Amnesty International Slams Yemen For Attacks on Protesters

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANAA, Yemen – Amnesty International released a report today on the human rights violations that have occurred over the last few months in Yemen. The report discusses the recent attacks on and repression of protesters, who do not support the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and who strive to eliminate the corruption and unemployment.

The most violent of these attacks occurred on March 18, when snipers fired on protesters in Sana’a, killing fifty-two people and injuring hundreds more. Protesters have since called this incident “Bloody Friday”.  Witnesses stated that most of those who were killed were shot in the head or the chest and died on site.

According to Amnesty, Yemen’s response to these attacks is “woefully inadequate”.  Although the government stated that it would investigate these attacks (and others), little information has been made available to the public as to whether any police force members are under being investigated. Furthermore, the impartiality and independence of the investigating authorities has been called into question.

As these attacks continue, Amnesty expressed its concern for the torture, unlawful killing, and other human rights violations occurring in Yemen. In addition, supporters of secession in the southern portion of the country have been held without trial, are unable to challenge the legality of their detentions, and are forbidden from speaking with their families.

It is the belief of this human rights organization that Yemen must deal with its “heavy legacy of impunity”.  The government should ensure that security forces do not use force against demonstrators who do not threaten their lives or the lives of others.  It should also provide detainees with access to their lawyers and families and should take steps to make sure that peaceful protesters are not tortured.

Amnesty made several recommendations to the international community, in particular, that authorities must be held responsible for the recent attacks on protesters, ninety-four of whom have been killed to date.  It suggested that President Saleh not be granted immunity by way of a political deal for these incidents.

The organization further seeks the suspension of the sale and transfer of weapons and arms to the security forces in Yemen, as they may be used in attempts to control the demonstrations.  The United States is the largest supplier of military and security equipment to Yemen.  Other countries involved in the sale of arms to Yemen include Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, the Russian Federation, France, Turkey, and the Ukraine.

For more information please see:
Amnesty International – Moment of Truth for Yemen – 05 April 2011

Amnesty International USA – Amnesty International Warns Against Political Deals to Give President Immunity for Brutality Against Protesters in Exchange for Handing Over Power – 05 April 2011

Monsters & Critics – Amnesty International urges external inquiry into Yemen – 06 April 2011

At Least 12 Dead in Yemen After Government Loyalists Attack Demonstrators

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SANAA, Yemen – Yemen security forces and government loyalists attacked demonstrators in two cities yesterday, killing at least a dozen, and wounding many more.  These attacks are the deadliest since March 18, when supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh shot and killed at least fifty-two protesters.  As a result of this incident, many of the President’s top allies turned against him.

In Taiz, a city in southern Yemen, unarmed protesters were targeted by police forces, armed with guns and tear gas.  Government loyalists fired on the demonstrators from rooftops and on the street, when the protesters attempted to march on President Saleh’s palace.  Thousands of individuals, inspired by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia, organized a sit-in, which has lasted for more than six weeks.   It is their wish that President Saleh leave office.

According to one government official, a clash between government supporters and protestors prompted the security forces to intervene.  The official claimed that the police only fired shots into the air.

Hospitals in Taiz have reported that they are running out of supplies and the equipment necessary to deal with the escalating violence.

Reports of the violence in Taiz have spread to other portions of the country, including Sanaa, where protesters marched on the city in response to the attacks.  At least five people were hurt by supporters, who threw stones at them.

In Hudaydah, a port city on the Red Sea, police also fired guns and tear gas on demonstrators, wounding at least 250 or as many as 400.  These protesters had tried to march on the presidential palace but the police prevented them from doing so.

The attacks have been condemned by the international community, particularly the United States.  The U.S. Department of State has described the violence as “appalling”.

President Saleh, who has been in power for thirty-two years, may step down but only after elections are held.  His term will expire in 2013.  Saleh claims he will discuss transitioning power to a new provisional government “according to the Constitution”.

For more information please see:
Al Jazeera – Protesters shot dead in southern Yemen – 4 April 2011

New York Times – Clashes Escalate in Yemen; at least 12 Are Killed – 4 April 2011

Voice of America – US Calls Violence Against Protesters in Yemen ‘Appalling’ – 4 April 2011

Washington Post – Yemen Security Forces Kill Protesters – 4 April 2011

Soldiers Convicted Of Rights Abuses Jailed In “Hotels”

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BOGOTA, Colombia – According to Semana magazine, the military prison at Tolemaida base in Colombia is more of a resort than a jail with “privileges and comforts worthy of a hotel.” This particular prison is home to over 200 soldiers convicted of crimes against humanity. According to official prison records, 269 military and ex-military officials are held at the prison.

