‘Illegal’ Israeli Demolition/Development in East Jerusalem Approved

by Warren Popp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

If the Committees plan gets final approval, twenty-two Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem will be demolished. (Photo Courtesy of Palestine Monitor)
If the Committee's plan gets final approval, twenty-two Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem will be demolished. (Photo Courtesy of Palestine Monitor)

JERUSALEM, Israel – Last week, the Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee approved an initiative by the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, to create an Israeli archaeological park in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan. The plan has come under both national and international scrutiny because it calls for the demolition of approximately twenty-two Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. Another sixty-six buildings constructed in the neighborhood without Israeli permission will be legalized under the plan.

In this and past cases where Palestinian homes have been demolished, Israel has maintained that it is simply enforcing the law by destroying illegally built homes and other buildings. However, many of the buildings have gone up without a permit because it is reportedly very difficult for Palestinians to acquire permits, and very few building permits have ever been issued to Palestinians in East Jerusalem.

When Barkat formally submitted the latest version of the development plan, his spokesman said: “Now, after fine-tuning the plan and seeking more cooperation with the residents as far as their needs and improving the quality of their lives, the municipality is ready to submit the plans for the first stage of approval.” However, Jerusalem city hall had reportedly refused to hold talks with the neighborhood’s Palestinian residents over alternative proposals.

The announcement by the Committee came just a day after Israel announced that it will be loosening restriction of aid into Gaza, likely as part of an effort to repair its international standing after the international criticism in response to the Israeli raid of a boat convoy heading to the Gaza strip on 31 May, which resulted in the deaths of nine activists and the injury of dozens more. The latest announcement by the Committee was criticized by Defense Minister Ehud Barak as “bad timing” and poor “common sense.” It was also criticized by the Israeli President, Shimon Peres.

The same development plan had been considered earlier in the year, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, under pressure from both the United States—who was attempting to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks—and from increased international pressure regarding its settlement plans in East Jerusalem in general, persuaded Barkat to put the project on hold in March.

While the plan has been approved by the Committee, Israeli officials are stressing that the final process requires the approval of the Interior Ministry, a process that is likely to take several months, and that the plan could still be blocked by the government.

Barkat has defended the development plan, along with other claims of broader housing discrimination against Arabs—especially Palestinians. The Jerusalem Post quotes his spokesman as stating, “Mayor Barkat is moving forward with a master plan for Jerusalem that calls for an additional 50,000 new housing units over the next 20 years to fit the needs of the growing population. Arab residents are approximately one-third of the population of Jerusalem, and as such, we expect a third of those new housing units to be for Arab residents in their neighborhoods.” The spokesman further stated, “In addition, this week’s Municipal Planning and Construction Committee has 41 items on the agenda for approval, 18 of which are plans by Arab residents of Jerusalem for new apartments and construction in Arab neighborhoods.” The Jerusalem Post also reports that the municipality claims it does not keep records of how many local Arab building permits his office has approved since taking office in December 2008.

UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon, publicly stated that the housing development plan is illegal under international law, and the European Union also recently stated its belief that the development plan is illegal. Richard Falk, the Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights on Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 (working in an unpaid and independent capacity), believes, “These actions, if carried out, would violate international law, with certain actions potentially amounting to war crimes under international humanitarian law.”

The United States State Department of State criticized the development plan, stating that it undermined trust between parties, and also increased the risk of violence. With Israeli police and Palestinian youth clashing last Sunday in response to the development plan, it appears that the US concerns were not unfounded. The rising tensions between the parties since the Committee’s announcement resulted in the Palestinian youth throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at police in the same neighborhood where the homes would be demolished, causing minor injuries to six police officers who were hit with stones.

The recent arrest by Israeli police of a Hamas member of parliament for refusing orders that expelled him from Jerusalem also threatens to further escalate tensions in East Jerusalem. Richard Falk cited the four men’s case as part of “a larger, extremely worrying pattern of Israeli efforts to drive Palestinians out of East Jerusalem – [which is] illegal under international law”.

For more information, please see:

Jerusalem Post – An Open City? – 2 July, 2010

Al Jazeera – Israel Arrests Hamas MP – 30 June 2010

Voice of America News – EU Says Israel East Jerusalem Housing Plan Illegal – 30 June 2010

UN News Centre – Demolitions, New Settlements in East Jerusalem Could Amount to War Crimes – UN Expert – 29 June 2010

N.Y. Times – Palestinians and Police Collide in East Jerusalem – 27 June 2010

Haaretz – Reining in Barkat – 25 June, 2010

BBC – UN Chief Says East Jerusalem Demolition Plan ‘illegal’ – 24 June 2010

Sydney Morning Herald – Jerusalem Housing Plans Jeopardise Peace Talks – 24 June 2010

Al Arabiya News Channel – Israel Revives East Jerusalem Housing Plan – 21 June 2010

8 Killed and 9 Wounded in Nightclub Massacre

By R. Renee Yaworsky
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

MEDELLIN, Colombia—Eight people were killed and nine were injured in a massacre in north Colombia.  The attack happened early Friday morning when gunmen opened fire in a nightclub and then fled on motorbikes.  Among the deceased victims was one American, who was a dual U.S.-Colombian citizen.

