A Voice for the Voiceless

BRIEF: Rwanda Signs Agreement with UN to House Prisoners

KIGALI, Rwanda –  Rwanda can now jail persons convicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Rwanda signed an agreement with the UN on the enforcement of sentences imposed by the ICTR with the United Nations. Rwanda joins six other countries, Mali, Benin, Swaziland, France, Italy and Sweden, which have already signed such an agreement.

The ICTR Statute sets forth requirements for prisons that a nation must satisfy before it can agree to house criminals convicted by the ICTR. Rwanda built a prison in Mpanga which meets these criteria.

In response to the possibility of being transferred to prison in Rwanda, 40 of about 70 detainees who have been convicted by the ICTR voiced their concern about possible mistreatment or abuse. The 40 detainees signed a letter sent to the president of the ICTR stating that they would call on international organizations to hold the U.N. and the ICTR responsible for ensuring that they are not mistreated in a Rwandan prison if they are sent there against their will.

For more information, please see:

allAfrica.com – Rwanda: Country Becomes the 7th to Sign UN Agreement – 7 March 2008

ICTR – Rwanda signs Agreement on Enforcement of ICTR Sentences – 5 March 2008

UPDATE: Barisan National Party Wins Simple Majority

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – According to the Election Commission, the Barisan National Party won a simple parliamentary majority. However, the coalition lost control of three states, which include Kedah, Penang, and Kelantan.

The coalition had earlier held a 90 percent majority, but according to experts it will have major setbacks in these elections. Final results are still being tallied. However, the opposition is claiming victory in five state assemblies and at least one-third of the seats in the federal parliament.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Malaysia PM’s Coalition Wins Simple Majority – 8 March 2009

UPDATE: Barisan National Party Wins Simple Majority

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – According to the Election Commission, the Barisan National Party won a simple parliamentary majority. However, the coalition lost control of three states, which include Kedah, Penang, and Kelantan.

The coalition had earlier held a 90 percent majority, but according to experts it will have major setbacks in these elections. Final results are still being tallied. However, the opposition is claiming victory in five state assemblies and at least one-third of the seats in the federal parliament.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Malaysia PM’s Coalition Wins Simple Majority – 8 March 2009

Sahwa Forces Increase Strength, Tensions with Iraqi Government

By Ben Turner
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq –  As a result of the sectarian violence in Iraq, the U.S. has made efforts to promote Sunni-run security forces.  During the spring of 2007, the U.S. government recruited more than 80,000 former Sunni resistance fighters to form a new group, the Sahwa.  The group is also known as “The Awakening Council.”

Sahwa was formed to battle al Qaeda in Iraq.  Sahwa works with U.S. and Iraqi forces to increase security across Iraq.

The motives for joining Sahwa vary.  Many joined as a rejection of al Qaeda’s extremism.  For many Sunnis, having a counterweight to the Shia controlled Iraqi government is also motivation.  And the $300 monthly salary also serves as a great incentive.

The Sunni dominated groups form a counterbalance to the primarily Shiite run Iraqi government.  The relationship between Sahwa and the Iraqi government is delicate and many disagreements arise.

Sahwa forces have accused the police chief of Diyala province Ghanim al-Qureyshi of allowing Shia militiamen and death squads to operate with impunity against Sunnis.

Tensions rose in early February when men dressed in Iraqi security personnel uniforms kidnapped two women.  Their naked bodies were found later.

After the incident with the two women, Sahwa gave Qureyshi a deadline to apologize and to arrest those responsible.  When the deadline passed without an apology, Sahwa stopped working and held demonstrations protesting Qureyshi.

“We hereby declare suspension of all co-operation with U.S. military, Iraqi security forces and the local government,” Abu Abdullah, spokesman for the Awakening Council in Diyala province announced after the deadline passed.

Hundreds of Sahwa members closed their offices and held demonstrations in Baquba, a city 40 kilometers northeast of Baghdad.  The Iraqi government then promised to investigate the incident with the two women and the Sahwa went back to work.

Shortly thereafter, Sahwa again stopped work in protest, accusing the government security forces of further attacks against Sunnis.  Sahwa then cut all ties with the government and U.S. forces and left their security posts.

But on March 1, the government met most of Sahwa’s demands and Sahwa members returned to their posts.  The Iraqi government’s accommodating stance in regards to Sahwa forces underscores the group’s growing influence in Iraq.

The group’s increased influence in security roles has almost made them a third security force in the country, alongside the Iraqi army and the police.  As their influence continues to grow, the tensions between Sahwa and the Iraqi government have become more pronounced.

General Mahdi Subeih from the interior ministry told the Saudi-owned al-Hayat newspaper in London that “the rebellion by some of the members of the Awakening Councils and the confrontations that erupted between them and the security forces reveal the depth of the chasm between the two sides.”

For more information, please see:
Middle East Online – Iraq: Did the Surge Work? – 7 March 2008

Uruknet.info – IRAQ: Sahwa Forces Challenge Govt, and Win – 5 March 2008

Middle East Times – Top US Military Official Visits Iraq Rebel Stronghold – 3 March 2008

The Independent – The Turkish Invasion Could Destroy a Unified Iraq – 27 February 2008

Christian Science Monitor – Rift threatens U.S. antidote to Al Qaeda in Iraq – 13 February 2008

Malaysians Denied a Fair Vote

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Asia

PENANG, Malaysia – Ahead of general elections for the national parliament on March 8th, the ruling Barisan National party has taken steps to deny Malaysians a fair vote. Human Rights Watch as called the elections “grossly unfair to the opposition.” To retain their majority, the Barisan National party has restricted free expression, controlled media outlets, and encouraged irregularities in the electoral process.

The Barisan National party is attempting to retain their majority in the national parliament because their two-thirds majority allows them to amend the constitution at will. Opposition parties currently hold only 9.6 percent of the vote.

Opposition parties have attempted to hold rallies, but police have refused to issue the proper permits that are required for gatherings of more than four people. However, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahman Badawi on March 1 was able to hold a rally of 20,000 supporters without incident.

Media outlets have also been severely restrained. An election observer inMalaysia reported to Human Rights Watch that there had been no presence in the media by the opposition party. In addition, all private-to-air channels are owned by the United Malays National Organization [UMNO]. UMNO is a founding member of the ruling coalition and Malaysia’s largest political party.

Irregularities in the electoral process have sparked concerns that the Barisan National party will attempt to manipulate the elections. Voter registrations have been transferred in mass to other districts, changes of address had not been reflected in assigned polling stations, and deceased voters are still enrolled to vote.

In addition, plans to end the introduction of indelible ink during voting on Saturday suggested another possible manner to manipulate voting. The indelible ink would have prevented phantom voting and multiple voting.

In recent months, there have been several outbreaks of protest and violence as a result of ethnic tensions. (please see: Ethnic Indians Protest Discrimination). Because of the increasing calls for change, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahman Badawi called for early elections. (please see: Brief: Malaysian Parliament Dissolved to Call Early Elections).

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – Malaysia: Citizens Denied a Fair Vote – 5 March 2008

IPS – POLITICS-MALAYSIA: Plans Afoot to Rig Polls Say Opposition Parties – 5 March 2008

Taipei Times – Malaysians Will be Denied a Fair Vote: Activists – 6 March 2008