Guinea Security Forces Kill 9 During Protest

By Jennifer M. Haralambides

CONAKRY, Guinea – In a rally against Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, security forces violently quelled the crowds, killing at least 9 people.

Junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, who took power in a bloodless coup last year, had initially pledged not to run in a presidential election planned for this coming January, although now it looks as though he will run.

Because of this, hundreds of demonstrators joined together to rally against his campaign holding up signs reading “No to Dadis” and “Down with the Army in Power.”  They were quickly dispersed by the military who used tear gas, live ammunition and baton charges to break up the crowds.

“I have counted nine bodies but we have not yet been able to reach the stands in the stadium where there are also some dead,” said Thierno Maadjou Sow, president of the Guinean Human Rights Organization.

Cellou Dalein Diallo and Sidya Toure, two former prime ministers, were injured during the demonstrations and then taken to the Alpha Yaya Diallo camp, which is the headquarters of the junta in power.  Witnesses say that many more prominent opposition leaders were injured and taken into custody during the violence.

The security forces are still in effect and have been setting up roadway checkpoints.

“This is only the beginning of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations we can expect in the next few months,” said Gilles Yabi, a Guinea expert.

The military take-over by Captain Camara had some initial support, although the recent anti-government protests to Camara’s potential run for the presidency show that the tide has shifted.

If Captain Camara stands for president, it will be a violation of the agreement between the military and civil forces which has kept him in power.
For more information, please see:

AFP – At Least 10 Killed at Guinea Demonstration – 28 September 2009

BBC – Protesters Killed in Guinea Rally – 28 September 2009

Reuters – Guinea Forces Kill 9 in Crackdown – Group – 28 September 2009

Canadian Foreign Minister Protests Iran Head of State by Walking Out on Speech

By William Miller

Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

NEW YORK, United States – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other Canadian officials boycotted a speech given by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the United Nations General Assembly to protest Iran’s human rights violations and President Ahmadinejad’s anti-Semitic remarks. Canada was joined in the boycott by Israel who was also not present for Ahmadinejad’s speech. Other nations, including the US, were present when the Iranian head of state began his speech but walked out as the speech took on more anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli tones.

A spokeswoman for Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon told the Canadian press that Cannon would not attend Ahmadinejad’s speech because Ahmadinejad is hostile to Canada’s ally Israel, continuously delivers anti-Semitic speeches, and commits countless human rights violations against his own people. The spokeswoman specifically cited the violent acts by the Iranian government towards election protestors in Iran who protested the results of the Iranian presidential election claiming the results were fraudulent. Opposition groups say there where at least seventy-two protestors killed by the Iranian government in the aftermath of the election. Iranian government officials, however, claim only thirty-six were killed. Hundreds of others remain imprisoned for their part in the protests.

Cannon himself also pointed to Iran’s detention of an Iranian-Canadian citizen as one of his reasons for not attending Ahmadinejad’s speech in an interview with Fox News. Iran has resisted all attempts by Canada to negotiate his release, claiming that the detainee was involved in a plot against the government although no charges have been brought against him. Iran has also denied his Canadian citizenship.

Ahmadinejad

Iranian President Mahmaud Ahamadinejad (PHOTO: Canadian Press)

President Ahmadinejad has a reputation for making anti-Semitic speeches for some time and has incited walkouts at UN events before. Diplomats from nations including the US, Britain, and France have protested his speeches in the past. He has called Israel “the most cruel and repressive racist regime” and has called for their destruction. He has also angered world leaders by claiming the Holocaust was fabricated and never actually took place. Although President Ahmadinejad’s speeches are condemned by the leaders of many nations he maintains a right as head of state to speak at the U.N. General Assembly and has been hailed by some world leaders who share his hostilities towards Israel.

For more information pleas see:

Canadian Press – Canada to Boycott Ahmadinejad’s UN Speech – 24 September 2009

Fox News – Canadian Walkout on Ahmadinejad – 24 September 2009

Reuters – Ahmadinejad Prompts Walkout From UN Racism Summit – 20 April 2009

Imprisoned Ex-Leader of Taiwan Requests U.S. Intervention

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TAIPEI, Taiwan– Earlier this month, the Taiwan High Court sentenced the country’s ex-leader Chen Shui-bian to life in prison for money laundering, embezzling state funds, accepting bribes and committing forgery.  This week, the same court rejected Chen’s petition for release on bail as Chen supporters demanded that the appellate court uphold Chen’s human rights.

One local newspaper said, “Let this be a warning to all political parties, politicians, government officials and businessmen.  The Chen family deserves no sympathy for the heavy sentence.  We should respect the court’s decision.” 

Chen shui bian

Taiwan’s Ex-President Chen Shui-bian.  Courtesy of Reuters. 

Chen, however, has petitioned the U.S. to intervene and restore his civil and human rights.  The Taiwan Civil Rights Litigation Organization is sponsoring a legal action for Chen and is demanding his immediate release.

Chen claims that under the 1952 San Francisco Peace Treaty, Taiwan was not awarded to Republic of China; therefore, still remains under U.S. Military Government.  Accordingly, Chen plans on using international law and U.S. constitutional law to resolve his legal problems.

 Free chen shui bianChen’s supporters.  Courtesy of Start Telegram.

 Calling Chen’s trial unfair and invalid, Taipei Director of Democratic Progressive Party Huang Ching-lin said he supports Chen’s theory. 

