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Hospitals Struggle to Treat Wounded as Israel Steps Up Military Offensive in Gaza

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch Managing Editor

GAZA CITY, Gaza – The Israeli army, air force and navy has launched a major operation in the Gaza Strip Tuesday against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Military mobilized infantry troops along the border for a possible ground invasion designed to stop rocket attacks launched into Israel. The offensive has so far targeted dozens of sites in the coastal region. On Tuesday the Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon said the military operation against in Gaza “will probably not end within several days.”

Smoke and flames are seen following what police said was an Israeli air strike the city of Rafah in Gaza. Medical supplies are in short supply as Israel prepares for a larger offensive in the region. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)

According to Palestinian sources At least 16 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting since Monday night. Among those killed in the attacks was Mohammad Sha’aban, a leader of Hamas’ militant wing. Israel confirmed that Sha’aban, whom it referred to as “a senior Hamas terrorist,” was killed in the airstrikes.

50 bombings were reportedly carried out overnight Monday and throughout the day on Tuesday. Dr. Dr. Ayman al-Sahbani rushed to Al-Shifa hospital attend to victims of the bombings which have so far included at least 8 people with 2 children among the injured. While Al-Shifa hospital is Gaza’s primary hospital and the largest in the territory Dr. Sahbani expressed concern that the hospital will not have the capacity to handle a sudden influx of bombing victims if the Israeli military strikes on Gaza continue.

On Tuesday all 12 beds in the hospital’s intensive care unit were occupied. “Most of those people here have medical referrals and were supposed to be receiving treatment at outside hospitals,” Sahbani said. “Now, we can’t get them out, and we can’t find a space for new patients if the airstrikes intensify.”

In addition to the shortage of hospital beds in Gaza, the region also suffers from a shortage of medicine and medical supplies. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry spokesman, Ashraf al-Qedraa Gaza is missing about 30 percent of essential drugs, while 15 percent of the remainder is expected to be exhausted within days of an Israeli assault. He said “the medical services are in a very critical situation” that Gaza never reached during the Egyptian-Israeli siege on Gaza adding that the ministry is running “extremely short” essential medical supplies like gloves, urine catheters, and other medical equipment.

The conflict between Hamas and Israeli shows no signs of de-escorting and has worsened in the days since three Israeli settlers were found murders in the West Bank, murders the Israeli military blames on the Gaza based group. Mushir Al-Masri, a Hamas leadership figure and member of the Palestinian parliament, wrote on his Facebook on Monday that “the enemy has crossed the red lines and will be made to pay the price for its crimes.” He added that the death of Hamas militants “is fuel for the intifada and the resistance.” Following the statement rocket fire from Gaza into Israeli territory increased with Hamas claiming responsibility for the barrage.

For More Information Please See:

Al Jazeera – Gaza Hospitals Struggle to Treat Wounded – 8 July 2014

CNN International – Israel Blocks Rocket Headed For Tel Aviv; Gaza Ground Operation Possible –8 July 2014

Reuters – Israel Steps Up Gaza Offensive after Surge in Rocket Fire – 8 July 2014

The Washington Post – Israel Launches Major Operation against Hamas In Gaza Strip – 8 July 2014

Interpol has Re-opened the Browder Red Notice Case on the Back of Magnitsky’s Posthumous Trial

 

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3 July 2014 – Documents recently received from Interpol show that the Russian government has successfully convinced Interpol’s Commission for Control of Files to re-open their consideration to issue an Interpol Red Notice for Bill Browder, by submitting Mr Browder’s conviction in absentia in Russia, where he was a co-defendant with the deceased Sergei Magnitsky in the first ever posthumous trial in Russian history.

 

Two previous Russian attempts to get a Red Notice issued for Mr Browder failed because Interpol deemed those attempts were politically motivated and violated Interpol’s constitution. Shortly after Interpol’s first rejection of Russia’s request for Browder, Interpol’s General Secretary wrote an editorial for the Daily Telegraph newspaper, citing Mr Browder’s case as the example for why reforms are not needed at Interpol (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/10082582/Interpol-makes-the-world-a-safer-place.html).

 

Strangely, Interpol has now decided to reopen the case based on the Magnitsky posthumous trial. Interpol’s Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files said that it plans to re-examine the Russian submission in relation to Mr Browder at its next session in October 2014.

 

It would be a true signal of the need for reform of Interpol if a Red Notice were issued on the basis of the first posthumous trial in Europe since Pope Formosus in 897,” said a Hermitage Capital representative.

