Impunity Watch Headlines

Nine Colombian Soldiers Killed in Clash with Rebels

Ryan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:47:00 GMT

By Ryan C. Kossler Impunity Watch Reporter, South America BOGOTA, Colombia – Early on Tuesday, Colombian soldiers clashed with members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in a bloody confrontation that ended with nine dead soldiers and three more who were injured. The battle took place near Corinto,...

BP Oil Pipeline Threatens Colombian Farmers

Soveriegn Hager — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:56:42 GMT

By Sovereign Hager Impunity Watch Reporter, South America (Courtesy of Enbridge.com) LONDON, England-Colombian farmers are suing the oil company BP for damages arising from the construction of a 450-mile pipeline. The lawsuit alleges that the Ocensa pipeline caused landslides and damage to soil and groundwater, caused crops to fail, livestock...

Deadly Blast Rocks Pakistani Town

mike — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:16:38 GMT

By Michael E. Sanchez Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia CHARSADDA, Pakistan- At least 24 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in a car bombing in the town of Charsadda, police say. The blast occurred as shoppers walked through the main market of the town, which lies north-east of...

Civilians and Police Officers file Allegations of Torture by the Mexican Military

brenda — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:54:39 GMT

By Brenda Lopez Romero Impunity Watch Reporter – North America desk TIJUANA, Mexico – The first oral arguments in front of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) in Washington were heard for the torture allegations by the Military in Baja California. The families of the police and civilian detained...

Sri Lanka and Australia Discuss Human-Smuggling

alok — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:45:43 GMT

By Alok Bhatt Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Officials from Australian and Sri Lanka recently began discussions to inhibit the extensive people-smuggling into Christmas Island and other regions of Australia. The Australian and Sri Lankan foreign ministers met in Colombo on Monday o to discuss maritime security...

New Zealand Refuses to Help Asylum Seekers

Cindy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:00:25 GMT

By Cindy Trinh Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand rejected the Rudd Government's plea to resettle some of the 78 asylum seekers refusing to leave an Australian customs boat, the Oceanic Viking, just off the coast of Indonesia. New Zealand's refusal to help the asylum seekers...

Yemen Rejects International Intervention in Rebel Conflict

Ahmad Shihadah — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:23:22 GMT

By Ahmad Shihadah Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East Desk SA’NA, Yemen – Yemen told outside powers Wednesday to stay out of its battle with the Hutis, a Shi’ite rebel group in its northwest. This came amid concerns that Iran and Saudi Arabia are being drawn into the conflict. The statement...

Most Recent Clash in Mogadishu Leaves 6 Dead and Thousands More Searching for Solace

Jared Kleinman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:14:10 GMT

By Jared Kleinman Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa MOGADISHU, Somalia - Heavy fighting between Somali transitional government forces and rebel Al Shabaab militants have left at least six people dead and another 12 injured in Mogadishu. The fighting broke out Saturday afternoon when heavily armed Al Shabaab militant fighters carried out...

Russian Constitutional Court Considers Ending Ban On Death Penalty

David — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:56:46 GMT

By David Sophrin Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe MOSCOW, Russia - The Russian Constitutional Court is considering the reinstatement of the death penalty in the country's criminal justice system. When Russia joined the Council of Europe in 1996 it agreed to outlaw executions in accordance with Protocol Six of the European...

Iran Charges Detained U.S. Hikers With Espionage

Bobby Rajabi — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:36:26 GMT

By Bobby Rajabi Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East TEHRAN, Iran - Three American hikers detained in Iran will be charged with espionage. Tehran's general prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Doloatabadi confirmed the news on November 9. Doloatabadi also said that the investigation into the actions of the three would continue. Under Iranian...

Justice in the Balance

Mike Sampson — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:20:11 GMT

By: Michael Miklaucic Miklaucic analyzes the international tribunals established after the atrocities committed in Yugoslavia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone. The author takes an in-depth look at the successes and costs of these tribunals finding that they have largely accomplished the objectives laid out at their inceptions, and for that reason...

