By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – On August 14, a female bomber detonated her explosives amongst a group of Shiite pilgrims in Iskandariyah, a former Sunni insurgent stronghold 30 miles south of Baghdad.  The explosion followed a government announcement describing new measures to protect worshippers.

There are conflicting reports on the number of casualties.  The U.S. military put the death toll at 17, including one policeman and 16 civilians. A senior provincial security officer said 26 people were killed and 75 wounded.

Earlier on August 14, two smaller bombings in Baghdad killed two and injured 16.  These bombings were thought to target pilgrims as well.  Last month, three women suicide bombers attacked Shiite pilgrims during a festival in Baghdad, killing at least 32 people and wounding more than 100.

No group has claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack, but given the target, Shiite pilgrims, it is thought that the Sunni extremist group, Al Qaeda in Iraq, is responsible.

For more information, please see:

Xinhua – Female Suicide Bomber Kills 18 Iraqi Pilgrims – 15 August 2008

Associated Press – Bombs Target Shiite Pilgrims in Iraq, Kills 17 – 14 August 2008

BBC – Iraq Suicide Blast Kills Pilgrims – 14 August 2008

Foreign Policy in Focus – Behind the Surge in Iraqi Women Suicide Bombers – 11 August 2008

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TEL AVIV, Israel – The Israel Defense Force has closed its probe into the April death of Fadel Shana, a Reuters cameraman.  The IDF issued a letter to Reuters announcing its decision to close the investigation.  In the letter, Israel’s top military lawyer, Brigadier General Avihai Mendelblit, stated that the tank crew involved in the shooting could not tell whether Shana was holding a camera or a weapon.  The letter continued by claiming that the crew reached the “reasonable conclusion” that Shana was “hostile”.

One reason for the tank crew’s suspicion was that Shana and his soundman were wearing blue flak jackets, which are “common to Palestinian terrorists.”  However, Shana’s jacket was clearly marked with “PRESS” and his vehicle was marked with the words “TV” and “PRESS”.

“I’m extremely disappointed that this report condones a disproportionate use of deadly force in a situation the army itself admitted had not been analyzed clearly,” said David Schlesinger, editor-in-chief of Reuters.

The Foreign Press Association was also dismayed by the decision to close the investigation. “The IDF’s decision to close its probe without taking any disciplinary action is the latest in a long line of cases clearing its soldiers of deadly negligence,” it said.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Israelis Who Shot Cameraman Cleared – 14 August 2008

Guardian Unlimited – Gaza: Israel Clears Tank Crew over Killing of Reuters Cameraman – 14 August 2008

Washington Post – Israel Clears Troops in Death of Journalist – 13 August 2008

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TRIPOLI, Lebanon – On August 13, a roadside bomb detonated as a bus full of off-duty soldiers passed in northern Lebanon.  According to Reuters, at least 15 people were killed, including nine soldiers.  However, earlier security reports stated that at least 18 people were killed.  In addition, medical sources state that 45 people were injured, four critically.

“It seems that the bomb was detonated wirelessly by remote,” Lebanon’s police chief Ashraf Reefi said.  Following initial investigations, it appears that the bomb was placed at a bus stop where soldiers gathered; deliberately targeting the Lebanese military.

There has been no immediate claim for the attack.  But an army statement described the attack as a “terrorist bombing”; a phrase used in the past by the military when it suspects militant Islamist involvement.

The attack followed a day after the new unity government received a vote of confidence from parliament.

For more information, please see:

The Daily Star – Security Chiefs Probe Tripoli Blast as Army Buries Slain Soldiers– 15 August 2008

BBC – Lebanese City Rocked by Bus Bomb – 13 August 2008

Reuters – Lebanon Bomb Kills 15 in Attack on Army – 13 August 2008

By: Julie Narimatsu

Impunity Watch Managing Editor-Journal

Several members of the Fatah movement, led by Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, have been arrested by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.  Hamas responded that the arrests were part of their investigation into a bombing that killed five of its members and a girl, as well as in retaliation for the detentions of several Hamas members in the West Bank.  They are not disclosing specific numbers on how many Fatah men have been detained, and Fatah is denying any involvement in the bombing.

