Darfuri Activist’s10-year Sentence Modified to Death Penalty Without Hearing

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Human rights group Amnesty International demands the Sudanese government to halt the execution of local activist Bakri Moussa Mohammed.

Bakri Moussa Mohammed was an activist based in the Kalma camp for internally displaced people in Darfur. (Photo courtesy of AI/Evelyn Hockstein/Polaris)

Three years ago, Mohammed, a community activist who hails from Darfur, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for murder. However, his sentence was revised to death penalty last year without any court hearing.

“We believe Bakri Moussa Mohammed is at imminent risk of being hanged and we implore the Sudanese authorities to act immediately to stop the execution, through whatever means available,” urged Amnesty International’s Africa director Netsanet Belay.

Belay also questions the grounds for modifying Mohammed’s sentence. According to him, “the vague circumstances of the change in Bakri’s sentence are a clear violation of fair trial standards.”

On December 31, 2012, almost three years after his imprisonment, Mohammed was informed by a prison officer that his sentence was changed to death penalty. On the same day, he was transferred to death row and brought to the gallows before being told by Sudanese authorities that his execution would be postponed for 35 days.

According to Amnesty International, that deadline has now passed. The human rights organization fears that Mohammed may be hanged any day this week.

Mohammed’s family join Amnesty International in calling on the Sudanese government to stop Mohammed’s execution. His family suspect that his transfer to death row was purely a political decision. They believe that it was the government’s way of punishing Mohammed for his protests against the current administration. They reasoned that the victim’s family already agreed to take blood money, totaling 60,000 Sudanese pounds, in lieu of capital punishment. In fact, the victim’s family already received 17,000 Sudanese pounds from them as a first installment, insisted Mohammed’s father. Thus, they do not see why Mohammed has to be executed.

“The Sudanese authorities have serious questions to answer about the revision of this sentence. Trials for crimes carrying the death penalty must comply with the most rigorous internationally recognized standards for fair trial,” said Netsnanet Belay. In a recent press release by Amnesty International, the group pointed out that international law prohibits any execution after a trial which does not meet international fair trial standards. In addition, any person sentenced to death also has the right to request a pardon or commutation of a death sentence.

“Those rules appear to have been flouted in the case of Bakri Moussa Mohammed, whom we fear is being persecuted solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression and assembly,” Belay added.

 

For further information, please see:

Amnesty International – Sudan must save Darfuri activist from imminent execution – 15 February 2013

Sudan Radio – Activist’s Family Calls for Halt to His Execution; Says it Paid Blood Money – 14 February 2013

Sudan Tribune – Darfur activist placed on death row – 14 February 2013

Amnesty International – Sudan: Darfur Activist at Imminent Risk of Execution: Bakri Moussa Mohammed – 13 February 2013

 

Syria Deeply Weekly Update: 17 February 2013

Syrian Network for Human Rights: Casualty Report – 15 February 2013

The Syrian network for human rights documented 74 martyrs , Friday 15/02/2013 all across Syria. Most of them in Idlib , Damascus and countryside .Among the martyrs 9 children , 6 ladies , and 22 from free Syrian Army.

Damascus and countryside : 26 martyrs

Idlib : 17 martyrs

Aleppo : 8 martyrs

Hasakee : 4 martyrs

Alraqaa : 5 martyrs

Homs : 6 martyrs

Hama : 2 martyrs

Deir Al Zor : 3

Daraa : 2

Lattakia :1

 

Damascus and countryside : 26 martyrs including three children , lady , and six martyrs from Syrian free army

1-     Mohamad Alhalboin ( Abo Taeseer ) randomly by a sniper , near to Alassad special troops checkpoint – Alqaboon     http://youtu.be/jf1a94vObNc

2-     The Child Hamza Alhabash – 7 years old – Almaliha – Damascus countryside – affected by his wounds , cause of Al MIG shelling on Marj Alsultan town in Damascus countryside    http://youtu.be/O-LDhgTBJAY

3-     Alaa tayseer Alhamrawi –Jobar –Damascus countryside – by a sniper of Alassad troops in Al comeuppance battle to liberate the city of Aadra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt9uYHk-TZ0
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=483935291670956

