Lebanese Army fires on Palestinian protesters

On June 29, hundreds of Palestinians staged a protest and marched three miles from Baddawi camp to Nahr al-Bared.  Most protesters were Palestinian refugees who fled the Nahr al-Bared camp after fighting began in late May.  The purpose of the protest was to regain access to their home.  Many fear that the damage resulting from the heavy fighting will prevent them from returning to their homes. 

During the march, Lebanese soldiers fired on the protesters, killing two and wounding many more.  Witnesses stated that when marchers drew close to an army checkpoint, the soldiers fired in the air above them.  When the crowd did not disperse, soldiers fired their weapons at the protesters.  While witnesses and protesters stated that the march was a peaceful demonstration, the Lebanese army issued a statement that marchers attacked the soldiers with sticks and knives. 

For more information please see:
ABC News:  “2 shot dead in refugee protest in Lebanon”  30 June 2007. 

New York Times:  “Lebanese troops kill 2 Palestinian protesters and wound 30”  30 June 2007. 

BBC:  “Lebanese army ‘kills protesters’”  29 June 2007. 

Guardian:  “2 Reported killed in Northern Lebanon”  29 June 2007. 

Reuters:  “Lebanese troops fire at Palestinian protest, 2 die”  29 June 2007. 

VOA News:  “Lebanese army fires at protesters outside Palestinian camp”  29 June 2007.

Month Long Strike Comes to a Halt

By Myriam Clerge
Impunity Watch, Africa

South African public service called an end to the nearly month long strike Thursday when a majority of unions accepted a 7.5 percent pay offer from the government. The strike began June 1.

The strike, which was the longest and largest since the end of the apartheid regime in 1994, had a devastating effect. The protest showed 600,000 teachers, nurses and other civil servants walk off the job on June 1. Angry union members marched through major cities in demonstrations, while many schools closed due to teacher walkouts and public hospitals operated with help from army medical staffing. The strike was also becoming increasingly embarrassing for the ruling African National Congress.

Unions accuse President Thabo Mbeki of abandoning the poor through his pro-business policies. South Africa’s economy is booming but civil servants have complained their wages can barely keep up with rising prices.

The unions had demanded a 12 percent pay rise at the start of the strike while the government initially refused to budge from its offer of six percent. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) said that the majority of unions had agreed to sign up to the government’s offer, which was formally placed on the table on June 22.

Others still had to consult their members while the main teachers union is not prepared to sign and will be in further talk with the government. President of the National Professional Teachers’ Union (NAPTOSA), Dave Balt said discussions over compensation for workers would take place over the next three months.

Schooling will not be affected due to teachers currently on their winter holiday. However, COSATU said all its members who have signed would now return to work.

For more information please see:

BBC – S Africa Unions Calls Off Strike – 28 June 2007

CNN – Crippling Four-Week Strike in South Africa Ends – 28 June 2007

Yahoo – South African Unions End Four-Week Strike – 28 June 2007

BBC – S Africa Unions Split Over Strike – 25 June 2007

Local Justice for Ugandan Refugees

By Meryl White
Impunity Watch, Africa

The LRA has carried out over 10,000 deaths in Uganda over the past twenty years. In northern Uganda, more than one million people have been displaced by the conflict and have been forced to settle in refugee camps. Furthermore, over 75,000 people have been abducted by LRA forces in the past two decades of insurgency.

The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels have initiated a peace deal with the Ugandan government in an attempt to settle a 20-year conflict. These discussions are part of a five-part peace process in attempt to end the civil war. These deals will promote “alternative justice mechanisms” to achieve reconciliation and justice.

Martin Ojul, head of the LRA delegation in Sudan, stated “We signed the agreement on reconciliation and accountability late last night, which moves us one step closer to a final peace agreement.”

Under the deal, the government and the rebels will support the use of the Ugandan justice system to combat human rights abuses. Rebels favor the use of Ugandan courts to protect suspected criminals from international search warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. Furthermore, they favor local justice because it less severe and will help to effectuate national reconciliation.

