By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On February 13, Hezbollah announced that Imad Mughniyeh, an influential leader, was killed in Syria when a car bomb exploded.  Syrian state television stated that one person died in the explosion and Hezbollah identified that victim as Mughniyeh.  In the announcement, Hezbollah stated “With all pride we declare a great jihadist leader of the Islamic resistance in Lebanon joining the martyrs… the brother commander hajj Imad Mughniyeh.”  Residents report that an explosion took place in a residential area in Damascus on evening of February 12.

Prior to 9/11, Mughniyeh was on top of the FBI’s Most Wanted List for his alleged involvement in numerous terrorist attacks against Israel and the US.  He is said to be the mastermind behind the 1983 bombing of US Marine barracks in Lebanon, which killed 241 American.  He is also linked to two bombings of the US embassy in Beirut.  He was indicted for his suspected involvement in the planning of the 1985 TWA hijacking that resulted in the death of an American Navy diver.  It is also suspected that he was involved in the planning of the two bombings in Buenos Aires, Argentina; one of the Israeli embassy and another of a Jewish center.

Also, Mughniyeh is thought to be the mastermind behind the wave of kidnapping Westerners in the 1980s and 1990s.  Two famous incidences are the kidnapping, torture and execution of CIA station chief William Buckley and the kidnapping of Terry Andersen, a former Associated Press correspondent.  Andersen was held as a hostage in Lebanon for six years and was released in 1991.  Andersen told the Associate Press that he was neither surprised nor sad to hear of Mughnuyeh’s death and that it was appropriate that he “goes up in a car bomb.”

Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran all accuse Israel of involvement in Mughniyeh’s death.  Islamic Republic News Agency, Iran’s official state news organization, said that Israel and the US are the number one suspects in Mughniyeh’s death and called the action an example of “US and Israeli state terrorism.”

The Israeli Prime Minister’s office released a short statement; “Israel rejects the attempts of terror elements to attribute to Israel any involvement in this incident.”  US State Department spokesman, Sean McCormack, also stated that the US does not know who carried out the bombing.  However, both governments hailed Mughniyeh’s death as a victory against terrorism.  Sean McCormack said that “the world is a better place without this man in it,” and that Mughniyeh was “a cold-blooded killer, a mass murderer and a terrorist responsible for countless innocent lives lost.”

Both US and Israeli governments were interested in the whereabouts of Mughniyeh, who has been in hiding since the late 1980s.  After indicting Mughniyeh in the 1985 TWA hijacking, the US offered a $5 million dollar reward for information that would lead to his arrest.  In addition, Mughniyeh’s brother was killed in a bombing in Beirut in 1994 and reports suggest that Mughniyeh was the actual target.

Mughniyeh’s funeral will be held on February 14 in southern neighborhoods in Beirut.  Also, on February 14, the anti-Syrian majority leader Hariri will be leading a demonstration honoring his father, who was assassinated three years ago.  There are concerns that violence may result between individuals who attend the events.

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Israel Blamed for Hezbollah Killing – 14 February 2008

Arab News – Hezbollah No. 2 Assassinated – 14 February 2008

Associated Press – Top Hezbollah Militant Killed in Syria – 13 February 2008

BBC – Hezbollah’s Most Secretive Operative – 13 February 2008

BBC – US Hails Hezbollah Leader’s Death – 13 February 2008

International Herald Tribune – Top Hezbollah Terrorist Killed in Car Bomb – 13 February 2008

Islamic Republic News Agency – Mughniyeh Assassination, Example of Israeli State Terrorism – 13 February 2008

Middle East Online – Senior Hezbollah commander killed in Syria – 13 February 2008

Middle East Times – Top Hezbollah Commander Assassinated – 13 February 2008

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

BASRA, Iraq- A reporter and his translator were kidnapped at gunpoint in the Qasr al- Sultan Palace Hotel Sunday morning in Basra.  Two SUVs took the men to an unknown place. The men worked for the American television broadcasting channel, CBS.  CBS issued a statement that “[a]ll efforts are under way to find them” and for safety and privacy reasons CBS requested that no one would “speculate on the identity of those involved.” (New York Times)

However, a police source told an independent Iraqi news agency, Voices of Iraq, that the man kidnapped is Richard Butler. The British reporter is a free lance photographer who followed stories throughout the Middle East and Africa, according to his personal website.  He was one of the few photojournalists that covered the Baath party’s fall in early 2003.

