Impunity Watch: Middle East

Syria Arrests Prominent Political Dissident

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – On January 28, five Syrian security agents arrested Riad Seif, a prominent political dissent and a former MP.  This follows his imprisonment from 2001-2005 for his political views.  His arrest is related to his involvement with the “Democracy Declaration,” a political group calling for greater democracy in Syria.  The Democracy Declaration group met at Seif’s home in December 2007 to form a national council. 

Since this December meeting, 10 attendees have been arrested.  Earlier on January 28, these detainees were charged with undermining the state; a charge that carries a long sentence.  The charges against Seif include “harming the image of the state", "stoking ethnic and sectarian division", "disseminating false information" and "belonging to a secret organization seeking to alter the social and economic base of the state.”  Mohanad al-Hassani, a lawyer representing some of the detained political activist, said “They face vague charges that carry long jail sentences simply for exercising the right of assembly.”

Last year, Syria convicted at least six leading dissents, each with sentences of up to 12 years.  The convictions included that of human rights lawyer Anwar Bunni and writer Michel Kilo.  According to human rights lawyer, Haitham Maleh, there are currently around 3000 political prisoners in Syria.  This figure is up from 2000 political prisoners in 2005.  While some of the political prisoners being held are members of the liberal groups, most of the political prisoners are members of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Seif’s arrest is especially criticized because he suffers from prostate cancer.  Syria has banned him from traveling outside the country to receive medical treatment.

For more information, please see:
Guardian – Syria Arrests Leading Political Dissident – 30 January 2008

Reuters – US Accuses Syria of Contempt for Human Rights – 30 January 2008

Washington Post – World in Brief – 30 January 2008

BBC – Syria Arrests Prominent Dissident – 29 January

Financial Times – Syria Arrests Prominent Dissident – 29 January 2008

New York Times – Syria: Dissident Arrested – 29 January 2008

Turkey: Scholar Sentenced for Insulting Ataturk

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

Professor Atilla Yayla was arrested for his insulting remarks about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.  Yayla is the head of the Association of Liberal Thinking at Gazi University in Ankara.  Yayla remarked in a speech in 2006 that Atatürk was not as progressively minded as official Turkish history portrays.  Instead, Yayla argued that Atatürk's one party system may have been “regressive in some aspects.”  (Guardian Unlimited- Turkey jails academic for insulting Ataturk)  Yayla was immediately fired concerning the court case about the remark, but was later reinstated by Gazi University.  (Guardian Unlimited- Turkish academic warns of governmental clampdown)   

Yayla was given a 15 month sentence for his insulting remarks.  He was prosecuted under Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, which prohibits insulting Turkishness. 

Yayla commented that the decision would make it difficult for him to practice his profession and engage in serious dialogue regarding Turkish history.  “After this I should maybe talk about birds and trees, but not about political ideologies or freedoms in Turkey or human rights,” he said to EducationGuardian.co.uk.  (Guardian Unlimited- Turkish academic warns of governmental clampdown)   

Turkey must encourage serious discussion regarding its founding.  Otherwise, the precedent could be further extended and allow the government to prosecute anyone that criticizes the current government and its abuses.  The disincentive to journalists could prevent serious government abuses from being exposed to the media, which may enable impunity to remain undiscovered. 

For more information, please see:

Associated Press- Professor Convicted for Insulting Atatürk- 28 January 2008 

Guardian Unlimited- Turkey jails academic for insulting Atatürk- 28 January 2008

Guardian Unlimited- Turkish academic warns of governmental clampdown- 29 January2008

Opposition Demonstration in Beirut Ends in Violence

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BEIRUT, Lebanon – Several Shi’a demonstrators were killed when the demonstrators and the Lebanese military clashed on January 27.  The demonstrators were protesting against power shortages in mainly Shi’a neighborhoods in Beirut.  The protestors, mostly Shi’a and supporters of Hezbollah and Amal opposition groups, claim that Shi’a neighborhoods were unfairly targeted in the government’s power rationing.  Violence began when the military intervened as protestors attempted to block a road.  According to a security official, shots were fired by the protestors and the military fired warning shots to disperse the demonstrators.

