Bombing Kills 13 In Helmand Market

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KABUL, Afghanistan- An explosion in a village market in the south Afghan province oh Helmand has left at least 13 Afghan dead and injured 43.

The attack occurred in Babji, near Lashkar Gah, a volatile city with a significant Taliban presence about 25 miles to the north.  The attack targeted farmers and other Afghans who were in line to receive fertilizer and seeds from the Nato-backed Food Zone program, which is designed to persuade farmers to switch from poppy cultivation, the most profitable crop in Helmand to wheat and other crops.  The area is close to Marjah, the focus of a major offensive against the Taliban.

Daoud Ahmadi, a spokesman for the Helmand provincial governor, said 45 people were wounded, including eight children and a policeman.  The province is a focus of the Taliban insurgency against the American-led coalition in Afghanistan. “The Taliban and narcotics smugglers were behind this attack, said Mr. Ahmadi.  He added ” This was an attempt at intimidating people and stopping the process of development and peace-building in the province.”

Col. Kamaluddin Khan, the acting Helmand provincial police chief, said the bomb was hidden on a bicycle, but the district governor of Gerehk, Haji Abdul Ahad Khan blamed a suicide bomber on a motorcycle.

The blast was centered around a busy shopping area known as the Wednesday bazaar, a weekly market for villagers from the area surrounding Gerehk who come to sell livestock, food and other goods and to buy their own supplies.

The international Security Assistance Force (ISAF) international peacekeepers said they had sent a patrol to the scene to help the Afghan authorities.  An ISAF official, speaking anonymously said the bomb had probably been a crudely made improvised explosive device.  In recent years the Taliban have issued statements instructing their fighters to reduce the number of civilian deaths.

For insurgents and the security forces alike, protecting civilians the protection of civilians is the prize of the war for Afghanistan.  However the  bomb appears to have been placed and detonated at a time when a maximum number of civilian casualties could be expected, according to correspondents.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm Mike Mullen, said on his visit to Afghanistan that the operation in Marjah was moving forward successfully.  Adm Mullen said Kandahar would be the main focus in the coming summer months.

He added that Kandahar would be a greater challenge than Helman. “Kandahar is not Marjah, we understand that..It is a much bigger challenge and in that regard has much greater potential to achieve this goal of reversing the momentum.”

For more information, please see:
New York Times- Afgan Bomb Aims at Anti-Opium Aid– 31 March 2010
Reuters- Bomb Attack Kills At Least 8 Afghans– 31 March 2010

Belgian Parliamentary Committee Votes to Ban Face-Covering Islamic Veils

Photo: If the Belgian parliament approves the home affairs committees resolution, women in Belgium could face fines and imprisonment for wearing the burka and the niqab. Source: John Moore/Getty Images
A Belgian parliamentary committee has unanimously voted to prohibit the wearing of the burqa and the niqab in public. Source: John Moore/Getty Images

By Elizabeth A. Conger
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

BRUSSELS, Belgium – The Belgian parliament’s Justice and Home Affairs Committee has unanimously approved a draft law calling for the prohibition of the wearing of face-covering Islamic veils, such as the niqab and the burqa, in public. If the proposed law is passed individuals could face fines of up to €25 or seven days in prison for wearing the burqa or the niqab.

The measure, which has the backing of all five parties in the ruling coaltion, still needs to be approved by the parliament before becoming law and is likely to be voted upon by April 22, 2010. If approved, Belgium would be the first European country to implement such a ban.

Support for the measure has transcended both party and linguistic lines in Belgium. Daniel Bacquelaine, the liberal MP who proposed the bill, told channel RTL in Brussels:

“A person cannot claim the right to see another person without being seen himself . . . I think there is also an aspect related to human dignity — the women’s imprisonment under a burqa is not acceptable in a civilized society.”

Denis Ducarme of the Belgian center-right Refomist Movement said: “This is a very strong signal that is being sent to Islamists . . . I am proud that Belgium would be the first country in Europe which dares to legislate on this sensitive matter”.

Several districts in Belgium have already banned such veils under old local laws designed to prohibit people from fully masking their faces during carnival.

There are roughly 500,000 Muslims living in Belgium, and, according to the Belgian Muslim Council, only a couple dozen Muslim women in Belgium actually wear the face-covering veils. Bacquelaine has admitted that there is no current problem with the face-covering veils, but said: “We have to act as of today to avoid [its] development.”

