As Syria Rejects Arab League Peace Plan, The Horror Continues

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria–After Damascus rejected an Arab plan to send a peacekeeping force in a desperate attempt to quell the unrest, regime forces resumed their assault on the Syrian protest city of Homs on Monday 13 February 2012. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, just before sunrise, the military launched mortars into Baba Amr, a rebel stronghold in the central city, as forces swept through the southern province of Daraa, arresting dissidents. The Britain-based Observatory shared these words in a statement released to the AFP.

An activist stands in front of a destroyed building in Homs. (Photo Courtesy of BBC)

“The neighborhood of Baba Amr has been subjected to sporadic sheeling since 5:00AM (03:00 GMT) by the Syrian army. Forces launched an assault and are arresting people in Basra Al-Sham after an explosion in Dael, in Daraa province. There were fierce clashes between defectors and the army which stormed Lajat and arrested the mothers of four dissidents.”

Activists and rights groups claim that al-Assad’s forces have killed at least 500 individuals in Homs since they began attacking the central city on 4 February 2012 with a barrage of tank shells, mortars, and rocket-propelled grenades.

As the number of deaths continues to mount, the international community still is trying to find a way to end the violence in Syria. Yusuf Ahmed, Syria’s envoy in Cairo, said that the Arab League’s plan calling for a joint Arab-UN peacekeeping mission to end Syria’s 11-month conflict “reflected the hysteria of these governments.” The European Union backed the Arab League’s plan but Russia came forward and said that the violence must end before any peacekeepers could be sent. Michael Mann, spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, said these words with BBC.

“We welcome these bold decisions and the strong and clear commitment and leadership that the Arab League is taking to resolve the crisis in Syria. The EU’s first goal is an immediate cessation of killings and therefore we are very supportive of any initiative that can help achieve this objective, including a stronger Arab presence on the ground in co-operation with the UN to achieve a ceasefire and the end of the violence. We renew our urgent calls on members of the Security Council to be constructive and act with responsibility at this crucial moment.”

The UN General Assembly started its own debate on the Syrian crisis. UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay, who has been very critical of the actions of al-Assad’s regime, is set to address the assembly in New York this week. The Arab League stated in a statement to the AFP that it was ending all diplomatic cooperation with Syria and promised to give “political and material support” to the opposition.

“We will open channels of communication with the Syrian opposition and offer full political and financial support, urging the opposition to unify its ranks. We also plan to ask the UN Security Council to issue a decision on the formation of a joint UN-Arab peacekeeping force to oversee the implementation of a ceasefire.”

Burham Ghalioun, leader of the opposition Syrian National Council, welcome the moves as a “first step” towards the fall of the regime. As the military continued its destruction on Homs, refugees made their way across the border to Lebanon, hoping to escape the carnage. Abu Ibrahim, a resident of Homs, shared these words with the AFP. He made a point of bringing up his 10-year-old daughter, who has refused food since witnessing dead bodies in the streets of Homs.

“The army of Bashar al-Assad destroyed our homes. Before, we were bombarded by mortars or rocket-propelled grenades, but now they are using tanks and helicopters.”

The Syrian Aran Red Crescent and the International Committee of the Red Cross stated that their volunteers are “distributing food, medical supplies, blankes, and hygiene consumables to thousands of people in Homs.”

“The population, particularly the wounded and sick, are bearing the brunt of the violence.”

On Sunday 12 February 2012, Syrian state television showed an official funeral for the 28 people authorities say were killed two days earlier in twin car bombs in the northern city of Aleppo. The government still stands by its allegation that the blame for the attacks should be placed on foreign-backed “terrorists.” But the rebel Free Syrian Army had accused the regime of carrying out the bombings to divert attention away from its brutal offensives elsewhere.

Regardless of who is responsible for the attacks on Syrian civilians, the fact remains that deaths are still occurring every day without any sort of reason. The Arab League ended its observer mission last month, leaving the people of Syria at the complete mercy of al-Assad’s regime. Until countries such as Russia and China decide that it is acceptable to send help in, it does not appear that the violence will stop and civilians will continue to suffer as the international community stands on the sidelines. With al-Assad’s regime still calling the plays on the field in the form of bombings, there seems to be no chance for the violence against the people of Syria to cease.

 

For more information, please see:

Ahram – Syria Resumes Shelling After Rejecting Peace Force – 13 February 2012

Al-Jazeera – Russia ‘To Consider’ Syria Peacekeeping Plan – 13 February 2012

BBC –Syria Rejects New Arab League Peace Mission Proposal – 13 February 2012

The Guardian – Syria Rejects Arab League Call For Peacekeeping Mission – 13 February 2012

NYT –Rejecting Arab League Pressure, Syria Resumes Shelling, Reports Say – 13 February 2012

CNN – Arab League Proposes Peacekeeping Force, Support for Syrian Rebels – 12 February 2012

 

 

As Anniversary of Unrest Approaches, Bahraini Civilians Keep Their Resolve For Change

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain–Bahrain has deployed thousands of its security forces to confront any anti-government protesters ahead of the first anniversary of the beginning of a Shia-led uprising. Since 14 February 2011, the uprising is still seeking to loosen the ruling Sunni dynasty’s monopoly on power. The Sunni Muslim royal family rules the country, but most of its people are Shia, placing it on the tipping point of regional influence between neighboring countries Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran.