Virginia Governor Denies Stay of Execution

Stephen — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:08:52 GMT

By Stephen Kopko Impunity Watch Reporter, North America VIRGINIA, United States - Governor Tim Kaine denied a stay of execution order submitted by John Allen Muhammad on Tuesday. Muhammad is the Washington, D.C. sniper who took the lives of several people during a three week killing spree in 2002. He...

Taylor Says He Was Tricked By Nigeria Into Leaving Liberia

jon — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:28:12 GMT

By Jonathan Ambaye Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk THE HAGUE, Netherlands-Today, prosecutors at The United Nation’s Special Court for Sierra Leone began their cross-examination of former Liberian President, Charles Taylor. Taylor is facing charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Taylor has been the defense’s first witness, and has...

Saudi’s Engage Yemeni Rebels

Ahmad Shihadah — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:42:07 GMT

By Ahmad Shihadah Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East SA’NA, Yemen – Saudi Arabian forces have seized a strategic mountain straddling the border with Yemen and cleared it of Shi’ite rebels after five days of fighting that have left three Saudi soldiers dead, a Saudi defense official said Sunday. In a...

Judge Adjourns Bennett's Trial for Torture Determination

Jenn Haralambides — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:10:21 GMT

By Jennifer M. Haralambides Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa HARARE, Zimbabwe - The trial of a Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's senior aide was adjourned in the Harare High Court on today so the judge could deliberate the admissibility of evidence that was allegedly gathered through torture. The state's key witness, Peter...

Palestinians Breach Barrier on Anniversary of Fall of Berlin Wall

Meredith Lee-Clark — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:47:59 GMT

By Meredith Lee-Clark Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East Masked activists used a lorry to tear down a cement block of the wall (Photo Courtesy: AFP). QALANDIYA, West Bank – Palestinian and foreign activists broke through the wall separating Israel and the West Bank, harkening back to the fall of the...

Canada Suspects Tamil Migrants May Have Terrorist Links

wcmiller — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:13:48 GMT

By William Miller Impunity Watch Reporter, North America The Ocean Lady was stopped by Canadian officials on October 17. The CBSA now suspects the ship may have links to the Tamil Tigers (PHOTO: CTV) VANCOUVER, Canada – The Canadian Border Service Agency suspects at least one of the seventy-six Sri...

Sudanese President a No-Show at Islamic Conference in Turkey after EU Pushes for his Arrest

Elizabeth Conger — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:12:43 GMT

By Elizabeth A. Conger Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe ANKARA, Turkey - Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir abruptly canceled plans to attend a meeting today of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in Istanbul. The cancellation came after an EU push to persuade Turkey to arrest him for war crimes charges...

Venezuela Talks of War With Colombia

Ryan — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:25:03 GMT

By Ryan C. Kossler Impunity Watch Reporter, South America BOGOTA, Colombia – Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has made direct implications that Venezuela is preparing for a war against neighboring country Colombia. In one of President Chavez’s weekly radio and television broadcasts he said “let’s not waste a day on our...

Man Arrested in Canada for War Crimes

wcmiller — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:39:47 GMT

By William Miller Impunity Watch Reporter, North America ONTARIO, Canada - Jacques Mungwarere was arrested on Friday November 6, and has been charged with violating Canada’s War Crimes Act. He was arraigned on Saturday in federal court. Mungwarere is the second person to be charged with violating the law since...

Malaysia Withholds 10,000 Confiscated Bibles

dodge — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:49:51 GMT

By M.E. Dodge Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Government officials in Malaysia seized and continue to refuse the release of 10,000 Bibles sequestered for using the word "Allah" to refer to God. Officials maintain their position after announcing their plan to withhold the Bibles on Wednesday, November...

Islamic Community Denied Damages for Ravaged Mosques

Kenneth Hunt — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:30:00 GMT

By Kenneth F. Hunt Impunity Watch Reporter BANJA LUKA, Bosnia and Herzegovina – The District Court in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina overturned a lower court that would have required a Serbian region and town to pay its Islamic community $50 million for repair of sixteen mosques. The reversal was...

