Venezuela Demands Removal Of Colombian Soap Opera With Dog Named “Little Hugo”

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela – Venezuela’s government is urging a television station to stop airing a Colombian soap opera featuring a character named “Venezuela” who has a tiny dog named “Little Hugo.”  Venezuela’s National Telecommunications Commission issued a statement Thursday condemning “Chepe Fortuna,” a Colombian soap opera, for its alleged “degrading treatment of Venezuela.”

The Commission is urging the station to “immediately stop airing” the program.  According to the Commissions statement, “[the soap opera] intends to underestimate the intelligence of viewers by presenting two characters identified as sisters, Colombia and Venezuela, where the latter is repeatedly characterized as associated with criminal activities.”

Miguel Angel Baquero, the producer and script writer for the show, said that Venezuelan officials are taking things too seriously. “Here we are not underestimating anybody,” Baquero said. “This is humor. Making comedy is the most difficult thing to do, and to do it in a simple style that can successfully cross borders is even harder.”

The Commission presented clips of the soap opera which show the character named Venezuela calling out for her dog, Little Hugo, and claiming that “without Little Hugo, Venezuela will be free.” The Commission claims that such content “promoted political and racial intolerance, xenophobia and incitement of crime.”

This is not the first time that this particular television station has come under fire. In 2009, it was  ordered to stop showing episodes of the US cartoon Family Guy, over its apparent endorsement of the use of marijuana. In 2008, the channel was forced to broadcast public service films as a punishment after it broadcast episodes of The Simpsons,  a cartoon that the authorities consider inappropriate for children, during a morning time slot.

President Hugo Chavez maintains tight control over the media in Venezuela, causing many opposition groups to accuse him of trying prevent coverage of political discontent.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Venezuela Anger at “Mocking” Colombia Soap Opera – 15 January 2011

CNN – Venezuela Slams Soap Opera Featuring Dog Named “Little Hugo” – 15 January 2011

Colombia Reports – Venezuela Demands Soap Opera to be Taken off the Air because of “Little Hugo” – 15 January 2011

Wall Street Journal – Venezuela Urges Removal of Colombian TV Show for Insults – 14 January 2011

Rising Food Prices Spur Protests in Middle East & Africa

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

AMMAN, Jordan – In what was heralded as “a day of rage,” over 5000 Jordanians staged protests against the government for increases in food prices and unemployment.  While police were successful in containing the protests, the demonstrations highlight the rising levels of resentment against the government blamed for the country’s declining standards of living and economic stagnation.  The protests occurred in five cities and were the latest in a series of demonstrations within the region opposing rising food prices.  The protests remained peaceful and no arrests have been reported. 

Even before the protests broke out, the Jordanian government had dedicated over £141m to subsidize the cost of bread.  Some of this money has also been infused into the economy to spur job creation.   While the government’s efforts have proven helpful in cushioning the impact of the current economic situation, those who are worse off have felt little relief.  Poverty and unemployment continue to be difficult challenges for the leadership in Amman, and may be exacerbated by continued economic decline.  Current poverty levels continue to hover around 25 percent in the desert regions of the country and Amman, the country’s capital, continues to be the most expensive city in the Arab world. The country’s budget deficit reach a record high in 2009 standing at $2billion or 9 percent of Jordan’s GDP. 

The protests in Jordan were just one of many in recent weeks which sought to bring attention to the rising price of food in the Middle East and Africa.   Some protests in Tunisia and Algeria turned violent.  The protests in Jordan mark the growing dissatisfaction with the population of the government’s economic policy. The latest figures published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported a 25% increase in the price of many of the most fundamental foodstuffs since last year, including; bread, cereals, cooking oils, meat and dairy products.  One protest banner warned of the effects of a resentful and hungry population reading “Jordan is not one for the rich.  Bread is a red line.  Beware of our starvation and fury.”  While these protests were conducted in a peaceful manner, it may only be a matter of time before the government is faced with a more tumultuous scenario.

