Obama-inspired Gay Marriage Bill Passes First Vote in New Zealand

By Mark O’Brien
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — New Zealand lawmakers overwhelming supported a gay marriage legalization bill this week that the bill’s sponsor said was inspired, in part, by U.S. President Barack Obama.

In its first of several votes, New Zealand Parliament overwhelmingly approved MP Louisa Wall’s gay marriage bill, which she said was partially inspired by U.S. President Barack Obama’s public support of the issue. (Photo Courtesy of The New Zealand Herald)

Parliament voted 80 to 40 after the bill’s first reading, well more than the simple majority needed to ensure a second vote.  Three votes are needed before the bill becomes law.

“I think the catalyst was around Obama’s announcement,” the bill’s sponsor, Labour MP Louisa Wall, told the Associated Press, referencing Obama’s declaration in May supporting gay marriage in the United States.  “Then obviously our prime minister came out very early in support, as did the leader of my party, David Shearer.  The timing was right.”

If the law ultimately passes, then New Zealand would become the 12th country to recognize same-sex marriage since 2001.  Recent polls show roughly two-thirds of New Zealanders support gay marriage.

But some political leaders cautioned observers that the vote was not an accurate reflection of the population.

Colin Craig of the Conservative Party indicated some MPs might not have done enough to get the views of their constituents.

“My biggest concern is the MPs who are just not consulting with their electorates at all,” Craig told Newstalk ZB.  “They’re being swayed by those who lobby with them directly, and we see that as a key point in terms of going forward on this one.”

Indeed, New Zealand media reported switches of support before the vote.  The New Zealand Herald reported that some of the significant turnarounds were National MP Paul Hutchison, who the day before the vote told the Herald he would oppose the measure; Labour MP David Clark, a former Presbyterian minister who was unsupportive of marriage equality a year ago; and, ACT MP John Banks, who was quoted as describing the gay marriage bill “evil” and its potential passing as a “sad and sickening day.”

Labour MP Phil Twyford explained to the Western Leader that it took him a month of talking with voters before he could reach a decision on how to vote.  Ultimately, he said the choice came down to doing “the right thing.”

“While there were differing views on the bill and some people have strong feelings, I believe the community on balance is ready to support the measure,” he said.  “I have been heartened to hear so many people express the view that all New Zealanders should have every chance in life regardless of color, sex, where they grew up, what school they went to, or who they choose to love.”

Still, opponents hope to stop the bill from becoming law.  Family First, a conservative lobby group, helped organize a petition drive that received signatures from 50,000 people against the measure.  The group’s founder, Bob McCoskrie, said government should not redefine marriage when civil unions suffice.

“Equality doesn’t mean sameness,” he told the Associated Press.  “Marriage has always been about the relationship of a man and a woman because of their natural potential to have children.”

For further information, please see:

The Western Leader — MPs Back Gay Marriage — 31 August 2012

The New Zealand Herald — NZ ‘Gayest Place on Earth’? — 30 August 2012

The Huffington Post — New Zealand Gay Marriage: 1st Stage of New Law Passed — 29 August 2012

Newstalk ZB — Day Has Arrived for Govt Vote on Gay Marriage — 29 August 2012

6th International Humanitarian Law Dialogs: Chautauqua Declaration

The highlight of the 6th International Humanitarian Law Dialogs, held at Chautauqua Institution Aug 27-28, 2012, is the Chautauqua Declaration . Here is part 1 led by Elizabeth Andersen, Executive Director of the American Society of International Law.

Chautauqua Declaration Renewed By International Prosecutors

By Remington Whitcomb (rwhitcomb@post-journal.com)
The Post-Journal

CHAUTAUQUA , New York – Nine international prosecutors gathered at Chautauqua on Tuesday to reaffirm the promises made in the Chautauqua Declaration five years ago.

H.W. William Caming discusses his opinions on the Chautauqua Declaration and international humanitarian law. 
P-J photo by Remington Whitcomb

Those who were not familiar with the event taking place at the Athenaeum Hotel may have mistaken the building for some sort of embassy, as a handful of languages were audible before the afternoon renewal of the declaration.

This is because nearly every single continent was represented at the event, either as a prosecutor or as a guest.

The event began with an address delivered by Elizabeth Andersen, representative of the American Society of International Law, and followed with the reaffirmation of the Chautauqua Declaration by the highly lauded board of international prosecutors.

