Iranian Authorities Close the Defenders of Human Rights Center

By Yasmine S. Hakimian
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – On December 21, Iranian authorities raided and indefinitely closed down the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC) in Tehran. The DHRC was founded five years ago by 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. Ebadi received the award for her human rights work, making her the first Iranian to receive the honor. Ebadi was arrested at the raid and taken into custody for several hours. No other arrests were made, but the office remains closed.

The DHRC served as a place to report human rights violations in Iran, defend political prisoners and support families of those prisoners. The raid occurred as the center was preparing a celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of Human Rights Day on December 10.

Iran’s judiciary confirmed the closure of the center, stating it was involved in illegal activities. The judiciary claims the center was acting as a political party without obtaining a legal permit. The center is targeted for having illegal contacts with local and foreign organizations, and organizing news conferences.

In August 2006, the Iranian government informed Ebadi that the center was illegal and planned to arrest those who continued to work there.

According to Narges Mohammadi, deputy head of the center, dozens of policemen entered the office without showing a search warrant. The policemen said they were not obliged to show a warrant because they were wearing police uniforms. Iranian authorities have provided no written justification for the raid.

The DHRC is a member of the International Federation for Human Rights and has also been awarded a human rights prize by the Human Rights National Commission in France.

Over the years, Ebadi’s advocacy of human rights has led to imprisonment and a stream of threatening letters and telephone calls. Ebadi has noted the raid will not stop human rights activists in Iran. She insists the raid was illegal and she plans to protest.

 

For more information, please see:

CNN – Iran Raids, Closes Office, Nobel Winner Says – 21 December 2008

Huffington Post – Shirin Ebadi Office Shut Down by Iran: Nobel Laureate Claims Harassment – 21 December 2008

Iran Press Watch – Police Raid, Close Offices of Shirin Ebadi – 21 December 2008

News Daily – Police Raids Iran Nobel Laureate’s Office – 21 December 2008

Talks to Resolve NZ, Fiji Travel Bans Continue

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – Government officials met yesterday after Fiji’s interim government threatened to expel New Zealand’s acting High Commissioner on Wednesday.

Fiji’s interim prime minister, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, announced last week that Caroline McDonald, NZ High Commissioner, would be kicked out of Fiji as punishment for travel bans imposed on Fiji.

Both Australia and New Zealand put into travel sanctions into place to demonstrate the countries’ disapproval of Bainimarama’s bloodless military coup of Fiji’s federal government in 2006. Tensions between Fiji and the Pacific community have increased since a Fiji High Court declared the military coup legal in October. Fiji’s ousted prime minister, Laisenia Qarase, has challenged that judgment, calling it a “miscarriage of justice.” An appeal of that decision is scheduled to be heard in March 2009.

Although Fiji threatened to expel Ms. McDonald yesterday, the countries are still negotiating and attempting to work through the impasse. A meeting was scheduled for 6 o’clock last night, although Fiji officials have not commented on the results of that discussion.

Interim Immigration Minister Ratu Epeli Ganilau has denied, however, that any such request to throw Ms. McDonald out has been made.

“Nothing has come through to me,” Ganilau said.

Meanwhile, Bainimarama has spoken publicly this week, indicating that he will not give into pressure, “no matter how harsh, debilitating and cruel such sanctions might be, even to the poor, the young and the innocent.”

For more information, please see:
FijiLive – No word on NZ envoy expulsion – 21 December 2008

FijiLive – NZ, Fiji seek way out of impasse – 20 December 2008

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