Hamas Imam Dies in West Bank Prison

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Editor, Middle East

KOBAR, West Bank – On February 22, Majd al-Barghouthi died in a prison while in the custody of the Palestinian Authority (PA).  According to a senior PA security official, Barghouti was arrested on suspicion of membership in Hamas and “incitement” against the PA leadership.  The Jerusalem Post stated that al-Barghouthi was arrested on February 14, as he left his mosque, where he served as an imam.

While the official autopsy report stated that al-Barghouthi died as a result of a heart attack, his family claims that he was tortured to death by PA interrogators.  A statement released by the Palestinian Security revealed that al-Barghouthi was rushed to Khalil Hospital in Ramallah two days before his death, after he complained of pain in his abdomen.  After he was examined, doctors determined that he did not need hospitalization.  Then, on February 22, al-Barghouthi was taken to Khalid hospital, after he complained of pain in his chest.  He died shortly after.

According to Seif Barghouthi, the family learned of the torture from four men, who were arrested with al-Barghouthi and were released after his death.  One of the released detainees, Azzam Sahel, said that he was forced to stay in painful positions, including standing on his toes for extended periods, and was forced to sleep on a wet floor in nothing but a shirt and his underwear.  Sahel said that he could hear al-Barghouthi in a nearby cell shouting for help repeatedly, but that he did not witness actual mistreatment.

As rumors of mistreatment spread, members of al-Barghouthi’s family began calling for an independent investigation into his death.  On February 22 and 23, members of his family blocked a main road near Kobar with rocks and burning tires, demanding that his interrogators be put on trial.

On February 24, thousands of Hamas supporters gathered in Kobar and marched as al-Barghouthi’s funeral.  Some 3,000 supporters carried his body, which was draped in a green Hamas flag, and shouted slogans against PA such as Fayyad and Abbas’ intelligence chief, Tawfik Tirawi.

PA security officials have not commented on al-Barghouthi’s death, besides to say that the cause of death was a heart attack.  On February 23, Abbas called for an investigation into al-Barghouthi’s death.  However, relatives and Hamas denounce any PA investigation, and will only permit an autopsy if monitored by an independent observer.

al-Barghouthi’s death occurs during a time of increased tensions between Fatah and Hamas.  Tensions increased following Hamas’s forceful takeover of Gaza in the summer of 2007.  Following Fatah’s ouster from Gaza, dozens of Hamas members and leaders in the West Bank have been arrested and detained by PA officials.  Hamas officials accuse Abbas and Fatah of “factional cleansing” in the West Bank, which continues to be under the control of Fatah.

For more information, please see:
AFP – Crowds Vow Revenge at West Bank Funeral of Hamas Imam – 24 February 2008

Associated Press – Hamas Members Turn Funeral into Protest – 24 February 2008

International Middle East Media Center – President Abbas Orders a Probe into  Death of Political Prisoner in a PA Prison – 24 February 2008

Jerusalem Post – Hamas: PA Violating Detainees’ Human Rights – 24 February 2008

Reuters – Hamas says Leader Killed to Extract “Sham Confession” – 24 February 2008

Associated Press – Fatah-Hamas Tensions Over Prisoner Death – 23 February 2008

International Herald Tribune – Hamas Preacher Dies in Palestinian lockup; Family Alleges he was Tortured – 23 February 2008

Yedioth – Hamas: Palestinian Authority  Worse than Israel – 23 February 2008

Al Jazeeera – West Bank Protest Over Hamas Death – 22 February 2008

Ethnic Unrest in Nepal Includes Children Protesters

By Kristy Tridhavee
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Asia

KATHMUNDU, Nepal – The United Nations Children Fund [UNICEF] and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights [OHCHR] in Nepal have expressed deep concern for children taking part in the increasing violent protests.

Currently, there have been ethnic protests in Southern Nepal, which have cut off fuel from the capital. The United Democratic Mahadesi Front [UDMF] have called for a general strike until ethnic Mahadesis from the impoverished Terari region have more of a say in the country’s governance. The UDMF have stopped fuel shipments to the capital by blocking the main road.

UNICEF and OHCHR both have confirmed reports that children are taking part in the violent protests and strikes. In Neplgunj, children from the ages of 7 to 15 were seen carrying sticks and supporting a general strike. In Duhabi, numerous children were seen carrying sticks while guarding a roadblock. Additionally, the agencies report that thousands of children in Terari have stopped attending school since the general strike began.

