Al-Assad’s Regime Agrees to Peace Accord, Brings Hope To End The Violence

By Adom M. Cooper
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria–According the spokesman for UN delegate Kofi Annan, The Syrian government has agreed in principle to accept the joint UN-Arab League envoy’s six-point plan on ending the violence in Syria. This is tremendous news for the civilians of Syrian who are desperate to see the violence end and receive proper humanitarian attention.

Kofi Annan and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. (Photo Courtesy of Reuters)

“The Syrian government has written to the joint special envoy Kofi Annan, accepting his six-point plan, endorsed by the United Nations Security Council. Mr. Annan views this as an important initial step that could bring an end to the violence and the bloodshed, provide aid to the suffering, and create an environment conducive to a political dialogue that would fulfill the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.”

The six points of the peace plan are listed below:

1)Syrian-led political process to address the aspirations and concerns of the Syrian people

2)UN-supervised cessation of armed violence in all its forms by all parties to protect civilians

3)All parties to ensure provision of humanitarian assistance to all areas affected by the fighting, and implement a daily two-hour humanitarian pause

4)Authorities to intensify the pace and scale of release of arbitrarily detained persons

5)Authorities to ensure freedom of movement throughout the country for journalists

6)Authorities to respect freedom of association and right to demonstrate peacefully

Mr. Annan is currently in Beijing on a mission to remove any skepticism about his six-point plan so that it can be approved and implemented. Annan met with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, who pledged his support for the tireless efforts to bring peace to the people of Syria, and Annan has also met with Russian President Dmitri Medvedev in Moscow. It seems that support from both China and Russia should see the plan through and have the needed assistance reach the citizens of Syria immediately.

China and Russia are both close allies of Syria and already blocked two United Nations Security Council resolutions that condemned al-Assad’s regime. Their previous blocking of resolutions has drawn harsh criticism from Western nations. China continues to oppose foreign military intervention or any type of regime change after witnessing Western forces helping in the successful removal of Libya’s Moammar Gaddafi.

Russia President Medvedev stated on Tuesday 27 March 2012 that it was “short-sighted” to believe that the solution to the crisis is Assad agreeing to Western demands to step down.

As the news of al-Assad’s willingness to agree to the plan broke, opposition forces in Syria known as the Syrian National Council (SNC) met for a second day in Istanbul, Turkey to have a meeting of the minds on common objectives for their nation’s future as the weekend’s “Friends of Syria” conference looms. The opposition in Syria is fragmented and has struggled to remain united in the face of the regime’s deadly crackdown. The talks in Istanbul are aimed at bringing the members to a general consensus and securing international recognition.

Basma Kodmani, a spokeswoman for the SNC, shared these words with Reuters.

“A peaceful transition means that the regime needed to be changed. And that starts with the removal of the head of the state. Mr. Annan’s initiative for us should lead to development of clear terms of reference for negotiation on the modalities of change. Not on whether the change should happen or not.”

While al-Assad and the opposition leaders continue to talk amongst themselves, the situation on the ground has not changed at all. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Syria forced continued their assault across the nation with at least eight people, including three women, killed overnight in battle with rebel troops. Video posted on the Internet by activists showed thick black smoke and blazing buildings in a district of Homs. There were wounded and bleeding men and women lying in a street.

The United Nations has estimated that more than 9,000 people have lost their lives in Syria’s upheaval over the past year, according to the UN Middle East envoy Robert Serry. The Syrian government has continually blamed foreign-backed terrorists for the violence and reported that 3,000 soldiers and police have been killed.

Activists in Syria have shared their skepticism for Kofi Annan’s plan, noting that the Syrian government had only partially implemented a previous Arab League-led plan to halt the violence. A rebel spokesman, identifying himself as Abu Rami, shared with Reuters from Homs, the main arena for fierce fighting between Syrian forces and protesters, that he expected the violence to continue.

“It’s like other initiatives that have been before. They did not stop the shelling.”

There is a widespread consensus among Syrians that al-Assad is simply attempting to bog down Annan and his team of mediators in a frivolous diplomatic process that will give him political cover to continue his military campaign against the opposition. One can hope that Annan’s plan and method of implementation will not allow this to happen or hope for change will dissipate. And the life of every Syrian civilian and protester will remain in imminent danger.

 

For more information, please see:

Ahram – Syria Accepts Annan Peace Plan – 27 March 2012

Al-Jazeera – Syria ‘Accepts’ Annan Plan To End Strife – 27 March 2012

BBC – Syrian Government Accepts Annan Peace Plan – 27 March 2012

The Guardian – Syria ‘Accepts Annan Peace Plan’ – 27 March 2012

NYT – Syria Reportedly Accepts Peace Plan as Clashes Erupt Near Lebanon – 27 March 2012

Reuters – Annan Says Syria Accepts Peace Plan – 27 March 2012

Washington Post –Syria Accepts Annan’s Peace; China, Russia Also On Board – 27 March 2012

 

 

 

 

Syrian Troops Clash With Rebels In Lebanon

By Carolyn Abdenour
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

AL QAA, Lebanon – On Tuesday, 27 March, Lebanese residents and local security forces reported fighting between Syrian rebels and security forces spilled into Lebanon.  The witnesses saw Syrian troops destroy Lebanese farm buildings and fight with Syrian rebels who sought refuge in their neighboring country when the troops entered Lebanon.

