Bomb Blast in Chile Train Station Speculated as an Act of Terrorism
By Delisa Morris
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
SANTIAGO, Chile – On Monday Afternoon, a bomb exploded next to an underground train station in the Chilean capital of Santiago at least ten people were wounded.
The blast occurred during lunchtime at a fast-food restaurant in a small shopping and eating plaza next to the Escuela Military metro station. The area, Las Condes, is known as an affluent residential and shopping neighborhood.
Some Chilean officials believe that this was an act of terrorism. Currently, no group has claimed responsibility, and the police said the attack was being investigated.
“This is an act that has all the hallmarks of a terrorist deed,” Alvaro Elizalde, the government’s chief spokesman said in remarks made to journalists outside La Moneda presidential place. “There is no doubt. And it has been carried out with the intention of hurting innocent people.”
He added that the government will invoke anti-terrorism laws. Apparently, anti-terrorism laws give prosecutors additional powers to allow for harsher sentencing for persons guilty of terrorism.
“It was an abominable act, and we will apply the full weight of the law, including antiterrorist laws,” said President Michelle Bachelet. “What happened today was horrible, but Chile is and will remain a stable nation.”
Chile has not suffered an attack of this magnitude for at least 20 years. The country, which returned to democracy in 1990 after a 17-year dictatorship under Augusto Pinochet, is normally one of Latin America’s most stable countries.
However, there have been a few low-level attacks by anarchist groups in recent years, including one this past July. Monday’s blast may put pressure on Bachelet to respond at a time when her popularity is drooping. Currently her plate if full with a reform drive and Chile’s ever worsening economy.
“At 2pm local time an explosive device was detonated in the centre by the metro station, and at the moment investigations are being carried out to determine the origin,” said Mario Rozas, head of police communications.
Interior Minister Mahmud Aleuy said review of security cameras near the bomb cite revealed two suspects planting the device in a metal container, possible a trash can, outside the fast-food restaurant and escaping in a car.
Luckily, none of the injuries were fatal. A Venezuelan man in his 30s suffered trauma to his leg and a woman had at least one of her fingers amputated. A few other people suffered from hearing loss.
By coincidence, this week Chile commemorates the 41st anniversary of the 1973 military coup that removed socialist President Salvador Allende from power. The events of the coup still divide the country. Traditionally, the anniversary is a time of protests that often turn violent.
The metro was operating normally on Monday evening.
For more information, please see:
the guardian – Chile: bomb explodes in Santiago metro station – 8 Sept. 2014
The Wall Street Journal – Chile Subway-Station Blast Injures at Least Seven – 8 Sept. 2014
LA Times – Chile official says subway blast apparently a ‘terrorist act’ – 9 Sept. 2014
TIME – Suspected Anarchist Bombing Wounds at Least 10 People in Santiago – 8 Sept. 2014
8th IHLD: Nicholas Koumjian Brick
One of the highlights of the 8th Annual Humanitarian Law Dialogs is the laying of the brick in honor of Nicholas Koumjian, Chief prosecutor of the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) which was held at the Robert H.Jackson Center on Aug. 24, 2014. For further information see www.roberthjackson.org
Hong Kong College Students Plan for Massive Class Boycott
By Hojin Choi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
HONG KONG, China – College students in Hong Kong will boycott classes for a week. This strike seeks to push Beijing to meet demands for democracy in Hong Kong.
According to the Hong Kong Federation of Students, college students in Hong Kong decided to boycott their classes for a week beginning September 22nd. This was planned in reaction to the Chinese government’s decision regarding the Hong Kong election next year. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) ruled out the open nomination for the election of a Chief Executive in Hong Kong. This position is largely considered to be the actual leader of Hong Kong’s administration. Instead, it will allow only 1-2 candidates who are pro-Beijing and no other pro-democracy figures.
Besides the college students, other citizen-wide protests have already been implemented. Some Pro-democracy organizations have planned an “Occupy Central” campaign as a way of protesting Beijing’s decision. The organizers of Occupy Central announced that they would mobilize 10,000 activists to paralyze the center of Hong Kong’s financial district.
“If the NPC makes such a drastic decision at this stage, there is no point for further dialogue. Why wait, then,” said one of the organizers of the campaign.
Reportedly, at least 11 higher education institutions pledged to join the boycott, including government-funded institutions such as Hong Kong University, Shue Yan University, Chu Hai College, and Hang Seng Management College. The Federation of Students is seeking other citizens’ participation including, younger students.
For example, another students’ group called “Scholarism” is planning to strike too. Scholarism formed three years ago to petition for more nationalistic curriculum in schools. The core members of the group consisted of high school students in Hong Kong. In addition to the class boycott, Scholarism holds “Citizen Classrooms” at a church where they lecture about political reform and civil obedience issues to high school students.
“Hong Kong people should fight for our own universal suffrage and democracy. Our candidates should not be decided by Beijing. We must have equal rights to vote and to be elected. Beijing’s decision does not meet this requirement,” said Chen, a 17-year-old student.
The students seem to be experiencing pressure at home regarding their activities. Lu, another 17-year-old student, said “Although I joined the civil disobedience, my family and friends have got a lot of pressure. Personally, I hope my family can understand my decision.”
Another student, Zhang, reported that his parents allowed him to join the protest, on condition that he avoid activities that disrupt his studies or could be deemed illegal. “I want to fight for democracy . . . If we don’t fight for it now, our future generations may not have the chance to enjoy a truly fair and democratic universal suffrage,” Zhang said.
Hong Kong was a British colony, but returned to China in 1997. The Chinese communist government announced that the political independency of Hong Kong would be guided by the principle of “one country, two systems.” However, some activists in Hong Kong criticize that the Chinese government is trying to extend its power over Hong Kong by affecting the territory’s democracy.
The Chinese government warned against any foreign interference with this issue. The government considers the people in Hong Kong to be in collusion with outside forces. Bejing said it will not tolerate the use of Hong Kong “as a bridgehead to subvert and infiltrate the mainland” of China.
For more information, please see:
Aljazeera – China rebukes ‘foreign meddling’ in Hong Kong – 30 August 2014
BBC – China rules out open Hong Kong chief executive poll – 31 August 2014
South China Morning Post – Thousands of students plan week-long classroom boycott in push for democracy – 1 September 2014
The Standard – Student chiefs on move for mass class boycotts – 2 September 2014
Voice of America – Hong Kong Students Discuss Class Boycott – 4 September 2014
The Wall Street Journal – Hong Kong Students to Boycott Classes If Democracy Demands Aren’t Met – 21 August 2014