The Middle East

EU’s Ashton meets with Egypt’s Political Leaders

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt-Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, began her three day trip in Egypt Tuesday, meeting with Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood leaders.  Ashton will also hold meetings with key members of Egypt’s interim government, including President Adly Mansour and Defense Minister General Abdell Fattah el-Sisi.

EU’s Ashton meets with Egyptian political leaders of the Brotherhood (photo courtesy of Ahram)

Ashton makes her trip against the backdrop of pro-Morsi Islamist movement that has resulted in hundreds of Brotherhood members being killed and leaders jailed on charges of inciting or taking part in violence.

“It is important to find ways to have the right kind of dialogue and that’s what we have been urging everyone.  My guess is that process will take a little time to do but it’s important for everybody to feel that they are able to participate in the process as well as ultimately in political life,” stated Ashton after meeting with General el-Sisi.

The three day visit to Cairo has been interpreted as a renewed attempt to reach an agreement between the transitional government and the Muslim Brotherhood, who have been butting heads since the overthrowing of President Morsi.

The Brotherhood, which has won every election since a popular revolt overthrew autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011, has amassed animosity from the military that has set out to eradicate them.  Meanwhile, the Brotherhood issued a statement on Thursday denouncing the military, comparing it to Adolf Hitler.

Amr Darrag, a senior member of the Brotherhood, said on Wednesday topics discussed with Ashton included the political deadlock in Egypt, but insisted that Egyptians must resolve these issues on their own, without foreign aid.

“We didn’t represent our personal opinions but expressed to Ashton the views of the people.  The Egyptian people continue to take to the streets with specific demands and in opposition to the current policies.  Our role is to convey their voices,” stated Darrag.

Ashton responded saying “In terms of inclusiveness, it means trying to involve everyone, that also means reaching out to each other.  We don’t insist on anything, this is your country.”

Throughout every meeting, Ashton repeatedly urged Egypt to enact an inclusive democratic process that will engage all factions, while voicing concern over the use of violence against Morsi supporters and a deepening polarization since his ousting.

In a later statement, Darrag said that discussions centered on regional issues and the demands to return ousted President Morsi back to power by the anti-coup alliance were not discussed.  Morsi has been in military custody in an unknown location since being deposed by the military on July 3.

For more information, please see the following:

Ahram-EU’s Ashton meets with Egypt political forces-October 3, 2013

Daily News-Ashton meets with broad spectrum of political players-October 3, 2013

Reuters-EU’s Ashton says crucial for all to join Egyptian political process-October 3, 2013

Aljazeera-EU envoy meets Brotherhood leaders in Egypt-October 2, 2013

 

UN Security Council Urges Syrian Government to Relax Aid Restrictions

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The United Nations Security Council has unanimously approved a presidential statement that urges President Bashar al-Asssad’s Syrian government to allow for easier flow of humanitarian aid. The statement calls for all parties to the conflict to take fighting pauses so that humanitarian convoys can pass through necessary routes.

This girl is forced to sleep in ancient ruins as a result of the lack of humanitarian aid. (Photo Courtesy of AP)

The presidential statement is legally binding, but a step below a resolution. The statement marks the second time in just a matter of weeks that the Security Council has come to an agreement in regards to Syrian conflict. The unified action follows the passage of a resolution last week to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons, the first significant legal action by the council in two-and-a-half years since the conflict began.

Presently, only twelve humanitarian groups are approved by the Syrian government and they struggle the meet the demands of millions of internally displaced Syrians. The groups have been subject to long delays due to fighting and dozens of government checkpoints that inspect humanitarian deliveries.

The statement urged Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s authorities to “take immediate steps to facilitate the expansion of humanitarian relief operations, and lift bureaucratic impediments and other obstacles”.

This includes “promptly facilitating safe and unhindered humanitarian access to people in need, through the most effective ways, including across conflict lines and, where appropriate, across borders from neighboring countries”.

U.N. aid chief Valerie Amos stated that upwards of two million people could benefit if the statements recommendations were completely implemented.

“Our task now is to turn these strong words into meaningful action for the children, women and men who continue to be the victims of the brutality and violence,” she told reporters.

