The Middle East

Too Sexy for Saudi Arabia…Milan, New York, and Japan yet to Weigh in

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The treatment of women in Saudi Arabia has long been a concern of many human rights activists. Each woman is assigned to a relative male guardian who basically controls where and if a woman can travel, whether she can go to university, or work. Women are also required to wear an abaya (full length, loose fitting cloak) in public, and often wear niqabs (facial veil) as well.

Omar Borkan al-Gala, and likely the other two men pictured above, were the three men recently deported from Saudi Arabia for being “too handsome,” and a threat to Saudi women. (Photo Courtesy of Welcome 2 Cali)

One rationale for wearing a niqab is to hide the beauty of the woman’s face as to not tempt other males. Saudi Arabia recognizes polygamy as legal and permitted by Sharia law. That ultimately means that a man can have dominion over a whole flock of women. These women are often made to wear niqabs so that no man is tempted to lead one of a man’s many wives astray from the nest.

Get out of town . . . Seriously, get out of town

Despite the male dominated controls aimed at preventing any possibility of the apparent second class from committing infidelities, there are some external factors that are generally uncontrolled for. One of such factors is the irresistible impact a dashing young United Arab Emirates man can have on the minds and bodies of Saudi women.

That is why three Emirati men were recently kicked out of a festival in Saudi Arabia and deported back to Abu Dhabi. The mutawwa, Saudi religious police, deemed that the three men, including actor Omar Borkan al-Gala, were “too handsome” to stay in the country because their looks may cause women to be attracted and fall for them.

Previously, I have seen Middle Eastern regimes punish individuals for peacefully congregating to protest in violation of a freedom to express and assemble. I have seen similar punishments for criticisms of regimes over the internet in violation of a freedom of expression. Women have also been detained for attempting to enter or leave Saudi Arabia without a male guardian in violation of a freedom of movement.

Never before though have I seen a person be punished for simply being too good looking. Discrimination based on one’s appearance, generally because of race or gender, is perhaps the most insidious type of discrimination. This specific discrimination, while not quite as insidious, is still nonetheless a problem, although perhaps not the worst problem to have.

Actor Omar Borkan al-Gala. (Photo Courtesy of the New York Daily News)

Many wonder, some seriously and some jokingly, why the authorities did not just order the three men to wear facial veils themselves, instead of forcing them to leave the country.

Others are calling their deportations the most jealous, insecure move an authoritarian monarchy could potentially make.

This also marks the first time someone was told that it should be a crime to have such a face, that it was meant as a compliment, and literally considered a crime.

For further information, please see:

JD Journal – Omar Borkan Al Gala Deported by Saudi Arabian Religious Police for Being ‘Too Handsome’ – 26 April 2013

New York Daily News – Was This Hottie Deported from Saudi Arabia for Being ‘too Handsome’? – 25 April 2013

Time – Saudi Arabia Reportedly Deports men for Being ‘Too Handsome’ – 17 April 2013

Arabian Business – UAE men ‘too Handsome’ for Saudi Festival – 16 April 2013

Car Bomb Explodes Outside French Embassy in Libya

By Dylan Takores
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TRIPOLI, Libya – A car bomb exploded outside the French embassy in Tripoli on Tuesday morning, injuring two French guards and multiple local residents.

Remains of the exploded car in Tripoli. (Photo Courtesy of BBC)

The bomb exploded directly in front of the embassy in al-Andalus, a small, residential neighborhood in Tripoli.  The blast demolished nearly half of the building, including the embassy’s front wall and first-floor reception area.  The explosion also damaged many local business shops and homes as well.  No casualties have been reported, but one 13-year-old local girl sustained a spinal injury was transported to a hospital in Tunisia for treatment.

The French Foreign Ministry immediately condemned the attack.  French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius stated that the French and Libyan governments are working in conjunction “to ensure that all light be shed on the circumstances of this heinous act and its perpetrators quickly identified.”  The authorities initiated a criminal investigation to determine the source and motivation for the attack.

No individual or group claimed responsibility for the attack as of yet.  However, Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Abdel Aziz characterized the attack as a “terrorist act.”  The Libyan government suspected that it was planned by a militant Islamic group in retaliation for French intervention in northern Mali.