4-     Ihsan Ghaleb Tabranin – Misraba – Damascus countryside – known as Abo Mohamad from Syrian Free Army martyr in comeuppance bottle to liberate Aadra city http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt9uYHk-TZ0
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=483935291670956

5-     Ahamd Awaed – Damascus – Daf Alshok- free Syrian Army –assassinated with his brother by Alassad troops in raid for their home in Daf Alshok , their bodies were dragged and tarnished  and then kidnapped – 14-2-2013

6-      Khaled Awaed – Damascus – Daf Alshok- free Syrian Army –assassinated with his brother by Alassad troops in raid for their home in Daf Alshok , their bodies were dragged and tarnished  and then kidnapped 14-2-2013

7-     Mohamad Mahmood Mohamad – Damascus – Alhajar Alaswad – reporter – known as Abo Albaraa – free Syrian Army affected by his wounds , shot by Alassad troops while doing his duty few days ago https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=609987919026790
http://youtu.be/_c09MxLN3BM

8-     Radwan Alqaisi – Damascus – Almidan-by a sniper from Alassad troops – on the highway – near to Alqaboon –Damascushttp://youtu.be/MQHsdaRhKrc
http://sphotos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/841156_611126595569412_280651553_o.jpg

9-     Hisham Alhalaq – Saqba – Damascus countryside – known as Abo Maher , martyred affected by his wounds cause by warplanes  yesterday http://youtu.be/cq_pBDDKhpk

10-Ihsab Ghanoum -– Misraba – Damascus countryside – known as Abo Mohamad from Syrian Free Army martyr in comeuppance bottle to liberate Aadra city

11-Majed Suliman Alalawi – Damascus countryside – shot by Alassad troops http://youtu.be/7mjUwUVOngg

12-Ms Amal Mansour –Albowaidah – Damascus countryside – martyred in Alhajar Alaswad cause of shelling by Alassad troops http://youtu.be/pek58xnbYGY

13-Abo Kasem Swidan – Doma – Damascus countryside – from Syrian Free Army martyr in comeuppance bottle to liberate Aadra city -14-3-2013

14-Hashem  Mohamad Aldibs –Doma- Damascus countryside – martyred cause of shelling by Alassad troops 14-2-2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yGsP5XDvFg

15-The Child Nagham Alaa Abdulaziz – Yarmouk refugee camp – Damascus – martyred in Altakadom area , cause of shelling of Alassad troops www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=604943016186911

16-Mohamad Khaled Karbouj – Moazameah Alsham – Damascus countryside-cause of random shelling

17-Ms Manal Alshaikh Kwaider –Arbien – Damascus countryside – By Alassad troops shelling

18-Samer Talebah–Arbien – Damascus countryside – By Alassad troops shelling

19-Adnan Alrais – Harasta – Damascus countryside- Syrian Free Army –clashes with Alassad troops

20-Mohamad Ahmad Alabas – Harasta – Damascus countryside- Syrian Free Army –clashes with Alassad troops

21-Yaseen Ahamd Dawood – Moazameah Alsham – Damascus countryside-shot by a sniper http://youtu.be/0Zg3wPvEm2w

22-Mohamad Mahmod Alef Alserwan -23years old – Damascus – Alsalhia- martyr in Jobar neighborhood through clashes with Alassad troops in Grand Epic battle https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=538722266167802

23- Hassan Mohamad Deeb Alkhoja –known as Abo Mohamad – Dommar – Damascus –shot by Alassad troops andkidnapped his body

24-Mahmod Ibrahim known as Abo Kifah – Palestinian Nationality – Yarmouk refugee camp – martyred in Sabina area – Damascus countryside – through clashes with Alassad troops https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=605028449511701

25-Khaled ALnahawi known as Okasha Abo Mosaab –Madaya – Damascus countryside –martyred through clashes with Alassad troops 13-2-2013

26-Khaldon Albarhamji – Harasta – Damascus countryside – martyred through clashes with Alassad troops

 

Idlib : 17 martyrs including lady, child and three men from Syrian Free Army

1-     Mohamad Jamal Alqalaa – Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city http://youtu.be/jQ8EYS3MP8s

