Syrian Revolution Digest – Tuesday 10 July 2012

THE COMMENTARY IN THIS PIECE DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF IMPUNITY WATCH.  

*WARNING VIDEOS MAY CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES*

A Bloody Bit of History Repeating!

There is nothing about the situation in Syria: a dictator and his inner circle manipulating sectarian sentiments pitting few social groups against others, perpetrating massacres and spreading mayhem, all in order to remain in power… The reality is: we’ve seen this scenario playing out many times before. The indifference of international leaders and their confusion have always been part of the plot as well. But that’s exactly what makes this situation so tragic. The suffering is also real.

Tuesday July 10, 2012

Today’s Death toll:  71. The Breakdown: 19 in Deir Ezzor, 12 in Damascus (11 in Suburbs, 1 in City), 11 in Aleppo, 8 in Homs, 7 in Daraa, 7 in Idlib, 3 in Hama  and 1 in Lattakia.

News

Op-Eds & Special Reports

A country at war with itself. Bombs and civilian massacres. Yet, in Damascus, the music plays on.

Some 10,000 lives have been lost during the Syrian government’s vicious crackdown on protesters, according to the United Nations, and the violence is threatening to spread to neighboring countries.  Yet in the capital of Damascus, the music plays on for the nation’s elite. To the Christians, Alawites, and secular Sunnis, President Bashar Assad has guaranteed stability in the country.

“In general, we want to see all sanctions tightened and strengthened,” said Ammar Abdulhamid, a political activist based in Washington. “But the issue of diesel is complicated, as our own people could get hurt.” More on the Venezuela Connection in CNN’s: Venezuelan diesel shipments to Syria fuel controversy

Not one or two or three or four or five towns are getting pounded every day, but dozens. Dozens of towns and suburbs and villages across Syria are getting shelled indiscriminately using heavy artillery, tanks and helicopter gunships. The whole thing is happening in full light of day. Why is this permissible? What happened to promises of “never again?”

Video Highlights

Members of the FSA manage to capture one of Assad’s security chiefs Brig. Gen. Munir Shlaibeh, an Alawite from the town of Jableh. He was responsible for running an anti-terrorism unit based in the Midan District in Damascus, and is known for involvement in the Seydnaya Prison Massacre in July of 2008. He says “there are no terrorists” and asserts that his unit did not kill anyone. He was obviously physically abused. He keeps shuffling around, which might suggest that he was beaten on the soles of his feet. He was forced to chant “Curse your soul Hafiz.” He was asked if he planned to defect and join the FSA, he replied “they will execute my children.” He insists though that “President Bashar has no knowledge of what’s happening.” He says he thinks the Salafi Sheikh Adnan Arour, popular among Islamist protesters, to be a “moderate” cleric and says that he wishes the FSA will treat him fairly.  http://youtu.be/H9RSFM0xc7Y This is a leaked video showing the aftermath of the Seydnaya Massacre, we can see Brig. Gen. Shlaibeh appearing in civvies, as is the habit of security chiefs, at the end of the clip (1:16) http://youtu.be/o6x6r9WqdIE

The town of Hreitan, Aleppo Province, gets pounded again http://youtu.be/JXeLUYHQaykdespite the presence of UN monitors http://youtu.be/YL5UuMxw9lo Local resistance provides security http://youtu.be/-KBWK3xYEsI Helicopter gunships flies over the town at low altitude observing the observers http://youtu.be/DwCbnuq5HaQ UN monitors inspect damage and talk to locals http://youtu.be/ghmoECYbfkU

Nearby Eizaz is pounded with tanks http://youtu.be/Pzd13ZtgwEg Hayan is also poundedhttp://youtu.be/JNbwrnzdqME , http://youtu.be/D5gzATzMMBg ,http://youtu.be/_7B4g1Se0_8 , http://youtu.be/0Unwo03GYWU In nearby Anadan, local fighters take control of a tank http://youtu.be/WaA_BsNcwIg

Nearby Houla is pounded as well http://youtu.be/wyW91zuv8tM Talbisseh is pounded again http://youtu.be/kAhE_C4TOdE , http://youtu.be/XumgM5Cu0g4

