By Paula Buzzi
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
VALENCIA, Venezuela — Five alleged abductors, including a Colombian linked to paramilitary and kidnapping groups, were arrested on Friday in connection to the kidnapping of Washington Nationals’ catcher Wilson Ramos. Ramos, 24, was abducted at gunpoint outside his home on Wednesday night and held for ransom by his abductors until police managed to save him in a violent rescue mission on Friday.
Wilson Ramos abducted in Venezuela. (Photo Courtesy of AP).
Ramos, a Venezuela native, had returned to his homeland to play during the offseason in a Venezuelan league. He was with relatives outside his house, located in a working-class neighborhood in Valencia, when he was thrown into an SUV by the abductors and taken into the mountains. For two days, he was put in a room with a bed and was told that he was going to be ransomed out for “a ton of cash.”
Venezuelan police were able to track down and rescue Ramos on Friday after locating the stolen SUV which was used for the kidnapping. They exchanged heavy gun fire with the kidnappers outside the home where he was being held. President Huge Chavez authorized the aerial search mission.
Ramos, who was unharmed, has been reunited with his family. His mother, Maria Campos de Ramos, thanked God, her country, her neighbors, and her family for all the support on national television.
According to Justice Minister Tareck El Aissami, authorities have arrested five of the captors. They are still searching for four Colombian men who escaped during the rescue.
Ramos’ kidnapping is the first known kidnapping of a Major League Baseball player in Venezuela. His kidnapping ordeal ended happily for him and his family with a successful rescue, but it is not a common ending for many of Venezuela’s hostages who typically die when a large ransom is not paid.
Kidnappings in Venezuela have soared in the recent years and have become a huge problem for the Chavez administration. Government statistics reveal that 859 kidnappings were reported last year; a number 20 times higher since Chavez first came to power 13 years ago.
One of Ramos’ representatives announced on twitter today that, despite the kidnapping ordeal, Ramos still intents to play for the Venezuelan Winter League on Wednesday, November 16.
By Alexandra Halsey-Storch Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina – On Thursday November 10, Bosnia’s War Crimes Court sentenced Bosnian Serb Sasa Baricanin to 18 years imprisonment for the murder of a family, rape and enslavement during the 1990s Balkan War.
Sasa Baricanin was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for rape, murder and enslavement. (Photo Curtesy of BH News)
Baricanin was an accomplice to Beselin Vlahovic’s atrocities. Together, the two broke into a family apartment in the Serb-controlled Grbavica district in July 1992. They removed a husband, wife and son from their apartment, bringing them out, behind their home where the two shot the family, mercilessly, until dead.
According to the verdict, another female was left in the apartment at the time of the invasion that ended in the three innocent deaths. Thereafter, Baricanin “kept her enslaved, raped her for several days and brought another person to rape her.”
Enida Hadziomerovic, chairwoman of the court counsel stated in the verdict that, “Defendant Sasa Baricanin committed war crimes against the civilian non-Serb population in the city of Sarajevo,”
On the outcome of the case, Margot Wallstrom, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said that “this case is yet another testament to the resilience of Bosnian women who have joined forces in their quest for justice, both within and beyond the courtroom.” Wallstrom went on to say that, “the verdict sent a strong signal that justice must ultimately prevail for victims of sexual violence.”
Despite the truly justice-achieving verdict, this case is only one instance of tens of thousands of rapes that occurred during the War. It is estimated that about 50,000 rapes occurred during the war years yet there have been only 30 convictions for this heinous crime, to date. “While it is a positive step that the War Crimes Court in Sarajevo has reached this verdict, the pace of justice for sexual violence survivors has been painfully slow.”
Baricanin was a member of the Bosnian Serb Kosevo Battalion which occupied Sarajevo neighborhoods of Grbavica and Vraca—two towns located in Sarajevo. During his time in the battalion, he worked with Veselin Vlahovic, also known as Batko.
Batko is currently on trial for some of the most brutal treatment of civilians in Sarajevo in 1992 and 1993.
In related news, on Thursday, Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb ex- army chief told the former Yugoslav war crimes court, via a signed letter, that he was too ill to attend a scheduled court hearing. The letter stated that he was unable to attend “due to illness” and that he waived his “right to be present” and gave his “consent for the proceedings to continue” without him.
According to Mladic’s attorney, Branko Lukic, his client’s health was, indeed, “very serious” and that he had to utilize a wheelchair to move about.
The Tribunal Judge Alphons Orie said in response to Mladic’s letter that, “because of the medical issues brought to chamber’s attention during the last few days, it is considering ordering a medical report addressing the medical picture of the accused’s health.”
