Rights Groups Charge Syrian Forces of Using Cluster Bombs

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria — On Sunday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced that new evidence emerged proving that the Syrian air force used cluster bombs near a main highway that runs through the town of Maaret Al Numan, where a major confrontation between Syrian and rebel forces recently took place.  Rescuers said that the attack killed at least 49 people, 23 of them were children.

Human Rights Watch recently said that Syrian forces shelled the town of Maaret Al-Numan with cluster bombs. (Photo Courtesy of Al Arabiya)

Medics and rescuers said that two housing complexes and a mosque, where many woman and children had taken refuge, were among the wreckage.  Among those killed is a 9 month old baby.

Non-governmental groups say that up to 40 percent of the bomblets failed to explode and that 98 percent of the victims are civilians, including children who mistake them for toys.

Rebels responded to airstrikes by opening fire from heavy machine guns mounted on pickup trucks.  One rebel said “[i]t doesn’t matter if we die.  We must shoot down these planes.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the air force’s targets included a rebel camp near the town of Wadi Deif, where there is a major storage facility for heavy armor and fuel.

The Observatory accused the military of also dropping cluster bombs on the town of Saraqeb, north of Maaret Al-Numan. The military has denied using cluster bombs, insisting that it does not possess them.

Syrian activists have posted videos online showing cluster munition remnants in and around towns located in the Northern governorate of Idlib, Homs governorate, and Lattakia governorate.  The bomb canisters show damage and wear markings produced by being mounted and dropped from aircrafts.  Residents from the towns of Taftanaz and Tamanea also confirmed to HRW that helicopters dropped cluster bombs on or near their towns on October 9.

One resident from the Taftanaz told HRW that Syrian forces had shelled the town for the past six weeks, and that on October 9, a helicopter “dropped a [bomb] and as it fell it broke into half and released smaller [bomblets]…”  The strike hit a field of olive trees near the local airport, no casualties were reported.  The resident also reported seeing around 30 unexploded bomblets after inspecting the site.

In Tamanea, one resident reported that around noon on October 9, a low flying helicopter “released a [bomb]… that split open between two schools, Intermediary and Elementary, very close to each other…”  The resident also said that “The [bomblets] that exploded were the ones that hit the ground on the tip; we collected the ones that didn’t explode, their tip didn’t touch the ground.”

Meanwhile, the Observatory reported that at least 130 people were killed nationwide on October 15, including three children, when the army shelled the town of Abu Kamal on the Iraqi border.

For further information, please see:

Gulf News — Cluster Bombs hit Town as Syria Envoy due — 19 October 2012

Al Arabiya — Damascus Denies Using Cluster Bombs as U.S. Urges Syria Neighbors to Survey Airspace — 16 October 2012

Human Rights Watch — Syria: New Evidence Military Dropped Cluster Bombs — 14 October 2012

Kuwait Times — Cluster Bombs hit Syrian Town – 49 die as Jets Hammer Rebel-Held Town

U.N. Experts Warn Colombian Forces Could Avoid Justice

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

BOGOTÁ, Colombia – United Nations Human Rights experts published an open letter today voicing serious concerns that constitutional amendments currently before Congress would enable members of the military or police forces (Fuerza Pública) to avoid prosecution for substantial violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Colombian Honor Guard at the Presidential Palace in Bogotá. (Photo courtesy UN News Centre)

The proposed amendments pertain to articles 116, 152 and 221 of Colombia’s Constitution.  According to the 11 experts who signed the letter, the modifications would essentially allow the Fuerza Pública to self-police, at least at the initial critical stages of investigations.

The constitutional reform project would expand the jurisdiction of military or police tribunals, giving them the power to investigate, process and decide on cases of human rights violations, which, according to the experts, should be under the authority of the ordinary criminal justice system.

According to the letter, “[S]uch a reform would represent a historic setback to the progress achieved by the State of Colombia in the fight against impunity and respect and guarantee of human rights.”

Notably, the criminal military justice institutions would not gain jurisdiction over crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and the crime of enforced disappearances.  However, military and police courts would be competent to investigate, process and judge a long list of other violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including war crimes; arbitrary detention; cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment; and other violations such as violence against the person and mutilation; taking of hostages; outrages upon personal dignity, including humiliating treatment; and the obligation to treat persons taking no active part in the hostilities humanely in all circumstances, without any distinction on grounds of ethnicity, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria, prohibited by virtue of common article 3 of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. These courts could also have jurisdiction over crimes committed by private security forces.