DR Congo Army Attacks Civilians at Measles Vaccination Site

Jenn Haralambides — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:50:49 GMT

By Jennifer M. Haralambides Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa DR Congo - The Congolese army attacked villages where civilians gathered to receive measles vaccinations. The aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) denounced the attacks in North Kivu as "an abuse of humanitarian action." Thousands of civilians were attacked when they visited...

Japan Promises Aid to Mekong Region

Hyo-Jin Paik — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 12:54:20 GMT

By Hyo-Jin Paik Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia TOKYO, Japan – Japan and five Southeast Asian nations in the Mekong region ended a successful summit meeting on Saturday with Japan promising more than $5.5 billion in loans and grants in the next three years. Japan’s prime minster said that the Mekong...

Youth Recruitment in Somalia

Kylie Tsudama — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:22:03 GMT

By Kylie M Tsudama Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa (Source:Al Jazeera) MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Kenyan government has been accused of secretly recruiting and training youths from the north eastern region to fight for the Somali transition government against al-Shabaab. The al-Shabaab militant group in Somalia has accused Kenyan leadership of...

ICC Claims Strong Cases in Kenyan Post-Election Violence

Kylie Tsudama — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:26:30 GMT

By Kylie M Tsudama Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa (Source:ntvkenya) NAIROBI, Kenya - Luis Moreno Ocampo, chief prosecutor for the international Criminal Court (ICC) announced that he would bring two to three post-election violence cases to trial by next July. Ocampo has said that he has a "strong case" against some...

Five Suspected Bosnian War Criminals Arrested

Kenneth Hunt — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:55:00 GMT

By Kenneth F. Hunt Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe BELGRADE, Serbia – On Thursday, Serbian authorities arrested five former Serbian troops who allegedly committed war crimes against Roma civilians in 1992. The arrests were made just hours after the War Crimes Trial Chamber of the Belgrade District Court granted a request...

Trial Begins for Argentina's Last Dictator

Soveriegn Hager — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:47:57 GMT

By Sovereign Hager Impunity Watch Reporter, South America Human rights activists hold up portraits of missing people as Argentina's last dictator, Gen. Reynaldo Bignone and seven other army officers, seen in the background, stand trial for human rights abuses (Photo Courtesy of AP) BUENOS AIRES, Argentina-Trial began for General Bignone,...

Inquiry Reveals Corruption Within PNG Immigration Department

Eileen — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:07:29 GMT

By Eileen Gould Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea – Papua New Guinean immigration officials state that the Foreign Affairs and Immigration Department lacks sufficient resources to prevent foreigners from entering the country. As a result of an anti-Asian riot, which occurred last May, the government has...

Israel Seizes Ship Carrying Weapons

Brandon — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 08:06:05 GMT

By Brandon Kaufman Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East ASHDOD, Israel- More than 3,000 rockets were apparently being smuggled aboard the ship Francop, which was captured in the Mediterranean Sea by Israel Navy missile boats and naval commandos late this past Tuesday, November 3, in an operation dubbed Operation Four Species....

Karzai Opponent Denounces Election Victory

mike — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 07:42:23 GMT

By Michael E. Sanchez Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia KABUL, Afghanistan- In his first comments since Hamid Karzai was declared to have won the fraud-hit election, former Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah said Karzai’s reelection is “illegal” and his government a failure. Abdullah told reporters in Kabul that Karzai’s government would...

Suspects Arrested in Killings of Russian Human Rights Lawyer and Journalist

David — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:59:18 GMT

By David Sophrin Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe MOSCOW, Russia - Two suspects have been charged by a Moscow city court in the murders of a Russian human rights lawyer and journalist. Nikita Tikhonov and Yevgenia Khasis, allegedly members of a Russian neo-Nazi organization, were charged Thursday with the Moscow murders...

Mexico Charged with Violations of the American Convention for Human Rights

brenda — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:47:24 GMT

By Brenda López Romero Impunity Watch Reporter, North America Ricardo Ucan Seca (PHOTO: Diario de Yucatan) YUCATAN, Mexico – Litigators, Raul Lugo Rodríguez and Jorge Fernandez, from the Indigenous Group insist that Ricardo Ucan Seca’s fundamental human rights were violated because he was not provided with defense counsel that spoke...

