Humans as Commodities: Child Soldiers–2011 Impunity Watch Symposium is now available to video stream live. Please go to http://law.syr.edu/media/live.asx for the video. The video will be made available once the event will begin. Thank you.
By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador—On a recent visit to El Salvador, U.S. President Barack Obama promised $200 million to aid the Central American nation in its war on drug trafficking and gang violence. According to President Obama, this funding would go towards fighting the underlying causes of trafficking and gang membership, such as poverty and various social elements. In addition to the $200 million promise, Obama also vowed to undertake new steps to increase trade and economic collaboration within El Salvador and Central America.
President Obama also announced the creation of the Central American Citizen’s Security Partnership after discussing the matter with Salvadoran President Mauricio Funes. The Partnership is expected to fortify the court system within the country with the cooperation of countries like Chile, Colombia and Mexico. The two leaders also discussed immigration, as two to three million Salvadorans live and work within the U.S. Obama praised Funes’ “courageous work to overcome old divisions in Salvadoran society,” and said, “The U.S. wants to be a partner in this process. We want El Salvador to be successful.”
Obama was accompanied by his wife and daughters on his trip. He visited the National Cathedral in the capital, San Salvador, and saw the tomb of Archbishop Oscar Romero, a defender of the poor who was assassinated in 1980 after celebrating Mass.
Obama’s visit to El Salvador was the last of many visits to different Latin American countries, such as Chile and Brazil. The visit was cut shorter than expected, as the president had to return to Washington early in order to handle the critical events taking place in Libya.
Though Obama’s promises have given many Salvadorans hope, some radical Salvadorans have been wary of the U.S.’s motives. One student leader, using the alias “Ana Maria,” commented, “Obama is visiting El Salvador so that the U.S. can continue trying to control the Latin American region. . . . [T]he reinforcement of the anti-narcotics division here [is] there to put down our social movements. They are all part of maintaining a military position here—and we will continue to oppose it!”
The U.S. State Department lists El Salvador as one of the 10 most violent countries in the world. It is estimated that last year there were almost 4,000 homicides in the country.
For more information, please see:
Axis of Logic-Dispatch from El Salvador: Obama’s Drug War Feels Eerily Familiar-5 April 2011
BBC-Obama pledges anti-drug funding on El Salvador visit-23 March 2011
AFP-Obama visits violence-plagued El Salvador-22 March 2011
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
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
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