By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – A culture of impunity is still widespread in Egypt, and those who criticize it are punished by the government.

Two Shiite activists were recently arrested for spreading “false rumors” on torture in Egyptian prisons. Mohammed Al Dereini was arrested at his home for alleging the government’s prevalent torture of Islamist detainees in prisons in his book Hell’s Capital. Ahmed Mohammed Sobh was arrested for telling a newspaper that “hundreds of people had been killed in a secret torture center.” Both men are being held in solitary confinement in Tora prison outside of Cairo and the charges against them may result in imprisonment for up to 8 years.

Al Dereini and Sobh have both been detained in the past. Al Dereini spent 15 months in prison without charge in 2004 and 2005. Though Al Dereini complained that he was tortured in detention, the public prosecutor never investigated his claims. Authorities released Sobh in 2005 after holding him for 15 years without trial.

Torture is systematic in Egyptian jails and police stations. Typically, authorities torture political dissidents to obtain information and coerce confessions. Sometimes, officials torture solely to punish, intimidate, or humiliate. Police also detain and torture family members to obtain information and force a wanted relative to surrender. But over the recent years, torture has become epidemic, affecting even ordinary citizens who are under criminal investigations.

Most torture allegations are overlooked even though the Egyptian authorities have obligation to investigate under Egyptian and international law. In the few cases where prosecution does occur, officers often face inadequately lenient penalties. And those who question this apparent lack of effective public accountability and transparency such as Al Dereini and Sobh are prosecuted, thus breeding a culture of impunity.

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Activists detained for advocating for Shi’a minority – 6 October 2007

Middle East Times – Shiite activists arrested in Egypt over torture book – 3 October 2007

Reuters – Egyptian police detain Shiite Muslim activist – 3 October 2007

Human Rights Watch – Government detains Al-Jazeera journalist – 17 January 2007

Human Rights Watch – Egypt’s torture epidemic – February 2004

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

ANKARA, Turkey- Turkish Prime Minister Tayipp Erdogan asked the parliament to authorize a military invasion into northern Iraq.  The purpose of the offensive is to attack a base of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

On October 7, the PKK claimed the deaths of 13 Turkish soldiers in the southeast province of Sirnak bordering Iraq.  A possible motive of the PKK attack was retaliation, because the Turkish military killed a high ranking PKK officer earlier that day. The Turkish authorities believe that the PKK members responsible for these attacks fled to their base northern Iraq, which is why the Turkish government believes that it must enter Iraq to stop the Iraq.

However, a Turkish invasion of Iraq would be a direct violation of the agreement that it signed with Iraq in September.  The agreement stated that both countries would pursue the PKK independently, but the agreement expressly prohibited the Turkish government from invading Iraq for the purpose of pursuing the PKK.

The PKK’s stated aim is to give the Kurdish people more political and cultural rights. The Kurdish people have a large population of people in Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Turkey.  Most of the Kurds live in a region called Kurdistan, and the PKK is a major proponent of making Kurdistan into an independent state.  The PKK is generally supported by the Kurds.

Irregardless of the PKK’s purpose, the Turkish government views the PKK as an illegal terrorist organization.  The constant fighting between Turkey and the PKK has claimed the lives of over 30,000 people, since the PKK’s founding in the late 1970’s.

The possible intrusion of northern Iraq by Turkey could destabilize the Middle East.  However, the rising tension in Turkey due to the recent attacks by the PKK has forced the Turkish government to take immediate action to appease the sentiment felt by Turkish people.  Thus, the Turkish government is weighing the option of taking immediate military action and unilaterally attacking the PKK in northern Iraq to protect its interests, even though this action would be a direct violation of its September agreement.

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera- Turkey Weighs Options against PKK- 8 October 2007

Al-Jazeera- Turkey and Iraq sign security deal- 28 September 2007

Associated Press- Kurdish Rebels Kill 12 in Turkey- 29 September 2007

Associated Press- Turkey Shells Rebels in Northern Iraq- 10 October 2007

International Herald Tribune (AP)- Turks weighing risk of cross-border incursion into Iraq to U.S.-Turkey relations- 10 October 2007

New York Times (Reuters)- Kurdish Rebels Kill 13 Soldiers on Turkish Border With Iraq- 8 October 2007

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERICHO, West Bank – The Israeli army recently ordered the seizure of 272 acres of land from four Palestinian villages.  An army spokeswoman stated that the confiscated land will be used to build a highway between Jerusalem and Jericho, a city in the east of the West Bank.  She also claimed that the road will “improve the quality of life” for Palestinians.  The road will enable Palestinians to travel to northern and southern portions of the West Bank without having to go through any Israeli check points.