Paramilitary groups were set up in the 1980s by rich landowners looking for protection from rebels. But as they pushed back insurgents, the militias often massacred people on suspicion that they had colluded with guerrillas.

Over the last decade, scores of members of Colombia’s Congress have been jailed for links to paramilitary groups, and new accusations and cases continue to arise six years after the militias officially demobilized in a government-run process.

Thousands of people have been killed and millions more displaced in 50 years of war between the Colombian government and leftist guerrillas, whose grievances include the unequal distribution of land.

Negotiators from the government and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have agreed to meet in Cuba in mid-November to start what are likely to be thorny peace talks aimed at patching together an end to the conflict, both sides said in Norway on Thursday after initial talks.

For further information, please see:

Chicago Tribune – Colombian forces could skirt prosecution, U.N. experts warn – 22 October 2012

Colombia Report – Colombian constitutional reform ‘undermines justice’: UN – 22 October 2012

KUNA – UN experts call on the authorities to reform the military criminal justice in Colombia – 22 October 2012

United Nations Human Rights – Open letter by Special Procedures mandate-holders of the Human Rights Council to the Government and representatives of the Congress of the Republic of Colombia – 22 October 2012

 

Venezuela, Argentina And Ecuador Declared Most Dangerous South American Countries For Journalists

By Brendan Oliver Bergh
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

BRASILIA, Brazil – A report issued by the International American Press Association (IAPA) has declared that Argentina, Ecuador and Venezuela were the most dangerous countries for journalists and the free press.

Journalists Attacked After Chavez Election. (Photo Courtesy of El Universal)

Early on October 9 Argentina’s top TV Journalist was imprisoned in a Venezuelan airport backroom. Jorge Lantata a critic of the Venezuelan and Argentinean political regimes was detained along with his crew. During their detention they had their camera, computer and cellphone data erased before being allowed to leave the nation. Just hours after covering the Venezuelan election they were interrogated and accused of espionage by Venezuela’s secret service.

The disappearing and intimidation of journalists and dissidents in Latin America is no new event. Many countries from South America have a history of trouncing on the men and women who tolerate and preserve freedom of the press. Colombia for example has seen 54 murdered journalists in the past decade. Yet while civil liberties are being broadened in the hemisphere, freedom of the press still faces many obstacles. After meeting in San Paolo Brazil the 68th General Assembly of IAPA released a survey that 67% of journalists in the region thought that freedom of the press was at risk in the hemisphere, while 82% of journalists in Venezuela believe that the press is most at risk under newly elected President Chavez.

The IAPA continued that 13 journalists have been murdered in the past six months in Mexico, Honduras, Brazil and Ecuador “[F]or the simple fact that they were doing their work.” They continued that the press is being intimidated at times for informing the people “On issues relevant to the national and international public.”

The threats facing the freedom of the press is not simply violence and threats, but the government institution that creates statutes and regulations help to stifle a free press. There are major factors threatening freedom of speech including impunity in cases involving free press violations, censorship and the relationship between journalists and the governments they report on.

The IAPA accused the presidents of Venezuela, Argentina and Ecuador of silencing independent journalists in their respective countries. Jaime Mantilla the new president of the IAPA explained that the governments do this “Through regulatory legislation, discrimination in official advertising, and immense state-run and private media mechanisms used to slander and carry out dirty campaigns.”

In 2011 four journalists were killed in Brazil, 3 in Peru and one each in Colombia and Paraguay.

 

For further information, please see:

ABC News – Press Group Says Violence Threatens Americas Media – 16 October 2012

Infosur Hoy – IAPA: Argentina, Venezuela, Ecuador Most Hostile To American Journalism – 15 October 2012

El Universal – IAPA Survey: Press Freedom In Venezuela Is At Risk – 15 October 2012

The Guardian – Venezuelan Secret Service Erased Our Data, Claims Journalist – 8 October 2012

The Guardian – 24 Journalists Killed In Latin America In 2011 – 6 January 2012

First Private Abortion Clinic Opens in Northern Ireland Amid Protests

By Madeline Schiesser
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

Belfast, Northern Ireland – On Thursday, Northern Ireland’s first private abortion clinic opened its doors in Belfast, despite protest.  The Marie Stopes sexual- and reproductive-health clinic will offer abortions and other services within the strict laws of Northern Ireland, where abortion is illegal except when the life or long-term health of the mother is in danger.