For more information, please see:

Guardian – Jordanians Protests against Soaring Food Prices – Jan. 15, 2011

Agence France Presse – Jordanians Protest Living Conditions, Blame Govt – Jan. 14, 2011

Reuters Africa – Hundreds Protest Over High Prices in south Jordan – Jan. 14, 2011

The Press Association – Jordanians Protest at Rising Prices – Jan. 14, 2011

Hungarian Media Law Threatens Freedom of Expression

By Ricardo Zamora
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

BRUSSELS, Belgium – A new Hungarian media law, which would apply to news organizations from other EU nations, is raising concerns among EU member states regarding limitations on the freedom of expression.  Human Rights Watch reports that EU member states are calling on the European Commission to urge Hungary to address these censorship concerns and implement the law consistently with relevant EU values and legislation

Human Rights Watch has reported that the new legislation, which came into effect on January 1, 2011 as Hungary took over the EU presidency, creates a new media authority with the right to impose fines on media outlets for “imbalanced news coverage,” material it considers insulting to “the majority.”  The law also allows the authority to compel journalists to reveal sources on issues related to national security.

According to Human Rights Watch, the law undermines media freedom, is incompatible with Hungary’s human rights obligations and is part of a troubling trend of removing checks and balances, including a November 2010 restriction on the power of the constitutional court to review budget laws.

“As holder of the EU presidency, Hungary should embody the EU’s principles and values,” said Lotte Leicht, EU director at Human Rights Watch.  “But when it comes to human rights, Hungary is moving in the wrong direction,” he added.

Neelie Kroes, Digital Agenda Commissioner and European Commission vice-president, has pledged to ensure that EU law is implemented fully and has assured that the European Commission would not make any compromises with Hungary.  Kroes also voiced her intent to involve Fundamental Rights Commissioner Viviane Reding in respect to Article 7 of the Lisbon treaty if Hungary fails to make the media legislation compatible with EU law.

Kroes also raised concerns over an unprecedented registration regime applying to bloggers and internet media.  Also of concern is that Hungary has opened a new blogging platform which has only been used by officials.

But Kroe remains optimistic.  “I am fully confident that Hungary, being a democratic country, will take all the necessary steps to ensure that the new Media Law is implemented in full respect of the European values on media freedom and relevant EU legislation,” she said.

Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, has agreed to amend the law if the European Commission demands changes.

For more information, please see:

EXPATICA – European Broadcasters Concern Over Hungary Media Law – January 14, 2011

EUBUSINESS – EU Sees ‘Problem’ With Hungary Media Law – January 11, 2011

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH– Hungary – Media Law Endangers Press Freedom – January 7, 2011

Al-Qaida Claims Responsibility for Kidnapping in Niger

By Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

Restaurant where Frenchmen were kidnapped in Niamey, Niger. (Photo courtesy of Guardian).
Restaurant where Frenchmen were kidnapped in Niamey, Niger. (Photo courtesy of Guardian).

NIAMEY, Niger -On Thursday, a spokesman for al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, claimed responsibility for the abduction of two French nationals from a restaurant in Niamey, Niger’s capital.  The abduction, which occurred on January 7, ended when French Special Forces and Niger security personnel assaulted a convoy of vehicles containing the hostages. The hostages, along with several others were killed in the struggle. French government officials have not determined if the hostages were killed by the kidnappers before the firefight began or during the skirmish itself.

The two Frenchmen, Antoine de Leocour and Vincent Delory were forcibly removed from the eatery after two white pick-up trucks pulled up and the kidnappers stormed the restaurant. The two vehicles then left the Niger capital and began heading north towards the Mali-Niger border. It is believed that the convoy was headed to a region in southern Mali where AQIM has several hidden base camps. As the vehicles were reaching the border Niger security forces caught up to the kidnappers. The initial assault was conducted by Niger security forces and then French Special Forces arrived by helicopter and began shelling the vehicles from the air. According to the French government, the convoy’s movement was being monitored by French spy planes and Niger military personnel as it traveled towards the Mali border.