Furthermore, some Taiwanese media also expressed concern for Chen’s case, especially for his lengthy detention during trial.  One daily paper said, “There was a widespread belief that this was hardly a fair trial.  The flawed process has affected the healthy developments in our country’s democracy and our international image.”

However, Chinese Nationalist Party Legislator Lee Hung-chun commented that Chen must be “mentally ill after spending so much time in detention.”

Chen has been in custody since December and continues to argue that he is innocent, claiming that he is a victim of Beijing’s political conspiracy.  Chen said his corruption trial was a “political revenge for his lifelong push to declare formal independence from China.”

Chen’s wife also received a life sentence, while his son and daughter received shorter sentences.
 

For more information, please see:

AFP – Taiwan media divided over ex-leader’s life sentence – 11 September 2009

Asia News – Ex President Chen SHui-bian to stay in prison – 25 September 2009

China Post – High court decides to detain Chen Shui-bian – 25 September 2009

Taipei Times – Chen asks US court to intervene to free him – 24 September 2009

Indian Journalist and Activist Arrested and Tortured

By Megan E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, India– Jiten Yumnam a journalist, also an anti-Tipaimukh dam and rights activist, remains captured and at risk after being tortured while in Custody in India.

Jiten and seven others (Chungset Koireng, Likmabam Tompok Singh, Shamjet Sabano Nanbo Singh, Irom Brojen Singh, Amom Soken Singh, Toarem Ramanda Singh and Thiyam Dinesh Singh) were arrested in areas surrounding Manipur on September 14. This is based on assertions by the, Asian Human Rights Commission, a Hong Kong-based regional rights organization, which issued a statement on Thursday, September 24. The statement indicated that, “We have obtained court documents which show Jiten and seven others accused and were arrested on mere suspicion and unsubstantiated allegations.” 

Jiten was active in an international campaign against police officers who murdered a young man and a pregnant woman in the Manipur capital this July. In the present matter, the police claimed to have received information that the detained congregated on September 14 to plan further protests against the extrajudicial executions of civilians to intensify the pressure on security forces. Investigation officer, Ibomche Singh, sought a 20-day custody of the eight. Although the police claimed the detained had confessed to the charges during interrogation, when questioned before a court, the protesters denied confessing, and said they had been badly tortured. The court recorded this and agreed to extended police custody until 29 September.

Jiten and the seven other activists arrested, were reported taken into custody without explanation, and it is believed by some sources that cases against them were fabricated using the National Security Act, 1980. The Act is widely misused by the government to lengthily detain human rights defenders and political activists, and there is concern that this will be applied to Jiten and the other activists presently captured.

Evidence shows that Jiten was in need and requested medical attention, however, the detained were examined only once by a doctor despite having been previously tortured.  According to one source, neither the victim nor his family have been told of the charges against him. Unverified reports have suggested that he and seven other persons arrested on the same day will be charged with offenses punishable under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, the Official Secrets Act, 1923 and the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

For more information, please see:

News from Bangladesh – India anti-dam activists at risk in custody – September 28, 2009 

South Asia Media – India anti-dam activists at risk – September 27, 2009 

Asia Human Rights Commission – INDIA: A detained human rights defender is at risk of false charges and torture  – September 18, 2009

Palestinian Refugee Camps in Lebanon: When Will Changes Be Made?

By Brandon Kaufman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BEIRUT, Lebanon– The latest figures show that there are nearly four hundred thousand Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon.  Of that number, fifty-three percent live in twelve refugee camps scattered throughout the country.  The existence of these camps, however, does not mean that the refugees are living in suitable conditions.

Lebanese law forbids Palestinian refugees from working in seventy-two different professions.  These prohibitions include various private sector careers such as engineering, medicine, and law, as well as all public sector jobs.  Furthermore, there are a number of low skilled professions such as guarding buildings and trash collecting which are also subject to the prohibition.  As for the remaining low skilled positions, Palestinian refugees are required to obtain work permits and very few of these permits have been issued.

Aside from the professional prohibitions, a recent Lebanese law forbids Palestinians from buying and owning property.  Even Lebanese women married to a Palestinian man are forbidden from giving their children any property as an inheritance.  In addition, the new law obstructs renovation work at the camps by prohibiting the entry of any building equipment.  As a result, many of these camps lack many basic services such as electricity, water, and sewage systems.

In response to these conditions, the Lebanese argue that the refugees are temporarily in the camps and for them to normalize the situation with the Palestinians.  They are concerned that this would lead to an unwanted sense of permanent settlement.  Currently, it is estimated that nearly forty percent of 15 to 24 year-olds in the camps are unemployed.  Not only that, but chronic health failure is reported in just under twenty percent of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, a rate higher than that of Palestinian refugees in both Syria and Jordan.

In light of recent political developments in the region, the sentiment seems to be that the right of return for Palestinians is not a realistic possibility in the immediate future. As a result, many continue to feel that Lebanese law needs to reflect the ongoing struggle being faced by Palestinian refugees.

For more information, please see:

China View- Lebanese President Rejects “Any Form” of Palestinian Settlement of Refugees– 26 September 2009

The Daily Star- Sleiman Voices Hopes for Lebanese Seat on Security Council– 26 September 2009

The Palestinian Chronicle- Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon: From Deprivation to Violence– 18 September 2009