The original Chautauqua Declaration, which was issued in 2007 stated that, “The challenge for states and for the international community is to fulfill the promise of the law they created; to enforce judicial decision and to ensure the arrest and surrender of sought individuals …”

To begin, Andersen gave the American Society of International Law’s purpose for supporting the International Humanitarian Law Dialogues.

“I can think of few activities of the society that better serve our mission than cosponsoring these dialogues,” said Andersen. “The opportunity to bring together experts in our field for careful discussion and debate … and disseminating that information to broad constituencies of international law, that is what we are all about.

“We are impatient for justice, as we should be,” continued Andersen. “Sometimes the process seems too slow, too compromised, but when we reflect on the legacy of the special court for Sierra Leone, we can take satisfaction in progress made, lessons learned … and now pass it on to future processes. … It is for that stock-taking of lessons learned and progress made, and to rededicate ourselves to the work that remains and inspire the next generation to carry it on that we convene the dialogues …”

Following Andersen’s address, the board of prosecutors reaffirmed and commented on the Chautauqua Declaration. The board consisted of: Fatou Bensouda, International Criminal Court; Serge Brammertz, International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia; H.W. William Caming, United States Military Tribunal of Nuremberg; David Crane, Special Court for Sierra Leone; Sir Desmond de Silva, Special Court for Sierra Leone; Brenda J Hollis, Special Court for Sierra Leone; Hassan Jallow, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; William Smith, Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia; Ekkehard Withopf, Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

When given the opportunity to say a few words about their accomplishments in arresting and prosecuting international war criminals, many took the opportunity to speak of the future, rather than of their many, many collective accomplishments.

“After nine years of activities, there is much we have achieved,” said Bensouda. “However, our work is far from over. We are facing many challenges, including outstanding warrants against 12 individuals.”

“I am a bit concerned as an American,” said Crane, “the United States of America has built a wonderful house beginning in 1945. It has built a house on which we seek justice for those at-large. Yet, as I look out into the not-so-distant future, particularly in the next five years, as (several tribunal courts) close, my question is: how many Americans will be a part of modern international criminal law? You won’t see anymore American chief prosecutors or judges or registrars or someone who had a leadership role in these courts, because they are all closed. So as we walk out of the house we built and close the door, within five or six years, we will only be able to look through the window of that house we built. … That’s what international justice is about: the camaraderie and teamwork of building something together under extreme circumstances and then watching it with colleagues.”

“I’ve had the privilege of listening to the words of remarkable men and women here in this room,” said Sir Desmond de Silva. “I leave Chautauqua with the renewed hope that I will see, and we will see, victory and justice over evil and the triumph of victims over despots. That is what we are here to achieve.”

Following the prosecutors’ comments, the audience gave a standing ovation which lasted for no less than a minute. The conclusion of the reaffirmation of the Chautauqua Declaration marks the end of the three-day ceremony of the International Humanitarian Law Dialogues.

UN Report Finds Gaza Will Not Be ‘Liveable’ by 2020

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

GAZA STRIP — In a comprehensive report published on Monday, the United Nations determined that the Gaza Strip will not be livable by the year 2020, unless measures are taken to improve the region’s water supply, power, health, and schooling.

Gazans currently rely on smuggled goods, which are transported through an underground tunnel connected to Egypt.  (Photo Courtesy of Haaretz)

According to the report, Gazans must double their current supply of electricity, and must provide at least 440 more schools, 800 more hospital beds, and more than 1,000 doctors if the region is to remain habitable.  The report also said that the region is suffering from a housing shortage, finding that tens of thousands of housing units must be constructed soon.

On Monday, U.N. Humanitarian Coordinater Maxwell Gaylard said in a press release that, “[A]ction needs to be taken now if Gaza is to be a livable place in 2020 and it is already difficult now.”  The U.N. expects the population to grow steadily from its current number of 1.6 million to 2.1 million by the year 2020.

Gaza has been under the control of Hamas, the armed political movement that refuses to accept peace with Israel, since 2007.  Despite international pressure, Israel refuses to lift its blockade on goods coming into the region out of fear that Hamas would be able to acquire weapons.

Because the Gaza Strip lacks both an airport and a seaport, it relies heavily on outside funding and illegal smuggling from Egypt through underground tunnels.  The U.N.’s report says that such circumstances makes Gaza’s economy “fundamentally unviable,”  also saying that Gazans are worse off than they were in the 1990’s despite the minor economic growth that the region has felt in recent years.

