Impunity Watch: Africa

Sex Crimes in Democratic Republic of Congo

In the South Kivu province of Democratic Republic of Congo, the scale of violence against women is shocking. According to UN human rights expert, Yakin Erturk, rebels, soldiers, and police in the eastern province are responsible for brutal attacks on local women. Women in South Kivu have been tortured and forced to eat human remains. Moreover, women are violently gang raped often in front of their families and communities.

This year alone, more than 4,500 rape cases have been reported in South Kivu. However, officials believe that there are many more cases that have gone unreported. Erturk stated that “most victims live in inaccessible areas [and] are afraid to report or did not survive the violence,"

While there are 16,000 UN peacekeepers in DRC, many Congolese women continue to suffer from violent rape and sexual assault. Erturk believes that "these acts amount to war crimes and, in some cases, crimes against humanity."

Furthermore with over six million displaced Congolese people, it is a difficult task for the government to apprehend and punish those responsible for the violence against women. Presently, there has been no formal action taken against identified security personnel who have raped civilians.

For more information, please see:

“Shock at Sex Crimes in DR Congo.” 30 July 2007. BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6922132.stm

“South Kivu: 4,500 sexual violence cases in the first six months of this year alone.” UN Mission in DR Congo. Released Statement by Prof. Yakin Ertürk. 27 July 2007. http://www.monuc.org/News.aspx?newsID=15065

“Sexual atrocities `rampant' in Congo, UN investigator says.” 31 July 2007. AP. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/241517

Desperately Waiting

Zimbabwe’s condition continues to fall as the country grips the worst crisis since its independence from Britian in 1980.  In an effort to curb the continued despair of the country, President Robert Mugabe has pledged to print more money. This strategy is not likely to help the economic condition given that printing money is a “recipe for inflation”. Economists estimate the inflation rate will likely be twice as high as the current rate of 4,500 percent.

Thousands left their jobs when the government ordered companies to operate at a loss by reducing the price of goods and services by half. Unemployment is presently at 80 percent. Along with food and oil shortages, hospitals are losing kidney patients due to the lack dialysis machines. Furthermore, pharmacies are advising AIDS patients to stock up on their drugs. Roughly 20 percent of Zimbabweans have AIDS and raw materials will soon run out. Another serious problem lies in the breakdowns of water pumps.

An estimated 4,000 Zimbabweans have headed south to South Africa. The Central Methodist Church in downtown Johannesburg has become a virtual refugee camp for 800-900 fleeing Zimbabweans.  South African President Thabo Mbeki warns that next years election in Zimbabwe must be free and fair. Political unrest continues to rise and President Mugabe’s opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), gets stronger as the country falls. President Mbeki, who continues to play mediator between President Mugabe and the MDC, adds that he is confident an agreement would be met.

In the meantime, Arthur Mutambara, the leader of the MDC has decided to intensify the campaign against President Mugabe with the joint coalition of political and social organizations. Mutambara said that the country cannot rely on foreigners to emancipate and liberate it, it must have an alternate plan.

For more information please see:

“South African Church Shelters Desperate Zimbabweans” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070730/wl_nm/zimbabwe_refugees_dc;_ylt=Ap1gHuUjQ6pLTfEKaZc0eWO96Q8F 29, July, 2007.

“Mugabe Says He Will Print More Money” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070728/ap_on_re_af/zimbabwe_economy;_ylt=AliBiPtAjwZ1xoqSjp9UOEO96Q8F 28, July 2007.

“Mbeki Says Zimbabwe’s Vote Must Be ‘free and fair’” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070729/wl_nm/safrica_zimbabwe_mbeki_dc;_ylt=AsR.GBiivyEkZEKs3KHIwz.96Q8F 29, July 2007.

“We Cannot Rely on South African Leader Alone: Zimbabwe Opposition” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070728/wl_africa_afp/zimbabwepoliticsoppositionsafricambeki;_ylt=AnPdHKiqaKl9fLf80dD4xum96Q8F 28, July 2007.

UN Condemns Human Rights Violations in Sudan

The UN Human Rights Committee (HRC) has criticized Sudan for “widespread and systematic” abuses in a report issued this week.  The HRC, comprising of 18 independent experts, monitors compliance with the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, wrapped up a three-week session during which it examined the records for three countries including Sudan.  The HRC expressed concern over reports of torture, discrimination against women, and the use of child soldiers.  There are also reported violations in Darfur, including murder, rape, evictions, and attacks on civilians. 

This was the first overall review of Sudan in more than ten years, and the HRC said “widespread and systematic serious human rights violations, including murder, rape, forced displacement and attacks against the civilian population, have been and continue to be committed with total impunity throughout Sudan and particularly in Darfur.” The HRC called on Khartoum to “ensure that no financial support or material is channeled to militias that engage in ethnic cleansing or the deliberate targeting of civilians.”   The committee also expressed concern over payments of “diya,” or blood money, for murder in Sudan, as well as reports of widespread torture in prisons, persistent discrimination against women, and the use of child soldiers.

