Murder on the High Seas: Traffickers Suspected of Ramming Refugee Ship

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Managing Editor Impunity Watch

BRUSSELS, European Union – 700 refugee’s fleeing Africa for Europe are feared dead in the Mediterranean after two separate shipwrecks last week. the International Organization for Migration (IOM) fear the refugees likely drowned in the Mediterranean which would bringing the death toll for Mediterranean crossing deaths to nearly 3,000, making 2014 the deadliest year on record for refugees making the dangerous water crossing from North Africa to the shores of southern Europe.

In a photograph released by the Italian Navy migrants sit in a boat during a rescue operation off the coast of Sicily, the Mediterranean crossing from Africa to Europe as become a deadly risk for refugees from Africa and the Middle East who have taken to the sea in crammed, unsafe boats in an attempt to reach Europe and the safety and economic opportunity they hope it will offer (Photo Courtesy of The Hindustan Times)

The most recent shipwreck occurred of the cost of Libya where a ship crammed with as many as 250 African emigrants sank. The Libyan navy said that while 26 people survived the shipwreck most of the migrants are feared dead. Four days later, on September 10th a ship carrying hundreds of migrants was sank off the cost of Malta by traffickers in the region.  As many as 500 migrants ae believed to have died after traffickers rammed their ship off of the cost of Malta last week. The victims were Syrians, Palestinians, Egyptians and Sudanese refugees hoping to find safe haven in Europe. Only nine people survived the incident, two of the survivors testified that the trackers ordered the migrants to change vessels in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. According to the testimony, when the migrants refugee the traffickers confronted the ship and rammed into the migrant’s vessel.

The ship had left Damietta, Egypt for Europe on Saturday September 6th and sank after being rammed by traffickers on September 10th. “In all, nine people survived and were picked up boats,” Berthiaume said. IOM officials interviewed two Palestinian survivors who were taken to Sicily, Italy, while other survivors were taken to Malta and to Crete, Greece, IOM Spokesperson Christiane Berthiaume said.

According to the IOM, after the boat sank, the survivors spent a day fighting for their lives in open water. According to the two survivors who testified, both of whom Palestinian refugees, the victims were tried to hold on to life buoys to survive. One of the survivors was in a lifejacket while the other was holding onto one of the life buoys with other victims who did not survive. One of the survivors said that among the diseased was a young Egyptian boy who hoped to raise money in Europe to pay for his father’s heart operation.

The survivors say their ship was deliberately rammed because, fearing for their lives, the refugee refused to leave the ship under the orders of the human trafficking vessel. “If this story, which police are investigating, is true, it would be the worst shipwreck in years… not an accident but a mass murder, perpetrated by criminals without scruples or any respect for human life,” IOM said in a statement Monday.

For more information please see:

CBS News – 700 Feared Dead In Mediterranean Boat Wrecks – 15 September 2014

The Guardian – Migrant Boat Was ‘Deliberately Sunk’ In Mediterranean Sea, Killing 500 – 15 September 2014

Hindustan Times – Traffickers ‘Sink’ Ship Carrying Migrants in Mediterranean, 500 Feared Dead Off Malta Coast – 15 September 2014

Reuters – Over 500 Migrants Feared Dead After Human Traffickers ‘Deliberately Sank the Boat’ – 15 September 2014

North Korea Sentences American Citizen to Six Years Hard Labor

By Lyndsey Kelly
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America

WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America – North Korea recently sentenced a United States citizen, Matthew Todd Miller, to six years of hard labor for committing hostile acts as a tourist in the country. Miller, a native of Bakersfield, California, entered North Korea in April of this year. The circumstances surrounding his arrest are muddled, however, reports state that Miller tore up his tourist visa and demanded Pyongyang to grant him asylum.

Matthew Miller sits in North Korea before a court to be sentenced to hard labor (Photo Courtesy of Reuters).

In an unexpected CNN interview earlier this month, Miller told reporters that he “prepared to violate the law of DPRK before coming [to North Korea]. And [he] deliberately committed [a] crime.” Miller was tried under Article 64 of the North Korean Criminal Code, which defines the crime of espionage. The prosecutor on Miller’s case argues that Miller’s claim for asylum had been a “ruse”, and that he had falsely claimed to be in the possession of secret U.S. military information on his electronic devices.

Other sources state the Miller’s purpose in tearing up his visa was to get an inside look at North Korean prisons in order to investigate human rights abuses. Miller is the second American currently serving a hard labor sentence. A third U.S. citizen, Jeffrey Fowle, is awaiting trial.

