The Middle East

Kurdish Protesters Hope the Occupy Gezi Movement Will Raise Awareness about the Turkish Government History of Violence towards the Nation’s Largest Ethnic Minority

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Middle East Desk

ISTANBUL, Turkey – A small but vocal minority of Kurds participating in the Occupy Gezi movement in Turkey since late May have been taking the opportunity to use the world’s attention on Turkey to raise awareness about the Turkish Government’s history of abuses against the Kurdish population.

Kurdish protesters demonstrate at Gezi Park, Istanbul. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Kurds make up roughly twenty percent of the Turkish population and are a large minority in many of the country’s major cities including Istanbul. The Kurdish population of Turkey is indigenous to the eastern and southeastern regions of the country, near the borders with Syria, Iraq and Iran. However, a large percentage of Kurds have fled their indigenous homeland into major Turkish cities in search of employment after Kurdish villages have been destroyed as a result of warfare and large scale infrastructure projects.

The Kurdish population in Turkey has faced decades of persecution from the government, which has launched systematic campaigns to suppress the Kurdish language and cultural expression. Most recently, thousands of Kurdish villagers have been displaced from their homeland as a result of infrastructure projects connected to the Southeastern Anatolia Project (The GAP Project) which is one of the largest hydroelectric infrastructure projects in the world.

The goal of the GAP project is to capitalize on Tigris and Euphrates headwaters which run though the highlands of Eastern Turkey in order to produce hydroelectric power for industrial development. The project involved the construction of 22 major dams which led to the displacement of several predominately Kurdish villages in the region; this inflamed the tensions between the Kurdish people and the government of Turkey.

Emre Elmekci, a Kurdish protester in his mid-twenties hopes that the Occupy Gezi movement will help the Turkish majority and the world understand the persecution and violence that the Kurdish population has faced at the hands of the Turkish population.  According the Elmekci, the violence that has been occurring in the streets of majorly Turkish cities over the past few weeks is “like the state violence that the Kurds have been facing for decades.”

The Turkish government’s violent reaction to the Occupy Gezi movement, a movement that was a reaction to the Turkish government’s design to destroy Istanbul’s last public green space in order to serve economic interests by constructing a commercial shopping center, is similar to the government suppression and displacement of the Kurdish minority in order to support industrial interests in Turkey.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Protesters #OccupyGezi to Save Istanbul Park – 14 June 2013

Al Jazeera – Protesting Kurds Finding Solidarity in Gezi – 12 June 2013

Kurd Net – Turkey’s GAP Project is an Ethnic & Cultural Genocide against Kurds – 31 March 2010

Kurdish Herald – Turkey’s GAP and Its Impact in the Region – September 2009

 

U.S. Concludes Assad Used Chemical Weapons Against Rebels

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The Obama administration has confirmed that the Syrian government has used chemical weapons against the rebel opposition. The administration also acknowledged that Syria has crossed the “red line”, commonly referred to by President Obama, that would trigger more significant U.S. involvement in the conflict.

U.S. intelligence analysts have determined that chemical weapons have been used against Syrian rebels on a small scale several times. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

American intelligence analysts used physical evidence to conclusively determine that the Assad regime attacked Syrian rebels with the nerve agent sarin. According to a C.I.A. report, hair, blood, and urine samples of two Syrian rebels, one dead and one wounded, tested positive for the toxin after being involved in firefight northeast of Damascus in mid-March.

Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communication Ben Rhodes addressed the media regarding the conclusion.

“Following a deliberative review, our intelligence community assesses that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin, on a small scale against the opposition multiple times in the last year,” Rhodes, said in a statement released by the White House on Thursday afternoon. “Our intelligence community has high confidence in that assessment given multiple, independent streams of information.”

“The president has made a decision about providing more support to the opposition that will involve providing direct support to the Supreme Military Council. That includes military support,” said Rhodes.

Despite acknowledging the U.S. will provide the rebels increased support, the level of support remains unclear. However, President Obama has recently come under fire for approaching the conflict cautiously and this news will undoubtedly lead to more calls for action.

Sen. John McCain, who has been highly critical of the president’s Syria policy, urged the president to implement a no-fly zone and provide the rebels with anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons. However, McCain was pleased that the administration’s acknowledged the Syrian government’s use of chemical weapons, but still he pushed for further action.

“I thank the president for acknowledging that Syrians are using chemical weapons,” McCain said. “Just to provide additional weapons to the Syrian National Army is not enough. We have got to change the equation on the battleground.”

Earlier this week former President Bill Clinton agreed with Senator McCain. Clinton said, “Sometimes it’s best to get caught trying, as long as you don’t overcommit.”

