French Polynesian Politician Denies Ties to Missing Journalist

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PAPEETE, French Polynesia – A veteran French Polynesian politician has called allegations against him “scandalous” after a letter was found in his home describing the abduction, torture, and murder of a journalist.

In 1997, journalist, Jean-Pascal Couraud, disappeared. Four years ago, members of the Couraud family alleged that Jean-Pascal was murdered after Mr. Vetea Guilloux, a former spy for prominent French Polynesian politician, Gaston Flosse, claimed that the Grupement d’Intervention de La Polynesia (GIP) drowned the journalist off the coast of Tahiti.

Flosse originally created the GIP intervention force when he was president of French Polynesia to employ young men not only domestically but also in the Cook islands, Tonga, and Niue. The Force quickly grew and was criticized for becoming, what some saw, was a private army used for spying and intimidation.

In 2004, Flosse publically stated before a Tahitian assembly that he never ordered Couraud’s death.

Three months ago, a letter describing Couraud’s murder was found during a search of Flosse’s home. AFP news source reports that a former member of the GIP, Vetea Cadousteau, wrote the letter. Mr. Cadousteau’s body was found in a Tahitian valley five years ago. Experts are trying to determine the authenticity of the letter.

In addition, the letter implicates a GIP member as an accomplice in Couraud’s alleged murder. That accomplice, however, also died under circumstances yet to be investigated.

Flosse, meanwhile, has issued a statement claiming that the media’s persistence in attacking him is ridiculous. Flosse argues that not even the judiciary are pursuing him.

Following recent reports on the letter, Flosse has declined to respond.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Veteran French Polynesian politician says ongoing JPK speculation is scandalous – 31 December 2008

Radio New Zealand International – Letter’s discovery widens mystery around missing French Polynesian journalist – 30 December 2008

Island Business News – We Say: FRENCH POLYNESIA

Human Rights Groups Question Israeli Targeting Decisions

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza – On January 1, Israel continued its military operation in Gaza, launching strikes from drones, manned aircraft and the sea.  Targets were mainly government buildings in Gaza City; including the parliament building and the justice ministry.  Palestinians also report that the buildings housing the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Transportation were virtually destroyed.  Other targets include Hamas security compounds, smuggling tunnels, and the homes of Hamas leaders.

Also, on January 1, Palestinian and Israeli sources confirmed that Nizar Rayyan, a senior Hamas leader, was killed during an air strike on his home in Gaza.  Rayyan is the most senior Hamas leader to be killed since 2004.  Israeli Channel 10 news reported that Rayyan was the “mufti” of Hamas’s military wing and had replaced Sheikh Ahmed Yassin as Hamas’ top cleric.  Palestinian medics say that Rayyan’s wife and three children were also killed in the strike.

While Rayyan often wears a military uniform, Hamas considered him to be a political leader.  Targeting him indicates that Israel might target other key members of the Hamas leadership – individuals who Israel holds responsible for the rockets fired from Gaza. 

However, Israeli targeting decisions have been criticized by some human rights organizations.  B’Tselem, an Israeli human rights organization, recently expressed concern over statements made by Israeli military officials regarding legitimate targets.  Specifically, B’Tselem cited a statement from Major Avital Liebowitz, of the IDF Spokesperson’s Office: “Anything affiliated with Hamas is a legitimate target.”  Also, Liebowitz confirmed that the army had widened its target list in comparison to previous operations. 

B’Tselem is concerned that the statement suggests that any person or entity connected with Hamas is now viewed as a legitimate target, regardless of whether they are engaged in military action against Israel.  B’Tselem went on to identify some targets that have been hit since the operation began which may not have been legitimate. 

The first example was the bombing of the main police building in Gaza, where over 40 Palestinians were killed.  According to reports, the individuals were participating in a course teaching first-aid, handling of public disturbances, human rights, and public-safety exercises.

