Lech Walesa Faces Allegations of Spying for Communist Secret Police

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

WARSAW, Poland–

Former Polish President Lech Walesa has announced that he will be defending himself in court on new claims that he was a paid communist informant for the country’s secret service during the Soviet era. Former President Walesa was the country’s first president of the post-communist era, and was the leader of the Polish Solidarity movement during that time. The state-run National Remembrance Institute (NRI) announced earlier this week that documents confiscated from the house of the last communist interior minister, General Czeslaw Kiszczak, included a letter signed by Walesa indicating his intent to provide the secret service with information. The letter is believed to be authentic.

Lech Walesa faces new allegations of his purported collaboration with the communist secret police. He has faced these allegations many times throughout his career, but was previously cleared in court from any wrongdoing. (Photo courtesy of NPR).

While the allegations themselves are not new, they have resurfaced after Kiszczak’s widow offered to sell the letters to the NRI for 90,000 zlotys (approximately $22,800). Prosecutors seized the documents before the sale was completed because the law requires “important historic papers” to be handed in to the authorities. The documents include 350 pages of secret police files that have never been opened to the public before. Contained in these pages are money receipts signed by “Bolek,” which was Walesa’s code name, according to the NRI president, Lukasz Kaminski.

The documents date from 1970 to 1976. Walesa co-founded the Solidarity movement in 1980, which contributed to the fall of the communist regime in 1989. Walesa was elected president in 1990 as a result of his efforts.

Although Walesa has previously stated he did not collaborate with the secret police, he confirmed in 2008 that he had signed a document that stated his intent to cooperate with the police. He maintains, however, that he did not follow through with this commitment. Walesa wrote on his blog from Venezuela earlier this week, commenting that the documents were forged to discredit him and tarnish his reputation. A special court convened in 2000 had already cleared him of all charges of working with the secret police.

For more information, please see–

BBC– Lech Walesa ‘was paid Communist informant’— 18 February 2016

The Guardian– Lech Wałęsa denies he was secret service informant during communist era— 18 February 2016

NPR– Polish Institute: Files Show Lech Walesa Worked With Communist-Era Secret Police— 18 February 2016

New York Times– Lech Walesa Faces New Accusations of Communist Collaboration— 18 February 2016

Egypt on Path to Repeat 2011?

By Tyler Campbell Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

CAIRO, Egypt – People gathered together protesting repeated instances of police brutality. A wide range of people, from doctors to taxi cab drivers, actively voicing their frustration with a government they see as increasingly heavy handed. Reporters catching every moment and informing the public with social media. All this leading to grass roots support with the hashtag Jan25. For many this sounds like the start of the Egyptian unrest that took place in 2011. However, for people living in Cairo, this could also describe what has been happening in the last few days.

Egyptian Doctors stage protest and threaten to strike after police violence. Photo Courtesy: Iran-Daily

Just as in 2011, there has not been one major spark to ignite the people’s feelings against the government. Instead a dangerous mix of authoritarian tendencies, police brutality, and general distrust continue to move people to stage these protests against the current regime.

The problem of police brutality was a major part of what lead to overthrow of ex-president Hosni Mubarak in 2011. It appears the people of Egypt are again facing the very same problem. Last Friday the doctors of Egypt took to the streets to protest an instance of police brutality committed against 2 of their own.

On January 28th two doctors were assaulted and arrested after two police officers visited the Matariya hospital in Cairo. Allegedly, while receiving treatment for a cut on the forehead a doctor called an officer’s injury “simple.”  This comment ended with two doctors being assaulted and being placed on a bus toward the police station. The 2 doctors were later released but the larger group of protesting doctors threatens to go on strike if no action is taken against the officers.

Yesterday another instance of police brutality led to more protests around Cairo. Mohamed Ali, a young taxi driver, was shot by an out of uniform police officer during an argument between the two. It is reported that the two got into an argument as the officer and a relative of his were getting into Ali’s cab.