The proposal has raised the alarm among those who see such regulation as an attack on civil liberties. Isabelle Praile, the vice-president of the Muslim Executive of Belgium, remarked that such a law could set a dangerous precedent. She was quoted by AFP news agency as saying:

“Today it’s the full-face veil, tomorrow the veil, the day after it will be Sikh turbans and then perhaps it will be mini-skirts . . . The wearing of a full-face veil is part of [an] individual’s freedoms.”

Guy Harpigny, a Catholic bishop in the southern Belgian town of Tournai, said: “Does the state really have the right to regulate the symbols of  personal beliefs?

Measures to ban face-covering veils have also been considered, as of late, in France, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Last week French President Nicolas Sarkozy said: “The all-body veil is contrary to the dignity of women . . . The answer is to ban it. The government will introduce a bill to ban it that conforms to the principles of our laws.”

The headscarf has already been banned in French schools on the grounds that it is to ‘conspicuous’ of a religious symbol to be allowed in secular state schools. No nation-wide ban on the headscarf in the classroom has yet been passed in Belgium, but last year the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders in Belgium passed a law banning the wearing of Muslim head scarves in state-run schools.

In the Netherlands, Geert Wilders – a far right politician who received considerable support in recent local elections – has campaigned for Muslim veil bans, and has warned of the “Islamification” of Dutch society.

The debate over face-covering veils has not been confined to Europe. Last week the Canadian province of Quebec introduced a parliamentary measure which would prohibit those in public service employment from wearing facial coverings.  The measure has received overwhelming public support.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Belgian politicians back veil ban – 31 March 2010

BBC – Belgian committee votes for full Islamic veil ban – 31 March 2010

The Guardian – Belgium moves towards public ban on burqa and niqab – 31 March 2010

Radio Free Europe – Belgian Parliamentary Panel Approves Draft Law Banning Full Veil in Public – 31 March 2010

Vanuatu Government Promises to Take Action Against Police Force

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PORT VILA, Vanuatu – The Vanuatu government promises that it will take action following the serious allegations made against the police paramilitary unit, the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF).

Vanuatu Coroner, Justice Nevil Dawson, criticized the VMF in a report into the death of a prisoner that was in custody of the VMF. Dawson stated that the VMF had an “unacceptable culture of violence, regarded itself above the law, [and] frequently resorted to intimidation of opponents.” Dawson urged the government to “rein the policy agency in.”

Dr. Andrew Ladley, a professor at Wellington’s Victoria University and who has been closely involved in constitutional and electoral matters in the Pacific, says that Vanuatu could face a major crisis if an investigation into the VMF is not tackled properly.

Ladley says that without a properly run investigation, the VMF will act with no account for the consequences of their actions and the situation will only get worse. He urges for politicians to contemplate taking action and be aware of the VMF’s ability to intimidate.

Ladley stated: “I would imagine, including from reading [Dawson’s] report, that it’s perfectly plain that that kind of pre-emptive intimidation will be very high on the minds of the people most likely to be called to account. Which is why the situation is so dangerous. This is potentially a very big crisis looming for Vanuatu, if it isn’t tackled properly.”

The Vanuatu government is yet to make an official comment, but the Deputy Prime Minister, Sato Kilman, says that the Vanutu government intends to outline their response.

Kilman stated in response to Dawson’s report: “Suffice to say that it is an important finding. It definitely has got some serious allegations in there, which the Government’s intention is to ensure it addresses the issue.”

Transparency International says that the Government has to go much further in its initial comments on Dawson’s report.

Marie-Noelle Ferrieux-Patterson from Transparency International says that “accepting change is necessary and is a good first step, but [the government] needs to go much further.

She stated: “What is very regrettable is that there hasn’t been yet a strong position by the government, saying that we will ensure that those accused of murder are prosecuted, that the people who actually threaten the judge will be prosecuted.”

However, despite many suggestions for the government to take action against the VMF, the Vanuatu Government has partly defended the activities of the VMF.

Don Wiseman, a news reporter in Vanuatu, reported: “[The government] will review internal security practices and the need to harmonize that with human rights particularly when people are being detained and the right to innocence until proven guilty. But the government says circumstances at the time, that is, following a mass prison escape, required the law enforcement agencies to take urgent steps to recapture the detainees. The government is promising to improve interrogation procedures and better training for police staff. It will also implement legislation that clearly prescribes the functions of the VMF and its role in the country’s internal security. And it is reassuring citizens, visitors, and investors that law enforcement must equate with the right to protection under the law.”

