By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

KABUL, Afghanistan – Saturday’s parliamentary election in Afghanistan once again illustrated the numerous problems facing international forces and Afghans in the country.   Since Saturday’s election, over 3000 complaints of fraud and intimidation have been filed with the United Nation-backed Electoral Complaint Commission (ECC).   In the days prior to the election, abductions of civilians and election officials raised security concerns throughout the country.

More than 20 individuals were abducted by Taliban insurgent forces on the eve of the election and at least 22 people were killed by insurgent attacks on election day.  During the election, insurgents conducted 485 separate attacks on election facilities, according to NATO forces.   Despite these fatalities, a Pentagon spokesman noted that election violence has decreased when compared to the 2009 presidential election in Afghanistan.

Over 2,500 candidates ran for the 249 seats up for grabs in the parliamentary elections.   Against a backdrop of political instability, the ECC is now charged with the task of ensuring the validity of election results as complaints of illegal voting continue to pour in.   Stressing the significance of the elections, a representative for the United Nation’s mission in Afghanistan reported “[t]he independence of these institutions is crucial to the credibility of the completion of the electoral process.”

Over 1000 polling centers were forced to close their doors due to inadequate security.   In a comment to the Washington Examiner, Army Captain Max Pappas, a member of the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, stated that the “Taliban intimidated people, but they weren’t able to stage a massive attack. At least that’s a good sign, but this is far from over.”  Although international forces in Afghanistan remain committed to the fight against the Taliban in the country, many recognize the difficult challenges that lay ahead.  Although U.S. officials remain optimistic about the successful promotion of democracy in Afghanistan, Saturday’s election highlights that the prospect of a legitimate and functioning government may still be untenable in the short term.

For more information, please see:

Agence France Presse – Afghanistan Says Over 3000 Complaints About Vote – 21 Sept. 2010

Xinhua News Agency – 2 Election Officials Missing, Thousands Complaints Filed in Afghan Polls – 21 Sept. 2001

Washington Examiner – Election Day is Day of Fear in Afghanistan – 20 Sept. 2010

ABC News – 22 Killed During Afghan Polls: NATO – 19 Sept. 2010

Al-Jazeera – Abductions Hit Afghan Poll Build-Up – 17 Sept. 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen – More than 8,000 civilians were forced to flee their homes as Yemeni forces launched an assault on a suspected al-Qaeda stronghold in the town of Hota in Shabwa province.  The government contends that over 100 al-Qaeda fighters were hiding in the town.  The outbreak in fighting comes as John Brennan, President Obama’s top counter-terrorism advisor, was visiting Yemen. 

Authorities suspect that radical Muslim cleric, Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S.-Yemeni citizen wanted by the U.S. has been hiding in his home province of Shabwa.  Analysts have been monitoring the development of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) which has considerable influence in the country’s tribal regions.   AQAP is responsible for a series of attacks inside Yemen, the latest happening in June.  Today, the government detailed that it had engaged “armed elements” of al-Qaeda inside the town killing at least three militants. 

The government has been giving notice to citizens since Saturday urging them to flee in anticipation of the anti-terror offensive.  Civilians fled to nearby towns creating cramped conditions.  The Red Crescent has been calling for food and medical supplies to support the growing populations.

This attack is just the latest in a larger campaign against AQAP within Yemen.  With U.S. military and intelligence support, the Yemeni government has been able to step up its attacks against al-Qaeda in the last year.   Yemen remains critical battlefield in the War on Terror as al-Qaeda continues to grow its ranks in the region.   The Christmas Day Bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was found to have spent time training in Yemen.   

Last month fighting in Loder left 19 militants and 11 Yemeni soldiers dead.   The United States has expressed its confidence in the Yemeni government stating that it is “convinced” that the government can defeat the militant forces.   As the government steps up its military strategy it must remain aware that it not only has to manage the conflict but also the humanitarian fallout. 

For more information, please see:

Agence France Presse – South Yemen Clashes Send Thousands Fleeing: Govt Official – 20 Sept. 2010

BBC Middle East – Thousands Flee Fighting in Yemen’s Shabwa Province – 20 Sept. 2010

CNN – Obama Counterterror Aid Visits Yemen – 20 Sept. 2010

Reuters Africa – Thousands Flee in Qaeda Clashes in South Yemen – 20 Sept. 2010

Agence France Press – Yemen Troops Kill Two at Checkpoint in Troubled Town – 19 Sept. 2010

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

WASHINGTON, United States – Ali Ahmad Asseri, a Saudi diplomat is seeking asylum in the United States after disclosing that his life is in danger for being a homosexual and for befriending a Jewish women.  Mr. Asseri reported his fears to U.S. federal officials after being informed that the Saudi government refused to renew his diplomatic passport and had terminated his status as the first Secretary of the Saudi consulate in Los Angeles.  Saudi officials stated that Mr. Asseri’s termination was the result of him being gay and now demand his return to Saudi Arabia.

