SNHR: Major violation of Media freedom in Syria in September 2013

Prepared by Syrian Network for Human Rights:

Date of Report: 1/10/2013

Subject: documenting  major violations against Media Activists in Syria.

Period covered: from 1/9/2013 to 30/9/2013

 

First: Introduction:

Violations against media activists continued since the beginning of the Syrian Revolution in 2011 and continues up to the present day.   Government forces committed such acts continuously and systematically: direct killing, arbitrary detention, and even torturing to death.  Compared  to violations committed by armed opposition which showed up dramatically in the last two months.  This is clearly reflected on in Syrian Network for Human Rights’ statistics and monitoring violations committed by the two parties.

23 victims including one child of media activists were killed by government forces in September, which is a new proof and further evidence that can be added to a file full of violations.  At the time that armed opposition killed 1 media activist and arrested 6.

SNHR reaffirmed its condemnation of the continuous violations against media freedom,  and conveys the truth of any party, regardless of the type or size disparity.

As the network actively seeks all parties to respect media freedom and to ensure the safety of media activists, with accounting involved in violations against journalists and media activists.

SNHR also underlines the need to hard and fast move for civil society organizations and bodies to press on the Syrian Government and armed opposition, and deter them by appropriate means.

Second: Major violation of media freedom committed by government forces in Syria during September 2013:

SNHR monitored during September 2013, unprecedented raise of media activists’ victims in Syria, where 23 media activists including 1 child were killed, and at least 5 were injured.

Killing children is not precedent in Syrian Government’s violation file in this field.

The bloody start of this month occurred with the murder of media activist Kinan Hasan Albalkhi, were he was killed in an ambush in Aldmair town of Damascus countryside, in 2/9/2013, and then:

Engineer and media activist Mohammad Khair Dahir Darwish during covering clashes in Damascus countryside in 3/9/2013

Media activist Mahmod Hasoon known as Kusai Alshami, correspondent at Press agency and member at Hamoria coordinating during covering events in Jobar neighborhood of Damascus.

Media activist Abdulkarim Albikr during covering clashes in Zamalka town of Eastern Ghouta in 5/9/2013.

Media activist Yousef Mohamad Alzoaabi, responsible of direct broadcast satellite, during covering events in the abandoned battalion in east of Daraa countryside, in 8/9/2013.

Palestinian media activist Fadi Abo Ajaj, killed by shell’s shrapnel in Yarmouk refugee camp of Damascus in 8/9/2013.

Media activist Mohammad Albitar during covering clashes in west of Idlib , in 8/9/ 2013

Media activist Ahmad Majed Albitar, while filming raid of Khan Alasaal of Aleppo countryside, in 8/9/2013.

Media activist Mohammad Hamid Almansour ,killed by a sniper bullet during covering clashes on Political front in Qusayer of Homs , in 9/9/2013.

Media activist Mohammad Alkhatib, killed during covering events in Qunaitra south countryside, in 12/9/2013.

Media activist Yamman Mokbil  Alkhatib, killed during covering battles in Shikh Saad of Daraa, in 12/9/2013.

Media activist Mohammad Ahmad Alholo Khasarfa, member of Nawa local council,  killed during covering events in Shikh Saad of Daraa, in 13/9/2013.

Media activist Mohammad Abdulrahman Alnashif, known as Mohamad Alhomsi, killed cause of shelling in Raqqa in 15/9/2013.

Media activist Mosa Bakri Hamodi, killed in Idlib, in 17/9/2013.

Media activist Khaled Ibrahim Kandah in southern Hama countryside, in 19/9/2013.

Media activist Nasr Mohamad Abo Aloion , killed in Kirnaze of Hama countryside, in 19/9/2013.

Media activist Rafat Othman Alhomsi , killed in Shaaba of Damascus countryside, in 19/9/2013.

Media activist Tarek Mohamad Alali, killed cause of sniper bullet in Tal Asan of Aleppo countryside , in 22/9/2013.

Media activist Mohamad Albalosh on the sides of Jaabadin town of Damascus countryside, killed in Idlib, in 24/9/2013.

