By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

ANKARA, Turkey –  On Friday, Turkish authorities briefly detained 27 scholars who were among more than 1,100 academics to sign a petition urging for an end to the military campaign against the Kurdish militants. The scholars were reported to be released Friday evening, according to Turkish news reports.

The scholars were accused of “making propaganda on behalf of a terrorist organization “and of insulting the state, the Turkish people, and authorities. The petition, “We Won’t Be a Party to This Crime,” was signed by more than 1,100 academics from 90 different Turkish universities.

The petition, which was published on Monday, urged “the state to abandon its deliberate massacre and deportation of Kurdish and other peoples in the region. We also demand the state to lift to curfew, punish those who are responsible for human rights violations, and compensate those citizens who have experienced material and psychological damage.”

The petition also stated that, ” the right to life, liberty, and security, and in particular the prohibition of torture and ill treatment protected by the constitution and international conventions have been violated.”

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Friday, “Just because they have titles such as professor, doctor in front of their name does not make them enlightened. These are dark people.” He continued, ” They are villain[s] and vile because those who side with the villain are villain[s] themselves.”

President Edorgan’s statement was made shortly after he visited a nearby site of suicide bomb attack’s on Tuesday. Tuesday’s attack which killed 10 German terrorists has been blamed on the Islamic State.

While no details are available regarding the investigation, the scholars could face one to five years in jail if convicted at a trial. The detention of the scholars has caused concern over freedom of expression, especially academic expression and intellectual debate.

Senior Turkey Researcher at Human Rights Watch, Emma Sinclair-Webb, stated, “The campaign against academics this week certainly targets a new group and has very serious consequences for academic freedom in Turkey, as well as free speech.” She continued, “There are concerns for the physical safety of some academics in provincial universities after being targeted in such a way.”

The Turkish military operations against Kurdish militants have displaced thousands and have caused more than 100 civilian casualties, according to human rights groups.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera America – Turkey Detains Academics Who Denounced Military Operations Against Kurds – 15 January 2016

CNN – Turkey Detains at Least 18 Signers of Petition Opposing Kurdish Operation – 15 January 2016

Reuters – Turkey Detains 27 Academics Accused of Signing ‘Peace Declaration’ – 15 January 2016

The New York Times – Turkey Releases Detained Academics Who Signed Petition Defending Kurds – 15 January 2016

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

Tehran, Iran – On Sunday, the United States imposed new sanctions on 11 companies and individuals. The sanctions came in response to Iran’s precision – guided ballistic missile test, which violated a United Nations ban last October.

The new sanctions came just less than 24 hours after the United States lifted the broader sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. President Obama hopes that the new agreement will start a new chapter with Iran.

President Obama stated, ” We have a rare chance to pursue a new path, a different, better future that delivers progress for both our peoples and the wider world.” He continued, “That’s the opportunity before the Iranian people. We need to take advantage of that.”

The sanctions lifted Saturday now allow Iran to re-enter the oil market. In addition, Iranian ships will be allowed to enter and leave foreign ports and Iranians will be able to access the global financial markets. The United States State Department has also agreed to release $400 million and $1.3 billion in interest in funds from Iran that had been frozen by the United States. The funds were to be used by Iran for U.S military equipment prior to Iran’s revolution in 1979.

On Sunday, after American detainees had been released from Iran, President Obama announced that the “United States is imposing sanctions on individuals and companies working to advance Iran’s ballistic missile program. And we are going to be vigilant about it. We’re not going to waver in the defense of our security or that of our allies and partners.”

The United States Treasury Department has blacklisted the UAE-based Mabrooka Trading, owned by Hossein Pournaghshband, because it aided Iran to produce carbon fiber for the ballistic missile program. The sanctions bar financial institutions and companies from dealing with those on the blacklist.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani stated on Sunday that since the sanctions were lifted Saturday, the door had been opened for foreign investments with other countries, including American companies. In regards to American company investments, President Rouhani stated, ” They can invest here anytime, but they have their own obstacles to do so.”

