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

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

BASRA, Iraq- Nasiriyah police reported that 13 people were killed and around 45 were injured occurring from fighting instigated by a Shiite messianic sect, Soldiers of Heaven, against the local police officers.  The Soldiers of Heaven suffered heavier losses with 30 fighters killed and 25 wounded and 40 others arrested.  (Washington Post)

The Soldiers of Heaven, under the leadership of Ahmed al-Hassani al-Yamani, wore black uniforms and yellow bandannas and were equipped with machine guns and light arms and attacked police in both Basra and Nasiriyah around noon local time (0900 GMT).  (AFP) This is the second year that the Soldiers of Heaven attacked during Ashura.  Last year, 263 people died from the clashes including the sect’s previous leader Dhia Abdul Zahra Kadhim al-Krimawi, better known as  Abu Kamar.  (Al-Jazeera)

Yamani claims to be an ambassador of the eighth century Imam Mahdi who vanished as a boy.  The Shias believe that Mahdi will return as a messiah to bring justice to the world.

Hundreds of thousands of worshipers gathered to celebrate the Shia religious celebration of Ashura in the holy city of Karabala.  Ashura commemorates the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussein at the hands of the armies of the Sunni caliph Yazid in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala.  Imam Hussein is regarded as one of the Shia’s holiest saints.

The government’s commitment to protecting the Shia worshipers is crucial for the free practice of different religions in Iraq.  The government must make a concerted effort to protect those who are peacefully worshiping in the country.  If the country protects those who are worshiping peacefully in the country then it can form a coalition against religious sects that violence as a foundational principle of their sect.  Otherwise, if the government does not protect those who are worshiping peacefully, especially on their holy days, it will make the peaceful sects become more likely to resort to violence for protection.

For more information, please see:

AFP- Deadly clashes mar Iraq Ashura ceremonies- 18 January 2007

Al-Jazeera- Clashes erupt in Iraq’s South- 18 January 2007

The Press Association- Dozens killed in Iraq Cult attack- 19 January 2007

Washington Post- Dozens Killed in Clashes in S. Iraq- 19 January 2007

GAZA CITY, Gaza – Gaza’s main power plant began shutting down early January 20.  One of the plant’s two turbines shut down and, according to the Palestinian Energy Authority, the plant will be completely closed within 24 hours.  Gazans prepare by buying batteries, candles, and basic food staples such as rice.  The Energy Authority stated that over one million Gazans will be affected by this closure, which includes hospitals, sewage treatment plants, and water facilities.  United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) spokesman Christopher Gunness said that “the logic of this defies basic humanitarian standards.”

Plant director, Rafik Maliha, said that the regular fuel delivery had not arrived, as a result of the border closure, and the plant had no reserves.  On January 18, Israel closed its border crossings into Gaza, including the Nahal Oz fuel terminal, in response to an increase in Qassam rocket attacks coming from Gaza.  The border closing also affected the delivery of UN humanitarian aid, with only aid approved by Defense Minister Ehud Barak allowed through.

Israeli officials place the responsibility of the closing and any humanitarian crisis that results on Hamas and militant groups.  Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said “if they stop the rockets today, everything would go back to normal.”  Also, Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Shlomo Dror stated that the fuel shortage is not creating a crisis in Gaza, but rather accused Palestinians officials as trying to create the impression of crisis.

The UN and the international community criticize Israel’s use of fuel sanctions and border closings as collective punishment.  John Holmes, UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, stated “we all understand the security problems and the need to respond to that but collective punishment of the people of Gaza is not, we believe, the appropriate way to do that.”  Holmes is worried that the violence in Gaza could cause an even more serious humanitarian situation than already exists.

The UN also condemned Israel’s air strike on January 18, which targeted Gaza’s Interior Ministry office.  While the office was vacant, there was a wedding celebration nearby and 50 attendees were injured and one woman was killed.

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Gazans Facing Power Shutdown – 20 January 2008

BBC – Gaza Fuel Shortage Begins to Bite – 20 January 2008

Jerusalem Post – ‘Gaza Power Plant to Shut Down’ – 20 January 2008

Washington Post – Gaza Power Plant Begins Shutting Down – 20 January 2008

By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

YEREVAN, Armenia – Many Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia face discrimination and imprisonment because of their beliefs. While young men in the religious organization are jailed because their faith prohibits them from serving in the army, other members have been attacked allegedly by supporters of the country’s dominant religion.

There are approximately 9,000 Jehovah’s Witnesses in Armenia. The religious organization gained prominence following their registration in the former Soviet state in 2004, but its pacifist beliefs have brought it into conflict with the Armenian government whose armies are still based on conscription.

Over the years, the number of male Jehovah’s Witnesses imprisoned for refusing to join military service has grown larger and the duration of their imprisonment longer. As of September 2007, there were 82 imprisoned. And because there is no genuinely civilian alternative service in Armenia at present, rights group such as Amnesty International considers them “prisoners of conscience” who must be immediately released with compensation.

Furthermore, other members of Jehovah’s Witness have been subjected to increasing number of attacks allegedly by members of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which includes 90 percent of the country’s population. Consequently, attackers of Jehovah’s Witnesses enjoy impunity because the authorities refuse to fully investigate and prosecute, and sometimes outright ignore “the fact that Jehovah’s Witnesses are specifically targeted for attacks.”

The Armenian authorities deny that Jehovah’s Witnesses are specifically targeted. “Armenia does not follow a deliberate religious policy and does not sow enmity or intolerance towards religious minorities,” Hranoush Kharatian, Adviser to the RA Prime Minister on National Minorities and Religious Issues said. And she said, “Law on Alternative Service” functions well in Armenia. Jehovah’s Witnesses simply avoid service.”

For more information, please see:

ArmeniaNow.com – Free to believe?: How far has Armenia come in religious tolerance? – 18 January 2008

Amnesty International – Religious minority faces discrimination in Armenia – 16 January 2008

Armenian Daily – Jehovah’s Witnesses discriminated in Armenia – 16 January 2008

Reuters – Armenia violates Jehovah’s Witnesses’ rights-Amnesty – 15 January 2008