Burma: After Cyclone, Repression Impedes Civil Society and Aid
(Bangkok) – The Burmese government continues to deny basic freedoms and place undue restrictions on aid agencies despite significant gains in rehabilitating areas devastated by Cyclone Nargis two years ago, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.
Expelled from the West Bank
Berlanty Azzam, a young Palestinian woman tells how, two months away from finishing her degree, she was handcuffed, blindfolded and forcibly transferred to Gaza.
In 2005 Berlanty Azzam, a young Palestinian woman from Gaza, travelled to the West Bank to begin a university degree in business administration and translation at Bethlehem University.
In October 2009, just two months away from finishing her degree, Berlanty was forcibly transferred to Gaza by the Israeli military.
Berlanty Azzam spoke to Amnesty International in Gaza on 2 November 2009, just a few days after her expulsion from the West Bank:
“It was last Wednesday, 28 October, and I was on my way back from Ramallah to Bethlehem. I had been for a job interview in Ramallah. On the way between Bethlehem and Abu Dis was I stopped at the ‘Container’ Checkpoint [a checkpoint on the road between Ramallah and Bethlehem which restricts Palestinian movement between the south of the West Bank and the north]… I was asked if I was from Gaza [by the Israeli soldiers]… they saw my ID card but they didn’t tell me anything, they just told me to wait for the secret police. It was 1pm when I was stopped. I stayed there waiting until 7pm… It was so cold at the ‘Container’; I was handcuffed and couldn’t move my hands properly. There was one Arab soldier; I asked him what reason they had to hold me at the ‘Container’. I refused to sign the paper they gave me because it was in Hebrew. I said, I’m not going to sign it, I don’t understand Hebrew. In the end I signed because they pressured me. I don’t know what it said.”
Berlanty had her mobile phone with her and used it to call Sari Bashi, a lawyer who works with the Israeli human rights organization Gisha – Legal Center for Freedom of Movement.
She told Amnesty International that when the Israeli soldiers spoke with the lawyer they told him that they were not taking her to Gaza and that he could meet with Berlanty in a West Bank detention centre the following morning.
As the soldier put her into a jeep to transport her from the “Container”, Berlanty initially thought that the soldiers might take her to Etzion, an Israeli prison near Bethlehem:
“I was scared. They had blindfolded me with my own scarf so I was cold as well. We travelled in the jeep for a long time. The journey from Bethlehem to Etzion is only about 10 minutes, and after a while I knew it was too far. The journey lasted about one and a half hours. At about 9.30pm, the jeep stopped and I asked them if I could go to the bathroom. I asked in English but they spoke with me in Hebrew and I said that I didn’t speak Hebrew. There were female soldiers there and they let me go to the bathroom. I asked one of the women ‘Where are we?’ and I was told that we were in Etzion.
“Then they took me back to the jeep. There were two officers but they didn’t speak to me. They spoke among themselves and on the phone. I didn’t know where I was. The handcuffs were very tight on my hands and they hurt. I knocked on the window between me and the soldier in the jeep and said in English ‘It hurts me’. I tried to do this many times but there was no answer. Eventually they took me out and there was Erez [a crossing point between northern Gaza and Israel].
“In [the] Oslo [Peace Accords of 1993] they said that the West Bank and Gaza are one [territorial unit]. We shouldn’t need a permit to go to Ramallah or Bethlehem: I’m legal… I was in Bethlehem for four years, I don’t know Erez, I didn’t see my family in all this time and it was a shock for me. My mother said she knew I was scared from my voice. I was meant to be finishing [my studies] in December. The lawyer is working on a petition to take to the [Israeli High] Court. I hope that it will be OK, and I can return to Bethlehem. I went for four years and missed my family and [if I am not allowed to return] it will have been for nothing… I really wish I could return to Bethlehem. The situation in Gaza is so hard. I want to return to complete my studies. But I’m scared that if I get refused then I’ll never get a permit. I want to finish university and graduate. My final exam is on 31 December, I don’t have my books to study with, and I only had my handbag with me. All my notes, everything is in my home in Bethlehem.”
