Former Bosnian Serb leader Karadzic Acquitted of Genocide Charge

By Connie Hong
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe  

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Yugoslav war crimes tribunal acquitted the former Bosnian Serb leader, Radovan Karadzic, of one charge of genocide.  The charge covered the mass killings, expulsions and persecution by Serb forces of Muslims and Croats from Bosnian towns early in the country’s 1992-95 war, which left 100,000 dead.

Radovan Karadzic cleared of one genocide charge in The Hague
Radovan Karadzic acquitted of one genocide charge. (Photo Courtesy of The Guardian)

Karadzic was arrested in 2008, 13 years after he was first indicted on charges of masterminding Serb atrocities during the war.  His trial started in 2009, and prosecutors finished presenting their evidence in May.  Earlier this month, Karadzic had asked judges to dismiss all 11 counts against him, claiming that the prosecutors had failed to prove their case.

The judges found that while there was enough evidence to uphold murder and persecution charges in the early stages of the war, the killings did not rise to the level of genocide.

Presiding judge Oh-Gon Kwon said prosecutors did not provide enough evidence to “be capable of supporting a conviction of genocide in the [Bosnian] municipalities.”  A conviction of genocide requires a showing of intent to wipe out a specific group in whole or part.

Karadzic’s lawyer, Peter Robinson, welcomed the latest decision.

“Dr. Karadzic and myself both thought it was a courageous decision of the trial chamber to say at this stage of the case that there was no genocide in the municipalities in Bosnia in 1992.  But I do expect that the prosecution will want to appeal [against] this decision.”

Prosecutors had no immediate reaction, but the acquittal sparked outcry from survivors of the Bosnian war.

“We are shocked and disappointed,” said Edin Ramulic, who heads an association of victims in Bosnia’s Prijedor region.  “We have no reason to hope now that the Serbs will go through catharsis and acknowledge that the non-Serbs in Prijedor had been killed, tortured, exterminated, raped.”

Karadzic still faces one genocide charge regarding his alleged involvement in the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys.  Additionally, Karadzic also faces 9 other counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his alleged role in running a violent campaign to eliminate non-Serbs from parts of Bosnia.

Karadzic is expected to start arguing his case on October 16.  Karadzic’s former military chief, General Ratko Mladic, is also on trial on almost identical charges.  The first witness in that trial is scheduled to begin testifying in early July.

 

For further information, please see:

The Guardian — Radovan Karadzic cleared of one genocide charge in The Hague — 28 June 2012

The New York Times — Ex-Leader of Bosnian Serbs Fails to Get War Crimes Trial Halted — 28 June 2012

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty — ICTY Drops Genocide Charge Against Karadzic — 28 June 2012

 

Syrian Revolution Digest – Sunday 1 July 2012

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

*WARNING VIDEOS MAY CONTAIN GRAPHIC IMAGES*

R2P vs. D2A – Transition Vs. Partition!

While world leaders refuse to commit to their Responsibility to Protect, as evidenced by the fiasco in Geneva, Assad is wholeheartedly committed to his “Duty to Annihilate,” as he so kindly put it. Political pressures will not change Assad’s mind. Unless plans are formed in consultation with Syrian opposition groups and introduced under UN Chapter VII allowing for clear enforcement mechanisms to be agreed, Assad’s war against the Syrian people will continue, so will the massacres, the ethnic cleansing, and the irrevocable disintegration of Syria. 

Sunday July 01, 2012

A number of massacres were perpetrated by pro-Assad militias over the last 48 hours. The largest of which took place lace in Saturday June 30 in the Damascene Suburb of Zamalkawhen 85 people were killed when a car bomb went off during the funeral for a local activist.

The moment of the explosion http://youtu.be/HNUg448Erls The first few seconds following the explosion http://youtu.be/RlBM2wj-44M Retrieving bodieshttp://youtu.be/6LBdU9xzHsg , http://youtu.be/U-Sm9EQ7DIc ,http://youtu.be/UglcLe5YgqE Helping the wounded http://youtu.be/LW9HqAvj1T4Collecting the bodies in the local field hospital http://youtu.be/YMIq4AoTPBQ Preparing for the burial http://youtu.be/FP0kozCv0wQ , http://youtu.be/xjB-NEdb20w The burialhttp://youtu.be/L17lhUIZdfc , http://youtu.be/uKVwd8FZrEc

News

Op-Eds & Special Reports

Disorganized Like a Fox Why it’s a great thing that the Syrian opposition is fragmented.

Paper trail leads to Damascus Sticking to its reactionary, faux-revolutionary politics, the paper (Al-Akhbar) has regularly delivered fulsome praise for Assad, portraying him as the last bulwark against Western imperialism.