A Syrian woman emotional reacts to Syrian forces attacking her home in northern Syria. (Photo Courtesy of News Times)

Over the past year, thousands of Syrians have escaped to Lebanon.  Since the Baba Amr district of Homs sustained four weeks of bombardment in early March by Syrian forces, over 1,500 Syrians fled to Lebanon.  The Free Syrian Army (FSA), who wants to overthrow Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and smugglers also utilized this border.  Residents stated the Syrian troops followed the FSA over the border to enter Lebanon.

Abu Ahmed, a 63 year old resident of al-Qaa (a Sunni Muslim rural mountain region) said, “More than 35 Syrian soldiers came across the border and started to destroy houses.”  Another resident added troops in armored vehicles demolished one home with a bulldozer, lunched rocket-propelled grenades, and fired machineguns in a clash with rebels.  A witness also stated the forces also burned several houses.

A Lebanese security source stated the clashes occurred near a poorly marked border where people easily and frequently cross.  A Lebanese security official stated, “There is no Syrian military presence on the Lebanese side of the border.”  Two Lebanese officials asserted bullets just passed through the rural village near the border.  However, residents reported dozens of Syrian forces are presently located 200 to 500 meters inside Lebanese territory.

Residents also stated Syrian forces momentarily entered Lebanon to shadow fleeing rebels throughout the recent months.  Al-Jazeera documented cases where Lebanese residents believed Syrian troops planted landmines near populous areas.  In October, the regional English-language news organization added a Syrian army tank launched shells at military targets inside Lebanon’s territory.  Last week, Syrian shells landed in northern Lebanon.

On Monday, 26 March, Syria accused Lebanon of supporting armed “terrorist groups” with weapons.  In his letter to the United Nations (UN) Security Council and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon last week, Syrian UN Ambassador Basah Ja’afari wrote, “Experts, officials and observers are unanimous that weapons are being smuggled into Syrian territory from bordering States, including Lebanon.”

These clashes occur on the same day of Syria’s acceptance of a cease fire and peace plan composed by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Syria Crisis: Clashes Spill Over Lebanese Border – 27 Mar 2012

MSNBC – Annan Says Syria Accepts Peace Plan, Fighting Enters Lebanon – 27 Mar 2012

News Times – Syria Accepts UN Peace Plan But Bloodshed Persists – 27 Mar 2012

Reuters – Syrian Forces, Rebels Clash Inside Lebanon – Residents – 27 Mar 2012

 

 

Wade Concedes to End Contentious Election in Senegal

By Zach Waksman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

DAKAR, Senegal – Sunday night marked the end of a long, contentious presidential election cycle in Senegal, the only West African country to have never been marred by a military coup or a civil war that reached the capital.  At about 9:30 p.m. local time, incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade placed a phone call to his opponent in the run-off vote, former protégé Macky Sall, to concede defeat.  Even before Wade conceded, proud Senegalese celebrated in the streets of Dakar in recognition of a change of the guard and a possible end to the violence that had left at least six people dead during the campaign.

Supporters of Macky Sall celebrate their candidate's victory Sunday night after using their ballots as weapons against President Wade. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)

“Senegal, in a transparent election, has proven once again that it is and remains a great democracy, a great country,” Mr. Wade’s press secretary said in a statement announcing his concession.

This election had been a source of controversy for months.  The 85-year-old—but possibly older—Wade  attempted to circumvent the constitution’s two-term limit, which he installed, by claiming his first term did not count because he served it before the limit’s passage.  His decision was met by derision by opponents and civilians alike, who considered him to be too grandiose and, at times, a person who wasted resources.  Youth groups soon targeted him through the use of highly critical rap songs.

The first round of elections took place last month.  Wade earned the largest share of the vote, with 34.8%, followed by the 50-year-old Sall, at 26.6%.  Twelve other candidates had their names on the ballot, and all of whom backed Sall in Sunday’s second round.  As neighboring Mali stood on the verge of its first coup in more than twenty years, peace prevailed at the polls in Senegal, despite fears of vote rigging in order to ensure Wade’s defeat.  It proved unnecessary, as preliminary totals showed Sall supporters outnumbering Wade backers at a rate of more than two to one, including in Wade’s home constitutency.

“The real winner remains the Senegalese people,” he said in his victory address.  “We have shown to the world that our democracy is mature.  I will be the president of all the Senegalese.”

For Sall, a geologist who once served as prime minster under Wade, the results signify a return to prominence after five years away from Dakar.  While he was president of the National Assembly, he called Wade’s son, Karim, to the capital for questioning on public spending.  This action angered the president, who was believed to be grooming Karim as his successor.  From there, Sall returned to his hometown of Fatick, where he was elected mayor.  He ran a platform calling for “a style of government that is more sober and efficient” than the extravagant Wade.