Mladic is accused of “masterminding the murder of more than 7,000 Muslim men and boys at Screbrenica in July 1995.” Should all go according to plan, his trial will begin sometime in 2012.
By Carolyn Abdenour Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
MANAMA, Bahrain – On Monday, 8 November, security forces shot rubber bullets and fired tear gas at hundreds of anti-government protesters at Pearl Square in Manama, the nation’s capital. The protesters advocated for equal rights for the Sunni and Shiite populations. Although a majority of the population is Shia, the government is Sunni-led. No protesters sustained injuries during the police action. On Tuesday, Bahraini pilgrims demonstrated in Mecca to demand the fall of the Al Khalifa regime in support of Monday’s protests.
Bahrainis participating in an anti-government protest. (Photo Courtesy of Voice of Russia)
Also on Monday, Sheikh Eissa Qasim, Bahrain’s top religious leader, asked Bahrainis to maintain their peaceful revolution after he identified the ruling monarchy’s treatment of anti-government demonstrations as a brutal crackdown. He criticized the government for their alleged torture of detained female protesters.
The Arab Spring inspired the anti-government protests in Bahrain. Since the protests began in mid-February, thousands of people protested. Over thirty people have died and several more have sustained injuries. The government detained and tried hundreds of protesters for anti-state crimes.
On Sunday, people gathered after a massive funeral procession for Ali al-Daihee, the father of the vice president of al-Wefaq – Bahrain’s leading opposition group. Opposition groups assert al-Daihee died after the police beat the 70-year-old man during a protest in the village of Daih on Wednesday. However, the authorities state he died of natural causes. Activists claim al-Daihee is the 45th person the authorities have killed during an uprising against the monarchy. During the funeral procession in Diah, Saudi-backed Bahraini regime forces attacked the mourners.
The government also released Zulfiqur Naji, a teenage Iraqi soccer player, after seven months of detention on Sunday. The government detained him under the suspicion of participating in anti-government protests. Countries such as Iraq and Canada called for Naji’s release. Naji was one of over 300 prisoners freed after King Hamad bin Isa Al Kahalifa granted a prisoner pardon in honor of Eid al-Adha.
Qasim previously warned the people’s determination to fight for the rights will strengthen after the government harshly cracked down on anti-government protesters. He added that the government’s refusal to implement demanded changes failed to quiet Bahrainis.
In June, Qasim stated, “We have offered so many sacrifices and cannot back down and end up empty handed. The reactions of the security forces result in damaging the country, but the people are patient and peaceful.”
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – After months of disciplinary hearings regarding his speech, Julius Malema, president of the African National Congress (ANC) Youth League, part of South Africa’s ruling party, was suspended from participation in party activities for five years on Thursday. He was also ordered to step down immediately. He intends to appeal, during which time he would remain in his position. If his suspension is not reduced, he will be able to return when he is 35, making him too old to lead the Youth League.
Controversial ANC Youth League President Julius Malema was suspended from continued participation in party activities on Thursday, due to a series of incendiary remarks he has made over the past several years. (Photo courtesy of Reuters)
“Ill-discipline is not a cure for frustration,” said Derek Hanekom, who led the disciplinary hearing, in explaining the verdict. “Such disobedience undermined the effectiveness of the ANC.”
A charismatic populist, the 30-year-old Malema had been president of the group since his election in 2008 and had become a controversial figure in South Africa. He has made numerous statements that divided the country. In 2008, he promised to “kill for Zuma,” referring to President Jacob Zuma, who became party leader the year before with help from Malema. Malema has since become a prominent critic of Zuma. His suspension stems from comments that urged the overthrow of the government of Botswana, which the ANC has ruled to be conduct that functioned as “sowing discord and bringing the party into disrepute.”
The deposed youth leader was in Polokwane sitting for an exam while the punishment was announced in Johannesburg, but he issued a statement in response to the decision.
“Let the enemy enjoy, but that victory will not last. We will be liberated by Mangaung 2012,” said Malema, in reference to ANC’s elective and policy making conference to be held next year. “Real leaders of the ANC must now stand up in defense of the ANC. What I like about these people who have suspended us is that they are brave, they are not scared. We must also fight for what we believe in. We must never apologize. The gloves are off.”
According to secretary general Sindiso Maqaga, Youth League has already formally registered its objections to the rulings. Its primary ground for appeal is that it was not able to present mitigating circumstances prior to the suspensions’ announcement. This right is normally granted to any person who face charges in any forum. He has 14 days to file.
Reaction within the country has been mostly positive. African Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe considered the suspension a strong message to younger members. The Azanian People’s Organisation Youth (Azapoy) also welcomed the decision.