The executive director of Committee to Protect Journalists, Joel Simon, expressed his concern for the journalist.  “We are deeply concerned for the safety of our colleagues, and hope they are located swiftly and able to resume their important work covering this critical story.”

“Iraq is the most dangerous country in the world for journalists and the deadliest conflict for the press in recent history. Journalists face incalculable risks in order to bring us the news about what is happening on the ground there.” (AFP- Two CBS journalists missing in Iraq)

The protection of the press is very important.  The media’s presence can prevent some atrocities from possibly happening, because of the media’s immediate accountability.  Thus, it is essential for these men to be returned safely to their families in order to ensure that they and other reporters can safely continue their missions to prevent future unnecessary tragedies from happening.

For more information, please see:

ADNkronos International- Iraq:British Photographer kidnapped in Basra- 11 February 2008

AFP- Iraq launches hunt for kidnapped journalists- 12 February 2008

AFP- Two CBS journalists missing in Iraq- 12 February 2008

Aswat Aliraq (Voices of Iraq)-  British journalist, interpreter kidnapped in Basra-12 February 2008

Guardian Unlimited- British reporter kidnapped in Basra- 12 February 2008

Los Angeles Times- CBS News journalist, Iraqi translator abducted in Basra- 12 February 2008

New York Times- CBS Reports 2 Journalists Missing in Iraq- 12 February 2008

By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Egypt’s highest civil court ruled on Saturday that 12 Coptic Christians who had converted to Islam could reconvert to Christianity. The decision was a happy ending to a bitter yearlong battle over the Egyptian government’s policy of discrimination against religious converts. Rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), however, believe the government should take further steps to cement religious freedom in Egypt.

The court overturned an April 2007 lower court decision that forbade the 12 Muslims from returning to Christianity because leaving Islam is considered apostasy in the predominantly Muslim state. Although there is no Egyptian law against converting from Islam to Christianity, conservative sentiment in recent years has led the government to forbid converts to return to Christianity. Interestingly, lower courts have ruled in favor of conversions in the past, but Saturday’s ruling was the first in a high court.

With its decision, the Coptic Christians are going to receive their ID cards – which all adults are required to carry in Egypt – properly identifying them as Christians. However, the court left the group vulnerable to discrimination by mandating their former religion be noted on official documents. Human Rights Watch and the EIPR warned the government that any such public reference could subject converts to social stigma and discrimination.

Also, Saturday’s ruling may not have widespread effect many are hoping for. Judge Mohammed el-Husseini said that the 12 should not be considered apostates since they were born Christian. Many interpret this ruling as the court’s attempt to limit its ruling on those converts who were born Christian and not lifelong Muslims. Therefore, the ruling will not necessarily bring change for other Muslims who wish to convert.

Still, Mamdouh Nakhlah, a lawyer who represented the 12, described the ruling as “victory for human rights and freedom of religion in Egypt.” “This will open the door for many others to return to Christianity,” he said.

Coptic Christians represent up to 10 percent of Egypt’s 76 million population. They are known to convert to bypass the strict rules of their church, which bans divorce or to marry a Muslim woman. Without the official ID cards, they cannot apply for jobs, buy property, open bank accounts or register their children in schools.