Countries in the Middle East fear Iran will grow more aggressive and will meddle in conflicts throughout the region. Israel and Sunni states fear that Iran will support anti-Israel militant groups, Syrian President Assad, and Shi’ite Houthi rebels.

In response to the lifted sanctions,  Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanayhu stated on Sunday that Israel, “will continue to monitor all of Iran’s international violations.” Prime Minister Netanyahu also stated that there will be sever sanctions for each violation.

For more information please see:

Associated Press – As Sanctions Are Lifted, Iranian Foes Fear the Worst – 17 January 2016

BBC News – Iran: US Imposes New Sanctions Over Missile Tests – 17 January 2016

Reuters – U.S. Imposes Ballistic Missile Sanctions on Iran After Prisoners Release – 17 January 2016

The New York Times – U.S. Imposes New Sanctions Over Iran Missile Tests – 17 January 2016

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch News Reporter, The Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen – On Sunday, peace talks in Switzerland, regarding the Yemeni conflict, came to an end with no sign of resolution as combatants engaged in a fierce fighting. According to the United Nations, there were “numerous violations” to the ceasefire agreement.

According to Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the United Nations special envoy to Yemen, negotiations will resume sometime in the middle of January. He also stated that both sides, the Houthi rebels and the government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi, were far from a ceasefire as neither side trusts the other.

The ceasefire violations that occurred Friday and Saturday caused more than 100 deaths, 55 of which occurred on Saturday. According to the Houthi-run defense ministry, Saudi Arabia conducted 1,300 airstrikes in the Harath district of Hajah, since Thursday. According to Human Rights groups, the Saudi-coalition is responsible for the majority of civilian deaths.

The United Nations reported last month that 5,700 people have been killed in addition, tens of thousands have been wounded and 82% of Yemen, or 21 million people, is in need of some kind of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, Johannes Van der Klaauw, stated, “The collapse of basic services in Yemen continues to accelerate.”

Houthi forces, over the past couple of days, have launched ballistic missiles at the Saudi-backed forces. According to Yemeni military officials, the Houthis have also attacked across the border, into Saudi-Arabia.

Anti-Houthi forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, have started an offensive that sweeps across several northern provinces. The Anti-Houthi forces have recently captured new territory including a provincial capital.

During the peace talks, however, it was agreed that both sides would release prisoners and that both sides would create proposals on how to withdraw forces. An anonymous diplomat told The New York Times, that there has been a “palpable warming on a personal level between the two delegations over the course of the week.”

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – UN Announces End of Yemen Peace Talks Amid New Fighting – 20 December 2015

Reuters – U.N. Sees Progress in Yemen Talks but Urgent Need for Full Ceasefire – 20 December 2015

The New York Times – Yemen Peace Talks End with No End to Conflict – 20 December 2015

CNN – As Sides Talk, Fresh Violence in Yemen Leaves 55 Dead – 19 December 2015

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch News Reporter, The Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On Friday, the United Nations Security Council unanimously approved a resolution that paves the way for an international peace process for the Syrian conflict. The peace process includes a ceasefire, talks between the Syrian government and opposition groups, as well as a plan to unify the government. Talks of Assad, however, were missing from the discussion.

Western allies determined prior to the meeting, that bringing Assad to justice was a lower priority then ending the Syrian conflict. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond stated, “If there’s justice in the world, Bashar Assad will end up in the Hague. Whether that is going to happen is another question. The moral answer is to end the killing now.”

Human rights advocates, on the other hand, believe this way of thinking is dangerous. Stephen Rapp, President Obama’s former Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues, stated, “The idea that you can go forward [with a peace settlement] without accountability is impossible.”

John Kerry, United State’s Secretary of State, when discussing Assad’s fate with reporters after the Council meeting on Friday, stated, “This is not being kicked down the road; it’s actually being timed out.”

