Belarusian Laborer Alleges He Was Tortured Into Murder Confession

By David Sophrin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

TATARYA VILLAGE, Belarus – A Belarusian laborer who claims that he was tortured into confessing to a murder is facing a looming state execution.  Vasily Yusepchuk was convicted on June 29 by the Brest Regional Court for allegedly murdering six elderly woman.  The deadline for staying the execution of Yusepchuk passed on Tuesday, as the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko did not grant a pardon to Yusepchuk.

The use of capital punishment has been outlawed in every European nation other than Belarus.  And in recent years Belarus has decreased its use of the practice.  In 2008 only 4 people were executed by the state and only two so far this year.  Critics of Yusepchuk’s conviction, including the Council of Europe, have pointed out that Belarusian judges have been pressured in the past to sentence to death defendants against whom there was questionable evidence.

“We are deeply concerned that Vasily Yusepchuk…may face imminent execution after the Belarus Supreme Court has rejected his appeal against the death penalty.”

The calls from human rights organizations to pardon Yusepchuk comes at the time when the Belarusian President has been attempting to court favor with the west.

Medical experts for Yusepchuk have stated that the confession that Yusepchuk gave to police was a result of torture.  Amnesty International has confirmed that Yusepchuk was beaten twice will being detained prior to trial.  Additionally, other international human rights organizations have noted that Yusepchuk is illiterate and “under torture…could have confessed to anything.”

Yusepchuk’s mother believes that her son’s conviction came about as a result of his Gypsy ethnicity, also known as Roma.

Growing outcry in the face of the execution has surfaced in a number of European cities.  Protesters gathered outside of the Belarus embassy in Moscow on Thursday to protest Yusepchuk upcoming execution, as well as the continued use of the death penalty by Russia’s western neighbor.

For more information, please see:

CBS NEWS – Gypsy Laborer Face Execution In Belarus – 13 October 2009

THE OLYMPIAN – Gypsy laborer faces execution in Belarus – 13 October 2009

WORLD AP – Gypsy laborer faces execution in Belarus – 13 October 2009

Yemeni Government Accuses Rebels of Using Civilians as Human Shields

By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’NA, Yemen – As intense fighting continues in northern Yemen, local government officials have accused al-Huthi rebels of using civilians as human shields.

The government urged people living in the area to flee to refugee camps set up throughout the area. The Yemeni government has set up four refugee camps.  However, SABA, Yemen’s official news agency, reported that the pathways to these safe havens have been dangerous due to escalations in the conflict.  The Supreme Security Council (SSC), which supervises the 63-day war, responded to repeated calls for safe corridors by attempting securing passage to the respective camps.

In past reports, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said that both the rebels and government forces have endangered civilians during the fighting. In a July report, HRW said researchers found “allegations of serious law of war violations by both sides, including the use of children under 18 in combat, use of anti-personnel land mines in civilian areas, and taking civilians hostage.”

The current accusations by the Yemeni government echo the claims made by the president Ali Abdullah Saleh that rebels have been using civilians as human shields and killing civilians.   Rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Huthi responded by dismissing demands that the rebels leaving their mountain hideouts as this would amount to them leaving their lands. Furthermore, the rebels say they want autonomy and accuse Saleh of despotism and corruption in a drive to in power.  They also accuse him of introducing Sunni fundamentalism via his relationship with Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Military developments as of October 11 have been relatively quiet.  However, there have been air strikes on the rebels’ fortifications and supply movements, according to sources from the ground. The Ministry of Defense also reported that about 20 rebels were killed in different places in the two main frontlines of Harf Sufyan and al-Malahaid.

For more information please see:

CNN – Yemen Government: Rebels Use Civilians As Human Shields – 13 October 2009

Yemen Observer – Yemen Accuses Al-Houthi Rebels of Using Civilians as Human Shields – 13 October  2009

Reuters – Yemen President Says Rebels Use “Human Shields” – 20 September 2009

Inquest Returns Open Verdict in Bolivian Shooting Conspiracy

By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia – An inquest into the shooting death of Irishman Michael Dwyer, Eduardo Rozsa Flores, and Arpad Magyarosi by Bolivian police returned an open verdict this week. Dwyer, Flores, and Magyarosi were killed in a raid on a hotel on April 16 and are suspected to have links to a far-right group thought to be responsible for attacks on indigenous Bolivians, including a plot to kill Bolivian president, Evo Morales.