The HRC is also urging the government of Sudan to cooperate with the International Criminal Court to make sure that human rights violations are investigated and that those responsible are prosecuted at the national or international level.  Currently, Sudanese police, armed forces, and national security forces are immune from prosecution under Sudanese law.   The ICC has already issued arrest warrants for junior cabinet Minister Ahmed Haroun and an allied militia leader, both accused of conspiring to commit war crimes, but Sudan has refused to turn over the suspects. 

The UN estimates that 200,000 people have been killed and more than 2.5 million displaced during the conflict in Darfur that began four years ago. The government has been accused of sending Arab militias known as janjaweed, which are blamed for the worst human rights violations in Darfur including rape and indiscriminate killings.  The current AU peacekeeping force in Darfur is over-stretched and under-funded, and negotiations are currently taking place for a joint AU-UN force.

For more information, please see:

Reuters Africa - UN rights body urges Sudan to prosecute war crimes – 27 July 2007

Washington Post - UN Rights Committee Criticizes Sudan – 27 July 2007

Voice of America - UN Condemns Gross Human Rights Violations in Sudan – 27 July 2007

BBC News - UN body criticises Sudan abuses – 27 July 2007

Gorillas in DRC Brutally Murdered To Convey Political Message

In Democratic Republic of Congo, four endangered mountain gorillas were found brutally murdered this week in Virunga National Park. The four silverback gorillas are known to researchers as the Rugendo family. These four animals belonged to a pack of twelve gorillas which were often visited by tourists.

Park staff and WildlifeDirect officials positioned in Virunga's Bukima camp reported hearing gunshots at 8 p.m. on Saturday coming from within the dark forest.

Since January, seven large endangered apes have been shot dead. According to conservationists, poachers were not responsible for these vicious killings because they would have taken the bodies for food or sale.

Conversely, conservationists believe that the “senseless and tragic” killings were an act of sabotage committed by a group trying to convey the political message to keep rangers out of Virunga National Park. Presently, the protected park is under pressure from “outside exploitation,” including the lucrative charcoal trade. Mark Rose, chief executive of Fauna and Flora International, stated, “Whatever the motive underlying this tragedy, the gorillas are helpless pawns in a feud between individuals.”

Deo Kujirakwinja of the Wildlife Conservation Society's (WCS) Congo programme, stated "This area must be immediately secured or we stand to lose an entire population of these animals.” According to a 2004 census, 380 gorillas, more than half of the world's population, reside in the national park and nearby Virunga volcanoes region.

For more information, please see:

“Concern over gorilla 'executions'” 26 July 2007. BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6918012.stm

“DR Congo Rebel Threat to Gorillas” 21 May 2007. BBC. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6677973.stm

Rwanda: Gorillas Mass Execution Reported in DR Congo. 24 July 2007. Allafrica.com. http://allafrica.com/stories/200707240796.html

Zimbabwe = Economic Depression and Political Repression

A report released by Amnesty International describes the situation for Zimbabwean women as “between a rock and a hard place.” Along with struggling to provide for their family in a collapsing economy, women activist are being arrested repeatedly and tortured for peaceful protest against President Robert Mugabe’s government.

The leading group of women activists is the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA). The object of their protest is the rampant hyperinflation, severe food shortage ,and the bankruptcy of many companies. To punish the anti-government activist, the police has prohibited many from purchasing food, and receiving food aid and health services. Many of the group’s members have been arrested with babies and held naked in the detainment cells.

Other women have shared accounts of unlawful detainment in deplorable conditions and random beatings. One activist was kicked in the stomach by the police while she was two months pregnant, causing her have a miscarriage.

Although thousands are protesting, women are the majority despite continual harassment and intimidation. WOZA and Amnesty International is urging African leaders of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to pressure President Mugabe to observe African Union and U.N. human rights standards. In the meantime, Zimbabwean women have vowed to continue vocalizing the woes of the country and demanding change.

For more information please see:

“Zimbabwe’s women ‘face brutality’” BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6914778.stm 25, July 2007.

“Reports say Zimbabwean women face abuses” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070725/ap_on_re_af/zimbabwe_rights;_ylt=AvW3y6WSIQMujJduZqlHXUS96Q8F 24, July 2007.

“Zimbabwe women activist face increasing repression: Amnesty” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070725/ap_on_re_af/zimbabwe_rights;_ylt=AvW3y6WSIQMujJduZqlHXUS96Q8F 24, July 2007.

