A Voice for the Voiceless

Life Sentence for Former Rwandan Governor

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Eastern and Southern Africa

KIGALI, Rwanda – Today, Francois Karera, a former Rwandan regional official, was found guilty on three counts of genocide by the Tanzania-based International Criminal Court and sentenced to life imprisonment. Karera, now 63-years old, was arrested in Kenya in October 20, 2001 and immediately extradited to Tanzania. There he was charged with four counts of genocide and crimes against humanity for ordering and/or encouraging attacks on Tutsis in villages on April 1994.

Karere was a perfect or provincial governor in the capital of Kigali. According to court records and witnesses, Karera ordered the attacks of Tutsis in Ruhashi commune and in Nyarugenge commune, mainly at roadblocks. In considering his sentence after 33 days of trial, the tribunal judge, Erik Mose, took into account Karare’s authority, role, and the number of victims killed in the Ntamara Church. According to records, 5000 people were massacred.

Prior to his arrest and the establishment of the Tanzania-based court, Karera was quoted as saying, “If the reasons are just, the massacres are justified…In war you don’t consider the consequences, you consider the causes.” For this reason Karera said he was not worried that the United Nations would establish a tribunal to investigate the massacres and try suspects.

The UN court has been attempting to hold masterminds of Rwanda´s 1994 genocide responsible for their actions and the actions they ordered since its creation in 1997. The sentencing of Karera brings the number of people convicted to 30. Five defendants have been acquitted. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has until 2008 to complete its task in trying genocide suspects.

More than 800,000 minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed Hutu extremists in 100 days.

For more information please see:

BBC- Life for Rwanda Church Killing – 7 December 2007

Reuters: Africa- Rwanda Genocide Court: Life Sentence on Ex-Governor – 7 December 2007

AllAfrica.com- Rwanda: Former Governor Jailed for Life on Genocide – 7 December 2007

Bainimarama: Military Will Be Guardian of the People’s Charter

SUVA, Fiji — When interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama came to a power a year ago, he said that his coup was intended to restore the rule of law to Fiji and to eliminate racist corruption from the government.  A major part of his plan has been the drafting and implementation of People’s Charter for Change and Progress.  Bainimarama has stated that this document is intended to be the safeguard of all that his interim government has worked for.  The question remained, however, of who would safe guard the the People’s Charter.  Curiosity was put to rest, however, when Bainimarama told a group of reporters that the military would ensure that the People’s Charter was still enforced, even if a new party came to power in a future election.

While Bainimarama did not elaborate on what he meant by his remarks, Colonel Mohammed Aziz, a military spokesman, supported the interim Prime Minister’s remarks.  He indicated the military’s involvement with law and order means that the military will always have a role to play in government.  While he acknowledged that the exact language of the People’s Charter was still being worked on, he did say that the Charter stood for good governance, reconciliation and harmony among the races.  If anyone steps out of line with these principles, the military will be there to step in.

Deposed Prime MInister Qarase has said that if his SDL party returns to power, his government will not abide by the People’s Charter, because it was created by an unconstitutional government.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — Fiji’s interim prime minister says military will be guardian of People’s Charter — 05 December 2007

Fiji Times Online — Military has role to play in State — 05 December 2007

Marians Variety — Fiji interim PM: Military guardian of People’s Charter — 07 December 2008

Iranian Police Clash With Student Protesters

By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – On December 7 thousands of Iranian’s took to the streets and rallied against the government at universities throughout the country. The protests took place on Iran’s Student Day and were an effort coordinated by a number of opposition websites. The protests, which were focused on the controversial June presidential election, set off altercations between students and police around campuses. Protesters hurled rocks and set fires. Police officers and plain clothes Basij militia members were with tear gas, chains, truncheons and stun guns.

The Iranian government attempted to stop any chance of protests erupting on Student Day. The night before the protests government opponents shouted “Death to the Dictator” and “God is great” from their rooftops. Government officials attempted to kill off internet access on the eve of the protests. Additionally, authorities warned journalists working for foreign media to stay in their offices for three days. On the day of the protests Iranian authorities shut down the mobile phone network in the center of Tehran to stop opposition protesters from contacting each other.

