Bangladesh Executes Financial Backer of Islamist Party for War Crimes

by Zachary Lucas
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Mir Quasem Ali, a former media tycoon, was executed after being convicted of war crimes during the Bangladesh’s war for independence in 1971. Ali was a financier to the largest Islamist Party in the country, the Jamaat-e-Islami party.

Mir Quasem Ali was Tried and Convicted of War Crimes in 2014 (Photo Courtesy of BBC)

Ali was formally arrested in 2012 and charged in mid 2013. The charges involved murder and torture, including the abduction and murder of a young man in a torture chamber. Throughout the trial Ali proclaimed his innocence and stated that the charges were unjustifiable. Ali was found guilty on 8 charges, two of which carried the death sentence, in 2014 before the International Crimes Tribunal that was set up to try war criminals from the 1971 conflict.

A five-member appellate court upheld the decision of the trial court and the sentences. The Supreme Court rejected a final appeal earlier in the week. Ali did not seek presidential pardon which requires an admission of guilt. Ali was hanged at 10:30 PM on Saturday. His body was driven from the prison in an ambulance early Sunday morning to his home village in Manikganj for burial. Family members had requested his body be buried in Dhaka but government officials refused.

Following the execution, a security operation was staged to prevent violence. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said that security operations were underway to keep the peace including deployment of paramilitary border guards and more police in Dhaka. The opposition party proclaimed the trial to be “political vengeance” and stated they would stage protests on Monday.

Both the Jamaat-e-Islami party and human rights experts around the world have questions the integrity of the International Crimes Tribunal set up shortly after the current Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, came to power. Ali, who was the former head of the Diganta Media Corporation, is the latest in members of the opposition party to be executed at the tribunal. Since 2010, six opposition leaders have been executed, five of whom were from the Jamaat-e-Islami party. As a total, 24 people have been sentence to death at the tribunal.

The war in 1971 began when self-determination groups in East Pakistan revolted against Pakistani leadership which led to armed conflict. The war became a hot spot during the Cold War as the United States, former Soviet Union, and People’s Republic of China were involved in the conflict. The end of the conflict led to Bangladesh gaining independence from Pakistan.

Prime Minister Hasina says the conflict left 3 million dead and over 400,000 women were raped. Pakistani forces and Jamaat-e-Islami supported militias were accused of systematic executions and rape during the war. Pro-Pakistani militias were accused of setting up detention centers were liberation supporters were tortured, including one at Chittagong, that Ali was accused of running.

For more information, please see:

BBC — Bangladesh hangs Islamist Mir Quasem Ali for 1971 war crimes — 4 September 2016

The Daily Star –Review binned, death stays for Quasem — 30 August 2016

The Hindu —  Bangladesh executes Jamaat leader Mir Quasem Ali — 4 September 2016

Time — Bangladesh Court Upholds Death Sentence of Islamist Leader Convicted of War Crimes — 30 August 2016

Yahoo — Bangladesh executes 5th Islamist party leader for 1971 war — 3 September 2016

Al-Shabab Claims Responsibility for Deadly Car Bombing in Somalia

By Samantha Netzband 

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

MOGADISHU, Somalia–Al Shabab has taken responsibility for two deadly car bombing that took place in Galkayo, Somalia on Sunday August 21st.  The death toll is unclear, but news outlets are reporting that over 10 civilians have died, with Al Jazeera reporting at least 20 dead.

Two car bombs killed at least 23 people Sunday in the Somali town of Galkayo. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the blasts, which killed students and local merchants.

The site of the two car bombings. (Photo Courtesy of CNN)

The first car bomb was set off in a truck, the second was set off in a car.  Local police Captain Abdi Hassan said the truck was rammed into the main gate of a building in Galkayo.  After the first bomb exploded and help started to arrive for the wounded the second bomb exploded.    The buildings near the site of the bombing included a school, market, and government building.  Authorities believe that Al-Shabab was targeting the government building.