“Zimbabwe: Amnesty Report Shows Women Activist face Increasing Repression” AllAfrica.com: http://allafrica.com/stories/200707250733.html 25, July 2007.

Forced Marriage a War Crime?

On June 20, the Special Court for Sierra Leone found Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara, and Santigie Borbor Kanu guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity including murder, rape, sexual slavery, and conscripting child soldiers.  They were acquitted of sexual slavery and “other inhumane acts” related to sexual violence, including forced marriage.  On July 19 Brima and Kanu were each sentenced to 50 years in prison and Kamara was sentenced to 45.   

Forced marriage was a new crime being charged for the first time at an international level.   In issuing the verdict, the trial judges stated that they saw no need to treat forced marriage as a separate crime from sexual slavery and therefore threw out the charges. Chief Prosecutor Stephen Rapp has announced that he plans to appeal that decision on August 2.  Rapp told the Institute for War and Peace Reporting that the separate charge of forced marriage described the experience of women who were kidnapped by the militia and forced into marriage, a crime he intended to prosecute as a crime against humanity.

Rapp will appeal the judges’ ruling that despite evidence of sexual slavery, the indictments for sexual slavery and other forms of sexual violence are overlapping.  In the “interests of justice” the judges decided to consider evidence of sexual slavery under the count of “outrages upon personal dignity.” 

The difficulty Rapp faces is that while rape and sexual slavery are separately and clearly set out in both the Special Court and International Criminal Court statutes, forced marriage is not explicitly listed as a crime but can be charged as an inhumane act.  Rapp stated that he thinks the judges “left it open that if you have proof of criminal activity that goes beyond sexual slavery that fits within the context of other obligations that arise out of marriage, there could still be a conviction on that count.”

Although Rapp intends to appeal this portion of the verdict, there has been overwhelming support for the convictions and sentencing of the three former junta leaders.  Amnesty International has stated that the verdicts and sentencing send a positive signal to the people of Sierra Leone that someone will be held responsible for the brutal crimes committed against them and their families. 

For more information, please see:

Institute of War and Peace Reporting - Forced Marriage Appeal May Influence the ICC – 24 July 2007

AllAfrica.com - Amnesty Welcomes Sentences of AFRC Indictees – 24 July 2007

UN News - UN-backed court sentences former rebel leaders – 19 July 2007

UN Investigates Allegations of Sexual Abuse in Ivory Coast

The United Nations is investigating allegations of sexual abuse and exploitations by Peacekeepers residing in Ivory Coast. Presently, Moroccan UN troops in Bouake have been confined to their base and have been banned from conducting routine peacekeeping activities. The allegations in the Ivory Coast were uncovered by internal inquiry, and the UN is currently conducting a full investigation. While the exact nature of the offense is undisclosed, troops are alleged to have had sex with underage girls.

In the past, sexual abuse scandals had provoked ex UN chief Kofi Annan’s “zero tolerance” policy to punish “utterly immoral” crimes. In 2003, six Nepalese troops in DR Congo were found guilty of sexual abuse. Moreover, in 2004, two peacekeepers repatriated after accusations of abuse in Barundi. In 2006, UN personnel were accused of rape and sexual abuse in Sudan. Then in 2006, UN personnel were accused of rape and sexual assault in Haiti, and Liberia. In total, over 300 members of UN peacekeeping missions worldwide have been investigated for sexual exploitation since 2004.

The existing suspension in Ivory Coast "complies with the United Nations zero tolerance policy with regard to sexual exploitation and abuse.” In New York, UN Department of Field Support personnel and Moroccan officials are analyzing the current situation. The suspected Moroccan UN peacekeepers will be “held accountable to the highest standards of behavior” according to UN spokesperson, Marie Okabe.

For more information, please see:

“Côte d'Ivoire: UN, Moroccan Officials Meet to Address Allegations of Sexual Abuse.” UN News Service. 23 July 2007. http://allafrica.com/stories/200707231839.html

"UN investigates peacekeepers in Ivory Coast." Associated Press. 23 July 2007. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070722/peacekeepers_IvoryCoast_070722/20070722?hub=World

“UN Probes Abuse in Ivory Coast.” 23 July 2007. BBC.com. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6909664.stm

The Race against AIDS

During the 1960’s, Zambia was the third largest producer of copper and the richest country in the continent of Africa. However, with the world collapse of copper and the devastating affect of AIDS and malaria, Zambia has deteriorated into one of the poorest countries in the world. Millions live on only $1 a day.

Much of the country’s woes are blamed on AIDS, which has killed many of Zambian’s professionals and intellectuals. According to the UN, the average life expectancy for a man or woman is 38 and 37 years old, respectively. Given these statistics, many children are left orphans.

