Charlie Hebdo Angers Kremlin Over Cartoons of Russian Plane Crash

by Shelby Vcelka

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

PARIS, France–

The French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has sparked outrage in Russia after this week’s publication, which depicted images about the Russian plane crash in the Sinai desert. One image shows debris and body parts raining down on a member of ISIS, while the other shows a skull with a pair of sunglasses with the crashed plane in the background. A spokesman for the Kremlin commented that the cartoons were unacceptable, and that the message it sent had nothing to do with freedom of press or self-expression. The Kremlin, however, does not plan on filing a formal complaint against Charlie Hebdo.

http://twitter.com/DeccanChronicle/status/662621784345300992/photo/1

The Russian plane involved in the crash was headed for St. Petersburg shortly after leaving Egypt. All 224 people on board were killed as the plane crashed into the Sinai Peninsula. Most of those on board were Russian citizens.   Although the cause of the crash has not been determined, international authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a bomb. An Islamic State leader affiliated with the Sinai Province faction claimed responsibility for the crash.

The magazine’s editor in chief, Gerard Biard, criticized the Russian government for “using Charlie Hebdo to create a controversy where none exists, which is the usual manipulation you get from totalitarian regimes… This magazine is supposed to be irreverent, and we respect the values of democracy and freedom of expression, which the Russian powers that be … do not.” He further commented that it was absurd to use the tone of the cartoons as a point of contention, as their entire publication is based on satire and the freedom of expression. Biard also mentioned that the Russian government was using this incident as a means to distract from real issues that the government was avoiding.

The French foreign ministry remarked that French publications are “free to express their opinions,” and that they would not be getting involved. The Kremlin has asked the French government to apologize for Charlie Hebdo’s cartoons on the matter.

For more information, please see—

BBC– Russia hits out at Charlie Hebdo over crash cartoon— 06 November 2015

Huffington Post– Charlie Hebdo Angers Russians With Cartoons Of Egypt Plane Crash— 06 November 2015

New York Post– Charlie Hebdo cartoon of downed jetliner infuriates Russia— 06 November 2015

The Guardian– Russia condemns Charlie Hebdo for Sinai plane crash cartoons— 07 November 2015

Papua New Guinea Facing Domestic Violence Crisis

By Samuel Miller
Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, North America and Oceania

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — In a report released Tuesday, Human Rights Watch released a report, declaring women and girls in Papua New Guinea are enduring brutal attacks from their partners, as government officials neglect survivors’ needs for safety, services, and justice. At the moment, the problem is mainly tackled by NGOs and grassroots activists.

Housing in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. (Photo Courtesy of BBC News)

Critical interventions for survivors, including protection measures and access to shelters, are not readily accessible or not available at all as a result of enforcement failures.

In 2013, Papua New Guinea passed the Family Protection Act, which set new penalties for family violence and aims to make it easier for victims to get protection orders and services.

Although some services have been established, the law has not been implemented on the ground. The government says that it will not do so until it has finalized enabling regulations, even though this is not required by law.

The 59 page report — Bashed Up: Family Violence in Papua New Guinea — documents systemic failures in how the government responds to domestic violence. These failures often leave women unprotected and subject to ongoing violence, even when they have gone to great lengths to seek help and justice.

While the exact number of women who experience violence at the hands of a partner is unknown, the last comprehensive survey was carried out in 1992; it found that family violence occurred in more than two-thirds of households. The report makes no statistical claims on the prevalence of family violence in the country but does highlight “systemic problems” in addressing the issue.

In particular, the report demonstrated the attitudes and practices of police and prosecutors when handling domestic violence complaints. Human Rights Watch reported police often demand money from victims before they will act or simply ignore cases occurring in rural areas.

Furthermore, police in Papua New Guinea appear reluctant to refer survivors for protection orders, and survivors who seek protection orders frequently encounter delays in the courts. These failures occur even in specialized family violence police units.

When police do get involved, they often seek to resolve the situation not by bringing charges, but instead by counselling the attacker to stop violent abuse, and send the woman home. Police will also choose to counsel the attacker in cases of attempted murder and repeated rape and when the victim does not feel safe returning, does not want to reconcile, and asks for the attacker to be imprisoned.

Human Rights said while the government deserves praise for developing a strategy to handle gender-based violence, including the formation of a human rights commission, many lives are being devastated in the meantime. The report calls on the government to implement family protection legislation, increase public awareness of family violence and ensure the police properly investigates crimes.