During this confrontation, Ali Hassan Hamza, an active member of Amal, was killed.  Violence escalated following Hamza’s death as angry opposition supporters took to the streets.  Demonstrators set fire to tires and obstructed streets.  Clashes between the military and the protestors resulted in at least six additional deaths and dozens of injuries.  The rioting led the military to declare Beirut’s first curfew in more than a decade.

The ruling coalition accused the opposition and Syria of manipulating the current economic and social crises to achieve their own political objectives.  Amal officials say that they were not involved in the protests and Hamza was not a party to the demonstration.  Also, Amal has acted to contained the situation by telling their supporters to stop rioting.  Nabih Berri, the leader of Amal and the Parliament Speaker, urged the demonstrators to go home and allow the military to restore order to the city.  Amal MP Ali Hassan Khalil added, “The situation must be contained. We appeal to all the people who are on the streets to go home and leave the matter into the hands of the security forces in order to restore calm to the region.”

The military announced that they plan to investigate Hamza’s death.  While Hamza was shot in the back, the source of the shots remains unclear.

For more information, please see:
AFP – At Least Seven Killed in Beirut Riots – 27 January 2008

Al Bawaba – At Least Four Dead in Lebanon Riots – 27 January 2008

Al Jazeera – Protests in Lebanon End in Deaths – 27 January 2008

Associated Press – Protests in Lebanon Leave 7 Dead – 27 January 2008

BCC – Seven Killed in Beirut Violence – 27 January 2008

Fox News – Shiite Opposition Riots Block Major Roads in Lebanon, 3 Killed – 27 January 2008

Reuters – Eight Shot Dead in Beirut Protests – 27 January 2008

Washington Post – Eight Shot Dead in Beirut Opposition Protests – 27 January 2008

Egypt Brotherhood Members Continue to Protest Gaza Blockade

By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Thousands of Egyptians held protests peacefully on Friday in support of Palestinians in Gaza, calling for an end to the Israeli blockade. Many of the protesters were from Egypt’s largest opposition group, the Muslim Brotherhood, whose members have been detained for staging protests since the ordeal began. Many of the protesters carried banners that read: "Save Gaza" and "Free Despite Siege."

On Wednesday, Egyptian authorities arrested scores of Brotherhood members in dawn raids for "illegally organizing protests against the Israeli blockade of Gaza." The authorities rounded up the men in raids on their homes, including the secretary general of the Cairo doctors’ syndicate, Saad Zaghloul, in the northern port city of Alexandria. Others have also been detained in areas where the Brotherhood has a strong popular base including Giza, north of Cairo, and in Gharbia and Kafr al-Sheikh. They were accused of organizing demonstration without a permit and with belonging to a banned organization.

The crisis began when Palestinian militants first breached the wall between Gaza and Egypt on Wednesday, blowing up part of the wall that allowed tens of thousands of Palestinians to enter into Egypt and stock up on food and fuel. A second breach occurred later, when a bulldozer knocked over a new section of the border wall. Though Egypt has remained idle, allowing thousands to cross the border for humanitarian reasons, the Egyptian government plans to reseal the border in the coming days.

The Muslim Brotherhood, a non-violent group deemed illegal in Egypt, said Egypt should unilaterally open the border with Gaza. For this cause, more than 350 Brotherhood members have been arrested for continuously staging protests. Friday was no exception, where some 2,000 Egyptians protested in support of the Gazans outside the Cairo International Book Fair.

Israel had first blockaded its borders with the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip to stop Palestinian militants from firing rockets into southern Israel. The blockade has affected approximately 1.5 million people who live in Gaza Strip.

For more information, please see:

The Jerusalem Post - Protests for Gaza held across Mideast - 25 January 2008

BBC News - Egypt cracks down on Gaza protest - 23 January 2008

Ynetnews - Egypt arrests Muslim Brotherhood members protesting Gaza siege - 23 January 2008

Reuters - Egypt detains 30 Brotherhood men over Gaza protests - 23 January 2008

Bahrain investigates alleged torture of activists

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

Some activists were arrested following protests on December 17.  The activists gathered to remember protesters that were abused by the police abuses in the early 1990’s. These protests escalated after an activist was killed, which led to rioting and the arson of a police vehicle.   The police arrested some rioters to retain the peace.  The detainees were arrested for illegal possession of weapons and theft stemming from the riots.   