As for Homs City, you can just taste the hate driving the nonstop pounding of the Old Homs:Jouret Al-Shayah http://youtu.be/z-ipsXLrLHs , http://youtu.be/howUqDMp9Vk ,http://youtu.be/fpW56ZOQ5oQ , http://youtu.be/zvu-d23G4dM ,http://youtu.be/YA0DIHNyKd8 Hamidiyeh http://youtu.be/TtncEjDJ-70

Khan Shaikhoon, Idlib Province: local resistance bring down a chopperhttp://youtu.be/_hbBA22XnNA

Towns and communities in Daraa Province continue to heavy pounded including by helicopter gunships as is the case in Jizah http://youtu.be/FfnrPpMcFSE We can hear local activists laugh as they film this scene showing missiles leaving the chopperhttp://youtu.be/A0Y4EkHyS58 Obviously, the attempt to terrorize is not successful, but the havoc and the deaths wrought are all too real.

In Hama, the villages along Jabal Shahshabo continue to be poundedhttp://youtu.be/LiDdt1B449I , http://youtu.be/VXLC9STWCz8

In Damascus Suburbs, pro-Assad militias continue to perpetrate their massacres in Eastern Ghoutah region – the strip of forest and farmlands to the East of Damascus City. The latest massacre took place in Deir Al-Asafeer http://youtu.be/PF2-cJWSJpQ Nearby Harastais pounded http://youtu.be/tQHBK1m_6qU

In Lattakia Province, local fighters are trying to defend against the ethnic cleansing of the last remaining Sunni enclaves in the mountain facing the coasts where the population is made up of Arabs, Kurds and Turkmen. On July 8, local fighters killed 20 pro-Assad militias in an ambush http://youtu.be/H9RSFM0xc7Y

Woman’s Public Execution Sparks Protest

By Mark McMurray
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

KABUL, Afghanistan— On Wednesday, over one hundred people took to the streets of Kabul to protest the execution of a 22-year-old-woman.

An Afghan woman protests in Kabul. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

Najiba, the woman executed last month, was accused of adultery in a village in Parwan province, sixty miles north of Kabul.  Caught on tape, the execution has been broadcast by news outlets across the world.  The horrific video shows a woman being shot multiple times while men who gathered to watch the murder cheer.  Protestors and the international community, reacting to the footage, have called for the government of Afghanistan to do more to protect the rights of women.  In response to mounting pressure regarding the incident, government officials blamed the killing on the Taliban.  The group has denied the killing, saying it would have conducted the execution according to proper sharia (Islamic) law.

Wednesday’s march saw protestors make their way from the ministry responsible for women’s affairs to the UN headquarters in Kabul while chanting “We want justice!”  The group, which consisted mainly of women, included mothers with babies and children in school uniforms further demanding “Death to the men who killed our sister!”

Sinkai Karokhail, a member of parliament who marched with the protestors, told AFP, “The execution of the woman by the Taliban was a crime … the government must do everything to bring the culprits to justice.”

With a recent pledge of $16 billion for development from Tokyo donors due to be paid out over the next four years, the news of the execution raises questions about the proper role of aid within Afghanistan.  Wazhma Frogh, a leading women’s rights activist in Afghanistan, said at the protest, “We are grateful for the aid money, but we want it to be used to bring women justice and peace, the Afghan government needs to be held accountable.”

Afghan women are starting to feel more left out of society, as years of war and cautious donors threaten to roll back the gains women have made in the country following the downfall of the Taliban.  Additionally, with foreign troops set to leave by the end of 2014, there is a real concern about the advancement of women’s rights in the country currently ranked as the world’s worst place to be a woman, according to a major global poll last year.

For further information, please see:

Afghanistan Times – Afghans Protest Recent Public Killing of Woman – 11 July 2012

Reuters – Afghan Women Protest for Rights After Public Execution – 11 July 2012

Telegraph – Afghan Women Protest Over Woman’s Public Execution – 11 July 2012

VOA – Afghan Activists Protest Woman’s Public Execution – 11 July 2012

Smuggling Bust Illustrates China’s Human-Trafficking Issue

By Karen Diep
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China – Yesterday, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) arrested more than 40 smugglers in its operation against the largest known cross-strait human-trafficking syndicate.  According to Taipei Times, this syndicate is responsible for smuggling hundreds of Chinese men and women into Canada and Australia.

Nurses examine rescued infants. (Photo Courtesy of XinHua News)

In 2010, the NIA’s border affairs uncovered evidence linking Feng Sheng-hsing, a former syndicate member, to Wang Cheng-wei, a member of another cross-strait trafficking group.

