New Trials Begin for Protesters of Iranian Election

By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – On September 14, trials began for six more individuals involved in protests that followed the June 12 presidential election

The six individuals are being brought before the court on charges of rioting and plotting to topple the ruling regime of the Islamic Republic. State media in Iran has reported that indictment against the defendants is focused on the defendants’ use of the internet to spread false reports in order to provoke turmoil. The indictment claims that country was under the constant threat from both “psychological welfare” and “destructive propaganda.” Among those accused is Abdollah Momeni, a well known student activist. The official news agency of Iran has said that Momeni has pleaded guilty to the charges against him and has pleaded for “Islamic mercy from the court.”

This is the fifth trial brought against protesters of President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad’s reelection. Over 140 individuals have been put on trial for opposing the election, which opponents claim was rigged in favor of the incumbent. Opponents of the current regime have questioned the validity of the trials. Among those against the trials is former President Mohammad Khatami. Last month, the former president claimed that the confessions made by individuals on trial came as a result of “extraordinary conditions.”

The June presidential election between President Ahmedinejad and former Primer Minister Mir-Hossein Mousavi sparked protests throughout the country in the days that followed. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians marched in the streets. The opposition claimed that the outcome to the election was predetermined. Hardliners have portrayed their opponents as individuals who are backed by foreigners whose goal is the undermining of the Islamic government system. The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has insisted that no election fraud occurred.

Those protesting denounced the official results that gave President Ahmedinejad another four year term. Thousands of individuals were arrested by Iranian security forces, who were working with the Basij militia and Revolutionary Guard. The official estimate from the Iranian government is that thirty-six people died in the clashes between protesters and security forces. The opposition claims that more than seventy election protesters were killed during the conflict.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Iran Mass Trial Resumes as Reformists Clerics Speak Out – 14 September 2009

BBC News – Six Accused in Iran Protest Trial – 14 September 2009

CBC News – Iran Protest Trials Resume Monday – 14 September 2009

Guardian.co.uk – Six Iran Activists in Dock as Mass Trial Continues – 14 September 2009

New York Times – Iran Starts Fifth Trial Over Post – Election – 14 September 2009

Russian Journalist Attacked After Questioning Government Response to Plant Explosion

By David Sophrin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

Abakan, Russia – MIkhail Afanasyev, blogger and editor for the online magazine Novy Fokus, was attacked this past Wednesday in the southern Siberian city of Abakan.  His attack came after he was critical of the Russian government’s response to an explosion at a Siberian hydroelectric plant in August.

The explosion at the Sayano-Shushenskaya chemical plant killed over 70 workers.  After the explosion Afanasyev raised questions about whether the official government reports on the number of people killed in the explosion was lower than the number actually killed in the blast.  Afanasyev also questioned whether there was more the government could have done in rescuing those that might still be alive in the rubble.

Within 24 hours of Afanasyev questioning the government’s response to the explosion, Afanasyev and two of his colleagues at the Novy Fokus were charged by local government prosecutors in Abakan with defamation for his criticisms of the government’s response to the explosion.  Prosecutors accused him of “discrediting the honor and dignity, and undermining the business reputation, of the leaders of the republic and Sayano-Shushenskaya.”  Initially, Afanasyev’s computer and mobile phone were seized, but after mounting international criticism, the investigation and charges against him were dropped.

Afanasyev has been the target of violence before from law enforcement.  In 2007 Afanasyev was attacked and beaten by two men who identified themselves as police officers.  Russian officials have filed at least six libel charges against Afanasyev since 2003.

For more information, please see:

AP – Russian report critical of dam accident attacked – 9 September 2009

International News Safety Institute – Russian Journalist ‘beaten’ after dam criticism – 9 September 2009

The Moscow Times – Journalist Critical of Dam Disaster Attacked – 9 September 2009

International Press Institute – Russian Journalist Charged with Slander over Report on Siberian Power Station Disaster – 21 August 2009

The New York Times – Russian Blogger’s Claims About Plant Accident Lead to Libel Charge – 20 August 2009

UN Pressures Sri Lanka to Release Displaced Tamils

By Alok Bhatt
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

MADURAI,  Sri Lanka – Lynn Pascoe, head of UN’s political affairs department, recently expressed concern over the lack of progress in the removal of Sri Lankan Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) from government-operated refugee camps.  Pacsoe and a small team flew out to Sri Lanka hoping to bolster the evacuation process.  Pascoe commented that “[The UN is] particularly concerned about the [IDPs] in the camps, and getting them…home.”

Tamil-refugees-cp-6755246
Photo: Tamil children stand behind razor-wire in an IDP camp (Source: Associated Press). 

Ethnic Tamils have been subject to inhumane conditions in refugee camps since the May defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam.  Military strikes on the rebel group effectively ended insurgencies plaguing Sri Lanka for over twenty-five years.  However, post-war sanctuary has been failing to provide proper living situations for the displaced Tamils.  Camp dwellers describe unsanitary conditions and a lack of soap and toothbrushes.  Movement within the camps is stringently restricted.  Many IDPs have been wearing the same clothes since they entered the refugee camps.  Food and medical supplies have also been inadequate to support the droves of IDPs forced to take shelter.  Tamil IDPs have also reported severe mistreatment at the camps, saying military overseers treat them more like prisoners of war than a protected population.  