Those detainees that were arrested in mid-December have complained that they were tortured and even sexually assaulted by their police interrogators.  For example, Maytham Badr al-Shaykh complained to his family on January 16, 2008 that he was sexually assaulted by interrogators.  Maytham told his father, “On New Year's evening, they ‘celebrated’ with me. They stripped me and gave me shocks and stuck something wooden up inside me,” Al-Shaykh's father said. “He whispered it to me when the guards allowed me to embrace him.”  Maytham told his brother that “they violated my manhood” by beating him while he was suspended by his hands. (Human Rights Watch)

However, an official from Bahrain has denied the allegations and assured reporters that the allegations have been investigated and that the activists have been examined by a forensic physician and that the physician dismissed found no signs of torture. 

Bahrain must protect its citizens and ensure that the imprisoned they are being treated humanely.  “‘Bahrain's response to allegations of torture against dissidents will show whether it really respects basic human rights,’ said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. ‘Bahrain should launch an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into allegations of grave abuses in detention centers.’” (Human Rights Watch)

For more information, please see:

PR-Inside (AP)- Rights watchdog calls Bahrain to look into detainee torture, sexual assault reports- 22 January 2008

Human Rights Watch- Bahrain: Investigate Alleged Torture of Activists- 21 January 2008

Cause of Iranian Student Death Questionable

By Kevin Kim
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – A "sudden death" of a Kurdish law student while in custody in northwestern Iran has raised suspicion among his family and human rights activists regarding the truth of the official report. Officials told the student’s family that he had committed suicide while in prison and died of "suffocation."

Intelligence Ministry agents arrested Ebrahim Lotfollahi, a political activist in the student movement of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in front of Payame Nur University in Sanandaj on January 6. He had just finished taking an exam when the officials took him away without charge. Two days after the arrest, Lotfollahi was reportely in good condition when his family visited him, and he remained optimistic that he would be released soon. But on January 15, his parents were told that he was dead. Moreover, when family members went to the city cemetery, they were informed that the 27-year-old had already been buried and that they were not allowed to see his body. A few days after, the officials covered the grave with concrete.

Rights activists say that this case is similar to that of another recent death case which occurred in the town of Hamedan in October. In that case, a 27-year-old female physician Zahra Bani Yaghoub and her boyfriend were arrested for having an "illegal relationship." Relationships between men and women who are not married are against the law in Iran. On the following day, officials told her family that she had committed suicide in her cell.

Following the two alleged prison suicides, Middle East deputy director at Human Rights Watch said "The sudden death in detention of two apparently healthy young people is extremely alarming. The government only heightens our concern by quickly dismissing them as suicides." Consequently, Lotfollahi’s family wants the body exhumed for examination by doctors, including one chosen by the family. Bani Yaghub’s family has also called for an autopsy in her case.

United Nations Principles on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions provide that families of the deceased and their legal representatives have the right to exhume body for an autopsy in all cases suspected of unlawful killing, including where the cause suggests unnatural death.

For more information, please see:

Workers' Liberty - Iranian regime murders student activist - 25 January 2008

Reuters - Family wants Iran student who died in jail exhumed - 20 January 2008

Human Rights Watch - Investigate Detention Deaths - 18 January 2008

AKI - Death of Kurdish student was "suicide" says official - 18 January 2008

RadioFreeEurope - Detained student dies under 'suspicious' circumstances - 18 January 2008

 

Security Official Killed in a bombing in Beirut

BEIRUT, Lebanon – A car bomb exploded in Hazmieh, a mainly Christian suburb in eastern Beirut.  Local newspapers and television state that at least ten people were killed.  Wissam Eid, a captain in the Internal Security Force, was killed in the attack and is believed to be the target.  In his statement, national police chief, Brig. Gen. Ashraf Rifi said Captain Eid specialized in intelligence and was handling important files, including “all those having to do with the terrorist bombings'” in Lebanon.  Interior Minister Hassan Sabei said there were two previous tries to kill Eid.  No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

This is the most recent attack in a string of politically motivated bombings since former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri was killed in 2005.  Most of the attacks targeted anti-Syrian politicians.  However, there is concern in the increasing attacks on members of the securities services.  In December 2007, General Francois El Hajj was killed in a car bombing.  Hajji was likely to next army chief.  The objective of these attacks is likely to cause further instability in Lebanese politics.