North Korea is currently under heavy United Nations sanctions related to the country’s nuclear and missile programs. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russell states that the detained American citizens are being used as pawns in order for North Korea to extract a high-profile visit from Washington. However, because of the United States’ preoccupation with the Islamic extremist group ISIS in the Middle East, the current situation in North Korea has gained little attention. However, sources state that the U.S. has requested the immediate pardon and release of Miller.

 

For more information, please see the following:

CNN – North Korea: American Matthew Miller Sentenced to 6 Years Hard Labor – 14 Sept. 2014.

NBC NEWS – North Korea Sentences American Matthew Miller To Six Years Hard Labor– 14 Sept. 2o14.

REUTERS – North Kora Sentences U.S. Citizen Matthew Miller to Six Years Hard Labor -14 Sept. 2014.

WASHINGTON POST – North Korea Sentences American Matthew Miller To 6 Years of Hard Labor – 14 Sept. 2014.

 

 

All Eyes on Scotland This Week as Vote for Independence Draws Near

By Kyle Herda

Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

EDINBURGH, Scotland – On Thursday September 18, Scotland will vote for whether to remain a part of the United Kingdom or separate and declare independence. Regardless of the outcome, the results will have a heavy impact throughout Europe.

A look at Scotland’s location within the UK, along with a projected breakdown of how the vote will go. (Photo courtesy of NY Daily News)

If Scotland’s vote for independence results in a vote to stay with the United Kingdom, Scotland will still receive some new benefits, in addition to keeping some old benefits. Britain has promised that in the event of a vote to remain in the UK, Britain would decentralize some power to Scotland. It is entirely possible that Northern Ireland and Wales could also receive similar benefits should Scotland remain united.

The political impact this vote in Britain could be huge, as Scotland has been united with England for 307 years. The loss of Scotland would be disastrous to British Prime Minister David Cameron and would make him appear weak and reckless to the British people for allowing Scotland to leave. Even if Scotland stays, to give Scotland more power and possibly have to give Wales and Northern Ireland more power would have a similar effect. Either way, England’s next elections will focus greatly on this event.

In addition to decentralized powers, Scotland would also continue receiving benefits from the rest of the UK, including, and likely most importantly, European Union membership and use of the euro currency. Should Scotland vote ‘yes’ for independence, Scotland would likely be promptly left outside of the EU and without a currency. While such a scenario would likely be followed with steps on how to apply for EU membership, it would entail time where Scotland is on its own to effectively establish a military and currency, two issues that are no small feat.

An independent Scotland would put the EU into a tough position, as the UK is already one of the more powerful economies in the world and would be weakening some. This move would also cause problems within other member States, as it would encourage independence referendums throughout Europe. Particularly, Italy’s Northern League, Flemish separatists in Belgium, and the Catalans and Basques in Spain would pose an immediate threat to the independence of those nations. The Catalans pose a particularly significant risk that Spain is worried may pan out should Scotland succeed in their movement.

This same threat is also felt in Eastern Europe in nations such as Latvia or Ukraine, where Russian-ethnic citizens could push for independence referendums, perhaps even backed by Russia who has shown it is willing to act militarily to support such movements.

As with most major decisions, while the act itself of Scotland separating from the UK may appear to be a good idea, it could have serious and unplanned impacts that may lead to major changes throughout Europe on the whole, with results that are impossible to foresee. For now, the only thing left to do is wait for Scotland’s vote on Thursday.

For more information, please see:

Daily Times – Europe changing shape whichever way Scotland goes – 15 September 2014

Business Insider – Europe fears Scottish independence contagion – 14 September 2014

The Independent – Scotland independence vote: Everything you ever wanted to know about life after the result – 14 September 2014

The New York Times – Scottish Independence Would Ripple Through Europe – 11 September 2014

Australia Commits to join U.S in Fight Against ISIS

By Max Bartels 

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania 

 

Canberra, Australia 

In response to a formal request from the United States for specific Australian Defense Force (ADF) capabilities, Australia has committed to send 600 ADF personnel to the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) to contribute to the U.S airstrikes agent Islamic State militants (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. 400 of the 600 ADF personnel come from the Royal Australian Air force including up to eight F/A 18 Hornet combat aircraft as well as 200 military personnel, including Special Forces.

The Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott was careful to state that Australia is not deploying troops for combat but instead contributing to an international effort to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Tony Abbott also said that Australia is prepared to engage in international operations to disrupt and degrade ISIS, calling ISIS a “murderous death cult”.  Abbott further stated that Obama gave him the impression that these operations would be a lengthy mission.