The government has yet to respond to the report, which despite its criticisms, does give the authorities some credit for taking initial steps to combat family violence.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC News — Papua New Guinea suffering domestic violence ’emergency’ – 4 November 2015

The Australian — Papua New Guinea’s domestic violence crisis is being ignored – 4 November 2015

Radio New Zealand — PNG govt failing women: Human rights watch – 4 November 2015

Human Rights Watch — Papua New Guinea: Prosecute Domestic Violence – 3 November 2015

Syria Deeply: State Kidnappings a Cash Cow for Assad, Amnesty Says

Dear Readers,
Welcome to the weekly Syria Deeply newsletter. We’ve rounded up the most important stories and developments about Syria and the Syrians in order to bring you valuable news and analysis.
State Kidnappings a Cash Cow for Assad, Amnesty Says

Amnesty International has accused the Syrian government of reaping major profits from the widespread and systematic practice of enforced disappearances, vanishing tens of thousands of people over the past four years and extorting their relatives for information about their fate. Syria Deeply spoke with the report’s author about her research and the specifics of the practice.
Jaish al-Islam’s Cage Stunt Leaves Residents of Douma Split

The strongest armed group in Douma paraded caged detainees, including Syrian army officers and women and children, for several hours on Sunday throughout the besieged city, in an attempt to deter future government airstrikes. Syria Deeplyspoke with a handful of the city’s residents to get their take on events.
‘This is Exile’ – Q&A with Director Mani Benchelah

From war-torn homes to near-permanent refugee status, Syrian children in Lebanon are living in a situation of never-ending insecurity, award-winning film-maker Mani Benchelah tells Syria Deeply. His film provides an intimate view of the lives of a generation whose world has been turned upside down.
More Recent Stories to Look Out for at Syria Deeply

• The Expert View: U.S. Boots on the Ground
• Global Powers Talk Syria in Vienna: A Case of Deja Vu
• Civil Society in Syria Under Attack from All Sides

Find our new reporting and analysis every weekday at www.syriadeeply.org.
You can reach our team with any comments or suggestions at info@newsdeeply.org.

Woman in Afghanistan Is Stoned to Death

By Christine Khamis

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

 

KABUL, Afghanistan—

A woman accused of adultery was stoned to death in central Afghanistan last week. The woman, named Rokhshana, was buried in a hole with only her head exposed. Men then surrounded her and threw stones at her until she died. Onlookers filmed the killing and a video portraying the stoning was subsequently released online. The Tolo news agency, a news source focusing on Afghanistan, has reported that the stoning occurred about a week ago in the village of Ghalmeen, a Taliban-controlled area in the Ghor province.

An image from the video of Rokhshana’s stoning. Rokhshana’s head is visible but the rest of her body is buried. (Photo courtesy of BBC)

Rokhshana received her punishment for her elopement with a man, who received only a lashing for his own crime of adultery. The governor of Ghor province, Seema Joyenda, told a news agency that Rokhshana had been married off by her family against her will. Ms. Joyenda, who has staff members from Ghalmeen, stated that Rokhshana’s family tried to marry her off several years ago and that the young woman ran away to Iran. Her family brought her back from Iran and forced her to marry another man. Rokhshana then eloped with another man and was brought back after two days, leading to her adultery charge and stoning.

Ms. Joyenda has reported that the Taliban leader of Ghalmeen ordered Rokhshana’s stoning and other officials have stated that Rokhshana was stoned by a group of men comprised of Taliban, local religious leaders, and warlords.

Activists in Kabul, however, believe that the Taliban was not involved in the stoning and that local tribal leaders committed Rokhshana’s killing. Wazhma Frogh, a founder of the Research Institute for Women, Peace and Security in Afghanistan, has stated that her contacts in Ghor province told her that local officials are responsible for Rokhshana’s stoning. Tribal leaders in Afghanistan have been known to blame the Taliban for their own atrocities.

Ms. Joyenda is one of only two female governors in Afghanistan. She has been criticized for permitting local authorities in Ghor province to violate women’s rights.

Stoning is officially banned in Afghanistan, but its government considered a proposal to reintroduce the punishment in 2013. The government, led at that point by President Hamid Karzai, backed down from the proposal due to objections from the international community.

Women throughout Afghanistan consistently face persecution. In March, another woman was beaten and set on fire in Kabul after she was falsely accused of burning a copy of the Koran. Her murder led to protests in Afghanistan and drew an outcry from the international community about the treatment of women in the country.

A report by the U.N. Assistance Mission in April stated that “the prevalence of violence against women and harmful practices continues to be of serious concern”. Amnesty International has also released a report detailing the persecution of women’s rights activists at the hands of Taliban members, tribal warlords, and government officials.

  

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Afghan Woman Stoned to Death for ‘Adultery’ – 4 November 2015

CNN – Woman Stoned to Death in Afghanistan Over Accusation of Adultery – 4 November 2015

BBC — Afghan Woman Accused of Adultery is Stoned to Death – 3 November 2015

The Guardian – Afghan Woman Stoned to Death for Alleged Adultery – 3 November 2015