2-     Moneer Abdulhamid Idris– Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOPx5lccr-U&feature=youtu.be

3-     Ghazi Mohamad Abo Di– Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city http://youtu.be/d0loOf7SxOo

4-     Mohamad Aziz Idris- Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOPx5lccr-U&feature=youtu.be

5-     Bilal Abdulkarim Muhana – Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOPx5lccr-U&feature=youtu.be

6-     Abdulkarim Ahmad Kirwan – Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city

7-     Halom Mohamad Kirwan – Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city

8-     Abdulrazak Saleh Arakeel – Lawyer – Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city – http://youtu.be/AsKkRZJpzyg

9-     Mostafa Qadoor AAfan – Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOPx5lccr-U&feature=youtu.be

10-Khaled Mamoun Makhzoom — Khan Shaikhon-Idlib cause of shelling and rocket launchers on the city

11-Unknown lady – Alghasania Idlib-cause of warplane on the village

12-Osamah ALhusain- Maarat Alnoaaman – Idlib – Free Syrian Army – affected by his wounds through clashes with Alassad troop in Albonian Almarsos battle .

13-Suliman Rashid Altanari – Maarat Alnoaaman – Idlib – Free Syrian Army – affected by his wounds through clashes with Alassad troop in Albonian Almarsos battle . http://youtu.be/ldBTLyyMAaU
http://youtu.be/YdFSc0YiY7w

14-Child Fatima Mostafa Orabi – 12 years old – Zarzour _ Idlib –random shelling https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588524377828568&set=a.251675284846814.79414.249515501729459&type=1&theater

15-Jamal Nofal Dada-  Zarzour _ Idlib –random shelling https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=588525574495115&set=a.251675284846814.79414.249515501729459&type=1&theater

16-Mohamad Aref Alali – Frreka – Idlib –dissident soldier shot by Alassad troops http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=168135646667257&set=a.154438481370307.35651.154403408040481&type=1&theater

17-Abdulkadir Hamidi –Khan Alsobol – Idlib – cause of random shelling

 

Hasakee : 4 martyrs  included two children and a lady

1-     Abdulsalam Yasin Almniti – Alshadadi- Alhasakee – cause of Al MIG shelling on the southern neighborhood of the city and Tall Alshadadi

2-     Child Yousef  Abdulsalam Almniti – Alshadadi- Alhasakee – cause of Al MIG shelling on the southern neighborhood of the city and Tall Alshadadi

3-     Child Anas  Abdulsalam Almniti – Alshadadi- Alhasakee – cause of Al MIG shelling on the southern neighborhood of the city and Tall Alshadadi

4-     Ms Fadia Saaed Jalod Alsalibi -– Alshadadi- Alhasakee – cause of Al MIG shelling on the southern neighborhood of the city and Tall Alshadadi

 

Alraqaa : 4 martyrs included two children and one lady :

1-     Manhal Suliman Alhamod Alshomari – Alraqaa-shot by Alassad troops 14-2-2013

2-     Ms Subhia Salom : 65 years old – Altabaka –Alraqa – affected by the shelling of cluster bombs  on the wide street – downtown

3-     Child: Mohamad Khaled Alshater – 7 years old Altabaka –Alraqa – affected by the shelling of cluster bombs  on the wide street – downtown Deir Al Zor

4-     Child: Ahmad Mohamad Alaabed Taha – 10 years old Altabaka –Alraqa – affected by the shelling of cluster bombs  on the wide street – downtown

5-     Mahmoud Almashhory –Alraqa-random shelling on Alkarama area .

 

Aleppo : 8 martyrs , 7 from Free Syrian Army

1-     Radwan Mohamad Alaswad- Tal AAjar-Aleppo – free army affected by wounded through clashes with Alassad troops near Menag Military Airport  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=445593558844952&set=a.395746480496327.86035.385339138203728&type=1&theater

2-       Mohamad Walid Ibrahim – Altawama-Aleppo-through clashes with ALassad troops in Alashrafia neighborhood

3-     Mohamad Hasa known as Abo Awish – free Syrian Army–through clashes with ALassad troops in Alashrafia neighborhood

