By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan – The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Europe’s primary human rights body criticized the government of Tajikistan on Monday for its mistreatment of independent media in the country.  OSCE representatives announced that the government has failed to comply with its media freedom commitments by “blocking websites, preventing newspapers from printing and launching tax or prosecutorial inspections” against media providers. 

In a statement to the Tajik government, the OSCE urged the government to re-open foreign and internet media sources.  At least three major regional news websites have been shut down since September 29^th.  Internet providers were ordered to block certain websites after the Tajik government issued a directive demanding that restrictions be imposed on those media providers which the government deemed to contribute to unrest in the country.  The Tajik government is currently conducting an intense counter-terrorism offensive against Islamic militants in the country.  One internet provided commented “[w]e are trying to objectively report on the unrest in the east but clearly some officials do not like this. “

The OSCE further noted that government pressure has also resulted in the censor of printing houses, several of which have been forced to stop printing independent newspapers.  Although these organizations report that technical failures are to blame for their decision to stop printing certain papers, the OSCE remains unconvinced and believes that the government used threats of tax inspections to coerce printing houses into submission. 

Representatives from the OSCE stressed the importance of free and open media and encouraged the government to “reverse the ongoing deterioration of the media freedom situation in Tajikistan.”  Tajik authorities however, have denied any wrongdoing and argued that national legislation does not prevent the regulation of internet media.  “As for newspaper” stated a government representative “no newspapers were shut down, while the suspension of some of them is due to purely technical problems.”  Despite international pressure, the government remains unpersuaded by the OSCE’s concerns and may take additional steps to censure and regulate media as it continues its fight against militant forces in Tajikistan.    

For more information, please see:

Moscow Times – Tajiks Urged to Stop Attacks on Free Media – 20 Oct. 2010

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty – OSCE Warns Media Pluralism in Tajikistan in Danger – 18 Oct. 2010

Reuters Africa – OSCE Urges Tajikistan to Stop Attacks on Free Media – 18 Oct. 2010

Agence France Presse – Tajikistan Blocks Internet sites Amid Unrest – 11 Oct. 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

ANKARA, Turkey – Kurdish-Turkish relations have grown tense since Monday’s court decision to prohibit Kurdish suspects the ability to respond to prosecutor’s questions in their native language during trial. The ruling comes after a plea by 150 Kurdish detainees currently standing trial for their alleged links to a guerilla terrorist organization within Turkey, to defend themselves in Kurdish.  The suspects asked the court to allow them to respond to questions in Kurdish as an expression of their identity.  The court refused their request fearing such an allowance would grant rights not afforded Kurds in Turkey.

This decision highlights the social and political tensions underlying the Kurdish-Turkish relationship in the country.  Since 1984, Kurdish guerilla groups have killed tens of thousands of Turkish citizens as they seek autonomy from Turkey.  The Turkish government has been relatively successful in suppressing the guerilla fighters, strengthening its resolve to punish rebel fighters and supporters, as well as, the government’s methods of subordinating and managing the Kurdish population.

Responding to criticism stemming from Monday’s court decision, the government claimed that it has been working with the Kurdish minority to grant them more cultural rights, such as the ability to broadcast Kurdish television programs.  The government however, has been hesitant to engage in meaningful dialogue with the Kurdish population over a wider range of social rights.  In particular, the government continues to reject demands by Kurds to include education in Kurdish in state schools.  The government has defended these moves by claiming that such an expansion of rights and liberties could divide the country along ethnic lines. 

Gultan Kisanak, deputy head of the Peace and Democracy Party noted the importance of this trial, stating“[t]his trial will tell us a lot about whether this country wants to improve its democracy and whether it has any intention to solve the Kurdish problem through peaceful means.”   A senior Kurdish rebel commander threatened to end the most recent cease-fire agreement with the government at the end of the month if the government does not take steps to bolster Kurdish rights.  The commander, Murat Karayilan, told a British newspaper that “[w]e will wait another 15 days.  If something positive develops, we will extend the unilateral case-fire.  If there are no concrete steps, we will evaluate developments and do what we have to do to defend ourselves.”

