Despite Peace Talks, Violence Continues In Colombia

By Brendan Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America 

BOGOTÁ, Colombia – Peace talks between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) continue in Oslo, Norway.

Suitcase Bombs Strikes Terror On Halloween Night. (Photo Courtesy of Fox News Latino)

Since their inception in 1964 Latin Americas oldest revolutionary group has been striking terror throughout Colombia. The FARC rebels have been conducting military ambushes and kidnapping civilians and military personnel for years with the intent of disappearing them or ransoming them. Their reign of terror has been weakened in recent years, thanks to a continued increased military budget and U.S. backed security campaign. A temporary cease fire has been signed as leaders from FARC and the Colombia meet in Oslo to discuss the terms for the disbanding of the military group.

However those peace talks may be in jeopardy. On Halloween night in Pradera, over 5,000 Colombian children were out and about celebrating when the calm serene night was shattered by violence. A suitcase bomb exploded killing two suspected bombers and injuring another 37, seven of them children. Col. Nelson Ramirez the regional police chief believes the police station was the intended target. Pradera has always been a target for FARC who continually demand the area be ceded to them.

This is just the latest in a series of clashes that many believe can be attributed to FARC. Earlier in the month five soldiers were wounded in an apparent rebel ambush, while another two were killed when they activated a FARC installed landmine.

There have been quite a few attempts at peace since the 1980s. The latest in 2002 was almost successful, as then-President Andres Pastrana was about to grant the rebels a large portion of land. However in all too familiar fashion the peace talks broke down when the rebels launched a timely series of attacks in a bid to strengthen their position.  However the FARC claim they have no parallel agenda during their peace talks. That they hope that “The dialogue unfolds effectively, expeditiously, and in the shortest possible time.”

As the peace talks continue many items are still on the table. Beyond mere the demilitarization of FARC and the end to the kidnappings FARC is coming to the table with proposals and projects in order to implement radical socioeconomic reforms. However the issue of reintegration is still a large issue that needs to be discussed. If the peace talks are successful the question remains what will happen to rebel militants and the increased Colombian Army that was raised to combat FARC.

Despite these issues both sides have indicated a commitment to the “Construction of a stable and lasting peace.”

For further information, please see:

El Tiempo – Two Soldiers Killed When He Stepped On A Mine Field Installed By FARC – 3 November 2012

RCN Radio – FARC Say They Have No Parallel Agenda In Peace Process – 3 November 2012

El Pais – “There Is A Marriage Between The FARC And VAlle And Cauca BACRIM”: General Navas – 2 November, 2012

Fox News Latino – Halloween Bombing Kills 2, Injuries 36 In Colombia – 2 November 2012

CNN – Amid Peace Talks, Colombian Soldiers Killed  In Suspected Rebel Attack – 20 October, 2012

CNN – Colombia, FARC Rebels Begin Formal Peace Talks In Norway – 18 October, 2012

Greek Journalist Arrested for Releasing Lagarde List Acquitted, Says Press Censored

By Madeline Schiesser
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

ATHENS, Greece – Last Sunday, a Greek independent magazine editor, Kostas Vaxevanis, was arrested on the charge of breach of privacy for publishing the names of 2,059 Greeks alleged to have Swiss bank accounts.  Only days later on Thursday, Vaxevanis was tried, and was acquitted.  However, Vaxevanis claims that his arrest, trial, and subsequent release, and the lack of press coverage thereof in Greece as opposed to in foreign countries, demonstrates that the business elite in Greece have muzzled the Greek press.

Vaxevanis leaves the prosecutor’s office following his arrest on Sunday. (Photo Courtesy of the Guardian)

Last Saturday (10/27), Vaxevanis’ Hot Doc magazine published a list he claims is the infamous Lagarde list, containing the names of 2,059 Greeks believed to have accounts in the Geneva branch of HSBC, according to the New York Times.  Vaxevanis claimed he got it from an anonymous source, according to Returns.

