Gambian President Threatens to Kill Those Who Dare to Help

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BANJUL, Gambia– In Monday’s television broadcast Gambian president, Yahya Jammeh, announced that he would kill “anyone who wants to destabilize this country.” Jammeh’s “exact words” in his television broadcast were, “If you think that you can collaborate with so-called human rights defenders, and get away with it, you must be living in a dream world. I will kill you, and nothing will come out of it. We are not going to condone people posing as human rights defenders to the detriment of the country. If you are affiliated with any human rights group, be rest assured that your security, and personal safety would not be guaranteed by my Government. We are ready to kill saboteurs.”

In response to Jammeh’s remarks, activists from non-governmental human rights organizations launched a campaign to have the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which is currently headquartered in the Gambian capital, Banjul, removed from the country entirely. Jammeh’s threat “leads us to fear for the safety, security, and lives of ourselves and our colleagues who have to work with the… Commission,” the petition says.

Jammeh, who has ruled since taking power in a bloodless coup in 1994, has been repeatedly attacked by human rights campaigners for his repressive attitude, particularly towards the media. He came under fire earlier this month from press watchdog, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which urged Jammeh to “loosen the vice” on the media after six journalists who criticized him were jailed. The journalists spent just under a month in prison after publishing critical comments of Jammeh. They were originally given two-year jail sentences but were freed two weeks ago after receiving a presidential pardon. Despite freeing the journalists, Jammeh has kept up pressure on the media by warning journalists they could still be prosecuted for being “disrespectful”.

The President never explained what might have triggered his latest outburst, but insisted in no uncertain terms that Gambians, and non Gambians arrested on saboteur related charges would be murdered. Jammeh said his administration would no longer condone what he calls “human rights activists” in the country. The President also expressed his belief that taking people to court is a waste of time. “From now on, we will kill anyone trying to sabotage this country. Don’t be fooled by Human Rights Groups. They cannot save you from dying.” the President threatened.
For more information, please see:

Freedom Newspaper – Jammeh Threatens To Kill Saboteurs – 21 September 2009

Sydney Morning Herald – Gambia president threatens death to troublemakers – September 22, 2009

All Africa – Jammeh Threatens to Kill Human Rights Defenders – 24 September 2009

Newstime Africa – Yahya Jammeh Threatens To Kill Human Rights Workers in the Gambia– September 24th 2009

Political Unrest in Honduras After the Surprise Appearance of Deposed President Zelaya

By Brenda Lopez Romero

Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – After a surprise return of the deposed President Jose Manuel Zelaya, the current Honduran government implemented a nationwide curfew.

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Honduran troops surround the Brazilian Embassy in the capital, Tegucigalpa, on Tuesday (PHOTO: CNN) Zelaya was ousted on June 28, and despite international political, diplomatic and economic isolation, the interim President Roberto Micheletti has unwaveringly resisted said pressure to allow Zelaya to return to power. Micheletti contends that there was no coup, but rather a constitutional transfer of power. Zelaya faces charges of violating the constitution relating to a proposed referendum to allow a second consecutive term for presidency that was at the center of his ouster.  Zelaya’s term ends in January and he would not have benefited from any referendum adopted by the constitutional assembly.

Nonetheless, Honduras’ Supreme Court held the ballot initiative was illegal and Congress had decreed Zelaya couldn’t hold it.

On Monday, Zelaya’s appearance, in the Brazilian Embassy in the capital of Tegucigalpa, took everyone by surprise, including the Brazilian Foreign Minister Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim. As a result, Micheletti issued a nationwide curfew for that same day in order to halt violence that erupted with the return of the country’s deposed president.
Honduras media reported that the government will announce today, on radio and television, that the curfew will be lifted at six in the morning on Thursday; thus, businesses, schools, and the government will return to normal operating hours.

The curfew was ignored by Zelaya supporters who assembled outside the Brazilian Embassy. The Micheletti administration stated, on television broadcast Tuesday, that 2,500 demonstrators were dispersed without deaths. But Marcial Torres, a journalist for La Tribuna newspaper, said a doctor had informed him of at least eighty people that were admitted in an area hospital with injuries. Today, the Police announced that two men were killed in the disturbance. Police and soldiers maintained a security perimeter around the Brazilian embassy, disbanding pro-Zelaya supporters, whom remains confined inside the embassy.

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The streets of Tegucigalpa (PHOTO: La Prensa)

“The country is paralyzed,” with a “tense calm” in the nearly deserted streets of the capital, Torres said. The tension is fueled by uncertainty of how events will develop between a steadfast Micheletti and his potential response to Zelaya, who stated he returned for “homeland, restitution or death.”

All businesses, schools, and universities were closed. Additionally, all four of Honduras’ international airports in and outbound flights were canceled Tuesday and remain closed.