Although there have been a number of skirmishes between Kurdish and Turkish forces since the August cease-fire, there is a growing concern that a resumption of full armed conflict may be imminent.  Observers contend that the government is preparing an intensive campaign to eradicate Kurdish rebel forces throughout the country.  Mr. Karayilan acknowledges that such an initiative may be in the final planning stages but remains firm that “[i]f attacks are carried out, all the Kurdish people will be part of the defense strategy.”   15 days may now be the only thing that stands in the way of a brutal conflict in Turkey.

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Turkish Court Rejects Kurdish Hearing Plea – 19 Oct. 2010

Canadian Press – Turkish Court Refuses to Allow Kurdish Suspects to Defend Themselves in Kurdish Language – 19 Oct. 2010

The Independent – Kurdish Rebels Tell Turkey: Keep Your Promises or Cease-fire is Over – 19 Oct. 2010

Reuters – Turk Court Rejects to Use Kurdish in Trial – 19 Oct. 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel – The aid flotilla “Viva Palestina” will depart this weekend from Syria in route to Egypt in order to deliver much needed aid and goods to Palestinians in Gaza.  “Viva Palestina” is said to be the largest aid convoy to break the Gaza embargo.  Despite international pressure, Egypt announced today that it will allow the flotilla to dock at its Al-Arish port in order to facilitate the transportation of goods into Gaza.  The government however, noted that it will prohibit George Galloway, the British ex-parliamentarian who is a member of the convoy, from entering the country as he is considered a persona non grata, literally meaning “an unwelcome person.”   

Accompanying this convoy are 40 survivors of the fatal aid flotilla crisis this summer.  The main ship in the flotilla is said to be carrying 380 activists from 42 countries, 147 vehicles and about $5 million in medical aid to Gaza.  Kevin Ovednen, the leader of the convoy, announced his pleasure with the Egyptian government’s decision, stating “[w]e are anxious to get to Gaza as soon as possible to deliver the goods and to show the people of Gaza that we have not abandoned them.”  

Egypt’s decision to refuse entry to George Galloway comes in response to clashes instigated by aid providers led by Galloway against Egyptian police in January of this year.  Fighting erupted when the aid providers and a convoy of aid carrying vehicles were denied entry into Gaza.  Commenting about Egypt’s decision to deny him access this time around, Galloway stated “I was not deported from Egypt and I am not ‘persona non grata’ there.”  He further commented “I have no wish to have a fight with the Egyptian government; my fight is with Israel.”

Israel imposed the embargo on the Gaza Strip in June 2007 after Hamas too control of the area.  The embargo covers numerous food items, medical supplies, and infrastructural products like cement.  Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have been forced to suffer food shortages and extended periods of time without electricity and gas.  Since the flotilla incident in May, Israel has eased some of the restrictions imposed under the blockade.  The recent exceptions however, have only had a marginal effect on addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the freedom of movement of Palestinians in Gaza remains very limited. 

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Egypt Grants Passage to Gaza Convoy – 14 Oct. 2010

CNN World News – New Aid Convoy Departing for Gaza This Weekend – 14 Oct. 2010

Jerusalem Post – ‘Viva Palestina’ Aid Flotilla Set to Depart for Gaza – 14 Oct. 2010

Palestine News Network – Egypt Allows Viva Palestina Aid Convoy Into Gaza – 14 Oct. 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The remaining Filipino workers in the custody of Saudi authorities were released Saturday after the Philippine embassy negotiated their release.  Twelve Filipino workers were among the one hundred foreign workers arrested by religious police for participating in a forbidden religious activity earlier this month.  The workers allegedly held a Christian mass in a place of special occasions in the Nadeem District of Saudi Arabia.  Under Saudi law, conducting religious activities of faiths other than Islam is strictly prohibited in the country. 