For more information, please see:

The New York Times – Egyptian court allows return to Christianity – 11 February 2008

Compass Direct News – Converts win case but may face discrimination – 11 February 2008

Human Rights Watch – “Re-Conversion” decision is a welcome step – 11 February 2008

AFP – Egypt allows converts to revert to Christianity on ID – 9 February 2008

Associated Press – Egypt court upholds Christian conversion – 9 February 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SDEROT, Israel – Israeli army report that over 40 Qassam rockets were fired at Israel this weekend.  One rocket seriously injured two Israeli brothers in Sderot.  On February 9, Osher Twito, age 8, and his brother Rami, age 19, were injured as a volley of rockets were fired at Sderot.  One of Osher’s legs was partially severed by the rocket and doctors had to amputate.  He and his brother are now in stable condition.

On February 10, dozens of Sderot residents blocked a main road leading to Jerusalem.  They brought a sound system and played the alert that is sounded prior to incoming rocket fire.  They would play the alert and then lay down in the street as they would during a real rocket attack.  After blocking some of the main roads into Jersulam, the demonstrators marched to the prime minister’s office.  The demonstrators demanded the Israel take some sort of action.  One Sderot resident stated “we came here to demonstrate because it is impossible to live this way.”

In addition to pressure from Sderot residents, Prime Minister Olmert is also facing pressure from Israeli politicians.  Meir Sheetrit, Israel’s Interior Minister, said that Israel should pick a village in Gaza, give its residents one day to evacuate, and then completely destroy the village.  Other ministers, such as ???, are pressuring Olmert to have the IDF target the political leaders in Gaza, such as ??? of Hamas.

In response, Olmert urges Israelis to remain calm and remains firm in his policy of economic sanctions and strikes targeting armed militants.  He states that while outrage and anger are natural, they are not an operational plan.  Instead, Olmert said that Israel must operate in a methodical and organized fashion.  He claims that his government will continue “to go after all terror operatives, their handlers and their dispatchers.”

Vice Premier Haim Ramon told Army Radio some 200 militants have been killed in the past two months.  However, Ramon also calls for more decisive action.  Last week, Israel began to cut the amount of electricity that is sent to Gaza.  Ramon states that if rockets are fired from Gaza “then there should be no electricity, or water or fuel. If they don’t fire, then there will be.”

While Olmert is being pressured by Israelis and his own government to react to the rocket threat from Gaza, he is also facing international pressure to avoid a humanitarian crisis inside Gaza.  The sanctions and border closure have drawn criticism from the international community, stating that Israel is violating international law by collectively punishing the residents of Gaza.

Human Rights Watch stated that the cuts in fuel and electricity have a “grave impact on Gaza’s hospitals, water-pumping stations, sewage-treatment facilities, and other infrastructure essential for the well-being of Gaza’s population.”  Joe Stork, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said while the cuts aim to stop militants from firing rockets, “the cuts are seriously affecting civilians who have nothing to do with these armed groups.”

In addition, the US warns Israel against aggravating the situation. US Department of State spokesman, Tom Casey, stated “we understand Israel’s right to defend itself but we do not think that action should be taken that would infringe upon or worsen the humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza.”  UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, criticized the cut; he believes that “such action risks a further deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza without improving the security situation.”

For more information, please see:
Times (London) – Israeli Fury Over Boy Maimed by Rocket – 11 February 2008

Associated Press – Israeli Boy, Brother Injured by Rockets – 10 February 2008

Associated Press – Olmert Resists Pressure to Invade Gaza – 10 February 2008

Associated Press – Timeline of Gaza’s Electricity Crisis – 10 February 2008

CNN – Israeli Boy Loses Leg in Rocket Attack – 10 February 2008

International Herald Tribune – Calls for Tough Action as More Rockets Hit Israel– 10 February 2008

Reuters – Olmert Vows to Target Those Behind Rocket Salvoes – 10 February 2008

Ha’aretz – Britain Criticizes Gaza Power Cuts – 9 February 2008

AFP – IsraelI Army Says 17 Rockets Fired From Gaza Strip – 8 February 2008

Human Rights Watch – Gaza: Israel’s Energy Cuts Violate Laws of War – 7 February 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SDEROT, Israel – Israeli army report that over 40 Qassam rockets were fired at Israel this weekend.  One rocket seriously injured two Israeli brothers in Sderot.  On February 9, Osher Twito, age 8, and his brother Rami, age 19, were injured as a volley of rockets were fired at Sderot.  One of Osher’s legs was partially severed by the rocket and doctors had to amputate.  He and his brother are now in stable condition.