Not for the first time child media activist was killed: Abdulhadi Alfoal 16 years old, in Doma of East Ghouta, in 26/9/2013.

Media activist Morhaf Shojaa Almodahi, correspondent at Dier ez-Zoor channel and photographer, was killed by the shelling on Khasarat neighborhood in Dier ez-Zoor , in 29/9/2013.

Media activist Noor Aldin Alhafiri in East Ghouta, in 29/9/2013.

Finally: Media activist Moomen Basel, participant in the laugh and sorrow series,   was killed by shelling in Zabadani of Damascus countryside, on 30/9/2013.

SNHR also documented many injuries.  The most prominent was, injury of Abo Alkhair and Abo Altaim, correspondents in Aleppo news by  explosive shrapnel bullet in their foot while covering shelling in Salah Eldin area in 2/9/2013, Al Jazerra channel photographer Abu Bakr Alhaj shot by government force’s bullets in Darra Albalad, in 3/9/2013, media activist Mohamad Amin Alhalak known as Hikor injured in Saphira of Aleppo countryside in 17/9/2013, in addition to injured media activist Omar Albalkhi, office manager of Marba media office, where his feet amputated during covering battles in Daraa, in 19/9/2013.

Third: Major violation of media freedom committed by armed opposition in Syria during September 2013:

It looks that the incidents during this month is the least bloody and violent when compared with the last few months.   Although dramatically violations committed by armed opposition and Islamic group as Nusra front and Islamic state of Iraq and Levant showed up against free practice of media work in Syria.

One media activist was killed and six were arrested.

The killing of Media activist Omar Diab Hajolah, known as Hazem Alaazizi, media office manager in North storm brigade, was killed by a sniper of  Islamic state of Iraq and Levant in Eazaz of Aleppo countryside in Aleppo 18/9/2013.

Spanish media activist Margidnidas, correspondent at El Periodico Spanish newspaper was kidnapped by an unidentified Islamic armed group in area near to Hama city in 23/9/2013.

Hazem Dkkal, media activist, Media and relief official in the European Committee for Syrian Revolution and correspondent in channel ” Alaan.”  He was kidnapped in Idleb 24/92013, by masked gunmen and then released after four days, where he was exposed to beatings and humiliation.

Many correspondents in Aleppo news have been arrested, including (Abo Okba Alhalbi, Haj Yousif, Ali Abo Jaafar) and some media activists as Abo Ahmad Madlaj: member of Free Rayan coordinating, by a FSA armed battalion in Alhalk neighborhood in Aleppo, in 27/9/2013, then released after few hours, where they exposure to beating and threaten by kill, the same brigade also ordered to arrest all activists and media activists in the same area.

Italian journalist Dominico Koiriko and Belgian Academic and writer Biar Pitshinin were released in 8/9/2013, where they were arrested by a opposition brigade in Qusayer of Homs countryside since 5 months.

 

Third: Attachments:

Pictures and videos of media activities that are mentioned in the report

Government’s violations:

Kinan Hasan Albalkhi:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBYml2Mll1UGtVTDg/edit?usp=sharing

Mohammad Khair Daher Darwish

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBT0pUZjVmckd0Z0k/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBR21VSHYyeldQTHM/edit?usp=sharing

Abdulaziz Mahmoud Hasson

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBZG5MemJqeGt2VU0/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBdFdXaGI2SkR2Uk0/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBbFlCaWoydXZMaE0/edit?usp=sharing

Yousef Mohammad Alzoaabi

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBXzlCb3l1bURaa2s/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBQUZaLWxfMURPTjQ/edit?usp=sharing

Mohammad Bitar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PAFNTIjBPc

Ahmad Majed Bittar

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBMGw4LXA1cmo5bFU/edit?usp=sharing

Mohammad Hamed Almansour

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBZzUtd3VaT3hGVzA/edit?usp=sharing

Yaman Mokbil Khatab

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=724067064286289

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBQ2JRMW1NSm1WZnc/edit?usp=sharing

