Neves Nominated to Challenge Rousseff in October Election

by Mridula Tirumalasetti
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, Brazil–Senator Aecio Neves has received the nomination of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party, or PSDB, to run against President Dilma Rousseff in the election this October. Neves is running on a platform to reduce inflation and encourage economic growth by introducing pro-market measures and cutting public spending. In a speech at the national convention of the PSDB in Sao Paulo, Neves said “We are hostages today to the worst economic equation in emerging markets, with minimal growth and worsening inflation.” Neves also told news sources, “Our government will create a more serene and propitious climate for the market, which is important to recover investments and grow.” Neves has been known to have criticized the ruling party, the Workers Party, because of corruption and has said he would maintain the social programs in Brazil which have brought poverty down.

Rousseff was elected in October 2010 as Brazil’s first woman president. Born to a Bulgarian immigrant, Rousseff joined the underground left-wing resistance in 1964. She spent three years in jail, where she was tortured, after being arrested in 1970.

Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff pictured during a signing ceremony. (photo courtesy of UK Reuters)

Rousseff’s popularity is dropping as Brazil faces economic uncertainty, but also because of the numerous protests over the public spending for the World Cup soccer tournament and the series of scandals at the energy company Petroleo Brasileiro SA, or Petrobras, which is state-run. In addition to the labor strikes that have been ensuing, Rousseff has been the target of verbally aggressive chants coming from crowds during the World Cup. Rouseff has said that the chants did not reflect the views of the majority of Brazilians. However, there have been an increasing number of Brazilian voters who have publicly said they would never vote for Rousseff.

Although Neves promises that an adjustment will be made regarding fiscal policy, Neves does not promise an overnight remedy and has said I could take two to three years before inflation goes down. Neves is the former governor of Minas Gerais, one of Brazil’s most populous states and second richest state, and plans to establish a meritocracy. He currently serves as a senator.

The Brazilian election is October 5. Polls show Rousseff has dropped in poll ratings from 34% in April to 32.2% this month, though she is still the frontrunner.  Neves has gained popularity from 19.9% to 21.5%. If neither candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, a runoff election will take place on October 26.

For more information, please see: 

UK Reuters–Opposition candidate closes in on Brazil’s Rouseff ahead of vote–15 June 2014

UK Reuters–Brazil’s Rouseff loses support ahead of Oct vote-poll–11 June 2014

Bloomberg News–Brazil’s Neves Gets Party Endorsement, to Challenge Rouseff–14 June 2014

BBC News–Brazil opposition appoints Neves to challenge Rouseff–14 June 2014

The Guardian–Brazil’s Dilma Rouseff shrugs off World Cup abuse–14 June 2014

Fiji Asks For Help to Fight the Affects of Climate Change in the Pacific

by Max Bartels 

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania 

Savu, Fiji

The Government of the island nation of Fiji is accusing the international community, pointing mainly at Australia, of being selfish in regards to climate change policy. Fiji, like many other pacific nations is suffering greatly from the rising sea levels; these small island nations contribute very little to global carbon emissions but are suffering the consequences of the rest of the world’s high level of carbon output.

Fiji Village
Fijian village is abandoned as sea water seeps through the ground
(Photo Curtesy of Fiji Times)

In a climate change summit hosted by Fiji, interim Prime Minister Bainimara said the global will to combat climate change is receding. He further pointed at Australia, saying that since the election of conservative Prime Minister Tony Abbot there has been a distinct change of attitude in Australia toward climate change policy. Abbot has been quoted as saying that he will not support any climate change policy in Australia that would negatively impact the Australian economy.

The interim Prime Minister of Fiji issued a harsh statement to the world, pointed at Australia and Prime Minister Abbot, saying that history will judge them harshly if they do nothing to effect policy change and allow the islands of the pacific to sink below the ocean. He further stated that leaders need to see the situation is dire for Fiji and other island nations and that leaders need to risk minor economic impact to save lives.

Indonesia was invited to the climate change summit in Fiji and pledged support to Fiji in combating climate change. Indonesia also has a strong incentive to mitigate the effects of climate change in the pacific. Indonesia has offered $20 million to Fiji to help fight the effects of climate change and has offered further support in the form of increased trade agreements with Fiji to boost trade revenue by a targeted $1 billion in the future.

The situation in Fiji is so serious that entire communities have had to be relocated since January 2014. The village of Vaunidogola had to be relocated to higher ground due to rising sea levels; the relocation affected 50 families whose ancestors had lived on that land for generations. The government of Fiji has also identified 600 villages across the Fiji islands that are at risk from the rising sea levels. The government predicts that over the next 10 years 40 settlements will have to be relocated due to the rise in sea levels, the pollution of the ground water and the destruction of agricultural land.