The bombing caused both sides to make numerous arrests in the past week.  However, on Wednesday, Hamas released over half of the detained Fatah activists.  Similarly, Abbas has reportedly ordered the release of all detained Hamas activists that have been arrested in the past week.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch released a report condemning the unlawful arrests and physical abuse of both sides since Hamas gained control of the Gaza Strip in June of 2007.  They have urged both sides to release those unnecessarily detained and to allow independent human rights monitors access to the detainees.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Top Fatah officials held in Gaza – 1 August 2008

NY Times – Abbas Is Said to Release Supporters of Hamas – 1 August 2008

CNN – Palestinian factions trample rights, watchdog group says – 30 July 2008

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New clashes between two neighborhoods in northern Lebanon have resulted in at least seven dead and more than 30 injured.  Rocket-propelled grenades were used to target apartment buildings and mosques, as well as buildings outside the two specific neighborhoods involved.  The Lebanese army has closed the nearby highway to reduce civilian exposure to the violence.

Since June, there have been fourteen deaths and over 100 injured in this region.  The conflicts stem from a long history of religious, territorial, and political tension going back to the 1970’s.

For more information, please see:

Al Bawaba – Seven dead in Lebanon clashes – 25 July 2008

NOW Lebanon – Raging storm – 26 June 2008

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Last month, the prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC), Luis Moreno-Ocampo, filed several charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and murder against Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in relation to his involvement with the conflict in Darfur.  While the ICC has requested an arrest warrant against the leader, Egypt, Sudan’s neighbor to the north, insists that the arrest should be delayed.

Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, discussed the situation with Sudanese Vice President, Ali Osman Taha, who called the charges “baseless and refuted by the facts on the ground.”  According to an Egyptian official, Ahmed Abul Gheit, the charges are “very dangerous and the prosecutor should not have let things go so far.”  He added that the “international community [sh]ould be careful and work for providing stability and look for justice and truth in Sudan.”

Over four million Sudanese refugees live in Egypt.  According to Nora Abdel Khalek, a political activist, Mubarak “does not want to be seen by Egyptians as being responsible for the hardship and troubles that have been going on [in Egypt].”  She adds that the lack of support to the ICC by Egypt and other African leaders is an attempt to “deflect the charges” to maintain their legitimacy.

Other African nations agree with Egypt that an arrest would threaten peace discussions going on in the region.  The African Union has stated that it does not support an immediate plan to arrest al-Bashir.

For more information, please see:

Middle East Times – Bashir Pending Arrest Too Close for Cairo’s Comfort – 1 August 2008

Sudan Tribune – Egypt’s Mubarak reaffirms his support to Sudan’s Bashir vs ICC – 28 July 2008

allAfrica.com – Uganda: Mubarak Here Over Bashir Warrant – 28 July 2008

By Ben Turner
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – On July 28, four female suicide bombers attacked a Shiite pilgrimage in Baghdad and a Kuridsh protest rally in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk.  57 people were killed and nearly 300 other were injured as a result of the blasts.

In Baghdad, three of the suicide bombers detonated their explosives in three different locations within 30 minutes of each other.  The Baghdad attacks left 32 dead and wounded 102 others.  The attackers targeted Shiite pilgrims taking part in an annual march to one of their holiest shrines.

In Kirkuk, another suicide bomber detonated her explosives in the middle of a crowd attending a Kurdish political protest.  After the explosion, gunmen fired into the crowd.  The attack killed 25 people and wounded 185 others.

For more information, please see:
Associated Press – 4 Female Bombers Strike in Iraq, Killing 57 – 28 July 2008

CNN – Female Suicide Bombers Target Pilgrims, Rally – 28 July 2008

Los Angeles Times – Female Suicide Bombers in Baghdad and Kirkuk Kill 57, Injure 280 – 28 July 2008

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LONDON, England – On July 28, the Crown Prosecution Service has said that there is insufficient evidence to charge anyone in the death of Terry Lloyd, a British journalist who was killed in Iraq in 2003.

Lloyd, who was working for Britain’s Independent Television News, was shot by an American weapon when his four-man team was caught in crossfire between U.S. and Iraqi forces on the outskirts of Basra.
A 2006 British inquest ruled that U.S. forces unlawfully killed Lloyd while he lay in the back of an ambulance.  The Crown Prosecution Service said it was impossible to determine who fired the bullet that killed Lloyd.