“Some people say, ‘O.K., see what a big mess this is? Stay out!’” Mr. Clinton said. “I think that’s a big mistake.”

President Obama will attend a G-8 meeting next week in Northern Ireland, where the conflict in Syria is expected to be one of the main talking points. Russia, also a G-8 member country, has supported the Syrian government throughout the conflict.

For further information, please see:

Al Arabiya – Obama decides to arm Syrian rebels after chemical weapons proof – 13 June 2013

CBS – U.S.: Syria used chemical weapons, crossing “red line” – 13 June 2013

CNN – White House: Syria crosses ‘red line’ with use of chemical weapons on its people – 13 June 2013

New York Times – Syria Has Used Chemical Arms on Rebels, U.S. and Allies Find – 13 June 2013

USA Today – U.S. has determined Syria used chemical weapons – 13 June 2013

Kuwaiti Twitter user convicted to eleven years for criticizing emir

by Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait-Twitter is a social media network which has become popular in recent years for allowing people to post what they think online.  However, the ability to voice one’s opinion via the internet is not always met without repercussions.

Kuwaiti court convicts Twitters users for criticisms against the emir, Sheikh Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah (Photo courtesy of Aljazeera)

Huda al-Ajmi, a 37-year-old Kuwaiti teacher, was sentenced to eleven years in jail after posting on twitter comments that were reasoned to be insulting to the emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah.

Along with insulting Sheikh Sabah, Huda al-Ajmi was convicted of inciting the overthrow of the regime and misuses of her mobile phone.  She was sentenced to two consecutive five year terms for insulting the emir and one year for insulting an unspecified religious group.

Despite the rarity for woman to serve jail time for political crimes, several Kuwaiti courts have sentenced two female activists to shorter periods in jail for their criticism of the emir.  However, the implementation of the terms was suspended.

Sheikh Sabah, who is “immune and inviolable” under Kuwait’s constitution, has received criticisms from others as well.  Mussallam al-Barrak, a prominent opposition figure, was convicted in April of “undermining” the emir.  He was arrested for remarks he made regarding the emir’s “autocratic” rule.  In May, an appeals court overturned his five-year sentence.

Although Kuwait has not yet experienced the same degree of pro-democracy as has been seen in other Arab states, tensions have been escalating between the ruling Sabah family and the members of parliament.

Kuwait, which allows more freedom of speech than most other Gulf Arab states, has tightened control over its citizens’ use of social media.  Convictions of several other Twitter uses over the past few months have caused anger and protests between police and activists.

U.S. based Human Rights Watch issued a statement in February saying that at least twenty five people have been charged with offending Sheikh Sabah by Kuwaiti prosecutors since October.  Of those twenty five people, at least six were sentenced to time in jail.

Being allies with Kuwait, the United States has considerable interest in these matters.  Due to the rising tension, the United States has urged Kuwait to consider its actions and respect their peoples’ right to freedom of expression.

Huda al-Ajmi’s has become the first woman convicted for criticizing Kuwait’s ruler, and her sentence is the longest sentence of jail time for political crimes issued in Kuwait.  She has yet to be taken into custody and will have the opportunity to appeal the Kuwaiti court’s decision.

For further information, please see: 

Aljazeera – Kuwait to jail woman for tweets against emir – 10 June 2013

BBC – Kuwaiti woman jailed for ‘insulting’ emir tweets – 10 June 2013

Gulf News – Woman gets 11 years in jail for insulting Kuwait emir – 10 June 2013

Reuters – Kuwaiti court gives woman 11 years in jail for insulting emir – 10 June 2013

 

Tunisia Expels Three As Trial of Femen Activists Begins

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TUNIS, Tunisia – The Tunisian Interior Ministry has said that it expelled three members of the Ukrainian feminist group Femen from the country. Alex Shevchenko was expelled Tuesday night and a Femen representative confirmed her association with the group. However, the two other expelled women, one Ukrainian and one Belarusian, denied any connection with Femen, as did a Femen representative. The two women were expelled as they arrived at the country’s main airport, the Belarusian on Tuesday and the Ukrainian on Wednesday.

One of the Femen protesters outside Tunisia’s Palace of Justice. (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)

The women were accused by the Interior Ministry of planning to engage in a topless protest in front of the court where the trial of three other Femen activists began on Wednesday. The Femen activists on trial are charged with “debauchery” which entails the use of the female body to seduce. Debauchery carries a possible six month prison sentence. Patrick Klugman, the activists’ lawyer, was sent to Tunisia by the Femen group to defend the women.

