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Syrian Network for Human Rights: 948 Civilians Killed between the Two Rounds of Geneva Talks, including 62% at the hands of the Syrian-Iranian-Russian Alliance
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Facts and evidences, through the daily cumulative documentation conducted by SNHR team, are telling us that we are definitely still far away from the stage of shrinking and reducing the crisis. The international community, the states that sponsor the negotiations in particular, haven’t taken any steps to limit the crisis’s deadly manifestations, in order to transition to the negotiation stage. The Syrian-Iranian-Russian alliance is responsible for the most part, as it perpetrated vastly more violations than the rest of the parties to the conflict. The warplanes haven’t ceased the bombardment of civilian neighborhoods for one day, and tens of vital civilian facilities have been also bombed. We will be including only, however, hospitals, schools, and markets. Talking about releasing detainees and ending the siege have become a distant luxury. There won’t be a settlement or a negotiation path as long as the U.N. won’t work with local partners to monitor the ceasefire, and hold those who violate it accountable.More… |
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Torrential Floods in Peru Affecting Thousands
By Cintia Garcia
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
LIMA, PERU—The El Niño phenomena is battering the Andean country of Peru with extreme weather. Due to the torrential downpours and flooding, ninety-four people are dead and an estimated seven-hundred-thousand people are homeless in 12 of the 25 regions of Peru.
The rain has severally damaged the northwestern coastal region of Peru. Additionally, the weather event has been considered the worst natural disaster to hit the nation in twenty years. Meteorologists believe there is little hope of relief from the extreme weather which is predicted to last for many weeks to come. The weather system hitting Peru is very unusual.
The widespread damage to infrastructures such as roads and highways has hampered relief efforts. For example, in Catacaos, Peru the flood waters have reached up to six-feet high killing four and isolating the town. Relief efforts have struggled to reach the area. Only five-hundred people have been evacuated while many continue to wait to be rescued. Furthermore, in the capital of Lima, many residents have gone six days without drinking water. General Jorge Chavez of the National Center for Emergency Operations stated, “We know this is an extreme situation, but we are pleading for calm. Please be confident that all will be taken care of.” Many citizens believe the response by the government has been too slow. The Peruvian government has sent its army to assist in the rescue efforts.
Additionally, crops have been destroyed with some regions losing up to fifteen-thousand acres of crops. It is believed that the cost to Peru’s economy in lost productivity is an estimated $3.1 billion. The Minister of Transportation, Martin Vizcarra, released an estimated price tag of at least $1 billion in order to fix the infrastructures.
Currently, international aid has arrived to Peru including $525,000 from the United States and $1.5 million in relief from China. Peru has asked the United States to donate more to relief efforts.
For more information, please see:
NBC News—Devastating Floods in Peru Displace Tens of Thousands—29 March 2017.
VOA—Peru Asks US for More aid to Confront Intense Rains, Floods—29 March 2017.
BBC—Peru Floods: Four Killed as Piura Bursts its Banks—28 March 2017.
Los Angeles Times—Peru’s Brutal Season of Floods Leaves 94 dead, 700,000 homeless—28 March 2017.
Hundreds Arrested, Beaten Amidst Protests in Belarus
By Sarah Lafen
Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe
MINSK, Belarus — According to a Belarusian human rights group, over 400 people were arrested, and many were beaten, in Belarus on March 25 amidst protests against a tax on under-employed citizens. The law, known as the “anti-parasite” law, demands a $250 tax on anyone who works less than six months each year who does not register with the state labor exchange. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko insists that the tax will not be eliminated and believes it disciplines those who are “workshy.” Lukashenko has, however, suspended the tax for the year. Opponents to the new law believe it punishes those who cannot find work.
About 700 people marched on Saturday in a demonstration along Minsk’s main street, however were blocked by police holding shields and clubs. According to demonstrator Alexander Ponomarev, the police were “beating the participants, dragging women by the hair to buses.” More arrests took place on Sunday when other demonstrators demanded to know the whereabouts of those arrested the previous day.
Prior to the weekend, over 100 opposition supporters were sentenced to jail terms of up to 15 days. Police raided human rights group Vesna’s office and detained more than 50 people. 20 journalists were among those arrested according to the Belarusian Journalists’ Association. BBC Belarus correspondent Sergei Kozlovsky told reporters that “[the police] grabbed everybody indiscriminately, both young and old” and that they were “treated very harshly.” Known opposition supported Vladimir Neklayev was allegedly removed from a train by police as he was traveling to Minsk overnight.
About 150 of those arrested were sentenced to jail terms of up to 25 days. Opponents of Lukashenko ran the protests in Minsk and in other cities across Belarus. Vladimir Lobkovich, of Vesna, called the jail sentences a “judicial conveyor.”
Demonstrators shouted slogans such as “Shame!” and Basta! (Enough!)” and displayed the opposition’s red and white flag. “Petrol bombs and “arms-laden cars” were found near the protest in Minsk according to the foreign ministry.
Foreign ministry spokesperson Dzmitryy Mironchyk called the actions of the police “completely appropriate.” Mironchyk said that because the rallies were unauthorized, “specific consequences” would have been justified “in any country of the world.” He further commented that no tear gas or water cannons were used by the police.
For more information, please see:
The Washington Post — Rights Group: More than 1,000 Arrested in Belarus Protests — 27 March 2017
BBC — Belarus Protests: Government Defends Mass Arrests — 26 March 2017
Hawaii News Now — Belarus Police Arrest over 400 Protesters; Many are Beaten — 25 March 2017
Singapore Couple Receives Short Jail Sentence for Starving Housekeeper
By: Nicole Hoerold
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
PULAU UJONG, Singapore – A Singapore couple was sentenced this week for starving their Filipino house maid. The case sheds important light on an issue that is, according to human rights organizations, fairly common.
Thelma Oyasan Gawidan, age 40, weighed only 65 pounds in April 2014, after having been given too little to eat for about 15 months. Gawidan was given two to three slices of plain white bread and packets of instant noodles by the couple who employed her. The diet lacked any source of critical vitamins and proteins, leaving the worker frail and with major health risks. She also had to ask for permission before drinking water, upon which she was only ever given tap water.
The husband, Lim Choon Hong, received a jail sentence of only three weeks and a $7,200 fine while his wife received a sentence of three months with no fine. The presiding judge told the couple that the court accepted that they did not intentionally starve the housekeeper.
The head of the research team for human rights group Transient Workers Count Too, told Reueters that cases of domestic aids being given inadequate amounts of food “happen with alarming regularity.” Singapore’s courts are seeing rising numbers of lawsuits regarding domestic aid abuses.
Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MoM) has since permanently denied the couple the ability to employ foreign workers. The Ministry released a statement stating that it has a zero tolerance policy for abuse and mistreatment of workers. Ministry rules state that employers must provide adequate and acceptable accommodations, food, and medical treatment to their employees. Despite these ideals, human rights organizations warn that there is still a lot of progress to be made in protecting such worker’s rights.
For more information, please see:
BBC – Singapore couple jailed for starving Philippine maid – 27 March, 2017
Reuters – Singapore jails couple for starving Filipino domestic helper – 27 March, 2017
Gulf News – Singapore jails couple for starving Filipino domestic helper – 27 March, 2017