This time, the delay in sending out updates was not caused by traveling but by power outage caused by the recent storm that hit the Washington Metro Areas.  

This interview was given on May 31, some things have changed since, but most arguments remain quite relevant

 “After more than a year of conflict, the violence in Syria is finally being recognized as a civil war. This weekend, world powers are preparing for a high-level meeting that the US hopes will be a turning point in the Syria crisis. To discuss the international community’s search for solutions and the goals of protesters, AAM sits down withAmmar Abdulhamid, a leading Syrian human rights and pro-democracy activist, and fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.” (The interview could also be watched on YouTube).

By Ammar Abdulhamid, Reuf Bajrovic and Kurt Bassuener
“U.S. domestic politics emboldened Milosevic in both Bosnia and Kosovo; it is doing the same in Syria. To prevent Syria from becoming the new Bosnia, the West should apply its Balkan lessons before Assad finishes applying his. The United States must lead, lest it once again stain its collective conscience.”

On the Geneva Conference and the proposed unity government

A plan without clear endgame and clear enforcement mechanisms is not a plan meant to save Syria, but one meant to stall for time and save face of certain leaders who couldn’t agree on anything of substance.

“Rebels report that nearly 200 tanks have moved to positions on the Turkish border, north of the city of Aleppo. The tanks are apparently there to attack rebel held towns, not fight invading Turks. In the last two days, the Turks have moved more troops and anti-aircraft missile units to the Syrian border.”

Comment: We should soon find out if the Turks mean business or if their move is another empty gesture. Assad and his militias are willing to gamble, because they believe they have a strong fallback position along the coast. The only thing they have to lose is control over areas that are already beyond their control. So, while world leaders talk transition, Assad & Co. are working towards partition.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s and NATO’s true intentions are more accurately captured by these comments by Andrew Finkel in the New Yorker:

Yes, Syria’s implosion could degenerate into a regional conflict involving Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and maybe even Russia. And yes, Turkey has summoned other NATO members to discuss the threat to its national security under Article 4 of the alliance’s treaty. But the odds that these tensions with Syria will trigger Article 5 and require NATO to respond in collective self-defense are basically nonexistent: The last and only time that article was invoked was in response to 9/11. Neither Turkey nor the rest of NATO is looking for a fight.

But the world does not move by intentions. There are now hundreds of tanks and missile batteries on either sides of a very porous and hot border, which opens the doors for all different sorts of nasty possibilities, and a showdown of sorts is looming.

The Obama Administration’s attempt at containing the matter by casting doubts on the Turkish version of what took place in regard to the downing of the Turkish jet is not only inadvisable, it’s downright foolish. Undermining your only NATO ally in the region is stupid politics. First E.U. gives Turkey the cold shoulder and now the U.S. Meanwhile, Russia is sticking by her allies through thick and thin.

Turkey might be about to get embroiled in a war after many months of trying to stay aloof. The final decision has not been made yet, and the U.S. may be trying to dissuade the Turks, but this may not be that realistic at this stage. Just as Obama has certain domestic calculations to take into account, so do Turkey’s leaders.

Indeed Erdogan might truly distrust his generals, but Assad’s actions are challenging his and his generals’ credibility at this stage. As such, they may not have a choice but to put their differences aside and embark on a course of action meant primarily to shore up their embattled image at home, and their ability to retain credibility in a region that shows no mercy for the weak.  The vacillations of Turkey over the last few months and the inherent contradictions between official statements and official actions have had a negative effect on the way Turkey and her leaders are being perceived in the region. Seeing that Turkey has no alternative at this stage but to pursue its eastward drive, its shaken image there has to be redressed. Erdogan in particular needs to show that he is capable of making difficult choices when it comes to foreign entanglements.

Video Highlights

Locals in Mourek, Hama Province, find unidentified bodies in their townhttp://youtu.be/By4QLCcYric

The pounding of Houla, Homs Province, continues http://youtu.be/aMWv1O3n36k ,http://youtu.be/vDR5mmr_kgk

Locals from the Damascene Suburb of Arbeen claim that the object we see here falling from a helicopter gunship is a person that was executed by pro-Assad troopshttp://youtu.be/LVUfcfM8Npg

In Homs City, the pounding of the Old Neighborhood continueshttp://youtu.be/6M4PVXbZydo , http://youtu.be/sVQa_Idf3wE ,http://youtu.be/o3jCtgL2i6k Meanwhile, the pounding of Houla continueshttp://youtu.be/R5wguG-iqEs , http://youtu.be/YxDDXdrPZtc ,http://youtu.be/Y8SscIVImm8 and Talbisseh http://youtu.be/4tNwakqPxNA In Rastan, choppers take part in the pounding http://youtu.be/78mDGGjS5e4 In Bouaydah Sharqiyeh http://youtu.be/zekie3xZJu8 The ethnic cleansing of the town of Ghanto is almost complete http://youtu.be/hDswlo4blJ8 But in Houla, locals bury their dead and remain defiant http://youtu.be/WXNn158RUpI

