A Voice for the Voiceless

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

WASHINGTON DC, United States- Erik Prince, owner of Blackwater USA was questioned by a Congressional oversight committee headed by Congressman Waxman (D- Ca.) regarding Blackwater’s involvement in shooting deaths in Iraq.  Blackwater USA is a large private security company based in Virginia, which has been primarily hired by the US State Department to protect diplomats in Baghdad, Iraq.

The hearing had two purposes. The first purpose was to determine whether the US State Department’s extensive use of private security firms was beneficial, especially since the US military performs parallel duties. The second objective was determining whether Blackwater’s specific actions have either furthered or hindered the American interests in Iraq.

The committee specifically questioned whether the State Department should continue granting Blackwater complete immunity through Order 17 regarding shooting deaths in Iraq.  (Guardian Unlimited) Whether Blackwater keeps its immunity in Iraq is a critical question, especially because of the Iraqi government’s recent demands for justice regarding the shooting deaths in Fallujah for which Blackwater is supposedly responsible.

Also, Blackwater was questioned regarding one of its employees shooting of an Iraqi guard, while the Blackwater employee was drunk. Prince responded to the questions by stated that the incident was isolated and that the employee was immediately brought home, fired, and fined. Reportedly, Blackwater and the US State Department paid the guard’s family $15,000 dollars for the death.

After the hearing, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice mandated more overview of Blackwater USA in Baghdad by the US State Department. These changes include that the Blackwater convoys must always included official State Department personnel. Also, the heightened scrutiny includes mounting video cameras on Blackwater’s special convoys to monitor and record the convoy’s action. Also, Rice stated that Blackwater’s radio communication would be heavily monitored.

The State’s Department’s response indirectly answers the questions posed by Waxman’s committee. The State Department believes that the security personnel are necessary and with sufficient monitoring their actions can further US objectives. However, the State Department’s continuance of Order 17 still gives the security company total immunity for its actions. The lack of accountability will further inhibit the special agents who are supposed to control the Blackwater forces.

This situation in Iraq is crucial regarding international rules of engagement, because it defines the accountability of private contractors. Although the Iraqi government has a vested interest in protecting the US officials, its primary interest must be protecting its people. The arrangement between the Iraqi government and the US State Department will be important to both protect the American interests and have the Iraqi people support the American influence.

For more information, please see:

Herald Sun- US acts on Iraq shootings in a clamp on security by Condolezza Rice- 7 October 2007

Dallas Morning News- U.S. will keep closer watch on Blackwater operations in Iraq- 7 October 2007

Houston Chronicle (Washington Post)- New Rules imposed on Contractors- 6 October 2007

Al-Jazeera- US tightens Blackwater Controls– 5 October 2007

Guardian Unlimited- The Scandal of Blackwater- 6 October 2007

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On October 1, Syria began imposing strict visa restrictions on Iraqis seeking to enter the country.  On September 1, Syria announced a new policy of restricting entry to Iraqis with visas issued by the Syrian embassy for economic, commercial, transport, scientific, and educational reasons.  However, Syria later announced that it was postponing enacting the policy until after the month of Ramadan.  Syrian officials offered no explanation as to why the restriction went into effect on prior to the end of Ramadan, which is October 12.

Fighting in Iraq has resulted in what the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) calls the biggest refugee crisis in the Middle East since the flight of the Palestinians in 1948.  The UNHCR estimates that 2.2 million Iraqis are displaced within Iraq and that 2.2 million have fled the country.  It is estimated that 1.5 million Iraqi refugees are residing in Syria and 750,000 in Jordan.  On September 1, when Syria announced that restrictions on entry were beginning on September 10, rate of entry of Iraqi refugees increased from 2,000 a day to 20,000.

Syria justifies the restriction on the basis that their small country’s economic system has been stretched to its limits in trying to assist the growing refugee population.  Syria’s pleas to the international community for monetary support have gone unheard.  In face of the international communities’ seeming indifference to the fate of Iraqi refugees, Syria decided to limit entry to Iraqi professionals – such as engineers, scientists, and professors.

In a press briefing, the UNHCR spokesperson, Ron Redmond, stated that Syria’s new restrictions basically trap fleeing Iraqis.  In order to obtain a visa, Iraqis have to travel to Syria’s embassy in Baghdad.  The neighborhood in which the embassy is located is incredibly violent, exposing these refugees to unnecessary danger.  Requiring Iraqis to travel to Baghdad also prevents poor Iraqis, who cannot afford the trip, from obtaining proper documentation to enter Syria.  Prior to the restrictions, visas could be obtained at the border.  Also, restricting visas to economic, commercial, transport, scientific, and educational reasons, also forces many Iraqis to obtain a sponsor in Syria prior to applying for a visa.  However, UNHCR’s biggest criticism is that the restrictions excludes those fearing persecution and/or death.  UNHCR called on Syria to grant “humanitarian visas” to those whose lives are in danger.

Redmond stated that since the border restrictions have been imposed, the UNHCR office in Damascus has been flooded by Iraqi refugees concerned about their refugee status.  Many of the refugees hold three month visas to stay in Syria.  In order to renew it, they would have to visit offices near the border between Syria and Iraq.  The new restrictions cause many to fear that if they attempt to renew their visas, then they may be deported and forced to return to Iraq.  However, Redmond stated that from discussions with the Syrian government, UNHCR understands that Syria has no intention to forcibly deport any Iraqi refugee currently in Syria.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune – UNHCR: Syria promises not to expel Iraqi refugees by force – 5 October 2007

Middle East Times – Syria block on Iraqis cuts off last refuge says UNHCR – 5 October 2007

Reuters – Iraqis increasingly “trapped” – UN Chief – 5 October 2007

Reuters – UN presses Syria to allow  in more Iraqi refugees – 5 October 2007

UNHCR – Syria: UNHCR advocating for increased bilateral aid and ‘humanitarian visas’ for Iraqi refugees – 5 October 2007

BBC – Syria restores Iraqi visas limits – 2 October 2007

International Herald Tribune – Syria starts imposing visas restrictions on Iraqi citizens – 1 October 2007

Time Magazine – Access denied – 26 September 2007

MSNBC – Iraqi refugees weighing down Syria – 21 September 2007

BBC – Syria visas “halt fleeing Iraqis” – 11 September 2007

International Herald Tribune – UNHCR says new Syrian visa rules blocking Iraqis from entering country – 11 September 2007

Reuters – New Syrian visa requirement halts most Iraqi arrivals – 11 September 2007