U.S. Department of State spokesman Ian Kelly confirmed to reporters in Washington, that Micheletti’s government isolated the embassy by cutting water, power and phone lines to the building, and Nunes Amorim, noted this action was a “very serious” move by Micheletti that violated international law.

The Brazilian foreign minister said he spoke with Zelaya and asked him not to use inflammatory language.  Kelly as well reported, “The United States calls on all parties to remain calm and avoid actions that might provoke violence in Honduras and place individuals at risk or harm. We urge that all parties refrain from actions that would lead to further unrest.” U.S. diplomats and Brazil remained in contact with both sides in the conflict and support dialogue. Food delivered on Tuesday was believed to have been brought by the Americans, Torres said. However, Micheletti said in an interview with local network Televicentro, that Zelaya’s sudden appearance would not revive negotiations. Micheletti insisted in a letter to Brazilian authorities that they either give Zelaya asylum or turn him over to Honduran authorities.
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A looted store in the capital (PHOTO:  The Associated Press)
On Wednesday, when the curfew was temporarily lifted hungry Hondurans went through looted stores and lined up for food. Lila Armendia, a thirty-eight year-old seamstress has been unable to work and said it was “like being in jail.” Many Hondurans feel caught in the middle of a fight between two leaders — neither of whom they support said Edie Eguigure, fourty-seven, waiting in a long line to buy food for his family: “It’s time for Micheletti and Zelaya to sit down to negotiate to end this problem that is affecting more than anything the poorest of the poor.”

Micheletti vowed Monday night to stay in power despite Zelaya’s return.

Zelaya did not provide details on how he got into the country except that it was a fifteen to sixteen hour trip he journeyed “with the help of Hondurans.”

For more information, please see:

The Associated Press – Curfew-trapped Hondurans seek food amid crisis, 23 September 2009

La Prensa – Policía informa de 2 muertos tras los disturbios, 23 Septiembre 2009

La Prensa – Toque de queda se suspenderá a las 6:00 a.m – 23 Septiembre 2009

CNN – Honduran military uses tear gas on ousted leader’s supporters, 22 September 2009

Militant Group Blasts Pakistan Market

By Alok Bhatt
 Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KOHAT, Pakistan – An immense suicide-blast in the northwestern town of Kohat took the lives of over 30 civilians and wounded 80 others.  The explosion ravaged an urban market area in a predominantly Shia region located approximately 40 miles south of Peshawar.  Victims and witnesses believed the attack to have been perpetrated by an extremist Sunni group.  Sectarian tensions between Sunnis and Shias have historically afflicted northwestern Pakistan since al-Qaida and other extremist Muslim groups occupied its surrounding areas.  This recent attack represents only one of many indiscriminate assaults on Shia civilians.  Just one day prior, a bomb detonated in a Kohat bazaar left six wounded, but fortunately caused no fatalities.  An August 30th bombing in the Swat Valley region of northwest Pakistan killed 14 police recruits.  The repeated attacks upon northwest Pakistan demonstrate the extremist Sunni objective to eradicate the Shia Muslim minority.  The geographic proximity of northwest Pakistan to Afghanistan makes the region especially susceptible to insurgencies by Taliban forces and other militant extremist organizations.  

Beside the loss of life and severe injury to survivors, the suicide-attack caused catastrophic damage to Shia-owned kiosks, restaurants, the Hikmat Ali Hotel, and a number of vehicles along the market road.  Witnesses recalled seeing a bearded man drive into the market in a van then detonate his cargo of explosives, destroying himself and the immediate area.  The impact of the blast collapsed the roofs of surrounding buildings, trapping many victims beneath heavy dust and rubble.  Onlookers came to the aid of those pinned under the wreckage until machinery arrived on the scene to lift and clear the debris.  Media footage showed survivors emerging from the target zone covered in blood and bandages.

 

 


A lesser-known Sunni extremist group called Lashkar-e-Jhangvi al-Almi claimed responsibility for the Korat bomb attacks.  It declared the blast an act of vengeance for their religious leader, Maulana M. Amin, who was killed in June.  

The Pakistan military has been engaging in military offensives against extremist groups in northwest Pakistan since April.  While the strikes have been proving effective against militant groups, officials admit the frustration and difficulty of trying to eliminate suicide-bomb attacks.  However, with the aid of U.S. military strikes, Pakistan’s armed forces will continues to beat back insurgent attacks to avoid attacks in urban areas.   