In light of the fact that protests have gotten increasingly violent, the agencies both urge that adults respect the rights of children and do their part to avoid children from participating. Thus far, two protestors have been killed, and numerous have been injured. Among those that are injured, there are reports that a fourteen year old boy was injured by a bullet.

In a statement from the agencies, they wrote, “People under eighteen must not be forced, coerced or bribed into participating in political activities. Any participation must be voluntary, with consideration given as to whether they fully understand the implications of their participation. Children should not be armed under any circumstances.” The agencies also reminded all concerning parties that Section 23 of the Election Code of Conduct of 2007 states that no children should be brought to participate in any kind of procession, mass meeting or rally, or in any election-related publicity activity.

Negotiations have begun between the government and the UDMF to end the protests and general strike. The Nepalese government stated that it was hopeful that negotiations can bring an end to the ethnic protests and help the parties reach an understanding.

For more information, please see:

AFP – Nepal Government Hopeful to End Ethnic Unrest – 22 February 2008

Chinaview – UN Bodies Express Concern Over Use of Children in Protests in S.Nepal – 22 February 2008

The Hindu News – UN Concerned Over Use of Children in Protests in Nepal – 23 February 2008

Update on Charles Taylor Trial

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor continued into its sixth week with the testimony of two more prosecution witnesses. Aruna Gbona (“Gbona”), prosecution witness TF1-330, testified first with the majority of his testimony focusing on the forced labor of civilians by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Following the close of Gbona’s testimony, prosecution witness TF1-275 Foday Lansana (“Lansana”), a former RUF radio operator, took the stand, and testified about coordination between Taylor’s forces and RUF commanders.

Gbona testified over the course of two days, mostly with regards to the period between 1996 and 2000, when he was forced to work for the rebels. All groups of civilians working for the rebels during this time had a solider in charge of the group, called a G5.  Each G5 had a group of rebel soldiers with him, many of whom were from eight to ten years old. The G5’s and their soldiers forced the civilians to farm, fish, mine and hunt in their native villages and nearby towns. All harvests, catches and kills had to be immediately turned over to the rebels. Gbona “considered this procedure to be slavery: before the war he could cultivate the land pace and the harvest would be for him and his family to eat and to sell.”

Gbona further testified about the physical ramifications for the civilians. When they wouldn’t work to the rebels desired level, or when they were reluctant to work, beatings ensued. Moreover, the rate of hernias during the rebel occupation rose significantly due to the heavy loads the civilians were often required to carry for the rebels. Women, in addition to the forced labor, also were often forced into marriage with the rebels.

The defense did not have any questions for Gbona.

Prosecutor Christopher Santora next called Lansana to the stand.  The questioning began focusing mostly on his background. Lansana, a native Liberian, was recruited by the National Freedom Party of Liberia (NFPL) from a refugee camp and trained to be a radio operator. He was posted in Monrovia at a Coca Cola factory that doubled as a base, where, on the second day of his posting, he witnessed a meeting between Taylor and more than 25 members of his special forces. Taylor told those assembled that jets from Sierra Leone were “killing people” and that he would “inform the world that Sierra Leone had been used as a base to kill his people.”

Lansana was later sent to the RUF/NFPL headquarters for Lofa County, Liberia, where he witnessed troops, weapons and supplies going in and out of Sierra Leone. He recounted to the court that, in order to disguise the groups operations in Sierra Leone, they would refer to Sierra Leone as “Kuwait,” because of the perceived wealth of the country. Later, Lansana himself was sent with a group of reinforcement troops into Sierra Leone and charged with installing a radio at RUF commander Foday Sankoh’s house. This radio allowed Sankoh to communicate with Taylor, code name “Butterfly.”

Christopher Santora’s questioning of Lansana continued for two days, covering everything from the development of radio communication and technical explanations of how the communications were conducted, to specific facts regards communications between the witness and specific commanders. He specifically recounted the procedure for passing on messages and instruction from Sankoh, who had been imprisoned, to Taylor.