Pro-life protestors, including those of the Catholic and Protestant faith, lined up in front of the Marie Stopes clinic on Thursday in Northern Ireland. (Photo Courtesy of Irish Times)

Several hundred pro-life protestors lined the street in front of the clinic in pouring rain, to object to its opening.  In particular, Catholics and Protestants were well represented among the crowd, according to the Guardian.  The Catholic Demonstrators sang hymns and recited the Rosary while the Protestants waved posters.

Ciara Coyle, a protestor from Derry said that she believed abortion was wrong “no matter what the circumstances”.   She asserted that there was not a demand in Northern Ireland for abortion services and that “Northern Ireland is a pro-life country, like the whole of Ireland, and we will continue to make our stand against this baby-killing clinic.”

The pro-life protestors later cheered when Bernadette Smyth, spokeswoman for the pressure group Precious Life, predicted their campaign would “run Marie Stopes out of Ireland”.

Most pro-choice activists in Belfast elected to avoid the potential confrontation of a counter-protest.  However, one lone pro-choice campaigner demonstrated, despite attempts to shout her down.

Danni Stanfield, 21, a local student, held up a homemade sign, stating “Been in the situation? Only then does your opinion count.”

She explained, “Many of the people here today who are pro-life, if they were in that situation themselves they might take a different point of view. . . . I am not saying to women who get pregnant unplanned should have an abortion but rather that they be allowed that choice.”

Although Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, its abortion laws are much stricter than those in the rest of the U.K.  In the U.K., a woman may receive an abortion within the first 24 weeks of a pregnancy, provided that continuing the pregnancy carries a greater risk than termination to the physical or mental health of the woman, and that she has the permission of two (one in an emergency) doctors.  Exceptions can be made for extenuating circumstances past the 24 week limit.

However, in Northern Ireland, a woman only has the first 9 weeks of a pregnancy to receive an abortion.  Such abortions may only be performed medically (i.e. chemically, not surgically).

Currently, about 40 abortions are performed in Northern Ireland each year for medical reasons, and about 1000 Irish women travel to Britain or Europe to receive abortions.

By contrast in the Republic of Ireland, abortion is illegal.  An unborn child is considered an Irish citizen with full rights under the Irish constitution.  There is concern in the Republic that if abortion availability increases in Northern Ireland, women will be more likely to cross the border and receive abortions.

The Marie Stopes clinic has already begun to see backlash to its presence.  Northern Ireland Attorney General John Larkin has invited the Stormont Justice Committee to investigate the operations of the Belfast clinic.

Representatives of the clinic have stated they will only provide abortions within the bounds of the law.

Activists are hopeful that the new clinic is a sign Ireland is moving forward, even as some, such as commentator Chris Ryder, suggest that Irish society is unfortunately “groping its way towards the modern era.”

For further information, please see:

Irish Times – Northern Ireland: ‘Groping its way Towards the Modern Era’ – 20 October 2012

BBC News – Marie Stopes: Call for Investigation into Belfast Abortion Clinic– 18 October 2012

BBC News – Protesters at Marie Stopes Private Abortion Clinic in Belfast – 18 October 2012

GlobalPost – Ireland’s First Abortion Clinic Opens, Draws Protesters – 18 October 2012

The Guardian – Anti-abortion Activists Protest at Belfast Clinic Opening – 18 October 2012

The Guardian – Anti-abortion Activists Protest at Opening of Belfast Marie Stopes Clinic –18 October 2012

Syrian Revolution Digest – Saturday 20 October 2012

A Policy or A Eulogy?

 

Anymore delays and the world will have to come up with a eulogy for Syria rather than a policy. But even then, one’s still has to wade in blood to attend the burial ceremonies. The fact that the world has chosen to turn its back on us does not mean that it will not be sucked, back first, into the developing black-hole.