4-     Yousef Adel Bakri – reporter – known as Abo Jad – through random shelling

5-     Ibrahim Ali Albadr-Tadef –Aleppo – free army – shot by Alassad troops near by Alsabaa Bahrat http://youtu.be/ni4l3KOJ2R0

6-     Mostafa Latouf Horma – Mayer-Aleppo- free army- shot by Alassad troops

7-     Salah Ahmad Masini – Mayer-Aleppo- free army- shot by Alassad troops

8-     Mohamad Yousef Sharaq known as Abo Allosh – Hayan-Aleppo- free army- shot by Alassad troops

Homs: 6 Martyrs  included two ladies , two children ,and one of the free army

1-     Ms Dalal ALahmad – tal Dahab-Homs-married and mother for five children martyred affected by her wounded cause of shelling to Alhola – Homs countryside

2-     Husain Abdullah Harfosh – Alqsair –Homs – affected his wounded by shelling to Alqusair few days ago https://www.facebook.com/A.E.N.N.Freedom?ref=stream#!/photo.php?fbid=351402224972589&set=a.276649785781167.60418.276646335781512&type=1&theater

3-     Mohamad Zakaria , known as Zakaria Alhomsi– Shinshar –Homs – free army – shot by Alassad Troops in Alsafeera – Aleppo https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=339386189500015

4-     Unknown Martyr-Alghnto-Homs-found shackled hands and his body dumped in Alasei river http://youtu.be/llPcLLFIDHA
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=372872056145388&set=a.198201986945730.41000.195788363853759&type=1&theater

5-      Child Saad Husien Mohamad Alswef – 10 years old – Taeba – Homs – random shelling

6-     Child :   Siham Husien Mohamad Alswef – 10 years old – Taeba – Homs – random shelling

 

Hama : Two martyrs Free Syrian Army

1-      Ahmad Jolaq – Hama-through clashes with Alassad troops in the rural south battle in Hama while hit Alsaleem checkpoint 13-2-2013

2-      Khaled Alswda– Hama-through clashes with Alassad troops in the rural south battle in Hama  while hit Alsaleem checkpoint 13-2-2013

 

Deir Alzoor : 3 martyrs, two form Free Army

1-     Taha Othman Taha known as Abo Aaesha-Albaghlia –by a sniper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl4ryzhm1kI&feature=share&list=FLuDm1VONVaHCMdbcXdtxnMA
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/c57.0.403.403/p403x403/66096_487492311285930_1155000894_n.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLAPFQbOfn8&feature=youtu.be

2-     Abo Mosa Almohajer –  Der Alzoor – free army –martyr in Almayadeen , after wounded in Alshadadi – Alhasakee http://youtu.be/AyVbR1SwyL8

3-     Abdullatif Alabdulah Alsuliman Alshikh Fayad – Deir Alzoor cause of the shelling on Alshmitiah vellage

 

Draa : 2 martyrs from Free Syrian

1-     Abdulakader Mohamad ALkatma – Daraa-tafas – dissident solider – through clashes in a battle to lebrate Tal Braq in Hasakee https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/551522_608674865825510_97027956_n.jpg

2-       Amin Qasem Altebawi – Naema – Daraa – Free Army –shot by Alassad Troops

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=430260293715391

Lattakia: 1 : Khaled Almansour – Alhafa –after shelling and rocket launchers on the city of Khan SHekhon-Idlib , after his migration to it for his life

The SNHR documented :

1-     Hafez Abdulasaad-  Deir Alzoor -– free army – martyred in Sunday 10-2-2013 caused by Artillery shell fragments

2-     Mahmoud Alawi Alaskar –  Deir Alzoor -– free army – martyred in Sunday 10-2-2013 caused by Artillery shell fragments

3-     Ahmad Alawi Alaskar-  Deir Alzoor -– free army – martyred in Sunday 10-2-2013 caused by Artillery shell fragments

Following Putin’s Public Attack on Magnitsky’s Colleagues, Russian Authorities Have Opened a New Criminal Case and Threaten Use of “Special Units” against HSBC Bank in Moscow

Press Release
Hermitage Capital

15 February 2013 – The Russian Interior Ministry has opened a new criminal case against colleagues of the late Sergei Magnitsky, who was killed in Russian police custody in 2009. Details of the new criminal case are not yet known other than that it alleges ‘fraudulent actions’.

