Indian Police Fire at Anti-Election Protesters

By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

PAMPORE, India – Indian police forces opened fire and used teargas on hundreds of protesters during state elections in Indian Kashmir last Saturday. One demonstrator was killed and about 34 were injured during the anti-election protests.

Separatist leaders called upon hundreds to boycott voting. They believe that participation in the elections strengthen New Delhi’s hold over the dispute Muslim-majority region. Protesters were shouting, “We want freedom” while besieging police and throwing stones at them.

Despite protests, there has been a high turnout at the polls. In the first four hours of voting, more than 22 percent of the population has come out to vote.

“It is not a vote for Indian rule or against separatists. Voting is for development,” said Sajjad Ahmad, a fruit grower. “We want better roads, schools and hospitals.”

Ghulam Mohammed, a retired bank employee said, “I’m here to vote for a candidate who will work to build roads and schools in our town.” Moments before he was about to vote, he continued by saying, “This isn’t a vote against the separatists, nor is it for India. It’s to choose an honest local government.”

Authorities have deployed extra troops, erected barricades and warned residents to remain indoors.

In recent months, there have been huge pro-independence demonstrations in Kashmir which were met with security forces. In anticipation of the protests, separatist leaders were placed in jail or under house arrest.

The polling last Saturday was the fifth round of a seven stage process. The final polls occur on December 24th. Counting of the votes is set to take place on December 28th.

After the collapse of the state government over a Hindu-Muslim land dispute that triggered a series of massive anti-India demonstrations, Kashmir was put under the power of the Indian federal government in July.

Almost 50,000 people have died as a result of the uprising in Kashmir.

For more information, please see:

AFP – One Killed as Clashes Disrupt Indian Kashmir Voting – 13 December 2008

BBC News – Protester Shot as Kashmir Votes – 13 December 2008

Reuters – Police Fire Bullets Against Kashmir Protesters – 12 December 2008

Hindu Activist/Lawyer Detained in Malaysia

By Pei Hu
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – International media watchdog, Reporters without Borders (RSF), and the Hindu community asks for the release of P. Uthayakumar, who has been detained without trial since last December. Malaysian authorities arrested Uthayakumar, a human rights lawyer for a non-profit Hindu rights organization, Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), under Malaysia’s Internal Security Act (ISA).

Hindraf works to publicize the plight of ethnic Indian minorities who have been consistently marginalized in Malaysia. Uthayakumar pointed out that every year 1 Hindu is killed under police custody and called upon the international community to put pressure on the Malaysian government to try perpetrators in International Criminal Court. Last November, Uthayakumar posted on his website a letter he wrote to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown asking the Prime Minister to support a UN Security Council resolution that condemned the “persecution” of Hindu minorities in Malaysia.

After Hindraf organized a massive rally last year, where nearly 30,000 Indians marched the streets, the Internal Minister of Malaysia declared Hindraf an unlawful organization. The Internal Minister accused Hindraf of exploiting racial issues which disrupted peace and public order and since last December five Hindraf leaders have been arrested under the ISA.

Under article 8 of the ISA, a person can be detained up to two years if he is “acting in any manner prejudicial to the security of Malaysia” and the detention can be extended indefinitely. RSF said, “Uthayakumar’s detention yet again shows to what degree the ISA is used to violate the principle of free expression … by allowing someone to be arrested without charge, this law enables the government to silence its opponents. We urge the authorities to release Uthayakumar, who just used his right to free speech.”

For more information, please see:

India Post – Indian Diaspora on Malaysia Resents Ban on Hindraf – 23 November 2008

Malaysia Insider – Hindraf Adrift One Year After Mass Protest – 26 November 2008

RSF – Call for release of Hindu minority lawyer arrested a year ago under security law – 12 December 2008

Israeli Teenagers Jailed for Refusal to Enlist in the Army

By Yasmine S. Hakimian
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEL AVIV, Israel – On December 24, peace activists in Israel and around the world are participating in a day of action to urge Israeli authorities to release teenagers imprisoned for refusing to serve in the army for reasons of conscience. The day will include a rally and press event near the Defense Ministry. 

Nearly 100 Israeli high school students have signed an open letter declaring their refusal to serve in the Israeli army and their opposition to Israeli occupation and oppression policy in the occupied territories and the territories of Israel. They have voiced their concern in taking no part to further commit human rights abuses. 

There is a history of refusal to serve in Israel. Military service is mandatory for all graduating high school seniors in Israel. Resisters of enlisting face the possibility of years in prison.

Tamar Katz, Raz Bar-David Varon and Yuval Oron-Ofir are three conscientious objectors currently serving their third prison sentences. Katz (19) has been jailed for over fifty days. She is being held in isolation and deprived of family visits as punishment for refusing to wear a military uniform in prison. At least six other Israeli teenagers have been jailed in the past few months for refusing to enlist. 

There is no civilian service alternative to military draft in Israel. A “conscience committee” exists within the Israeli army, however, exemption is generally only granted to those who refuse to serve for religious reasons. Orthodox Yeshiva students are exempt from military service, and Orthodox girls can apply for alternative service.

Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International’s researcher on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, explains all conscientious objectors should be given the opportunity to present the grounds of their objection to a decision-making body which is impartial and independent. According to Amnesty International, the conscience-committee is sending the wrong message to Israelis.

Amnesty International asks Israeli authorities to establish an impartial exemption committee. Amnesty seeks the immediate and unconditional release of the teenagers and other conscience of war prisoners.