For more Information, please see:

Australia Network News — Fiji Accuses Global Community of Abandoning the Pacific on Climate Change, Singles out “Selfish” Australia — 19 June 2014 

The Fiji Times — Climate Change Challenge — 21 June 2014

ABC News Australia — Pacific Nations Urge Climate Change Action, Ask Australia for Help — 27 May 2014

SBS News Australia — Rising Sea Levels Prompts Relocation in Fiji — 31 January 2014 

 

Protests in Sao Paulo Turn Violent During World Cup Match

by Delisa Morris

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, Brazil – While the England and Uruguay World Cup match was coming to an end, protests in São Paulo on the other side of town turned violent.  This demonstration turned into antigovernment riots, ostensibly calling for free public transit in Brazil.  The riot was one of the largest demonstrations over the course of the World Cup so far.

A protester jumps over a fire barricade during a violent protest in Sao Paulo. Image courtesy of Time.com

Initially more than a thousand people had gathered to commemorate the one-year anniversary of a successful protest against a transit fare hike.  However, like other transit protests, this one was a flash point to release deep-seated frustrations over poverty and government spending.

At first things were peaceful, like most of the recent demonstrations across Brazil over the course of the World Cup have been, the protest quickly escalated when groups of masked men began to set fires in the street and shatter bank windows.

Tensions were high in the city after a group of men dressed in black threw explosives – possibly fireworks – into a bar crowded with England supporters viewing their country’s match.  The men fled to a bus and were arrested harboring knives, more fireworks and brass knuckles.

A few hours later, around 2,000 Brazilian protesters took to the streets to mark the anniversary of last year’s public transportation protests.  The demonstration was organized by Free Fare, the same group that started last year’s massive protests.  Thursday’s protest began peacefully, but some marches later turned to violence and vandalism as the England-Uruguay game started on the opposite side of the city.  As they did last year, the demonstrators set up burning barricades.  Police responded with tear gas and finally quelled the unrest after five hours or so.  Eyewitnesses claim the anarchist group “Black Block” was behind much of the violence and destruction of property.

The protesters broke the windows of banks and broke into a car dealership to smash the cars there.  Television images showed groups of masked men spray painting graffiti on cars, firing off rockets and smashing public property as police responded with tear gas

One of the largest Brazilian protests during the World Cup soccer tournament thus far, and it was the first to become overtly violent.  A police spokesperson reported no injuries to either protesters or foreign soccer fans.

While a number of anti-government protests have broken out in Brazil since the World Cup began, most have been on a much smaller scale.  Most of the demonstrations in the past few weeks have sought to confront a government that protesters say pays insufficient attention to both public resources and its employees.

The protest shut down one of the city’s main thoroughfares, though the impact of traffic was limited due to a national holiday on Thursday. 

For more information, please see:

Reuters — Sao Paulo protest turns violent as World Cup game ends — 19 June 2014

The Wall Street Journal — Protests in Sao Paulo Turn Violent — 19 June 2014

International Business Times — Sao Paulo Protests Devolve Into Violent Riot After England-Uruguay World Cup Match — 19 June 2014

Time — Amid the World Cup, a Violent Reminder of Brazil’s Discontent — 20 June 2014

Syrian Justice and Accountability Center: Learning from Experience: Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission

June 18, 2014

“There can be no sustainable democracy without acknowledging and addressing mistakes of the past.”– Tunisian President Moncef Al-Marzouki, 9 June 2014

Last week, Tunisia launched a Truth and Dignity Commission, tasked with investigating alleged human rights violations. The Commission’s mandate calls for a review of events from 1955 to today.  In forming this commission, Tunisia recognizes that no transition is complete without addressing past wrongdoings. Other countries experiencing violent conflict–such as Syria–can learn from Tunisia’s efforts.

unnamed

Tunisians drafted a strong mandate, proactively avoiding hurdles encountered by other countries’ commissions. In the past, truth commissions have had limited effect due to lack of government buy-in, inadequate access to data, weak mandates, and insufficient resources and/or commitment to follow through with truth and dignity efforts. While the Tunisian Truth and Dignity Commission may not weather every obstacle, its mandate positions it well. The Commission was created by the government — indicating institutional interest and buy-in. The Commission will have access to public and private archives (article 40). Its mandate is thoughtful and clear, including balanced language on gender inclusion (article 19), consideration of funding (part 6), and requirements for government follow-through on the Commission’s recommendations (articles 64, 70).

Other strengths of the mandate include consideration of prosecution (articles 42, 45),  provisions for commissioner confidentiality (articles 31, 60, 66), and the responsibility to investigate disappeared persons and determine culpability (articles 4, 8, 39). Moreover, on a programmatic end, the mandate authorizes the commission to develop a comprehensive reparations program (articles 1, 11, 12, 39)–including a fund for victims–and a venue for Tunisians citizens to submit complaints or petitions about rights violations (articles 13, 40).