 

An anti-government protester holds up a victory sign to riot police in Sanabis, west of Manama. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

Opposition groups urged demonstrators and protesters to funnel towards an empty area that has become know as “Freedom Square” outside the capital, Manama. Since the uprising began, the Bahraini government has imposed martial law and effectively extinguished much of the unrest a month after it began, with the assistance of Saudi troops. The demonstrations and protests began again after the emergency law was lifted in June 2011.

The ruling Al-Khalifa family has accused Iran of stimulating the uprising. Iran has denied playing a role and Bahrain’s Shiite groups deny that they have received support from abroad. In an interview with Germany’s Der Spiegel magazine, King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa accused his opponents of chanting in support of Ayatollah Khomeini, the leader of Iran’s 1979 revolution. The king has downplayed the severity of the threat the demonstrations and protests had posed to the 200-year-old rule of the Sunni dynasty.

“It’s just a case of manners. But when they shout ‘down with the king and up with Khomeini’ that’s a problem for national unity. I regret the events of the past year. But there is no ‘opposition’ in Bahrain, as the phrase implies one unified bloc with the same views. Such a phrase is not in our constitution, unlike say the United Kingdom. We only have people with different views, and that’s okay.”

With the king downplays the demonstrations and protests, the people of Bahrain still act with the belief that change will occur. According to several activist groups, teenagers blocked off streets in the village of Sanabis, approximately 2 kilometers west of Manama, taunting police as “cowards” and “mercenaries” because some are thought to be of Pakistani or Yemeni descent. A policeman shouted to the people to return to their homes.

“This gathering is illegal,” he said.

One teenager lobbed four petrol bombs some 30 meters towards a group of police, who responded with a volley of sound grenades and tear gas. Shops were mostly locked up in the district, which was riddled with blocked roads and anti-government graffiti.

In addition, opposition actions have involved marches organized by opposition parties with government approval, as well as street protests called by activists online under the title “February 14 Youth Coalition” which usually result in clashes with police. One of the activists, holding a large rock and covering his face with a scarf, said the clashes were a result of police brutality against peaceful protests. He shared these words with an Ahram correspondent.

“Today we sat outside our homes as a peaceful method of protest. Then the repression by these Khalifa forces began. So we have to confront them. It was before our houses. They are the one who came in their cars.”

The government has said such clashes are acts of “hooliganism” by youth who put police and other Bahrainis’ lives in danger. The police say they must act to restore law and order. Jamal Fakro, deputy head of the appointed house of parliament, shared these words with Al-Jazeera concerning the protesters.

“People have come to the conclusion that the opposition only want to bring unrest to the country. They are not serious about any goals.”

Shias account for about 70 percent of Bahrain’s population of some 525,000 people but claim they have faced decades of discrimination, such as being denied access to senior political and security posts. The Sunni leaders have taken some steps on reform, including relinquishing more power to parliament. In an announcement early on Monday 13 February 2012, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa named a Shia, Sadok bin Abdulkarim al-Shehabi, as health minister. The health minister position is particularly important because Bahrain’s main hospital played a significant during the early weeks of the uprising with authorities claiming medical staff aided demonstrators. Dozens of doctors and nurses have been put on trial for their alleged participation.

The government has so far refused to make any far-reaching or long-term changes that the demonstrators, protesters, and main Shia group, Al Wefaq had demanded. Al Wefaq is the largest opposition party and their demands include ending the monarchy’s ability to select the government and set all-important state policies. Al Wefaq criticized authorities for imposing a “siege” on the villages of Manama ahead of the first anniversary of Bahrain’s “revolution.”

Al Wefaq released a statement on Sunday 12 February 2012 claiming that police stormed houses and fired tear gas indiscriminately in densely populated civilian areas. There were no reports of actual injuries. At least 40 individuals have lost their lives during the months of unprecedented political unrest in Bahrain. And until the majority of the population feels that its interests are adequately and appropriately served by the government and regardless of who is in power, the anniversary of the unrest is sure to elicit more harm than good for the people of Bahrain.