In 2005, Mr. Feng, using fake passports, smuggled hundreds of Chinese men and women into both Canada and the United States.  According to the NIA, Mr. Feng first purchased Republic of China (ROC) passports, searched for those wanting to leave China, and subsequently added the participant’s photograph to the passport.

The agency attested to the syndicate’s 50 successful operations, smuggling one to four people per operation, and its profit of $50,000 to $70,000 per person.  Moreover, the syndicate is purportedly the “largest human-trafficking group in Asia, Australia and North America” with estimated profits of $3.34 MM.

Contrary to Feng and Cheng’s eager participants, other syndicates participate in a younger and reluctant market.

On Monday, approximately 10,000 authorities arrested 802 suspects in China for child-trafficking and freed 181 children, who are often sold for adoption or labor.  These children were allegedly auctioned off to the highest-bidder for roughly $7,700 each.

In 2011, the Public Security Ministry released a report stating that the police have recovered tens of thousands of abducted women and children.  It highlighted a raid against a syndicate  trafficking Chinese women into Angola for prostitution that resulted in 19 rescued and 16 arrested.

“We have zero tolerance when it comes to child trafficking and will make the utmost efforts to make sure that every trafficker is caught,” said Chen Shiqu, the ministry’s Anti-Human Trafficking Director.

According to BBC, some believe that child-trafficking is the product of China’s one-child policy and lax adoption laws.  It has allegedly created a “thriving underground market,” stated Martin Patience of BBC.

Despite the reason behind its existence, human trafficking remains a profitable and strong market for organized crime.

 For further information, please see:

Taipei Times – NIA cracks human trafficking group – 11 July  2012

XinHua News – Police pledge to fight child trafficking – 7 July 2012

BBC News – Chinese police ‘smash’ trafficking gangs frees 181 – 6 July 2012

The Independent – Over 800 held after police break child-trafficking ring – 6 July 2012

Forbes – China Vice Busts Human Trafficking Ring – 23 June 2012

 

American Red Cross Chapter Holds War Simulation “Raid Cross” to Educate Youth

By Eric C. Sigmund
Legal Advisor, International Humanitarian Law Dissemination, American Red Cross NHQ

Washington, DC – On June 25, 2012, the District of Columbia Chapter of the American Red Cross held a war games simulation called Raid Cross to educate children about international humanitarian law.  This body of law, also referred to as the “laws of war” or “laws of armed conflict,” is the body of law which applies during armed conflicts and limits the means and methods of warfare.  The Raid Cross this year consisted of 25 youth volunteers between 13 and 18 years of age.  The interactive event teaches young citizens the importance of preserving human dignity in times of conflict.

Featuring seven different stations, Raid Cross placed youth volunteers in simulated combat situations to provide an experience of some of the hazards that exist in conflict zones.  As the volunteers began the half-day activity they were asked to assume the roles of soldiers or medics in the “Haddarian Army,” or humanitarian aid workers for the Red Cross.

The soldier participants were placed in the position of a commander, forced to make tough choices about whom to target in battle.  Playing the role of medics, youth participants were asked to decide to whom they would provide critical medical assistance after an intense battle.  Those assigned to be humanitarian aid workers attempted to dodge a sniper (armed with a water gun), who indiscriminately shot at volunteers, as they sought to deliver aid to soldiers in distress.  These were just three of the thought- provoking wartime scenarios in which the volunteers participated.  At the end of each station, the participants were debriefed about their performance and the laws of war applicable to each situation.

Raid Cross is one of a number of unique educational tools utilized by the American Red Cross to spread awareness about international humanitarian law.  Under Article 47 of the first Geneva Convention, all nations party to the treaty are required to educate both their military and citizenry about the laws of armed conflict.  Within the United States, the duty of educating the public has been assigned to the American Red Cross.

By the end of the simulation the youth volunteers were familiar with the rules and principals of international humanitarian law.  They had also experienced the task of making difficult decisions quickly that were still in accordance with the laws.  Armed with this knowledge of the law, the volunteers were encouraged to think critically and strategically about the current conflict situations existing around the world and to become more global citizens.  Educating the public through fun and interactive programs, like Raid Cross, the American Red Cross continues its mission to spread awareness about armed conflicts and the need to protect vulnerable populations under the law.