Sri Lanka Responds to EU Report Demands

alok — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:15:03 GMT

By Alok Bhatt Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - The European Union (EU) recently imposed a deadline on Sri Lanka’s human-rights report. The consequences of failure to adhere to the EU deadline include a termination of trade concession worth up to $116 million dollars under the GSP Plus...

Former Fiji Human Rights Commissioner Says Deportation of Academic Lal is Unacceptable

Cindy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:18:18 GMT

By Cindy Trinh Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania SUVA, Fiji - A former Fiji Human Rights Commissioner, Shamima Ali, says the treatment of Dr. Brij Lal is shocking and unacceptable. Lal was threatened when he was questioned by the Fiji military, and was deported to Australia after he was questioned. Lal...

Chinese Activist Risks Jail Over Letter to Obama

dodge — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:23:43 GMT

By M.E. Dodge Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia BEIJING, China- A Chinese dissident, freed recently after spending eight years in prison, is seeking Obama's help in gaining medical parole for two friends jailed with him for forming a political study group. Yang Zili sits in an interview in Beijing, Wednesday, November...

U.S. Envoy Denounces China’s Refugee Repatriation

Hyo-Jin Paik — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:41:55 GMT

By Hyo-Jin Paik Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia WASHINGTON, United States – The U.S. nominee for North Korea human rights envoy, Robert King, said he will continue to pressure China to stop the deportation of North Korean refugees. At the Senate confirmation hearing, King said, “The Chinese have been less hospitable...

Taylor Accuses Prosecution of Misleading the Court

jon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:15:32 GMT

By Jonathan Ambaye Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk THE HAGUE, Netherlands-On Monday, November 2, 2009, Charles Taylor’s trial, for his alleged role in serious international crimes committed by Sierra Leone rebels during the country’s civil war, resumed. On this day, Charles Taylor gave testimony accusing the prosecution of misleading the...

Italian Judge Convicts Americans in 2003 CIA Kidnapping of Egyptian Cleric

Elizabeth Conger — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:11:18 GMT

By Elizabeth A. Conger Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe MILAN, Italy - On Wednesday, an Italian judge found twenty three Americans and two Italians guilty in the kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric as a terror suspect. The convictions mark the first ever legal convictions anywhere against those involved in the CIA's...

Clashes Between Police And Protesters Mark Iranian Anniversary

Bobby Rajabi — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:04:19 GMT

By Bobby Rajabi Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East TEHRAN, Iran – On November 4 violence broke out between Iranian police and protesters still angry about the June presidential election. The protests took over a day that was to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the taking of the United States embassy...

Supreme Court to Hear Case About Juvenile Life Sentence

Stephen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:38:00 GMT

By Stephen Kopko Impunity Watch Reporter, North America WASHINGTON, D.C., United States - On November 12, the United States Supreme Court will hear two cases on the issue of whether a juvenile can be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Advocates for the defendants argue that...

14 Year Old Boy Tortured by Guyanese Police

Ryan — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:01:43 GMT

By Ryan C. Kossler Impunity Watch Reporter, South America GEORGETOWN, Guyana – A fourteen year old boy was detained and tortured Saturday by Guyanese police in relation to a murder investigation. The boy was one of three men arrested for the murder of Ramenauth Bisram, a local government official who...

Palestinians Could Abandon Two-State Solution if Settlements Continue

Meredith Lee-Clark — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:42:14 GMT

By Meredith Lee-Clark Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East RAMALLAH, West Bank – Saeb Erekat, chief Palestinian negotiator, has said that Israel’s continued expansion of settlements in the West Bank could force the Palestinians to reject any proposed two-state solution in future peace negotiations. Erekat’s statement came during a press conference...

Ecuador's Indigenous Protest Water Privatization

Soveriegn Hager — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:07:00 GMT

By Sovereign Hager Impunity Watch Reporter, South America (Photo Courtesy of Getty Images) QUITO, Ecuador-The Confederation of Ecuadoran Indigenous Nationalities (CONAIE) are expressing opposition to a new water law by protesting and blocking roadways. The movement argues that the Hydraulic Resources Law allows for the development of mining projects in...