 

 

For more information, please see:

Ahram – Clashes in Bahrain, King Warns Against Disunity – 13 February 2012

Al-Jazeera – Bahrain Tense Ahead of Planned Protests – 13 Februrary 2012

The Guardian – Kettling Would Work Well in Bahrain, Says Former Met Police Chief – 12 February 2012

MSNBC – Pitched Battles in Bahrain as Protest Anniversary Nears – 13 February 2012

NYT – Bahrain Youths and Police Clash – 13 February 2012

CNN – 2 American Women Arrested During Protest in Bahrain – 11 February 2012

 

 

 

 

Chinese Dissident Receives Seven Year Sentence for Poem

By: Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – A Chinese dissident was sentenced to seven years in prison for subversion after he wrote a poem calling for the Chinese citizens to vote with their feet.

Zhu Yufu was sentenced to seven years in prison for writing a poem (Photo Courtesy of Radio Free Asia).

After being formally arrested last April, Zhu Yufu was sentenced on Friday based on an indictment citing a poem shared online and calling for a ‘Jasmine’ rallies inspired by the 2011 protests in the Middle East.

The poem features the lines, “It’s time, Chinese people! The square belongs to everyone. The feet are yours it’s time to use your feet and take to the square to make a choice.”

During his trial, Zhu argued that he was exercising the freedoms granted to him by the Chinese Constitution.

Following the announcement of the sentence Zhu’s wife expressed her surprise at it’s severity by stating, “that is so cruel. I don’t know what else to say.”

Zhu’s son, who was also at the sentencing,  claimed that his father appeared weak and described him as walking very slowly and stated that he “…looked quite weak, and had to lean on two prison guards.”

The sentencing comes just days before China’s likely presidential successor, Xi Jinping, is scheduled to visit the United States.

This timing has caused international director Renee Xia to state that it “…seems a strange time for the U.S. to engage in diplomatic niceties or good will overtures to China’s likely future president.”

Xia further stated that there have been “…a whole batch of heavy sentences for crimes that would in the past 10 years get three, four, five years.”

China has recently attracted criticism for it’s decision to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for the resignation of the Syrian president amid increasing violence.

Besides writing poems Zhu has also been known for writing articles that drew attention to corruption and political prisoners.

Zhu has been twice before for his activism. In 1999 he served seven years in prison for founding a controversial political magazine and in 2007 he served another two years for confronting a police officer who was questioning his son.

Human Rights Watch official statistics estimate that there are between 250 and 500 protests in China each day.

 

For more information, please see:

AFP – China Jails Prominent Activist Ahead of Xi’s US Visit – 10 February 2012

BBC – China Dissident Zhu Yufu gets Seven Years for Poem – 10 February 2012

Los Angeles Times – The Chinese Poem that Helped Spur Seven-Year Prison Term – 10 February 2012

Radio Free Asia – Seven Years in Jail for a Poem – 10 February 2012

Deceased Russian Whistleblower to be Tried Posthumously

By Alexandra Halsey-Storch
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia–On February 7, 2012, The New York Times announced that Russia plans to reopen for trial the prosecution of Russian attorney Sergei L. Magnitsky for alleged tax evasion even though the defendant died in November 2009.

Sergei L. Magnitsky, Russian attorney who suffered human rights abuses at the hands of prison officals. (Photo Curtesy of The Guardian)

Magnitsky’s trial would be the first posthumous prosecution in Russian legal history.

The circumstances surrounding Magnitsky’s death have been vague and elusive from the beginning. Some officials, like Russia’s President, urged for law reform while Russian law enforcement lauded and issued awards to the police officials who handled the case. This much is clear: Magnitsky testified against the Russian Interior Ministry (a governmental agency responsible for policing, national security and investigation economic crimes, like tax invasion), stating that they used his employer, Hermitage Capital, to embezzle $230 million from the Russian treasury by filing false corporate tax returns. After testifying against the Interior Ministry, Magnitsky was detained beginning in 2008 “on suspicion of helping Hermitage Capital evade $17.4 million dollars in taxes.”

A year after being detained, Magnitsky died. Government officials iterated that his death came as a result of heart disease and active hepatitis. Appropriate medical care would have allowed for the diagnosis of the diseases before he become fatally ill; nevertheless, on the day of his death he received no such medical treatment.

Moreover, a human rights panel that advises the Russian President, Dmitri A. Medvedev, published a subsequent report arguing that Magnitsky was beaten and suffered severe human rights abuses while in detention: “Highly placed investigators and prison officials share responsibility for his death in state custody.” Furthermore, forensic experts maintained that Magnitsky’s body “showed the impact of a blunt hard object (or objects) not long before his death, and legal documents reveal that a rubber baton was used on Magnitsky” at a clinic where he was taken for treatment after suffering abdominal pain and vomiting.

The report further found that “among the members of the investigative team working on the case against Magnitsky…were Interior Ministry officials against whom he had testified in [the] $230 million fraud case the year before.”