IW #14 Australia ISIS
The Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott announces the deployment of ADF forces to join the international effort to stem the tide of ISIS.
(Photo curtesy of The Guardian)

There is a great deal of opposition to this deployment in Australia, namely form the Green Party. The Green party leader has said that this deployment is subjecting young Australian to the dangers of an American war in Iraq and that Australia should not be involved. Others in Australia are worried that the deployment has the potential to over extend the ADF. Former ADF officer Dr. Blaxland from the Australian National University stated that a 600 troop deployment requires an 1,800 troop rotation and while that doesn’t sound like that many it raises questions about the ADF’s ability to raise, train and sustain this number of forces abroad for an indefinite amount of time.

Prime Minister Abbott stated that a final decision of whether to commit to combat operations has yet to be made.  In that wake of yet another beheading by ISIS there is significant public support in Australia for involvement in the conflict. Abbott linked the ISIS threat in Iraq and Syria to the domestic threat in Australia, stating that an estimated 60 Australian citizens had gone abroad to Syria and Iraq to fight for ISIS. Abbott made it clear in his statements about the decision to deploy troops, that if left unchecked ISIS would continue to destabilize the Middle East and possibly spread beyond the Middle East to areas where a greater threat will be posed to Australians.

For more information, please see:

ABC News — Islamic State: Australian Military Stretched With Deployment to International Fight Against IS Militants, Experts Say — 14 September 2014

The Guardian — Abbott: Australia to Send Military Force to Fight ISIS “Death Cult” — 13 September 2014

NBC News — Australia Commits Military Forces to Fight ISIS — 13 September 2014

The Independent — Tony Abbott Brands ISIS a “Death Cult” and Says Australia Will Send Military Force to Fight Extremists — 14 September 2014

 

Human Rights Group Calls for “End of Repression” in Thailand

By Hojin Choi

Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BANGKOK, Thailand – The human rights group Amnesty International (AI) released a 65-page report about situations in Thailand under martial law since the coup on May 22. It criticized the period as a “100 days spiral of repression” and calls for restoration of civil rights.

Richard Bennett, the Asia-Pacific director of AI, commented that “the Thai authorities should end this disturbing pattern of repression, end human rights violations, respect its international human rights obligations and allow open debate and discussion.”

The report pointed out several cases of systematic oppression and human rights violations. According to the report, hundreds of civilians have suffered from arbitrary arrests, detentions, and inhuman treatment as detainees at the hands of the military. Thai courts allegedly discriminated against people depending on their political stance and denied bail in “lese majeste” cases.

A protester insisting on freedom of speech. (Getty Images)

The report included an interview with Kritsuda Khunasen, a “red shirts” member. She claimed that she was illegally arrested by the military and tortured while being detained. “If I was too slow when answering, didn’t speak, didn’t answer the question in a direct manner, or said I didn’t know, I was beaten with a fist to my face, head, stomach and body,” she said. She also reported that she was blindfolded and handcuffed with duct tape. Eventually, she was forced to make statements as interrogators guided her.

The report revealed that at least 665 Thai people, including politicians, academics, journalists, and activists, have been detained or arrested since May 22. Some of them have had no opportunity to contact their families or lawyers. The report also said the military shut down more than 200 websites and closed several television and radio stations. Most of them had held negative views toward the junta. Under the current martial law, people can be arrested when there are more than five individuals gathered together on streets. The report described the country as being in “enforced silence.”

In response to the report, the spokesperson of the junta officially denied the allegations of human rights violations. National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the formal name of the junta, announced through its spokesperson, Colonel Winthai Suvaree, that “We have never violated people with opposing political views. There has been no physical violence or threats.”

He went on to say that the detained or arrested people had been involved in situations that caused social unrest in Thailand. The NCPO also asked human rights groups to “carefully and thoroughly consider this issue so they do not become the tools of those who have hidden agendas.” They denied any discrimination in court summonses.  

Winthai Suvaree, the spokesperson of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) during his interview with Reuters. (Reuters)

The AI report concluded with several pages of a “recommendation” section. It demanded that the NCPO restore civil liberties, end the martial law, and prevent alleged torture and mistreatment. The report suggested the establishment of a new “independent complaints system” to investigate the alleged torture and mistreatment of detainees. The report also insisted that the military should not have the legal immunity provided by the interim constitution and martial law.

For more information, please see:

Bangkok Post – Regime rejects Amnesty torture, repression claims  – 13 September 2014

Bangkok Post – Amnesty International launches anti-coup report – 11 September 2014

Reuters – Thai junta tells rights group to ‘get its facts straight’ – 11 September 2014

BBC – Thai coup leaders ‘must end repression’ – Amnesty – 11 September 2014