In Deir Ezzor City: rescuing the wounded of today’s shellinghttp://youtu.be/cC_tnPZI3W8

In Khirbet Ghazaleh, Daraa, the pounding continues http://youtu.be/8hJL6TdkadY InDaraa City as well http://youtu.be/gS13aDz22Wo A helicopter gunship takes part in the pounding in Matayeh http://youtu.be/M8IFf83NLVk And in Taybehhttp://youtu.be/CAgzGWsp3uc

In the restive areas of Lattakia Province, pro-Assad militias start forest fires to drive out local fighters http://youtu.be/BEHYVk0meQ8 IN nearby town of Jisr Ashoughour in Idlib Province, the same tactic is employed http://youtu.be/BlknPrEtwew And in Rastanhttp://youtu.be/shH1INddCrs

In Damascus Suburbs, the regime follows the massacre in Zamalka, by intensive pounding of the nearby towns of Harasta http://youtu.be/YlOzqjQmR5c ,http://youtu.be/0bOFzIxjGns and Douma http://youtu.be/McGLmxdDXUQ

Former RUF Rebel Convicted of Contempt in Taylor Trial

By Jessica Ties
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – A Sierra Leone man, Eric Koi Senessie, has been found guilty on eight out of nine contempt of court charges following a trial that began on June 11 at the Special Court in Freetown.

Eric Koi Senessie has been convicted of contempt of court for tampering with witnesses in the trial of Charles Taylor. (Photo Courtesy of Sierra Express Media)

The charges arose from allegations that he tried to persuade prosecution witnesses to recant their testimony in the trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Four of the counts accused Mr. Senessie of offering bribes to witnesses and the other five counts alleged that he attempted to influence witnesses.

According to prosecutors, Mr. Senessie repeatedly harassed at least three of the prosecution’s witnesses at their homes and offered to pay them in exchange for recanting their testimony against Charles Taylor.

The prosecution called witnesses who had testified at Taylor’s trial and reported harassment by Mr. Senessie to testify against him at trial. Mr. Senessie testified on his own behalf and called five  additional witnesses to testify in his favor.

After hearing testimony, Justice Teresa Doherty found that Mr. Senessie had “…knowingly and willfully interfered with the administration of justice…” and convicted him on all counts except for one count of attempting to influence a witness.

The maximum penalty for a contempt conviction is seven years imprisonment, a fine of twenty million leones which equates to approximately $4,600 in American currency, or both. The actual sentence will be determined after the prosecution and the defense submit recommendations on sentencing.

Mr. Senessie was once a member of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), a rebel group that was supported by Charles Taylor during civil war in Sierra Leone. Taylor aided the RUF by abetting in terrorism, murder, rape, conscription of child soldiers and pillage in exchange for diamonds.

Charles Taylor was convicted of eleven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity last month and given a sentence of fifty years in prison.

 

For further information, please see:

Sierra Express Media – Eric Koi Senessie Convicted of Contempt of Court for Witness Tampering – 23 June 2012

Jurist – Sierra Leone War Crimes Court Convicts Former RUF Member of Witness Tampering – 22 June 2012

Voice of America – In Taylor Trial, Tampering Conviction for Ex-Rebel – 22 June 2012

Modern Ghana – Contempt Trial of Eric Koi Senessie Opens at the Special Court for Sierra Leone – 8 June 2012

Crackdown on Student Protests Continues

By: Ryan Aliman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

KHARTOUM, Sudan – Supporters of the Khartoum government have burned down student dormitories in Khartoum University last Monday.

Protests continue over Sudan's austerity measures. (Photo Courtesy of Radio Dabanga)

Composed of students and security agents, these pro-government forces also set ablaze different offices in the University while they attacked and detained student demonstrators.
These assaults were part of a crackdown on the protests that started on June 16 at Khartoum University. Various student groups and youth movements gathered to clamor against President Omar Al Bashir’s announcement that the national government shall raise taxes and prices and cut fuel subsidies. These austerity measures are an attempt to recover from the country’s US$ 2.4 billion deficit which was exacerbated by the split between Sudan and South Sudan in July last year. In a span of 10 days, the protests grew and spilled over to other parts of the country.