 

Saturday October 20, 2012

 

Today’s Death toll: 123. The Breakdown: Toll includes 6 women and 5 children: 67 in Damascus its Suburbs (including 14 in Saqba and 10 in Arbeen), 19 in Aleppo, 14 in Deir Ezzor, 9 in Homs, 7 in Idlib, 4 in Daraa, and 3 in Hama.(LCC)

 

Other Developments: LCC counted 70 points of indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets including 8 shelled by fighter jets, and 5 with TNT barrels. Meanwhile, the FSA reported clashing with loyalist forces in 14 locations, carrying out 7 operations against regime loyalist positions.

 

News

 

 

 

 

Special Reports

 

 

Locals in eastern Turkey, bearing the brunt of the fallout from Turkey’s involvement in Syria, believe Ankara is merely a pawn in US plans to foment conflict in the region.

 

Leading from the front against Assad, Hezbollah, and Iran, Wissam al-Hassan was an American ally.

 

 

BEIRUT (AP) — Syria has a long and tumultuous history of meddling into Lebanese affairs. For much of the past 30 years, the seven-times-smaller Lebanon has lived under Syrian military and political domination.

 

 

The blend of poverty, religious piety and anger could define the future of Aleppo, and perhaps the rest of Syria, if the rebels take over the country’s largest city, which is also its economic engine. They may be tempted to push their own version of Islam, which is more fundamentalist than what is found in the city. Their bitterness at the business class may prompt them to seek ways of redistributing the wealth.

 

 

THE government of Syria, trying to contain a rapidly expanding insurgency, has resorted to one of the dirty tricks of the modern battlefield: salting the ammunition of anti-government fighters with ordnance that explodes inside rebels’ weapons, often wounding and sometimes killing the fighters while destroying their hard-found arsenals.

 

 

Reporting from inside Syria is becoming increasingly difficult for foreign journalists. But all forms of media – particularly Syrian state TV – are strictly controlled to serve the interests of the regime, and Syria currently ranks 176th out of 179 countries in the International Press Freedom Index. BBC Monitoring’s Mike Linstead explains how social media sites are becoming the new battleground for control of news and information as pro-government and anti-government activists use the internet to get their side of the conflict across.

 

 

Syria as a nation-state is crumbling…. The United States and Europe, in partnership with key regional states, must play a larger part in stemming the increasingly dangerous dimensions of the Syrian conflict. The reluctance of the United States to pursue difficult – but likely more effective – policy options, as well as the obvious divisions within the international community, are making a bad situation worse. This paper puts forward five policy principles to help revitalize the partnership between Syrians fighting for change and their supporters in the international community.

 

Op-Ed

 

 

Assad’s aggression is an expression of his contempt not just for Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan but, in addition, the United States. He sees, on the one hand, Iran rallying all the members of its alliance network in the region (Hezbollah, Iraqi Shiite militants, and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki) to prop him up and to isolate their common adversary, Turkey. On the other hand, Assad sees the US leaving its Turkish ally and the Syrian opposition alone in the cold.

 

Ammar Abdulhamid & Khawla Yusuf: The Shredded Tapestry: The State of Syria Today

 

Video Highlights

 

Leaked video shows pro-Assad militias celebrating around the burnt out remains of an activist from Douma Suburb, Damascus http://youtu.be/cpLoOqJOO20

 

Another leaked video, this one from Deir Ezzor City, shows how pro-Assad militias carry out their sweep operations, including intimidation of local civilians and random arrests http://youtu.be/bxXSeExN6Sk

 

A third leaked video shows a raid against a local field hospital. Pro-Assad militias interrogate and abuse the wounded asking to be shown where the guns are hidden. “Tell us where the guns are if you want to get out of here alive, otherwise you are all dead.” They focus their abuse especially on the man with a beard and a shaved moustache who is obviously a Salafi  http://youtu.be/t5T6usMTN8c

 

Sbeineh, Damascus: children among the dead http://youtu.be/RXOt5zbZiH0

 

Aleppo City: street battled continue in several locations: Salaheddinehttp://youtu.be/enPjkAKEa84

 

In Maraat Al-Nouman, Idlib Province: the pounding of the liberated city with fighter jets and TNT barrels continues http://youtu.be/Hgm9YSIPI0E

 

In Tal Abyad, Raqqah Province, a new Islamist fighting brigade is formed: The Grandchildren of the Prophet http://youtu.be/_Vh4MxVV2IA