A statement from the Interior Ministry stated, “The policeman pulled out his gun to end the fight but a bullet came out by mistake, killing the taxi driver.” It is unclear at this time where the officer is, some reports say he was apprehended by authorities while others claim that he was killed by bystanders who saw the altercation.

Young Ali’s death came only a day after the regime had moved to close the Nadeem Centre for the Rehabilitation of Victims of Violence. This Human Rights organization had been documenting complaints of torture against Egyptian authorities and giving families effected by violence and torture a resource to turn to. Little explanation for the closure was given besides they had been operating outside their license.

If instances of police brutality and Human Rights violations continue to occur we could see a situation come together in Egypt that heavily mirrors 2011.

For More Information Please See:

The Guardian – Thousands of doctors in Egypt protest after police accused of attack on two medics – 12 Feb. 2016

The Guardian – Egyptian authorities move to shut down torture watchdog – 17 Feb. 2016

All Africa – Deadly Police Shooting Sparks Egypt Protests – Feb 19 2016

Deutsche Welle – Deadly police shooting sparks Egypt protests – Feb 19 2016

 

UK Prime Minister Secures Agreement to Stay in EU

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

LONDON, England–

Hours after announcing that a deal had been reached between the United Kingdom and other European Union member nations, British Prime Minister David Cameron stated that he will campaign with all his “heart and soul” to keep his country within a reformed EU system. The agreement came after two days of intense talks in Brussels, culminating with a unanimous decision by EU leaders that would allow the UK to stay within the system under negotiated terms.

Prime Minister David Cameron stated that “Britain would never be a part of a European superstate,” but believes a Brexit from the EU could be disastrous for Britain. (Photo courtesy of The Guardian).

Prime Minister Cameron is scheduled to hold a cabinet meeting on February 20th, where he will recommend that the government officially approve the terms, which will allow him to call a referendum on the matter. He stated, ““In an uncertain world is this really the time to add a huge new risk to our national and our economic security? I don’t believe that is right for Britain. I believe we are stronger, safer and better off inside a reformed EU and that is why I will be campaigning with all my heart and soul to persuade the British people to remain in the reformed EU that we have secured today.”

The negotiated agreement allows the UK to remain in the EU system with several major changes. An “emergency break” on EU migrants claiming in-work benefits will be in place for seven years, and individuals will only be covered for four years. Restrictions will also be placed on paying benefits to migrants from other EU countries, and Britain has no obligation to promote an “ever closer union among the peoples of Europe.” The UK also does not have to cooperate with the euro or contribute in eurozone bailouts. However, the UK will maintain full access to the EU’s free-trade market, and receive the advantages of European collaboration on crime and terrorism.

Despite the negotiations, many high profile politicians, including members of Cameron’s own cabinet, will continue to back the British exit, or “Brexit,” from the EU. Their worries primarily focus on backing a failing system of a European “super nation” and having to bear the burden of supporting struggling member nations. Britain has traditionally distanced itself from the rest of the European continent, and a Brexit would be seen as consistent with British foreign policy.

The referendum, if approved by the cabinet, could come as early as June. As of yet, it is unsure whether or not the agreement will be supported.

For more information, please see–

BBC–EU deal gives UK special status, says PM— 19 February 2016

CNN–Cameron: We have a deal with the EU— 19 February 2016 

The Guardian–Cameron will put ‘heart and soul’ into staying in EU after sealing deal— 19 February 2016

The Telegraph–EU summit – live: David Cameron hails deal ‘to give UK special status in the EU’ – including seven-year brake on migrant benefits – paving way for June referendum— 19 February 2016

ICTJ | World Report February 2016 – Transitional Justice News and Analysis

In Focus

South Africa: Impunity, Political Interference Emerge Below Veneer of a Celebrated Reconciliation Process

After 33 years in the relentless pursuit of truth and accountability the family of anti-apartheid activist Nokuthula Simelane will finally see justice done. On 8 February 2016, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced that it will charge four former apartheid security policemen with her murder and kidnapping.