Two heavily armed men entered a nightclub called “Barubar” in Envigado, part of Medellin’s metropolitan area, around 2 in the morning.  The men fired indiscriminately toward some tables and then escaped while survivors tended to the victims.  Two police agents who had been patrolling the area and responded to the commotion were injured in the attack.

Machine gun and other high-powered gun shells were discovered at the scene.  Secretary of Antioguia, Andres Julian Rendon, said that these types of weapons are commonly used by drug-related gangs.  None of the victims have been linked to a history of gang association, but police are searching for a man who left the scene and may have been the gunmen’s target.

Oscar Naranjo, Colombian National Police Director, said the attack may have been motivated by a turf war between two local drug kingpins known as Sebastian and Valenciano.  In April, the U.S. offered a $5 million reward for information leading to Valenciano’s capture.  The kingpin allegedly moved over $25 million in drug money from the U.S. to Mexico.

Naranjo announced a 200 million peso ($106,000) reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the nightclub violence.  Authorities plan to increase security around Medellin and combat the local drug trade by creating a special inter-agency group.  Naranjo arrived in the area with a team of 20 criminal investigation experts, 400 extra police officers and 200 members of the elite urban control force called FUCUR.

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe condemned the acts of the hitmen and said, “The criminal phenomena of narcotrafficking continues with a great capacity to inflict damage.”

Deadly drug-related violence has been on the increase recently in Medellin, which is fast becoming one of the most dangerous cities in Colombia.  This year’s first trimester has seen 503 drug-related deaths, which is up 54.8 percent since last year.

Although production has been decreasing, Colombia currently remains the world’s largest cocaine producer.

For more information, please see:

Wire Update-At least 8 killed, 5 injured, including one American, in Colombian nightclub shooting-3 July 2010

Colombia Reports-$100,000 reward for information on Antioquia massacre-2 July 2010

CNN International-American among 8 killed in Colombia bar attack, police say-2 July 2010

AFP-At least seven dead in Colombian discotheque attack-2 July 2010

HONDURAN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES CONTINUE IN WAKE OF COUP

By Erica Laster
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America
 

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduras continues to suffer from political unrest and polarization in the wake of the military coup this past January. The country continues to receive threats to citizens’ freedom of expression.  In the past three months, seven journalists have been killed. The government forced censorship on a variety of journalists, closing several media outlets inside of the country.  Judges, opposition leaders and human rights activists have also suffered intimidation and threats from unknown sources. 

Judges opposed to the coup were subject to disciplinary proceedings and charges as well as arbitrary transfers.  Many who were members of Judges for Democracy, an organization promoting fairness and transparency, were among those targeted.  Four more were fired on June 1, 2010 for criticizing the coup d’état, demonstrating the serious threat to the justice system.

Honduran Military Police Stop Protests, Killing Ten Last June
Honduran Military Police Stop Protesters, Killing Ten Last June

Mass arrests, beatings and tortures plagued the country of Honduras after the election of current President Porfirio Lobo in November.  President Lobo’s rise to power spurred a military backed coup by officers who ousted former President Manuel Zelaya at gunpoint in January.  Hundreds opposed to the election of the new, conservative President protested in the streets.  Security forces beat protesters, widely misusing tear gas and other control equipment.  While many of the protesters were only detained, ten people were killed amidst the unrest.  Despite the Honduran attorney general’s office charging three military chiefs for ousting Zelaya at gunpoint, both police and military officials responsible for the violence against the community have yet to be brought to justice.

Even the Central American Integration System and the Organisation of American States (OAS) has criticized the government.  OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza reported the organization would not discuss Honduras’ reinsertion into the regional body until December. Among the problems cited were the need for investigation rights violations and the allowal of former President Zelaya’s return to the country.  In response to accusations of indifference, the government created the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in April, but has failed to begin investigating human rights violations, rapes and murders.   

Amnesty International recently blasted the Honduran government for failing to address human rights abuses resulting from the coup.  Amnesty International reports that their Americas deputy director, Guadalupe Marengo said that President Lobo “needs to show he is serious about ending the climate of repression and insecurity in Honduras – otherwise the future of the stability of the country will remain in jeopardy.”

Photo Courtesy Of Opednews.com

For More Information Please See:

Amnesty International Charges Honduras Failing to Tackle Coup Rights Abuses – 29 June 2010

Honduras: One Hundred Days’ Lobbying For International Recognition – 7 May 2010

Honduras Charges Military – 7 January 2010

50 Dead: Pakistan’s Holiest Shrine turned Murder Scene

David L. Chaplin II
Impunity Watch Reporter; Asia

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The death toll climbed to 50 on Friday after a pair of suicide bombers detonated their explosive vests at one of Pakistan’s holiest shrines, police said.  Police are on high alert in Pakistan as demands grow for a tougher crackdown on armed religious groups in the central Punjab province after bombers targeted a popular Muslim shrine.

