Annan Faces Criticism in Kenya

By Elizabeth Costner
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has put Kenya’s crisis talks back on track today after defusing a row over his suggestion for a “grand coalition” government to end the post-election turmoil. 

Annan told Parliament yesterday that a power-sharing government could be a way out of the crisis, sparking criticism from President Mwai Kibaki.  Annan clarified his statement this morning, saying it “represents his perspective on the discussions and does not imply a formal agreement between the two parties.”

The head of the Kenyan government team, Justice Minister Martha Karua, said that Annan undermined the government’s position at the negotiations.  Ms. Karua has said the statements about a possible transitional government for two years, followed by new elections, “caused distress and great embarrassment to them as it had misrepresented their position.” 

Many had thought a power-sharing deal was imminent, however the government’s reaction to Annan’s statement yesterday shows that they are clearly against new elections. 

The talks have been moved from the capital Nairobi to an undisclosed location, and a news blackout has been implemented.  Both parties have declined to comment on the discussions. 

Progress at the talks has given hope to many Kenyans who saw more than 1,000 people die and 600,000 flee their homes due to the violence following the December 27 elections. 

For more information, please see:

BBC News – Kenya government anger with Annan – 13 February 2008

Reuters – Kenyan rivals hunker down in secret for crisis talks – 13 February 2008

AFP – Annan defuses row in Kenya crisis talks – 13 February 2008

AP – Kenyan Politicians Discuss Power-Sharing – 13 February 2008

Reuters – Analysis-Seeds of class war sprout in Kenya’s crisis – 13 February 2008

BRIEF: South Korea Holds First Jury Trial

DAEGU, South Korea – As part of an effort to reform its legal system, a nine-member jury trial was held on Tuesday for the first time in South Korea’s legal history.

The new juries will only be used in certain criminal cases. Its findings are non-binding, however, and judges will retain the final say in verdicts and sentences.

South Korea’s judicial system is considered by many to be outdated, a remnant of its former authoritarian rule. The system is undergoing gradual changes since the National Assembly agreed last May to introduce changes including giving testimony and evidence greater weight.

Following the trial, the court president said the innovation was “a significant step to not only improve human rights, but also to win the public’s trust.”

For more information, please see:

The Korea Times – Nation’s First Trial by Jury Held at Daegu District Court – 12 February 2008

BBC – S Korea holds first trial by jury 12 February 2008

Economic Times – South Korea launches jury system – 12 February 2008

Darfur Refugees Flee Into Chad

By Meryl White
Impunity Watch Reporter, Western and Central Africa

ABECHE, Chad – European Union military forces are presently being deployed to Eastern Chad.  By the end of the month, almost 4,000 troops are expected to be on the ground. The troops are needed to protect civilians and refugees from violence and insecurity that has spilled over from the Darfur, Sudan region. These troops will provide security, aid, and promote stability in the region.

On Monday, Nouradine Delwa Kassire Koumakoye, Chad’s Prime Minister, stated that Chad could not absorb any more refugees from the Darfur region. In the last few days, more than 12,000 refugees from Darfur have crossed the border.

In response, the government of Sudan has claimed that Chad is using the refugees from Darfur as a “trading” and “bargaining chip” in the growing dispute between the two nations.

Mohamed Ahmed al-Aghbash, Sudan’s Commissioner of Refugees told state news agency SUNA, that the “Chadian announcement violates the laws and charters of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.”

Presently, the UNHCR and its partner groups “were taking care of 240,000 Sudanese refugees in 12 camps in eastern Chad and some 50,000 from Central African Republic in the south of the country.”

For more information, please see:

BBC- EU Force Resumes Chad Deployment – 12 February 2008

Africa Reuters -Sudan condemns Chad threat on Darfur refugees – 12 February 2008

CNN – New Wave of Darfur Refugees Flee Into Chad – 12 February 2008

BRIEF: Darfur Towns Burned in Government Attacks

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Sources close to a UN reconnaissance mission in Sudan say a major assault by the Sudanese army and allied militias left two Darfur towns badly damaged by fire.  The International Committee of the Red Cross has also confirmed the attack, and states that one of its Sudanese staff members was killed in the offensive.  Aid group MSF Switzerland has also confirmed the attack and said a small number of its staff has gone missing. 

The government forces attacked the western towns of Abu Surouj, Sirba and Suleisa on Friday in an effort to clear out fighters from the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).  A source close to the UN/AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said that Abu Surouj and Sirba were “partially burned down.”  An investigation mission confirmed the Friday attacks and said helicopter gunships were seen and witnesses said they were attacked “by men riding on horseback accompanied by vehicles.”

