Junta Released More Than 6000 Prisoners

By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar – Junta released more than 6,000 prisoners after the United Nations human rights rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana concluded his visit last week.  Several monks and pro-democracy members were among released prisoners, a party spokesperson and a rights group said.  State radio and television reports prisoners were being freed because of their good conduct in jails.  These prisoners also would be able to participate in a general election planned for next year.

However, according to Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based rights group believes “it is just for show”.  “This group does not include any policy makers or other key players,” said Tate Naing, the group’s secretary.  National League for Democracy spokesperson Nyan Win said he was expecting to hear about additional NLD members freed.

The United Nations human rights rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana noting “The human rights situation in Myanmar is still challenging.”  During his visit, Mr. Quintana were not allow to meet with either Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition who is under house arrest, or Burma’s junta chief, Senior General Than Shwe.  Mr. Quintana’s mission to Myanmar is to push for the freedom of political prisoners – including Aung San Suu Kyi.  The Junta said that they would consider his recommendation, amending some national laws to be more in keeping with international standards.

At the same time, pressure is rising for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to visit Myanmar again.  Aung San Suu Kyi and others have written a letter welcoming a possible visit by the secretary-general to “discuss a broad range of issues,” U.N. envoy Ibrahim Gambari told reporters after briefing the Security Council on his recent trip to Myanmar.  U.N. Security Council members said they would support a visit by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

For more information, please see:

AP – 19 political prisoners released from Myanmar jails – 22 February 2009

AP – Myanmar junta announces 6300 convicts to be freed – 20 February 2009

BBC – Burma rights still ‘challenging’ – 20 February 2009

Reuters – Political prisoners among 6,000 freed in Myanmar – 22 February 2009

Vestiges of Slavery Alive in the Caribbean

By Karla E General
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America


POINTE-A-PITRE, Guadeloupe – The Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe have seen turmoil in the past month due to protests over extremely low wages and high living costs. The weeks long protests are in response to the pervasive level of inequality in the economy of the islands with just one percent of the population, known as the bekes (the primarily white, elite slaveholder descendants), owning most of the industries and sources of economic clout in the islands. Many demonstrators, mostly afro-Caribbeans, believe that their current dire circumstances are a manifestation of the legacy of racism and slavery on the French colony islands.

France dispatched 450 riot police to tame the protests that have been characterized by gunfire, looting, arson, and the death of longtime activist and union member Jacques Bino, who was shot and killed in a housing project in Point-a-Pitre. Three police officers were also reported injured, one of whom was shot in the eye. Protest leader Domota said the violence was prompted by the police, who have been accused of harassing protestors with racist insults.

The social and economic disparities between the two groups runs deep according to recent statistics, with an unemployment rate of 23 percent and a poverty rate of 12 percent, compared to 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively, on the overseas mainland of France.

Serge Romana, president of an association commemorating the abolition of slavery in the French territories, has said that French President Nicholas Sarkozy “must absolutely abolish all traces of neocolonialism and vestiges of slavery in the overseas regions.” This call for respect and equality has barriers in systemic processes, however, as beke Jean-Luc de Laguarigue has said: “Tensions have festered over generations because France and its islands have not explored the painful past…The protests are not a call for war, but for dignity.” He noted there was no known slavery museum in France and the subject is pretty much taboo in the educational system.

On Sarkozy’s part, he promised a $250 monthly raise for low-income workers and a lowering of prices on 100 products by 20 percent. Protest leaders and government officials are currently negotiating for lower housing, gasoline, water and electricity costs.