Members of international society were quick to condemn the twin bombings.  The representative of the UN Secretary-General in Somalia, Michael Keating, issued a statement: “This act of terror highlights the vulnerability of Somali civilians including children to actors who continue to use violence to achieve their objectives.”  The Somali President and Prime Minister also condemned the attack as well as the President of the United States of America.

This bombing is one in a series purported by Al-Shabab in Somalia.  Upset with the presence of foreign sources in Somalia, Al-Shabab also attacked the city of Mogadishu in July killing 6 civilians.

For further information, please see:

Aljazerra – Al Shabab Claims Double Suicide Bombing in Somalia – 22 August 2016

CNN – Somali Suicide Bombings Leave 23 Dead; Al Shabab Claims Responsiblity – 21 August 2016

Press Herald – Twin Blasts Kill 17 at Government Building, Market in Somalia – 21 August 2016

Times of India – More than 10 Dead in Twin Blast in Somali Town – 21 August 2016

 

Brazil Votes to Impeach President Dilma Rousseff

By Cintia Garcia

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASÍLIA, BRAZIL—The Brazilian Senate voted 61 to 20 to impeach Dilma Rousseff from her term as president. After a long impeachment trial, Dilma Rousseff was found guilty of manipulating the federal budget.

The Senate rejoices after the vote to impeach Dilma Rousseff. (Photo Courtesy of The Washington Post)

In order to impeach Dilma Rousseff, two-thirds of senators—54 out of 81—was needed to make her impeachment final. Also held was a vote to strip Dilma Rousseff of her rights to run for office. The second vote did not pass, the senate opposed with 42 in favor, 36 opposed and 3 abstentions—she will be allowed to run for office in the future. Although she was removed from office in May, the impeachment process began eight months ago. The vice president, Michel Temer, became interim president after her removal. He was sworn in as president following the vote on Wednesday afternoon for the remainder of her term, which ends in 2018. The end of Dilma Rousseff’s term also marks the end of the 13-year reign of the Leftist Workers’ Party. Under President Temer, the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party will take over and shift the government to the right.

Dilma Rousseff continues to claim her innocence, stating, “When Brazil or when a president is impeached for a crime that they have not committed, the name we have for this in democracy—its not an impeachment, it is a coup.”

She was first elected to the presidency in 2011 and was reelected in 2014. Her approval ratings during her second term dropped due to an economic downturn when inflation and unemployment rates began to surge upward.

President Michel Temer enters his term with low approval rates and scandal. Most recently, Temer appointed an all male cabinet and no Afro-Brazilian ministers, causing an uproar in Brazil since 51 percent of Brazilians identify themselves as black or mixed race. Furthermore, President Temer has appointed new cabinet members and office holders that have resigned due to anti-corruption accusations—including attempts to intervene in the investigation of the oil company Petrobras.

For more information, please see:

CNN—Brazil’s Senate Ousts Dilma Rousseff in Impeachment Vote—31 August 2016.

New York Times—Dilma Rousseff is Ousted as Brazil’s President in Impeachment Vote—31 August 2016.

The Washington Post—Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Ousted in Impeachment Vote—31 August 2016.

Egyptian Lawyer Set Free Following Delayed Release

by Yesim Usluca
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt — Malek Adly, an Egyptian human rights lawyer, was released from prison on Sunday after he was arrested in May 2016 over protests against President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia.

Egyptian human rights lawyer Malek Adly (Photo Courtesy of Daily News Egypt)

In April 2016, President Sisi handed over the two islands, Sanafir and Tiran, to Saudi Arabia on the grounds that they had always belonged to the country and were only leased to Egypt. This act was criticized by Egyptians as unconstitutional, leading to widespread protests throughout Egypt. Mr. Adly argued that the islands belonged to Egypt, and joined a group of journalists supporting the protests. Following the rallies, the Egyptian government arrested over 100 people for either participating in peaceful protests or spreading false information.

