By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria—The Islamic State abducted over 230 people from Qaryatain on Thursday. Dozens of Christians were among those abducted according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights.

The Syrian Observatory speculated that the abductions occurred either from “checkpoints or raids or from churches.” Among those kidnapped were 45 women and 9 children. Of those taken hostage, the other 170 individuals are Sunni Muslims.

Amnesty International called for the release of the detained citizens. An Amnesty International reporter stated, “the abhorrent abduction in Syria of more than 200 people by the Islamic State highlights the dreadful plight of civilians caught up in conflict in the country.”

Qaryatain lies in between Damascus, Palmyra, and Homs. The route between Damascus and Homs is often used to move supplies and fighters throughout the rest of the region.

This past February, the Islamic State kidnapped 220 Assyrian Christians. Only a few of those kidnapped in February have been released.

The Islamic State may be preparing to attack the nearby town of Sadad. Over 4,000 Chrisitian families reside in Sadad. According to an Assyrian activist, many of those living in Sadad have already begun to flee.

The Islamic State militants execute captives whom they deem to be “infidels,” including Shi’ite Muslims, Christians, and religious minorities. Sunni Muslims who do not swear allegiance are also executed. The militant group allows Christians to live under its rule as long as Christians pay a special tax.

The Islamic State has made advances into areas east and south of Homs. The Syrian Army has led a counter-offensive in hopes of re-capturing the city of Palmyra after it was lost to the Islamic State last May.

The Islamic State has been pushed back in Northern Syria by a surge of Kurdish-led forces. The Islamic State militants were evicted from the town of Tal Abyad in northern Syria by the Kurdish forces in June.

For further information, please see:

CNN – ISIS Takes Strategically Important Town in Western Syria, Rights Group Says – 7 August 2015

Reuters – Islamic State Abducts Dozens of Christians From Syrian Town: Monitor – 7 August 2015

The Los Angeles Times – More Than 200 Feared Kidnapped by Islamic State in Syrian Town – 7 August 2015

The New York Times – After Capturing Syrian Town, IS Abducts Dozens of Christians – 7 August 2015

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANA’A, Yemen – The Saudi-led coalition announced Saturday that a five-day humanitarian ceasefire was to begin at 11:59pm Sunday in Yemen. The Saudi-coalition stated, however, that they would respond to any attacks or military movements made by the Houthi rebels during the ceasefire.

The unexpected announcement came just hours after an airstrike on Friday, conducted by the Saudi-coalition, launched on the town of Mokha. The airstrike killed 120 people, many of whom were civilians.

The Houthi rebels expressed doubt over the ceasefire and intended to wait until they heard from the United Nations before changing their position. The Houthi rebels held up 16 trucks carrying humanitarian aid from the World Food Programme.

The airstrikes on Friday struck the homes of many civilian power plant workers of Mokha. Among the 120 people killed were women, children, and the elderly. The number of causalities may have been increased due to families visiting workers for the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

Hassan Boucenine, a member of Geneva-based Doctors Without Borders stated, “ It just shows what is the trend now of the airstrikes from the coalition.” He continued, “Now, it’s a house, it’s a market, it’s anything.”

Rights groups, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have previously expressed concern that the Saudi-led coalition is violating laws for failing to ensure that civilian casualties are minimized. Concern over the Houthi rebel’s similar neglect for minimizing civilian causalities has also been expressed.

The U.N. human rights office stated earlier this week that, “since 17 June, there has been further destruction of civilian infrastructure, with at least 36 buildings, including hospitals, schools, court houses, power generation facilities, and communications institutions partially or totally damaged.”

A Saudi-coaliton military official stated that the military had been given incorrect coordinates. The closest Houthi rebel outpost to the town of Mokha was at least three miles away.

Just hours before the cease-fire was to start, fighting broke out between the Saudi-coalition and the Houthi rebels for control over an airbase north of Aden. Earlier in the week, the Saudi-led coalition recaptured much of the city of Aden.

Security officials reported random shelling by Houthi rebels in three neighborhoods surrounding the airbase. After the ceasefire took effect, security officials reported that the situation on the ground surrounding the airbase had quieted down.

Over the last four months, at least 1,693 civilians have been killed with another 4,000 civilians wounded. Air strikes caused a majority of the casualties.

A humanitarian ceasefire would allow aid to reach those desperately in need. It is estimated that more than 80% of Yemen’s 25 million population is in need of some form of aid. A proposed ceasefire earlier this month failed to go into effect because both sides blamed each other for not abiding by the truce.

For further information, please see:

Associated Press – 5-Day Humanitarian Ceasefire Starts in Yemen – 26 July 2015

Reuters – Houthis, Saudi-led Forces Battle for Yemen’s Biggest Air Base – 26 July 2015

BBC News – Saudis declare Yemen Ceasefire, as Air Strike ‘Kills 120’ – 25 July 2015

The Seattle Times – Saudi-led Airstrikes Kills 120; Deadliest in Yemen Conflict – 25 July 2015

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, The Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt—Under a potential new Egyptian law, Journalists may face up to two years in prison if they publish news that does not match the government’s report. An anti-terrorism law has been drafted and is waiting for the approval of Egyptian’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

The drafted anti-terrorism law lists twenty-five crimes, including twelve that are punishable by death. In addition, the law would create terrorist courts and reduce the number of appeals allowed by defendants in order to speed up the judicial process. The drafted law would also give police officers more protection from being held liable for the use of force in “anti-terrorist operations.”