Klugman defended the women saying, “Their bodies were not exhibited to seduce but to convey a political message…which is different than debauchery.”

The three women, Pauline Hillier, Marguerite Stern, and Josephine Markmann, appeared at the trial wearing the traditional white Tunisian headscarf, known as a sefseri.

The court denied the women bail and adjourned the case until June 12. It is also considering whether several Islamist groups will be allowed to join the proceedings as a civil party. Tunisian law permits outside groups to join the trial and sue as injured parties. The addition of the Islamist groups would likely cause the trial to be drawn out. Klugman was critical of the court following the adjournment.

“Without giving a word to the Femen activists, the court has right from the beginning listened to the Salafist associations, who are not even a part of this trial,” Klugman said.

The charges against the three women stem from a topless protest in front of Tunisia’s Place of Justice. The three called for the release of Femen member Amina Sboui, also known as Amina Tyler, by waving banners and painting messages on their topless chests. The protest was the first Femen protest of its kind in the Arab world.

Tyler was arrested for possessing pepper spray and has been convicted of carrying an incendiary object. She was also arrested for allegedly writing the word “Femen” near a cemetery in the religious city of Kairouan. Possible charges include indecency and desecrating a cemetery.

Tyler’s actions were in protest of a rally to be held by conservative Islamists known as Salafists. The Salafists have been pushing for a more pious society and are often accused of attempting to limit women’s rights.

For further information, please see:

AllAfrica – Tunisia: Feminist Activists On Trial in Tunisia – 5 June 2013

BBC – Femen activists on trial in Tunisia for topless protest – 5 June 2013

Guardian – Femen protests: Tunisia expels three in Ukrainian feminist group – 5 June 2013

Middle East Online – European Femen activists remain behind bars in Tunisia – 5 June 2013

Washington Post – Tunisia expels 3 Femen activists seeking topless protest at trial of their colleagues – 5 June 2013

Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court rules both parliament and constitution illegal

by Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt-Crowds gathered outside Egypt’s highest court in anticipation of its ruling on the legality of parliament’s Muslim Brotherhood-led upper house, the Shura Council, and the panel that recently drafted Egypt’s constitution.  Signs titled, “No to Muslim Brotherhood terrorism,” waved on as protesters awaited the decision.

 

Supreme Constitutional Court rules Egypt’s parliament illegal (Photo Courtesy of Aljazeera)

On Sunday June 2nd, Egypt’s Supreme Constitutional Court ruled that the laws governing the election of members to the Shura Council were unlawful and against the panel that drafted the constitution.  The invalidity of the upper house election laws follows a similar ruling dissolving the lower house that was issued by the Court last June.

A leading opponent of the Brotherhood led Shura Council, Mohamed ElBareadei, declared the court ruling as “an expected result of a low-level understanding and political thuggery that has toppled the concept of legitimacy and the rule of law.”

Lawyers challenged the Shura Council election laws on the grounds that there were irregularities in the mechanics of the election.  These irregularities included newly enacted civil society laws that were criticized by the West and human rights groups for being a threat to democratic freedoms.  Proposals for judicial reform that increased tension between judges and the Islamists who oppose them were also questioned.

Division and deadly riots in Egypt have resulted from the election of the Shura Council and its panel. Egyptians are separated between the supporters of Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi and the opposition which includes leftists, secularists, deeply religious Muslims, and Christians. The Court’s declaration that the Shura Council is invalid fuels tensions between both sides since it will not be dissolved until a new parliament is in place.

“The Shura Council is continuing to play its complete legislative role until the institutions of the state are completed and legislative power passes to the new parliament,” stated President Morsi’s agency.

Analysts have reported that Islamists would be angered at the rejection of the Council’s legitimacy and the opposition would be displeased with the fact that it was not dissolved.  Nathan Brown, an expert on Egypt and professor at George Washington University stated, “If the Shura Council still has legislative authority, then this is a moral blow but not a legal one.”

The Court’s decision comes about during a time of legal uncertainty that has occurred during a political transition in Egypt.  Previously, the Court ruled unconstitutional President Morsi’s provision to declare states of emergency during violent protests in the three Suez Canal cities.  Doubt was also casted over election polls called by President Morsi when last week the Court struck down parts of the revised parliamentary election law.

For more information, please see: 

Aljazeera – Egypt upper house election declared illegal – 3 June 2013

Globe and Mail – Egyptian court rules upper house of parliament illegal – 2 June 2013

Guardian – Egypt court rules both Islamist-dominated Senate and constitution illegal – 2 June 2013

Reuters – Egypt parliament ruled illegal, but to stay on – 2 June 2013