With 80 percent of Gazans dependent on charity, Gaylard has called on international donors to increase their aid.  “Despite their best efforts the Palestinians in Gaza still need help,” he said.  “They are under blockade.  They are under occupation and they need our help both politically and practically on the ground.”  Jean Gough of UNICEF believes that a lack of clean drinking water is the region’s greatest concern.  The report states that the water needs of Gazans has increased by 60 percent, and that urgent action is necessary to protect their current water source, a single aquifer that is estimated to become unusable by 2016.  The report also says that more desalination plants will be needed in the near future.

Gaylard believes that peace and security is necessary to improve the lives of Gazans.  “It will certainly have to mean the end of blockade, the end of isolation and the end of conflict.”

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera — UN Warns Gaza ‘Will not be Liveable by 2020’ — 27 August 2012

BBC News — Gaza ‘Will not be Liveable by 2020’ – UN Report — 27 August 2012

Business Insider — UN: Gaza Won’t be ‘Liveable’ by 2020 Unless Urgent Action is Taken — 27 August 2012

Haaretz — UN Report: Gaza Won’t be ‘Liveable’ by 2020 if Urgent Action not Taken — 27 August 2012

The Jerusalem Post — ‘Gaza Will not be ‘Liveable’ by 2020 Without Action’ — 27 August 2012

 

Assassination of Islamic Cleric Sparks Riots in Mombasa

By Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – The murder of Islamic cleric Aboud Rogo Mohammed, popularly known in Kenya as Rogo, sparked riots in Mombasa that began on Monday, August 27.

Civilians carry Imam Rogo’s body along the Mombasa-Malindi highway.(Photo Courtesy of BBC News)

Identified by the US and the UN as an aide and financier to Somalia’s Al Qaeda-linked Al Shebab militants, Rogo was driving a minibus with his father-in-law, wife and children when he was shot to death by “unknown people”, according to local police. Rogo’s family members reportedly survived the attack.

Upon learning of Rogo’s “targeted assassination”, his supporters began barricading the streets with burning tires in the predominantly Muslim neighborhood of Majengo as they clamored against the alleged “witch-hunt” against Muslims by the Kenyan government. They threw stones and fired machine guns at law enforcers; looted stores; and set ablaze churches. On Tuesday, they detonated a grenade in the area which injured almost a dozen officers and killed five people, including one civilian and three police officers.

The Kenyan police attempted to quell the unrest by retaliating with open fire and by arresting some of the protesters. So far, around 24 people are in detention and are likely to face charges of illegal assembly, arson and destruction of property. Anti-riot forces have also begun to patrol the streets armed with batons, teargas and rifles. In addition, they have ordered local residents to remain in their houses.

A day after Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Keriako Tobiko appointed Assistant Deputy DPP Jacob Ondari to assemble the team that will investigate Rogo’s murder, the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF) called for an end to the riots. Despite conceding that the police were behind Rogo’s death and characterizing the cleric’s assassination as an “extra-judicial killing”, the Muslim leaders openly condemned the violence inflicted upon the police and the burning of churches, stating that “Islam did not condone attacks on places of worship”.

Perhaps to avoid aggravating already strained Muslim-Christian relations in the region, Cabinet Minister Najib Balala, a member of the NAMLEF, reminded Rogo’s supporters that, “this is not a war between Muslims and Christians, it is war against crime.”

However, Prime Minister Raila Odinga seemed to disagree with Cabinet Minister Balala. “We suspect the hand of the enemies of our country in this, those who want to create religious animosity. It is an attempt to try create a division between Christians and Muslims in our country so that it appears it is a religious war,” he told reporters.

Foreign embassies, meanwhile, such as those of Australia, Britain and France have issued travel warnings for Mombasa, a popular tourist destination with a major Indian Ocean port.

 

For further information, please see:

BBC – Kenya Cleric Rogo Riots: Mombasa Death Toll Rises – 29 August 2012

Reuters – Kenya PM Blames Killing of Muslim Cleric on Nation’s Foes – 29 August 2012

The National – Kenyan Police Officers Killed in Mombasa Riots over Imam Death – 29 August 2012

Daily Nation – Muslim Leaders Call for End to Mombasa Riots – 29 August 2012

Arab News – Riots Break Out for 2nd Day in Kenya over Cleric’s Death – 29 August 2012