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu government defends VMF activities in face of criticism – 31 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu govt urged to go further on coroner’s VMF recommendations – 31 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu government promises action over coroner report into VMF – 29 March 2010

Pacific News – VMF actions could spark Vanuatu crisis, warns academic – 18 March 2010

Islands Business – VMF actions could spark Vanuatu crisis, warns academic – 17 March 2010

Calls for New Sanctions Against Iran Intensify

By Bobby Rajabi

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – There has been an increase in concern regarding Iran’s nuclear program from other countries in the United Nations. Countries such as France and the United States have made it known that they feel that the best method to deal with the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program is to impose new sanctions against the country. Turkey, however, is arguing that new sanctions would be a mistake and the best method to dealing with Iran is diplomacy.

The leaders of the United States and France have vowed to push for new sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. French President Nicolas Sarkozy met with U.S. President Barack Obama regarding the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions. President Obama, after the meeting, commented that they planned on having sanctions in place “within weeks.” President Sarkozy also commented, promising that “all necessary efforts to make sure Europe as a whole engaged in the sanctions regime.”

The United States and France are not alone with their arguments in favor of new sanctions against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. In ensuring that all of Europe remains in involved in the new sanctions discussion, Sarkovy has ensured the support of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Sarkozy also explained that “the time has come to take decisions” on Iran’s nuclear program. He argued that simply punishing Iran isn’t enough; the Islamic Republic must be stopped from continuing on their “mad race.”

Chancellor Merkel has indicated that if the United Nations Security Council cannot agree on the sanctions to be imposed on Iran, Germany is willing to pursue its own sanctions against the Islamic Republic and invites like-minded nations to join them in doing so.

Turkey, unlike many of its fellow United Nations members, is not in favor of additional sanctions against Iran’s nuclear program. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on March 29 that economic sanctions against Iran would do more harm than good. Erdogan made his case to Merkel during a visit to Germany. He later told reporters that “the best route (to solving the nuclear issue with Iran) is diplomacy.”

Turkey currently serves as a non-permanent member of the UN security council and Erdogan indicated that no firm decision has been made by the country as of yet.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Obama Pushes Speedy Iran Sanctions – 31 March 2010

BBC – US and France Vow to Push For New Sanctions On Iran – 30 March 2010

Reuters – Turkey Makes Case Against Sanctions on Iran – 29 March 2010

Yemen Urges Donors To Honor Pledges

By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’DA, Yemen – Yemen told international donors at a meeting in Abu Dhabi on Monday that it urgently needs to receive their pledged financial aid to combat poverty and unemployment.

“The need is increasingly urgent for the mobilization of (financial) resources” promised at a London conference in 2006, Deputy Planning Minister Hisham Sharaf Abdullah told the Friends of Yemen meeting.

He said the billions promised were needed to “reduce poverty and unemployment” in Yemen, a poor neighbor of the oil-rich Gulf Arab monarchies. “The government has undertaken reforms … but the road is still long and requires a combination of efforts to meet the challenges that hinder development and undermine the foundations of security and stability,” he added. Abdullah emphasized the importance of the active partnership between Yemen and the international community to make available the amount needed, in addition to coordination and consultation in this respect.

Representatives from about 20 Arab and Western countries met for the workshop co-chaired by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosts and Germany to address economy and good governance issues in Yemen.

The Yemeni government made a similar request last month, during a Gulf Cooperation Council meeting in Riyadh. Gulf countries pledged roughly $3.2 billion, almost none of which has been delivered — much like the billions promised during a similar international conference in London in 2006. GCC countries have met just 15 percent of their 2006 promises, according to Abdullah, who said the Yemeni government hopes they will deliver another 15 percent this year.

Khaled Ghanem al-Ghaith, the UAE’s deputy foreign minister, said Gulf countries would meet their commitments to Sana’a, but also seemed to link foreign aid to tougher military actions against al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

The Yemeni government receives takes in 70 percent of its annual budget through oil revenues, and the country’s reserves are declining rapidly.

For more information, please see:

The Majlis – Yemen To World: We Still Need $44 Billion – March 30 2010

Yemen Post – Yemen Says Needs $44 Billion As Friends Meet In Abu Dhabi – March 30 2010

AFP – Yemen Urges Donors To Honor Aid Pledges – 30 March 2010

SABA NET – Yemen Needs $44 Bin To Implement 4th Five Year Plan, Says Sharaf – March 30 2010