The Indonesian Government Bans another NGO in West Papua

By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Indonesian government has banned another leading NGO to work in Indonesia’s easternmost region. The West Papua Advocacy Team showed concerns that ordinary Papuans stand to lose considerable benefits.

Cordaid, a Dutch funding agency, has operated in West Papua for over three decades when Jakarta has refused to renew the agreement which expired in April of this year.

Cordaid’s main operation included assisting Papuan NGOs and social and economic development and empowerment for the poor.

In rejecting the extension, the government voiced suspicions regarding Cordaid’s involvement in supporting Papuan separatism, among other things.

Cordaid strongly denies this accusation. The Advocacy Team’s Ed McWilliams says Cordaid’s micro-financing programs have assisted various grassroots organisations in Papua.

“There’s no indcation that the Papuan government had anything to say in this decision. And of course it impacts the people of Papua. So once again, I think it’s an example of decisions being taken in Jakarta without any consultation with Papuan officials or civil society.”

Cordaid sector manager Margriet Nieuwenhuis also strongly denies that Cordaid helped Papua separatists.

“The participants met only with Mindanao community groups and women leaders, not with political actors,”

The government’s decision to ban Cordaid was criticized by prominent human rights lawyer Totdung Mulya Lubis who claimed that the decision was taken “too hastily” and without sufficient evidence.

“It could set a bad precedent and lead outsiders to believe Indonesia is isolating Papua,” he said. Lubis pointed out that the government needed foreign donors to help develop Papua, one of Indonesia’s poorest regions.

This banning of Cordaid from working in Papua parallels the decision to close down International Committee of the Red Cross in 2009. These decisions to shut down the operation of respected humanitarian organizations is consistent with the Jakarta policy to limit international assistance to, and awareness of, Papuans who for decades have suffered from a dearth of basic humanitarian services and respect for human rights.

It is especially noteworthy that closing the operation of these two organizations was exclusively decided by the Indonesian government with no involvement of Papuans.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand – Decision to ban Cordaid from Papua taken exclusively by Jakarta – 9 September 2010

Scoop – Indonesian Government Blocks Humanitarian Group – 7 September 2010

Open Democracy – Indonesia’s Far East: Security and Politics – 18 August 2010

Journalist Claims Rights Violations After Judge Issues International Warrant

By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

William Parra has proclaimed his innocence. (Photo courtesy of Megados)
William Parra has proclaimed his innocence. (Photo courtesy of Megados)

BOGOTA, Colombia—A Colombian judge has issued an international arrest warrant for William Parra, a journalist, alleging that he has links to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).  Parra and his supporters deny any such involvement and claim that the warrant is an effort to silence journalists who are critical of the Colombian government.

“As the innocent person I am, I have asked and will continue to demand that my fundamental rights be respected,” Parra said.  In a statement, he accused Colombian officials of multiple rights violations, including denial of due process.  He claimed that his attorneys were not granted sufficient access to defend him in court and that he has not been adequately informed about any evidence against him.

According to Colombian prosecutors, Parra’s name appears in some emails that were found on the laptop of a high-ranking FARC member, deputy commander Raul Reyes.

William Parra made a name for himself after joining the Venezuelan television network Telesur in 2006.  Telesur is financed by leftist President Hugo Chavez and has been critical of the Colombian government.  Parra worked for the network until 2008 when he became an independent journalist.

Parra’s attorney, Sandra Gamboa, has stated that the warrant violates international law.  Though a Colombian, Parra has been in exile in Venezuela and was granted refugee status there in March.  Gamboa said that the warrant contains irregularities and violates her client’s defense rights.

Telesur released a statement that read in part, “Any investigation that the Colombian authorities bring against William Parra does not link Telesur in any way.  Telesur rejects this new effort to criminalize its journalistic work.”  The network added that Parra “always acted with integrity and professional quality.”

Reporters Without Borders, a group that defends the freedom of the press, has questioned the motives behind the warrant, pointing out that the Colombian government has harassed Telesur employees in the past.

Parra said he plans to appeal all allegations to international bodies.  All other individuals who have been indicted for “FARC politics” as a result of their names being found on Reyes’ laptop have had their charges dropped because of lack of evidence.