The workers were released to their host employers but have been unable to return home as an investigation into their religious activities is still being conducted.  In Saudi Arabia, only the employers of foreign workers may be the guarantors of accused aliens since it is the employers who sponsor work permits for foreign employees.  The Philippine embassy reported that it could not take exception to the temporary release of Filipino workers however, it would continue to closely monitor the progress of the investigation against them. 

John Leonard Monterona, the regional coordinator of Migrante Middle East Chapter, stated that foreign workers “must be cautious and must have a ‘sense of extra care’ especially in Saudi Arabia which has been known to be strictly implementing its cultural laws.”  

Relations between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia have been tense in recent weeks after reports uncovered that at least four Filipino nurses working in Saudi Arabia may have been raped and beaten.   Although the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has commented that these reporters are unsubstantiated, foreign watchdog groups have been urging the government to initiate its own comprehensive investigation into the alleged incidents.

The continued investigation of Filipino workers however, is evidence of the country’s unwillingness to challenge the policies of the Saudi government and create more antipathy between the nations.  As the Philippine government has little to leverage against its Middle Eastern counterpart, it is likely that it will take a non-obtrusive approach towards the prosecution of its workers as it hopes to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia.

For more information, please see:

ABS-CBN News – Last of Jailed OFW in Illegal Religious Event in Saudi Released – 9 Oct. 2010

GMA News – DFA: All OFWs Jailed for Worship in KSA Released – 9 Oct. 2010

Inquirer.net – DFA: Reports of Rape of 4 Filipinas Unverified – 9 Oct. 2010

Republic of the Philippine, Department of Foreign Affairs – Remaining OFW Jailed for Religious Worship in Riyadh Released – 9 Oct. 2010

ABS-CBN News –14 OFWs Nabbed for Joining Religious Service – 6 Oct. 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait – Domestic workers in Kuwait are facing abuse and prosecution reported Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Wednesday.  Domestic migrant workers have been forced to work long hours, are deprived of wages and are often subject to physical and sexual abuse.  Last year domestic workers filed over 10,000 complaints of abuse with their embassies however; HRW notes that this represents only a percentage of all cases of abuse.   Of these 10,000 cases, roughly 950 claims alleged that workers were raped and sexually harassed by their employers. 

Domestic workers compose one-third of the 1.81 million foreign workers in Kuwait.  Rights observers contend that there is a lack of legal protection for migrant domestic workers who face abuse and wage restrictions from employers.   Laws limiting the hours a person may be legally obligated to work during a single day do not apply to migrant workers.  One Sri Lankan worker reports that she was forced to work more than 18 hours a day for a period of 10 months without receiving pay.  She now lives in a small government run shelter and is dependent on social services. 

Human rights groups say that the government is to blame.  In Kuwait, migrant domestic workers, under a sponsorship program (kafala), are bonded to their employers.  This makes it possible for employers to exercise complete control over workers during the course of employment without any recourse for employees.  Workers may not change jobs without the permission of their employers and those who attempt to leave an abusive environment are subject to indefinite detention and criminal penalties. A representative of HRW stated “If abused or exploited workers try to escape or complain the law makes it easy for employers to charge them with ‘absconding’ and get them deported.”

Rights groups have called for the abolition of the sponsorship system.   The government stated that it plans to abolish this system by February of next year and replace it with a government-administered recruitment program.   The government however, has been unable to elaborate on whether any additional protections would be afforded to migrant domestic workers under the new system. 

For more information, please see:

Arab Times – Some Employers Take Advantage of Weak Legal Protection – 7 Oct. 2010

Daily Mirror – Domestic Workers in Kuwait at Risk? – 7 Oct. 2010

Jakarta Post – Kuwait: For Abused Domestic Workers, Nowhere to Turn – 7 Oct. 2010

Agence France Presse – Abuse of Maids in Kuwait Rising: HRW – 6 Oct. 2010