Afro-Colombian Displacement

By Sovereign Hager
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

Photo Courtesy of UNHCR
Photo Courtesy of UNHCR

BOGOTA, Colombia-A U.N. independent expert on minority issues has urged the Colombian government to address the displacement, dispossession, poverty, and violence against Afro-Colombian, Black, Raizal, and Palenquero individuals and communities. The expert cited “woefully inadequate” implementation of equal rights legislation.

Collective titles were granted to almost ninety percent of Afro-Colombian ancestral lands, yet many communities are “displaced, dispossessed and unable to live on or work their lands . . . the laws say all the things but still, nothing has happened.”

Investigations by the U.N. Human Rights Council revealed that many Afro-Colombians are displaced by “mega projects,” or large-scale multinational business developments with government promotion. The communities are converned about the encroachment on their lands and environmental degradation. The U.N. expert called these rights “inconvenient rights.”

Other important issues discussed by the U.N. expert include, discrimination against Afro-Colombians, women, the displaced, and the poor leading to “extreme vulnerability.”

The Colombian government has a joint plan with the UNHCR and local aid groups to aid internally displaced people. Afro-Colombians living on the border with Ecuador and in coastal settlements are continuously being displaced. The department of Narino has the highest level of displacement, as indigenous people have been forced out at a higher rate than the Afro-Colombians.

Government estimates indicate that there are more than 140,000 internally displaced people in Narino, with 7,500 forced out last year. Over two hundred people per month register at camps for displaced individuals.

For more information, please see:

Reuters-UNHCR Helps Ease Life for Displaced Colombians in Swampy Shanty Settlement-8 March 2010

Mynews-U.N. Human Rights Expert Soptlights Enduring Plight of Afro-Colombians-16 February 2010

United Nations Human Rights Council-U.N. Expert Calls on Colombian Authorities to Focus on Afro-Colombian’s Plight-15 February 2010

China Tells U.S. to Stop Interfering with Human Rights

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – The U.S. State Department issued its annual survey of human rights on Thursday where it criticized several countries including China.

The annual survey by the U.S. specifically mentioned how China has intensified its control over the Internet and dissidents, as well as increasing repression of Uighurs after last year’s ethnic violence in Xinjiang.

In response, China accused the U.S. of being a hypocrite and issued its own annual assessment of U.S. human rights record. 

In discussing U.S.’s economic woes, the report released by China said, “The United States not only has a terrible domestic human rights record, it is also the main source of many human rights disasters worldwide.”

China blamed the U.S. for the current global financial crisis by specifically pointing a finger at U.S.’s sub-prime mortgage crisis and also mentioned various human rights issues arising out of U.S.’s invasion of Iraq.

In a separate statement by China’s Foreign Ministry, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi was criticized.  Pelosi had made a comment earlier this week praising the brave Tibetans who have sacrificed their lives in a fight for freedom.

China and the U.S. do not see eye to eye since China views Tibetans as “separatists” while the U.S. sees China as violating human rights of Tibetans.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement posted on the Ministry’s website, “We advise the relevant U.S. congresswoman to respect the facts, abandon her prejudices and stop using Tibet issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs.”

In China’s defense, Qin also added that China has achieved steady economic and cultural progress and has made strides in construction of democracy and legal system.

Qin said Chinese citizens have “gained more and more extensive freedom and rights.” 

Lastly, he said that although China is open to dialogues with other countries regarding human rights issues in order to enhance mutual understanding, Beijing adamantly opposes interference by other countries regarding its domestic affairs by invoking human rights issues.

One Chinese newspaper ran an article stating that China prefers a “mind-your-own-business” attitude. 

The author of the article said, “There is much room for improvement in China’s human rights indeed…[b]ut Washington can’t expect to have a grateful audience while randomly passing on moral judgment on others as savior of the world . . . . ”
For more information, please see:

China Daily – US, stop acting as guardian of human rights – 12 March 2010

Reuters – China calls U.S. a hypocrite over human rights – 12 March 2010

Xinhua – China urges U.S. to stop interference by using annual human rights report – 13 March 2010

Iranian Reformist MP Investigated for Treason

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

ISLAMSHAHR, Iran – On March 12, Iran’s Intelligence Minister, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie, accused a leading reformist MP, Noureddine Pir Mouazen, of treason.  Ejeie denounced Mouazen for giving an unauthorized interview with Voice of America, where Mouazen criticized the government of Iranian President Ahmadinejad.

Ejeie told the Iranian Republic News Agency that “this has definitely been treason and an appalling act.”  He stated that the law “bans people in such positions from interviews with foreign radios and television. The Intelligence Ministry will certainly probe this and will not ignore it.”

Ejeie explained that “contacting foreigners has certain codes and not everyone can talk over any issues to foreigners.”  He stated that such communication needed to be coordinated with the Foreign Ministry and that “it will harm the country and will be regarded as betrayal if issues against the system and domestic policies are discussed in these meetings which could be exploited by the enemies.”

