By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria –March 15, 2016 marked the fifth anniversary of the Syrian Civil War. The Syrian conflict has caused the deaths of over 250,000 people, has displaced 4.8 million from their homes to other countries, has internally displaced another 6.5 million from their homes, and has left 13.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi stated, “Syria is the biggest humanitarian and refugee crisis of our time, a continuing cause of suffering for millions which should be garnering a grounds well of support around the world.” He further stated that more countries need to take a greater share in providing for refugees until the suffering in Syria ends.

Many European countries have imposed border and entry restrictions, making it even more difficult for those left in Syria to leave. This has also put a burden on countries neighboring Syria and refugees in the neighboring countries are taking greater risks to get to Europe. Other refugees in countries neighboring Syria are resorting to dangerous methods of survival, such as early marriage, child labor, or sexual exploitation,

“We are at a cross roads now as we mark another sad milestone in Syria’s war. If the world fails to work together due to short-term interests, lack of courage and knee jerk reactions to shift the burden elsewhere, we will look back carefully on this lost opportunity to act with solidarity and shared humanity”, Grandi stated.

Numerous war crimes as well as crimes against humanity have been committed since the start of the conflict. These crimes include the use of toxic chemical weapons, including nerve agents and chlorine, indiscriminate weapons such as barrel bombs, executions, torture, sexual violence, sex slavery, and siege. Experts are calling for the international community to begin planning for revisions for Syrian civilians.

David Crane, Founding Chief Prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone and Project Leader for the Syrian Accountability Project states in the Huffington Post article that “there are four possible transitional justice mechanisms for Syria that could be organized by the U.N. outside the Security Council: a fully domestic Syrian court; an internationalized domestic court; a regional special court; or an international hybrid Special Court, similar to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.”

Crane notes that under international law, war crimes and crimes against humanity are covered under the 1998 Rome Statue of the International Criminal Court but Syria is not a signatory, thus the ICC has non direct jurisdiction. The U.N Security Council has attempted to adopt a resolution that would refer the situation in Syria to the ICC but this has been opposed by both Russia and China, permanent members with veto powers.

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stated, “I repeat my call to the Security Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Crime Court.” He continued, ” In Syria as elsewhere, peace without justice is not sustainable.”

A student run project at Syracuse University College of Law, the Syrian Accountability Project, has been documenting atrocities that have occurred in Syria in preparation for whatever traditional justice mechanism is chosen by the Syrian people. On March 24,2016 SAP published a white paper titled “Looking Through the Window Darkly: A Snapshot Analysis of Rape in Syria, 2011-2015.”

For more information, please see:

The Los Angeles Times –  Chronicling a Disaster: A Timeline of the Syrian Civil War –  15 March 2016

UNHCR – Syria Conflict at Five Years – 15 March 2016

United Nations News Centre – With Syrian Peace Talks Underway, UN Urges Support for Negotiations and Impacted Syrians – 15 March 2016

The Huffington Post –  Five Years on, We Must Focus on the Victims of Syria’s Atrocities – 14 March 2016

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – Last Wednesday Iran conducted its second day of missile tests, firing two rockets. The rockets hit their targets over 1,400 kilometers (850 miles) away, making them capable of reach Israel, which is 1,000 kilometers away from the nearest point in Iran.

Iran was barred from conducting any work on ballistic missiles that are capable of carrying nuclear warheads under United Nations Security Resolution 1929. This was revoked by the nuclear deal with the United States and was replaced with United Nations Security Resolution 2231 which urges that Iran abstain from such activity.

The second round of tests occurred on the same day that United States Vice President Biden was in Jerusalem meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It is alleged that the missile tests were intended to provoke an Israeli reaction.

Mr. Biden told reporters after his meeting with Mr. Netanyahu that, “We’re united in the belief that a nuclear armed Iran is an absolutely unacceptable threat to Israel, to the United States.” He continued, “And I want to reiterate which I know people still doubt here: If in fact they break the deal, we will act. And all their conventional activity outside of the deal is still beyond the deal, and we will and are attempting to act wherever we can find it.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hossein Jabier Ansari, told the state-controlled news agency, IRNA, that the missiles were for the legitimate defense of Iran and were not designed for carrying warheads. Analyst Nader Karimi Juni stated, “The ruling establishment is sending a message to the outside world that even though Iran has rejected nuclear weaponry, we are developing our missiles and making them increasingly sophisticated.”

Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Major General Ali Jafari, stated, “Our enemies have realized that broader sanctions and scrutiny pressures have had little impact on our capabilities.” He continued, “That’s why they now seek to confine us in the missile field through economic sanctions.” Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh was quoted stating, “The reason why we designed our missiles with a range of 2,000 km is to be able to hit our enemy the Zionist regime from a safe distance.”