Another example offered by B’Tselem was the bombing of specific government buildings; including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Labor, Construction and Housing.  According to B’Tselem, the activity in these places is not military activity, making them clear civilian objects.  Thus, B’Tselem concluded, targeting them is a violation of international humanitarian law.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed similar concerns.  Joe Stork, Deputy Director of HRW’s Middle East and North Africa division, stated that “Israel should not target individuals and institutions in Gaza solely because they are part of the Hamas-run political authority, including ordinary police. Only attacks on military targets are permissible, and only in a manner that minimizes civilian casualties.”

“Israel must not make a blanket decision that all police and police stations are by definition legitimate military targets,” Stork continued. “It depends upon whether those police play a role in fighting against Israel, or whether a particular police station is used to store weapons or for some other military purpose.”

Like B’Tselem, HRW identified three Israeli attacks that raised particular concern about Israel’s targeting decisions and called for independent inquiries into whether the incidences violated the laws of war.  In these incidences, 17 civilians were killed, including seven children.

According to the UN, 25 percent of the over 400 Palestinians killed have been civilians.  However, this figure does not include Hamas police officers not involved in other military activity.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Israel Kills Senior Hamas Figure – 1 January 2009

Associated Press – Israelis Detail Combat Sorties over Gaza – 1 January 2009

BBC – Gaza Violence Goes into Sixth Day – 1 January 2009

BBC – Hamas Leader Killed in Air Strike – 1 January 2009

The Guardian – Israel Rejects Ceasefire as Warplanes Attack Government Buildings in Gaza – 1 January 2009

Jerusalem Post – Nizar Rayyan Considered Successor of Ahmen Yassin – 1 January 2009

Radio Netherlands – Israel Targets Government Buildings in Gaza Strip – 1 January 2009

B’Tselem – B’Tselem to Attorney General Mazuz: Concern over Israel Targeting Civilian Objects in the Gaza Strip – 31 December 2008

Human Rights Watch – Israel/Hamas: Civilians Must Not be Targets – 30 December 2008

UN Security Council Fails to Vote on Gaza Resolution

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

NEW YORK CITY, United States – On December 31, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting at the request of the Arab League to discuss Israeli operations in Gaza.  The Security Council envoys began with closed-door consultations but then moved into a formal public meeting.  During the meeting, Libya, the only Arab state on the Security Council, presented a resolution drafted by the Arab League earlier that day.

The draft resolution “strongly condemns all military attacks and the excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by Israel, the occupying power, which have led to the death and injury of scores of innocent Palestinian civilians, including women and children.”  It also calls for “an immediate ceasefire and for its full respect by both sides.”

Additionally, the draft resolution calls on Israel “to scrupulously abide by all of its obligations under international humanitarian law, particularly under the Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians in time of war.”  Specifically, it calls “for the immediate and sustained opening of the border crossings of the Gaza Strip,” and the resumption of humanitarian aid deliveries to its population.

AFP reports that the language in the draft resolution has been amended since the initial version was released to the press in Cairo.  The initial version characterized Israel’s actions in Gaza as “barbaric aggression” and as “collective punishment” of the Palestinian people.

However, the Security Council meeting adjourned without a vote on the draft resolution.  Since the it did not mention the rockets being fired by Hamas, British and US ambassadors said the draft resolution seemed too partial. 

US Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad stated, “This resolution as currently circulated by Libya is not balanced and therefore, as currently drafted, it is not acceptable to the United States.”  Britain’s UN Ambassador, John Sawers, added “any resolution will need to reflect the responsibilities of all parties…There is no mention so far of the rocket attacks that have triggered the Israeli offensive.”

During the emergency meeting, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian permanent observer, called on the Security Council to take strong and urgent action.  He said, “Our children in the Gaza Strip today and their mothers are looking up to you to stop this barbarian aggression and to protect them from this criminality, this forced hunger and this deliberate killing.”

Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalevl, told the Security Council that Israel will continue its operation in Gaza as long as it needs to and will defend its citizens against terror.  In a statement during the emergency meeting, Shalevl said that Israeli citizens will not be “ducks on a shooting range.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – UN Divided on Gaza Resolution – 1 January 2009 

BBC – UN Fails to Make Progress on Gaza – 1 January 2009

International Herald Tribune – Arabs Want UN Resolution to Halt Gaza Attacks – 1 January 2009

Yedioth – Israel to UN: We’ll Continue Gaza Op – 1 January 2009

AFP – UN Security Council Takes Up Arab Resolution on Gaza – 31 December 2008

Reuters – UN Security Council Meet on Gaza Violence – 31 December 2008

Peaceful Protesters Arrested in Burma

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGONG, Myanmar – On December 30th, the Burmese government arrested nine peaceful protestors calling for the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Tun Tun Win, Tun Tun Linn, Pyae Pyae Aung, Win Myint Maung, Min Thein, Kaung Htet Hlaing, Phyo Wai,Yeni Soe and Htet Htet Oo Wai are members of the opposition party’s youth wing, the National League for Democracy (NLD).

According to a witness the protesters were wearing white Jasmine flowers symbolic of their “White Jasmine Campaign” to free Burma’s political prisoners. The arrest worried many locals as they do not know where the protestors had been taken.

Witnesses say that the protesters were marching down the former parliament building in the capital, carrying signs and banners for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi before they were violently beaten and “dragged” into a truck by the police.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest in Rangoon city for the past 13 years. The NLD won a landslide victory in 1990 elections, however, the current military government of Burma, which has ruled the country since 1962 has never allowed any other party to take power.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma issued a statement condemning the arrest of the youth members and calls for their release. According to the Association, the current Burmese government has arrested more than 200 political prisoners in November 2008 alone.

Burma’s ruling military government, the People’s Power Force, has recently drafted a constitution paving the way for what it says will be democratic elections in 2010, but many critics are skeptical of the government.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Burma Activists Arrested at March – 30 December 2008

Global Voice – Myanmar: Nine Activists Arrested During Peaceful March – 30 December 2008

VOA – Burma Arrests 9 Pro-Democracy Protesters – 30 December 2008

Maoists Attack Nepalese Media

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

Kathmandu, Nepal – On December 23rd, local Nepalese newspapers published blank editorial columns protesting a Maoist affiliated attack on Himalmedia, an English-language news publisher. On December 21st, a group of 50 union protestors stormed Himalmedia offices and attacked the employees and burned 2,500 copies of newspapers injuring 12 people.

The attack happened after the newspaper published news article was critical of Maoist affiliated trade unions and injured staff who allegedly tried to stop the news agency from publishing news that was critical of the Maoist-led government. “Trade unions in Nepal did not grow out of labor issues. Rather they were established by political parties be they Maoist unions or any other while extending their organization. They have always been mobilized to attain political ends,” said Professor Krishana Khanal, a political analyst. “The Maoists are trying to bring the media under their control through their unions.”

Maoists were a formal rebel groups in Nepal. Earlier this year, the Maoists won local elections and now have a majority in Nepal’s coalition government. However, Maoists have been criticized for using intimidating tactics to generate supporters.

Kunda Dixit, editor of Nepali Times, published by Himalmedia said, “We saw the attack as an attack on press freedom, on the values of democracy for which we fought, the media has fought, along with civil society and the democratic parties in the past… and now the threat comes from an elected Maoist government, and we thought we had to make a strong statement.”

The Maoist Prime Minister, Prachanda, denied any Maoist involvement in the attacks and promised an investigation. “The party cannot be blamed for the incident carried out by some individuals,” said Sharma Dinanath, a Maoist spokesman. “The government will investigate and take action against the guilty.”

Reporters Without Borders condemned the recent attacks on Himalmedia saying, “Threats and assaults against the media are escalating,” and “The Prime Minister, Prachanda, should keep his promise and launch an investigation to ensure the guilty are punished.”

For more information please see:

APF –  Nepal Media Protest Against Maoist Union Attack – 23 December 200

RSF – Militant Maoists Continue Their Attacks Against the Media – 23 December 2008

VOA – Nepal Media Protests Attack by Maoist Activists – 23 December 2008