Additional Peace Keepers Head to Central African Republic As President Disbands The Seleka Coalition

By Erica Smith
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BANGUI, Central African Republic — As the humanitarian crisis in the Central African Republic (CAR) continues to escalate, President Michel Djotodia announced the dissolution of the Seleka Coalition. The rebel groups in the same group that brought Mr. Djotodia to power in March.

A truck full of Chadian soldiers that are part of the multinational African force of FOMAC (Photo Courtesy of AFP PHOTO)

“The Seleka coalition is dissolved over the length and breadth of the Central African Republic’s territory. Only the Central African security force is in charge of protecting our territorial integrity. Any individual or group of individuals who act in the name of Seleka … after the publication of the present decree … will expose themselves to the full sanctions under the law.””  the statement broadcast Friday afternoon said.

The rebel group has increasingly turned towards violence and looting and it is unclear if Mr. Djotodia’s announcement will do much to curb the violence. It is also unclear if Mr. Djotdia will face any consequences for disbanding the group.

The chief of the Mandaba neighborhood of Bangui told the AP that the move was political. “The measure taken by President Michel Djotodia will change nothing in terms of the behavior of the militia known as Seleka. President Djotodia is trying to create distance and confusion over the acts of abuse committed by their fighters. This is a measure that was taken for the sake of appearance.”

To help maintain security in CAR a regional peacekeeping force that was assembled will receive a boost from the Republic of Congo and the United Nations. The Republic of  Congo already has 150 soldiers in the area and sent 200 more on Sunday.  There are about 2,000 peacekeepers already in the region as part of the Multinational Force of Central Africa (FOMAC). With the addition on U.N peacekeeping troops the number is expected to grow to more than 3,500.

“We need a big force to come here because we are suffering a lot under Seleka,” George Fakida who owns knife workshop in Bangui told the Voice of America.

For further information, please see:

ABC News — More Peacekeepers Head to Central African Republic — 15 September 2013

Voice of America — African-Led Peacekeeping Force Due for Boost in CAR — 14 September 2013

New York Times — Central African Republic: Leader Turns Against Rebels Who Put Him in Power — 13 September 2013

Washington Post — President of Central African Republic dissolves rebel group that brought him to power — 13 September 2013

 

 

The UN Security Council to Act if Syria Fails in Compliance

By Darrin Simmons
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 DAMASCUS, Syria-Following a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Russia to ultimately strip Syria of its chemical weapons, an enforceable resolution has been put to the United Nations Security Council.

Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Serge Lavrov hold a joint press conference discussing agreement to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons (photo courtesy of NBC News)

Under the agreement, Syria must provide a “full catalog of its chemical arsenal within a week and allow United Nations inspectors to start working no later than November.”  If Syria fails in complying, the UN Security Council will take affirmative action.

While it is unclear what steps the UN Security Council will take, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said that it was agreed that there will be no “use-of-force trigger” in the resolution.  However, Kerry further went on to say, “The President of the United States always retains the right to defend the United States of America and our interests.”

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated, “There is nothing said about the use of force and not about any automatic sanctions.”

A UN spokesperson said there are ways to establish the “Chapter 7” resolution with a compromise on the use of force.  “Some use the explicit language that allows for the use of military force…others refer to the possibility that the use of force may be invoked if there is non-compliance within the text of the resolution.”

The deal was welcomed and supported by Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General.  He stated that he “hoped that would not just prevent further chemical use in Syria but help pave the path for a political solution to stop the appalling suffering inflicted on the Syrian people.”

On Saturday, the UN said that all necessary documents for Syria to join the chemical weapons convention had been received and that Syria will become part of the treaty on October 14th.

“The Convention will enter into force for the Syrian Arab Republic on the 30th day following the date of deposit of this instrument of accession, namely on 14 October 2013,” stated the U.N press office.

Monday will see the revealing of the UN report on the deadly chemical-weapons attack that occurred last month in Syria.  The report will be presented to Ban Ki-moon by chief inspector Ake Sellstrom, and it has been quoted to be “overwhelming in showing that chemical weapons were used.

A Security Council permanent-member diplomat said, “If the report points to accountability by the Assad government, there may be more discussion of a referral to the International Criminal Court.”

As plans regarding action to be taken in Syria continue to unfold, Kerry and Lavrov will again meet at the UN General Assembly later this month while President Obama is set to address the assembly on September 24.