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon commented that Iran was still hostile despite its nuclear deal with the United States in January. He stated, “To my regret there are some in the West who are misled by the honeyed words of part of he Iranian leadership while the other part continues to procure equipment and weaponry, to arm terrorist groups.”

Iran supplies weapons and technology to Hezbollah, its Lebanese proxy, which already has thousands of rockets capable of targeting Israel.

For more information, please see:

USA Today – Iran: Missile Tests Don’t Violate Nuclear Agreement, U.N. Resolution – 10 March 2016

CNN – Iran Launches Ballistic Missiles a Day After Missile Test – 9 March 2016

Los Angeles Times – Iran’s Latest Missile Test Launches Do Not Violate Nuclear Deal, U.S. Says – 9 March 2016

Reuters – Clinton Calls for Sanction on Iran After More Missile Tests – 9 March 2016

The New York Times – Iran Tests More Missiles in Message to Israel and Biden – 9 March 2016

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On Thursday United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, declared that the Islamic State has committed genocide against Yazidis, Shi’ite Muslims, and Christians in Syria and Iraq. The statement came on the deadline set last year by Congress for the Obama administration to determine whether the Islamic State’s targeting of minority religious and ethnic groups amounted to genocide.

Mr. Kerry stated, “My purpose here today is to assert in my judgment, (ISIS) is responsible for genocides against groups in areas under its control including Yazidis, Christians, and Shi’ite Muslims.” He also stated that, “Daesh is genocidal by self-proclamation, by ideology, and by actions – in what it says, what it believes, and what it does.”

On Monday one chamber of the United States House of Representatives approved a unanimous resolution condemning the Islamic State for trying to eradicating minority communities. The United States is not legally obligated to take a particular action because of the finding of genocide.

Mr. Kerry stated that the Islamic State, “castigates Yazidis as, quote, ‘pagans’ and ‘devil-worshippers,’ and we know that Daesh has threatened Christians by saying it will, quote, ‘conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women.’” He continued, “ Shia Muslims, meanwhile, are referred to by Daesh, as, quote, ‘disbelievers and apostates,’ and subjected to frequent and vicious attacks.”

In August 2014, the Islamic State rounded up thousands of Yazidis living in the Nineveh plains of north-western Iraq. The men and boys over age 14 were shot, boys under the age of 14 were forced to convert to Islam and subjected to military training. Women and girls were sold or handed to Islamic State militants as gifts.

In July 2014 the Islamic State killed as many as 1,700 army recruits, most of whom were Shia Muslims, when it captured the Camp Speicher military base outside of Tikrit, a northern Iraqi city.

Christians living in the territory have been forced to chose between converting to Islam, payment of a protection tax, jizyah, or death. In February 2015 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian migrant workers in Libya were beheaded.

Mr. Kerry also stated that “Naming these crimes is important, but what is essential is to stop them.” An Israeli Yazidi activist, Mirza Dinnayi, told CNN in an e-mail, “I am very happy to hear that (the U.S.) will recognize the genocide of Yezidi and Christian minorities.” He continued, “This is an important step to stop the suffering of the prosecuted people under the control of the extremist Islamic groups, specifically ISIS. And this is also important for my community to trust the international community again, because we were left in the hands of Islamic State.”

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Islamic State Committed Genocide, Says US – 17 March 2016

CNN – John Kerry: ISIS Responsible for Genocide – 17 March 2016

Huffington Post – John Kerry Calls Islamic State’s Atrocities Genocide – 17 March 2016

The New York Times – Citing Atrocities, John Kerry Calls ISIS Actions Genocide – 17 March 2016

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – Nearly 50 civilians were killed on Monday, as four hospital facilities were struck by missiles. The United Nations stated that the airstrikes were a blatant violation of international law.

In the town of Azaz, near the Turkish border, fourteen people were killed and another 30 were wounded, as airstrikes struck a school and the children’s hospital. Local news footage showed ambulances unloading children on stretches at the Kilis State hospital.

The Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu accused Russia of conducting the airstrikes that hit the hospital and school, killing children. Turkey’s foreign minister called it an “obvious war crime.” Russia denied responsibility for the attacks, stating that their country does not bomb indiscriminately and does not target civilians. The United States State Department, however, claimed the Syrian regime for the attacks.

Unicef, the United Nations children’s agency, stated, “We at Unicef are appalled by reports of attacks against four medical facilities in Syria – two of which were supported by Unicef.” It continued, “One is a child and maternal hospital where children were reportedly killed and scores evacuated.” “Apart from compelling considerations of diplomacy and obligations under international humanitarian law, let us remember that these victims are children,” Unicef continued.