French troops entered Mali in January to help prevent a hardline Islamist government takeover.  Some Islamist militant groups believe France initiated the intervention in an attempt to reestablish control over its former colony.

French President Francois Hollande issued a separate statement, claiming that the bombing constitutes an attack against “all the countries of the international community engaged in the struggle against terrorism.”

Though the attack came as a surprise to most, some believe that the embassy was a likely target for such an attack.  One local resident remarked, “It was a big mistake to cite the French embassy in our neighborhood.”  Others locals claimed there was inadequate policing around the facility, as well.

This was the first major attack in the Libyan capital since 2011 during the revolution that overthrew Muammar al-Gaddafi.  However, the bombing revived memories of the attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi last September, in which four Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens perished.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC – Tripoli: French embassy in Libya hit by car bomb – 23 April 2013

CNN – Car bomb explodes outside French embassy in Tripoli; 2 guards, girl injured – 23 April 2013

New York Times – Car Explodes Outside French Embassy in Libya – 23 April 2013

The Guardian – Libya bomb attack hits French embassy in Tripoli – 23 April 2013

Syrian Government Reportedly Killed ‘at Least 85’ People in Damascus Neighborhood Massacre

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria — Opposition activists reported last Sunday that at least 85 people were executed by Pro-Assad Syrian forces in the town of Jdeidet Al-Fadel.  Other groups estimated the death toll to be around 250.  The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that they can confirm that 109 people were killed, but that the actual death toll could actually be closer to 500, making it one of the deadliest incidents to occur since the start of the revolution.  Women and children residing in the Damascus neighborhood were reported to be amongst those killed in the massacre.

Syrian troops reportedly killed 85 – 500 people “at close range.” (Photo Courtesy of The Guardian)

 

“We documented 85 summarily executed, including 28 shot in a makeshift hospital after Assad’s forces entered Jdeidet Al-Fadel. We fear that the victims of the massacre are much higher,” said Abu Ahmad Al-Rabi, an opposition activist residing in the adjacent district of Jdeidet Artouz.

Inconsistent reports regarding the number of those killed is due to the Syrian military lockdown of the neighborhood.  Journalists and NGOs cannot provide a clear number because they cannot get close enough to the town to accurately report what is happening.  The lockdown also precludes information from getting out of towns, leaving the world to rely on observations made by observers and private citizens using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Syrian run SANA State News Agency reported that the military “inflicted big losses on terrorists in Jdeidet Al-Fadel and destroyed weapons and ammunition and killed and wounded members of the terrorist groups.”

Jamal Al-Golani, member of the Revolution Leadership Council, also believed  the death toll to be higher, and said that there could be more than 250 people who were killed, mostly shot at close range.  However, due to the presence of army patrols, it is difficult to determine.

Other Rebel groups called the offensive against JdeidtAl-Fadel, a “crime against humanity,” and “a massacre of epic proportions.”  Syrian National Coalition President George Sabra said that President Bashar Al-Assad explicitly ordered troops to “kill and massacre” civilians in the offensive.

Jdeidet Al-Fadel had long been held under rebel control, but was always surrounded by Syrian troops.  Some believe that the Syrian military took a step forward in reclaiming “lost ground.”  Tactically, opposition forces considered their control of the town to be a “lost cause” due to its close proximity to Damascus.  “Jdeidet Al-Fadel was militarily a lost cause from day one because it was surrounded by the army from every direction.  There are almost no wounded because they were shot on the spot,” said Al-Golani.

For further information, please see:

Arab News — Assad Forces Executive 85 — 23 April 2013

AntiWar — Syrian Rebels: 500 Dead in Damascus Suburb Offensive — 22 April 2013

Foreign Policy — Has the World Stopped Caring About Massacres in Syria? — 22 April 2013

The Guardian — ‘At Least 85 People Killed in Damascus’ as Pro-Assad Forces Storm Suburb — 21 April 2013

On your mark, Get set, Protest! Bahrain GP Clashes Continue

By Dylan Takores
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain – Protests over the Grand Prix race continued in Bahrain on Sunday when protestors set up roadblocks, complete with barricades and burning tires, in the streets leading to Manama.

Burning tires at barricades outside Manama. (Photo Courtesy of AP)

Protestors called the event a “race of blood” intended to cover up rights violations.  The activists represent the Shia majority in Bahrain.  They contend that the Sunni royal family continues to deny rights to the majority Shia population.  At the protests, many carried signs stating, “Your race is a crime” and “No, no to the race of blood.”

