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

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

y Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – Two sisters are facing execution by stoning for adultery in Iran. On Thursday, Amnesty International called on the authorities to commute the sentences immediately, while both the EU and the US have already expressed their disapproval of Iran’s apparent human rights violation.

Iranian police arrested the two sisters, Zohreh and Azar Kabiri-niat, in February 2007 after Zohreh’s husband filed a complaint against her, her sisters, Azar’s husband, and another man. Zohreh’s husband claimed that they had ‘illicit relations’ and submitted as evidence video footage from a camera he had secretly installed in his house.

In March 2007, An Iranian court sentenced the five to flogging for “having illicit relations.” Zohreh also received five years’ imprisonment for forming ‘a center of corruption.’ But after the sentence was carried out, fresh charges of “committing adultery while being married” were brought against Zohreh and Azar mere three months later. A court found both sisters guilty and they were sentenced to death by stoning.

A new lawyer representing the sisters believes the trial was unfair. “The case has fundamental problems, since a person can not be tried twice for the same crime. Yet these two sisters have been tried twice in the same case, and two sentences have been issued for them,” he said. Furthermore, the prosecution was unable to satisfy the circumstances that are required to prove adultery under the Iranian law – confession by the accused on four different occasions that can be corroborated by the testimony of four eyewitnesses to the alleged crime.

As local and international clamor to halt execution by stoning became louder, both the EU and the US have expressed their concerns on Iran’s current human rights record. The EU was particularly “dismayed” that Iran is again carrying out execution by stoning despite the moratorium ordered by the Head of the Judiciary Ayatollah Shahroudi in December 2002. The US was also concerned that Iran has already executed at least 36 people since January of this year.

Iran regime’s ambassador, however, criticized the reports on abysmal record of human rights violations in Iran and called on the rights groups to respect such inhuman punishments as “local traditions.” “Our laws establish that we amputate a hand of those who steal. It is not accepted in the West, but local customs must be respected,” he said.

For more information, please see:

NCRI – Iran regime’s ambassador defends amputation and hanging – 9 February 2008

The Times of India – US concerned at upsurge of executions in Iran – 7 February 2008

M & C News – EU “dismayed” by human rights violation in Iran – 7 February 2008

Amnesty International – Two sisters face execution by stoning – 7 February 2008

Human Rights Watch – Judiciary must prevent imminent execution by stoning – 6 February 2008