State Official Reporters More than 90% of Voters Supported the Constitution

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – A senior Egyptian official claimed that an overwhelming majority of the Egyptians who voted in the country’s constitutional referendum earlier this week voted in favour of the draft constitution supported by the military led government in Cairo. Though the results he cited when talking to the Associated Press were unofficial the official claimed that more than 90% of voters who participated in the election voted in favour of the constitution.

Poll workers in Cairo sorted ballots on Wednesday, the last day voting in the nations constitutional referendum (Photo courtesy of the New York Times)

While unofficial results cited by officials show a victory for the military led interim government thousands of supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and former President Mohamed Morsi boycotted the elections, dozens of Brotherhood supporters were arrested during the voting process after taking to the streets in demonstrations against the election. The Muslim Brotherhoods and other Islamist supporters felt they were unfairly kept out of the drafting process of the constitution, which is a heavily edited version of the constitution written under Morsi’s regime ratified in December 2012, and that the removal of president Morsi was an illegal coup against the nation’s first democratically elected leader.

Election monitors voiced concerns over serious violations and irregularities in the voting process. There complaints included concerns over reported incidents of voter intimidation, specifically intimidation of the constitution’s opponents. However, monitors have not formally accused authorities of fraud or ballot-stuffing. While state officials claim more than 90% of voters voted yes for the constitution only about 38% of eligible voters turned out to vote this week. However, the voter turnout and percentage of voters supporting the constipation was higher in this round of elections than in the constitutional referendum held under Morsi. The Mediterranean province of Matrouh, an area with high support for Islamists reported the lowest turnout Tuesday and Wednesday with only 20% of eligible voters turning out to vote.

In a statement made Thursday by the Berlin-based global corruption watchdog Transparency International the origination said; “politically motivated violence, intimidation and repression from state and non-state actors limited and conditioned citizens’ political and electoral participation,” a local anti-corruption group called Shayfeencom (“We Are Watching You”) reported that one of its election observers was arrested and tortured by Egyptian security forces in the Suez Canal city of Port Said after an altercation at a polling station Wednesday.

The passage of the draft constitution is a critical milestone for the Egyptian interim government, the next major step for the Egyptian government will be the Presidential and Parliamentary elections expected later this year. The passage of the document may signify that despite claims of corporation, intimidation and human rights violations by the military led government many Egyptians supported the new Constitution in hopes that it will lead Egypt out of a period of instability and turmoil in favour of stability and economic growth.

For more information please see:

CBS News – Egypt’s constitution passing with flying colors: official – 16 January 2014

The New York Times – Egypt’s Crackdown Belies Constitution as It Nears Approval – 16 January 2014

Reuters – Egyptians back constitution, opening way to Sisi presidential run – 16 January 2014

The Washington Post – Egyptians approve new constitution, according to unofficial referendum results – 16 January 2014

Ukraine Restrains Protesters with New Laws against Anti-Government Expression

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

KYIV, Ukraine – New prohibitions recently signed into law were reported to make anti-government expression more difficult in Ukraine. Strong criticism has come from western countries.

Protesters rallied against Ukraine’s government amidst rising tensions, many taping “dictatorship” over their mouths. (Photo courtesy of Guardian)

In late November 2013, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich sparked massive pro-Europe rallies when he abandoned a free trade deal with the European Union, in favor of stronger ties with Russia. The deal would have been not only a landmark, but also a step toward Ukraine’s future entrance into the EU.

Since the free trade deal collapsed, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians began protesting against the government on the streets of Kyiv; and several hundreds of people began camping out in the city’s Independence Square as well as the area surrounding City Hall.

Action from riot police injured several in the final week of 2013. The United States and EU condemned that violence.

On 16 January 2014, Ukraine’s parliament rushed to pass laws prohibiting nearly all forms of anti-government protests, despite scuffles with opposition lawmakers who attempted to prevent the parliament session. The next day, President Yanukovich signed those prohibitions into law.

“I am deeply concerned by the events in Kyiv,” EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton said, adding that the legislation was “restricting the Ukrainian citizens’ fundamental rights.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said, “The steps that were taken yesterday are anti-democratic, they’re wrong, they are taking from the people of Ukraine their choice and their opportunity for the future. We will continue to stay focused on this issue, but this kind of anti-democratic maneuver is extremely disturbing and should be a concern to every nation that wants to see the people of Ukraine be able to not only express their wish but see it executed through the political process.”

Ukraine Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara accused the West of “meddling in the internal affairs of our state.”

The new laws prohibit unauthorized tents, stages, or amplifiers. Anyone, including organizations, providing such equipment or facilities for protests would be liable to a fine or detention of up to fifteen years for “mass violation” of public order.

