Monks Protest Establishment of an Office of Aid for Rohingya Muslims
By Irving Feng
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
NAYPYIDAW, Myanmar – Thousands of Buddhist monks in Myanmar took to the streets to protest the establishment of an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) office which would supply aid to Rohingya Muslims in the country.
Three thousand monks marched through downtown Yangon, the former capital, holding banners which read “No OIC.” In Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, thousands of protestors said they could not accept the establishment of an OIC office in the country. Further demonstrations sprang up in the town of Pakokku in the central region of the country.
Plans to set up an OIC office in the northwest Rakhine state had been in the works until the recent protests. Rakhine had been the stage for violent clashes between native Buddhists and the Rohingya Muslims in June which resulted in at least 77 deaths and displaced thousands more.
The demonstrations by the monks, a powerful political force in the predominately Buddhist country, was followed by an announcement by the president’s office which conveyed that an OIC office would not be opened in Rakhine after all. President Thein Sein’s office stated that due to the popular desire of the people, the government would not sanction the opening of the OIC office. It is uncertain whether or not the protests were directly linked to the government’s announcement.
The United Nations has described Rohingya Muslims as one of the most persecuted minority groups in the world. Human Rights watch has also found evidence of state sponsored discrimination and persecution against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.
Myanmar is currently home to approximately 800,000 Rohingyas with no state to call home due to their illegal immigrant status. Thousands of Rohingya were displaced by the violence in Rakhine and have been seeking shelter in temporary homes and refugee camps. The conditions that Rohingya Muslims are currently living in are described as abject and dire.
Government officials have been criticized by the United Nations as contributing to the problem by allowing violence to occur against the Rohingyas rather than implementing policies to curb it. Lawmaker Aung San Suu Kyi, an advocate for Burmese rights, is under fire from the international community for failing to advocate for the Rohingyas. The Burmese are suffering from the same denial of basic rights.
Amidst the arsons, ethnic clashes and other violent displays directed at the Rohingyas, many have attempted to flee by sea to neighboring Bangladesh. Those that have attempted to fled, however, were met by Bengali security forces and turned away, forcing their return to Myanmar to endure persecution, discrimination and illegal status.
For further information, please see:
Al Arabiya News – Mass monk rallies against OIC in major Myanmar cities – 15 October 2012
Al Jazeera – Myanmar scraps Islamic group’s office plan – 15 October 2012
Press TV – Myanmar bans OIC from opening office for Rohingya Muslims – 15 October 2012
Reuters – Buddhist monks march in Myanmar to thwart Islamic office plan – 15 October 2012
Yemenis Demand an End to Saleh Immunity
By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
SANA’A, Yemen — Lawyers representing victims and family members of those who died in last year’s Friday of Dignity Massacre have requested that the appellate court in Sana’a add the names of thirteen defendants to a list of others who were potentially involved in the tragic event. The slaughter took place on March 18, 2011, when more than fifty people were killed during a protest for reform near Sana’a University. Charges were also filed against former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. He lost control of Yemen during last year’s revolution.
Among those charged is Saleh’s nephew, Yehya Abdullah Syed, who still holds a senior position in the country’s central security services. He is charged with “inciting and participating in the killing of young protesters.” The list of defendants also includes others affiliated with the former president, such as his top aides, who are also accused of playing a part in attempting to quell last year’s revolution. Former Interior Minister Motahar Rashad Al-Masri and the former Head of Central Security Services, Abdulmalik Al-Taieb, were also named.
On the day of the massacre, gunmen, who witnesses described as hired “thugs” working for Saleh, shot at protesters from the rooftops around a square at Sana’a University, killing 52 and wounding many others. Relying on eyewitness accounts, lawyers alleged on Saturday that the gunmen were driven to the site in cars bearing presidential license plates. The act was scorned and condemned by Western powers and human rights groups. Hundreds of people were killed during the revolution. It ended when Saleh promised to leave office after he accepted a Gulf-brokered power transfer deal that offered immunity from prosecution for himself and his aides.
Faisal Al-Majid, a member of the prosecuting team that represents the victims and their families, said that even though Saleh bargained for immunity when he left office, it does not mean that an investigation cannot be carried out. He also claims that Saleh could still be brought to trial.
“U.N. Charters don’t allow human rights-related crimes to be exempt from prosecution,” said Al-Majid. “We will see in the next days the seriousness of the Yemeni judiciary in dealing with this issue in a fair and effective way.”
Youth groups who want to see Saleh and his former aides stripped of their immunity continue to stage rallies. Mohammed Saeed Al-Sharabi, a pro-democracy protester who witnessed the carnage, labeled the trial a “farce,” believing that it will not result in jail time for Saleh or anyone else who is immune from prosecution.
“Many revolutionaries are completely unsatisfied with this trial. How are they conducting a trial while the main defendants are released?” he asked.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for November 23.
