The Middle East

Saudi Women Free to Ride Bikes Without Restrictions . . . April Fools

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – This past week it was announced that women in Saudi Arabia would be allowed to ride bicycles and motorbikes. This was another extremely small step, for women in ultraconservative Islamic Saudi Arabia.

Women in Saudi Arabia can now ride bicycles in appropriate public areas as long as they are accompanied by a male relative and fully covered. (Photo Courtesy of Foreign Policy Blog)

In order to fight unemployment, in the 1980s, British politician Norman Tebbit would advise the unemployed to “get on yer bike” and look for a job. This is far from what the religious police were intending. It would be very unlikely that they would suggest to a women to get a job, and would certainly not advocate that stance without the consent of her male relatives.

Nor is the grant for women to ride bicycles related, in any sense, to any use of bicycles as a vehicle for transportation. The impetus for the allowance was to give women some form of entertainment in which they can pass time. It would be too good to be true if this magnificent source of fun did not come without its restrictions. The religious police have stipulated that women may only ride their bicycles in recreational areas like parks, that they must be wearing full head-to-toe Islamic garb, and that they must always be accompanied by a male relative. Additionally, it was suggested that they avoid riding in places in which young men may congregate and harass such women.

Saudi Arabia’s religious police chief found this whole matter fairly comical. He stated that no one really rides bicycles in Saudi Arabia so that it was never truly considered whether or not there was actually a ban on women from riding in the first place.

It may be difficult to consider the right to ride bicycles a real freedom considering women can only do so when confined to certain areas, properly chaperoned, and properly covered; but, it can still be considered a slight progress in what might be the golden age for women in ultraconservative Saudi Arabia. Last year, Sarah Attar, a Saudi Arabian woman, became the first to be allowed to compete in the Olympics. Two years ago, King Abdullah granted women the right to vote, and to run in municipal elections starting in 2015.  Over the past year, King Abdullah also appointed thirty women to Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council.

While bicycle riding may not be very important in Saudi Arabia, we should still consider the rotation of each woman’s tire as part of a revolution.

For further information, please see:

Foreign Policy Blog – Saudi Women Might not be Allowed to Ride Bikes After all – 3 April 2013

Guardian – Saudi Women are Allowed to Cycle – but Only Around in Circles – 3 April 2013

Time – Saudi Women Can Now Ride Bicycles in Public (Kind of) – 3 April 2013

Al Jazeera – Saudi Arabia Eases ban on Women Riding Bikes – 2 April 2013

Saudi man to be Paralyzed as Punishment for 10 Year old Crime

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Justice sentenced 24 year old Ali al-Khawahir to paralysis from the waist down after finding him guilty of stabbing his friend in the back ten years ago.  The act resulted in his paralysis.  Al-Khawahir can avoid the punishment if he pays $270,000 in compensation to the victim.

A Saudi court sentenced a man to be paralyzed. (Photo Courtesy of Russia Today)

Amnesty International condemned the sentencing, calling it an act of “retribution,” and saying  that it is “outrageous” for the Kingdom to carry out.  The rights group also said that the punishment was “tantamount to torture.”  In a statement released last Tuesday, it pleaded with Saudi Arabia to not carry out the sentence.  “Paralyzing someone as punishment for crime would be torture,” said Ann Harrison, Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International.  “It is time the authorities in Saudi Arabia start respecting their international legal obligations and remove these terrible punishments from the law.”  It called the punishment an act of “qisas,” a retribution case, in which “other sentences passed have included eye gouging, tooth extraction, and death in cases of murder.”

Where the punishment of a crime demands “an eye for an eye,” a victim can demand retribution, request financial compensation for his suffering, or grant a conditional or unconditional pardon to the defendant.  When thieves are punished, they are commonly sentenced to amputation of the right hand.  When a defendant is punished for committing “highway robbery,” the punishment for such a crime is cross amputation, where the defendant’s right hand and left foot are both severed.

A spokesperson speaking on behalf of Britain’s Foreign Office said that London was “deeply concerned” by the sentence, and called it “grotesque.”  The spokesperson also said that such punishment “was prohibited under international law.”  Amnesty International also made a comment about Saudi Arabia’s potential violation of international law, saying “… the paralysis sentence would contravene the U.N. Convention against Torture to which Saudi Arabia is a state party…”

The Saudi Gazette reported that al-Khawaher has been awaiting his punishment for the last ten years.  “Ten years have passed with hundreds of sleepless nights…” said al-Khawaher’s mother.  She also said the compensation for the victim’s family had doubled but was later reduced.  Even reduced, she says that she cannot even pay a tenth of what is owed to save her son from being paralyzed.

