Sri Lanka Responds to EU Report Demands

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The European Union (EU) recently imposed a deadline on Sri Lanka’s human-rights report.  The consequences of failure to adhere to the EU deadline include a termination of trade concession worth up to $116 million dollars under the GSP Plus program.  The GSP Plus program functions to allow Sri Lanka tax-free exports to Europe on principle products such as domestic garments.  Only fourteen countries in the world currently enjoy such an economic relationship with the EU.

The tariffs cut would entail significant economic ramifications for Sri Lanka, while European countries would face minor inconveniences such as price increases for Sri Lankan import textiles.  The refusal for second-round tariffs would have the effect of eliminating thousands of jobs in Sri Lanka’s textile industry.

The Sri Lanka report to the EU must demonstrate the progress of the Sri Lankan government’s resettling initiatives for the hundreds of thousands internally displaced persons following the end of a twenty-five year war against the Tamil Tigers insurgency group.  Since the defeat of the Tamil minority’s fighting force, the Sri Lankan government has been confining scores of Sri Lankan nationals in refugee camps.  Due to the inadequacy of essential resources, dwellers in the camps, jointly funded by the UN and the Sri Lankan government amongst other groups, endure sub-human conditions.  Furthermore, recent flooding has increased the risk of water-borne diseases spreading in the camps.  Weather-worn roads have also made transportation of food and clothing to the camps difficult.  

The EU report concerning Sri Lankan’s practices include allegations of indiscriminate killing of civilians and arbitrary imprisonment.  EU officials stated that the observations made by the Sri Lankan government in its reports would be scrupulously examined before the EU can further consider the continuation of trade concessions.  The EU’s intense scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s government practices seems to stem from the Sri Lankan government’s prior failures to fulfill promises expedient resettling of internally displaced persons.  Furthermore, the international community expressed skepticism with the Sri Lankan government’s claim of conducting internal investigations in the form of a screening process to identify rebel attacks amongst the encamped civilians.

Sri Lankan officials voiced their dissatisfaction of apparent lack of clarity in some of the EU’s reporting demands.  The Sri Lankan government claims to have responded to specific human rights issues raised by the EU, although it never mentioned whether or not it compiled a full report until this morning (November 6).  The EU has yet to send its response to the Sri Lankan government.

Without the continuation of the trade concession, Sri Lanka’s textile workers will lose their business to other Asian countries such as Vietnam, India, and China.  The job cuts would be massive, and the inability to freely export garments would significantly strain Sri Lanka’s economic interests.  Considering the submission of the report, the EU suggested that it will continue discussions with Sri Lanka concerning the continuation of trade concessions.  

For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Sri Lanka faces EU tariffs – 05 November 2009

Lankaweb – Sri Lanka’s observations on EC GSP Plus report handed over – 06 November 2009

Tamil Guardian –Sri Lanka hardens stand on GSP Plus – 29 October 2009

Clashes Between Police And Protesters Mark Iranian Anniversary

By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 

TEHRAN, Iran – On November 4 violence broke out between Iranian police and protesters still angry about the June presidential election. The protests took over a day that was to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the taking of the United States embassy by Iranian students. Iranian police beat the protesters with batons. This action represented to the first show of force by the election protesters in Iran in two months.

In addition to beatings from police, protesters suffered tear gas attacks. Mir Hossein Mousavi, the challenger in June’s controversial election, mentioned on his website that a protest on Wednesday was likely. Several hundred protesters entered Haft-e-Ti square in Tehran in order to protest the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmedinejad.

At the same time as the anti-Ahmedinejad protest, there were anti-United States protests taking place as well. Commemorating the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in 1979, demonstrators chanted “Death to America,” “Death to England” and “Death to Israel” outside the former embassy. This was in contrast to the anti-government protesters who chanted “Death to the dictator.” Many anti-government protesters wore green wristbands or scarves that have come to symbolize the campaign against Ahmedinjead by Mousavi.