The new case was opened on January 24, 2013 following public statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin at a December 2012 press conference that he needed to “dig deeper” into the Magnitsky case.

Under this new criminal case, the Russian Interior Ministry is now pressuring HSBC Bank Moscow to provide wide-ranging financial and banking information concerning the companies of the Hermitage Fund and its advisers dating all the way back to 1996.

The Russian Interior Ministry has threatened to use “special forces” to obtain the documents if HSBC doesn’t cooperate.

“Otherwise, the documents which have the force of evidence under the criminal case and are with OOO HSBC Bank RR can be seized by force during a seizure or search, including with the prarticipation of employees of special units,” said the request sanctioned by major G.Sungurov, head of 4th section within the Interior Ministry’s Investigations Department.

Under the Russian law, banking information can be provided to the police only if it concerns specific acts and circumstances of the investigation. The Interior Ministry has failed to identify any circumstances connecting the companies in question to their request, yet they demanded that banking information on transactions of “each day of operations” for 8 different companies be provided in Russia.

 

For further information please contact:

Hermitage Capital
Phone:             +44 207 440 1777
Email:              info@lawandorderinrussia.org
Website:          http://lawandorderinrussia.org/
Facebook:        http://on.fb.me/hvIuVI
Twitter:           @KatieFisher__
Livejournal:     //hermitagecap.livejournal.com/

New Zealand Representative Criticized for Anti-Muslim Rant

By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Political observers in New Zealand say the future of Richard Prosser does not look promising after an anti-Muslim rant has mired him in a national controversy.

New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser caused a controversy with recent anti-Muslim remarks that might jeopardize his political future. (Photo Courtesy of the New Zealand Herald)

Prosser, who is a House of Representatives member for the NZ First party, recently wrote in a magazine column that all young men “who are Muslim, look like Muslims, or come from a Muslim country” should be banned from flying “Western airlines,” according to TV NZ.  The New Zealand Herald also reported that the rant referred to Muslims as “troglodytes” and that Islam was a “stone-age religion.”

“He’s [upset] the party [to] no end,” an anonymous source familiar with the party told the Herald.  “The biggest issue is his total lack of judgment.”

So far, the NZ First party leader Winston Peters has said he does not believe Prosser should resign.  But criticism has been widespread, and the feeling around parliament is that Prosser may serve only one term.

“He’ll be so far down the list next time, you won’t see the top of his head,” the Herald’s source said, discussing Prosser’s future party standing if he survives the next election.

Prosser, who joined Parliament in 2011 fourth on the NZ First party list, has apologized for the comments.  He told the Herald that he believes his willingness to acknowledge he was wrong would go over well with voters.

“I think New Zealanders are essentially fair people,” Prosser said.  “[I]f you make a mistake but admit it, undertake not to do it again, and undertake to correct some of them . . . people will give you a fair go.”

Most people, however, do not appear to share that sentiment.  The Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand lodged a formal complaint against Prosser with the Human Rights Commission.  Association leaders called Prosser ignorant and undeserving of being an MP.

“You can maybe excuse it on a street corner on a drunken night, but not from a Member of Parliament,” said the association’s Jamal Green.  “This was not just an outburst.”

Judith Collins, who is New Zealand’s minister for both Ethnic Affairs and Human Rights, called Prosser’s comments “appalling and irresponsible.”  She called on the party to “avoid causing further embarrassment to New Zealand.”

Prosser’s rant was reportedly sparked by a recent incident when he was stopped from carrying his pocketknife on a flight to Christchurch.  This also is not Prosser’s first bought with controversy.  He previously called for a ban on burqas in public, mandatory army training for all citizens, and New Zealand’s South Island to become a separate state.

For further information, please see:

New Zealand Herald — MP Richard Prosser’s Future Looks Shaky — 16 February 2013

MSN NZ — Richard Prosser Faces a Bleak Future — 15 February 2013

TV NZ — Prosser to Be Reported to Human Rights Commission — 14 February 2013

3 News — Collins Slams Richard Prosser’s ‘Anti-Islamic Rant’ — 12 February 2013