The crack down on journalists is a response to reports of militant attacks. On one incident in particular, a militant attack on the Sinai Peninsula, news sources reported that dozens had been killed while a military official reported that seventeen people had been killed. Justice Minister Ahmed al-Zind stated, “The government has a duty to protect citizens from false information,” but should not be understood as, “a restriction on media freedom.”

The proposed bill requires two years for anyone who reports casualty tolls differently than the government report. The bill requires “intent” and “malice” in order to convict an individual of reporting death tolls contrary to government reports.

The Egyptian Journalists Syndicate argue that the drafted law violates Egypt’s Constitution, and that, “it appropriates the right of the journalist to acquire information from different sources and limits it to one side. This is a clear setback for the freedom of thought and press.”

At a press briefing, the Foreign Ministry urged foreign reporters to avoid using the terms “Islamist” and “jihadist” and to instead use the terms, “terrorists,” “savages,” “eradicators,” “destroyers,” and “slayers.”

Two days before the militant attacks on the Sinai Peninsula, the state prosecutor, Hisham Barakat, was killed in a car bombing. At the funeral President el-Sissi shouted, “Please, please we want prompt courts and fair laws… The trials and the laws won’t work in the matter and under these circumstances. This may work with regular people, but not these people. Only prompt laws will work.”

When Associated Press asked a judge if the rise in terrorist threats were linked to delays in court proceedings, the judge responded, “As if the jury is not to blame. This is not the causal relationship. Do they want to get the truth or take revenge on the suspect?”

For further information, please see:

ABC- Egypt to Pass Anti-terror Law Proposing Jail Time For Reporting Figures that Contradict Official Statements– 6 July 2015

Associated Press- Egypt Anti-Terror Bill Speeds Trials, Tightens Hand on Media– 6 July 2015

CNN- New Terrorism Law Could Target Journalists in Egypt– 6 July 2015

NY Times- Egypt Warns Journalists Over Coverage of Militant Attacks– 5 July 2015

By Brittani Howell

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 

JERUSALEM, Israel – The United Nations released a report on Monday concluding that war crimes may have been committed by both Israel and Palestinian militants during the 2014 conflict in the Gaza Strip. The investigation revealed “serious violations of international humanitarian law.”

The report found that 2,251 Palestinians were killed, 1,462 of whom were civilians. It was also found that 67 Israeli soldiers were killed, as well as six civilians. Children on both sides were “savagely affected,” the report concluded. “Children on both sides suffered from bed-wetting, shaking at night, clinging to parents, nightmares, and increased levels of aggressiveness.”

The conflict, which ended with a truce, lasted for 50 days during July and August 2014. On June 12, 2014 three teenagers had been kidnapped and killed by two Hamas militants. Israel cracked down against Hamas who responded with rocket fire. Israel in turn began a military operation and launched an offensive against Gaza Strip.

The report stated that Israel launched 6,000 airstrikes, 14,500 tank shells, and 35,000 artillery shells. Palestinians were found to have used 4,881 rockets and 1,753 mortars.

It was found that Israel used artillery in residential areas, which violated rules of “distinction, precaution, and proportionality.” These violations could constitute as a war crime. In addition, attacks on medical and school facilities that had been used as shelters may be considered another war crime.

Israel dismissed the investigation and refused to co-operate stating that the investigation was “politically motivated and morally flawed.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that the report, “failed to recognize the profound difference between Israel’s behavior… and the terror organization it confronted.”

The report also found that Palestinian armed groups, “indiscriminate nature of most of the projectiles launched into Israel and the targeting of civilians” may constitute a war crime. Palestinian officials, while reviewing the report expressed a commitment and respect for international laws. A Hamas official rejected the reports findings that Palestinians committed any war crimes, arguing that military sites had been targeted not civilian areas.

International humanitarian law requires that there be sufficient warning when civilian areas may be affected by attacks. Israel used roof-knocks, small strikes that precede major attacks. The report found that these however do not constitute as an effective warning.

The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) led the investigation, which resulted in a 217 page report based off 280 interviews with witnesses and victims, 500 written submissions, and other publically available sources. The investigation began with William Schabas as head, but Mary McGowan Davis, took over after allegations of bias. William Schabas had previously done work for the Palestine Liberation Organization.

The UN Human Rights Council will discuss the report this month. Ms. McGowan Davis stated that the report must not be considered a judicial process but rather as objective findings to lay groundwork for further investigation.

For further information, please see:

BBC- Gaza Conflict 2014: ‘War Crimes by Both Sides’- UN – 22 June 2015

CNN- Israel, Palestinians Both may Have Committed War Crimes in 2014 Conflict – 22 June 2015

New York Times- U.N. Report on Gaza Finds Evidence of War Crimes by Israel and by Palestine Militants – 22 June 2015

Reuters- Israel, Palestinians may Have Committed War Crimes in Gaza: U.N. Report– 22 June 2015