In addition to the chants against Ahmedinejad, there were anti-Russian slogans used by protesters as well. Baqer Moon, an Iranian journalist and author, commented that there was a perception growing in Iran that what happened with the election and President Ahmedinejad was somehow helped by China and Russia. He explained that chants against Russia are used at rallies at which government officials are encouraging and taking part in anti-US chants.

Among those attacked at the protests was an opposition leader named Mahdi Karroubi. Karroubi fell to the ground because of the tear gas shot into the crowds. His supporters carried him to a vehicle, which was attacked by government supporters as it drove away. According to his son, Karroubi did not require medical attention.

The taking of the U.S. embassy on November 4, 1979 was an action by Iranian students taken in response to the U.S.’s refusal to handover Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah overthrown by the Islamic Revolution. Fifty two American hostages were held for four hundred forty four days before being released in 1981.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Unrest As Iran Marks Embassy Siege –  4 November 2009

Associated Press – Iran Police, Protesters Clash At US Embassy Rally – 4 November 2009

BBC – Iran Police Clash With Protesters – 4 November 2009

New York Times – Dissidents Mass In Tehran To Subvert An Anti-U.S. Rally – 4 November 2009

 

Taylor Accuses Prosecution of Misleading the Court

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

THE HAGUE, Netherlands-On Monday, November 2, 2009, Charles Taylor’s trial, for his alleged role in serious international crimes committed by Sierra Leone rebels during the country’s civil war, resumed. On this day, Charles Taylor gave testimony accusing the prosecution of misleading the Special Court for Sierra Leone. This accusation came as a result of the prosecution introducing evidence that when Taylor was Liberia’s President, he acted as a mediator between divided Sierra Leonean rebel commanders, and that he further was involved in appointing rebel leaders and providing his country as a safe haven to rebels on “the run”.

The evidence came in the form of testimony by Vamunya Sherif, a former Deputy Director of Operations in the Liberian Secret Service during Taylor’’s presidency. In January of 2008, Sherif testified that Taylor played a role as a meditator between two senior rebel commanders of Sierra Leone’s Revolutionary Front (RUF), Issa Sesay and Sam Bockarie. According to Sherif’s testimony, Taylor invited the two commanders to Liberia with the intent to help them resolve their conflict. It is alleged by Sheriff, that during this time Taylor appointed Sesay as the leader of the RUF in place of Sam Bockarie. Sherif concluded his testimony alleging that subsequent to the leadership change, Bockarie fled to Liberia where he sought a safe haven.

In response to this testimony, Taylor dismissed Sherif’s testimony as “lies”.  Taylor went on to say, “No such situation occurred where I sent for Sam Bockarie and Issa Sesay to discuss a conflict between them that will lead to the departure of Bockarie.” In additional response to the prosecutions introduction of the evidence Taylor said “the prosecution knows that no such meeting took place because they have gone through major documents that tell how Bockarie left Sierra Leone, so for them to ask that question when they know that no such meeting too place is sinister, and the prosecution misled the court.”

Taylor went on to refute other claims made by Sherif that included linking arms and ammunition exchanges between Bockarie and Liberia. For the past week Taylor has had to respond to testimonies by the prosecution’s witnesses regarding his relationship with RUF commander Bockarie. Taylor has adamantly denied many of these allegations.

For more information please see:

All Africa – Charles Taylor Accuses Prosecution of “Misleading” The Special Court for Sierra Leone – 2 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Charles Taylor Accuses Prosecution of “Misleading” The Special Court for Sierra Leone – 2 November 2009

Charles Taylor Trial – Charles Taylor and Sam Bockarie Did Not Have Master Servant Relationship – 29 October 2009

Palestinians Could Abandon Two-State Solution if Settlements Continue

By Meredith Lee-Clark

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 

RAMALLAH, West Bank – Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, has said that Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank could force the Palestinians to reject any proposed two-state solution in future peace negotiations.