Despite the cooperation and progress that has been made, international responses have still been guarded.  Many Western nations are wary of Assad and are all too familiar with the frustrated attempt of UN weapons inspectors dealing with Saddam Hussein in Iraq, along with the difficulties of disassembling Syria’s chemical weapons during a civil war.

For more information, please see the following:

Reuters-Assad’s forces on attack after U.S.-Russia arms deal-September 15, 2013

Aljazeera-US and Russia agree on ‘framework’ to remove Syrian chemical weapons-September 14, 2013

CBS News-Syrian chemical weapons agreement bound for United Nations Security Council-September 14, 2013

NBC News-US, Russia reach deal on Syria’s chemical weapons-September 14, 2013

Thousands Gather to Protest in Poland over Parliament and Prime Minister’s Actions

By Ben Kopp
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

WARSAW, Poland – Poland experienced one of its largest demonstrations in recent years, in response to a lagging economy. Prime Minister Donald Tusk characterized the demonstration as an attempt to overthrow the government.

Tens of thousands march in Warsaw against Prime Minister Tusk and his coalition. (Photo courtesy of BBC News)

Since 10 September 2013, in response to labor law reform proposals, tens of thousands have marched in Warsaw. Organized by trade unions, the march included a variety of banners, flags, and trumpets. The city council suggested that demonstrators remained peaceful during the march, although some report that smoke grenades were thrown in Castle Square.

While Poland was the only European Union to avoid recession from the economic crisis’s start—and has experienced two decades of uninterrupted economic growth—demonstrators complain that Poland remains behind Western Europe. As the Eurozone struggled through a recession in the first fiscal quarter of 2013, Poland’s economic growth slowed to 0.1%.

“One has to protest because it is getting worse,” said a young woman named Ola. “Compared to Western states we are a sinking ship, despite the fact that we are in the center of Europe and we have the prerequisites to become a European powerhouse.”

In February 2013, the unemployment rate hit a six-year high of 14.4%. Demonstrators demanded that the Polish government increase the minimum wage, provide greater job security, and return the retirement age to 65 for men and 60 for women. Recently, a new law lifted the retirement age to 67 for everyone.

Several also called for Tusk to resign for his failure to improve unemployment rates. Unions add that Tusk refuses to hear their demands or engage in dialogue. While Tusk is Poland’s longest-serving prime minister since communism fell in 1989, his coalition’s popularity is at its lowest level since he took office in 2007.

“We want the departure of Donald Tusk. This is the only way to change social policy in Poland,” Marek Lewandowski, spokesman for the Polish trade union federation Solidarity, told the AFP news agency.

Among the 100,000-120,000 demonstrators, reports suggest that the political right and left joined together in their demands.

“The government gets its last warning today. If it draws no conclusions, we will block the whole country, all roads and highways,” Jan Guz, leader of the OPZZ union told demonstrators.

Marek Duda, the leader of the conservative Solidarity Union said, “We’re becoming slaves in our own country.”

While Tusk’s Civic Platform party waits to compete in the 2015 parliamentary election, regional governments and the European Parliament will hold elections in 2014.

In recent weeks, three of Tusk’s Members of Parliament have resigned. Lawmaker Jacek Zalek, who resigned on 12 September 2013, told reporters the “protests were a sign that we were unable to rise to the challenges that were put before us by Poles.”

Tusk contends that his revised 2013 budget, which passed through parliament, “proves that the government’s majority is stable.”

Peaceful protests provide leaders an opportunity to address public problems, yet can only remain peaceful where the people are heard. Absent an ear, voices become acts, which create arrests and, possibly, impunity.

For further information, please see:

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – Poles Stage Huge Antigovernment Protest in Warsaw – September 15, 2013

Al Jazeera – Thousands Protest against Polish Government – September 14, 2013

BBC News – Mass Anti-Government March in Poland against Reform – September 14, 2013

Reuters – Tens of Thousands Join March for Jobs in Poland – September 14, 2013

Washington Post – 100,000 Polish Unionists Protest Government Labor Policies in Warsaw March, Threaten to Strike – September 14, 2013

The Guardian – Poland Must Rediscover the True Meaning of Solidarity – September 13, 2013

United States and Russia Reach Syria Chemical Weapons Agreement

By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The United States and Russia have announced an agreement designed to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons supplies by mid-2014. Syria has been given one week to provide a list of its full chemical weapons stockpiles and must allow for United Nations chemical weapons inspections immediately.