For more information, please see:

Reporters Without Borders-Belated proceedings against former Telesur reporter William Parra-9 September 2010

CNN-Colombia journalist wanted for rebel ties-8 September 2010

Colombia Reports-Judge seeks arrest of journalist accused of FARC links-7 September 2010

Bahrain under fire for human rights abuses after disrupting terror plot

By Eric C. Sigmund
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

MANAMA, Bahrain – 23 Shiite Muslims were arrested Monday in Bahrain for an alleged plot to topple the country’s Sunni Muslim monarchy.   The government claims that the individuals are terrorists attempting to execute a foreign-backed coup d’état.   These accusations come as Bahrain prepares for its upcoming parliamentary elections on October 23.  

23 Shittes Arrested for Suspected Terror Plot (Image courtesy of Telegraph U.K.)
23 Shittes Arrested for Suspected Terror Plot (Image courtesy of Telegraph U.K.)

In anticipation of the October election, the government initiated an intensive security crackdown targeting potential threats to national security.   Bahrain’s Sunni minority maintains power within the country against the backdrop of intense religious and political conflict.  The Sunni monarchy is backed by regional power Saudi Arabia, while predominately Shiite Iran supports Bahrain’s Shiite community.  The religious dynamics in Bahrain remain a constant stressor in social and political relations as each group seeks to solidify their control of the political arena.  Currently, Shiites hold 17 of the 40 parliamentary seats, but Sunnis fear that they could become the political majority after the October election. 

Among the 23 accused Shiites are academics, civil servants and at least eight opposition figures and human rights activists.  The arrests are just the latest in a wider security campaign which has led to the detention of over 250 Shiites.  The detention of Shiites, mostly youths, has fueled social tensions and has spurred riots and street clashes with police.  In response to criticism from numerous human rights organizations, the government articulated its fear that Iran could use members of the Shiite community to operate campaigns of sabotage and espionage during the upcoming elections.

As part of its new domestic security strategy the government also decided to reassert state control over mosques within Bahrain.  Defending this move, Crown Prince Salman said in comments to BNA news agency that “[r]egaining control of the pulpits so they are not hostage to incompetent politicians or clerics who have lost their way…is a starting point for developing a sound religious orientation.”   Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa notes that the mosques would be run so as to promote “the values of tolerance and moderation.”

Gulf Daily News further reports that authorities have been given strict instructions to deprive those attempting to jeopardize the security of the nation of legal rights and services.  Cabinet Affairs Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Ateyatala Al-Khalifa stated that “[c]itizens committed to the law and constitution can’t be treated on the same footing with law-breakers seeking to subvert national security and stability.”

Despite extensive criticism from human rights agencies, the business community within Bahrain has come out in staunch support of the government’s tougher security measures.  The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry commended Prime Minister Al-Khalifa and the Crown Prince for disrupting the plot to destabilize Bahrain.  International rights organizations however, fear that future detentions of Shiites may destabilize the country as social pressures between Sunnis and Shiites rise. 

For more information, please see;

Agence France Presse – Bahrain to Reassert State Control Over Mosques – 6 Sept. 2010

Gulf Daily News – Cabinet Praises Swift Arrests of Terror Plotters – 6 Sept. 2010

Los Angeles Times – Bahrain Arrests Dozens of Shiite Muslims Accused of plotting Coup d’etat – 6 Sept. 2010

Telegraph U.K. – Peers Attack Bahrain Over Human Rights – 6 Sept. 2010

Bahrain News Agency – BCCI Backs Measures to Preserver Bahrain’s Security and Stability – 5 Sept. 2010

Sentencing of abusive teachers marks important step for children’s rights

By Polly Johnson
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

Boys as young as four are forced to beg on the streets. (Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Blackwell/AP.)
Boys as young as four are forced to beg on the streets. (Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Blackwell/AP.)

DAKAR, Senegal – The arrest and convictions yesterday of seven Koranic teachers who forced their students to beg is a huge step forward for children’s rights, Human Rights Watch said.

