place there almost every night.

Sana’a has been repeatedly rocked by shells and mortar fire over the past several days.  Thursday, through SABA, Yemen’s official news agency, the Interior Ministry reported that the rebel forces had been indiscriminately firing mortars in several neighborhoods of the capital. 

“Snipers from the militias loyal the First Armoured Division, Al-Islah Party, and the gangs of Al-Ahmar’s tribesmen have taken position on the rooftops of some business towers in Al-Zubayri Street, from where they are opening fire on citizens and security personnel”, it said in a press release.

There does not seem to be any sign of violence ending anytime soon.  Who to blame for the continued violence is unclear.  A GPC source in Taiz told the Yemen Times, “Whenever there are signs of a breakthrough in the political crisis, the JMP resort to blowing up the situation. The Muslim Brotherhood militias perform armed rallies and blockade streets, break into government offices and plan killing demonstrators themselves and attribute their crimes to the government.” The source affirmed security forces’ commitment to directions by the president and his deputy not to shoot fire no matter what and the necessity for self-restraint.

The JMP views the conflict from the opposite perspective.  “[The Saleh regime doesn’t] want to solve the problem peacefully,” said Noman. “They think they can overcome all others by using weapons. That’s why I think the international community should condemn what is happening.”

So far, efforts to do so have failed.  The High Commissioner has considered setting up an office in Sana’a, which has drawn opposition from Yemen.  A resolution on the situation was expected from the Netherlands at the Human Rights Council meeting later in this week.

For more information, please see:

New York Times — Truce Threatened in Yemen — 22 September 2011

SABA Net — Tribesmen, Rebel Troops Shell Residential Areas in Sana’a — 22 September 2011

Yemen Times — Violence Renewed in Taiz — 22 September 2011

Al Sahwa — Yemen Security Forces Kill 77 Protesters, Wound 780 Others — 21 September 2011

Human Rights Watch — Yemen: Protester Killings Show Perils of Immunity Deal — 20 September 2011

New York Times — Mortars Fall on Yemeni Capital as Battles Continue — 20 September 2011

BBC — Yemen unrest: A deadly game of elite brinkmanship — 19 September 2011