Sufi shrine of Data Darbar mosque, Lahore Pakistan where thousands visit daily
Sufi shrine of Data Darbar mosque, Lahore Pakistan where thousands visit daily

The targeted shrine was that of an 11th century Sufi saint, Ali bin Usman, commonly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh Hajveri, who traveled throughout the region spreading Islam with a message of peace and love.  His shrine is the most revered and popular of Sufi shrines in the nation.

More than 200 people were injured in the blasts outside the Data Darbar, a famous Sufi shrine complex.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed alarm over the attacks and called on both the government and Muslim clerics to stand up to extremism.

Security has been tightened at Sufi shrines across the country, but many Pakistanis, already frustrated by a troubled economy and crippling power cuts, are calling for the resignation of Punjab government officials.

About 2,000 people, some armed, staged protests in Lahore on Friday, shouting “Down with Shahbaz Sharif”, the chief minister of Punjab

“This sickening poison of extremism will be driven out of our nation and we will not be cowed,” said Farahnaz Ispahani, a spokeswoman for President Asif Ali Zardari, in a text message to CNN.

“Peaceful worshippers have once again been targeted by those who want to destroy the fabric of this great country.  We will not forgive or forget and we will get justice for all Pakistanis murdered in cold blood — be they Muslim, Christian, Ahmadi or of any other faith.”

Talat Masood, a defence analyst and former Pakistan military officer, said Taliban-linked groups are exploiting the uncertainty over the government’s response to such attacks.

“At the moment there is lukewarm support from the people, and the people have no confidence in the government and their governance,” he told Al Jazeera on Friday.

“America is killing Muslims in Afghanistan and in our tribal areas, and militants are attacking Pakistan to express anger against the government for supporting America,” explained Zahid Umar, 25, a frequent visitor to the Lahore shrine.

For more information, please see: 

Al Jazeera English – Pakistan on alert after shrine raid – 2 July 2010

CNN World – Explosions at famous shrine in Pakistan kill dozens – 2 July 2010

The Huffington Post – Pakistanis Blame U.S. After Shrine Suicide Attack Kills 42 – 2 July 2010

Burned Girl A Symbol Of Discrimination Facing Gypsies In Europe

By Tristan Simonu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

Photo: Natalka, the three year old victim of the arson attack. [Source: White Watch]

VITKOV, Czech Republic – Natalka Kudrikova is a three year old girl recovering from severe burns she suffered last year after a Molotov cocktail was thrown through the window of her family home in Vitkov.

Natalka is from the Roma or gypsy minority, and police believe that the alleged arson attack could have been racially motivated.  Inside of the home was a Roma family of eight, several of whom were injured by the fire.  Natalka lost 80% of her skin, three fingers, and has spent months in an induced coma following the attack.  After 14 major surgeries she is still recuperating and cannot walk without support. Her 27 year old mother also suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 30% of her body.

In May, the four young men accused of attacking Natalka were charged with racially motivated attempted murder.  Under cross examination, two of the men admitted to attending anti-Roma demonstrations organized by right wing extremists.  A photo of one of the men walking next to the leader of the far-right Workers’ Party was recently published by an anti-fascist website.  The leader of the now banned Workers’ Party, Tomas Vandas, denies any involvement in the incident.

It is reported that the extreme-right seem to have a new confidence about them holding regular marches through Czech towns.  In regions with high unemployment and poor social conditions the rise of extremism is popular with unemployed young men.  In fear of persecution, hundreds of Romanies are now emigrating and many have been granted asylum in Canada.

According to a 2005 UNICEF report, 84% of Roma in Bulgaria, 88 % in Romania, and 91% in Hungary live below the poverty line.  In many European nations Roma have limited access to jobs and education and often live in squalid conditions without basic public services.  In eastern Slovakia the village of Ostrovany spent $16,000 to build a wall separating the Roma from their ‘white’ neighbors, because of fears of “alleged Roma crime.”  In Hungary over the last two years, nine Roma have been killed in unprovoked night time attacks according to the European Roma Rights Center.   Last month in Italy several Roma camps were torched.  According to Claudio Cordone, Amnesty International’s interim Secretary General, “EU leaders must adopt a concrete plan of action to address the human rights abuses faced by Romani communities.  They must speak up against racist attacks and hate speech and provide concrete measures to end discrimination in access to housing, education, health, and employment.”

For more information, please see:

CNN WORLD – Burned girl a symbol of Roma hate and hope – 25 June 2010

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – Europe must break cycle of discrimination facing Roma – 7 April 2010

CZECH RADIO – Police hunt for attackers as two-year-old Roma girl severely burned in alleged arson – 20 April 2009

REUTERS – FACTBOX: Facing discrimination: Roma around Europe – 30 July 2008