 

In July 2013, Sergei Magnitsky was convicted of tax evasion three years after he was murdered in Russian state custody, in the first ever posthumous trial in Russian history. Bill Browder was convicted as his co-defendant in the second ever trial in absentia against a Westerner. The trial was deemed to be politically motivated and illegitimate by the Council of Europe, the European Parliament and numerous international human rights organisations.

 

The convictions have since been upheld by the Moscow City court in January this year, in the absence of lawyers for Mr Browder and Mr Magnitsky. Instead, they were represented by unknown lawyers appointed by the Russian government.

 

In addition to presenting Interpol with the convictions from that trial as “new evidence,” the Russian authorities presented a “fresh” arrest warrant for Mr Browder, issued in March this year on the basis of the posthumous trial. The arrest warrant was signed by Moscow judge Elena Stashina, who is sanctioned by the U.S. Government for her role in the false detention of Sergei Magnitsky. Four days before Sergei Magnitsky was murdered in police custody, Judge Stashina prolonged his detention and denied Magnitsky’s medical care requests.

 

Judge Igor Alisov, who issued the posthumous conviction, was also placed on the U.S. Government’s sanctions list under the ‘U.S. Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act,’ for his role in concealing the liability of officials involved in Sergei Magnitsky’s death.

 

The documents used in the posthumous trial were fabricated by Russian Interior Ministry officers, including officers Artem Kuznetsov and Oleg Silchenko, also involved in Sergei Magnitsky’s false arrest and detention, and who are also sanctioned by the U.S. Government, which prohibits U.S. persons from any dealings with them.

 

Syria Justice and Accountability Center: Child Soldiers and Child Scholars: Syria’s Next Generation

WHR

I lost my studies, I lost my future, I lost everything”—Saleh,  17, who has fought for opposition groups since he was 15 years old. 

For Syrian young adults, it’s becoming harder to go to school, and easier to take up arms. The result may be a generation with more training in shooting than in science. Looking forward, Syrians and international supporters need to address this generation of youth—ensuring opportunities for study, discouraging armed groups’ recruitment of children, and promoting re-integration of child soldiers.

According to Human Rights Watch’s June 23rd report, armed groups in Syria have used children as young as 14 in support roles and as young as 15 in active combat. The number of children participating in Syria’s fighting is unknown, but, as of June 25th, the Violations Documentation Center has recorded 196 “non-civilian” male children killed during the conflict. In interviews with Human Rights Watch, young men recalled participating in a variety of operations, including front-line fighting and suicide bombing preparations.

Young adults join are joining fighters for different reasons. Many volunteer to fight, others are recruited at schools. Some child soldiers are paid. One interviewee, who joined Jabhat al-Nusra at 14, reported earning a 20,000 Syrian pound (US $135) monthly salary. Another, who joined Jabhat al-Nusra at 17, reported earning a monthly salary of 10,000 Syrian pounds (US $68) in addition to a monthly food box.

Nonetheless, international law prohibits use of child soldiers. Most pointedly, the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child—which Syria has ratified—bans states and non-state armed groups from recruiting or using children under 18 in armed conflict. TheRome Statute of the International Criminal Court—not ratified by Syria—classifies conscription of children under 15 as a war crime. Regardless of the legality, employing children as soldiers limits their capacity to re-integrate into a post-conflict society; child soldiers will have little experience at operating as adults in a non-combat capacity, and skill sets geared more towards fighting than participating in a non-combat economy.

A parallel, though inextricably linked trend challenges Syrian young adults: extremely limited opportunities for schooling. Within Syria, pro-regime forces have targeted students at universities, and anti-regime forces have kidnapped students travelling to exams. Due to the fighting, many Syrian students only return to school for their exams—sometimes only to die in the classroom. Refugees outside of Syria face considerable obstacles as well. In Jordan andLebanon, limited resources for education, Syrians’ own financial pressures, and administrative hurdles prevent Syrian students from going to school. It is important to note that not all Syrian youth are soldiers, but all Syrian youth could benefit from access to education.

Ultimately, Syrians and international supporters must not forget this generation. Syrian youth have the capacity to re-build Syria and advance discussions of justice and accountability in the long-term. Consequently, looking forward, engaging this generation must be seen as a component of holistic transitional justice efforts. A first step is to cease use of child soldiers, stop targeting students, and promote greater access to education.

Fiji Asks For Help to Fight the Affects of Climate Change in the Pacific

by Max Bartels 

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania 

Savu, Fiji

The Government of the island nation of Fiji is accusing the international community, pointing mainly at Australia, of being selfish in regards to climate change policy. Fiji, like many other pacific nations is suffering greatly from the rising sea levels; these small island nations contribute very little to global carbon emissions but are suffering the consequences of the rest of the world’s high level of carbon output.