However, critics of the land confiscation say that it will enable Israel to expand settlements in the corridor between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adummim.  The building of this new Palestinian road will free up E-1 area between Jerusalem and Ma’aleh Adummim, where the current Palestinian road runs for the long planned development of 3,500 apartments and an industrial park.  In 2005, Israel froze development in E-1, under international and US pressure.  The building of permanent settlements on occupied land is seen as a violation of international law.

Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erakat, condemned the act and stated that “settlement expansion, especially in the Jerusalem area, will undermine and destroy these efforts. We call upon the Israeli government to revoke this decision and give peace a chance.”  Aside from declaring the confiscation illegal under international law, Palestinians also claim that Israel’s actions will split the West Bank into two separate portions and will limit the viability of a future Palestinian state.  Also, it would effectively sever the West Bank from East Jerusalem, which Palestinians hope to be their future capital.

Jeff Halper, an Israeli geographer, specializes in Israeli development in the West Bank.  He says that there appears to be a rush to carry out as much development as possible before the US-sponsored talks between Abbas and Olmert in November.  He alleges that Israel wants to develop as much as possible prior to the talks, because that will be seen as the starting point.  Palestinians want the border between Israel and the future Palestinian state to be set at pre-1967 borders, whereas Israel is continuing construction on its separation barrier, which in many places dips into Palestinian territory.

This seizure will deprive residents of four Palestinian villages, Abu Dis, Arab al-Sawahra, Nebi Musa and Talhin Alhamar, access to their land.  Much of the Palestinian economy is based on agriculture, thus access to land is essential.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Israel to confiscate West Bank land – 10 October 2007

Arab News – Israeli land seizure to cut West Bank in two – 10 October 2007

Guardian – Abbas spells out land demand – 10 October 2007

Guardian – Israeli army orders confiscation of Palestinian land in West Bank – 10 October 2007

AFP – Israel seizes Arab land near Jerusalem – 9 October 2007

Associated Press – Israel’s Palestinian road hit by critics – 9 October 2007

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

WASHINGTON DC, United States- Erik Prince, owner of Blackwater USA was questioned by a Congressional oversight committee headed by Congressman Waxman (D- Ca.) regarding Blackwater’s involvement in shooting deaths in Iraq.  Blackwater USA is a large private security company based in Virginia, which has been primarily hired by the US State Department to protect diplomats in Baghdad, Iraq.

The hearing had two purposes. The first purpose was to determine whether the US State Department’s extensive use of private security firms was beneficial, especially since the US military performs parallel duties. The second objective was determining whether Blackwater’s specific actions have either furthered or hindered the American interests in Iraq.

The committee specifically questioned whether the State Department should continue granting Blackwater complete immunity through Order 17 regarding shooting deaths in Iraq.  (Guardian Unlimited) Whether Blackwater keeps its immunity in Iraq is a critical question, especially because of the Iraqi government’s recent demands for justice regarding the shooting deaths in Fallujah for which Blackwater is supposedly responsible.

Also, Blackwater was questioned regarding one of its employees shooting of an Iraqi guard, while the Blackwater employee was drunk. Prince responded to the questions by stated that the incident was isolated and that the employee was immediately brought home, fired, and fined. Reportedly, Blackwater and the US State Department paid the guard’s family $15,000 dollars for the death.

After the hearing, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mandated more overview of Blackwater USA in Baghdad by the US State Department. These changes include that the Blackwater convoys must always included official State Department personnel. Also, the heightened scrutiny includes mounting video cameras on Blackwater’s special convoys to monitor and record the convoy’s action. Also, Rice stated that Blackwater’s radio communication would be heavily monitored.

The State’s Department’s response indirectly answers the questions posed by Waxman’s committee. The State Department believes that the security personnel are necessary and with sufficient monitoring their actions can further US objectives. However, the State Department’s continuance of Order 17 still gives the security company total immunity for its actions. The lack of accountability will further inhibit the special agents who are supposed to control the Blackwater forces.

This situation in Iraq is crucial regarding international rules of engagement, because it defines the accountability of private contractors. Although the Iraqi government has a vested interest in protecting the US officials, its primary interest must be protecting its people. The arrangement between the Iraqi government and the US State Department will be important to both protect the American interests and have the Iraqi people support the American influence.

