A Voice for the Voiceless

Myanmar Elections produce refugees, not hope


Some voters at gunpoint (Photo courtesy of Radio Liberty/AFP)

By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar – A day after the historic elections held for the first time in twenty years in Myanmar, thousands of new refugees fled into Northern Thailand on Monday. The fighting broke out between the Myanmar Army and ethnic rebels. Although the election was disguised as a movement towards democracy, it has been widely denounced by the international community as fraudulent, with citizens not having the freedom to vote correctly.

The International Organization for Migration and the UNHCR (High Commissioner for Refugees) says that “the fighting between the Myanmar military and an ethnic minority armed group, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), following the Myanmar elections on Sunday, resulted in an estimated 12,000 people fleeing into Thailand at the Mae Sot and Three Pagoda Pass border crossing points.”


UNHCR spokesman, Andrej Mahecic, said refugees started to cross the border early Monday on foot and on inner tubes across the Moei River. According to Mahecic, many of the refugees testified that they fled because they were afraid for their lives after their houses were attacked while other said they fled the sound of fighting.


”Many collected their children from school and fled to Thailand with only the clothes on their back, some even barefoot,” said Mahecic. “At first, only women and children were crossing, but later in the day more men arrived. Among the new arrivals are mothers with newborn babies as young as five days and 15 days.”  


A government election has not been held in Myanmar since 1990 when leader of the National League for Democracy Party (NDL), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won with 60 percent of the popularity vote. However, it didn’t take too long until the military intervened and denied her power and continues to hold her in custody to this day.

Many unsung heroes demanded the return of their civil and political rights, which have been denied by the military-led government for more than 26 years. However, the government often resorted to violent repression to deal with its citizens’ demands for freedom, and it is estimated that more than 10,000 citizens have died in the process.

This led to thousands of refugees fleeing the military junta for survival and personal freedom. One of the countries that has housed these refugees is India. This past week, when US President Barack Obama paid a diplomatic visit to India, he mildly rebuked India for its diplomatic silence on Junta rule.

” When peaceful democratic movements are suppressed, as they have been in Burma (Myanmar), then the democracies of the world cannot remain silent,” President Obama said.

At least 7000 refugees have fled Myanmar in the past 22 years and are now residing in parts of India, where they still face problems. Living conditions are poor but what is worse for refugees is witnessing India’s reluctance to oppose the military Junta back home.

”My heart aches, but my mind accepts the truth,” says Htay, Burmese refugee now living in Janakpuri. So many seek refuge in other countries. Nyuant Mungpi who has settled down in India three years ago says he was disappointed to see the daily grind here.

”Most Burmese in India want the UNHCR to recognise our refugee status. We want to go to the US, Canada or Australia. There is very little recognition for us, unlike the Tibetans.” says Mungpi.

For more information, please see:

VoA News – Thousands of Burmese Flee Following Elections, Fighting – 9 November 2010

The Times of India – They want India to speak up – 12 November 2010

Geneva Lunch – Burma/Myanmar refugees flooding Thailand – 11 November 2010

Pacific.Scoop – Burma’s elections highlight cruel tale of repression by junta – 9 November 2010

Violence Rocks Western Sahara

By Daniel M. Austin
Impunity Watch Reporter,  Africa

Moroccan forces raid protest camp. (Photo courtesy of Momento 24).
Moroccan forces raid protest camp in Western Sahara. (Photo courtesy of Momento 24).

 RABAT, Morocco – Violence erupted this past Monday, November 8th when Moroccan security forces raided an opposition group’s protest camp in Western Sahara.  The camp called Gadaym Izik was home to more than 12,000 Polisario Front protesters before the attack. The Polisario Front consists of Saharawis, a nomadic native people that have resisted the Moroccan government for several decades.

There are conflicting reports on the number of people injured and killed in the attack. According to the Polisario Front, 19 people were killed in the fighting, 723 were wounded, and 159 people are still unaccounted for. Alternatively, the Moroccan government claims eight members of its security force were killed but not a single civilian was harmed in the fighting.

The Gadaym Izik camp was established about a month ago to protest both a lack of jobs and discrimination of the Saharawis at the hands of the Moroccan government. The Polisario Front established this protest camp on the outskirts of Laayoune, the capital city in Western Sahara. In response, Moroccan security officials swept in and forcefully shut down the camp. The security forces are accused of using live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons.

