BBC Arabic FM Broadcasts Suspended by Sudan

By Laura Hirahara
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

Map of the Northern cities affected by the suspension. Photo courtesy of BBC News
Map of the Northern cities affected by the suspension. Photo courtesy of BBC News

KHARTOUM, Sudan– As of Monday, all BBC Arabic FM radio transmissions to Northern Sudan have been suspended by the government pending negotiations between the both parties.  Government statements claim their disputes with BBC’s activities go back two years.  BBC Arabic is charged with bringing unauthorized equipment into Sudan and working in the southern regions without government approval.  These actions violate an agreement from 1999 which allowed BBC Arabic to first broadcast in the country.  Kamal Obaid, the Information Minister of Sudan, said Monday that a new framework deal is needed to negotiate with the British government.  BBC Head of Africa Jerry Timmins said, “We are very disappointed that the Sudanese people in Northern Sudan are no longer able to access the impartial news and current affairs of BBC Arabic on FM radio.  We hope that we will be able to continue broadcasting at some point.”

Sudan’s government emphasized that this suspension has nothing to do with the content of BBC Arabic’s broadcasts, which reach an estimated 4 million Sudanese in the northern cities.  Rather, it is an effort to enforce President Omar al-Bashir’s warning  earlier in the year that any foreign organizations who refused to abide by the authority of the government would be expelled.

While both sides appear open to resolving the dispute and resuming BBC Arabic broadcasts, Bashir has a history of censoring local press.  Some human rights groups fear he is expanding his earlier efforts to eliminate any reporting in Sudan that is contrary to his administration.  In July, after securing another five year term as president, Bashir sent agents to Rai al-Shaab, an opposition newspaper representing the People’s Congress Party.  In addition to arresting four journalists, the office was shut down.  Three of those journalists were sentenced to prison terms ranging in length from two to five years.  The leader of the PCP, Hassan al Turabi, was arrested the next day and spent 45 days in a jail before he was released without charges.  In response, Mr. Turabi said, “I thought they would want to appear democratic for a while – at least to put on a show for the West.”

BBC News- Sudan Suspends BBC Arabic on FM Radio– 9 August, 2010

CNBC- Sudan Suspends BBC Arabic Radio in North Sudan– 9 August, 2010

Pulitzer Center- After Press Crackdown in Sudan, President Omar al-Bashir Meets With Member of ICC in Chad– 21 July, 2010

Reuters Africa- Arabic Radio Suspended in North Sudan– 9 August, 2010

The Canadian Press- Sudan Suspends License for BBC Arabic in the North Over Alleged Agreement Violations– 9 August, 2010

Bolivian City Held Hostage by Protesters

By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

Buses held up at a roadblock. Photo courtesy of AFP.
Buses held up at a roadblock. Photo courtesy of AFP.

POTOSI, Bolivia—Thousands of protesters in Bolivia have been holding an entire city hostage for over 10 days.  The only roads leading out of the city have been blocked by protesters who have also disrupted the rail line to Chile and begun a hunger strike.

Six thousand miners in Potosi, Bolivia, have been protesting President Morales’ policies, accusing him of neglecting impoverished citizens.  The protesters have demanded more regional investment, the creation of a new cement factory, the settlement of land disputes, and a bigger airport.  They also want certain mines to be reopened that officials have closed.

“We’re taking this to the bitter end,” one hunger striker said.  Potosi Town Council president Remberto Gareca told AFP, “This strike . . . is the people’s answer to the lies of the government.”

The southern mining city has been barricaded by roadblocks constructed of boulders, virtually holding numerous citizens and tourists hostage, unable to leave.  Over 100 foreign tourists, mostly Europeans, are still trapped and waiting to be set free.  Also held captive are about 500 Bolivians.  Potosi is a city of about 200,000 people, all of whom are in danger of being affected.

One thousand people have been stranded a couple miles north of Potosi for over a week.  One of these told AFP, “We’re cold, hungry and afraid.”  Protesters were holding dynamite to intimidate those held captive, saying they would make an explosion if anyone tried to escape.

The blockade has already sparked a shortage of food in the city.  There are concerns about tourists’ health, as Potosi has a high altitude and may cause some people to get ill.  Older people and those with existing health problems are the most at-risk.

There have been reports that protesters have threatened to blow up any bus that attempted to leave the city.  On Friday, protesters piled rocks on a local airport runway to prevent a plane from landing to aid tourists.

“Our rules are tough here,” one protester explained.  “We don’t let any vehicle through.  There are 6,000 of us.  We’re organized.”

The governor of the local district has been supportive of the protesters, even participating in the recent hunger strike.  Also participating are many regional officials, union and farm leaders.  As of yet, the Bolivian government has not moved to amend the situation.