“The law fully restricts all types of expression, across all platforms. It makes it possible to shut down websites, block access to the Internet. It makes it possible to control all SIM cards so they can track any person who says something bad about the government at a forum, on blogs, or even from a mobile phone,” says Director of Kyiv’s Media Law Institute Taras Shevchenko.

Ukraine’s new bans on anti-government protest added to tensions that were scheduled to appear at a new rally—called by the opposition—in Kyiv on 19 January 2014.

During the laws’ enactment, Yanukovich fired his chief-of-staff, Serhiy Lyovochkin, who allegedly wanted to step down after the 30 November 2013 riot police attack against student protesters. However, reports of Lyovochkin’s desire to leave were officially denied, and Yanukovich’s office gave no reason for Lyovochkin’s departure.

Western states are now left to wonder how much further Ukraine’s government is willing to return to Soviet-era relations.
For further information, please see:

Guardian – Ukrainian President Approves Strict Anti-Protest Laws – January 17, 2014

RadioFreeEurope RadioLiberty – Does ‘Black Thursday’ Mark End of Ukraine’s Democratic Decade? – January 17, 2014

Reuters – Ukraine Leader, Defying West, Signs Laws against Protests – January 17, 2014

RIA Novosti – Ukrainian Leader Signs Laws Dubbed “Charter for Oppression” – January 17, 2014

UN Panel Questions Vatican on Child Sex Scandal

by Tony Iozzo
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

GENEVA — A United Nations panel questioned representatives from the Vatican on Thursday about its handling of decades worth of reports regarding sexual abuse by members of the clergy.

Reps from the Vatican were peppered with questions by the UN panel on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of Al Jazeera)

Thursday’s panel was the first such interrogation of the Vatican by an international body. The United Nations committee in Geneva is examining the Vatican’s failure to adhere to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UNCRC calls on countries that adopt the agreement to protect children from sexual and physical abuse. The UN committee will issue final observations and recommendations on February 5th, but it has no authority to issue sanctions, and its recommendations are nonbinding.

The Vatican representatives contended that the sexual abuse cases were not the responsibility of the Vatican, but rather of local law enforcement and local dioceses to investigate and prosecute the offenders. The representatives did concede that the Church could “do better to prevent these crimes.”

“The Holy See gets it. Let’s not say too late or not, but there are certain things that need to be done differently.” Bishop Charles J. Scicluna, the Vatican’s chief prosecutor of sexual abuse up until 2012, stated to the panel.

The Center for Constitutional Rights submitted documents and victims’ testimony as evidence that the Vatican had allowed sexual abusers to remain in their posts and even transported them to different locations without informing law enforcement officials or local dioceses.

The UN panel questioned Bishop Scicluna about why the Vatican does not require local dioceses to report abusive conduct to authorities. “Our guidelines have always said the domestic law of the country needs to be followed,” he simply stated.

During Thursday’s UN panel, Pope Francis participated in a morning Mass with a private audience and Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, the former archbishop of Los Angeles. Last year, leaked documents revealed that Cardinal Mahoney had a history of protecting priests accused of sexual abuse. The documents were released via a court-order, and Cardinal Mahony was relieved of his duties shortly thereafter.

At the Mass, the Pope delivered a homily about scandal in the church, never mentioning sexual abuse, but speaking to “those failings of priests, bishops, laity.” Francis stated, “Scandals in the church happen because there is no living relationship with God and his word.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Vatican Defends Child-Protection Record – 16 January 2014

BBC News – UN Panel Confronts Vatican on Child Sex Abuse by Clergy – 16 January 2014

The Guardian – UN Condemns Vatican Over Handling of Clerical Sex Abuse of Children – 16 January 2014

New York Times – UN Panel Questions Vatican on Handling of Clergy Sexual Abuse – 16 January 2014

The Washington Post – Vatican Defends Sex Abuse Record to UN Panel – 16 January 2014

Kerry Urges Syrian Rebels to Attend Peace Talks

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has made an unscheduled statement on Thursday to address the necessity of participation in next week’s peace talks.  The U.S. has accused the Syrian government of “revisionism” by characterizing the peace talks as tackling terrorism instead of the departure of President Bashar al-Assad.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry speaks during his news conference at Syrian Donors Conference (photo courtesy of Reuters)

Kerry’s intervention follows a letter sent by Syria’s foreign minister that questions the initial agenda which is aimed at ending the three-year civil war.  He is expected to arrive on the eve of a crucial meeting by the Syrian Opposition Coalition on Friday which is still deciding whether to attend the peace talks.