The presidential statement was drafted and submitted by Austria and Luxembourg, it was in response to a “wish list” that Amos sent to the council a month ago. Cross border deliveries from Lebanon have already picked up but it is unlikely that the statement it will make a huge difference immediately.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – UN urges immediate aid access to Syria – 28 September 2013

BBC – UN Security Council urges humanitarian access to Syria – 28 September 2013

Huffington Post – Syria Aid Access Desperately Needed, UN Security Council Says –  27 September 2013

Reuters – U.N. Security Council urges easier access for Syria aid – 26 September 2013

50 protesters sentenced in Bahrain

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan

Impunity Watch, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain – A Bahrain Court sentenced 50 people to between 5 and 15 years in prison on Sunday whom authorities accused of organizing an ant-government protest organization seeking to overthrow the government.

The February 14 movement has been organizing protests against the government since onset of the Arab spring in 2011. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Sixteen of the accused were sentenced to 15 years in prison, four were sentenced to 10 years and the remaining 30 defendants were giving a five year sentence. Some of the accused protesters were convicted in absentia.

Several of the defendants were involved with the 14 February Coalition, a youth based organization in Bahrain. The 14 February Coalition has been involved in influencing and expanding the Shia-led campaign for more rights in Bahrain which began in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring. Many of the organizations protest have been organizes in majority Shia villages and neighbourhoods The Bahrain regime accuses the youth movement of terrorism.

Yousif al-Muhafda, an activist and member of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights said that some of the defendants convicted by the court had told the judge preceding over the case that they had had confessed to the charges only after being tortured by authorities. He said that many of those convicted were activists involved with the 14 February movement, which has been organising protests against the Gulf State’s undemocratic and discriminatory policies against Shia Muslims since 2011. He also said the detainees included Naji Fateel, prominent a human rights activist who was sentenced to 15 years.

Muhafda argued that the government’s allegations that Fateel and other activist were engaged in an active conspiracy to attempt to overthrow the Bahraini ruling family was implausible and that all of the activities of these human rights groups were open to the public’ he said “They don’t do anything in secret — they work publicly.”

Al Wefaq, the state’s major Shia opposition   party, said Sunday was a “black day for justice” for Bahrain. Al Wefaq’s acting President Maryam Al-Khawaja said the court ruling was “a sham trial with a political verdict,” and called for the defendant’s to be released immediately,”

The court’s action, if confirmed, would appear to be part of a widening state effort to silence protests organized by members of Bahrain’s Shiite majority against the state’s Sunni monarchy, which has been accused of discriminating against the Shite majority.

The Gulf State has seen almost daily protests by members of the Shia Muslim majority since February 2011, when state authority’s brutally cracked down on a Shia-led uprising calling for the Bahraini royal family, the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty to give up its power over the state.

For more information please see:

ABC News – Activist: Bahrain Sentences 50 for Militant Links – 29 September 2013

Al Jazeera – Scores of activists imprisoned in Bahrain – 29 September 2013

The New York Times – Bahrain Dissidents Said to Get Prison Sentences – 29 September 2013

BBC News – Bahrain unrest: 50 Shia Muslims sentenced to up to 15 years – 30 September 2013

 

Bahrain Court imprisons 50 Activists

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain-Following charges of inciting anti-government protests to topple the government force, 50 people have been sentenced to between five and fifteen years in jail for “training elements to commit violence and vandalism and attacking security men.

Demonstrators campaign for better human rights in Bahrain (photo courtesy of BBC)

Activists reported that the government accused the convicted of being involved in the February 14 Revolution Youth Coalition and other protests against the government since 2011.  The group has been described as a terrorist organization by Bahrain’s head of public prosecution.

Since February 2011, daily protests have been ongoing by members of the Shia Muslim majority who are demanding that the Sunni Al-Khalifa dynasty give up power.  When asked for comment, an official said a government statement regarding the matter was in preparation.

“This was a sham trial with a political verdict, they should be released immediately,” stated Maryam Al-Khawaja, president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.  It was further stated that it was a “black day for justice.”

Other civil rights groups have reported that many of those convicted were denied access to a lawyer and provided confessions under torture.  In a separate action, two police officers were jailed for torturing a protest to death in his prison cell in 2011.

Sixteen of the defendants were hand fifteen year terms, while four were jailed for ten years and the other thirty defendants received five years.