Human Rights Commission Investigates Homicides in Mexico

brenda — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:15:17 GMT

By Brenda López Romero Impunity Watch Reporter, North America Auntuna Garcia's body (PHOTO: El Universal) DURANGO, México – Durango Governor Ismael Hernandez Deras has just issued a statement that journalist Bladimir Auntuna Garcia’s killing will be investigated by the Special District Attorneys Office against Aggression to Journalists. The Governor lamented...

Accused of Interfering With Fiji's Affairs, Australia and New Zealand Diplomats Expelled

Eileen — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:26:05 GMT

By Eileen Gould Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania SUVA, Fiji – Fiji’s military-run government has accused diplomats from Australia and New Zealand of meddling in its internal affairs and has ordered them to leave the country. Fijian army chief Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who seized control of the government in a 2006...

Iranian Vessel Seized by Yemen

Ahmad Shihadah — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:43:05 GMT

By Ahmad Shihadah Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East SA’NA, Yemen – The Yemeni coast guard seized a boat they say illegally entered the country’s territorial waters, near the island of Midi under the suspicion that it was smuggling arms to Shi'ite rebels battling government troops in the Northern Yemen province...

U.S. Authorities Fail to Question Chief Sri Lankan General

alok — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:36:16 GMT

By Alok Bhatt Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia COLOMBO,Sri Lanka - General Sarath Foneseka, one of the recognized masterminds behind the Sri Lankan government’s final, victorious campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam, left Oklahoma city today on a civilian visit to his daughters. Upon hearing of the general’s arrival...

U.N. Support Suspended to Peacekeeping Unit For Ironic Civilian Killings

Jared Kleinman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:16:00 GMT

By Jared Kleinman Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa KINSHASA, DRC - The U.N. has suspended logistical and operational support for the Congolese army's 213th Brigade which was confirmed to have killed at least 62 civilians during a peacekeeper-backed offensive against the rebel group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda...

Iraqi Security Forces Held Over Baghdad Bombing

Bobby Rajabi — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:22:22 GMT

By Bobby Rajabi Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East BAGHDAD, Iraq – On October 29 Iraq arrested over sixty security officials for their connection to a twin suicide bombing in central Baghdad. Among those arrested were Iraqi soldiers and members of the police force. An Iraqi military spokesperson confirmed that eleven...

Bangladesh Workers Riot Over Pay Kills at Least Two

mike — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:08:45 GMT

By Michael E. Sanchez Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia DHAKA, Bangladesh- At least 2 people have been killed and over 100 injured in clashes between textile workers and police in Bangladesh, police have said. The authorities delayed the report almost 12 hours after the media first reported the deaths. The violence...

Free Press Activists Arrested in Moscow

David — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:00:39 GMT

By David Sophrin Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe MOSCOW, Russia - Approximately 50 people were arrested Saturday at a protest in Moscow. The protest, which took place in Triumfalnaya Square in the center of the capital, focused on the efforts of the Kremlin since current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin rose to...

U.S. Court of Appeals Denies Relief to Torture Victim

Stephen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:47:07 GMT

By Stephen Kopko Impunity Watch Reporter, North America NEW YORK, United States - The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled on Monday that a Canadian man cannot sue former United States government officials for civil damages. Maher Arar, a Canadian engineer, claimed that he was held...

British Mercenary Pardoned by Equatorial Guinea President

jon — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 18:31:05 GMT

By Jonathan Ambaye Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk DAKAR, Senegal-Today the government of Equatorial Guinea announced it had pardoned Simon Mann and four other South Africans who had been imprisoned for a failed attempt to overthrow the country’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. In March 2004, a plane from South Africa...

Congolese Army Killed 62 Civilians in DR Congo

Jenn Haralambides — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:36:59 GMT

By Jennifer M. Haralambides Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo - Due to accusations that the Congolese army killed 62 civilians, the United Nations (UN) has withdrawn its support to the soldiers operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). "[C]ivilians have been clearly targeted in attacks...