Walid al-Muallem, Syria’s foreign minister, stated in a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, “It should be noted that we do not agree with certain points mentioned in the letter of invitation, simply for the reason that they are in conflict with the legal and political position of the State of Syria

Kerry noted that the letter appears to have prompted anger in Washington where diplomats are anxious to see that the talks are not disrupted or that further rebel groups choose not to attend.

Kerry further stated that the talks were expected to establish “a process essential to the formation of a transition government body-a governing body with full executive powers established by mutual consent.”

“That sole purpose could not have been more clear at the time it was announced and it could not be more clear today,” added Kerry.  “It has been reiterated in international statement after international statement that the parties have signed up to and venue after venue, in resolution after resolution.”

U.S. State department spokeswoman Jen Psaki stated that Syria’s letter to the UN was a “good example” of what Kerry has been referring to.

The odds of three peace talks causing a breakthrough in the long and bloody civil war are slowly dwindling.  Growing concern in Europe and the U.S. about the role of Islamic extremists in the rebellion is starting to prove that the peace talks won’t be as effective as needed.

However, Kerry has insisted that selecting new mutually agreed upon leaders in the conflict was the only way of to ensure that Syria did not continue to attract more extremists.  “We too are deeply concerned about the rise of extremism,” he said.

Ali Haider, the national reconciliation minister, “The solution has begun, and will continue through the military triumph of the state … and through the staying power and resilience of the state and all its institutions, in the face of its enemies who were betting on its collapse.”

For more information, please see the following: 

Al Jazeera-Kerry urges all sides to attend Syria talks-17 January 2014

BBC-John Kerry urges Syria opposition to attend talks-17 January 2014

Guardian-John Kerry urges Syrian rebel groups to attend upcoming peace talks in Geneva-17 January 2014

Reuters-U.S. urges Syria rebels to attend peace talks, slams government-17 January 2014

Polls across Egypt Close In Constitutional Referendum

By Kathryn Maureen Ryan
Impunity Watch, Middle East

Cairo, Egypt – Egyptian State media has reported that after the second day of voting polls across Egypt have officially closed after the second day of voting on a draft Constitution drafted after the overthrow of democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi. If the vote leads the adoption of the new constipation the next step in the road map to democratization set up by the military backed government will be Parliamentary and presidential elections, expected sometime this year.

Polls close in Egypt in Constitutional Referendum (Photo courtesy of CNN International)

About 200,000 security forces and 160,000 military personnel were deployed across the country to stifle any interruption of the voting process across the country. Demonstrators rallied in several cities including the capital Cairo, Al-Sharqiyah, Fayoum and Delga. Shadi Hamid; research director at Brookings Doha Centre said “Any sense of stability is an illusion. That’s what people think General Sisi might offer.” He added that “if we look at the last six months, Egypt has seen one of the worst spills of violence in its modern history.”

While Tuesday’s voting took place in relative peace on Wednesday at least 11 people were killed on Tuesday, the first day of voting across the country. Egyptian police arrested dozens of supporters of President Morsi protesting the referendum, believing the vote is an attempt to grant legitimacy to a coup against a democratically elected government.

Following the Egyptian states crackdown on supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the interim government, and other Morsi supporters the new constipation was expected to pass easily, though official results have yet to be reported.

Egyptian Newspapers, the majority of which are supporters of the military government, claimed that there was a “heavy” turnout on Tuesday and that the cote symbolized a “defeat” of the Morsi regime and the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Muslim Brotherhood called for a boycott of the vote. The organization accused the pro-military government media in Egypt of falsifying its reports about the turnout. In a statement from the Brotherhood-led Anti-Coup and Pro-Democracy Alliance the organization said “They are trying to cover-up their early defeat, “they claimed that only 15% of eligible to vote in Southern Egypt turned up to vote. Potential monitors suspected of ties to the Muslim Brotherhood were not granted permission to oversee the vote.

The last constitution referendum was held in December 2012 while Morsi was still in power. However, this constitution was suspended after the military coup that removed Morsi from power in July 2013.

Some claim that the draft constitution proposed in this referendum vote would improve human rights and freedom of expression, stating explicitly that men and women are equal and have the right to hold public office and judicial posts. However, critics of the draft constitution claim the document grants too much power to the military without civilian oversight, which many fear could lead to a return to the pro-military statuesque that existed under President Mubarak and his “state of emergency,” a government that lead to the 2011 uprisings across the country.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – Egypt Referendum Polls Close – 15 January 2014

CNN International – Egypt Votes on New Constitution, Tests Legitimacy of Military-Backed Government – 15 January 2014

CNN International – Violence Erupts as Egyptians Vote on New Constitution – 14 January 2014

Al Jazeera – Comparing Egypt’s 2012 and 2013 Constitutions – 14 January 2014