On February 10, dozens of Sderot residents blocked a main road leading to Jerusalem.  They brought a sound system and played the alert that is sounded prior to incoming rocket fire.  They would play the alert and then lay down in the street as they would during a real rocket attack.  After blocking some of the main roads into Jersulam, the demonstrators marched to the prime minister’s office.  The demonstrators demanded the Israel take some sort of action.  One Sderot resident stated “we came here to demonstrate because it is impossible to live this way.”

In addition to pressure from Sderot residents, Prime Minister Olmert is also facing pressure from Israeli politicians.  Meir Sheetrit, Israel’s Interior Minister, said that Israel should pick a village in Gaza, give its residents one day to evacuate, and then completely destroy the village.  Other ministers, such as ???, are pressuring Olmert to have the IDF target the political leaders in Gaza, such as ??? of Hamas.

In response, Olmert urges Israelis to remain calm and remains firm in his policy of economic sanctions and strikes targeting armed militants.  He states that while outrage and anger are natural, they are not an operational plan.  Instead, Olmert said that Israel must operate in a methodical and organized fashion.  He claims that his government will continue “to go after all terror operatives, their handlers and their dispatchers.”

Vice Premier Haim Ramon told Army Radio some 200 militants have been killed in the past two months.  However, Ramon also calls for more decisive action.  Last week, Israel began to cut the amount of electricity that is sent to Gaza.  Ramon states that if rockets are fired from Gaza “then there should be no electricity, or water or fuel. If they don’t fire, then there will be.”

While Olmert is being pressured by Israelis and his own government to react to the rocket threat from Gaza, he is also facing international pressure to avoid a humanitarian crisis inside Gaza.  The sanctions and border closure have drawn criticism from the international community, stating that Israel is violating international law by collectively punishing the residents of Gaza.

Human Rights Watch stated that the cuts in fuel and electricity have a “grave impact on Gaza’s hospitals, water-pumping stations, sewage-treatment facilities, and other infrastructure essential for the well-being of Gaza’s population.”  Joe Stork, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said while the cuts aim to stop militants from firing rockets, “the cuts are seriously affecting civilians who have nothing to do with these armed groups.”

In addition, the US warns Israel against aggravating the situation. US Department of State spokesman, Tom Casey, stated “we understand Israel’s right to defend itself but we do not think that action should be taken that would infringe upon or worsen the humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza.”  UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, criticized the cut; he believes that “such action risks a further deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza without improving the security situation.”

For more information, please see:
Times (London) – Israeli Fury Over Boy Maimed by Rocket – 11 February 2008

Associated Press – Israeli Boy, Brother Injured by Rockets – 10 February 2008

Associated Press – Olmert Resists Pressure to Invade Gaza – 10 February 2008

Associated Press – Timeline of Gaza’s Electricity Crisis – 10 February 2008

CNN – Israeli Boy Loses Leg in Rocket Attack – 10 February 2008

International Herald Tribune – Calls for Tough Action as More Rockets Hit Israel– 10 February 2008

Reuters – Olmert Vows to Target Those Behind Rocket Salvoes – 10 February 2008

Ha’aretz – Britain Criticizes Gaza Power Cuts – 9 February 2008

AFP – IsraelI Army Says 17 Rockets Fired From Gaza Strip – 8 February 2008

Human Rights Watch – Gaza: Israel’s Energy Cuts Violate Laws of War – 7 February 2008