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Death at Blast Rocks Beirut – 25 January 2008

BBC – Blast Rocks Beirut Eastern Suburb – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Bomb Kills Security Official in Lebanon and at Least 10 Others – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Lebanon’s Deadly Harvest of Bombs – 25 January 2008

The Daily Star – Villagers Block Road to Syria After Lebanon Bombing – 25 January 2008

New York Times – Media Report Explosion in Beirut – 25 January 2008

Gazans Breach Egypt-Gaza Border Barrier

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza – On January 23, thousands of Gazans crossed their southern border into Egypt.  Within hours, stores in Rafah ran out of products and many Palestinians traveled to El Arish, the closest town with shops.  The most desired products included food staples and plastic containers of fuel.  However, many cigarettes and other non-essentials were purchased as well.

Gazans were able to cross the border easily since 17 explosives went off between midnight and 2am and destroyed nearly two-thirds of the Egypt-Gaza barrier.  In some areas, militants cut portion of the corrugated metal barrier that separates Gaza from Egypt.  In other areas, Palestinians used caterpillars to widened holes created by the explosions.  Estimates of Palestinians who crossed the border vary from 50,000 to over 350,000. 

Israel expressed concern regarding Egypt’s lack of control of the Gaza border.  Officials within the Israeli Defense Force called the border breach a “first-class security risk.”  They argue since anyone can leave Gaza, anyone can enter Gaza.  Defense officials believe that militants will take advantage of the situation and smuggle weapons into the territory.

However, despite an agreement with Israel to secure their border, Egypt has said that it will not use force to send Palestinians back to Gaza.  Instead, Hossam Zaki, spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, stated that the border will be closed again when all the Palestinians have returned. Also, Egyptian President Mubarak claimed that he authorized the crossing; saying “I told them, let them come in to eat and buy food, then go back as long as they're not carrying any weapons.”

In contrast, on January 22, Palestinians protestors and Egyptian police clashed at the Rafah crossing; resulting in 60 Palestinians and 10 Egyptian police officers injured.  According to the Associated Press, several thousand Palestinian women gathered at the Rafah crossing, protesting Egyptian cooperation with the Israeli “siege” on Gaza.  Many protestors sought entry into Egypt in order to purchase necessities.  When dozens of Palestinians crossed the border, witnesses state that the police used water canons and gunfire to disperse the protestors.  However, according to an Al Jazeera report, the gunfire came from the Palestinian side of the border.

On January 17, Israel closed its border with Gaza.  This closure resulted in the fuel shortage, which instigated the border breach and the clash at the Rafah border crossing.  UN officials and humanitarian organizations warned Israel that the continuation of the border closure would result in a serious humanitarian crisis.  Israel lifted the total closure on January 22 to allow industrial diesel fuel, cooking gas, and emergency food and medical aid into Gaza. 

However, the manager of the Nusseirat power plant warns that while the plant is currently operating, it may re-close at any time due to a lack in fuel supplies.  The lack in power has many implications regarding other essential services; including water, sewage treatment and hospital services.

The UN General Assembly had an emergency session concerning the situation in Gaza.  On January 22, the UN criticized Israel’s closure as collective punishment.  Currently, a resolution condemning the closure as a human rights violation is before the General Assembly.  Israel plans to boycott the resolution vote as it does not mention the rockets launched from Gaza.  According to Israeli officials, 20 rockets were launched on Tuesday.