Though Senegal outlawed begging in 2005, the recent crackdown marks the first time the law has seriously been put into effect.  A letter from the United States Embassy threatening to sever aid if Senegal does not curb human trafficking and pressure from other international donors forced the country to take immediate action.  In 2009, Senegal received more than eighty-five million dollars in economic aid from the United States.  The country is expected to receive hundreds of millions of dollars more through the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation.  But it is unclear by how much the aid would be lessened if Senegal does not take steps to improve its human trafficking problems.

The practice of begging is widespread throughout Senegal.  Young boys, known as talibés, are entrusted to their Koranic teachers and are then exploited and abused.  The boys, ranging from four to twelve years old, are forced to beg on the streets for long hours, seven days a week.

In April 2010, Human Rights Watch documented the abuse that the boys were subjected to, which included severe beatings and cases in which children had been chained and bound for failing to hand over the fruits of their begging.

Defense lawyers at trial argued that it has always been tradition that Koranic teachers make their pupils beg, and that the State had always tolerated the offense.  The accused, six Senegalese and one from Guinea-Bissau, in addition to receiving jail sentences, were fined one hundred thousand francs.

However, the teachers will only get their jail time if they force children to beg within the next six months.

The actions taken by the country are encouraging, said Human Rights Watch.

“The arrest and conviction of these men represents a welcome step toward ending the exploitation of vulnerable children under the guise of supposed religious education,” said Corinne Dufka, senior West Africa researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Senegalese government should continue prosecuting abusers while at the same time ensuring that the boys are safely returned to their families.”

For more information, please see:

Asia One – Seven Koranic teachers sentenced for making pupils beg – 8 September 2010

BBC – Senegal teachers convicted over children’s begging – 8 September 2010

Human Rights Watch – Senegal: Abusive Teachers Sentenced – 8 September 2010

United Press International – HRW lauds sentencing of Senegal teachers – 8 September 2010

Washington Post – US pressure leads to ban on beggars in Dakar – 8 September 2010

Russian Human Rights Leader Detained for Second Time in Two Weeks

By Ricardo Zamora
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – Russian human rights leader, Lev Ponomarev, 69, has been sentenced to administrative detention for the second time in two weeks.  The ruling came down yesterday after the Tverskoi District Court of Moscow found him guilty of “disobeying police orders.”  The city court handed Ponomarev the same verdict on August 25 for his first arrest, which came on August 22.  Ponomarev missed a scheduled meeting with senior member of the US National Security Council, Michel McFaul, today due to the sentence.

William Burns, the United States Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs who attended the meeting, was critical of the ruling.  “I should note that it is regrettable that Lev Ponomarev, who was supposed to be at the meeting, was not able to attend,” he said in remarks to the Interfax News Agency.  “The freedom of assembly is very important to the United States and very important for any democratic society.

The new ruling arises from Ponomarev’s participation in a peaceful anti-government protest, called “A Day of Rage,” in Tverskaya Square on August 12.  The hearing was delayed until yesterday due to health complications which sent Ponomarev to the hospital shortly after the August 12 arrest.

“A Day of Rage” was a rally where protesters demanded the resignation of Moscow’s mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, for interfering with freedom of assembly.  During the demonstration, two other individuals were arrested and charged with the same offense. While Ponomarev was undergoing medical treatment, those individuals served 3- and 4-day sentences, respectively.

Russian authorities allege that Ponomarev had “obstructed pedestrian traffic” by standing in the street while he spoke with journalists.  Other police officers added that Ponomarev resisted arrest by pushing an officer and stepping on the foot of another.

Ponomarev testified that officers treated him harshly, dragged him away, and threatened to hit him.  The Court found a video recording of the events to be inadmissible as evidence.

“We need to create a name-and-shame blacklist of judges and to make these public,” Ponomarev said.  He plans to appeal the ruling.

For more information, please see:

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH – Russia: Release Human Rights Defender – September 8, 2010

THE OTHER RUSSIA – U.S., Amnesty Intl. Criticize New Arrest Sentence for Ponomarev – September 8, 2010

ROBERT AMSERTDAM – Interview with Lev Ponomarev – August 30, 2010