Magnitsky’s incarceration and ensuing death as a result of inhumane treatment has drawn international criticism over Russia’s notorious human rights record; however, governments, like the United States have been slow to act. Last year the State Department “quietly” issued visa bans on the Russian Officials linked to Magnitsky’s death, but the administration has otherwise treaded carefully.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers alike have drafted the Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2011, targeting Magnitsky’s captors as well as any other Russian officials “responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or other gross violations of human rights.” Despite their efforts, the State Department said in a statement on February 9, 2012 that, “senior Russian government officials have warned us that they will respond asymmetrically if legislations passes. Their argument is that we cannot expect them to be our partner in supporting sanctions against countries like Iran, North Korea, and Libya, and sanction them at the same time.”

Furthermore, in response to the Magnitsky Accountability Act, the Russian Duma drafted legislation “that would institute similar travel bans and asset freezes for U.S. Officials whose actions Russia deems in violation of the rights of Russian citizens arrested abroad and brought to the United States for trial…” therefore, U.S. national security interests would be “affected” by the passage of the proposed legislation.

Though the State Department has spoken out against a rather noble piece of legislation, spokeswoman Victoria Nuland did address the proposed trial of the deceased Magnitsky, iterating that “pursuing criminal charges against Sergei Mangitsky serves no purpose other than to deflect attention away from the circumstances surrounding this tragic case. We continue to call for Russian authorities to bring those responsible for Mr. Magnitsky’s death to justice.”

For more information please visit:

The New York Times – Russia Plans to Retry Dead Lawyer Sergei L. Magnitsky in Tax Case – 7 Feb. 2012

The New York Times – Poor Medical Care Led to Lawyer Magnitsky’s Death, Russia Admits – 4 July 2011

The Library of Congress – Bill Text S.1039.IS – 19 May 2011

The New York Times – Poor Medical Care Led to Lawyer Magnitsky’s Death, Russia Admits –

Police Strike Expected to Bring Severe Economic Damage to Brazil in Wake of Carnival

By Paula Buzzi
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil  — Over the last week, the murder rate in Salvador has doubled as police officers walked off the job in an organized strike over a week ago. Police all across the country are demanding better pay and benefits as well as a national minimum wage for all uniformed forces. According to the Brazilian Association of Tourism Agencies, at least 10 percent of tourists have already canceled their trips to Rio for Carnival out of fear for their safety.

Police officers go on strike, demanding higher pay. (Photo Courtesy of LA Times).

More than 1000 police officers and firefighters gathered in downtown Rio on Thursday to protest their low wages. The Brazilian government arrested 16 leaders of the strike on Friday and over 100 officers could face summary expulsion for not showing up for patrols.

According to David Fleischer, a political scientists at the University of Brasilia, the government of Rio is coming down with an “iron fist” in order to halt the chaos in Rio before Carnival. “Police in Rio had been doing an excellent job of improving safety in the city, so this is unexpected and extremely embarrassing,” he said.

Although Brazil now has the sixth-largest economy, the recent strike has called into question the country’s ability to put on two of the largest sporting events in the world — the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympic Games in 2016. Safety in most major cities in Brazil has been improving of the last couple years, but crime is still a problem and may be contributed to the low wages and corruption of police officers.

Since the strike began in the metropolitan area of Salvador last week, roughly 150 people have died in Salvador and shopkeepers and tourists officials claim the economic damage is immense. Salvador holds the second largest Carnival festival in Brazil, attracting approximately 500,000 tourists each year. The state tourism secretariat says that tourists contribute about $300 million dollars into local economy each year during Carnival.

According to Jorge Cardeiro, a salesman at the high-end boutique, Projeto Axe Design, Carnival is a crucial time for Brazil’s economy and the police strike may have caused irreversible economic damage. “This place has been so empty it feels like sales are down 100 percent, but really they’ve fallen more than 70 percent. I don’t know how we’re going to make it up,” he said. The U.S. State Department has already issued an advisory warning to Americans against traveling to Salvador.

Although violence in Salvador seems to be cooling down, Intelligence officials are concerned after intercepting a cellphone conversation that revealed a plan by police officials to cause acts violence and vandalism in a strike that would extend to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A violent strike in Rio could be more economically damaging than the strike in Salvador, especially during Carnival, where tourists already come concerned about their safety even with the police force working properly.

Military patrols are stepping in to help keep businesses open in Rio as preparations for Carnival street parades continue despite the tension.

 

For further information, please see:

CBS News – Crime Cutting into Brazil’s Carnivals Amid Strike – 11 February 2011

LA Times – Brazil Arrests Strike Leaders to Halt Police Work Stoppage in Rio – 11 February 2012

Reuters  – Brazil Police Strike Spreads to Rio Before Carnival – 10 February 2012

Washington Post – Rio Calm in 2nd Day of Police Strike With Low Adherence Rate – 10 February 2012

The New York Times – Police Strike by Brazilians Makes Holiday Seem a Threat – 09 February 2012