Opposition leader, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s opponent in the disputed June presidential election, Mir-Hussein Moussavi announced his support for student demonstrations. He additionally stated on his website that the religious establishment couldn’t silence students and that they were losing legitimacy in the Iranian people’s minds. Former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani has also thrown his support behind the opposition, accusing Iran’s hard-line rulers of silencing constructive criticism.

Clashes erupted during the Student Day protests as thousands of individuals filled the street. According to witnesses riot police fired tear gas and Basij militiamen charged the crowd as protesters chanted. The Basij beat protesters on the head and shoulders as the crowd scattered. The protesters also chanted against Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei has accused the opposition of creating opportunities for Iran’s enemies.

The protests mark the first major showing showing by the opposition in more than a month.  The BBC’s Jon Leyne claims that the main objective of the opposition is to keep their movement alive. Reports are that dozens of individuals have been arrested. The protests continued throughout the day. By nightfall a number of student groups held candlelight vigils for those arrested during the day.

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Iran Police ‘Clash With Protesters’ – 7 December 2009

BBC – Iran Opposition Protesters Clash With Security Forces – 7 December 2009

Guardian – Iranian Police Use Tear Gas and Batons in Clash With Protesters – 7 December 2009

New York Times – Iranian Student Protesters Clash With Police – 7 December 2009

AP – Iran Chokes Off Internet on Eve of Student Rallies – 6 December 2009

BRIEF: Seven Tongans Found Guilty in Riot Trial

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Six men and one woman were found guilty on charges related to the riots of November 16th of last year.  The pro-democracy rioting destroyed much of the Nuku’alofa business district and resulted in eight deaths, and is responsible for the current state of emergency.  Three of those convicted told the jury that they were involved with the pro-democracy movement at the time of the riots.

Last month, a group of six people charged with riot-related offenses were found not guilty by a jury.

The six men were convicted on seventeen counts on Wednesday, including riotous assembly, housebreaking, and the damaging of government and private property.  The Treasury, Parliament House, Magistrate Court, and Supreme Court were among the government properties damaged in the riot.

Taufa Tafolo, the sole woman in the group, was convicted on a single charge of attending a riotous meeting.

The court will reconvene on 08 February for sentencing.

Five pro-reform legislators have been charged with sedition for allegedly having a role in the riots, but their trial is not expected until next year.

For more information, please see:

Matangi Tonga – Guilty verdict in second 16/11 group trial – 05 December 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Jury finds 6 people guilty over last November’s riots in Tonga – 05 December 2007

Radio New Zealand News – Group convicted of 17 charges over Tonga riot – 06 December 2007

Sydney Morning Herald – Seven found guilty over Tonga riots – 06 December 2007

Herald Sun – Seven convicted over deadly Tonga riot – 06 December 2007

Islands Business – Group convicted of 17 charges over Nuku’alofa riot – 07 December 2007

Dubai Police Breaks Ring of Human Traffickers

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – On December 1, Dubai police arrested 247 people in a coordinated raid of 22 brothels.  Lieutenant General Dahi Khalfan Tamim stated that 170 prostitutes, 12 pimps, and 65 people seeking to buy sexual services were arrested in the raid.  The operation was a joint effort between the Criminal Investigation Department and state security.  Investigation began after the Attorney General received reports of the ring running these brothels.  After he received final reports, the Attorney General ordered the raid.  The suspects will be referred to Public Prosecution for charges of prostitution.

The illegal sex industry is run mostly by foreigners who smuggle women from their own country.  Majority of these women are promised jobs as domestic workers, yet when they arrive, they are forced into the sex trade.  Tamim also encouraged women who are victims of human trafficking to contact the Al Ameen service (provided by the General Department of State Security).

In November 2006, the UAE passed a law prohibiting human trafficking.  The law established a state body to combat trafficking.  Under the law, human trafficking is punishable by life imprisonment, or, if the victim is less than 15 years of age, the death penalty.  In 2006, an estimated 4,300 victims of human trafficking were deported from the UAE and returned to their home country.  It is expected that most of the women arrested in the raids will not be charged, but rather deported.

For more information, please see:

Arab Times – Dubai police smash prostitution ring – 5 December 2007

Associated Press – Dubai police crack prostitution ring – 5 December 2007

BBC – Dubai authorities smash vice ring – 5 December 2007

Gulf News – Police smash huge prostitution ring – 5 December 2007

Reuters – Dubai police make biggest prostitution bust – 5 December 2007