The firefight left both hostages dead along with four kidnappers and two men dressed in Niger military uniforms. It remains unclear if the two men wearing the military uniforms were killed in a friendly fire incident or were working with AQIM to help the kidnappers escape. Among the hostages, one was shot in the face at close range while the other died from burns, possibly when a gasoline storage tank exploded after being hit by a bullet from the French military.

Along with this incident, AQIM has claimed responsibility for kidnapping several other foreigners in the Sahel region. The Sahel region is an area that includes parts of Niger, Mali, Mauritania and Algeria. Authorities believe that AQIM has kidnapped and is holding five French citizens, a Togolese and a Madagascan in northern Mali. These individuals were kidnapped in September 2010 from Arlit, a uranium mining town in northern Niger.

For more information, please see:

AFP — One French Niger hostage burnt, other shot — 13 January 2011

AP — Report: al-Qaida claims Niger kidnapping — 13 January 2011

BBC Africa — Al-Qaeda claims responsibility for Niger kidnappings — 13 January 2011

The Telegraph — Al Qaeda claims kidnap of French hostages in Niger – 13 January 2011

Indonesian Soldiers charged over Papua torture tried


The video uploaded on Youtube last October where Indonesian solders tortured Papuan civilians. (Photo courtesy of the Jakarta Times)

By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia, Oceania

JAYAPURA, Papua – Three Indonesian soldiers who were accused of torturing two Papuan men were brought before a military court in Papua province on Thursday.

In October 2010, these soldiers featured in a 10-minute video in which they poke a burning stick to the genitals of unarmed bound Papuans and threatened to kill another with a knife. The video was uploaded onto Youtube by human rights activists and it immediately created an international furor.

The incident occurred earlier last year near Gurage village in Papua where Indonesian troops often violently clashes with poorly armed separatist rebels from the indigenous Melanesian majority.

The charge against the soldiers has been subject to doubts, however, as military prosecutors have charged the men with insubordination, which carries a maximum penalty of 30 months in prison.

“Before they were sent to their post, their commander instructed them not to commit any acts of physical or emotional violence against civilians. But they were disobedient,” said the lead prosecutor, Maj. Soemantri. 


On the question of whether the soldiers should be charged with the more serious offense of assault under the civilian Criminal Code, Mr. Soemantri said he and other prosecutors had been unable to obtain the necessary physical evidence and statements from the victims.

“We need physical evidence like medical examinations and witness testimonies, that is what we failed to get,” he said. 

“We only have the video to rely on as evidence.” 


Human rights activists say, however, the video is clear evidence of human rights abuse and that the three soldiers should face Indonesia’s Human Rights Tribunal. In addition, members of the Papuan Customary Council were able to meet with Kiwo, one of the victims in the video who had gone into hiding, and recorded his testimony. 



In the testimony, Kiwo said he had been tortured for more than 48 hours, was repeatedly beaten, suffocated and burned with cigarettes. He said his toes were crushed with pliers and that soldiers rubbed chili paste, detergent and salt into his open wounds. 


Despite these ample evidence of inhumane torture, defendants claim that they believed the victims were members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) because Kiwo was wearing a type of blue necklace commonly worn by OPM members.

Many are coming together to condemn this trial.

Haris Azhar, chairman of the Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras), is one of them. 

“This trial is biased, unreliable and offers no protection for the victims,” he said. 

Mr. Azhar added that the National Commission on Human Rights should declare the incident a gross human rights violation, take over the investigation and push for the military chief to move the prosecution to the civilian courts.


Another joining this condemnation is Rafendi Djamin, Indonesia’s representative to the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, who claims the government needed to hand out harsher punishments to stop such violations in the future. 



The Military Tribunal Law is not enough of a deterrent and should be revised, he said. Most of the articles in the law treat infringements by soldiers as disciplinary violations, he added. 



The closed-door trial is scheduled to resume on Monday. 


For more information, please see:

ABC News – Torture accused soldiers front Papua tribunal – 5 November 2010

The Jakarta Times – Military Court Tries Soldiers Accused of Papua Torture – 14 January 2011

Radio New Zealand – Three Indonsians charged over Papua torture – 14 January 2011