In the March 9 interview Mouazen criticized the government’s decision to disqualify 1,700 reformist candidates, including himself, from standing in the parliamentary elections on March 14.  Before Mouazen’s interview, the Guardians Council, an unelected body of jurists and clerics, disqualified many reformist candidates on vague for obscure reasons related to a lack of loyalty to Islam or the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The reformist coalition is led by former president, Mohammad Khatami and cleric Hojatoleslam Mehdi Karroubi.  Before the Guardians Council disqualified the 1,700 reformist candidates, the coalition had a good chance of winning a majority of the seats in parliament.  However, after the disqualification, the coalition is able to compete for less than half of the 290 seats.

There is growing discontent within Iran against the current regime, lead by President Ahmadinejad.  However, the cause of criticism is varied.  Some reformist leaders, like Mouazen, criticize Ahmadinejad’s foreign policy, believing that Iran is now isolated within the international community.  Many reformist supporters criticize Ahmadinejad’s economic policy, which has led to double-digit inflation.

For more information, please see:
AFP – Khatami Urges Iran Reformists to Vote En Masse – 12 March 2008

BBC – Iran Accuses MP over TV Interview – 12 March 2008

Middle East Online – On Campaign Trail with Iran’s Khatami – 12 March 2008

Press TV – VOA Interview Will be Prosecuted – 12 March 2008

The Times (London) – Iran Starts ‘Treason’ Inquiry Ahead of Poll – 12 March 2008

Voice of America – Iran to Probe Iranian Lawmaker’s VOA Interview – 12 March 2008

Nigerian Police Take Heat for Cycle of Violence

By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter,  Africa

JOS, Nigeria – Over two hundred young men have been placed under arrest for the killings that took place in the villages of Dogo Nahawa, Zot and Ratsat.

The young men are being kept in dark cells ripe with sweat and urine.  Senior officers believe there will be more arrests made and that the cycle of killing and revenge is not over.

The surviving villagers remain huddled in fear.   An elderly man spoke out that they are undefended because those who raided the village can come back at any time.  While driving into the village reporters passed only three police men and there were no military checkpoints.

Nigeria’s military has recently come under fire because of their roll in the violence.   Many accuse the local military of failing to act on early warnings of violence.  The commander of the task force fights the accusations insisting that they were not told of the killings until after they occurred.

“This community would never like to see a military man again.  The youths are angry, because they did not take action in good time,” said Chief Gabriel Chyang, the community leader of Dogo Nahawa as he gestures to fresh mounds of dirt over the grave sites.

After a visit to the village, police chief Ogbonna Onovo vowed to hold divisional police officers (DPO) responsible for future incidents.

“We will provide more logistics and incentives to the police in Plateau State for the effective maintenance of law and order in the state,” he said.

Additionally, Onovo stated that more police stations will be opened in the region.

United States Secretary of State Hilary Clinton called on the Nigerian government to ensure that the perpetrators of the violence are brought to justice under the rule of law and that “human rights are respected . . . .

According to  the State Department’s annual rights report, Nigerian national police forces have committed extrajudicial killings and “used lethal and excessive force to apprehend criminals and suspects.”

For more information, please see:

AFP – Police Chief Visits Violence-Hit Nigeria State – 12 March 2010

AFP – US embassy Slams “Horrific” Nigerian Massacre – 12 March 2010

BBC – No End to Nigeria Cycle of Violence – 12 March 2010

The Punch – Jos: FG Investigates Allegation Against Army – 12 March 2010

Iran Puts Policemen on Trial Over Prison Deaths

By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – On March 9, Iran put twelve policemen on trial in an army court. The men are being charged in deaths of three anti-government protesters at the Iran’ Kahrizak prison. The deaths of the three protesters caused embarrassment for the Iranian government who finally acknowledged after months of denial that the deaths took place at the notorious prison. The detention center was ultimately closed in July by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

Iran’s state news agency, IRNA, reported that the first “court session was held with the victims’ families, other plaintiffs and their lawyers and the defendants.” Additionally, IRNA reported that, “the indictment against the twelve defendants was read out.”

The judge trying the case, Mohammad Mosaddegh, spoke of the sensitive nature of trial. He said, “trying some officials should not be interpreted as questioning and ignoring the hard work of police. There might be offending people anywhere.” Mossadegh also warned the press that the details of the court session not be revealed to the public. The judge expressed concern that “the publication of some information in the case harms order in society.”

The three protesters who died were arrested during widespread unrest after Iran’s disputed June 2009 presidential election. The election gave the incumbent, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, a second term in office among charges of voter fraud. The three were among the over one hundred forty five detainees that were kept for several days in the Kahrizak detention center in rooms that were seventy square meters.

IRNA’s report on the trial did not the suspects charged with the deaths. Iran’s judiciary originally charged three Karhrizak officials with the murder of the three pro-reform protesters in December.

Iran’s parliament released a report in January saying that Tehran’s prosecutor at the time, Saeed Mortazavi ordered that detainees be transferred to Kahrizak despite a lack of space, proper ventilation and sanitary conditions. The report also reject claims from the three originally charged officials that the deaths were caused by meningitis. The report said that the deaths came from a number of issues including physical attacks.

For more information, please see:

Reuters India – Iran Holds Trial of Suspects in Post-Vote Detainee’s Death – 10 March 2010

AFP – Iran Puts 12 Policemen on Trial Over Kahrizak Prison Deaths – 9 March 2010

Associated Press – Iran Tries Suspects in Protester Prison Deaths – 9 March 2010