John Kerry, United States Secretary of State, and Sergey Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia, shook hands and addressed the media after reaching an agreement on Syria’s chemical weapons. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

If Syria fails to uphold the agreement, it may be enforced by a UN resolution under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter which allows for sanctions and military intervention. There is currently no such resolution in place, but President Obama reiterated his position that “if diplomacy fails, the United States remains prepared to act.”

US Secretary of State John Kerry provided a six point outline of the plan:

  1. The amount and type of chemical weapons must be agreed upon and “rapidly” placed under international control
  2. Syria must submit within one week a comprehensive listing of its stockpiles
  3. Extraordinary procedures under the Chemical Weapons Convention will allow “expeditious destruction”
  4. Syria must give inspectors “immediate, unfettered access” to all sites
  5. All chemical weapons must be destroyed, including the possibility of removing weapons from Syrian territory
  6. The U.N. will provide logistical support, and compliance may be enforced under Chapter VII

“Providing this framework is fully implemented it can end the threat these weapons pose not only to the Syrian people but also to their neighbours,” Kerry said. “Because of the threat of proliferation this framework can provide greater protection and security to the world.

“The world will now expect Assad’s regime to live up to its commitments… There can be no room for games. Or anything less than full compliance.”

Not unexpectedly, General Salim Idris of the Free Syrian Army heavily criticized the agreement.

“We cannot accept any part of this initiative,” he said. “The FSA will work towards toppling Assad and does not care about US-Russia deals. I and my brothers in arms will continue to fight until the regime falls.”

He added that the FSA was “frustrated, and feels betrayed by the international community. It has no faith the UN will ever support it”.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Syria given week to declare chemical weapons  – 14 September 2013

BBC – US and Russia agree Syria chemical weapons deal – 14 September 2013

Reuters – U.S., Russia agree on Syria weapons, Obama says force still option – 14 September 2013

Washington Post – U.S., Russia reach agreement on seizure of Syrian chemical weapons arsenal –  14 September 2013

African Union Demands Halt in Kenyan Leaders’ ICC Case

By Erica Smith

Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – The African Union (AU) has asked that the International Criminal Court (ICC) to halt the cases against Kenyan president Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto and journalist Joshua arap Sang until after its application to have the cases moved.

Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, right, speaks with his defense counsel Karim Khan ( Photo Courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor)

The AU also wants to two leaders to be able to choose which session of the trial they would like to attend so that the leaders will be able to carry out their constitutional responsibilities.

The AU sent a letter to the ICC and the United Nations Security Council on September 10th arguing that the court should determine whether the cases can be moved before the trials progress further.

“The prosecution has ignored several procedural requirements having the effect of eroding the principles on natural justice. The court’s attention has been drawn to this aspect on two occasions by its own judges. This leaves the African Union with no option but to ask that until the request of the AU is considered and clearly responded to, the cases should not proceed.” The letter signed by AU Chairperson Hailemariam Desalegn and by AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma stated.

The AU further argued that Mr. Ruto should not be forced to attend all the trial sessions even though the ICC prosecutor is appealing an earlier decision that he would not have to attend them all. The AU believes that Mr. Ruto will be unable to carry out his constitutional duties if he is forced to attend every session.

The AU pointed out that there are two high level security meetings slated for this month that Kenyatta would not be able to attend as a result of the ICC trial against Ruto. The AU believes that  Kenyatta not participating in the meetings will seriously affect Kenya’s efforts towards peace and security.  The AU also believes that the trials would undermine Kenya’s role in the international arena and that the trials should not infringe on the responsibilities of the two Kenyan leaders.

“While Kenya has always cooperated and reiterated its commitment to continue cooperating with the court, it must do so in the context of its own constitutional requirements,” the AU wrote.

For further information, please see:

All Africa — Africa: ICC Allows Five African States to Join Ruto Appeal — 14 September 2013

All Africa — Kenya: Stop Uhuru Ruto Trials, AU Demands — 13 September 2013

The Christian Science Monitor — Can Kenya’s leaders skip part of their international crimes trials? — 13 September 2013

All Africa — Africa: Halt ICC Cases, Give Kenyan Leaders Leeway – AU — 12 September 2013