Karadzic to Attend Special Hearing on Tuesday

Elizabeth Conger — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:00:40 GMT

By Elizabeth A. Conger Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe THE HAGUE, Netherlands - Radovan Karadzic has announced his intention to appear before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) on Tuesday at a special hearing designed to end his boycott of the trial. The trial was scheduled to begin...

Hamas Seeks to Ban Elections in Gaza

Meredith Lee-Clark — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:51:11 GMT

By Meredith Lee-Clark Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – The Hamas Interior Ministry released a statement on October 28, saying that it would not open polling stations for the national elections announced by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The statement said that Abbas did not have...

Witness in Human Rights Trial Mysteriously Dies

Ryan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:15:08 GMT

By Ryan C. Kossler Impunity Watch Reporter, South America CORDOBA, Argentina – Jesus Gonzalez, a key witness in an Argentina human rights trial, was found dead in the bathroom of his home with a fatal stab wound to his chest. Gonzalez was scheduled to testify against former Argentinean army general,...

Prison Sentence for People-Smuggling Is Criticized as Being Excessive

Cindy — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:16:50 GMT

By Cindy Trinh Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania DARWIN, Australia - Judge Dean Mildren for the Northern Territory criticizes the laws that forced him to sentence two Indonesians to five years in jail for smuggling asylum-seekers. Judge Mildren stated that he would have preferred to give the two Indonesians a lesser...

Canada Plans to Cut Down Refugee Acceptance

wcmiller — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:32:53 GMT

By William Miller Impunity Watch Reporter, North America OTTAWA, Canada - Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said that Canada plans to cut the number of people receiving refugee status next year. Specifically, the plan will target those who make their claim for refugee status after entering the country. The plan...

France Criticized for Detaining Unaccompanied Minors

Kenneth Hunt — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:07:39 GMT

By Kenneth F. Hunt Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe PARIS, France – Over the past week, the press has criticized France for its policy of detaining migrant children that arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport unaccompanied. A recent report released by Human Rights Watch attacks the detention policy on several areas....

Canada Calls for UN Inspectors to Focus on Iran

wcmiller — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:18:00 GMT

By William Miller, Impunity Watch Reporter, North America OTTAWA, Canada - A Canadian drafted UN resolution released on Thursday, October 29 sharply criticized Iran for their continuing violations of human rights. Canada has proposed such resolutions before but this resolution is the first to criticize UN Special Investigators for their...

Mining Company Sued for Human Rights Abuse in Peru

Soveriegn Hager — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:29:58 GMT

By Sovereign Hager Impunity Watch Reporter, South America (All photos courtesy of The Guardian) LONDON, United Kingdom-The high court in London is going to hear testimony from subsistence farmers from Peru who claim that they were detained and severely tortured after a protest at a British-owned mine. The multi-million pound...

Asylum Center Expansion Is Evidence of Policy Failure

Eileen — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:34:53 GMT

By Eileen Gould Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania CANBERRA, Australia – The Australian government will increase the capacity of a Christmas Island detention facility as a result of the increase in the number of individuals seeking asylum. As a result of the government’s plans, the detention center, which will cost approximately...

French Court Halts Corruption Probe

Kenneth Hunt — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:23:58 GMT

By Kenneth F. Hunt Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe PARIS, France – On Thursday, a French appeals court halted a probe into the source of funding for luxury cars and property owned by three African leaders. The appeals court denied the standing of the activists as plaintiffs to bring a lawsuit...

Pitcairn Considers New Draft of Constitution

Cindy — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:57:12 GMT

By Cindy Trinh Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania ADAMSTOWN, Pitcairn - The Governor of Pitcairn, George Ferguson, announced that the island is considering a new draft of the constitution because there is a need for human rights to be "spelled out." The current constitution was enacted in 1970. Since then, there...

Border Massacre Sparks Tension Between Venezuela and Colombia

Ryan — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:38:55 GMT

By Ryan C. Kossler Impunity Watch Reporter, South America BOGOTA, Colombia - Venezuelan authorities uncovered the body of the eleventh and final victim in a brutal kidnapping and execution style massacre that recently took place in the state of Tachira, along the border of Venezuela and Colombia. The victims were...