Particularly relevant to Syria are the Commission’s diverse makeup, well-defined time period under investigation, and commitment to investigate both state and non-state actors. The Tunisian mandate enumerates provisions for a commission representative of Tunisia’s different ethnicities, professions, and genders (part 2). If formed, a Syrian commission may wish to do the same; an inclusive, representative commission has a greater chance of securing popular support and achieving effective results. Moreover, a well-defined timeframe (articles 17, 22) offers clarity. Like Tunisia, Syria has endured human rights abuses for decades. Setting a clear start date and end date for consideration enables commissions to focus. Lastly, Tunisia’s commitment to investigate both state and non-state actors (articles 3, 39) is valuable. Given the range of actors committing human rights abuses in Syria, any truth commissions will be most successful if they consider them all.

Other elements to watch as the Truth and Dignity Commission moves forward:

  • Prosecution: if the Prosecutor declines to pursue a case, what avenues for reconsideration exist? Might the Commission be able to re-open an investigation (for example, to find more evidence) and then re-submit it to the Prosecutor?
  • Duration: the timeframe laid out for submission of grievances and investigations appears short (article 18); will it be sufficient?
  • Arbitration: the Commission’s mandate outlines an arbitration process (articles 45-50), which includes mediation between parties. This is not typical of truth commissions, and therefore this mechanism’s challenges and successes bear careful monitoring.
  • Government participation: the mandate authorizes the Commision to make recommendations to the government to ban certain people from public office (article 43). Ultimately, who will have the final authority to determine whether or not a person can participate in government?

Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission joins over 40 truth commissions from across the globe. Following the progress and impact of other truth commissions can reveal lessons from past successes and mistakes. As Syrians contemplate appropriate mechanisms for achieving accountability and truth for violations, highlights from experiences such as Tunisia’s can be instructive.

Nigeria World Cup Viewers hit by Deadly Suicide Bomber

By: Danielle L. Cowan (Gwozdz)
Senior Desk Operator, Africa

ABUJA, Nigeria – At least 21 people have been killed in a bomb blast in northern Nigeria as they were watching a World Cup match, a hospital source told BBC News.

Police at scene of suicide bomber (photo courtesy of Associated Press)

 

Witnesses in Yobe state say a suicide bomber in a tricycle taxi detonated explosives as people watched Brazil’s match against Mexico on TV.

At least 27 people are seriously injured.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility by Boko Haram, an armed Islamic group that wants to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state, was suspected.

Nathan Cheghan, a Police Assistant Superintendent, said that rescue workers had been careful about rushing to the scene for fear of secondary explosions. The Boko Haram group frequently detonates secondary explosions to kill those who help victims from the first bomb.

Young children were among the victims.

The Nigerian government has advised World Cup fans to avoid crowded public screenings of the tournament in Brazil, fearing possible attacks.

Boko Haram, which means “Western education is forbidden” in the Hausa language, has listed football, or soccer, as one of the sinful and corrupting signs of western influence they want to eradicate.

Nigeria’s military has promised increased security but appears incapable of halting a stream of attacks by extremists holding more than 250 schoolgirls hostage.

A hospital worker told the media that truckloads of injured people are being treated in overcrowded wards.

“The injured people are so numerous I cannot count them,” the worker said after the blast.

An emergency has been declared in three states, including Yobe, amid attakcs by suspected Boko Haram militants.

There have also been warnings of potential attacks at venues showing the World Cup in East Africa – Somali Islamist group al-Shabab killed 76 people watching the 2010 World Cup final at two restaurants in the Ugandan capital, Kampala.

The kidnapping of the girls two months ago and failure of Nigeria’s military and government to rescue them has roused international concern. The US is searching for the girls with drones and has sent experts along with Britain and France to help in counter-terrorism tactics and hostage negotiation.

Boko Haram’s leader Abubakar Shekau has threatened to sell the girls into slavery unless the government agrees to exchange them for detained extremists, but President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will not exchange prisoners.

Nigeria’s military has said it knows where the girls are but that any military campaign could get them killed.

For more information, please visit:
BBC News – Nigeria World Cup viewers hit by deadly bomb blast – 18 June 2014
CBC News – Nigeria suicide bombing of World Cup viewing site kills 14 – 18 June 2014
The Globe and Mail – Blast at Nigerian World Cup viewing site kills 14 – 18 June 2014
International Business Times – Nigeria: Boko Haram Kills Children in ‘Un-Islamic’ World Cup Bombing – 18 June 2014
The Independent – ’14 killed’ in Nigeria suicide bomb attack on World Cup viewing venue – 18 June 2014
Daily Monitor – Bomb attack kills Nigerian World Cup fans – 18 June 2014