In an email to NBC, Mr. Asseri expressed his fear of returning to Saudi Arabia stating “[m]y life is in danger here and if I go back to Saudi Arabia, they will kill me openly in broad daylight.” Mr. Asseri was questioned by the Department of Homeland Security after filing his request for asylum, contending that he is a member of a “particular social group” which faces prosecution and possibly death in Saudi Arabia.  It is believed that consulate employees informed Saudi officials that Mr. Asseri was gay after following him to gay bars.  After this discovery, Mr. Asseri was subjected to harassment by consulate officials who also continually monitored his private life. 

In response to his firing, Mr. Asseri posted messages on a Saudi website criticizing the government for its “backwardness” and for “defac[ing] the tolerance of Islam.”  In a warning to Saudi officials, Asseri further commented that he would release politically embarrassing information about the royal family if the government prosecutes him.  

This is not the first time that a Saudi diplomat has sought asylum in the United States.  In 1994, Mohammad al-Khilewi, a representative of Saudi Arabia’s delegation to the United Nations, sought protection in the United States after criticizing his government for human rights violations.  

Although the Obama administration has not made any formal decisions regarding Mr. Asseri’s application, the government has recognized that homosexuals are often punished by death or flogging under Sharia law.  In the latest State Department human rights report, the government acknowledged that the Saudis continue to deny political and religious rights to minorities and enforce the strictest punishments for what it considers sexual misconduct.  The reported describes one instance where two Saudi men were publicly whipped 7000 times for their sexual preferences.   Mr. Asseri fears that he will suffer a similar fate if forced to return to Saudi Arabia.

For more information, please see:

The Australian – Gay Consul Asylum Bid – 13 Sept. 2010

IndyPosted – Gay Saudi Diplomat Seeks Asylum in US – 12 Sept. 2010

Agence France Presse – Saudi Diplomat Seeks US Asylum – 11 Sept. 2010

MSNBC.com – Saudi Diplomat Seeks US Asylum: ‘My Life is in Danger’ – 11 Sept. 2010

By Alyxandra Stanczak
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – An American accused of spying and illegally entering the country last year when she crossed over the Iraq-Iran boundary by accident while hiking with her friends is set to be released on bail. Sarah Shourd, a 32 year old teacher from California, has been detained for thirteen months along with her traveling partners, Joshua Fattal and Shane Bauer. Shourd’s bail has been set at $500,000 and has been offered due to severe health conditions she is suffering. All three hikers are being held at Tehran’s Evin prison.

Shourd’s bail was negotiated through the Swiss embassy, who handle all diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran.

Even though Shourd has been allowed to leave Iran upon setting bail, she is still set to stand trial and is expected to return to the country when the trial occurs.  Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi has told reporters that there is enough evidence to find the three hikers guilty of spying.  The United States has denied these allegations. Jafari-Dolatabadi also stated that there is more than enough reason to accuse the three hikers of espionage.

The judicial branch has almost completed their case against the three hikers and has prepared an indictment.

Iranian political experts have commented on the odd turn this case has taken. Iran’s judiciary is independent and is not as subject to other parts of the oligarchy to political influence. Ghanbar Naderi, an Iranian political analyst, said there is “Obviously there is some kind of miscommunication between these two bodies.” This statement comes in light of the fact that Shourd’s expected release date was pushed back to this coming weekend, instead of the end of Ramadan.

Iran-United States relations have been strained recently because of Iran’s pursuit of uranium enrichment. Though Iran denies the enrichment program is for military use and claims it is simply to provide nuclear energy, the United States is adverse to the entire process. The goodwill shown on Iran’s part by releasing Shourd and possibly, as Naderi speculates, the other two hikers will possibly serve to ease rising political tensions between the two countries.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Iran to release US woman on bail – 12 September 2010

The Guardian – Iran demands $500,000 to free US hiker Sarah Shourd – 12 September 2010

Los Angeles Times – Iran: American hiker Sarah Shourd may be released; bail set – 12 September 2010