Iran Human Rights Documentation Center

Victor Garza — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:43:50 GMT

The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) seeks to establish a comprehensive and objective historical record of the human rights situation in Iran since the 1979 revolution, and on the basis of this record, establish responsibility for patterns of human rights abuses; make such record available in an archive that...

UN To Examine Australia's Policies Amid Asylum Impasse

Eileen — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:52:14 GMT

By Eileen Gould Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania CANBERRA, Australia – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health is expected to review Australia’s immigration policies amid increasing international scrutiny. Anand Grover will inspect detention facilities in Villawood and Brisbane, but not those at Christmas Island, when he visits...

Colombia's Security Policy Compromises Human Rights

Soveriegn Hager — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:58:24 GMT

By Sovereign Hager Impunity Watch Reporter, South America (Photo Courtesy of redsolsur.com) BOGOTA,Colombia-Colombia's National Planning Council blames the government's "Democratic Security" policy and fight against drugs for the systematic increase in human rights violations. The National Planning Council is a constitutionally mandated body tasked with formulating, monitoring, and evaluating government...

Gaston Flosse Alleges French Violated European Human Rights Convention

Cindy — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:34:57 GMT

By Cindy Trinh Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania PAPEETE, French Polynesia - French Polynesia's veteran politician, Gaston Flosse, alleges that French authorities violated the European Human Rights Convention when French investigators detained his partner, Pascale Haiti. In September of 2009, investigators detained Haiti to question her about the corruption probe of...

People's Committee for Political Reform in Tonga Hopes to Submit Petition for New Prime Minister

Cindy — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:31:40 GMT

By Cindy Trinh Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania NUKU'ALOFA, Tonga - The People's Committee for Political Reform in Tonga hopes to present a petition to the King requesting for a new Prime Minister. The petition is in accordance with the Tongan Women's National Congress, who also seeks the replacement of the...

ABA Releases Report on Exploring Counterterrorism Detention Alternatives

mario — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:59:29 GMT

By Mario A. Flores Special Features Editor, Impunity Watch Journal WASHINGTON, D.C. – In June of this year, the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security brought together a group of legal experts, scholars and practitioners in the field of national security law for a day-long workshop...

UN Report Finds War Crimes in Gaza Conflict

mario — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:49:52 GMT

By Mario A. Flores Special Features Editor, Impunity Watch Journal New York, United States - Justice Richard Goldstone, Head of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, concluded Tuesday that both sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, raising the...

Prosecuting Israel for War Crimes

Victor Garza — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:17:26 GMT

Deputy Prosecutor of Int'l Criminal Court discusses the Palestinian Authority appeal to join the court. Lia Tarachansky speaks to Fatou Bensouda, the Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) about the Palestinian Authority's appeal to join the group of nations over which the court has jurisdiction. Bensouda says that...

IHRDC Releases Report: Forced Confessions: Targeting Iran's Cyber-Journalists

Victor Garza — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:05:34 GMT

Press Release - September 14, 2009 CONNECTICUT, United States - The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) today published witness statements by three Iranian bloggers and cyber-journalists who were arrested and detained by the Iranian government in 2004 and 2005. The witness statements are the results of interviews conducted by...

Case Western Reserve University School of Law War Crimes Prosecution Watch

Victor Garza — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 18:36:14 GMT

War Crimes Prosecution Watch is prepared by the International Justice Practice of the Public International Law & Policy Group and the Frederick K. Cox International Law Center of Case Western Reserve University School of Law. Volume 4, Issue 12 – September 14, 2009 On Wednesday, September 9, 2009, the Case...

Chautauqua Declaration

Christopher Doval — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:15:49 GMT

The issuance of the Chautauqua Declaration marked the culmination of the proceedings of the 3rd Annual International Humanitarian Law Dialogs held on August 31 - September 1, 2009. The subject was titled: "Honoring Women in International Criminal Law: From Nuremberg to the ICC (International Criminal Court)". For further information on...