For further information, please see:
The News International — Yemenis Demand Saleh Trial — 14 October 2012
Yemen Times — Lawyers Seek to put Ousted Saleh on Trial — 14 October 2o12
Al Jazeera — Families of Killed Yemenis Demand Saleh Trial — 13 October 2012
Khaleej Times — Yemenis Demand Saleh Trial — 13 October 2012
Wounded Pakistan Teen Relocated to the United Kingdom
By Alexandra Sandacz
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe
LONDON, United Kingdom – On Monday, a wounded teenage activist, who was shot by the Taliban, was airlifted from Pakistan to the United Kingdom for more specialized medical treatment. The teenager was also transferred to the UK to protect her from potential various other militant attacks.
A week ago, in Pakistan, 14-year-old Malala Yousufzai was returning home from school when the Taliban targeted her for promoting girls’ education and criticizing the militant take over of Swat Valley. Two armed men stopped the van Malala was in, asked which girl was Malala, and opened fire. One of the shots hit her in the head and wounded two others.
The Taliban admitted they sent assassins, despite a tribal code forbidding the killing of women. The Taliban threated to continue targeting Malala until she is killed because she promotes “Western thinking.”
Due to continuing threats, the Pakistani military released a statement, “It was agreed by the panel of Pakistani doctors and international experts that Malala will require prolonged care to fully recover from the physical and psychological effects of trauma that she has received.” The military also suggested that Malala be transferred to a center in the United Kingdom that has the ability to provide adequate care to children who have undergone serious injuries.
The decision to relocate Malala was also determined with her family. Malala was flown from Pakistan on an air ambulance and accompanied by a full medical team. She will be treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. The Pakistani government confirmed they would pay for her treatment.
Before Malala was moved to the UK, Pakistani doctors had already removed a bullet from Malala’s body. Malala’s initial recovery was described as satisfactory, and she is able to move her legs and hands.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said, “The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism. Malala’s bravery in standing up for the right of all young girls in Pakistan to an education is an example to us all.”
Yousufzai, a schoolgirl, became a symbol of resistance against the Taliban’s efforts to deprive girls of an education.
Former UK Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, launched a petition in Malala’s name “in support of what Malala fought for.” He stated, “The petition calls on Pakistan to ensure that every girl like Malala has the chance to go to school.” He also called on the international community to guarantee that all children will have access to education by the end of 2015.
For further information, please see:
BBC News — Malala Yousafzai, schoolgirl shot by Taliban, now in UK – 15 October 2012
The Independent — Pakistani girl Malala Yousufzai who was wounded in an assassination attempt by the Taliban arrives in Britain for NHS treatment – 15 October 2012
Reuters — Pakistani schoolgirl shot by Taliban sent to UK for treatment – 15 October 2012
The Washington Post — Pakistan airlifts girl activist shot by Taliban to the United Kingdom for treatment – 15 October 2012
Syrian Revolution Digest – Sunday October 15 2012
Cluster This!
Use of cluster bombs by Assad falls short of violating the Obama Redline. As such, the development might at best generate a condemnation, but no action should be expected.
Sunday October 14, 2012
Today’s Death toll: 220. The Breakdown: death toll includes 8 children and 3 women. 140 martyrs fell in Damascus and suburbs (including 100 found in local hospital between Daraya and Moadamia), 21 in Idlib, 12 in Aleppo, 12 in Lattakia, 12 in Deir Ezzor, 11 in Homs, 9 in Daraa, 9 in Tartous, and 2 in Hama (LCC).
News
Special Reports
Turkey and Syria share a meandering border over 500 miles long, where in places the villages seem to merge, families share their names and pedigrees, if not their passports, and twisted olive trees roll out over the hillsides. Here, amid the quiet rhythms of rural life, people are witnessing what for 19 months had been one of the gravest concerns about the war next door: that it would spill over the border, draw in neighboring nations and, in a flash, become a regional conflagration. War, it becomes clearer by the day, is inching closer to home.
President Bashar Assad’s embattled regime is believed to have one of the largest chemical weapons stockpiles in the world. Fears have risen that a cornered Assad might use them or that they could fall into the hands of extremists, whether the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, an Assad ally, or al-Qaida-inspired militants among the rebels.
What are we worried about? That Syria will become a state sponsor of terrorism? That it will be hostile to the US and to Israel? That it will be a repressive dictatorship that jails and murders thousands of people? That it will be an ally of Iran, our principal enemy in the region? Syria is already all of those things.
Ammar Abdulhamid & Khawla Yusuf: The Shredded Tapestry: The State of Syria Today
Alawite Defections
In regarding to high level defections among Alawites, it should be noted that Col. Zubaidah Almiqi is not the highest ranking Alawite officer to defect. We know there are more. But Col. Almiqi seem to have been selected to come out in the open because she is one of the few Alawites who hail from the Golan Heights, an area far from the Alawite heartland along the Syrian coast. Being surrounded by rebel bases her family might be safe from loyalist retributions. As we have seen from the situation in Qardaha, dissention in the ranks will be followed by immediate clashes and retributions, as such, it requires careful management. In tactical terms, Alawites who grew disillusioned cannot just “dissent,” they have to plan an uprising and stick with it. This requires careful planning, something that might already be taking place.