Al-Khawahir was only 14 when he stabbed his friend in 2003.  As a result of the stabbing, he is paralyzed from the waist down.  Amnesty International claims that Saudi Arabia had made a similar sentence to another defendant in 2010, but it is unknown whether the punishment was carried out.  The Saudi Ministry of Justice denies that they even considered punishing the defendant in that case with paralysis.

For further information, please see:

Al Arabiya — An eye for an eye for a Spine? Saudi man Sentenced to Paralysis — 4 April 2013

BBC News — Saudi Paralysis Sentencing ‘Grotesque’ — 4 April 2013

The Guardian — Saudi Arabian Paralysis Sentence ‘Grotesque’, says Foreign Office — 4 April 2013

Russia Today — ‘Torture’ Punishment: Saudi Sentence man to be Paralyzed — 4 April 2013

CNN — Reported Saudi Paralysis Sentence ‘Outrageous,’ Rights Group says —  3 April 2013

March Marked Bloodiest Month in Syrian War

By Dylan Takores
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – At least 6,000 deaths occurred in Syria this March, making it the deadliest month since the civil war began two years ago.

Man praying at grave of rebel soldier in Daraa. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

The true death toll may be higher than 6,000 because both government and rebel groups frequently underreport actual death totals.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the government and rebels each suffered approximately 1,500 casualties in March.  However, the number of civilian deaths in March outweighed the staggering death tolls for both the opposing armies.  Over 2,000 civilian were reportedly killed, including 298 children and 291 women.  An additional 387 unidentified civilians and 588 unidentified fighters combined to bring the death total above 6,000.

The rise in casualties reflects the growing range of conflict within Syria.  Fighting between rebels and government forces continues to spread beyond major cities such as Damascus, Aleppo, and Homs into other areas of the country.  In particular, violence is rising in the southern provinces of Daraa and Quneitra, along Syria’s borders with Israel and Jordan.

The key battleground in the conflict is the country’s capital, Damascus.  President Bashar Assad stationed his best and most loyal troops there to protect against further advances and reclaim portions of the city occupied by rebels.

In an effort to dispel rebel occupation, government forces sent air raids over rebel and civilian zones on Tuesday.  They shelled the northern Damascus neighborhoods of Jobar, Barzeh, and Qaboun.

However, Assad’s army is not the only force inciting violence.  Rebels in Aleppo recently began an aggressive attack, referred to as “Freeing the Prisoners.”  According to the Aleppo Media Center, the plan is intended to free detainees from the city’s prison by attacking and capturing Kindi Hospital, Ghondol Square, and the central prison.

Rami Abdul-Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, condemned the international community for its lack of effort in preventing further violence in Syria.  He stated, “If there is no solution, we think the numbers will get worse in the coming months.”

Abdul-Rahman calculated that the total number of deaths since the conflict began two years ago to be 62,554, although he admitted the true total might be twice as many.  The United Nations’ most recent report, issued on February 18, placed the casualty total at 70,000.  The Syrian government has not released any information regarding the death tolls.

 

For further information, please see:

Boston Globe – March was deadliest month in Syrian war – 2 April 2013

The Independent – March was Syrian civil war’s bloodiest month as 6,000 die in conflict – 2 April 2013

Reuters – March was bloodiest month in Syria war: rights group – 1 April 2013

Washington Post – Activists say government warplanes and artillery pound areas in and around Damascus – 1 April 2013

Hamas bans Mixed-Sex Schools in the Gaza Strip

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Education Ministry of Hamas published a law last Monday which will bar men from teaching at girls’ schools and ban children of different sexes over the age of nine from attending the same school together.  The law, known as Article 46, was issued on February 10, was approved by Hamas’ legislative council, and went into effect last Sunday.  It will apply to all public, private, Christian-led, and United Nations schools throughout the Gaza Strip.

Hamas is set to implement a law that segregates children over the age of nine, by gender. (Photo Courtesy of BBC News)

Previously, Hamas tried to instill conservative religious values through laws, including telling schoolgirls in the region to adorn traditional full-length robes and headscarves.

In practice, virtually all public schools in the strip segregate children by sex in grade seven, and proponents say that the act is a codification of conservative Palestinian values into law.  Critics believe that this is an attempt by Hamas to force an Islamist ideology onto society.