 For more information, please see:

Al-Jazeera – Deadly blast in Pakistan market – 18 September 2009

BBC News – Carnage in Pakistan Market Attack – 18 September 2009

MSNBC – At least 29 die as blast hits Pakistan hotel – 18 September 2009

U.N. Denounces Enslavement of Indigenous Guarani

By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

EL GRAN CHACO, Paraguay and Bolivia – The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issueshas expressed grave concern in two recently released reports over findings of forced labor of indigenous people in the Chaco regions of Paraguay and Bolivia.  The report also cited findings of abuses related to land rights, child labor, freedom of association and discrimination. Permanent Forum Chairperson Victoria Tauli-Corpuz even found that “in some areas, those seeking to defend their rights were the target of systematic violence and threats.”

Three Permanent Forum members were in the investigatory mission along with experts from several UN agencies.  The reports recommend that the governments of Bolivia and Paraguay take steps to address forced labor beyond what is already in place.  This should include increased presence of state institutions in forced labor areas to ensure the enforcement of domestic and international labor law, security and legal services, social services and rural development.

Evo Morales has stated his intent to aid the tens of thousands of ethnic Guarani who live in eastern Bolivia by creating a 390,000-acre reservation. Guarani leaders in Bolivia have expressed optimism about positive progress under Morales’ government. However, land owners in the area have vowed to resist any attempts of land reform.

The Permanent Forum was clear in stating that “all efforts to address the situation of indigenous peoples of the Chaco region must  . . . include restoration of territorial and land rights for indigenous peoples, and the promotion and application of the principle of non-discrimination in all spheres of life of indigenous peoples.”

Reports over the last four decades by researchers and non-governmental organizations have made similar findings regarding the indigenous people of the Chaco region, who live in a state “reminiscent of slavery.” Most land in the Chaco region is owned by non-indigenous people, who government and international observers say force landless indigenous families into labor.  Many people are paid only in food and clothing, or live in debt bondage.

For more information, please see:

Indian Country Today – Permanent Forum Wants Forced Labor Stopped – 17 September 2009

The Scoop – Forced Labour Of Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia – 1 September 2009

The Business Age – Chaco Indigenous People Suffer Forced Labor, Abuse: U.N. – 31 August 2009

United Press International – U.N.: Protect Chaco Indigenous People – 31 August 2009

Bombings Leave Somalia Between a Rock And a Hard Place

By Jared Kleinman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia – At least 21 people have died following the dual suicide car bombing at the African Union (AU) peacekeeper’s main base in the Somali capital, Mogadishu Thursday September 17th. Witnesses said the bombers entered the compound using two vehicles with United Nations markings and packed with explosives. Twelve Burundian, five Ugandan and four Somali soldiers are confirmed dead while 26 others who were injured seriously, were evacuated to Nairobi for treatment. Among the dead was Maj. Gen. Juvenal Niyonguruza, the Burundian deputy force commander. Thursday’s attack brings the total number of peacekeepers killed to 35 with Maj.-Gen Niyoyunguriza the highest ranking officer to be killed so far.

Al-Shabaab, the Islamist movement opposing Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG), has vowed to step up suicide attacks against foreign forces operating in the country. The Al-Shabaab group said these attacks were revenge for a US raid on Monday in which Kenyan-born al-Qaeda suspect Saleh Ali Saleh Nabhan was killed. Earlier on Thursday, Al-Shabaab demanded that France ensure that AU forces are pulled out of Somalia. This was one of several demands issued by the group for the release of a French security adviser captured in July.

Al-Shabaab and its allies control most of southern and central Somalia, while the government, helped by the AU force, just runs parts of Mogadishu. Representative for Somalia, Mr Nicholas Bwakira, has urged the international community to play a bigger role in bringing the Somali instability to an end. “We need more superior weapons, human capacity and technical ability to wipe out the insurgents,” Mr Bwakira said. “Their presence in this country is not wanted,” he added.

The AU peace keepers were deployed in 2007 to guard the Presidential Palace, airport and seaport. Years of fighting and anarchy have left some three million people, more than half of the country’s population, dependent on humanitarian aid, with nearly 300,000 refugees crammed into a few square kilometers at the Dadaab camp in northeastern Kenya alone. Al-Shabaab wants foreign peacekeepers out of the country while Somalia’s TFG wants more foreign support. Should the AU forces leave, thousands of Somali’s will suffer with out the AU’s humanitarian aid. Should the AU forces stay and maintain their foreign fortification against the Al-Shabaab insurgents, Al-Shabaab will continue its attacks.

For more information, please see:

The East African – AU Troops Sitting Ducks – 21 September 2009

Impunity Watch – Somali Rebels Seek Foreign Reinforcements – 20 September 2009

Daily Nation – Death Toll from Militia Attack on AU Base Rises to 21 – 19 September 2009

BBC – AU urges more weapons for Somalia – 18 September 2009

BBC – Suicide blasts hit Somalia base – 17 September 2009