 

Erekat’s statement came during a press conference on November 4, in response to allegations that the United States was becoming lax in insisting that Israel halt all settlement construction or expansion, as required by international treaties.

 

Erekat added that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was simply encouraging more settlements when she praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s offer to temporarily limit settlement construction in the West Bank. Netanyahu’s plan would stop development of new settlements, though would not place any restrictions on any of the three thousand buildings already under construction in Israeli settlements. There was considerable international outcry in response to Clinton’s remarks on October 31, as Palestinians have stated that a complete freeze on settlement construction would be a precondition to any peace talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians. On November 4, Clinton reiterated the U.S. support for a complete settlement freeze after she met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

 

Even as political leaders continue to debate conditions for peace negotiations, confrontations between Palestinians and Jewish settlers continued in East Jerusalem. Several Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem have been issued evacuation orders, presumably to make room for incoming Jewish settlers. The Salah family, whose home is under one of the evacuation orders, has lived in the Beit Safafa neighborhood of East Jerusalem for several generations, and has remained in their home. The Salah family was attacked on October 30, reportedly by twelve settlers who were armed with weapons. Five members of the family were injured. The Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights has subsequently accused the Israeli police of not adequately responding to the assault.

 

Erekat said that the alternative for the Palestinians was to re-focus on the one-state solution, “where Muslims, Christians and Jews can live as equals…It is very serious. This is the moment of truth for us.”

 

For more information, please see:

 

Al Jazeera – Settlements “End Two-State Hopes” – 5 November 2009

 

Ma’an News Agency – Erekat: Two-State Solution May Have to Be Abandoned – 5 November 2009

 

Ha’aretz – Clinton: Settlements Are Illegitimate, Should Be Halted Forever – 4 November 2009

 

New York Times – Clinton Backs Peace Talks Before Israeli Settlement Freeze – 4 November 2009

 

Palestinian News Network – Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights Condemns Attack on Beit Safafa Family – 31 October 2009

Claims of Bhopal Site Leaking Toxins Denied

 

By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BHOPAL, India – Officials in India continue to dismiss claims that a plant in Bhopal which formerly manufactured Union Carbide pesticide still leaks and emits dangerous toxins into drinking water.

According to a report published by the British-based charity the Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA) and the Sambhavna Clinic in Bhopal, there is a showing, and evidence to support, that “there are still high levels of toxic chemicals in the drinking water supply in 15 communities near the old Union Carbide pesticide plant.” In addition, the report goes on to say that the water “in and around the Union Carbide factory site in Bhopal still contains extremely unsafe levels of carbon tetrachloride,” and further states that there are also “other persistent organic pollutants, solvents, nickel and other heavy metals.”  

In response, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, of Madhya Pradesh, engaged in an interview with BBC World News. During the interview the Chief Minister told BBC that contrary to the claims in the report, the plant and surrounding areas are safe. Moreover, Chief Minister, Mr. Chouhan, insisted that clean water was supplied by tanker to those communities without piped water.  However, many residents said that supplies were infrequent and insufficient, forcing them to continue relying on contaminated ground water. 

Counter to, Sarang decision the Chief Minister and other official maintain that “there is nothing hazardous to human life… people should not be worried. We have secured the site.”   

According to findings by Sathyu Sarangi, leader of the Sambhavna Clinic, the problem arises from areas known as solar evaporation ponds, which he claimed polluter, Union Carbide, used before the disaster as dumping grounds for toxic effluent. Sarangi went on to state that the report shows “that there are many toxins still in the ground that have never been cleaned up. Additionally, “each time it rains, the rain washes those toxins into the ground water, which many people still draw to drink.”

For more information, please see:

BBC World News – Officials dismiss claims Bhopal site is leaking toxins – Demeber 5, 2009

Business Weekly – India: Anger Grows Over Bhopal – December 4, 1009 

Daily Times – Govt backtracks on Bhopal gas ‘show’ – December 5, 2009