A lawyer for the Dwyer family has called the Bolivian police reporting on the raid and nature of the deaths into question.  The Bolivian police initially reported that the men died in a shoot out and that Dwyer was shot six times.  However, the an autopsy performed in Ireland revealed that Dwyer was shot just once in the heart. The inquest heard reports that the men were asleep when the shooting took place. The Irish government has requested an international investigation into the deaths.

Bolivia’s ambassador to the UK, Beatriz Souviron said told the inquest that Dwyer’s plain ticket to Bolivia was paid for by a businessman who was subsequently arrested for being a part of a separatist terrorist movement.  According to Souviron, the three men were under investigation for a bomb attack at the home of a Bolivian cardinal and the discovery of a cache of arms and explosives.

Dwyer reportedly went to Bolivia to take classes in personal security and protection, but decided to stay after the classes ended because he found work.  Rozsa and Magyarosi are Bolivian citizens of Hungarian and Romanian decent. Rozsa holds dual citizenship with Croatia and Magyarosi holds dual citizenship with Hungary.

Dyer’s parents believe that he came under the influence of Rozca after meeting his supporters while doing security work in Ireland.Flores, a known anti-semite, joined Croatian forces when war broke out in the former Yugoslavia. He led an armed group that attracted many foreign right-wing elements.

In an interview in April of 2009, Flores said he had been called to Bolivia to to set up a militia to protect Santa Cruz. He claimed to be ready to proclaim independence and create a new country.

Evo Morales commented that he would be happy for a “transparent” investigation to take place.

For more information, please see:

The Guardian – Irishman Michael Dwyer Killed in Bolivia was Linked to Bomb Attack, Inquest Told – 14 October 2009

Belfast Telegraph – Bolivia to Allow Probe into the Death Riddle of Shot Irishman – 14 October 2009

Irish Times – Parents Learned of Dwyer’s Death from Journalists – 14 October 2009

Irish Times – Dwyer Inquest Returns Open Verdict – 13 October 2009

WOZA and Mahlangu Win RFK Human Rights Award

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

HARARE, Zimbabwe – Magodonga Mahlangu and her organization, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), have been named as the 2009 Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Human Rights Award winners.

WOZA is a grassroots movement of over 60,000 Zimbabweans working throughout their country, empowering women from all walks of life to mobilize and take non-violent action against injustice. Tens of thousands of women have joined WOZA in standing up for human rights and speaking up about the worsening economic, social and political conditions in Zimbabwe. Along with WOZA co-founder Jenni Williams, Mahlangu has led campaigns with WOZA supporters to address many of the most crucial human rights issues facing Zimbabwean women, including domestic violence and rape, the right to food and education for children, the rights to participation and the right to association.

Since its founding in December 2002, WOZA has staged more than 100 non-violent marches in support of democratic reform and women’s empowerment. Mahlangu organizes WOZA’s protests and helped create its signature style of peaceful, yet relentless actions. In the course of her work as a human rights defender, Mahlangu has been arrested over 30 times.

“Despite constant harassment and 2500 members spending time in police custody, WOZA members continue to build a grassroots movement to ensure that the voice of the people of Zimbabwe is central to determining the future of their country” said Monika Kalra Varma, Director of the RFK Center for Human Rights.

“I feel both great excitement for the recognition of my work with WOZA and sadness because although my work has gained recognition internationally, in my own country I have been labeled an enemy of the state,” said Mahlangu in reaction to the award. “Now I know I am not alone, the world is watching and one day [Zimbabwe] shall be a normal society. With the determination of the members of WOZA, anything is possible.”

Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy will present Mahlangu and WOZA with the 2009 Award in a ceremony in mid-November. Mahlangu joins 39 RFK human rights laureates in 23 countries as the recipient of the 26th annual prize.