Mohammad Ahmad Alholo Khasarfa

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBVExhTFBIQmFlb0U/edit?usp=sharing

Mohammad Abdulrahman Alnashif

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBRExMQVhYWU9XcG8/edit?usp=sharing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caP5j8kES-o

Mosa Bakri Hamodi

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBTExGNDM4ejBJanM/edit?usp=sharing

Khaled Ibrahim Kandah

http://goo.gl/mJ1jqu

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBZ19tVHVZTnJERTg/edit?usp=sharing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTXks2G1hM4&feature=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekwWwy_Ujdk&feature=youtu.be

Nasr Mohammad Abo Alaion

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBYXNkSGdnV2NsYmM/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBZ0ctY0kydU94RGM/edit?usp=sharing

Raafat Othman Alhomsi

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBZjNZa2tPOHBlOFk/edit?usp=sharing

http://youtu.be/SG9E2Ub2eOc

Tarek Mohamad Albloshi

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBQ1ZuS0Z0NTNBT3M/edit?usp=sharing

Mohamad Albalosh

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBWDZIdEw1TmcxdTQ/edit?usp=sharing

Child Abdulhadi Alfwal

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBdGdtcFJFTGJoTms/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBbXVMcEV4WWs5LTg/edit?usp=sharing

Morhaf Shojaa Almodahi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxdeMegpic4

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBZ0pLTVdHWG1qZ2c/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBVlRvQUFkQzFROVU/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBeThjTDBjR0s0ZmM/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBaHhZekJJTkZzOU0/edit?usp=sharing

Noor Aldin Alhfairi

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBRkVaQmJuVUhKaDA/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBcmE1MEdvZ09Zek0/edit?usp=sharing

http://youtu.be/H4llL7MpP88

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBa3JqUmdnZDM2S2s/edit?usp=sharing

Mossab Abu Bakr Alhaj

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBNWk3SW1EdjFiYzQ/edit?usp=sharing

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=417547945024191&set=a.360463630732623.1073741828.360442924068027&type=1&theater

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBNWl1WVhyMkVxZVE/edit?usp=sharing

Momen Basel Aldalati

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBUmh3cHFOUjllUlU/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBLTJGZkxOMnlzLWM/edit?usp=sharing

http://youtu.be/qaQ-Pud3z1Y

 

———————–

Armed opposition’s violation:

 

Omar Diab Hajolah

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBamo1eWFRNkw1b3c/edit?usp=sharing

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBejB0cFIyY3BCNzg/edit?usp=sharing

Mark Margidnidas

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBcERZQkE4aFJvQTA/edit?usp=sharing

Hazem Dakkal

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B9Bj18tlYYKBTFRhYzQ0RUVUSFk/edit?usp=sharing

Aleppo news correspondents Abo Okba Alhalbi, Haj Yousif , Ali Abo Jaafar

http://youtu.be/G635BJKRT9s

http://youtu.be/n7mmVAzNrrI

http://youtu.be/bBRFRn84W1k

 

 

 

Opposition Leader Warns of Civil War in Sudan

By Erica Smith
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

 KHARTOUM, Sudan — The leader of Sudan’s opposition Popular Congress Party (PCP), Hassan Al-Turabi has issued a warning against the outbreak of civil war as a result of the recent protests and turmoil that have rocked Sudan in recent days. 

Sudan’s Islamist opposition leader Hassan Al-Turabi (Photo courtesy of Atlanta Black Star)

Al-Turabi also called for President Omer Hassan Al-Bashir to peacefully step down. Al-Turabi told Sky News TV’s Arabic service that he hope the regime hands over power before people resort to arms and that the regime could no longer sustain power through tyrannical means.

Al-Turabi, who would like to see Islam incorporated into the Sudanese constitution, also called on opposition leaders to work together to create a transitional government and constitution.

Last week, clashes erupted between demonstrators and security forces throughout the country after the government’s removal of fuel subsidies. At least 33 deaths were officially recorded and but activists and opposition sources believe the number of causalities to be as high as 150.

