By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – A “sudden death” of a Kurdish law student while in custody in northwestern Iran has raised suspicion among his family and human rights activists regarding the truth of the official report. Officials told the student’s family that he had committed suicide while in prison and died of “suffocation.”

Intelligence Ministry agents arrested Ebrahim Lotfollahi, a political activist in the student movement of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in front of Payame Nur University in Sanandaj on January 6. He had just finished taking an exam when the officials took him away without charge. Two days after the arrest, Lotfollahi was reportely in good condition when his family visited him, and he remained optimistic that he would be released soon. But on January 15, his parents were told that he was dead. Moreover, when family members went to the city cemetery, they were informed that the 27-year-old had already been buried and that they were not allowed to see his body. A few days after, the officials covered the grave with concrete.

Rights activists say that this case is similar to that of another recent death case which occurred in the town of Hamedan in October. In that case, a 27-year-old female physician Zahra Bani Yaghoub and her boyfriend were arrested for having an “illegal relationship.” Relationships between men and women who are not married are against the law in Iran. On the following day, officials told her family that she had committed suicide in her cell.

Following the two alleged prison suicides, Middle East deputy director at Human Rights Watch said “The sudden death in detention of two apparently healthy young people is extremely alarming. The government only heightens our concern by quickly dismissing them as suicides.” Consequently, Lotfollahi’s family wants the body exhumed for examination by doctors, including one chosen by the family. Bani Yaghub’s family has also called for an autopsy in her case.

United Nations Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions provide that families of the deceased and their legal representatives have the right to exhume body for an autopsy in all cases suspected of unlawful killing, including where the cause suggests unnatural death.

For more information, please see:

Workers’ Liberty – Iranian regime murders student activist – 25 January 2008

Reuters – Family wants Iran student who died in jail exhumed – 20 January 2008

Human Rights Watch – Investigate Detention Deaths – 18 January 2008

AKI – Death of Kurdish student was “suicide” says official – 18 January 2008

RadioFreeEurope – Detained student dies under ‘suspicious’ circumstances – 18 January 2008

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

Some activists were arrested following protests on December 17.  The activists gathered to remember protesters that were abused by the police abuses in the early 1990’s. These protests escalated after an activist was killed, which led to rioting and the arson of a police vehicle.   The police arrested some rioters to retain the peace.  The detainees were arrested for illegal possession of weapons and theft stemming from the riots.

Those detainees that were arrested in mid-December have complained that they were tortured and even sexually assaulted by their police interrogators.  For example, Maytham Badr al-Shaykh complained to his family on January 16, 2008 that he was sexually assaulted by interrogators.  Maytham told his father, “On New Year’s evening, they ‘celebrated’ with me. They stripped me and gave me shocks and stuck something wooden up inside me,” Al-Shaykh’s father said. “He whispered it to me when the guards allowed me to embrace him.”  Maytham told his brother that “they violated my manhood” by beating him while he was suspended by his hands. (Human Rights Watch)

However, an official from Bahrain has denied the allegations and assured reporters that the allegations have been investigated and that the activists have been examined by a forensic physician and that the physician dismissed found no signs of torture.

Bahrain must protect its citizens and ensure that the imprisoned they are being treated humanely.  “‘Bahrain’s response to allegations of torture against dissidents will show whether it really respects basic human rights,’ said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. ‘Bahrain should launch an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of grave abuses in detention centers.’” (Human Rights Watch)

For more information, please see:

PR-Inside (AP)- Rights watchdog calls Bahrain to look into detainee torture, sexual assault reports- 22 January 2008

Human Rights Watch- Bahrain: Investigate Alleged Torture of Activists- 21 January 2008

BEIRUT, Lebanon – A car bomb exploded in Hazmieh, a mainly Christian suburb in eastern Beirut.  Local newspapers and television state that at least ten people were killed.  Wissam Eid, a captain in the Internal Security Force, was killed in the attack and is believed to be the target.  In his statement, national police chief, Brig. Gen. Ashraf Rifi said Captain Eid specialized in intelligence and was handling important files, including “all those having to do with the terrorist bombings’” in Lebanon.  Interior Minister Hassan Sabei said there were two previous tries to kill Eid.  No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is the most recent attack in a string of politically motivated bombings since former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in 2005.  Most of the attacks targeted anti-Syrian politicians.  However, there is concern in the increasing attacks on members of the securities services.  In December 2007, General Francois El Hajj was killed in a car bombing.  Hajji was likely to next army chief.  The objective of these attacks is likely to cause further instability in Lebanese politics.

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Death at Blast Rocks Beirut – 25 January 2008

BBC – Blast Rocks Beirut Eastern Suburb – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Bomb Kills Security Official in Lebanon and at Least 10 Others – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Lebanon’s Deadly Harvest of Bombs – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Villagers Block Road to Syria After Lebanon Bombing – 25 January 2008

New York Times – Media Report Explosion in Beirut – 25 January 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza – On January 23, thousands of Gazans crossed their southern border into Egypt.  Within hours, stores in Rafah ran out of products and many Palestinians traveled to El Arish, the closest town with shops.  The most desired products included food staples and plastic containers of fuel.  However, many cigarettes and other non-essentials were purchased as well.