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World Report

AFRICA

In South Africa, prosecutors announced that they will charge four former members of the Apartheid-era security forces with the 1983 kidnapping and murder of Nokuthula Simelane, a courier for the African National Congress. Kenya’s Vice President William Ruto faces an ongoing trial in which he is accused of committing crimes against humanity during the violence following the 2007 elections. Laurent Gbagbo, former president of Cote d’Ivoire, pled not guilty during the opening of his International Criminal Court (ICC) trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity allegedly committed in the aftermath of the contested presidential election in 2011. Meanwhile, ICC prosecutors presented 70 charges against former Lord’s Resistance Army commander Dominic Ongwen, who is accused of war crimes committed in Uganda. President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said that the recommendations of Sierra Leone’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission are in an advanced stage of implementation. The final stage in the torture trial of Hissene Habre, former dictator of Chad, began in Senegal. South Sudan has also been urged to form a unity government by the African Centre for Transitional Justice.

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AMERICAS

The UN Security Council approved the creation of an unarmed mission to Colombia to oversee a bilateral ceasefire, if FARC rebels and the government sign a peace agreement. In Guatemala, the trial of two former military officers charged with sexual slavery against indigenous women during the country’s civil war began. The University of Saskatchewan partnered with Canada’s National Center for Truth and Reconciliation to help provide the students and the public with information past abuses committed against the country’s Indigenous Peoples. Argentina’s cabinet chief met with national human rights organizations to discuss the newly elected government’s stance on human rights issues, including truth, memory, and justice. A UN panel recommended that the United States consider reparations for African-American descendants of slaves. A team of Argentine investigators released a report disputing the official account of what happened to 43 students from Ayotzinapa, Mexico who disappeared in 2014.

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ASIA

Nepal’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and Commission of Investigation on Enforced Disappeared Persons (CIEDP) urged the government to cooperate with the commissions in order to investigate civil war-era crimes, while the CIEDP forwarded a bill to parliament that would retroactively criminalize enforced disappearances. Before Myanmar’s newly elected parliament opened its first session, outgoing lawmakers passed a law providing lifetime immunity to former heads of state, while the government began releasing the first of about 100 political prisoners. In the Philippines, parliament extended the mandate of the claims board for victims of human rights violations under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. During a visit from UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, Tamil leaders called for the UN to help uncover the fate of over 4,000 missing civilians from Sri Lanka’s civil war. In Bangladesh, the special war crimes tribunal sentenced two more people to death for crimes committed during the country’s war of independence with Pakistan.

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EUROPE

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, citizens commemorated the 22-year anniversary of a mortar attack on a Sarajevo market that killed 68 people. Meanwhile in Serbia, a court sentenced a former Bosnian Serb soldier to 10 years in prison for participating in the Srebrenica genocide, while a Serbian activist was charged for commemorating Srebrenica. European Union judges sentenced a Kosovo Serb politician to nine years in prison for war crimes. ICC judges authorized the opening of an investigation into the 2008 conflict between Georgia and Russia. The family of a union leader believed to have been killed during Spain’s civil war filed a suit asking Mexican authorities to investigate his disappearance.

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MENA

Protests over youth unemployment spread throughout several towns and cities in Tunisia. In Libya, opposing factions proposed the formation of an 18-member unity government. The foreign minister of Egypt denied that his government is cracking down on dissidents. Lawmakers in Algeria passed a package of reforms that included the reinstatement of presidential term limits.

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Publications

More Than Words: Apologies as a Form of Reparation

This report explores many of the issues and challenges likely to be faced by those considering a public apology as a form of reparation for victims of serious human rights violations.

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Opening Up Remedies in Myanmar

This briefing paper calls on the soon-to-be-established NLD-led Burmese government to seriously consider taking steps to deal with Myanmar’s troubled past as a way to help end the cycle of violence and human rights violations in the conflict-torn country.

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