Another attack occurred on Monday at Maarat al-Numan, in the Idlib province, as a Doctors Without Borders hospital was struck by missiles four times within minutes. According to Doctors Without Borders, seven people were killed with another 8 people missing and presumed dead. Of those killed, five were patients, one was a caretaker, and one was a hospital guard. The eight unaccounted for are staff members, patients also may be missing, however it is not clear how many.

Massimilian Rebaudengo, Doctors Without Borders’ head of mission, stated, “This appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure, and we condemn this attack in the strongest terms possible.” He continued, “The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict.”

Doctors Without Borders claimed that the Syrian government was responsible for the airstrikes in the Idlib province. The Syrian ambassador to Russia accused the United States led coalition for the attacks in Idlib. The United States stated that the coalition did not conduct any military operations in the area.

Riad Hijab, the head of the high negotiations committee, stated on Sunday, “Everyday, hundreds of Syrians die from airstrikes and artillery bombardment, poison gas, cluster bombs, torture, starvation, cold and drowning.” He continued, “The Syrian people continue to live in terror and in utter despair after the international community failed to prevent even the gravest violations committed against them.”

According to Physicians for Human Rights, 697 health care workers have been killed in 336 attacks on medical sites over the course of the Syrian conflict. The vast majority of attacks are carried out by the Syrian government and its allies according to Physicians for Human Rights.

For more information, please see:

CNN – Syria: At least 22 Killed in Strikes Against 2 Hospitals, Sources Say – 16 February 2016

Reuters – Missiles in Syria Kill 50 as Schools, Hospitals Hit; Turkey Accuses Russia – 16 February 2016

Al-Jazeera America – Deadly Airstrikes Destroy Three Hospitals, School in Syria – 15 February 2016

The Guardian – Airstrikes Hit Two Syrian Hospitals, with Turkey Condemning ‘Obvious War Crimes’ – 15 February 2016

The New York Times – Syrian Hospitals Hit as Battlefield Grows More Chaotic – 15 February 2016

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

 CAIRO, Egypt – On Friday, thousands of doctors protested the assault of two doctors by policemen that occurred a month ago. This was the largest demonstration in Egypt since the unauthorized protests had been banned over two years ago.

A doctor working at a hospital in Matariya last month, told a police officer that his cut didn’t require stitches. The police officer’s response was to beat up the doctor and a colleague and take the two into custody. Mamoun Hassan el-Deeb, the deputy head of the hospital, told the Associated Press that the doctors, Ahmed Abdullah and Moamen Abdel-Azzem, had been attacked by two police officers.

According to a nurse who had witnessed the incident, seven additional police officers rushed to the scene to arrest the doctors. She also reported that when one of the doctors tried to resist, he fell and the policeman stomped on his head with his boots.

According to Abdel-Azzem’s Facebook page, he initially filed an official complaint but later withdrew the complaint. Abdel-Azzem feared detention in prison once he found out that officers filed a counter-complaint accusing Abdel-Azzem of assault.

The Egyptian Medical Syndicate called for the prosecution of the police officers that were involved in the alleged assault and stated that they would protest until the officers were brought to trial. Dr. Rashwan Shaaban, the assistant secretary-general of the syndicate told Reuters, “The general assembly of the syndicate decided to escalate the situation and is organizing a protest across all hospitals on February 20.”

According to human rights groups, there is a culture of impunity across Egypt as police brutality is widespread. The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights stated, “The authorities (must) end the overall impunity enjoyed by police today to prevent the constant recurrence of such incidents.”

The protests came just days after the body of Italian student, Giulio Regeni, was found at the outskirts of Cairo. According to eyewitnesses, surveillance camera footage would have revealed that two Egyptian security agents, in plain clothes, took Mr. Regeni into custody when he was last seen.

Egyptian authorities have not yet requested the footage, according to shop keepers. Human rights groups indicated that this is typical police behavior in Egypt.

According to Egyptian security officials who were interviewed, Mr Regeni was “very rude and acted like a tough guy,” and was then taken into custody. Authorities also allege that Mr. Regeni was also suspect because certain contacts on his phone were associated with the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood and the April 6 Youth Movement. One official stated, “They figured he was a spy,” continuing, “After all, who comes to Egypt to study trade unions.”

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Italy Mourns, Premier Demands Truth from Egypt Slaying – 12 February 2016

BBC News – Giulio Regeni: Funeral Held for Italian Student Killed in Cairo – 12 February 2016

Reuters – Thousands of Egyptian Doctors Protest Over Alleged Police Brutality – 12 February 2016

The New York Times – Egyptian Doctors Revolt Against Escalating Police Abuses – 12 February 2016

The New York Times – Italian Student’s Death Highlights Perils for Egyptians, Too – 12 February 2016