The UN has delivered sharp warnings to the Lankan government that it may no longer be able to aid in funding the immense interment camps.  Fearing the failure of the camps, the UN firmly demanded the release of the unwillingly encamped IDPs.  Sri Lanka’s Colombo officials responded with a commitment to release 80-percent of the over 280,000 Tamils by the end of this year.  However, the Colombo government claims to be unable to successfully evacuate the interment camps until the Lankan military can identify and remove surviving Tamil Tigers from among the civilian IDPs.  Numerous human rights groups have criticized the Colombo government for forcing Tamil IDPs to endure sub-human conditions while performing prolonged and questionable screening processes.   

The Colombo government also stated that it would have to clear stray landmines strewn about the areas surrounding the camps before releasing Tamil IDPs.  Tamils in the interment camps, however, have voiced skepticism and discontent towards the government’s supposed safety measures.   

The extended encampment of Sri Lankan IDPs signifies the affliction of ethnic Tamils after a civil war which stole the lives of up 100,000 people.  The camps contain IDPs in mean conditions and cannot sufficiently supply fundamental necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter.  The UN and multiple human rights organizations continue to pressure the Colombo government into releasing civilians, yet it seems that until further action is taken, the fortune of nearly 280,000 Tamils remains uncertain. 

For more information, please see:
 
Al-Jazeera – UN ‘concerned’ over Sri Lanka camps – 14 September 2009 

CBC News – Sri Lankan refugee camps try UN patience – 11 September 2009

Express Buzz – Sri Lankan refugee camps worst in history – 14 August 2009

The Independent – UN warns Sri Lanka over prison camps – 12 September 2009

Many Dead as a Result of Free Food Stampede

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KARACHI, Pakistan– A gesture of generosity became a day of sorrow and horror for many when 18 women were killed, among them a 13-year old girl, during a stampede where free flour was being given out. 15 others were also injured during the chaos.

The free-flour was being given out by local philanthropist Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, at his warehouse in Khori Garden, a neighborhood on the southern part of the city, and one of the poorest as well. Thousands of women and children gathered to attempt to take advantage of the offer. However a stampede occurred when the organizers, believing that the women were getting out of control decided to close the doors. Because of Khori Garden’s narrow lanes this created a suffocating atmosphere. The stampede was caused by the panicking women all attempting to leave at once. Witnesses state that what started the chaos were various arguments which broke out during the distribution of the food. One women stated that “Dozens of women just leapt to grab the items and the man distributing just closed the gate,”. One grieving mother named Karima cried “I have lost my little daughter…All I wanted was a bag of flour for my family, but my greed lost me so gravely” 

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims traditionally give free food and drink. These gifts are given by private individuals, and by religious and charitable groups.

During this year, a shortage of flour and sugar in the country as a result of hoarding has caused food prices in Pakistan to rise, with food prices rising even further during the Ramadan period. As a result competition for the distributed free food among the poor of this country has been higher than in previous years. Although the government has tried to subsidize flour and sugar prices, they seem unable to provide relief to the ever increasing number of poverty-stricken citizens.

The United Nation’s International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights defined the right to adequate food as a fundamental human right which is inherent to all to have regular access, either through direct or financial to an adequate and sufficient supply of food.  In other words, the right to adequate food is achieved when every person in a community has the physical and economic access at any time to adequate food or means to procure it.  Evidenced from the chaos erupted from the poverty and hunger stricken masses from a free-food give away, there seems to be a violation of this basic human right of access to food.

This incident was not the first time people have died, with similar scenes of long lines at various centers distributing free food falling into chaos during the last few weeks.  

For more information, please see:

BBC News- Pakistan food stampede kills many – 14 September 2009

New York Times- At least 19 killed in Ramadan food stampede– 14 September 2009

Daily Times- 18 women die in Karachi free food stampede – 15 September 2009

The Right to Food- Guiding Principles

President Tandja Uses the Law on Opponents

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NIAMEY, Niger–  Niger opposition leader Mahamadou Issouf risks becoming yet another alleged victim of Niger President Mamadou Tandja’s recent efforts to control those opposing his bid to change the country’s political structure.  In an attempt to secure his third term in office, President Tandja has made controversial political changes which include his current attempts to change the constitution and dissolving the country’s parliament.

Issouf the leader of the opposition party, The Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (PNDS), was freed on bail while still facing corruption charges he believes to be politically motivated and a consequence of President Tandja’s “corrupt” agenda.   With legislative elections scheduled for October 20, Issouf and other opposition leaders believe Tandja will continue his assault on anyone who opposes his attempts to extend his office term by three years.  Another opposition leader who is an example of President Tandja’s political agenda is Marou Amadou.

Amadou is a Niger human rights defender and President of the United Front for the Safeguard of Democratic Gains. On August 10, 2009 he was detained by the Niger Judicial police and accused of an “offence against the security of the state.”  This charge comes a month after a television broadcast by a local news station of Amadou declaring the Niger army’s ability to go against the President’s illegal order that dissolved the parliament.  Amadou cites language in Article 13 of Niger’s Constitution that states, “no one shall be obliged to carry out an obviously illegal order.”  The same day of this broadcast Amadou was detained by the police.  Some of the charges brought against him included “provoking disobedience towards the defense and security forces,” plotting against the authority of the state” and undertaking to demoralize the armed forces.”  All of these charges can carry with them the penalty of capital punishment.

Many others like Amadou and Issouf, who oppose Tandja’s political agenda, are experiencing the same treatment by law enforcement.  Many believe that the number of arrests will only get higher as the election nears.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Niger Corruption Case “Political” – 15 September 2009

All Africa – Tandja Cracks Down on Opponents – 15 September 2009

All Africa – Mamadou Tandja Finally Opts for Dictatorship – 27 May 2009

FrontLine – Niger: Detention of Human Rights Defender Mr. Marou Amadou – 17 August 2009