With the help of Bill Clinton and the UNITAID, an international drug funding initiative, the number of Zambian children under treatment has increased by 7,000.

The Bill Clinton Foundation has secured a deal with several drug manufacturers that will reduce the price of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs, thereby saving the country over 100 million dollars within three years. A plan to battle the AIDS crisis has been in works for several years. Research in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa has showed that male circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV infection in males by 60%. Regardless, the rate of infected is disproportionately higher for women.

ADULT AND CHILD HIV RATES IN 2006

                         

	Living with HIV	Newly infected	Deaths from Aids
Sub-Saharan Africa	24.7m	2.8m	2.1m
World Total	39.5m	4.3m	2.9m
Source: UNAids, all figures estimates

For more information please see:

“Zambia to get Anti-AIDS drug boost from global fund” Yahoo News: http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/070719/health/health_aids_zambia_1 19, July 2007.

“Clinton clinches cheap AIDS drugs deal for Zambia” Yahoo News: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070722/wl_africa_afp/zambiahealthaidsus;_ylt=AvKglfL3d4_lODsNuHysSFK96Q8F 22, July 2007.

“Country Profile: Zambia” BBC: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070722/wl_africa_afp/zambiahealthaidsus;_ylt=AvKglfL3d4_lODsNuHysSFK96Q8F 4 May 2007.

“World ‘losing fight against AIDS’” BBC: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6911736.stm 23, July, 2007.

Charles Taylor Appointed New Lawyer

London lawyer Courtenay Griffiths was appointed on Tuesday to represent Charles Taylor against the charges of arming and supporting rebels who murdered, raped, tortured, and mutilated thousands during Sierra Leone’s 10 year civil war.  Taylor is the first African leader to stand trial before an international court and has plead not guilty to all counts.  Last month he boycotted the trial and fired his attorney, demanding that he receive more money to hire a new one.  The case has been postponed until August 20, although Griffiths said in an interview on Friday that he needed more time to study the “voluminous” case file and did not know when he would be ready. 

Since June the court has steadily increased the amount of funds available to Taylor for his defense.  He is currently receiving $100,000 per month, which includes office space in The Hague, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.  Griffiths has said that this amount may still not be enough and that he needs to evaluate what further investigations need to be carried out

Griffiths was born in Jamaica and raised in England.  He has previously worked on high-profile British cases, including the 1984 bombing by the Irish Republic Army of a hotel on the British south coast where then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was staying.   Griffiths has been appointed the chief attorney, along with two assistants, Andrew Cayley and Terry Munyard.  Many attorneys were interested, but Taylor chose these individuals after meeting with several. 

For more information, please see:

Guardian - London Lawyer to Defend Charles Taylor – 18 July 2007

VOA News - Three-Man Team Appointed to Defend Former Liberian President – 18 July 2007

International Herald Tribune - London lawyer appointed to defend Liberia’s Charles Taylor at war crimes trial – 18 July 2007

Human Rights Watch Criticizes Child Soldiers in Chad

In Chad, thousands of young boys are thought to be fighting in the national army, rebel and paramilitary group. Observers believe that there are between 7,000 and 10,000 child soldiers. The United Nations Security Council will meet in New York to discuss the issue of child soldiers in Chad.

Just a few days ago, Human Rights Watch criticized the government of Chad for not fulfilling the promise to release children from the national army. Human Rights Watch produced a forty six page report, “Early to War: Child Soldiers in the Chad Conflict,” which documents the use of young children in the Chadian army, its allied paramilitary militias and rebel forces in both northern Chad and along the eastern border with Sudan’s Darfur region. The report consists of interviews with senior officers in the Chadian military and current child soldiers

Presently, under a government deal, only four hundred children have been released from the military and sent to rehabilitation centers. These rehabilitation centers focus on efforts to change the children's violent behavior. These centers were established by UNICEF, the United Nation's Children's Fund. The children follow a daily regimen of "prayer, rest, and play." They play cards, play volleyball, and learn basic literacy. Furthermore, the boys learn anger management skills and learn to love their friends and family.

These child soldiers are expected to return to their families in a few months. Nevertheless, supervisors believe that for these boys, "the road back to normality will be a long one." The boys will have to learn to cope with their reality without the use of violent tactics.

For more information, please see:

"Chad child soldiers scrutinized." BBC. 19 July 2007.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6906308.stm

"Country Profile: Chad." BBC. 21 May 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1068700.stm

"Early to War: Child Soldiers in the Chad Conflict." Human Rights Watch. July 2007. http://hrw.org/reports/2007/chad0707/

"Chad: Government Keeps Children in Army Ranks." Human Rights Watch. 16 July 2007. http://us.oneworld.net/external/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhrw.org%2Fenglish%2Fdocs%2F2007%2F07%2F13%2Fchad16388.htm