Wade’s concession and the presumed easy transition that will follow stands in marked contrast to contentious and occasionally violent fights for control in Senegal’s neighbors.  But in this coastal country, where democracy has reigned, the voters turned to the polls to bring about changed.

“This is a great victory for Senegal — it shows the maturity of our democracy,” said sociologist Hadiya Tandian. “It shows that the Senegalese believe in their voter IDs, that a voter card can change something, can make a difference. It shows that our long democratic heritage continues to live in us day by day.”

General reaction was one of euphoria, but skepticism remains.  Sall’s connections to Wade are well-known, and his statements could be a façade.

“We have never seen a president elected with this kind of landslide victory [in Senegal]. It gives a lot of political capital [to Sall],” said Senegalese political analyst Aly Fary Ndieye.  “The question now is how will Macky Sall turn this win into political power.  The biggest challenge now is how to effectively implement policies to benefit Senegalese people.”

For more information, please see:

Al Jazeera — Senegal Opposition Celebrates Election Win — 26 March 2012

BBC — Macky Sall Senegal Election Win “Example for Africa” — 26 March 2012

BBC — Senegal Proud of Peaceful Election after Macky Sall Win — 26 March 2012

Senegambia News — Macky Sall Wins Senegal Run-Off Votes — 26 March 2012

New York Times — A Turbulence-Free Election in Senegal — 25 March 2012

Chinese Lawyers To Swear Party Loyalty

by Hibberd Kline
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BEIJING, China– The Chinese Ministry of Justice announced Wednesday in a statement on its website that all attorneys in China will from now on be required to swear an oath of allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party.

China's ongoing crackdown has not only targeted human rights and pro-democracy activists, but often their attorneys as well. (Photo courtesy of BBC News).

According to the statement, attorneys must take the oath within 3 months of receiving or renewing their certificate of practice.

The oath reads in part as follows: “I pledge to faithfully fulfill the sacred mission of a worker of the socialist system of laws with Chinese characteristics, be loyal to the homeland, loyal to the people, support the leadership of the Communist Party of China…”

The Justice Ministry statement explains that the purpose of the oath is improve the “political, moral and professional quality” of China’s attorneys.

However, the oath has come under heavy criticism from many of China’s leading human rights lawyers.

Human rights attorney Pu Zhiqiang told the Financial Times that the oath was potentially problematic in that many of the leaders of the Communist Party often break the law. Therefore, Pu reasoned that pledging loyalty to both the party and the law will in some cases create a conflict for Chinese attorneys.

According to another prominent human rights lawyer, Jiang Tianyong, the existence of such an oath in modern society is “ridiculous.” Jiang was detained for two months last year by the Chinese authorities for his work defending aids activists and advocates of religious freedom. He believes that the oath is out of tune with international norms and that it will likely interfere with lawyer’s duties to their clients.

The new oath, which is the first of its kind for Chinese attorneys, has widely been decried as just another tool for restricting human rights lawyers. However, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency the Chinese authorities have repeatedly hinted at the likelihood that such an oath would be implemented at some point in time. In 2000, the All China Lawyers Association (ACLA), an organization which carries out professional administration of all lawyers in China, proposed the adoption of a similar oath. However, the ACLA’s proposal never came to fruition. In September 2010, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council both suggested that loyalty oaths would be important to “improving lawyers’ integrity.”

Efforts by Chinese lawmakers to “modernize” the Chinese legal system often come under criticism for taking one step forward and two steps back as national security concerns and the desire to maintain the hegemony of the Communist Party often undermine the rule of law.

In recent years, the Chinese Government has worked hard to encourage the development of modern Chinese business law.

However, civil liberties, human rights and other politically sensitive subjects are not protected by law in China. Lawyers who represent clients in these matters often face harassment, jail time, lose their licenses or are “disappeared.” Some prominent human rights attorneys and activists have also allegedly been tortured by the Chinese authorities.

The loyalty oath comes against the background of increasing repression of lawyers and activists as part of an attempt by China’s expansive security apparatus to prevent Arab Spring-inspired protests in the run-up to this year’s transfer of political power to a younger generation of Communist Party leaders. The Chinese Government has also drastically increased spending on its police, militia and other security forces to an announced $111 billion for 2012. This amount surpasses China’s official military budget, which is steadily rising and is second only to that of the United States.

For more information, please see:

New York Times —  Chinese Lawyers Chafe at New Oath to Communist Party — 22 March 2012

ABC News — China Says Lawyers Must Swear Allegiance to Party — 21 March 2012

BBC News — Lawyers in China to Swear Allegiance to Communist Party —  21 March 2012

Financial Times — China Tightens Grip on Lawyers — 21 March 2012

Reuters — China Orders Lawyers to Pledge Allegiance to Communist Party — 21 March 2012

Xinhua News — China’s Lawyers to Swear Their Professional Loyalty — 21 March 2012