This most recent clash comes at a time when the Moroccan government and the Polisario Front are meeting in New York City to negotiate a peace deal. The third round of United Nations (U.N.) backed talks continued despite the violence. After the talks concluded on Tuesday, U.N. special envoy Christopher Ross explained the two sides had rejected each other’s proposal on how the negotiations process should continue. However, both sides did agree to continue peace plan discussions in December or early next year.

The Moroccan government has outlined a proposal that would keep the territory under its control but grant the region autonomy, thus allowing  the Polisario Front to control administration of  the local government. On the other hand, the Polisario Front is seeking full independence. Specifically, the Polisario Front has offered a proposal for a popular referendum to take place that will determine if Western Sahara should become an independent state or remain under the government’s control. The Polisario Front has been seeking independence from the Moroccan government since the 1970s.

 For more information, please see:

BBC Africa – Morocco ‘raided Western Sahara camp to sabotage talks’—11 November  2010 

Canadian Press – Calm returning to Western Sahara after 2 days of unrest – 11 November 2010

CNN International — Deadly clashes reported in disputed Western Sahara – 10 November 2010  

UPI – Western-Sahara-erupts-into-violence – 10 November 2010

Pastor Challenges Same-Sex Marriage Ban; Receives Hate Messages

By Ricardo Zamora
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

LONDON, England – Sharon Ferguson, ordained Christian minister and chief executive of the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, is one of the latest homosexual individuals opposing a UK law banning same-sex marriages.  Her case has drawn heavy criticism, producing several hate messages, likely because of her position in the community.

Last week, the Reverend and her partner, Franka Strietzel, applied for a civil license marriage, the first of four such applications comprising the new “Equal Love” campaign.  The couple’s request for a civil marriage license for Greenwich Town Hall in South-East London was refused.

The BBC quoted Reverend Ferguson as saying “my whole life is about campaigning for equality and justice as a pastor in a parish that is known for its social justice work.”  “It’s part of my daily life to challenge discrimination, but with this campaign what is really nice is that it’s about love.”

The couple is now looking to the courts for the right to obtain a marriage license, arguing that the restriction violates Articles 8 (the right to respect for family life), 12 (the right to marry), and 14 (protection against discrimination) of the Human Rights Act.  Seven other couples are planning similar actions.

The couple remains in high spirits amidst the hostile messages.  Reverend Ferguson said that while the messages were mostly from unhappy Christians, the general public opinion is supportive of ‘Equal Love.’  The ‘Equal Love’ campaign, through these eight couples – four homosexual and four heterosexual – is seeking to overturn the twin bans on gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships.

Peter Tatchell, Human rights campaigner and coordinator of “Equal Love,” said: “We are guardedly optimistic that we will win in the courts.  We’re absolutely convinced we will have same-sex marriage within five years.  Boris Johnson has already come out in support of marriage equality.  We believe we have a pretty strong case.”

The London Evening Standard reports that the eight couples will likely launch a challenge in the High Court if their requests are refused at the register offices by the end of the year.

For more information, please see:

HERALD SCOTLAND – Lesbian couple to challenge ban on gay marriage – 3 November, 2010

BBC – Gay Couple Plan Legal Action To Challenge Marriage Ban – November 2, 2010

LONDON EVENING STANDARD – Abusive Emails Sent to Lesbian Pastor Fighting for Same-Sex Marriages – November 4, 2010

Uruguay Jails Active Military Official For 1974 Murder

By Patrick Vanderpool
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – For the first time in history, Uruguay has imprisoned an active military official for human rights violations committed during the country’s 1973-85 dictatorship.

Nibia Sabalsagaray, allegedly murdered by General Miguel Dalmao in 1974 (photo courtesy of http://fronteraincierta.blogspot.com/)
Nibia Sabalsagaray, allegedly murdered by General Miguel Dalmao in 1974 (photo courtesy of http://fronteraincierta.blogspot.com/)

On Monday, General Miguel Dalmao was jailed for Nibia Sabalsagaray’s 1974 murder.  Sabalsagaray, a communist, was found hung in a prison cell after Dalmao had detained her.  If convicted, Dalmao may face 30 years in prison.  Col. Jose Chialanza was also jailed in connection with Sabalsagaray’s murder.

