Violent Student Federation of Cote d'Ivoire must be Punished; International Support for Rwanda Genocide Convictions Continues; LRA Rebels Responsible for more Recent Child Abductions

By:  Lindsey Brady
Impunity Watch Managing Editor - News

ABIDJAN, Cote d'Ivoire - Human Rights Watch has issued a report calling for the government of Cote d'Ivoire to end impunity for the Student Federation of Cote d'Ivoire ("FESCI").  The FESCI has sometimes been referred to as the "pro-government militia."  The FESCI, since 2002 when the country faced a failed coup, has been linked to murder, assault, extortion, and rape mostly against dissidents of the Popular Ivorian Front.  The Popular Ivorian Front ("FPI") is currently the ruling political party in Cote d'Ivoire.  Corinne Dufka, West Africa director of Human Rights Watch, was quoted in their report as saying "for years, the government of Cote d'Ivoire has demonstrated sustained and partisan failure to investigate, prosecute, or punish serious criminal offenses by FESCI members...the impunity enjoyed by groups like FESCI has got to stop now in order to create a climate conducive to peaceful elections."

Human Rights Watch reports that last year FESCI members rampaged the headquarters of two human rights organizations in Cote d'Ivoire.  The Ivorian League for Human Rights and Actions for the Protection of Human Rights were apparently targeted for their support of university professors striking for improved working conditions.  The FESCI has been known to work on and near university and high school campuses with another organization called the Young Patriots.  Reuters, reporting on Human Rights Watch's report, acknowledged that "in the presence of United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Ivory Coast's political parties, including the FPI  and parties representing the New Forces rebels, last month signed a good conduct code.  This committed them to shun violence, promote fair voting and respect the outcome of the November election."

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch - Cote d'Ivoire:  End Impunity for Pro-Government Student Group - 21 May 2008

Reuters - Ivory Coast Urged to Tackle Youth Violence Before Poll - 21 May 2008

ARUSHA, Tanzania - The United States Department of State for African Affairs issued a press release that renewed its call for those responsible for the 1994 Rwanda genocide to be brought to justice through the "Rewards for Justice" program.  The program, through the cooperation of the Department of State, the U.N. and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda ("ICTR"), desires to capture and punish the remaining thirteen individuals who have been indicted by the ICTR for their involvement in the 1994 genocide.  The press release declared, "the continued impunity of these individuals and their presence in the region presents a threat to regional stability and reconciliation" according to the Arusha Times.

Michel Bagaragaza, who allegedly helped to financially support and arm Hutu-dominated rebel militia during the 1994 genocide has been transferred to Arusha, Tanzania to the U.N. war crimes tribunal that handles mass killings.  This came after The Hague declared it did not have the jurisdiction to try his case.  The UN International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has charged Bagragaza "with ordering, his subordinates and with instigation, aiding and abetting others over whom he did not have authority to kill hundreds of Tutsi civilians who sought refuge on Kesho Hill near a tea factory in Rubaya and in Nyundo Cathedral."  Bagragaza was the former Director General who controlled the Rwandan tea industry during the 1994 genocide.

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica (Arusha Times) - Rwanda:  U.S. Renews Search for Fugitives of Genocide - 17 May 2008

AllAfrica (UN News Service) - Rwanda:  Former Official Transferred Back to UN War Crimes Tribunal - 21 May 2008

KAMPALA, Uganda - Joseph Kony, leader of the Lord's Resistance Army, is claimed to responsible for the abduction of children from Sudan, Congo, and the Central African Republic.  The children are forced to act as child soldiers or forced to act as sex slaves.  One LRA slave reported to BBC News that he and his brother were abducted and knew they were going to be tortured and forced to act as soldiers in the LRA.  The LRA told the boy that he would be killed by the Ugandan army if he tried to run away from them or else they would poison him themselves.  Kony's and the LRA have been fighting the Ugandan army since the late 1980s after President Yoweri Museveni took power.  Kony has been worshiped and feared and claims to be a man acting under divine direction.

After 20 years of fighting, Kony has been charged with 33 counts of international crimes and crimes against humanity.  An estimated 20,000 children have been abducted from their homes.  It is reported that LRA rebels, between February and May of this year, abducted 100 children from the Congo, Sudan and Central Africa Republic alone.  Human Rights Watch has called for there to be an international response to end the abductions and sexual violence the LRA has been perpetrating. 

Richard Dicker, an international justice director, suggests the United Nations should track the movements of the LRA and cut off any weapon supply to the group.  In 2005, the UN court issued warrants for the arrests of the LRA's top five leaders.  World Net Daily reports, "earlier this year, a ceasefire was negotiated between the LRA and Uganda.  A permanent peace was to be enacted in April, but Kony didn't show up for the signing.  Since then, child abductions have been on the rise again."

For more information, please see:

AllAfrica (New Vision) - Uganda:  LRA Abduct 100 Children - 20 May 2008

WorldNetDaily - Children Stolen, Forced into Firefights - 21 May 2008

International Herald Tribune - Army Accuses Ugandan Rebels of Kidnapping 130 Children in Recent Weeks - 20 May 2008

Comments

[alpha kangudie ilunga]

Corine am the guy who was helping you out in kisangani in DRCONGO in 1997 when Kabila chest Mobutu.
you have been staying at Zongia hotel,please my dream is to see you again for now am in canada adn my e-mail adress is alphamo2005@yahoo.fr
I have try with my english like you have been trying with your french.
Please answer me please

[Melissa]

i love this site.C

[Albert]

I like this website. This website helped me with prayer learning. Good job. Thank you. Please provide more French prayers. Bye-bye.t

[Melissa]

I have always wanted a compendium of novena prayers. Thank you for sharing all these prayers with us. It brings joy and happiness to everyone. I know, I do feel that way.<

[Ron]

I thank the Lord for giving us the gift of brilliant preachers!

[Spider]

made it .All information on this site is represented for users. A site is