Lansana was also questioned about his own personal arrest, on 14 counts of shooting with intent, a sentence which he served ten years for. He did not recall what the arrest was for, but believed it to be in relation to a 2000 incident where 15 civilians were shot at Sankoh’s home.

True to their strategy with other witnesses, he defense began its cross examination of Lansana mostly by reviewing details, and small factual discrepancies in his testimony. They also explored possible benefits he may have received in exchange for his testimony.

For more information, please see:

allAfrica.com – Prosecution Witness Describes RUF Use of Civilian Forced Labor – 20 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Former NPFL/RUF Radio Operator Testifies – 21 February 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor –Prosecution’s Examination of Foday Lansana Completed; Defense Counsel Begins Cross-Examination of Lansana – accessed 22 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Taylor’s Defense Team Pleased With Trial – 21 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Lansana Testifies Concerning Communications Between Taylor and Sankoh – 22 February 2008

Impunity Watch –  Update on Charles Taylor Trial – 16 February

Update on Charles Taylor Trial

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor continued into its sixth week with the testimony of two more prosecution witnesses. Aruna Gbona (“Gbona”), prosecution witness TF1-330, testified first with the majority of his testimony focusing on the forced labor of civilians by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Following the close of Gbona’s testimony, prosecution witness TF1-275 Foday Lansana (“Lansana”), a former RUF radio operator, took the stand, and testified about coordination between Taylor’s forces and RUF commanders.

Gbona testified over the course of two days, mostly with regards to the period between 1996 and 2000, when he was forced to work for the rebels. All groups of civilians working for the rebels during this time had a solider in charge of the group, called a G5.  Each G5 had a group of rebel soldiers with him, many of whom were from eight to ten years old. The G5’s and their soldiers forced the civilians to farm, fish, mine and hunt in their native villages and nearby towns. All harvests, catches and kills had to be immediately turned over to the rebels. Gbona “considered this procedure to be slavery: before the war he could cultivate the land pace and the harvest would be for him and his family to eat and to sell.”

Gbona further testified about the physical ramifications for the civilians. When they wouldn’t work to the rebels desired level, or when they were reluctant to work, beatings ensued. Moreover, the rate of hernias during the rebel occupation rose significantly due to the heavy loads the civilians were often required to carry for the rebels. Women, in addition to the forced labor, also were often forced into marriage with the rebels.

The defense did not have any questions for Gbona.

Prosecutor Christopher Santora next called Lansana to the stand.  The questioning began focusing mostly on his background. Lansana, a native Liberian, was recruited by the National Freedom Party of Liberia (NFPL) from a refugee camp and trained to be a radio operator. He was posted in Monrovia at a Coca Cola factory that doubled as a base, where, on the second day of his posting, he witnessed a meeting between Taylor and more than 25 members of his special forces. Taylor told those assembled that jets from Sierra Leone were “killing people” and that he would “inform the world that Sierra Leone had been used as a base to kill his people.”

Lansana was later sent to the RUF/NFPL headquarters for Lofa County, Liberia, where he witnessed troops, weapons and supplies going in and out of Sierra Leone. He recounted to the court that, in order to disguise the groups operations in Sierra Leone, they would refer to Sierra Leone as “Kuwait,” because of the perceived wealth of the country. Later, Lansana himself was sent with a group of reinforcement troops into Sierra Leone and charged with installing a radio at RUF commander Foday Sankoh’s house. This radio allowed Sankoh to communicate with Taylor, code name “Butterfly.”

Christopher Santora’s questioning of Lansana continued for two days, covering everything from the development of radio communication and technical explanations of how the communications were conducted, to specific facts regards communications between the witness and specific commanders. He specifically recounted the procedure for passing on messages and instruction from Sankoh, who had been imprisoned, to Taylor.

Lansana was also questioned about his own personal arrest, on 14 counts of shooting with intent, a sentence which he served ten years for. He did not recall what the arrest was for, but believed it to be in relation to a 2000 incident where 15 civilians were shot at Sankoh’s home.

True to their strategy with other witnesses, he defense began its cross examination of Lansana mostly by reviewing details, and small factual discrepancies in his testimony. They also explored possible benefits he may have received in exchange for his testimony.