For more information, please see:

Herald Sun- US acts on Iraq shootings in a clamp on security by Condolezza Rice- 7 October 2007

Dallas Morning News- U.S. will keep closer watch on Blackwater operations in Iraq- 7 October 2007

Houston Chronicle (Washington Post)- New Rules imposed on Contractors- 6 October 2007

Al-Jazeera- US tightens Blackwater Controls– 5 October 2007

Guardian Unlimited- The Scandal of Blackwater- 6 October 2007

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On October 1, Syria began imposing strict visa restrictions on Iraqis seeking to enter the country.  On September 1, Syria announced a new policy of restricting entry to Iraqis with visas issued by the Syrian embassy for economic, commercial, transport, scientific, and educational reasons.  However, Syria later announced that it was postponing enacting the policy until after the month of Ramadan.  Syrian officials offered no explanation as to why the restriction went into effect on prior to the end of Ramadan, which is October 12.

Fighting in Iraq has resulted in what the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) calls the biggest refugee crisis in the Middle East since the flight of the Palestinians in 1948.  The UNHCR estimates that 2.2 million Iraqis are displaced within Iraq and that 2.2 million have fled the country.  It is estimated that 1.5 million Iraqi refugees are residing in Syria and 750,000 in Jordan.  On September 1, when Syria announced that restrictions on entry were beginning on September 10, rate of entry of Iraqi refugees increased from 2,000 a day to 20,000.

Syria justifies the restriction on the basis that their small country’s economic system has been stretched to its limits in trying to assist the growing refugee population.  Syria’s pleas to the international community for monetary support have gone unheard.  In face of the international communities’ seeming indifference to the fate of Iraqi refugees, Syria decided to limit entry to Iraqi professionals – such as engineers, scientists, and professors.

In a press briefing, the UNHCR spokesperson, Ron Redmond, stated that Syria’s new restrictions basically trap fleeing Iraqis.  In order to obtain a visa, Iraqis have to travel to Syria’s embassy in Baghdad.  The neighborhood in which the embassy is located is incredibly violent, exposing these refugees to unnecessary danger.  Requiring Iraqis to travel to Baghdad also prevents poor Iraqis, who cannot afford the trip, from obtaining proper documentation to enter Syria.  Prior to the restrictions, visas could be obtained at the border.  Also, restricting visas to economic, commercial, transport, scientific, and educational reasons, also forces many Iraqis to obtain a sponsor in Syria prior to applying for a visa.  However, UNHCR’s biggest criticism is that the restrictions excludes those fearing persecution and/or death.  UNHCR called on Syria to grant “humanitarian visas” to those whose lives are in danger.

Redmond stated that since the border restrictions have been imposed, the UNHCR office in Damascus has been flooded by Iraqi refugees concerned about their refugee status.  Many of the refugees hold three month visas to stay in Syria.  In order to renew it, they would have to visit offices near the border between Syria and Iraq.  The new restrictions cause many to fear that if they attempt to renew their visas, then they may be deported and forced to return to Iraq.  However, Redmond stated that from discussions with the Syrian government, UNHCR understands that Syria has no intention to forcibly deport any Iraqi refugee currently in Syria.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – UNHCR: Syria promises not to expel Iraqi refugees by force – 5 October 2007

Middle East Times – Syria block on Iraqis cuts off last refuge says UNHCR – 5 October 2007

Reuters – Iraqis increasingly “trapped” – UN Chief – 5 October 2007

Reuters – UN presses Syria to allow  in more Iraqi refugees – 5 October 2007

UNHCR – Syria: UNHCR advocating for increased bilateral aid and ‘humanitarian visas’ for Iraqi refugees – 5 October 2007

BBC – Syria restores Iraqi visas limits – 2 October 2007

International Herald Tribune – Syria starts imposing visas restrictions on Iraqi citizens – 1 October 2007

Time Magazine – Access denied – 26 September 2007

MSNBC – Iraqi refugees weighing down Syria – 21 September 2007

BBC – Syria visas “halt fleeing Iraqis” – 11 September 2007

International Herald Tribune – UNHCR says new Syrian visa rules blocking Iraqis from entering country – 11 September 2007

Reuters – New Syrian visa requirement halts most Iraqi arrivals – 11 September 2007