The Pentagon completed an investigation into Lloyd’s death in May of 2003 and “determined that U.S. forces followed the applicable rules of engagement.”  ITN said it was disappointed by the decision and accused U.S. authorities of being uncooperative.

For more information, please see:
Associated Press – UK: No Prosecution Over Journalist Death in Iraq – 28 July 2008

BBC – No Charges Over Reporter’s Death – 28 July 2008

Telegraph – No-One to be Charged Over Shooting of ITN Reporter Terry Lloyd in Iraq – 28 July 2008

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CAIRO, Egypt – An Egyptian court acquitted the owner of a ferry that sank in the Red Sea two years ago, killing more than 1000 people.  The ship’s owner, Mamdouh Ismail, and his son, Amr Ismail, were cleared of negligence and corruption charges.

Mamdouh is a member of the Egyptian parliament’s upper house and Amr was a top executive in the ferry company.  The two fled Egypt after the sinking and opposition papers accused government officials of helping them escape.  They were tried absentia in Egypt.

The ferry sank in February 2006 after a fire broke out on board.  The ship was traveling from Saudi Arabia to Egypt and most of the victims were Egyptian workers returning home.  The slow rescue operation by the Egyptian government led many of the victims’ families to openly criticize Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.  The ferry incident is only the latest example in long standing charges that the Mubarak government has abetted corruption by wealthy businessmen close to the regime.

For more information, please see:
AFP – Outrage over 2006 Egyptian Ferry Disaster Acquittals – 27 July 2008

Associated Press – Owner of Sunken Egyptian Ferry Acquitted – 27 July 2008

BBC – Anger at Egyptian Ferry Verdict – 27 July 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

JERUSALEM – On July 24, Israeli officials revived plans to construct a new settlement in the occupied West Bank.  Two years ago, Israel was prevented from constructing a new settlement, Maskiyot, in the Jordan Valley, due to US pressure.  The decision to begin construction is significant because of the promises made by Israel in the Annapolis conference late last year.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat accused Israel of undermining US-backed peace talks with the latest settlement plan.  “This is destroying the process of a two-state solution,” Erekat said. “I hope the Americans will make the Israelis revoke the decision. I think they can make the Israelis do this.”

The new settlement would be the first in a decade and would contribute to a wave of building going on across the West Bank, as Israel adds thousands of new homes to existing settlements despite international calls to halt construction.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said that he was “deeply concerned” about the construction plan, adding that it would violate international law.  Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the transfer of civilians to occupied lands.

For more information, please see:

The Daily Star – Israel Set to Build More Illegal Settlements in Occupied West Bank – 25 July 2008

Independent – Israel Relaunches Plan for West Bank Settlement in Snub to US – 25 July 2008

Washington Post – Revived Israeli Plan for New Homes in West Bank Sparks Outcry – 25 July 2008

International Herald Tribune – West Bank Construction Wins Approval in Israel – 24 July 2008

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GAZA CITY, Gaza – On July 23, UN Relief Works Agency released a report stating that over half of the population in Gaza from falling below the poverty line.  “The number of households in Gaza below the consumption poverty line [has] continued to grow, reaching 51.8 per cent in 2007 despite significant amounts of emergency and humanitarian assistance,” the report said.

Salem Ajluni, an economist with UNRWA and author of the report, stated that Gaza has historically been more vulnerable to difficult economic conditions for a number of reasons, especially due to the fact that two thirds of the territory are refugees and dispossessed of their property.  He also stated that the economic conditions were worsened because of the economic blockade imposed on the territory.

The report stated, “Israeli imposed movement restrictions in the occupied Palestinian territory, whose population is estimated to have grown by about one third since 1999, have resulted in considerable regression over the past eight years and remain the main barrier to economic recovery and development.”

In addition, the report noted that economic conditions continue to decline, despite the truce declared one month ago.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – UN: Poverty Worsening in Gaza – 24 July 2008

ReliefWeb – OPT: More than Half of Gaza Households Slump Below the Poverty Line: Youth Hardest Hit by Unemployment – 24 July 2008

UNRWA – Prolonged Crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: Socio-Economic Developments in 2007 – 23 July 2008

Xinhua – Gaza Poverty Mounts Despite Hamas-Israel Truce – 23 July 2008

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NEW YORK CITY, United States – Human Rights Watch called on Syria to investigate the deadly shooting of inmates by military police at Sednaya prison.  According to reports from inmates, the riot occurred when Islamists protested against an “aggressive search” by prison guards.  In the process of quelling the riot, prison guards fired on the inmates killing an unknown number.