For more information, please see:

allAfrica.com – Prosecution Witness Describes RUF Use of Civilian Forced Labor – 20 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Former NPFL/RUF Radio Operator Testifies – 21 February 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor –Prosecution’s Examination of Foday Lansana Completed; Defense Counsel Begins Cross-Examination of Lansana – accessed 22 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Taylor’s Defense Team Pleased With Trial – 21 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Lansana Testifies Concerning Communications Between Taylor and Sankoh – 22 February 2008

Impunity Watch –  Update on Charles Taylor Trial – 16 February

Update on Charles Taylor Trial

By Ted Townsend
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The trial of former Liberian president Charles Taylor continued into its sixth week with the testimony of two more prosecution witnesses. Aruna Gbona (“Gbona”), prosecution witness TF1-330, testified first with the majority of his testimony focusing on the forced labor of civilians by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). Following the close of Gbona’s testimony, prosecution witness TF1-275 Foday Lansana (“Lansana”), a former RUF radio operator, took the stand, and testified about coordination between Taylor’s forces and RUF commanders.

Gbona testified over the course of two days, mostly with regards to the period between 1996 and 2000, when he was forced to work for the rebels. All groups of civilians working for the rebels during this time had a solider in charge of the group, called a G5.  Each G5 had a group of rebel soldiers with him, many of whom were from eight to ten years old. The G5’s and their soldiers forced the civilians to farm, fish, mine and hunt in their native villages and nearby towns. All harvests, catches and kills had to be immediately turned over to the rebels. Gbona “considered this procedure to be slavery: before the war he could cultivate the land pace and the harvest would be for him and his family to eat and to sell.”

Gbona further testified about the physical ramifications for the civilians. When they wouldn’t work to the rebels desired level, or when they were reluctant to work, beatings ensued. Moreover, the rate of hernias during the rebel occupation rose significantly due to the heavy loads the civilians were often required to carry for the rebels. Women, in addition to the forced labor, also were often forced into marriage with the rebels.

The defense did not have any questions for Gbona.

Prosecutor Christopher Santora next called Lansana to the stand.  The questioning began focusing mostly on his background. Lansana, a native Liberian, was recruited by the National Freedom Party of Liberia (NFPL) from a refugee camp and trained to be a radio operator. He was posted in Monrovia at a Coca Cola factory that doubled as a base, where, on the second day of his posting, he witnessed a meeting between Taylor and more than 25 members of his special forces. Taylor told those assembled that jets from Sierra Leone were “killing people” and that he would “inform the world that Sierra Leone had been used as a base to kill his people.”

Lansana was later sent to the RUF/NFPL headquarters for Lofa County, Liberia, where he witnessed troops, weapons and supplies going in and out of Sierra Leone. He recounted to the court that, in order to disguise the groups operations in Sierra Leone, they would refer to Sierra Leone as “Kuwait,” because of the perceived wealth of the country. Later, Lansana himself was sent with a group of reinforcement troops into Sierra Leone and charged with installing a radio at RUF commander Foday Sankoh’s house. This radio allowed Sankoh to communicate with Taylor, code name “Butterfly.”

Christopher Santora’s questioning of Lansana continued for two days, covering everything from the development of radio communication and technical explanations of how the communications were conducted, to specific facts regards communications between the witness and specific commanders. He specifically recounted the procedure for passing on messages and instruction from Sankoh, who had been imprisoned, to Taylor.

Lansana was also questioned about his own personal arrest, on 14 counts of shooting with intent, a sentence which he served ten years for. He did not recall what the arrest was for, but believed it to be in relation to a 2000 incident where 15 civilians were shot at Sankoh’s home.

True to their strategy with other witnesses, he defense began its cross examination of Lansana mostly by reviewing details, and small factual discrepancies in his testimony. They also explored possible benefits he may have received in exchange for his testimony.

For more information, please see:

allAfrica.com – Prosecution Witness Describes RUF Use of Civilian Forced Labor – 20 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Former NPFL/RUF Radio Operator Testifies – 21 February 2008

The Trial of Charles Taylor –Prosecution’s Examination of Foday Lansana Completed; Defense Counsel Begins Cross-Examination of Lansana – accessed 22 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Taylor’s Defense Team Pleased With Trial – 21 February 2008

allAfrica.com – Lansana Testifies Concerning Communications Between Taylor and Sankoh – 22 February 2008

Impunity Watch –  Update on Charles Taylor Trial – 16 February