Fiji Village
Fijian village is abandoned as sea water seeps through the ground
(Photo Curtesy of Fiji Times)

In a climate change summit hosted by Fiji, interim Prime Minister Bainimara said the global will to combat climate change is receding. He further pointed at Australia, saying that since the election of conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbot there has been a distinct change of attitude in Australia toward climate change policy. Abbot has been quoted as saying that he will not support any climate change policy in Australia that would negatively impact the Australian economy.

The interim Prime Minister of Fiji issued a harsh statement to the world, pointed at Australia and Prime Minister Abbot, saying that history will judge them harshly if they do nothing to effect policy change and allow the islands of the pacific to sink below the ocean. He further stated that leaders need to see the situation is dire for Fiji and other island nations and that leaders need to risk minor economic impact to save lives.

Indonesia was invited to the climate change summit in Fiji and pledged support to Fiji in combating climate change. Indonesia also has a strong incentive to mitigate the effects of climate change in the pacific. Indonesia has offered $20 million to Fiji to help fight the effects of climate change and has offered further support in the form of increased trade agreements with Fiji to boost trade revenue by a targeted $1 billion in the future.

The situation in Fiji is so serious that entire communities have had to be relocated since January 2014. The village of Vaunidogola had to be relocated to higher ground due to rising sea levels; the relocation affected 50 families whose ancestors had lived on that land for generations. The government of Fiji has also identified 600 villages across the Fiji islands that are at risk from the rising sea levels. The government predicts that over the next 10 years 40 settlements will have to be relocated due to the rise in sea levels, the pollution of the ground water and the destruction of agricultural land.

For more Information, please see:

Australia Network News — Fiji Accuses Global Community of Abandoning the Pacific on Climate Change, Singles out “Selfish” Australia — 19 June 2014 

The Fiji Times — Climate Change Challenge — 21 June 2014

ABC News Australia — Pacific Nations Urge Climate Change Action, Ask Australia for Help — 27 May 2014

SBS News Australia — Rising Sea Levels Prompts Relocation in Fiji — 31 January 2014 

 

Protests in Sao Paulo Turn Violent During World Cup Match

by Delisa Morris

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, Brazil – While the England and Uruguay World Cup match was coming to an end, protests in São Paulo on the other side of town turned violent.  This demonstration turned into antigovernment riots, ostensibly calling for free public transit in Brazil.  The riot was one of the largest demonstrations over the course of the World Cup so far.

A protester jumps over a fire barricade during a violent protest in Sao Paulo. Image courtesy of Time.com

Initially more than a thousand people had gathered to commemorate the one-year anniversary of a successful protest against a transit fare hike.  However, like other transit protests, this one was a flash point to release deep-seated frustrations over poverty and government spending.

At first things were peaceful, like most of the recent demonstrations across Brazil over the course of the World Cup have been, the protest quickly escalated when groups of masked men began to set fires in the street and shatter bank windows.

Tensions were high in the city after a group of men dressed in black threw explosives – possibly fireworks – into a bar crowded with England supporters viewing their country’s match.  The men fled to a bus and were arrested harboring knives, more fireworks and brass knuckles.

A few hours later, around 2,000 Brazilian protesters took to the streets to mark the anniversary of last year’s public transportation protests.  The demonstration was organized by Free Fare, the same group that started last year’s massive protests.  Thursday’s protest began peacefully, but some marches later turned to violence and vandalism as the England-Uruguay game started on the opposite side of the city.  As they did last year, the demonstrators set up burning barricades.  Police responded with tear gas and finally quelled the unrest after five hours or so.  Eyewitnesses claim the anarchist group “Black Block” was behind much of the violence and destruction of property.

The protesters broke the windows of banks and broke into a car dealership to smash the cars there.  Television images showed groups of masked men spray painting graffiti on cars, firing off rockets and smashing public property as police responded with tear gas

One of the largest Brazilian protests during the World Cup soccer tournament thus far, and it was the first to become overtly violent.  A police spokesperson reported no injuries to either protesters or foreign soccer fans.

While a number of anti-government protests have broken out in Brazil since the World Cup began, most have been on a much smaller scale.  Most of the demonstrations in the past few weeks have sought to confront a government that protesters say pays insufficient attention to both public resources and its employees.

The protest shut down one of the city’s main thoroughfares, though the impact of traffic was limited due to a national holiday on Thursday. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters — Sao Paulo protest turns violent as World Cup game ends — 19 June 2014

The Wall Street Journal — Protests in Sao Paulo Turn Violent — 19 June 2014

International Business Times — Sao Paulo Protests Devolve Into Violent Riot After England-Uruguay World Cup Match — 19 June 2014

Time — Amid the World Cup, a Violent Reminder of Brazil’s Discontent — 20 June 2014