Nevertheless, the ICC has issued arrest warrants against LRA leader Joseph Kony, and his deputy commander Vincent Otti. Moreover, warrants have been issued against two senior rebels for mass murder, mutilation and for the use of child soldiers in the 20-year war.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica – Uganda: 75,000 LRA Abductees Missing, Says Report – 02 July 2007

Reuters – Uganda, Rebels Agree Local Justice for War Crimes – July 2007

BBC – Uganda Rebels in New Peace Move – 30 June 2007

Yemen Street Children

        The number of street children in Yemen is rising.  It is estimated that from 13,000-15,000 street children work in the capital.  The children work to survive.  The boys are forced to grow up, and provide for their families.  Many times the boys are beaten by their fathers if they do not make a minimum amount of money.  Cultural norms discourage girls from working.

      The boys work for $1 a day.  Their jobs include bus fare collectors, car washers, restaurant workers, market laborers, and street vendors.  For example, a child’s typical day will include purchasing a product, such as a bottle of water or can of soda for a 30 YR, and sell it hours later for a 35-100 YR to a thirsty traveler on the street.  The job is fraught with problems such as customers who take advantage of the children and do not pay for the drinks. 

        The street children are exposed to many diseases because of their living conditions. The diseases include suffer scabies, chicken pox, measles, sore throat, pneumonia, bronchitis, tonsillitis, and meningitis. The diseases spread because the children are in such close proximity with each other, and cannot take sanitary precautions.

        The number of street children exposed to sexual diseases has risen. Statistics show that 90% of street children are sexually abused.  Typically, the boys are either enticed into cars for as little as a dollar or are raped by elder boys, continuing the cycle of abuse. The boys rarely get protection from their aggressors.

        The children are difficult to protect because of their transient nature.  The vulnerable children are exposed to many pressures.  However, the solution is not to ban child workers, since the children are working to provide for themselves and their siblings.

Yemen Times. Leprosy, sexual and skin diseases Yemeni street children at risk. 19 June 2006.
Reuters. YEMEN: Street children at increased risk of sexual abuse. 25 June 2007.
Yemen Times. Yemeni children narrate their sufferings on the street. 18 September 2006.
Yemen Times. Factors affecting Yemeni Children. 28 August 2006

Sudan’s Inadequate Rape Laws

By Impunity Watch Africa

Refugees International issued a report on Friday concluding that Sudan must overhaul its rape laws in order to protect its citizens.  Rape victims currently have almost no access to medical care or justice and may even risk being prosecuted for having sex outside of marriage.   The report also stated that government soldiers and related militia are often responsible for the attacks.  Khartoum however continues to deny that rape has been used as a weapon of war in Darfur and says that Sudan already punishes rape harshly enough.

Since the conflict in Darfur began four years ago, more than 2 million people have been displaced and it is estimate that at least 200,000 have died.  According to the report, the rape of women in Darfur has been occurring on a massive scale.  The government military, security services, police and border guards, and Janjaweed militias are all granted immunity.  The report also stated that the government continues to harass non-governmental organizations who work with rape victims and doctors who provide treatment.

Refugees International states that the government is more likely to punish and take action against those who report the rape, rather than those actually guilty of the crime.  The report states that although the high incidence of sexual violence against women and girls has been highly documented, existing regulations make it “all but impossible” to prosecute the rapists.  Women who report a rape are often prosecuted for having sex outside the marriage, punishable by 100 lashes or death by stoning.

The report includes 24 recommendations for changes, including the need for more judges and police officers, and expanding its definition of rape to include sexual assault with objects, such as rifle barrels.
Download the full report

For more information, please also see:

AllAfrica – Urgent Need to Reform Rape Laws, Says NGO – 29 June 2007

BBC – Sudan Rape Laws ‘Need Overhaul’ – 29 June 2007

Sudan Tribune – Sudan Must Reform Law to End Rape in Darfur – Aid Group – 29 June 2007

Reuters – Sudan Must Rewrite Rape Laws to Protect Victims – 28 June 2007