Commenting on the acheivement, Gay McDougall, RFK Human Rights Award Judge and U.N. Independent Expert on Minority Issues said, “In a country torn by violence and economic ruin, Magodonga Mahlangu and WOZA provide a desperately needed voice for the people of Zimbabwe and we were proud to select her and her organization for this prestigious award,”

For 41 years, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights has worked for a more peaceful and just world. The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award was established in 1984 to honor courageous and innovative human rights defenders throughout the world who stand up against injustice, often at great personal risk. The award includes a cash prize of $30,000 and on-going legal, advocacy and technical support through a partnership with the RFK Center. Winners are selected by an independent panel of human rights experts. The 2009 panel included McDougall; Makau Mutua, Dean of University at Buffalo Law School; Sushma Raman, President of Southern California Grantmakers; and Dr. William F. Schultz, Senior Fellow at Center for American Progress.
For more information, Please see:
SWRadio Africa News – WOZA scoops top human rights award – 12 October 2009

SWRadio Africa News – Woza Protestors Beaten by Police in Bulawayo – 22 September 2009

Nehanda Radio – WOZA scoop Kennedy human rights award – 17 September 2009

Australia Forms New Independent Committee To Facilitate Immigration Processes

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

CANBERRA, Australia – In light of recent controversy surrounding the Government’s immigration policies, Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans announced the establishment of a new advisory board.

The Council of Immigration Services and Status Resolution (“CISSR”) will advise the Minister on matters involving the new immigration policies, including New Directions in Detention and the newly created Community Status Resolution Service.

By providing independent advice on policies, services, and programs, the council aims to “resolv[e] the immigration status of people [seeking asylum or other migration outcomes] quickly and fairly while ensuring they are treated humanely and with dignity and respect”.

CISSR will be comprised of individuals from various sectors, ranging from a former Air Force official and a member of the Governing Council of the International Catholic Migration Commission to an Associate Professor at the University of South Australia’s school of nursing and the chair of the Violence Against Women Advisory Group.

Council members will use their diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise to assist in the implementation of the New Directions in Detention policy.

The Minister, while expressing his gratitude to the previous Immigration Detention Advisory Group for “valuable and long-standing contribution[s]”, believes that the new committee’s “community links will help strengthen the provision of community services to immigration clients in support of timely case resolution”.

In addition to advising the Minister on programs aimed at resolving immigration status outcomes, the CISSR will also provide guidance with respect to detention matters and the “adequacy of services available to assist people whose immigration status is unresolved”.  More specifically, the council will attempt to resolve the immigration status of an individual from within the community as opposed to the confines of a detention facility.

This announcement comes as the Government faces problems with the influx of people seeking asylum in Australia.

The Indonesian navy intercepted a boat today carrying approximately 260 Sri Lankan asylum seekers as they attempted to get to Australia.  Many of these individuals will be taken to one of Australia’s immigration detention centers on Christmas Island to have their applications processed.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been the subject of heavy criticism in the past few months, as opposition lawmakers blame the influx of asylum seekers on the administration’s lax immigration policy.

After coming to office in late 2007, the Prime Minister ended his predecessor’s policy, known as the “Pacific Solution”, which some lawmakers, including former immigration minister Philip Ruddock, would like to see reintroduced.  Mr. Rudd’s new policy has placed an emphasis on expediting the claims of asylum seekers held on Christmas Island rather than keeping them detained for years in facilities in Nauru or Papua New Guinea.

The Prime Minister “makes no apologies whatsoever for deploying the most hardline measures necessary to deal with problems of illegal immigration into Australia”.

For more information, please see:
News.com.au – Boat fire refugees headed our way – 14 October 2009

BBC News – Australia PM seeks migrant help – 13 October 2009

Australia and New Zealand Magazine – New Advisory Body for Australian Migration Services – 12 October 2009

Australian Visa Bureau – Australian immigration advisory council announced – 12 October 2009

PS News – New Immigration Council allowed in – 12 October 2009

Australian Labor – New immigration advisory council – 09 October 2009