For additional information about this event and other international services contact your local Red Cross chapter or email Eric Sigmund at eric.sigmund@redcross.org.

 

For further information, please see:

Leesburg Today – Teens Hit Paintball Course for Mock Militia Games – June 26, 2012
The Magazine of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – Raid Cross – Are You Game? – Feb. 26, 2006

Russian Government Facilitates Lobbying by Convicted Criminal Klyuev Against Magnitsky Sanctions at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Monaco

Press Release

8 July 2012 – Dmitry Klyuev, convicted in 2006 for a $1.6 billion attempted fraud, and lawyer Andrey Pavlov, who were shown to be central to $800 million of successive frauds against the Russian treasury uncovered by the late Sergei Magnitsky, both attended the OSCE parliamentary assembly in Monaco today in order to lobby against the Magnitsky sanctions. Their participation was facilitated by members of the official Russian delegation.

In order to gain access to the OSCE parliamentary assembly facilities, two members of the Russian delegation gave their badges and escorted Klyuev and Pavlov to the OSCE Convention Center at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. The Russian officials helping Klyuev and Pavlov’s attendance at the OSCE assembly were Gleb Reshetnikov, secretary of the Russian delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (gleb@duma.gov.ru), and Ilya Kostunov, a deputy of the Russian Duma (http://www.duma.gov.ru/structure/deputies/131106/).

Gleb Reshetnikov (L) and Ilya Kostunov (R) helped Klyuev gain access to the OSCE parliamentary assembly.

“It is remarkable that Russian officials would advocate for convicted felon and his partner shown to have stolen $800 million from Russian people and involved in crimes that Sergei Magnitsky discovered for the exposure of which he was killed,” said a Hermitage representative.

Russian Duma deputy Ilya Kostunov who assisted Klyuev and Pavlov in Monaco is a former activist of Nashi youth movement, which is an organisation involved in attacks on Russian opposition figures and foreign diplomats. Most recently, in June 2012, Ilya Kostunov initiated an attack on Alexei Navalny, a prominent Russian blogger, over his anti-corruption work.

The details of the serial $800 million thefts and role played by Klyuev, Pavlov and his associates were revealed last month in “The Magnitsky Files,” an 18-minute movie shown in Washington by U.S. Senator John McChain and Freedom House David Kramer, and which is now available on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL9b5LP4Ubc)/.)  Over 280,000 Russians have watched it in the first week since its release.  The movie shows a pattern of joint trips by Russian government officials, Klyuev and Pavlov to Dubai, United Kingdom, and Cyprus after various crimes were committed.

Summarising the links between Russian government officials, Klyuev and his associates, U.S. Senator John McCain called on President Obama to proscribe the Klyuev group as a “transnational criminal organisation” and introduce targeted economic sanctions.

“Public information, much of it uncovered by Mr. Magnitsky himself before his arrest in Russia in 2008, suggests that the Klyuev Group has colluded with senior Russian officials to engage in bribery, fraud, embezzlement, company thefts, and other serious financial crimes…Activities of the Klyuev Group appear to put the U.S. and international financial systems at serious risk of abuse,” said Senator McCain (http://www.scribd.com/doc/98337177/Untitled).

“I write to you today to request that you begin a process to determine whether to designate and impose sanctions, under the Executive Order 13581, against a dangerous transnational criminal organization known as the “Klyuev Group,” said Senator McCain in the letter.

Sergei Magnitsky, a 37-year old Russian lawyer who was investigating the money laundering by the KOCG, was falsely arrested, tortured and killed in police custody two and a half years ago. His killers have not been brought to justice in Russia.

The theatrics of swapping badges with the government officials for Klyuev and Pavlov to get access to the OSCE Parliamentary assembly was unnecessary. According to the communications director for OSCE PA Neil Simon:

“The annual session is open to the press and the public.”

 

For further information please contact:

Hermitage Capital

Phone:             +44 207 440 17 77
E-mail:             info@lawandorderinrussia.org
Website:          http://lawandorderinrussia.org
Facebook:        http://on.fb.me/hvIuVI
Twitter:            @KatieFisher__
Livejournal:     http://hermitagecap.livejournal.com/

Press Contact for OSCE PA:

Neil Simon
Director of Communications
OSCE Parliamentary Assembly
+45 60 10 83 80
neil@oscepa.dk
www.oscepa.org