“This is the result when you have a court with a judge appointed by the king of Bahrain.  The court is just a tool to suppress the opposition and human rights defenders, and to acquit those who torture and kill protesters,” stated Yousif al-Muhafda, deputy-head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.

One of the defendants to receive a fifteen year sentence was Njai Fateel, who is a well-known blogger and protest organizer who had been jailed and tortured twice before his latest arrest in May.  Fateel has been prevented from providing testimony describing torture in prison in.

Another defendant was Rihanna al-Moussawi who was arrested for taking part in an anti-government rally during the Formula One race in April.  She was sentenced to five years and was also denied a lawyer.

“All of those who were jailed today are activists and protest leaders in their villages.  The authorities just want to send a message to the opposition to stop and to accept the political situation as it is,” stated Muhafda.

For more information, please see the following: 

Alakhbar-Bahrain jails 50 activists for up to 15 years-September 29, 2013

Aljazeera-Scores of activists imprisoned in Bahrain-September 29, 2013

BBC-Bahrain unrest: 50 Shia Muslims sentenced to up to 15 years-September 29, 2013

New York Times-Bahrain Dissidents Said to Get Prison Sentences-September 29, 2013

 

Thousands of Migrant Workers may be worked to Death in Qatar as the Gulf State Prepares for the World Cup.

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Middle East

DOHA, Qatar—Dozens of Nepalese migrant workers have died in Qatar in recent weeks, and thousands more are enduring horrendous labor abuses and poor labor condones. According to an investigation by the Guardian, thousands of Nepalese workers, the single largest group of laborers in Qatar, face labor exploitation and abuses that amount to modern-day slavery, as defined by the International Labor Organisation.

Dalli Kahtri and her husband, Lil Man, hold photos of their sons, both of whom died working as migrants in Malaysia and Qatar.(Photo courtesy of the Guardian)

At the Nepalese embassy in Qatar, at least 44 Nepalese workers died between 4 June and 8 August 2013. More than half of these workers died of heart attacks or heart failure related to overwork or from workplace accidents. Approximately 30 Nepalese migrates sought refuge at their embassy in Doha Qatar in order to escape the brutality of their employers and the deplorable working.

The international Trade Union Confederation has claimed that construction in Qatar ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup could cost the lives of at least 4,000 migrant construction workers. The group has said that at least a half-million migrant workers are expected to flood into Qatar to complete construction on stadiums, hotels and new infrastructure for the World Cup. These workers are expected to come from several countries, including Nepal, India and Sri Lanka.

The annual death toll among migrant workers could be as high as 600 per year, unless the state government steps into to enact reforms the ITUC claims. The ITUC has based its estates on current mortality statistics for Nepalese and Indian migrant workers.  Without changes in labor conditions, more workers are expected to die.

A spokesman for the Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee said on Thursday that organizers of the 2022 World Cup were “appalled” by the Guardian’s findings in their investigation saying, “There is no excuse for any worker in Qatar, or anywhere else, to be treated in this manner.” He claimed, “The health, safety, well-being and dignity of every worker that contributes to staging the 2022 FIFA World Cup is of the utmost importance to our committee and we are committed to ensuring that the event serves as a catalyst toward creating sustainable improvements to the lives of all workers in Qatar.”

Claims of worker abuse and the large scale loss of human life among migrant workers in Qatar has sparked international outrage, including from the soccer community. Qatar has been told it must respect the rights of workers building the 2022 World Cup stadiums by the world professional footballers’ association, Fifpro.

Fifpro has called on Water to respect the rights of construction workers building the venues for the 2022 world cup. Brendan Schwab, Division Asia chairman for the organization said, “The 2022 FIFA World Cup was awarded to Qatar to promote football and, more importantly, football’s universal values in the Middle East. This can only be achieved if Qatar respects the rights of the key people who will deliver that World Cup: the workers who build the World Cup stadia and the players who play in them.”

For more information please see:

The Guardian – Qatar told to respect rights of workers building 2022 World Cup stadiums — 27 September 2013

NBC Sports – Qatar World Cup horror, as 4,000 migrants could be ‘worked to death’ – 27 September 2013

The Guardian – Qatar World Cup construction ‘will leave 4,000 migrant workers dead’ – 26 September 2013

The Guardian– Revealed: Qatar’s World Cup ‘slaves’ – 25 September 2013