HRW called on Syria to investigate the July 5 riot and to publish the findings.  HRW also called on the government to immediately publish the names of those killed and injured in the incident.  “We still don’t know how the prison standoff ended, or the number and names of those killed and wounded,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW Middle East Director.

Even two weeks after the incident, the Syrian government has not released an official statement.  The official state news agency, SNA, printed a short statement on July 6, which stated “a number of prisoners…incited chaos and breached public order in the prison and attacked other fellow prisoners…during an inspection by the prison administration.”

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Syria Urged to Probe Prison Riot Deaths – 22 July 2008

Human Rights Watch – Syria: Investigate Sednaya Prison Deaths – 22 July 2008

Reuters – Rights Group Calls for Syria Prison Riot Inquiry – 22 July 2008

By Ben Turner
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – A University of Albany public health student and as his brother have been arrested by Iranian security.  Kamiar Alaei is enrolled in Albany’s doctorate public health program and is known internationally for his work with HIV/AIDS prevention.

On June 22, security forces detained Kamiar’s brother, Arash Alaei, and held him overnight at an undisclosed location.  The next morning, the security forces escorted him to his home where they arrested Kamiar and seized documents and materials belonging to the brothers.

The Iranian government has yet to announce why the brothers were detained or whether any charges will be brought against them.  According to Human Rights Watch, the authorities have also not provided the brothers with access to counsel.

The brothers are credited with convincing the Iranian government of confronting HIV/AIDS prevention.  The accomplishment is that much more remarkable given Iran’s reputation for considering such topics as sex, drugs and the HIV/AIDS disease as taboo subjects.

For more information, please see:
BBC – Iran Urged to Free HIV Pioneers – 22 July 2008

Times Union – UAlbany Student Detained in Iran – 22 July 2008

Human Rights News – Iran: Release Detained HIV/AIDS Experts – 21 July 2008

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JERUSALEM, Israel – In July 22, a man driving a bulldozer went on a rampage, ramming his construction vehicle into several cars and buses near the hotel where U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama is scheduled to stay later that day.

Eleven people were injured in the attack, including one serious injury.  The man, whom police have identified as a 22-year-old Palestinian with a criminal record, smashed into cars until a civilian witness and police shot and killed the bulldozer driver.  Police described the incident as a terrorist attack.

This is the second bulldozer attack in Jerusalem this month.  On July 2, a Palestinian construction worker rammed his vehicle into several cars.  Three people were killed before police shot and killed him.

Obama, who is scheduled to stay at the hotel tonight, strongly condemned the attack.

For more information, please see:
CNN – Attack Injures 5 Near Obama’s Jerusalem Hotel – 22 July 2008

Reuters – Bulldozer Attack Driver Shot Dead in Jerusalem – 22 July 2008

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TEHRAN, Iran – Iranian courts have sentenced eight woman and one man to death by stoning for adultery and other sexual offenses, including prostitution, incest and illegal sex with a student.  Now that the verdict has been rendered, the group can be executed at any time.

Six of the nine were convicted without any witnesses testifying against them and without the presence of lawyers during their confessions.  The group’s lawyers have called on Iran’s judiciary to prevent the stonings from being carried out.

In 2002, Iranian judiciary chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi imposed a moratorium on stoning.  However, at least three executions by stoning have been reported since the moratorium has been in place.

Under Iran’s strict penal code, men convicted of adultery should be buried up to their waists and women up to their chests for stoning. Those carrying out the verdict then throw stones until the condemned dies.  Iran’s penal law dictates that the stones used not be large enough to kill the person immediately.

For more information, please see:
Guardian – Eight Women and a Man Face Stoning in Iran for Adultery – 21 July 2008

Associated Press – Activists: Iranians to be Stoned to Death – 20 July 2008

BBC – Nine Face Stoning Death in Iran – 20 July 2008