Sudanese authorities have arrested up to 700 people as a result of the protests but have denied using live ammunition on protestors.

Britain has called on the Sudanese government to solve the current conflict through national dialog. “I hope that the answer is that these protests will be a warning to everyone including the government that the situation needs to be addressed,” Simon Fraser, permanent undersecretary in the British Foreign Office, told reporters during a visit to Khartoum.

“It would be a very good outcome if they were to lead, although tragic in themselves, and unacceptable, if this was to lead to an acceleration of a genuine process for comprehensive national dialogue,” he said.

For more information, please see:

World Bulletin — Sudan protesters call for ‘fall of regime’ — 4 October 2013

Atlanta Black Star — Sudan’s Opposition Calls on Bashir to Step Down — 3 October 2013

Sudan Tribune — Sudan’s Turabi warns of civil war and calls on Bashir to step down — 3 October 2013

Yahoo News — Sudan unrest a warning to government to seek dialogue: Britain — 3 October 2013

Number of Mexicans Seeking Asylum Increasing

By Brandon Cottrell
Impunity Watch Reporter, North America  

MEXICO CITY, Mexico – As drug violence continues to plague much of western Mexico, there has been an increase in the number of Mexicans seeking asylum.  The United States, however, has been releasing women and children from detention centers before a formal ruling by an immigration judge is reached and many are ultimately deported.

The “Dreamers,” a group of Mexican immigrants who were deported from the U.S., hope their asylum request is granted so they may graduate from U.S. schools (Photo Courtesy The News Tribune)

For example, through the month of September forty-four women and children were released just from a detention center in San Diego.  After release, the asylum seekers are free to live in America while their asylum claims are pending.  Most of those claims, however, are rejected but some of the seekers remain in the U.S. as illegal immigrants or are deported.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte is critical of the releases and he also thinks the claims of asylum seekers are “being exploited . . . in order [for illegal immigrants] to enter and remain in the United States.”  While the Department of Homeland Security has not commented on the releases, it did issue a statement that said, “custody decisions are made on factors including ties to the community, flight risk and criminal record.”

Of those women and children who were released, is Elizabeth Silva.  Silva, who is from Hot Country, (‘Tierra Caliente”) which is outside of Mexico City, fled to the U.S. after her father and younger brother were shot and killed inside their own home.  Many of the others who seek asylum have similar stories of violence and many are from Hot Country.

Hot Country “is so completely ruled by one vicious drug cartel” that the residents formed self-defense gangs, hoping they could drive out the cartel.  That effort has failed and those involved in the self-defense groups have been targeted by the cartel.  Now, these “targets” are seeking asylum before they are killed.

Some of these asylum seekers carry letters from town official Ramon Contreras that says the holder of the letter is a victim of persecution and they “are under a death threat from a drug cartel . . . please provide them the protection they request.”  However, the letters are not much help, as the U.S. generally does not recognize organized crime as a reason to grant asylum.

There are similar problems at port of entries in Texas.  There, a group of immigrants, called the “Dreamers”, have spent time in the U.S. previously and consider it home.  But they are not being allowed back in.  Most of them are seeking political asylum, however, because they claim if they are forced to stay in Mexico they will be “instant targets” for having spent time in the U.S.

Asylum requests from Mexico have quadrupled since 2006, even though the Mexican government has launched an offensive against the drug cartels.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security estimates that eleven Mexicans seek asylum daily at the San Diego border crossing, with most of them claiming to be victims of the drug cartels.  However, over 90% of the asylum requests are denied and some estimate that only 2% of requests are granted.  Additionally, many asylum seekers are turned away at the border and one such seeker said U.S. authorities “laughed at us” when we told them we wanted asylum.

 

For more information, please see:

ABC News – Mexicans Seek Asylum as Drug Violence Persists – 3 October 2013

Huffington Post – Big Win For Immigrant Activists Who Staged Border-Crossing Protest In Laredo – 1 October 2013

NPR – Asylum Application Surge And The Shutdown – 3 October 2013

The New Yorker – Dreamers At The Border – 3 October 2013