For more information, please see:
Guardian – Palestinians Pour into Egypt After Militants Blow Hole in Border Barrier – 24 January 2008

Ha’aretz – Hamas Takes Control at Frontier as 200,000 Gazans Enter Egypt – 24 January 2008

Times – Hamas ‘Spent Month Cutting Through Gaza Wall in Secret Operation’ – 24 January 2008

BBC – Egypt Reluctant to Check Gaza’s Surge – 23 January 2008

BBC – Egypt ‘Won’t Force Gazans Back’ – 23 January 2008

The Jurist - Israel, US Boycotting UN Rights Council Meeting on Gaza Blockade – 23 January 2008

UN Human Rights Council – A.HRC.S-L.1 – 23 January 2008

Yedioth – ‘Flour? Terrorists Crossing Through Rafah’ – 23 January 2008

Al Jazeera – Angry Gazans Storm Rafah Crossing – 22 January 2008

Al Jazeera – Gazans Clash with Egyptian Police at Rafah – 22 January 2008

Associated Press – Clashes Erupt at Gaza-Egypt Border – 22 January 2008

BBC – Israel Eases Restrictions on Gaza – 22 January 2008

Ha’aretz – Palestinian Water Authority: 40% of Gazans Lack Running Water – 22 January 2008

BRIEF: Turkey Bans YouTube

Turkey banned the popular video sharing site for the second time because of content that insulted Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.  Mustafa Kemal Atatürk was the founder of modern Turkey and disrespectful comments towards the national hero are restricted in Turkey similarly to how insulting Turkishness is prohibited by Article 301 of the Turkish penal code.

In March 2007, Turkey enacted a similar ban on YouTube because of content that had insulted Atatürk.  The ban was removed after YouTube lifted the videos that insulted Atatürk.  However, it not known whether the ban on YouTube will be removed immediately again or not.

The ban on YouTube by Turkey is the latest expression by the Turkish government’s regarding its control on the media.  The government has significant discretion to monitor free expression of speech through Article 301 and uses its power whenever it deems necessary, which could pose a concern for journalists reporting incidents contrary to the government's interest.

For more information, please see:

AP - Turkey Bans YouTube for Second Time- 20 January 2008

Jurist- Turkish court reimposes YouTube ban for offensive content- 20 January 2008

The New Anatolian- Turkish court again bans YouTube access, causes international uproar- 22 January 2008

Shia Worshippers Targeted

By Vivek Thiagarajan
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

BASRA, Iraq- Nasiriyah police reported that 13 people were killed and around 45 were injured occurring from fighting instigated by a Shiite messianic sect, Soldiers of Heaven, against the local police officers.  The Soldiers of Heaven suffered heavier losses with 30 fighters killed and 25 wounded and 40 others arrested.  (Washington Post)   

The Soldiers of Heaven, under the leadership of Ahmed al-Hassani al-Yamani, wore black uniforms and yellow bandannas and were equipped with machine guns and light arms and attacked police in both Basra and Nasiriyah around noon local time (0900 GMT).  (AFP) This is the second year that the Soldiers of Heaven attacked during Ashura.  Last year, 263 people died from the clashes including the sect’s previous leader Dhia Abdul Zahra Kadhim al-Krimawi, better known as  Abu Kamar.  (Al-Jazeera) 

Yamani claims to be an ambassador of the eighth century Imam Mahdi who vanished as a boy.  The Shias believe that Mahdi will return as a messiah to bring justice to the world. 

Hundreds of thousands of worshipers gathered to celebrate the Shia religious celebration of Ashura in the holy city of Karabala.  Ashura commemorates the death of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Imam Hussein at the hands of the armies of the Sunni caliph Yazid in the southern Iraqi city of Karbala.  Imam Hussein is regarded as one of the Shia’s holiest saints.

The government’s commitment to protecting the Shia worshipers is crucial for the free practice of different religions in Iraq.  The government must make a concerted effort to protect those who are peacefully worshiping in the country.  If the country protects those who are worshiping peacefully in the country then it can form a coalition against religious sects that violence as a foundational principle of their sect.  Otherwise, if the government does not protect those who are worshiping peacefully, especially on their holy days, it will make the peaceful sects become more likely to resort to violence for protection.

For more information, please see:

AFP- Deadly clashes mar Iraq Ashura ceremonies- 18 January 2007

Al-Jazeera- Clashes erupt in Iraq's South- 18 January 2007

The Press Association- Dozens killed in Iraq Cult attack- 19 January 2007

Washington Post- Dozens Killed in Clashes in S. Iraq- 19 January 2007