Chemical Obama
If the Obama Administration were seriously concerned over the issue of Syrian WMDs falling in the wrong hand, they had a strange way of showing it. Indeed one would have expected a more proactive attitude towards managing the entire situation, including working closely with the opposition to form a transitional government and agreeing on a transitional plan, working closely with the rebels to establish a clear command structure and supervising all efforts meant at arming and training the rebels. This approach would have undercut any attempt at building radical networks by Jihadists in Syria. Instead, the Obama Administration remained aloof, and failed to lead on any front, even from behind. American officials and experts were missing in action throughout the crisis, other western officials followed their lead. This left the doors wide open for a variety of regional actors to approach the conflict on the basis of their own particularistic priorities and in the manner to which they were accustomed: building up radical Islamist networks on the ground (the main backers here are Saudi and Qatar, but always with Turkish support) and using Islamists in exile to lead all work on political transition abroad (Turkey’s work with the Muslim Brotherhood, and Gulf support going to Salafist groups and figures).
Consequently, fear of WMDs falling into the wrong hand are now more justified than they have ever been before, but, at this late stage, there may not be a way for the U.S. to secure the WMDs’ without employing a foot-on-the-ground approach. But if such an approach is used without rebel support and withoutsupporting rebels in their fight against Assad, than any U.S. involvement in this regard could have negative repercussion on the situation and will further radicalize sentiments.
The Obama Administration has recently sent troops to Jordan reportedly as part of a potential future operations meant to secure Syria’s WMDs. But it is not clear that such an operation would entail considering the fact that WMDs locations are scattered throughout the country, and seeing that contact with rebel groups remain too sporadic to allow for efficient coordination of efforts. Little can be achieved without active support from rebels, but rebels are unlikely to help the Administration achieve its objectives, if the Administration is not willing to help them achieve theirs.
By doing nothing, the Obama Administration has, in fact, done plenty to make its own worst scenario in Syria come true, and we all have to live with the consequences of its folly.
Video Highlights
In Idlib and Aleppo rebels bring down two more MIGs: Idlibhttp://youtu.be/xta_ojZbgsY
More towns and villages are being liberated by rebels in Aleppo and Idlib: Heesh (Idlib) http://youtu.be/6YTdUePAQDA
Jabhat Al-Nusrah takes part in liberating a missile base in Aleppo Provincehttp://youtu.be/vGJ50S-9ogE , http://youtu.be/3xjMXSlCvCc
Leaked video shows pro-Assad militias “arresting” a local activisthttp://youtu.be/57XVLLd78UU Another shows a cold-blooded summary executionhttp://youtu.be/uuUcuQ2wL3g
The historic Omayad Mosque in Aleppo City was set on fire as result of shelling by pro-Assad militias. The mosque was used at first as a base by pro-Assad militias who wrote offensive graffiti on its walls, leading to a push by local rebel unit to liberate it, which, in is turn, encouraged pro-Assad militias to shell it. Like every choice made by rebels and activists since the beginning of this revolution; it always boils down to a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” type situationhttp://youtu.be/F9m1Xb4pEAU
In this TV interview with a Gulf-based channel, the Salafist Scholar Adnan Arour, addresses the issues of foreign fighters and the nature of the desired state in Syria: he says that rebels do not need foreign fighters coming to fight and die on their land, because they have enough men. Rebels needs money, not men, he says and insists that this is the right way for interpreting Sharia law in this regard. He also says that the state that rebels want to establish and that he supports is a state that respects the right of all for dignity, freedom and justice, not an Islamic state. He adopts this point of view, he says, not because he does not believe in an Islamic state, but because he believes that it cannot be established by force but by admonishment http://youtu.be/3w5LPysbUSc. This is a marked diversion from his earlier stands: at the beginning of the revolution, Shaikh Arour even issued a fatwa against challenging the ruling regime, but, he quickly reversed his position, lent support to the revolution and called for retribution against the Alawites. He, then, reversed that position as well. Over the last few months, Shaikh Arour seems to be trying to become a more acceptable figure to a larger swath of Syria’s Sunni population by carefully calibrating his positions and moderating his views. His strategy seems to be working: he has more followers in Syria now than he had ever enjoyed. His ability to bring material support to the rebels has boosted his popularity as well. Indeed, Arour’s recent venture into the liberated areas in the north was fruitful and resulted in the establishment of the Union of Military Revolutionary Council. Though the Union is not as large as its other Islamist rivals: the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Syria, the Tawhid Brigades, the Jabhat Al-Nusrah (the Syrian incarnation of Al-Qaeda) or its pragmatist rivals, especially the Syria martyrs Brigades, much could change in the days and weeks ahead as facts on the grounds remain in flux.
A bomb in the plush Mazzeh Autostrad Neighborhood targets In-House, a Starbucks-type coffeehouse. The explosion took place at dawn, making clear that the intention was to spread fear rather than produce casualtieshttp://youtu.be/HEHnibCOU6Y