Confrontations occurred in numerous Shia-inhabited villages across the country in addition to the capital.  Police fired birdshot, tear gas, and stun grenades at protestors in an attempt to disperse the crowds.  In response, many threw stones back at police.

Hundreds of Shia protestors attempted to overtake Pearl Square in Manama on Saturday; the same site where protests initially began in 2011.  Police fired tear gas at the demonstrators.  Some in the crowd responded by hurling Molotov cocktails at police.  The police eventually succeeded in dispersing the crowd.

Heightened security was deployed around the event to prevent skirmishes at the race.  Armed guards in security vehicles slowed traffic to a single lane toward the entrance of the event and inspected each car.

Despite the numerous confrontations, the government refused to cancel the Grand Prix race.  According to the AFP, the confrontations have largely been limited to the Shia villages.  Crown Prince Salaman strongly contended that the race is not an attempt to cover up rights violations.  It is merely a celebration of the sport.

The government and opposition leaders tried to engage in dialogues to reach a compromise, however the government remains divided on how to respond to the protests.  The Crown Prince admitted that the talks are moving too slowly.

In contrast to the reformist views of the Crown Prince, officials loyal to unelected Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salaman al-Khalifa have hindered the dialogue process.  The loyalists fear that any negotiations and compromises may degrade their power and influence in the country.

 

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Clashes as Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead – 21 April 2013

BBC – Bahrain protests over Grand Prix – 21 April 2013

NDTV Sports – Bahrain Grand Prix ends without disruption despite protests – 21 April 2013

The Times – Protestors make presence felt before Bahrain GP – 21 April 2013

Impunity Watch – Start Your Engines: Tear Gas Fired at Activists in Bahrain – 16 April 2013

HRW Requests that Saudi Authorities end Trial of Abu al-Khair

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The international human rights group, Human Rights Watch, has urged Saudi Arabian authorities to end the prosecution of Walid Abu al-Khair. Abu al-Khair is a human rights lawyer who Human Rights Watch believes is being unfairly treated for his exercise of free speech. Abu al-Khair faces charges of “offending the judiciary,” “attempting to distort the reputation of the kingdom,” “obstructing justice,” and “trying to mislead the course of an investigation.”

Abu al-Khair is one of many human rights defenders who are being harassed by charges in Saudi Arabia. (Photo Courtesy of Gulf Center for Human Rights)

The trials of Abu al-Khair began in September 2011 after Abu al-Khair criticized the decision of a Saudi judge in connection with a client he was advocating for. The client was Samar Badawi who had been ordered to prison by Judge Abdullah al-`Othaim for “disobeying” her father. Abu al-Khair showed that the father had been abusing Badawi and that she should be transfered to a different male guardian to which the Jeddah Public Court agreed. Nevetheless, Badawi remained imprisoned for at least three more months.

Much of the evidence against Abu al-Khair has been kept from his eyes. Such evidence includes statements by Judge al-`Othaim alleging unethical conduct by Abu al-Khair during the Badawi trial.

Middle East director at Human Rights Watch Sarah Leah Whitson stated that, “The Saudi government’s prosecution of Abu al-Khair is doing far more to ‘distort’ the reputation of the kingdom than anything he has said or written.” Whitson added, “if Saudi authorities are truly concerned with the reputation of their judiciary, they should stop prosecuting lawyers who criticize the legal system’s failings.”

Currently, Abu al-Khair has been barred from traveling abroad. Other human rights defenders in similar situations to al-Khair in Saudi Arabia include Mohammed al-Bajadi, Dr. Mohammed al-Qahtani, Dr. Abdullah al-Hamid, Mikhlif al-Shammari, and Dr. Abdulkarim al-Khodr.

For further information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Saudi Arabia: End Prosecution of Human Rights Lawyer – 20 April 2013

Fars News Agency – HRW Slams Saudi Arabia for Prosecuting Lawyer – 20 April 2013

Gulf Center for Human Rights – Saudi Arabia – Human Rights Defenders Face Judicial Harassment After They Become Targets of the Authorities – 25 February 2013

Al Akhbar – Saudi Human Rights Lawyer Charged – 6 June 2012