Gazans were able to cross the border easily since 17 explosives went off between midnight and 2am and destroyed nearly two-thirds of the Egypt-Gaza barrier.  In some areas, militants cut portion of the corrugated metal barrier that separates Gaza from Egypt.  In other areas, Palestinians used caterpillars to widened holes created by the explosions.  Estimates of Palestinians who crossed the border vary from 50,000 to over 350,000.

Israel expressed concern regarding Egypt’s lack of control of the Gaza border.  Officials within the Israeli Defense Force called the border breach a “first-class security risk.”  They argue since anyone can leave Gaza, anyone can enter Gaza.  Defense officials believe that militants will take advantage of the situation and smuggle weapons into the territory.

However, despite an agreement with Israel to secure their border, Egypt has said that it will not use force to send Palestinians back to Gaza.  Instead, Hossam Zaki, spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, stated that the border will be closed again when all the Palestinians have returned. Also, Egyptian President Mubarak claimed that he authorized the crossing; saying “I told them, let them come in to eat and buy food, then go back as long as they’re not carrying any weapons.”

In contrast, on January 22, Palestinians protestors and Egyptian police clashed at the Rafah crossing; resulting in 60 Palestinians and 10 Egyptian police officers injured.  According to the Associated Press, several thousand Palestinian women gathered at the Rafah crossing, protesting Egyptian cooperation with the Israeli “siege” on Gaza.  Many protestors sought entry into Egypt in order to purchase necessities.  When dozens of Palestinians crossed the border, witnesses state that the police used water canons and gunfire to disperse the protestors.  However, according to an Al Jazeera report, the gunfire came from the Palestinian side of the border.

On January 17, Israel closed its border with Gaza.  This closure resulted in the fuel shortage, which instigated the border breach and the clash at the Rafah border crossing.  UN officials and humanitarian organizations warned Israel that the continuation of the border closure would result in a serious humanitarian crisis.  Israel lifted the total closure on January 22 to allow industrial diesel fuel, cooking gas, and emergency food and medical aid into Gaza.

However, the manager of the Nusseirat power plant warns that while the plant is currently operating, it may re-close at any time due to a lack in fuel supplies.  The lack in power has many implications regarding other essential services; including water, sewage treatment and hospital services.

The UN General Assembly had an emergency session concerning the situation in Gaza.  On January 22, the UN criticized Israel’s closure as collective punishment.  Currently, a resolution condemning the closure as a human rights violation is before the General Assembly.  Israel plans to boycott the resolution vote as it does not mention the rockets launched from Gaza.  According to Israeli officials, 20 rockets were launched on Tuesday.

For more information, please see:
Guardian – Palestinians Pour into Egypt After Militants Blow Hole in Border Barrier – 24 January 2008

Ha’aretz – Hamas Takes Control at Frontier as 200,000 Gazans Enter Egypt – 24 January 2008

Times – Hamas ‘Spent Month Cutting Through Gaza Wall in Secret Operation’ – 24 January 2008

BBC – Egypt Reluctant to Check Gaza’s Surge – 23 January 2008

BBC – Egypt ‘Won’t Force Gazans Back’ – 23 January 2008

The Jurist – Israel, US Boycotting UN Rights Council Meeting on Gaza Blockade – 23 January 2008

UN Human Rights Council – A.HRC.S-L.1 – 23 January 2008

Yedioth – ‘Flour? Terrorists Crossing Through Rafah’ – 23 January 2008

Al Jazeera – Angry Gazans Storm Rafah Crossing – 22 January 2008

Al Jazeera – Gazans Clash with Egyptian Police at Rafah – 22 January 2008

Associated Press – Clashes Erupt at Gaza-Egypt Border – 22 January 2008

BBC – Israel Eases Restrictions on Gaza – 22 January 2008

Ha’aretz – Palestinian Water Authority: 40% of Gazans Lack Running Water – 22 January 2008

Turkey banned the popular video sharing site for the second time because of content that insulted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.  Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the founder of modern Turkey and disrespectful comments towards the national hero are restricted in Turkey similarly to how insulting Turkishness is prohibited by Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.

In March 2007, Turkey enacted a similar ban on YouTube because of content that had insulted Atatürk.  The ban was removed after YouTube lifted the videos that insulted Atatürk.  However, it not known whether the ban on YouTube will be removed immediately again or not.

The ban on YouTube by Turkey is the latest expression by the Turkish government’s regarding its control on the media.  The government has significant discretion to monitor free expression of speech through Article 301 and uses its power whenever it deems necessary, which could pose a concern for journalists reporting incidents contrary to the government’s interest.

For more information, please see:

AP – Turkey Bans YouTube for Second Time- 20 January 2008

Jurist- Turkish court reimposes YouTube ban for offensive content- 20 January 2008

The New Anatolian- Turkish court again bans YouTube access, causes international uproar- 22 January 2008