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

By Tyler Yates
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEL AVIV, Israel — Reports indicate Israel is preparing for massive demonstrations, riots, and shootings by the Palestinians in late September, when the United Nations (UN) is expected to vote on Palestinian statehood.

There is no concrete evidence of any such plans by Israel’s Palestinian population to start any such violent uprisings, but this has not stopped speculation from Israel that such actions are coming.

Israel has maintained the position that it only wants peace, but in the last few weeks, since it became clear of the Palestinian’s intentions to seek statehood from the UN, there have been signs that it is preparing for an uprising.  Importing horses from Belgium, amassing tear gas, and organizing militias with trained dogs in the West Bank settlements have been the Israeli response to the Palestinian’s decision to take matters up with the UN.

Avigdor Lieberman, Israel’s far right foreign minister has said that the Palestinians were preparing for “bloodshed the likes of which we’ve never seen before.”

Leaked Israeli Defense Force documents reveal expectations that what will start as peaceful protests will become “mass disorder.” They say protests may include “marches towards mass junctions, Israeli communities, and education centres; efforts at damaging symbols of [Israeli] government.  Also there may be more extreme cases like shooting from within the demonstrations or even terrorist incidents.  In all scenarios, there is readiness to deal with incidents near the fences and the borders of the state of Israel.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said that the Palestinians are not preparing for war with Israel, but are instead trying to move forward towards their freedom with the multilateral assistance of the UN.  “We don’t want to delegitimize Israel.  We want to legitimize ourselves,” he said.

Abbas has called for peaceful demonstrations in September to coincide with the Palestinian’s petition for statehood.  “I insist on popular resistance and I insist that it be unarmed popular resistance so that nobody misunderstands us,” he told the Palestinian Liberation Organization’s central committee.

Hagit Ofran, of Peace Now, an Israeli organization that monitors settlement activity, has expressed concerns about the IDF’s handling of peaceful protests.  “We hope the army is making clear that non-violent protest is legitimate and no settlers should use any violence against unarmed demonstrators.”

The Palestinian leadership is expected to present their petition for admission to the UN during the general assembly meeting that is currently ongoing.   Membership to the UN requires Security Council approval, which the U.S. is expected to veto.

It is thus expected that the Palestinians will request an enhanced “non-member state” status, which needs a two-thirds majority in the general assembly.  They expect to have a majority by the time of the vote.

For more information, please see:

AFP — UN braces for Palestinian member state bid — 22 Sept. 2011

ABC News — Palestinian Statehood Bid Draws Thousands to West Bank Rally — 21 Sept. 2011

Salon — Defending Jim Crow in Palestine — 21 Sept. 2011

The Guardian — Israeli military arms settlers in preparation for Palestinian protests — 30 Aug. 2011

Ma’an News Agency  — Israel police ‘import horses’ to confront protesters — 10 Aug. 2011

Haaretz — Israel Police prep for riots when UN mulls Palestinian independence — 14 June 2011

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANAA, Yemen–A ceasefire procured by Yemen’s vice president and Western diplomats has gone into effect in the capital of Sanaa, ending three deadly days of violence. Security forces backing Alu Abdullah Saleh, the president of Yemen, have fired upon a crowd of protesters in Sanaa, killing as many as 25 individuals while leaving hundreds of others wounded on Sunday 18 September. Some tens of thousands of protesters calling for the conclusion of Saleh’s 33-year reign poured into the streets of the Yemeni capital several days after protesters descended upon Yemen’s main university.

The ceasefire was put into effect at 1600 local time on Tuesday September 20, although witness still reported sparse gunfire among an otherwise relatively calm change in the status quo. Envoys from the UN and Gulf Cooperation arrived on Monday September 19 to attempt to get a deal done to end the bloodshed. Roughly 24 hours later, they were successful.

Early on Tuesday September 20, heavy shelling and machine gun fire shook Sanaa. At least 26 individuals were killed and several others were injured, according to witnesses and various medical personnel. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)’s deputy head of delegation in Yemen, Valerie Petitpierre, shared these words concerning the continued bloodshed.

“ICRC called on Yemeni authorities, pro-democracy protesters and others involved in the violence to spare lives after scores were killed in the past 72 hours alone.”