For more information, please see:

Houston Chronicle – Unrest in France’s Carribbean Islands Claims 1 – 18 February 2009

Associated Press – Unrest in Carribbean Has Roots in Slavery Past – 22 February 2009

Star Tribune –  On Martinique and Guadeloupe, Anger Over Soaring Living Costs Has Roots in Past Slavery – 22 February 2009

Ousted Chaudhry Says Reform Must Precede Elections

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s Labour Party leader, Mahendra Chaudhry, said that Fiji must sort out its governmental problems before holding elections.  He says that reforms must be put in place if Fiji is to avoid another political coup in the future.
According to Chaudhry, Fiji’s problems are ones of fundamental governance and that the people of Fiji must admit that these problems exist before progress can commence.  The solutions to these problems, he said, must precede a return to democratic rule.
“We’ve had it for so long, we need to solve those problems,” he said. “Otherwise we will always have a turbulent democracy here, we’ve had four coups and we don’t want that again.”
While he admitted that the overall return to democracy will take time, he said that a timeline should be put in place for the return.  “It does not really matter, so long as progress is being made and there is a timeline – reasonable and fair to those demanding elections immediately and those who are saying ‘Let’s wait and solve problems out and have elections’.”
Chaudhry was the prime minister of Fiji before being ousted by a coup in 2000.
For more information, please see:
Fiji Times – ‘Solutions before polls’ – 23 February 2009

Pakistan Agrees to Implement Sharia Law in Swat Valley Area

By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PESHAWAR, Pakistan – Pakistan has agreed to a peace deal with Taliban militants in the Swat Valley. The deal will lead to the enforcement of Islamic Sharia law in the Pakistan’s northwest region. In return the Taliban will lay down their arms permanently.

Historically, Swat has been a religious holiday destination. Since 2007, it has been under Taliban control. As a result, thousands of people have fled and schools have been burned. Although female education, music and dancing have already been prohibited and executions have taken place, militants in the Swat Valley have been pushing for a stricter Islamic law.

“Our whole struggle is for the enforcement of Shariah (Islamic) law,” Swat Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said. “If this really brings us the implementation of Sharia, we will fully cooperate with it.”

Chief Minister of North West Frontier Province Ameer Hussain Hoti, said, “[The deal] was reached after realization that it was the demand of the people.

The agreement will force the provincial government to implement Sharia law in the Malakand division, which includes the Swat Valley. Civilians have been caught in between the military and Taliban fighting. At least 1,000 have died and thousands have been displaced.

Some critics believe that the peace deal is the beginning of Taliban rule in Pakistan, saying the deal will encourage the Taliban in other areas of the country to take more severe action. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardaru said the Taliban had “a presence in huge amounts of land” in Pakistan and were trying to take over the county.

On the other hand, the government views it in strategy. The peace deal will stop the fighting in the Swat Valley area and thereby giving the government some breathing room.

Many people in the area prefer that the army retreat since they have failed to pacify Taliban insurgents and protect civilians.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – Islamic Law to be Imposed in Parts of NW Pakistan – 16 February 2009

BBC – Pakistan Agrees Sharia Law Deal – 16 February 2009

Reuters – Pakistan:  Now or Never? – 16 February 2009

United States’ Lax Gun Laws Play Major Role in Mexico Violence

By Maria E. Molina
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Guns and ammunition going to Mexico from the United States has been fueling a war between drug cartels and law enforcement — a war that left thousands dead last year.

More than 5,000 people were murdered in Mexico last year alone, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and 95 percent of the weapons recovered from those killings were traced back to the U.S. This is because it’s easier to buy guns in the U.S. and smuggle them across the border than it is to get them in Mexico.

Guns are coming to Mexico from all over the U.S. The weapons and ammunition are being bought mostly from licensed dealers. Any adult with a valid ID and no criminal record can buy as many as he or she wants.

Another part of the problem is that the United States does not enforce a ban on importing assault weapons. The ban was implemented under the administrations of President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton, and the U.S. government can enforce it under provisions of the 1968 Gun Control Act.  Many such guns are later smuggled south to arm Mexico’s ruthless drug cartels. The guns come to the United States from Europe and other places, and they make their way down to Mexico.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, or ATF, has quietly abandoned the ban in recent years. The ATF declined to comment.  Mexico has long demanded that the U.S. do more to stop the flow of weapons south.

For more information, please see:

NPR – Guns From U.S. Play Key Role In Mexican Violence – 20 February 2009

Forth Worth Star Telegram – U.S. lawmakers want ban on importing assault weapons enforced – 19 February 2009

Associated Press – Lawmakers: US must enforce assault-gun import ban – 18 February 2009