The following morning (10/28), police surrounded the home of Vaxevanis’ friend with whom he was staying while Vaxevanis was giving a live radio interview.  According to the New York Times, Vaxevanis tweeted: “They’re entering my house with the prosecutor right now. They are arresting me. Spread the word.”

The prosecutor charged Vaxevanis with breach of privacy at setting his trial date for Monday before releasing him several house later.  The alleged crime carries a prison term of up to two years and a fine of about 30,000€ ($39,000).

A police officer explained to Returns that “the prosecutor issued a warrant for Vaxevanis’ arrest because he published a list of names without special permission and violated the law on personal data. There is no proof that the persons or companies included in that list have violated the law . . . . on tax evasion or money laundering.”

However, Vaxevanis felt that he had a duty to the Greek people to report the truth.  During a recess in his trial, he told the Guardian: “If you look at the names, or the offshore companies linked to certain individuals, you see that these are all friends of those in power. Phony lists had also begun to circulate. It was time for the truth.”

On Monday (10/29), Vaxevanis’ trial date was set for Thursday, November 1.  The New York Times noted that many Greeks saw the speed with which the trial moved ahead “as a sharp contrast to the normally slow wheels of Greek justice,” particularly in light of the Greek state’s resilience to investigate those named on the Lagarde List.

A few days later, Vaxevanis noted, “I don’t think the decision to bring me before the court was the work of an overzealous prosecutor. I think it was very deliberate and very vindictive.”

On Thursday (11/1), Vaxevanis was acquitted by a three judge panel in a hearing that lasted almost 12 hours.  His lawyers argued in part that the charges were outrageous and that no one on the list had complained of a breach of privacy.

The Lagarde List, so named after former French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde who gave the list to her Greek counterpart, George Papaconstantinou, in 2010, had been believed to contain the names of prominent Greeks who used Swiss bank accounts to avoid paying taxes.

However, in the two years since obtaining the list, the Greek government did not appear to take action to investigate those named, and there have been accusations of a cover up.  Greek finance ministers have claimed both to have lost the list, and to have turned it over to the appropriate police authorities.

The list Vaxevanis published includes a former culture minister, doctors, lawyers and individuals identified as “housewives,” but did not include information on the amount of money anyone had in an account.  Even so, the Lagarde List of wealthy, allegedly tax evading Greeks is especially jarring in a nation attempting to pull itself out of financial crisis and suffering from tax increases and wage cuts.

Since his acquittal, Vaxevanis has further claimed that Greece is essentially controlled by a group or corrupt politicians working with businessmen who own and muzzle the press.  He cites for example the lack of coverage of his own trial, and especially acquittal, by the Greek media.

“Had it not been for the foreign media taking such an interest in my own story, it would have been buried. With few exceptions, hardly any of the Greek media bothered to report that I was acquitted, when CNN and the BBC were breaking into their news broadcasts to do so,” Vaxevanis said.

“The country is governed by a poisonous combination of politicians, businessmen and journalists who cover one another’s backs. Every day laws are changed, or new laws are voted in, to legitimize illegal deeds.”  However, Vaxevanis intends to continue his fight against political corruption and scandal in Greece: “The political elite have got used to the mainstream press not annoying them, but investigation is what we do.”

For further information, please see:

BBC News – Greek Bank Leak Editor Costas Vaxevanis Acquitted – 2 November 2012

The Guardian – Greece is Governed by a Corrupt Clique, Says Kostas Vaxevanis – 2 November 2012

The Guardian – Greek Editor Kostas Vaxevanis Acquitted Over Swiss Bank List – 1 November 2012

The New York Times – Greece Moves Quickly to Put Editor on Trial – 29 October 2012

BBC News – Greece Arrests Journalist Over ‘Lagarde List’ Banks Leak – 28 October 2012

GlobalPost – Greek Journalist Kostas Vaxevanis Arrested for Releasing ‘Lagarde List’ of Swiss Account Holders – 28 October 2012

The Guardian – Greek Magazine Editor in Court for Naming Alleged Tax Evaders – 28 October 2012

UN Urges China to Address Tibetan Conflict

By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia 

BEIJING, China – Yesterday, the UN chief for human rights, Navi Pillay, urged China to permit international respondents to evaluate the state of Tibetan regions experiencing protests against Chinese rule.  Thus far, there have been 12 outstanding requests for UN human rights officials to visit China.