Sabalsagaray was found hanged in her cell shortly after being captured by Uruguayan military officers. At the time Sabalsagaray was detained, Chialanza was a battalion commander and Dalmao was a lieutenant in charge of gathering intelligence on individuals who were suspected of subversion.

Dalmao and Chialanza both claim that Sabalsagaray hanged herself.  However, Prosecutor Mirtha Guianze and lawyers for Sabalsagaray’s family presented evidence that they claim rules out the possibility of suicide.

Dalmao, who currently commands the Uruguayan army’s 4th Division, has repeatedly and steadfastly asserted his innocence.  Uruguay’s top army general, Jorge Rosales, has also publically supported Dalmao’s claims of innocence.  Nevertheless, the Uruguayan military has not issued any statements since Dalmao was officially imprisoned.

Uruguay Supreme Court’s recent ruling, declaring unconstitutional a law which made it easier for those alleged to have committed human rights violation during the dictatorship to achieve amnesty, may pave the way for not only Dalmao and Chialanza, but many others, to serve jail time for their violations.

To this point, a dozen Uruguayan military officials have been prosecuted for crimes against humanity, but all were committed outside Uruguay.  The court’s decision makes available the possibility that additional human rights violators within the country will be sought out and prosecuted.

Dalmao will remain jailed throughout the appeals process; the process will likely take several months.

For more information, please see:

The Argentina Independent – Uruguay: Military Dictatorship Crime Prosecutions – 9 November 2010

The Canadian Press – Active Uruguayan general imprisoned for aggravated murder in 1974 death of political prisoner – 8 November 2010

Kansascity.com – Active Uruguayan general imprisoned in 1974 murder – 8 November 2010

Watchdog: Chavez Censorship Akin to East European Cold War

By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

CARACAS, Venezuela–President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela has again been accused of silencing voices of opposition by controlling and censoring the media.  A popular media watchdog, the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA), has issued a report alleging that Chavez’s restrictions on members of the press bring to mind events during the Cold War in eastern Europe.

David Natera is the director of Venezuelan newspaper El Correo del Caroni and president of the Venezuelan Press Bloc, a group representing the owners of the country’s primary newspapers.  Natera presented the report against Chavez at IAPA’s 66th General Assembly in Mexico.  The report stated that Chavez “seeks to control ideas, and to impose silence” on anyone who disagrees with the government.

Natera’s report went on to accuse Chavez of seizing media outlets and expropriating property as part of a “social control strategy” so that “the people will have to depend on the state exclusively to get jobs or food.”  The report continued:  “To achieve this perverse end, Chavez needs silence, the silence of the media and of journalists. He needs the silence and the fear that were typical of the sad and oppressed peoples of Cold War-era eastern Europe, the Soviet Union and today’s Cuba under [Raul and Fidel] Castro.”

Natera was optimistic, however, that members of the press in Venezuela, though oppressed, will doggedly strive to maintain impartiality and report the truth.

Chavez considers himself a socialist revolutionary and is seen by many as an enemy of the free press.  In July of this year, his government acquired a minority stake in Globovision, the sole remaining opposition television network.  Similarly, in 2007, Chavez terminated the broadcasting license of the most popular independent television network in the country, Radio Caracas Television (RCTV).

According to Natera’s report, over the past year, 113 physical attacks against journalists have been reported in Venezuela.  In addition to these assaults, journalists have been imprisoned or sent into exile.  Acknowledging these human rights violations, Natera said:  “The independent media, which the government calls ‘private media’, are the ones that defend the Constitution, freedom of expression and the people’s right to a free and uncensored information.”

IAPA is a press advocacy group representing media organizations in North America, South America and the Caribbean.  It boasts a membership of 1,300 newspapers and magazines.

For more information, please see:

El Universal-“Chavez needs silence of the media,” IAPA cautions-8 November 2010

AFP-Venezuela’s Chavez targets freedom of press: watchdog-8 November 2010

RTT News-Chavez Imposing Media Censorship: Watchdog-8 November 2010

El Mercurio – Hugo Chávez busca controlar las ideas e imponer silencio a medios de prensa en Venezuela, dice la SIP – 8 November 2010