Russia Implements Volunteer Immigration Patrol Group

By Alexandra Sandacz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – Alexei Mayorov, the head of the Moscow City Government Regional Security Department, announced that a volunteer patrol force will be created to assist the Federal Migration Service (FMS) with enforcing immigration rules in Moscow. The volunteer groups will participate in city patrols, check documents and detain illegal immigrants together with FMS officers.

Immigration patrol volunteers will wear red vests to identify who they are. (Photo Courtesy of Ria Novosti)

Moscow City Hall reported that in 2012, the number of illegal immigrants extracted from the city increased by 150 percent. However, today, there are still around 200,000 to 300,000 illegal residents in Moscow.

While more than 300 people have already applied to the volunteer patrol group, Moscow authorities desire a total of 600 volunteers to help patrol for illegal immigrants throughout the city. Volunteers wear special red uniforms and patrol every neighborhood.

Russian officials maintain that patrol squad members are carefully screened and trained. Furthermore, aggressive individuals and ultranationalist are rejected.

Volunteers are authorized to search for illegal migrants at markets, construction and industrial sites, railways stations, shopping centers, and private apartments. Patrols will distribute handouts to immigrants with instructions and a list of documents required to obtain legal status.

Olga Kirillova, head of Moscow’s Migration Service, explained that only inspectors have the  authority to bring immigrants before the law. The police volunteers are manpower. She states, “Sometimes, it’s necessary to catch a violator who tries to run.”

However, rights advocates are nonetheless opposed to this new squad. Most human rights activists fear “aggressive-minded” people will join the patrol and will increase Russia’s anti-foreigner mood.

Svetlana Gannushkina, a prominent human rights campaigner specializing in migrants’ rights, stated, “I’m very upset by the rise of xenophobia that I observe in the city and in the country. These raids will be conducted not by law enforcement organs but by ordinary citizens, and I can just imagine what kind of enthusiasts will participate. They will bring nothing but more xenophobia, abuse, and divisions in society.”

She continued, “”Who has the right to detain people? You need very serious reasons to detain people, even police officers don’t always have the authority to do it. And now it is bestowed to random and probably aggressive people. No one has the right to deprive people of their freedom, to grab them in the street and drag them somewhere. What are we turning into? This is simply monstrous.”

Gavkhar Dzhurayeva, head of the Migration and Law information legal center, said,  “This is not a struggle against immigration but a manhunt. I back the idea of patrols, but volunteers should be trained to speak with immigrants in a civil manner. There must be certain ethics in communication, which are now absent.”

For further information, please see:

RFE/RL — Volunteer Squads Chase Illegal Migrants In Russia – 18 February 2013

RIA Novosti – Volunteer Patrols to Battle Illegal Immigration – 13 February 2013

Russia & India REPORT – Moscow to Hire Volunteers for Immigration Patrol – 13 February 2013

RIA Novosti – Moscow to Set Up Volunteer Patrol to Enforce Immigration Law – 12 February 2013

EU Launches Military Training Mission in Mali

By Heba Girgis
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

BAMAKO, Mali—European Union foreign ministers met in Brussels to discuss the situation in Mali. The group has officially decided to launch a mission to train the military in the African country of Mali. This decision was made today.

French soldiers talk to Malian soldiers outside Bourem in northern Mali. (Photo Courtesy of The Daily Start Lebanon)

This mission is designed to help the government of Mali take back and maintain control of the country. The first people in the mission, about 70 individuals, have already been sent to Mali so that they could begin the training as advisors to the Malian military. Officials of the European Union noted that more military instructors will be deployed before the end of March and official training will begin in April of this year.

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton noted that the mission “is going to be of enormous importance in support of the Malian army” which is currently a poorly equipped and trained force without the ability or capacity to maintain the country’s territorial integrity. About half of the troops will be military trainers, while the rest will serve by providing protection and administrative as well as medical backup.

The current 27 European Union nations first approved the idea of a training mission in December 2012 in order to boost the Malian army’s ability to fight Islamist rebels who seized control of the country’s northern region last year. But the actual launch of the training mission was quickly accelerated after France’s surprise intervention in its former colony on January 11, in order to stop the insurgents from continuing south toward the capital.

Approximately 16 countries from the European Union along with Norway have agreed to take part in this mission. The mission currently has a 12.3 million-euro budget, and each contributing nation is providing and financing its own troops.

Specifically, the mission will provide advice and military training to the Malian Armed Forces. This training will include on command control, logistics and human resources as well as training on international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and protection of human rights. The mission, however, will not be directly involved in combat operations. The mission has an initial mandate of 15 months and will involve about 500 staff. The headquarters will be in Mali’s capital city of Bamako while training will take place in Koulikoro.

 

For further information, please see:

Global Post – EU Approves Military Mission to Mali – 18 February 2013

The Miami Herald – EU Launches Military Training Mission in Mali – 18 February 2013

New Europe – EU Send Training Mission to Mali – 18 February 2013

The Washington Post – EU Foreign Ministers Officially Launch Mission to Train the Military in Mali – 18 February 2013

 

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