Update on Berlanty Azzam’s case
On 29 October 2009, the day after Berlanty Azzam’s forcible removal to Gaza, Gisha filed a petition to the Israeli High Court protesting her expulsion from the West Bank.
On 9 December 2009, after two hearings, the High Court upheld the position of the Israeli state and ruled not to allow Berlanty to return to Bethlehem University to complete her studies. In the course of the High Court hearings, the state made no security allegations against Berlanty but simply said her presence in the West Bank was “illegal”.
After being refused permission to return to Bethlehem, Berlanty continued to study with her former university teachers via email and telephone calls. She completed her studies long-distance and received her bachelor’s degree from Bethlehem University in Gaza’s Church of the Holy Family on 10 January 2010.
New Israeli military order could increase expulsions of West Bank Palestinians (News, 28 April 2010)
Tunisia: US Should Press Tunis on Rights
(New York) – Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton should send a clear message to Tunisia’s foreign minister, Kamel Morjane, when they meet on April 28, 2010, in Washington, DC, that his government should respect human rights, Human Rights Watch said today.
Rwanda urged to ensure opposition leader receives fair trial
Victoire Ingabire of the United Democratic Forces, who plans to stand in presidential elections in August, has been charged with genocide ideology and collaboration with a “terrorist” group.
Amnesty International urged the Rwandan Government to ensure that opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, receives a swift, fair trial on charges including genocide ideology and collaboration with a “terrorist” group, and is not punished for the legitimate exercise of freedom of expression.
Victoire Ingabire, President of the United Democratic Forces (FDU-Inkingi), who plans to stand in presidential elections in August 2010 was arrested on 21 April 2010 after being summoned to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, the previous day. This was her sixth summons by the police this year.
“We have documented a number of incidents of intimidation and harassment of opposition groups in Rwanda in recent months,” said Erwin van der Borght, Africa programme director at Amnesty International.
“Now with the arrest of a potential presidential candidate a few months ahead of the election, we call on the government to demonstrate that this is not another such case.”
Ingabire, was charged with “genocide ideology” and “minimising the genocide”, “divisionism” and “collaboration with a ‘terrorist’ group”, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). She appeared before Gasabo Intermediary Court (TGI) on 21 April and pleaded not guilty on all counts.
On 22 April, the court ruled that Ingabire could be released on condition that she not travel outside the capital Kigali while proceedings against her continue.
The Rwandan authorities had already prevented Ingabire from travelling to Europe in March 2010 due to ongoing police investigations.
The “genocide ideology” and “divisionism” charges relate to speeches Ingabire made on her arrival back in Rwanda in January 2010 and in Europe where she spent 16 years in exile in the Netherlands and formed FDU-Inkingi. FDU-Inkingi is still seeking registration in Rwanda.
Government officials have over recent months claimed that comments made by Ingabire at the Gisozi Genocide Memorial on 16 January 2010 amount to “genocide denial” and “divisionism” or promoting ethnic division.
In her speech, she called for the prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Hutu by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), as well as commemoration of Hutu victims killed during the war.
“The onus will be on the prosecution to prove that there is credible, solid evidence to justify the charges against Ingabire, said Erwin van der Borght.
“The prosecutor will have to demonstrate that what she said actually constitutes advocacy of hatred and that they are not punishing her for political dissent.”
A Rwandan law promulgated in October 2008 criminalises “genocide ideology” in vague and ambiguous terms which unduly stifle freedom of expression. The Rwandan Government appear to have recognized that aspects of the genocide ideology law may be problematic and, according to Rwanda News Agency, the Cabinet is currently reviewing this law.
Ingabire is also charged with collaboration with a “terrorist” group, the FDLR.
The FDLR, an armed group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is mainly composed of Rwandan Hutu. It contains remnants of the Interahamwe and former Rwandan soldiers responsible for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as well as fighters not involved in the genocide, including many too young to have participated in the genocide.
Ingabire attended “Inter-Rwandan Dialogue” meetings with pro-FDLR participants while in exile in the Netherlands, but says these meetings included participants from various political and ethnic backgrounds, including representatives of the RPF, the ruling party in Rwanda.
In police interrogations over recent weeks, Ingabire has reportedly been accused of meeting with FDLR officials in DRC and intending to create her own militia group. She has consistently denied such allegations.