Press Release: Iran Human Rights Documentation Center Releases Report on Iran's 1988 Massacre of Thousands of Political Prisoners

Lauren Mellinger — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:57:13 GMT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 27, 2009 NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT - The Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) today released a report documenting and analyzing the Iranian government’s massacre of political prisoners during the summer of 1988. Much of the material presented in the report, Deadly Fatwa: Iran’s 1988 Massacre, is...

Call for Papers for the 2010 Lieber Society Military Prize

Lauren Mellinger — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:12:54 GMT

The Lieber Society, an Interest Group of the American Society of International Law, bestows each year, without regard to nationality, a prize for an exceptional writing that enhances understanding of the law of war by a person serving in the regular or reserve armed forces of any nation. The Prize....

IW Essay Contest Winner

Lauren Mellinger — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:08:41 GMT

Reaching out to the World By Sarah Owen, student Springville-GI High School, Springvillle, New York During World War Two, the German people were led astray by a man named Hitler and his idea of an ideal world. When he came to power in 1933, he used Anti-Semitism, scapegoats, propaganda, fascism,...

Al-Qaeda Financing and the Kimberley Process

Julie Narimatsu — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:42:26 GMT

By: Adam R. Young Young takes an in-depth look at diamonds and their implications for fueling conflict and terrorism, specifically examining al-Qaeda's use of them as a financing tool. He further explains the international community's response to conflict diamonds through the Kimberley Process and its limitations. For the entire article,...

Crushing the Press with an Iron Fist

Julie Narimatsu — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:06:01 GMT

By: Mark R. Butscha Jr. In Impunity Watch's first published student note, Mark Butscha examines Russia's restrictions on the freedom of information, ideas, speech and the press against the backdrop of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. For the entire article, please see: Download Crushing the Press with...

The Criminalization of Dictatorship

Julie Narimatsu — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:45:07 GMT

By: Patrick J. Glen This paper questions whether the human rights framework is adequate to prevent the commission of atrocities. Rather, the author suggests that dictatorship should be criminalized, provides a mechanism for achieving this, and describes the challenges that would certainly surface with such a significant shift in international...

The Prosecution of Kim Jong Il: Accountability in a Post 9/11 World

Julie Narimatsu — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:56:04 GMT

By: Eric M. Pedersen With the world watching as the International Criminal Court takes on Sudanese President Omar al Bashir, this paper proposes a similar take down of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. This paper outlines the possibilities for criminal charges and the different fora available for such a...

Proposing the Incorporation of the Doctrine of Command Responsibility into the International Human Rights Context

Julie Narimatsu — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 05:55:19 GMT

By: Sarah Davila A. In an effort to introduce new tools to the human rights agenda, this paper proposes the incorporation of the doctrine of command responsibility to the human rights context. This would serve the dual purpose of providing a standard for determining when a superior is responsibile for...

Torture: Its Use, Prohibition and Futility

Julie Narimatsu — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:21:01 GMT

By: Lissa Palermo This paper describes the law of torture around the world and, in particular, its effect on the United States. The paper also discusses the possibility that the United States engaged in torture after 9/11 and presents arguments in favor and against the use of torture to counter...

Spirit of Nuremberg - Idealism

Julie Narimatsu — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:20:39 GMT

By: Henry T. King, Jr. This speech was given at the International Humanitarian Law Dialog, held at the Chautauqua Institution on August 29, 2007. It is republished with the permission of its author and original publisher, American Society of International Law. For the entire speech, please see: Download Spirit of...

The Path from the 1907 Hague Conference to Nuremberg and Forward

Julie Narimatsu — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:36:00 GMT

By: John Q. Barrett This speech was given at the International Humanitarian Law Dialog, held at the Chautauqua Institution on August 29, 2007. It is republished with the permission of its author and original publisher, American Society of International Law. For the entire speech, please see: Download the_path_from_the_1907_hague_conference_to_nuremberg_and_forward.pdf

The Legacy of Nuremberg

Julie Narimatsu — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:33:35 GMT

By: Whitney R. Harris This article was part of the first International Humanitarian Dialogs at the Chautauqua Institution in August, 2007. It is republished with the permission of its author and original publisher, American Society of International Law. For the entire article, please see: Download the_legacy_of_nuremberg.pdf