The Sudanese police and security authorities responded to these demonstrations with severe force. Reports show that government forces, joined by pro-government students, have fired tear gas and live ammunition injuring the protesters. They have also held several students in custody. Once detained, these students were reportedly blindfolded and beaten. They were also forced to sign a promissory note that they will no longer participate in any protest once they are released. Some of the detainees, meanwhile, have been sentenced to lashings for violating South Sudan’s public order laws. The authorities also conducted widespread raids across the country and arrested relatives of the protesters and members of the opposition party.

When asked to comment on the demonstrations, President Al-Bashir dismissed these as insignificant. He referred to his dissenters as “foreign -backed aliens and bubbles”. He also endorsed the “forceful and immediate” suppression of the protests and threatened to deploy “real jihadists” or “Muhajhdeen” once the demonstrations escalate further.

On June 27, Human Rights Watch released a report urging Sudan to rein in security forces and to release or charge the detainees. Human Rights Watch Africa director Daniel Bekele suggested that Sudan might be using the protests as “an excuse to use violence and intimidation to silence dissenters”. “Authorities should call off their security forces and vigilantes, end the violence immediately, and respect the right of the people to protest peacefully”, he pleaded.

According to the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, security forces shall employ nonviolent means as far as possible before resorting to the use force. Authorities shall exercise restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense if the lawful use of force is unavoidable.

 

For further information, please see:

Sudan Tribune – Sudan Protest: UN Urges Restraint and Respect for Human Rights – 28 June 2012

Sudan Tribune – HRW Urges Sudan to Rein in Security Forces, Release or Charge Detainees – 27 June 2012

Bikyamasr – Sudanese Call for Friday Mass Demonstration Against Bashir – 27 June 2012

Albawada – Sudan Day of Rage: June 29 – 27 June 2012

Radio Dabanga – Dormitories of Protesting Students set Ablaze by Sudan Security Agents – 26 June 2012

Worldwide Release of “S.O.S. — Siege on Syria”: A Short Film Highlighting the Atrocities in Syria and a Call to Action

Syrian artists are calling on the International Criminal Court to hold the Syrian Regime accountable for their crimes against humanity and demand an immediate stop to the murder of civilians, the bombing of hospitals, the rape of women, and the torture of prisoners which are all currently being perpetrated by Bashar al-Assad and his regime in Syria.

At a special evening for the International Criminal Court in The Hague, commemorating the farewell of the first Chief Prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, and the welcome of his successor Fatou Bensouda, The Cinema for Peace Foundation, presented the first official screening of “S.O.S. – Siege on Syria”, a short film, which sheds light on the unbelievable atrocities being committed by the Assad regime in Syria. The film follows members of the local Arab community and supporters of the Syrian revolution as they assembled a flash mob in Detroit, Michigan to raise awareness of the ongoing violence in Syria; and aims to bring to attention to the Syrian uprising for freedom and dignity.

The film has already reached several members of the European Union and was screened for a select assembly of U.S. congressmen and the U.S. ambassador to Syria on June 22, 2012. Cinema for Peace is asking everybody to screen this film and distribute it in social media networks, so it can reach a worldwide audience. Since the film’s shooting, the number of Syrian martyrs has already doubled with nearly 20,000 Syrians massacred, many of which have been women and children. As well as targeting civilians with shelling, fighters have also moved in on the ground and brutally shot and stabbed peaceful civilians to death. In addition to the many thousands murdered, there are hundreds of thousands more who have been displaced. A Syrian activist and victim featured in the film declares, “Everyone that can say a word, and doesn’t say that word, the blood of the people dying is on their hands”

In response to this plea, Syrian artists and Cinema for Peace Foundation are releasing “S.O.S. – Siege on Syria” and calling for the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad and his regime; an urgent deliverance of mediators, emergency supplies and humanitarian aid to the afflicted civilian population, and an immediate stop to the violence and murder of innocent civilians.

Invisible Children have joined the charge, standing with Cinema for Peace Foundation in calling for an international unified voice demanding an end to the violence. “We are a generation who will not stand for the brutality against our brothers and sisters, wherever that may be. As a part of a global connectivity, there is a responsibility that flows from it.” The strength of a worldwide call can provoke change, and Cinema for Peace Foundation in partnership with Syrian artists and Invisible Children are appealing to the international community to be a part of bringing peace and justice to Syria by sharing “S.O.S.- Siege on Syria” as far and wide as possible and appealing for the freedom of the Syrian people.

 

Cinema for Peace Foundation
Friedrichstraße 113
D – 10117 Berlin
Phone: +49 – (0)30 76 77 525 – 22
Fax: +49 – (0)30 76 77 525 – 20
info@cinemaforpeace.com
www.cinemaforpeace.com