“The government must demonstrate that Ingabire herself committed recognizably criminal acts and that this is not a case of guilt by association,” said Erwin van der Borght.
Amnesty International urged the Rwandan Government to ensure that Ingabire is tried promptly and in accordance with international fair trial standards.
Amnesty International strongly condemned harassment and intimidation of opposition groups, including the Green Party and the Ideal Social Party, in February 2010.
A member of Ingabire’s party, Joseph Ntawangundi, was severely beaten in a government building on 3 February 2010, as he accompanied Ingabire to collect documents needed for the party’s registration.
Ntawangundi was arrested in February 2010 following revelations that he had been convicted of genocide in absentia by a community tribunal set-up to try cases from the 1994 genocide.
Ntawangundi initially claimed to have been outside Rwanda during the genocide working for an international trade union body, but the organization confirmed this was untrue. Ntawangundi later confessed to participation in the genocide and in March 2010 was sentenced to 17 years in prison.
A November 2009 UN panel of experts report on DRC found that diaspora members of FDU-Inkingi had been in phone contact with FDLR military leaders, but did not specify the nature of this contact or suggest Ingabire had herself maintained such contact.
Recent months have seen a number of government measures against critics and opponents including restrictions on freedom of expression.
On 23 April, Rwandan immigration rejected a work visa re-application by the Rwanda-based researcher for the international human rights group, Human Rights Watch.
On 13 April, the High Media Council (HMC) suspended two Kinyarwanda newspapers known for being critical of the government, Umuseso and Umuvugizi, until after the elections. The HMC alleged that Umuseso had insulted the President and caused trouble in the army that could lead to insubordination.
The 2003 presidential elections and the 2008 legislative elections in Rwanda were marred by intimidation and political opposition activities were severely restricted.
Tunisia: Quash Unfair Convictions
(New York) – The Tunisian authorities should quash the convictions against a journalist and an activist for their involvement in protests against unemployment and other grievances in a mining region of Gafsa province in 2008, Human Rights Watch said today. Fahem Boukadous and Hassan bin Abdullah were convicted after unfair trials in which the defense was not allowed to present witnesses.
Azerbaijan must stop violent crackdowns on peaceful protests
Police detained dozens of opposition supporters on their way to a demonstration in the capital Baku to demand the rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Amnesty International urged the Azerbaijan authorities to respect the right to freedom of assembly after dozens of opposition supporters were detained on Monday while on their way to a demonstration.
Around 80 people were rounded up by police in the capital Baku while travelling to a rally to demand the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, according to local media reports.
They were seized en route by police officers, who pushed them into minibuses and police cars and drove them away.
Forty were driven to the outskirts of the city and released immediately and another 30 were taken to a police station and released after five hours.
Ten people were charged with resisting police and violating public order and released in the late evening by the Sabail District Court in Baku.
Five detainees were fined 20 Manats (about 25 US$) while another five were given a warning.
Police said that the group of protesters, which included several journalists, were arrested because the gathering was not officially sanctioned. However, requests to hold the rally had previously been ignored by city authorities.
“This crackdown on peaceful protesters is just the latest example of the Azerbaijani authorities’ attempts to silence dissent,” said Halya Gowan, director of Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Programme.
“Those arrested are being denied their rights to freedom of assembly and expression, which is exactly the rights that they were protesting for.”
The rally was organized by the opposition group Azadliq (Liberty) which includes the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, the Liberal Party, and the Civil and Development Party.
The group were planning to gather outside the Mayor’s Office to demand that the authorities respect freedom of assembly.
The group had previously asked the authorities to allow a protest on Sunday in front of the Baku City Hall but received no answer.
Police broke up a similar protest two weeks ago at the same location organized by the opposition Musavat party arresting 47 people, who were released after several hours.
The Baku authorities have refused to allow public protests in the city centre for three years, despite the Azerbaijani Constitution guaranteeing freedom of assembly. Demonstrations are currently only permitted in the outskirts of the city.
According to the reports and eyewitness accounts, journalists were also subjected to violence by the police and prevented from filming and interviewing the demonstrators.