Ms. Pillay making her statement. (Photo Courtesy of the UN)

“Deep underlying issues need to be addressed, and I call on the Government to seriously consider the recommendations made to it by various international human rights bodies, as well as to avail itself of the expert advice being offered by the UN’s independent experts on human rights,” said Ms. Pillay.

According to BBC, up to 60 Tibetans have set themselves on fire.  On October 27th, the Chinese government offered a $32,000 reward for information regarding the chain of self-immolation.  Moreover, an additional $7,700 may be given to those who are aware of such planned protest.

A few weeks go, authorities allegedly beat a 17-year-old girl for distributing flyers demanding Tibet’s freedom and the return of the Dalai Lama.  The young girl was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison.

Moreover, authorities have arrested and sentenced those writing essays, producing films or distributing photos to four to seven years in prison.  Furthermore, there has been apprehension regarding fair trials and the torture of captives.

Ms. Pillay does not believe heavy security will promote stability.  “I have had several exchanges with the Chinese government on these issues.  But more needs to be done to protect human rights and prevent violations,” shared Ms. Pillay.

According to Voice of America, High Commissioner Rupert Colville has been the spokesman for Ms. Pillay and believes that the Chinese government should release those previously detained for exercising their freedom of expression.

“She is also appealing to Tibetans to refrain from resorting to extreme forms of protest, such as self-immolation, and urging community and religious leaders to use their influence to help stop this tragic loss of life,” shared Mr. Colville.   “She fully recognizes Tibetans’ intense sense of frustration and despair, which has led them to resort to such extreme means, but there are other ways to make those feelings clear. It is important that the government also recognizes this, and permits Tibetans to express their feelings without fear of retribution.”

Ms. Pillay’s statements were made days before Chinese leaders meet for the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

For further information, please see:

Hindustan Times – UN urges China to allow monitors in Tibet – 3 Nov. 2012

BBC – UN official urges China to address issues in Tibet – 2 Nov. 2012

Voice of America – UN Rights Chief Urges China to Address Tibetans’ Grievances – 02 Nov. 2012

 

Crime Bosses Order Attacks in São Paulo City

By Margaret Janelle R. Hutchinson
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASÍLIA, Brazil – According to the Governor of São Paulo State and Brazilian news sources, the alarming increase in violence in Brazil’s largest city over the past few months is due to direct orders from organized crime bosses to execute military police and members of rival criminal organizations.

Shooting deaths, executions and drive-bys, have been the core of intentional homicides in the last two weeks. Military police launched operations in São Paulo’s favelas in an effort to quell the surge in violence (Photo Courtesy mdz).

The escalation of violence in the greater São Paulo area is unquestionably on the rise judging by the number of murders that occur every night in and around the city, the total number of homicides in the past month alone reaching over 160, according to today’s report.

But the violence is not limited to the metropolitan region.  Since September there have been roughly 600 murders throughout the state, approximately 100 of which were law enforcement officers.

The São Paulo state government, led by former opposition presidential candidate Geraldo Alckmin initially refused federal assistance to combat the increasing violence in his state.  Then barbs were exchanged between the São Paulo Secretary for Public Security and the Federal Minister of Justice this week.

State Security Secretary Antonio Ferreira Pinto publicly denied that he had been offered federal aid, which was resolutely refuted by the Ministry in a press release.

On Thursday, President Dilma Rousseff personally telephoned Governor Alckmin and offered to send Federal Police intelligence agents, and other assistance, to work with the civil and military police in São Paulo.

At a news conference the yesterday morning, Alckmin said he was open to discussing a solution in partnership with the federal government.

The President and Governor have agreed to commence meetings next week, members of the Secretary for Public Security, Secretary of Prison Administration and the Ministry of Justice, will begin to examine possible solutions to the security crisis.