A majority of Palestinians in Gaza see segregated schools as a symbol of their culture.  “We are a Muslim people.  We do not need to make people Muslims, and we are doing what serves our people and their culture,” said Waleed Mezher, the Education Ministry’s legal advisor.

Hamas has been in control of the Gaza Strip since 2007, after it won a surprise majority against the secular Fatah Party in Palestinian parliamentary polls.  There was a split between the polarized parties within the parliament, which led to a civil war within the region.  Unable to come to an agreement, laws were unable to be passed in Gaza and the West Bank.  Because of this, critics accused Hamas Parliamentarians of acting alone in pushing this law forward, and accused the group of trying to build “a separate state” in Gaza.  Zeinab Al-Ghoneimi, a Gaza activist for women’s rights, called the new law an imposition of Hamas’ values on the residents of Gaza.  “To say that the old law did not respect the community’s traditions and that they (Hamas) wanted to reform people now is an insult to the community,” said Ghoneimi. “Instead of hiding behind traditions, why don’t they say clearly they are Islamists and they want to Islamize the community.”

It has been questioned as to whether Hamas will enforce the new law.  In the past, Hamas had approved laws that appeased conservatives, such as a ban on men cutting women’s hair or making it illegal for women to smoke water pipes (shishas).  Such laws, however, have never been fully enforced, and it is possible that this law will similarly not be enforced.

Hamas has repeatedly denied accusations from human rights groups that they are trying to enforce Islamic laws on the people of Gaza.

For further information, please see:

ABC News — Hamas Orders Gender Segregation at Younger Age — 1 April 2013

BBC News — Hamas in Mixed-Sex School ‘ban’ — 1 April 2013

Global Post — Hamas Same Sex Schools ban Takes Effect — 1 April 2013

Haaretz — Hamas to ban Mixed-Sex Schools in Gaza Strip — 1 April 2013

The Jerusalem Post — Hamas law bans Mixed Sex Schools in Gaza Strip — 1 April 2013

Egyptian Jon Stewart Released on Bail

By Dylan Takores
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 

CAIRO, Egypt – Egyptian authorities released satirist Bassem Youssef on bail after questioning him for allegedly degrading Islam, insulting President Morsi, and spreading false news.

Bassem Youssef. (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images)

Youssef, often referred to as the Egyptian Jon Stewart, voluntarily turned himself in to police after a warrant was issued for his arrest.  He was questioned for five hours then released for 15,000 Egyptian pounds (approximately $2,190).

The government also issued arrest warrants for four other prominent anti-government activists in addition to Youssef.  The activists are accused of inciting violence and anti-government sentiments among Egyptian citizens.

The arrest raised questions regarding freedom of speech under the current political regime.  Youssef hosts a weekly talk show, “Al-Bernameg” (“The Show”), on which he mocks Egyptian politics. The satirist often imitates the President as well as members of opposition parties.

In a statement to Ahram, the prosecutor, Mohammed el-Sayed Khalifa, reported that the case is a civil action brought on behalf of twelve plaintiffs.  The plaintiffs alleged that Youssef insulted President Morsi, denigrated Islam, mocked prayers, spread false news, and intended to incite public disorder.

International Business Times reported that the charges carry heavy penalties in Egypt.  The Egyptian Constitution, drafted in 2011, permits a sentence of up to three-years imprisonment for insulting the president.  However, despite the serious nature of the crimes in Egypt, IBT wrote that the charges would not likely be successful or even pursued in less conservative countries.

Supporters of Youssef gathered outside the prosecutor’s office in solidarity with the satirist during his detention.  During an interview on CBC, Youssef denied the allegations.  He explained, “We don’t insult religion.  What we do is expose those so-called religious and Islamic stations which have offended Islam more than anyone else.”

Youssef tweeted several sarcastic and satirical remarks while in the prosecutor’s office.  One tweet quipped, “They asked me the color of my eyes. Really.”  He also tweeted that the bail money will pay for three separate pending charges.

Youssef’s defense lawyer, Montasser al-Zayyat firmly denied the charges against his client.  In addition to the three stated charges – insulting President Morsi, ridiculing Islam, and reporting false news – the attorney reported that Youssef has been accused of a fourth unannounced charge.

 

For further information, please see:

Ahram – Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef released on LE 15,000 bail – 31 March 2013

BBC News – Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef released on bail – 31 March 2013

Huffington Post – Bassem Youssef, Egypt’s Jon Stewart, Released on Bail – 31 March 2013

International Business Times – Bassem Youssef, Egypt’s Version of Jon Stewart, Released on Bail – 31 March 2013