Mr. Adly was arrested in May 2016 on accusations of plotting a coup and spreading false information. His spouse and lawyers stated that he was placed in solitary confinement, denied visits for two weeks, and assaulted by guards. Following Mr. Adly’s arrest, in May 2016, reporters for the United Nations issued a statement expressing concern over the “worsening crackdown on peaceful protests” in Egypt. These reporters further urged the government to bring an end to “disproportionate reactions.”

On Thursday, August 25th, a Cairo court accepted Mr. Adly’s petition against his detention, and granted a release. The prosecution, however, filed an appeal against this decision to extend his detention. On Saturday, August 27th, the Egyptian courts rejected this appeal, and ordered his release. Despite issuance of this order, Mr. Adly had not been set free as of the morning of Sunday, August 28th. Rights groups and activists criticized the delayed process. A statement signed by sixteen entities, including political parties and NGOs, indicated that delays such as this were “common.” The statement further provided that the practice is considered unlawful detention as the aim in the delay is to obstruct the releasing procedures.

Mr. Adly was eventually released from prison on Sunday, August 28th. His lawyer, Mr. Mahmoud Belal, however, stated that he does not know what will happen next as the Egyptian government could try to detain him once again.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press — Egypt Court Releases Lawyer Who Defied President — 28 August 2016

BBC News — Egypt crackdown widens with arrest of leading rights lawyer — 6 May 2016

Daily News Egypt — Condemnations pour after Malek Adly’s delayed release — 28 August 2016

Human Rights Watch — Egypt: Scores of Protesters Jailed Unjustly — 25 May 2016

Migrants Aid in Rescue Efforts in Wake of Italian Earthquake

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

ROME, Italy — In the wake of Wednesday’s earthquake in Italy, thousands of migrant refugees currently hoping to gain asylum in Italy flocked to the sites most affected by the quake to aid in rescue efforts.  These refugees hail from multiple countries, including Senegal, Niger, and Burkina Fasso, and arrived in Italy via boats run by human traffickers.   In Calabria, a group of over 70 refugee asylum seekers pooled their daily allowance money of two euros ($2.30) to donate to earthquake survivors.

A volunteer prepares food after the earthquake in Amatrice, Italy (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

In the Italian town Arquata del Tronto, one West African migrant named Abdullai told reporters that while he was scared of the earthquake at first, he soon realized that the survivors of the quake needed his help as much as possible.  Abdullai and 16 other migrant workers spent a day weeding, cleaning, and preparing an area to be used as an emergency operations center.  Another group of 20 Muslim migrants used gardening tools to prepare the grounds for tents to be set up, and cleared a field for a helicopter landing space.  While taking a break from their physical labor, the migrants all knelt and prayed together.

According to Letizia Bellabarba, a coordinator of a charity that hosts asylum seekers, the refugees came up with the idea to aid in rescue efforts themselves.  Bellabarba says that the refugees “said that Italy welcomed and helped them, and it was now their turn to help Italians.”  Approximately 50 asylum seekers associated with the charity came forward to help, were split up into groups of 15-20 per day, and were given assignments through Italy’s Civil Protection Department.

The outreach and assistance of these asylum seekers does not quash the anti-immigration movement in Europe, however.  Amidst the tragedy surrounding the earthquake, a priest in Boissano, Father Cesare Donati, expressed his anti-immigration stance through a Facebook post saying “it is now time to put the victims into housing and send the migrants to the tents…”  A lumberjack who was left homeless by the earthquake said that while he is grateful for the help of the migrants, he is worried they are using up resources that should be going to the victims of the quake instead.

For more information, please see:

The Huffington Post — The Refugees Who Helped Survivors of Italy’s Earthquake Know What it Means to Suffer — 28 August 2016

NPR — Migrants Help in Relief Effort After Deadly Earthquake in Italy — 28 August 2016

The Huffington Post — Refugees in Italy Donate Money and Help Clean up After Earthquake — 26 August 2016

Reuters — African Migrants go to Italian Quake Zone to Help Survivors — 26 August 2016