Direct contact between the two leaders coincides with São Paulo’s “Operation Saturation” wherein state military police have conducted operations in the capital’s slums, called favelas.

Militarized police conducted an operation in the favela Paraisópolis, yesterday, in which 22 people were arrested and 15 weapons, 324 rounds of ammunition of various calibers, 2.4 kilograms of cocaine, 254 kilograms of marijuana and 50 units of synthetic drugs were seized.

Paraisópolis is the only favela still under the control of the military police.

The escalation of violence in the richest region of the country is the worst since May 2006, when the organized crime group Primer Comando de la Capital (roughly translated to First Capital Command) carried out a series of attacks on police and civilian targets, bus fires, executions, and riots in some 50 prisons across the country.

The federal government intervened back in 2006 to help stop the violence.

As of yesterday there had been 83 murders committed in an 11 day period in Brazil’s largest city and financial capital.  Between that report and today another 19 people were shot and 10 died.

For further information, please see:

Correio do Brasil – Dilma oferece Exército para conter violência; Alckmin recusa – 3 November 2012

Folha de S.Paulo – Dez pessoas são mortas e um PM baleado em São Paulo – 3 November 2012

Jornal Hoje – Violência na região metropolitan de São Paulo provoca mais dez mortes – 3 November 2012

mdz – Brasil: violencia en Sao Paulo deja más de 160 muertes en un mes – 3 November 2012

Fox News – Violence continues in Brazil’s largest city – 2 November 2012

 

 

 

Anti-Islamist Activist Fined in Tunisia

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TUNIS, Tunisia – This past Tuesday, the District Court in Menzel Temime found two journalists, Sofiane Chourabi and Mehdi Jlassi, guilty of “drunkenness and public indecency.” Each were ordered to pay a 104 dinar ($67) which consisted of an 100 dinar fine for indecency and a four dinar fine for drinking alcohol in public during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

Anti-Islamist blogger Chourabi plans on appealing what he alleges is a sham conviction. (Photo Courtesy of Amnesty International)

The two were arrested on August 5th for drinking alcohol on a Kelibian beach where they were camping. The trial was the result of a case brought by a man claiming that he was a victim of the “moral offense.” Chourabi and Jlassi could have faced six-months in prison.

“I will appeal the court’s decision because it confirms accusations which I totally reject and deny,” said Chourabi. “It is an unfair trial, completely made up and baseless. It is about intimidating the opponents of Ennahda’s policies.”

Chourabi insists that he and Jlassi did not disturb anyone. He claims that at the time of the arrest the two were asleep in their tents in an isolated place. He also alleges that the confession he made back in August was phony and forced “under police pressure.”

Chourabi first gained notoriety for his criticisms of former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali policies. Since Ben Ali had been removed, Chourabi has been critical of the current ruling Islamist party Ennahda. A day before his arrest, he had called for a demonstration before the Interior Ministry to protest moves by the religiously conservative Ennahda party that would serve to stifle public freedom.

Fines for drunkenness and indecency are necessary to maintain public order, however, they should not be used harass and unfairly bully the ruling party’s opposition.

“Restrictions of individual freedoms in the name of public order must be necessary and proportionate, and must never be used as an excuse for prosecuting government critics and other political activists,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa program.

She went on to say that “[t]hese convictions must be quashed, and the Tunisian authorities must refrain from prosecuting individuals who freely exercise their fundamental rights, including their right to freedom of expression.”

“It is disappointing to see that at a moment when Tunisia should be proving its commitment to human rights, these convictions send out quite the opposite message and are reminiscent of practices under Ben Ali.”

For further information, please see:

Amnesty International – Tunisia Must Overturn Journalists’ Convictions – 30 October 2012

Daily Star Lebanon – Tunisian Anti-Islamist Blogger Fined for ‘Indecency’ – 30 October 2012

Middle East Online – Tunisian Anti-Islamist Blogger Fined for ‘Indecency’ – 30 October 2012

Tunisia Times – Tunisie: Sofiane Chourabi et Mehdi Jelassi Condamnés à 104 Dinars D’Amende – 30 October 2012