“We view this as the best thing to have happened to South African politics of young people because the pair have been the worst thing to have ever graced the world of youth activism,” leader Amukelani Ngobeni said, in reference to Malema and Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu, who received a three-year suspension. “Their dirty politicking has made young people lose confidence in young politicians and, as young activists ourselves, we were painted with the same brush.”
BBC analyst Milton Nkosi, who has been covering the story from Johannesburg, viewed Malema’s removal as a “victory” for Zuma, who will be seeking a second term as ANC leader next year, the party’s hundredth year of existence. It removes a man who was viewed by some to be a potential opponent for him. According to Nkosi, Malema once told him that if he were to be kicked out of the ANC, his “blood will remain black, green and gold,” in reference to the party’s colors.
What happens from here remains to be seen. We will find out over the next five years.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Over the past few days, access to at least six news websites including the official website for Sri Lanka’s main opposition party, the United National Party (UNP), has been blocked by the Sri Lankan Telecommunication Regulation Commission.
Media organizations in Sri Lanka are subject to censorship and are often the target of violence. (Photo courtesy of BBC News).
Currently blocked websites include: www.lankanews.com, srilankamirror.com, srilankaguardian.com, paparacigossip9.com and www.lankawaynews.com.
Despite domestic and international criticism, the Sri Lankan government has defended the ban on the grounds that the websites had maligned the President, ministers and top government officials.
Sunil Jayasekara, convener for media watchdog the Free Media Movement, labeled the government’s ban “a brutal crackdown.”
The ministry has attempted to counter such criticism by claiming that the banned websites engaged in publishing materials amounting to “character assassination and violating individual privacy” and that several complaints had been lodged against the sites.
However, the editor of srilankanmirror.com, Kelum Shivantha, believes that no complaints were filed against the news sites. He challenged the government’s assessment, stating that the website always presented fair coverage and included “both sides of the story” in its reporting.
The government did not explain specifically which content spurred it to impose the ban, but each of the banned sites has recently criticized the government. Some of the sites specifically accused politicians of corruption and malfeasance.
Last month, access was similarly blocked to Lanka-e-News’ website after it reported news critical of President Rajapaksa and his brothers.
Although Sri Lankan law does not technically ban criticism of the country’s leaders, the media is often forced to walk a fine line in order to avoid defamation charges.
In a further move, the Ministry of Mass Media and Information issued a statement on Saturday, calling for all websites “carrying any content relating to Sri Lanka,” wherever in the world they operate, to register with the government as soon as possible or face legal action.
Members of both the Sri Lankan media and the opposition have strongly protested both the ban and the registration requirement.
Senior member of the opposition, Mangala Samaraweera, said that the registration requirement was “absurd” and that the government was “paranoid.”
The UNP has pledged to continue campaigning against online news media censorship and is considering legal action.
Additionally, the United States Embassy in Colombo added its voice to the protest in a statement expressing the Embassy’s “deep concern” and calling on the Sri Lankan government “to stop activities aimed at blocking free access in Sri Lanka to all legitimate news websites, including Lanka-e-News.”
The embassy’s statement made it clear that in the view of the United States “a free and independent media is vital to ensuring the health and continuation of any democracy.”
The statement went on to say that “freedom of expression, including unfettered access to internet news websites is a basic right, which must be respected.”
Acting president of the Sri Lanka Working Journalists Association, Gnanasiri Kottigoda, took the sentiment of the embassy’s statement further when he accused the government outright of attempting to undermine democracy by restricting the people’s access to information.
However, Sri Lanka’s news companies are not entirely new to registration requirements. Newspapers, radio and television stations must all register before they begin to publish or broadcast.
Furthermore, the government has previously instituted varying degrees of media censorship during its long struggle with the Tamil Tigers.
According to Paris-based campaign group, Reporters Without Borders, in spite of the fact that the war with the Tigers has been brought to an end journalists continue to be the targets of violence in Sri Lanka. The Group said that perpetrators of attacks on journalists enjoy impunity.
In the past year, lankanews, one of the banned websites which has been highly critical of the government, had its headquarters set on fire. Lankanews blamed the government for starting the fire.
Additionally, the website has received repeated threats of further violence and a lankanews reporter has been missing for over a year.
In spite of the government’s highly controversial move, some in the media community have pointed out that the ban may be largely futile.
According to Information Technology specialist Gihan Mendis, tech-savvy individuals inside Sri Lanka are still able to access the banned sites through proxies. Gihan explained that only developed nations, such as China, have the money and high-tech capacity required to completely block websites.
However, others view the website ban as just one of many measures in an ongoing government effort to search out and stifle dissent.