For more information, please see:

ABC – Tourists trapped in blockaded city – 8 August 2010

AP – Protest traps tourists in Bolivian highland city – 7 August 2010

AFP – Bolivians on hunger strike, cut rail links to Chile – 7 August 2010

Migrant Laborers in the United Arab Emirates Stranded Without Pay, Way Home

By Alyxandra Stanczak
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

Migrant worker in Sharjah, UAE, where many workers have faced abandonment. (Photo courtesy of dawn.com)
Migrant worker in Sharjah, UAE, where many workers have faced abandonment by employers. (Photo courtesy of dawn.com)

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates – Thirty-eight Bengali and Pakistani workers are currently stranded in the emirate of Sharjah after their Indian employers fled the country, leaving the workers without ten-months of back pay. The workers earn approximately $220 a month, and there is no sign that the employers have any intention of paying the workers. These workers are forced remain in the UAE without work visas as they generally do not have enough money to return to their respective homes.

In March, the workers took to the Emirati courts to attempt to seize their lost wages, but no progress was made on the issue. They have also registered their status as abandoned with the courts, resulting in an issuing of passports which would allow them to leave the country. It is customary for employers of migrant workers to retain the passports of their employees upon entering the UAE for work purposes.

This past week, the abandoned workers attempted to appeal to the Ministry of Labor. The Ministry stated that they cannot help these workers because of the legal action that they previously took against their employers. Saher Shaikh stated that “The authorities are extremely proactive and supportive in trying to help camps in this situation. [However], this particular camp … seems to be dragging on for a quite a while.”

These thirty-eight workers currently face eviction, and cannot afford food, water, and power – much less a flight home. They are surviving on handouts they receive off the streets.

Approximately 12 million foreign workers, primarily from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, and other South Asian countries, have come to the UAE and other Gulf countries where they earn higher wages than they can in their respective home countries. Mirgrant workers they do not have substantial legal protection in the UAE, and cannot form labor unions. Since the economy in the UAE has slowed, migrant workers, particularly in the emirates of Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi, face abandonment as their employers liquidate their remaining assets and flee the country when ventures prove unprofitable.

A non-profit group, Adopt-A-Camp, has been set up by Saher Shaikh to provide assistance to Gulf workers in these situations.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Gulf laborers remain stranded – 5 August 2010

Change.org – Exploited workers stranded in Dubai – 3 August 2010

Migrant Workers – UAE: Thousands of laborers left to fend for themselves – 23 July 2010

Reuters – Migrant workers collateral damage of UAE slump – 20 July 2010

Voters Erupt in Solomon Islands

By Joseph Juhn
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

China Town in the city of Honiara in the Solomon Islands was burned to the ground after rioting following the 2006 election. Photo / Greg Bowker

China Town in the city of Honiara in the Solomon Islands was burned to the ground after rioting following the 2006 election (Photo Courtesy of New Zealand Herald)

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – Angry voters in a remote province of the Solomon Islands started throwing rocks after their supporting candidate lost the election, damaging nearby buildings and a polling station.

MP Patterson Oti is one of a record 509 candidates seeking election to the tiny Pacific island nation’s 50-seat parliament. When Mr. Patterson Oti failed to capture a seat in this week’s elections in Lata, a remote province of the Solomons, hundreds of his supporters erupted and went on a rampage, suspending vote counting.

However, a Solomons election spokesperson downplayed reports of a riot breaking out and claimed that the situation was calm and well handled.

“Last night (Thursday), counting was coming to a close in a tightly contested electorate. Some supporters got upset and threw some rocks, the returning officer did the right thing and stopped counting and closed the station to calm the situation.

“Officials in the area are now speaking with both groups of supporters, local leaders and tribal elders to make sure the counting can be completed peacefully,” he said.

However, his comments were contradictory to that of a police officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“The situation this morning is tense and we are helpless to stop the rampage because we do not have adequate officers and resources,” he said.

Solomons Islands is not new to such problems. In 2003, hundreds were killed in ethnic violence that drove at least 20,000 people from their homes, which led to the deployment of an Australian-led international security force, RAMSI, to maintain peace in the Solomons.

Subsequently, in 2006, when the unpopular Snyder Rini was announced prime minister, riots erupted in the capital Honiara which destroyed much of Chinatown and injured dozens of Australian police officers.

To prevent a repeat of such violence, foreign peacekeepers stepped up security in Honiara, the nation’s capital, during Wednesday’s poll and the continuing vote counting, but no extra forces were sent to remote centers like Lata.

Vote counting in most constituencies is expected to be completed by Sunday.

For more information, please see:
Sky News-Vote count suspended over rock throwing-6 August 2010

Metronewsca-Security tight for Solomon Islands vote count-5 August 2010

Yahoo News-Voters riot after local MP ousted in Solomons poll -5 August 2010