For more information, please see:

AlterNet – From U.S. War Resisters, A Letter of Solidarity to Israeli Army Resisters – 18 December 2008

Amnesty International – Israeli Teenagers Jailed For Refusing to Serve in Army – 18 December 2008

Common Dreams – Israeli Youth Resist Palestinian Occupation – 17 December 2008

Electronic Intifada – We Refuse to Serve in the Israeli Occupation – 28 August 2008

Refugees at Tindouf at Risk of Human Rights Violations

By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TINDOUF, Algeria – Several human rights organizations have expressed concern over the conditions of refugees located in refugee camps in southwest Algeria.  The area has been the cause of political turmoil between Morocco and Algeria since the 1970s when Spanish colonial powers left the region.  The refugees largely belong to a political movement known as Polisario, which has expressed a desire for political autonomy. 

In July, the Secretary-General of the UN released a report describing the situation in the region.  His report stated that there had been reports that humanitarian aid to the region was being hindered and that the absence of secure food stocks since 2006 was a growing concern.  Since this report several other NGOs have released reports regarding human rights and humanitarian law violations in the region.

On December 12, World Action for Refugees, a Norwegian human rights organization released a report denouncing human rights violations in the region.  The report claimed that the refugees were subject to inhuman living conditions and asked that they be allowed to return to their countries of origin if they wish.   The report stated that regional populations were often completely dependent on humanitarian aid and that the people were denied the rights of freedom of movement, expression and association.

The most recent report on the region was released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on December 19, 2008.  HRW claims that the problems in Western Sahara have been on the back burner for too long and hope that their report will help bring focus back to the problems.  The report, titled “Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps,” focuses on the current problems in the region, rather than continuing to focus on past conflicts.  The report criticizes Morocco, claiming that it denies recognition of human rights organizations in the region, disperses peaceful protests, and tortures people in its custody.  HRW asks Morocco to allow access to the region by UN peacekeepers and other UN organizations.  It also requests Polisario to allow those same UN officials to enter the region.

On the same day as HRW released their report, King Mohammad VI of Morocco gave an address reaffirming its commitment to human rights.  In his address, he condemned the suffering and humiliation experienced by those living in the Tindouf camps and expressed a commitment to open dialogue in hopes of peace in the region.

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch –  Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps – 19 December 2008

Human Rights Watch – Morocco: Suppressing Rights in Western Sahara – 19 December 2008

PR Newswire – Morocco Cites ‘Unyielding Commitment’ to Universal Human Rights Protections, Founded on ‘Sincere Action’ Not Just A ‘Slogan’ – 19 December 2008

Reuters – U.N. Should Being Monitoring Rights in W. Sahara – HRW – 19 December 2008

Relief Web – Norwegian NGO Defends Rights of Tindouf Camps Population to Return to their Country of Origin – 12 December 2008

United Nations – Question of Western Sahara: Report of the Secretary-General – 15 July 2008

Refugees at Tindouf at Risk of Human Rights Violations

By Nykoel Dinardo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TINDOUF, Algeria – Several human rights organizations have expressed concern over the conditions of refugees located in refugee camps in southwest Algeria.  The area has been the cause of political turmoil between Morocco and Algeria since the 1970s when Spanish colonial powers left the region.  The refugees largely belong to a political movement known as Polisario, which has expressed a desire for political autonomy. 

In July, the Secretary-General of the UN released a report describing the situation in the region.  His report stated that there had been reports that humanitarian aid to the region was being hindered and that the absence of secure food stocks since 2006 was a growing concern.  Since this report several other NGOs have released reports regarding human rights and humanitarian law violations in the region.

On December 12, World Action for Refugees, a Norwegian human rights organization released a report denouncing human rights violations in the region.  The report claimed that the refugees were subject to inhuman living conditions and asked that they be allowed to return to their countries of origin if they wish.   The report stated that regional populations were often completely dependent on humanitarian aid and that the people were denied the rights of freedom of movement, expression and association.

The most recent report on the region was released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on December 19, 2008.  HRW claims that the problems in Western Sahara have been on the back burner for too long and hope that their report will help bring focus back to the problems.  The report, titled “Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps,” focuses on the current problems in the region, rather than continuing to focus on past conflicts.  The report criticizes Morocco, claiming that it denies recognition of human rights organizations in the region, disperses peaceful protests, and tortures people in its custody.  HRW asks Morocco to allow access to the region by UN peacekeepers and other UN organizations.  It also requests Polisario to allow those same UN officials to enter the region.

On the same day as HRW released their report, King Mohammad VI of Morocco gave an address reaffirming its commitment to human rights.  In his address, he condemned the suffering and humiliation experienced by those living in the Tindouf camps and expressed a commitment to open dialogue in hopes of peace in the region.

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch –  Human Rights in Western Sahara and in the Tindouf Refugee Camps – 19 December 2008

Human Rights Watch – Morocco: Suppressing Rights in Western Sahara – 19 December 2008

PR Newswire – Morocco Cites ‘Unyielding Commitment’ to Universal Human Rights Protections, Founded on ‘Sincere Action’ Not Just A ‘Slogan’ – 19 December 2008

Reuters – U.N. Should Being Monitoring Rights in W. Sahara – HRW – 19 December 2008

Relief Web – Norwegian NGO Defends Rights of Tindouf Camps Population to Return to their Country of Origin – 12 December 2008

United Nations – Question of Western Sahara: Report of the Secretary-General – 15 July 2008