Human Rights Watch released a report, two days before the United Nations Security Council meeting, which details the atrocities that occurred under Assad’s control. The report contains 28,000 photos of the deaths of hundreds of people who had been under the government’s custody. Most of the deaths are believed to be as a result of torture, and Human Rights Watch is calling for an investigation and prosecution of the crimes.

Since the beginning of the conflict, Assad’s forces have been responsible for many other atrocities including bombing civilian areas indiscriminately, using nerve agents and chlorine gas against non-combatants, and the use of barrel bombs.

Part of the passed resolution requires an election to take place within 18 months of the political talks. However, there was no mention of whether Assad will be allowed to run in the new elections, as the Russians and Iranians blocked any attempt to discuss the issue. The election process will be under the guidance of the United Nations, which would make it difficult for Assad to control the vote, and also requires all Syrians to vote, even “members of the diaspora.”

Sergey V. Lavrov, the Foreign Minister of Russia, stated, “We should try avoiding the mistakes we have made.” He continued, “Only the Syrian people are going to decide their own future. That also covers the future of the Syrian president.”

Assad was not in attendance at the United Nations Security Council meeting.

For more information, please see:

CNN – U.N. Security Council Approves Peace Plan for Syria – 19 December 2015

Reuters – U.N. Endorses Syria Peace Plan in Rate Show of Unity Among Big Powers – 19 December 2015

ABC News – ‘Agreement’ on UN Draft on Syria, but No Mention of Assad – 18 December 2015

The New York Times – After Years of War in Syria, U.N. Passes Resolution on Talks – 18 December 2015

Politico – Cozy Retirement for Assad Looks Likely as Syria Peace Talks Convene – 17 December 2015

By Brittani Howell

Impunity News Reporter, The Middle East

 BAGHDAD, Iraq – According to Kurdish officials on Sunday, three more mass graves were found in the town of Sinjar, located in northern Iraq. Two mass graves were previously discovered two weeks ago in the area.

The graves were discovered after Kurdish forces, backed by airstrikes led by the United States, pushed Islamic State militants from the area. According to local officials, the number of uncovered bodies has risen to between 200 and 300. According to the head of security in Sinjar the three recent mass graves found contain 80 to 100 bodies. Proper excavation and identification may take months according to experts.

Kevin Sullivan, a spokesman for the International Commission on Missing Persons, stated, “The important thing is that the site is secure.” He continued, “The site needs to be controlled, for example, by police or under authority of a prosecutor and the bodies need to be exhumed in a systematic way with any identifying artifacts.”

Local residents are calling for a faster identification process as they are frustrated that their requests for experts from the Kurdish Regional Government have been ignored. In addition, many residents are also seeking assistance in rebuilding the town since much of the town has been devastated from ongoing airstrikes.

According to Qasim Samir, the director of intelligence for Sinjar, 78 elderly women’s bodies were found in one of the graves discovered two weeks ago, and 50 to 60 bodies of men, women, and children were found in the other.  These graves had been discovered just days after the Islamic State had been forced out of Sinjar. The first grave was located near the center of Sinjar and the other was approximately ten miles from the outskirts of Sinjar.

The Islamic State had originally captured Sinjar in August 2014. The Islamic State had killed and enslaved thousands of the Yazidi religious minority. Thousands of others of the Yazidi faith fled into the mountains.

 

For more information, please see:

ABC News – Iraqis Find 3 More Mass Graves in Formerly IS-Held Sinjar – 29 November 2015

Associated Press – Iraqis Find 3 More Mass Graves in Formerly IS-Held Sinjar – 29 November 2015

The Los Angeles Times – Iraqis Find 3 More Mass Graves in Formerly ISIS-Held Sinjar – 29 November 2015

The New York Times – Iraqis Find 3 More Mass Graves in Formerly IS-Held Sinjar – 29 November 2015

The Washington Post – Iraqis Find 3 More Mass Graves in Formerly Islamic State-held Sinjar – 29 November 2015