In January, a controversy arose when many of the prison’s privileges came to be known by the public. According to some reports, Major Juan Carlos Rodriguez, sentenced to 12 years for being security chief for the kingpin of the Norte del Valle drug cartel, is among the most privileged inmates.  The reports also illustrate that Major Cesar Maldonado, sentenced to 25 years for his part in the 2000 attempted assassination of Congressman Wilson Borja, is privy to special privileges.

Semena said that the prison “looks more like a club for rest and recreation than a maximum security prison,” adding that many of the prisoners are permitted to come and go from the prison at their own whim. The magazine’s report further alleges that the prisoners “have businesses in and out of the jail and instead of being locked in cells they live in cabanas.”

According to Army chief General Alejandro Navas, “the irregularities have been controlled and corrected, officials in charge of the prison were dismissed and some of the prisoners have been moved elsewhere.” Colombia’s Vice President Angelino Garzon has publicly the prison’s lavish environment. “It should be clear that individuals who have been convicted for serious crimes, including crimes against humanity, should not have any privileges,” said Garzon.

Rodrigo Rivera, Colombia’s Defence Minister, has adamantly stated that measures have already been taken to rectify the problems. In addition, Colombia is launching an extensive investigation into the prison’s conditions. According to Rivera, a full report on the investigation can be expected in three months.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Colombia Investigates Military Jail ‘Special Treatment” – 4 April 2011

Colombia Reports – VP Condemns Luxury Conditions for Jailed Soldiers – 4 April 2011

Latin American Herald Tribune – Colombian Soldiers Convicted of Rights Abuses Live in Posh Prison – 4 April 2011

LACK OF SECURITY IN HAITIAN DISPLACED PERSON CAMPS LEADS TO ESCALATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE

By Erica Laster                                                                                                                     Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Nearly 1 million people remain homeless in Haiti, living in the squalid displacement camps while they await permanent housing.   The lack of patrols, security measures, and simple utilities such as doors, make the camps dangerous for women.  The United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti has been accused of avoiding the camp interiors “generally (staying) on the perimetre of camps,” instead of going into the areas where women’s lives are actually at risk, especially at night,” says rape coordinator Annie Gell. 

Cramped displacement camps where nearly 1 million remain homeless pose a security risk for sexual violence against women.
Cramped displacement camps where nearly 1 million remain homeless pose a security risk for sexual violence against women.

Each day, women and young girls fight to survive from rape, attacks or sexual violence into prostitution.  Last week, MADRE (a women’s advocacy group) testified in front of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.

Bureau des Avocats Internationaux’s coordinator of the Rape Accountability and Prevention Project in Port-au-Prince, Annie Gell stressed the need for and lack of security in the displaced persons camps. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Women’s Rights (MCFDF) has been in place since 1994, and continues to address the issue of gender based violence in Haiti. 

Testimony provided to the United Nations stressed the importance of patrolling and security forces among the displaced persons camps in Port-Au-Prince.  According to Gell, there are “More women coming forward to report rapes and GBV.”  While she acknowledged that the large number and size of camps made it difficult to monitor and protect women due to overcrowding, she also emphasized that “a lot of people are moving out of camps because they’re so insecure, so dangerous.”  

In large part, UNPOL’s (trained peacekeeping forces) and the National Haitian Police play a large role in safety.  Gender unit officer, Marie Francoise Vital Metellus, told IPS the UNPOL’s purpose is to patrol camps and assist victims of gender based violence.

Grassroots groups are promoted as the solution to many of these problems.

One such organization is KOFAVIV (Commission of Women Victims for Victims), a grassroots Haitian organization which provides support and aid to victims and survivors of rape and sexual violence.  KOFAVIV is one of the many groups which supported the testimony of women activists at a March 25 hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. 

These groups have been consistently disappointed with the United Nations inability and refusal to work with grassroots organizations to confront the sexual violence prevalent in the camps.  The UN “is not working with the grassroots groups.” Gell is quoted as saying, “We’re (thus) hoping … that the commission will reinforce that the grassroots groups’ voices must be included in planning sessions to end sexual violence.”

This is especially important because of the need for prosecution tools in the country.  In Haiti, suspects actions have no consequences.

Photo Courtesy of Ecosalon.com.  For More Information Please Visit:

IPS – Women Turn Spotlight on Haiti’s Silent Rape Epidemic – 29 March 2011

MADRE – International Human Rights Hearing on Rape Epidemic in Haiti – 23 March 2011

Advocates Testify at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights – 25 March 2011