Seven journalists were reportedly detained: Natig Gulehmedoglu Elchin Hasanov, Parviz Jabrayil, Efqan Mukhtarli, Seymur Haziyev, Parviz Hashimli and Mehman Huseynov.
Two journalists, Mehman Huseynov from the Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety and Afgan Mukhtarli from Yeni Musavat newspaper, reportedly had their cameras broken. Mehman Huseynov also alleged that he received a leg injury during the dispersal.
Amnesty International called on the Government of Azerbaijan to uphold the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in line with their international obligations.
UN Security Council: Act Now to Protect Women
(New York) – The United Nations Security Council should immediately begin using measurable benchmarks to protect women caught in conflicts around the world and to ensure that women are included in peace negotiations, rather than delaying this step, Human Rights Watch said today.
Widespread abuse of migrants in Mexico is ‘human rights crisis’
A new Amnesty International report details how migrants are preyed on by criminal gangs while public officials turn a blind eye or even play an active part.
The Mexican authorities must act to halt the continuing abuse of migrants who are preyed on by criminal gangs while public officials turn a blind eye or even play an active part in kidnappings, rapes and murders, Amnesty International said in a new report released on Tuesday.
Invisible Victims: Migrants on the Move in Mexico, documents the alarming levels of abuse faced by the tens of thousands of Central American irregular migrants that every year attempt to reach the US by crossing Mexico.
“Migrants in Mexico are facing a major human rights crisis leaving them with virtually no access to justice, fearing reprisals and deportation if they complain of abuses,” said Rupert Knox, Mexico Researcher at Amnesty International.
“Persistent failure by the authorities to tackle abuses carried out against irregular migrants has made their journey through Mexico one of the most dangerous in the world.”
Kidnappings of migrants, mainly for ransom, reached new heights in 2009, with the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) reporting that nearly 10,000 were abducted over six months and almost half of interviewed victims saying that public officials were involved in their kidnapping.
An estimated six out of 10 migrant women and girls experience sexual violence, allegedly prompting some people smugglers to demand that women receive contraceptive injections ahead of the journey, to avoid them falling pregnant as a result of rape.
On 23 January 2010, armed police stopped a freight train carrying over 100 migrants in Chiapas State, southern Mexico.
Veronica (not her real name) said that Federal Police forced her and the other migrants to leave the train and lie face down on the ground, before stealing their belongings and threatening to kill them unless they continued their journey by foot along the railway.
After walking for hours, the group was assaulted by armed men who raped Veronica and killed at least one other migrant.
Two suspects were later detained after a local activist helped the migrants file a complaint but no action was taken against the Federal Police, despite migrants identifying two officers allegedly involved.
“Mexico has a responsibility to prevent, punish and remedy abuses whether these are committed by criminal gangs or public officials,” said Rupert Knox.
The report calls for immediate action to ensure migrants’ access to complaint mechanisms regardless of their status and ensure effective investigations.
The vast majority of migrants travelling through Mexico are Central Americans headed for the US border in search of work.
Ruben Figueroa, a Mexican human rights defender who provides shelter and food for migrants, told Amnesty International: “They leave their homes because of the extreme poverty where they come from, the journey north is a nightmare for them but they do it for the families they have left behind.”
The Mexican government has often stated its commitment to protect the rights of migrants, whatever their legal status and is a leading promoter of migrants’ rights on the international stage.
Despite some welcome measures in recent years, for example better protection of the rights of unaccompanied children and criminalization of people trafficking, this has often in reality failed to prevent and punish abuses against migrants.
Amnesty International’s recommendations to address the human rights crisis include:
- Legislative reforms to ensure access to justice
- Establish a federal task force to coordinate and implement measures
- Compile and publish data on abuses against migrants and the steps taken to bring those responsible to account, including public officials.
EU/China: Ashton Should Raise Human Rights In China
(New York) – The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Catherine Ashton, should publicly raise key human rights concerns on her first official visit to China, Human Rights Watch said today. Ashton will visit China from April 29 to May 1, 2010.
G8: Act to Improve Maternal and Child Health
G8 development ministers should take a strong stand on fulfilling the global promise to reduce maternal and child mortality and eliminate health disparities among nations and communities, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the Canadian government.