Meanwhile, West Darfuris have been caught up in violent clashes between Sudan’s Armed Forces, insurgent groups, and the forces of neighboring Chad.  The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said on Monday that it is estimated that 12,000 people fled the milita attacks from Darfur into Chad, which is still recovering from an attempted coup last week.  Chad threatened to expel the refugees on Monday, saying their presence was threatening security. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters – U.N. says Darfur towns burned in government attacks – 12 February 2008

CNN.com – New wave of Darfur refugees flee into Chad – 12 February 2008

Olmert Facing Internal and International Pressure over Gaza

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SDEROT, Israel – Israeli army report that over 40 Qassam rockets were fired at Israel this weekend.  One rocket seriously injured two Israeli brothers in Sderot.  On February 9, Osher Twito, age 8, and his brother Rami, age 19, were injured as a volley of rockets were fired at Sderot.  One of Osher’s legs was partially severed by the rocket and doctors had to amputate.  He and his brother are now in stable condition.

On February 10, dozens of Sderot residents blocked a main road leading to Jerusalem.  They brought a sound system and played the alert that is sounded prior to incoming rocket fire.  They would play the alert and then lay down in the street as they would during a real rocket attack.  After blocking some of the main roads into Jersulam, the demonstrators marched to the prime minister’s office.  The demonstrators demanded the Israel take some sort of action.  One Sderot resident stated “we came here to demonstrate because it is impossible to live this way.”

In addition to pressure from Sderot residents, Prime Minister Olmert is also facing pressure from Israeli politicians.  Meir Sheetrit, Israel’s Interior Minister, said that Israel should pick a village in Gaza, give its residents one day to evacuate, and then completely destroy the village.  Other ministers, such as ???, are pressuring Olmert to have the IDF target the political leaders in Gaza, such as ??? of Hamas.

In response, Olmert urges Israelis to remain calm and remains firm in his policy of economic sanctions and strikes targeting armed militants.  He states that while outrage and anger are natural, they are not an operational plan.  Instead, Olmert said that Israel must operate in a methodical and organized fashion.  He claims that his government will continue “to go after all terror operatives, their handlers and their dispatchers.”

Vice Premier Haim Ramon told Army Radio some 200 militants have been killed in the past two months.  However, Ramon also calls for more decisive action.  Last week, Israel began to cut the amount of electricity that is sent to Gaza.  Ramon states that if rockets are fired from Gaza “then there should be no electricity, or water or fuel. If they don’t fire, then there will be.”

While Olmert is being pressured by Israelis and his own government to react to the rocket threat from Gaza, he is also facing international pressure to avoid a humanitarian crisis inside Gaza.  The sanctions and border closure have drawn criticism from the international community, stating that Israel is violating international law by collectively punishing the residents of Gaza.

Human Rights Watch stated that the cuts in fuel and electricity have a “grave impact on Gaza’s hospitals, water-pumping stations, sewage-treatment facilities, and other infrastructure essential for the well-being of Gaza’s population.”  Joe Stork, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said while the cuts aim to stop militants from firing rockets, “the cuts are seriously affecting civilians who have nothing to do with these armed groups.”

In addition, the US warns Israel against aggravating the situation. US Department of State spokesman, Tom Casey, stated “we understand Israel’s right to defend itself but we do not think that action should be taken that would infringe upon or worsen the humanitarian situation for the civilian population in Gaza.”  UK Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, criticized the cut; he believes that “such action risks a further deterioration in the humanitarian situation in Gaza without improving the security situation.”

For more information, please see:
Times (London) – Israeli Fury Over Boy Maimed by Rocket – 11 February 2008

Associated Press – Israeli Boy, Brother Injured by Rockets – 10 February 2008

Associated Press – Olmert Resists Pressure to Invade Gaza – 10 February 2008

Associated Press – Timeline of Gaza’s Electricity Crisis – 10 February 2008

CNN – Israeli Boy Loses Leg in Rocket Attack – 10 February 2008

International Herald Tribune – Calls for Tough Action as More Rockets Hit Israel– 10 February 2008

Reuters – Olmert Vows to Target Those Behind Rocket Salvoes – 10 February 2008

Ha’aretz – Britain Criticizes Gaza Power Cuts – 9 February 2008

AFP – IsraelI Army Says 17 Rockets Fired From Gaza Strip – 8 February 2008

Human Rights Watch – Gaza: Israel’s Energy Cuts Violate Laws of War – 7 February 2008