The violence on Sunday September 18 began as the anti-government demonstrators marched down Agriculture Street, which is located on the eastern edge of a long-running sit-in protest, protected by Maj. General al-Ahmar of the opposition. The protesters said that they were attacked as they moved past the area controlled by the army’s First Armored Division, led by al-Ahmar.

The security forces reportedly used heavy-caliber machines guns and other weapons to punish the protesters for their peaceful demonstration. Sakher al-Oldany, a 20-year-old protester, said the protesters moved beyond the area protected by the First Armored Division, hoping to “escalate the rebellion against the government.”

Mohammad al Qadhi, a Yemeni journalist, said the government was using snipers to target and fire upon demonstrators from the rooftops.

“I talked to one of the protesters. He told me shots were fired on chests, legs, and other parts of the body.”

Witnesses reported that forces loyal to Saleh as well as armed civilians opened fire on protesters who left Change Square. The protesters had setup camp in Change Square since earlier this year in February, demanding regime change and marched towards the center of the city.

More than 100,000 protesters gathered on Sunday 18 September around the state TV building and government offices in Sanaa. Freelance journalist Tom Finn reported that he was able to count at least 16 bodies piled up in a mosque, most of them bearing headshot wounds.

“Most of them are under 22. I saw one that was 16 years old. There are three hospitals in Sanaa filled to the brim with the injured. One doctor said he expects the death toll will rise over 50 by tomorrow morning.”

The march was the first in several months since demonstrators had gathered outside a portion of the capital controlled by Maj. Gen. Mohsin al-Ahmar. al-Ahmar is widely recognized as the second most powerful person in the country after President Saleh and he has sided with the opposition.

al-Ahmar said that his fighters chose not to return fire after they were shelled by the Republican Guard. He cited that he did not want to give President Saleh any excuse not to sign a deal to transfer power.

The crackdown on the protesters come as Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi, Yemen’s vice-president, will sign a Gulf Arab initiative to arrange for a transfer of power in Yemen “within a week,” according to a high-level Saudi official. Requesting anonymity, the high-level Saudi official shared these words.

“Within a week, the vice president will sign the Gulf Initiative in the name of the president.”

Last week, President Saleh authorized his vice-president to negotiate a transfer of power with the opposition contingents. The Gulf Arab Initiative was proposed by the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council and sets the path for a peaceful removal of Saleh from power, a position he has held since 1978.  Saleh fled the country approximately three months ago for Saudi Arabia, where he had been recovering from a June assault on his presidential compound.

On Saturday 17 September, thousands of protesters crashed onto the main university in Sanaa, preventing the first day of school and called for the end of Saleh’s reign. The protesters shut the doors of administrative buildings and tore down images of Saleh in the dean’s offices.  As many as six students were injured during the protests, while many others enthusiastically chanted for change.

“No studying, no teaching until the president goes.”

In other areas around Sanaa, at least 20 other schools were kept closed to students on Saturday 17 September. According to Fata Mutahar, principal of Ayesha School in Sanaa and an official with the Education Ministry, government gunmen and troops whom have defected to the opposition are using many educational buildings as outposts.

“Schools are for learning, not to serve as barracks.”

It is clear that the protests and demands for Saleh’s ouster are taking their toll on Yemen’s population, especially its youth. Until a peaceful and substantive removal of Saleh from power, the youth of Yemen should expect continued denial of their education. While many of the youth may only be able to understand that their education is the only thing at risk due to the status quo, the opposition struggles for every aspect of life.

They struggle to ensure that the future leaders of Yemen will one day read about the revolution in a history book, knowing that they were affected in many more ways than just school closings.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera-‘Ceasefire’ halts third day of Sanaa violence-20 September 2011

BBC-Yemen unrest: ‘Ceasefire’ halts fighting in Sanaa-20 September 2011

CNN-Dozens killed as international pressure mounts in Yemen-19 September 2011

Al-Jazeera-Many protesters shot dead in Yemen-18 September 2011

The Guardian-Yemeni protesters ‘fired on by troops’-18 September 2011

NYT-Yemeni Forces Open Fire, Killing at Least 15 Protesters-18 September 2011

Reuters-At least 25 killed in anti-Saleh march in Yemen-18 September 2011

BBC-Yemen unrest: Protesters wounded in Taiz-15 September 2011

CNN-Yemeni troops wound 12 protesters-15 September 2011