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PEACE & SECURITY REPORT
IPSI's Peace & Security Report (PSR) is a concise weekly e-publication intended to keep busy students, academics, advocates, and practitioners in the conflict management community briefed on pertinent global news, events, and trends. Meticulously researched and written by IPSI, the PSR empowers us all to take a step back from our immediate deadlines each Friday and gain a greater understanding of the week's global events. |
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Featured Article
Amnesty International 
The year 2010 may well be remembered as a watershed year when activists and journalists used new technology to speak truth to power and, in so doing, pushed for greater respect for human rights. It is also the year when repressive governments faced the real possibility that their days were numbered.
Information is a source of power, and for those challenging the abuse of power by states and other institutions, it is an exciting time. Since Amnesty International's inception half a century ago, we have seen and shaped similar major shifts in the power struggle between those perpetrating abuses and the courageous and inventive individuals who expose their wrongdoing. As a movement dedicated to focusing global outrage in defence of beleaguered individuals, we are committed to supporting activists who imagine a world in which information is truly free and in which they can exercise their right to express dissent peacefully, beyond the control of the authorities. Read Report >> |
Africa
RWANDA: Former general found guilty of genocide
On May 17, the UN war crimes tribunal sentenced Rwandan General Augustin Bizimungu to 30 years in prison for his role in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. Bizimungu was convicted on counts of genocide, crimes against humanity, murder, rape, and violation of Article 3 of the Geneva Convention. Three other military officers were also tried, each receiving 20 years in prison. Comment: The indictment against Bizimungu states he gave an order to exterminate the Tutsi on the first day of the genocide. Bizimungu was captured in Angola in 2002. (CBS, All Africa, BBC)SUDAN: Sudanese warplanes attack Darfur On May 15 and 17, Sudanese airstrikes bombarded the towns of Labado and Esheraya in southern Darfur, according to the UN mission in Darfur (UNAMID). Casualty numbers were not immediately available, as UNAMID workers were not allowed access to the towns as the Sudanese government has restricted their movements, citing security threats. Comment: Aid workers are unable to move outside of a 15 mile radius of Nyala due to the government crackdown. UNAMID flights were also suspended from traveling into northern Darfur as well. (Bloomberg, AFP, BBC)
UGANDA: Opposition leader under house arrest
On Thursday, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was placed under house arrest on suspicions that he aims to create Egpytian-style uprisings amongst the population. When Besigye attempted to leave his home, a police roadblock stopped him, giving him the option to either return home or come to the police station. Comment: President Museveni wants parliament to pass laws which restrict bail for six months for those arrested for rioting and protesting. Besigye has been a vocal opponent of the Ugandan government, saying he was cheated in February's election. (BBC, CBS, The Independent)
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Americas
GUATEMALA: Mexico's Zetas responsible for massacre
The decapitated bodies of 27 farm workers, including two women and two children, were found early Sunday in the northern Guatemalan province of Petén, which shares a border with Mexico. The Mexican drug cartel, Los Zetas, is being blamed for the massacre. The Zetas have been responsible for two recent mass killings in Mexico. In April, 183 bodies were found in mass graves and the bodies of 72 Central American migrants were discovered in a U.S./Mexico border town. Comment: The Mexican government's crackdown on the drug trade has caused traffickers to seek new territory in Guatemala for their operations. Petén has seen increased drug activity due to its isolated location and lack of police presence. In December, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom launched a military siege to regain the neighboring province of Alta Verapaz which had been taken over by the Zetas. (Prensa Libre, Miami Herald, LA Times)
HAITI: Haiti swears in new President
Michael Martelly received the presidential sash from out-going Haitian President René Préval on Saturday, representing the first peaceful transfer of power to an opposition member in the country's history. Although the victory only represents 16 percent of the electorate, Martelly promised Haitians increased security through improvements to the police and judicial sectors. On Sunday, Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive announced his resignation opening the doors for Martelly's choice of businessman, Daniel-Gerard Rouizer, to serve in the position. Comment: Bellerive will continue to serve in his position until a Parliamentary vote approves his replacement. Rouizer, who will also serve as co-chair of Haiti's Interim Recovery Commission, may face some opposition in Parliament as it is largely controlled by Martelly's political opposition. (BBC, Miami Herald, Washington Post)
REGIONAL: Files show ties between FARC and Ecuadorean / Venezuelan Presidents
A May 10th publication by the London based think tank, International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), alleges the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) provided financial support to Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa for his election campaign, a claim he strongly denies. The report also reveals ties to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez by indicating the FARC trained his supporters in urban warfare and suggested possible assassination attempts of political rivals. The Venezuelan government rejects the claims. The information originates from eight hard drives of a former FARC leader seized in a 2008 raid in Ecuador by the Colombian government and subsequently confirmed by INTERPOL. Comment: The files were turned over to the IISS by the former Colombian administration of Alvaro Uribe. Relations between Venezuela and Colombia have improved since the election of Juan Manuel Santos as Colombia's new president last August. The Venezuelan government believes the reports to be propaganda seeking to destabilize the progress in the region, particularly of the improved relationship between Colombia and Venezuela. (Reuters, Miami Herald, BBC)
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East Asia
AUSTRALIA: Thailand and Malaysia express interest in refugee exchange deals
On May 14, Thailand's Foreign Minister, Kasit Piromya, expressed his nation's interest in a deal with Australia that would allow for the exchange of asylum-seekers with refugees, citing a similar deal in the works between Australia and Malaysia. The proposed deal with Malaysia would allow for the exchange of 800 asylum-seekers for 4,000 processed refugees to be resettled in Australia over the course of four years. Australia has been in contact with other countries in the region regarding this issue; however, no formal decisions have been made. Comment: These proposed deals stem from a strong Australian desire to deter people-smuggling to their shores amid growing national concerns regarding asylum-seekers who arrive by boat. The plans generate concerns of a return to an older controversial policy of turning away asylum seekers to less affluent regional neighbors, despite the government's claims that the exchange deal would deter illegal traffickers. (The Australian, Asia One, ABC News)
CHINA: Beijing dismisses 'Middleman' claims in UN Security Report
Last Friday, a group that monitors sanctions imposed on Pyongyang submitted a report to the UN Security Council that described the exchange of missile technology between North Korea and Iran, via a neighboring third country; UN Diplomats report that the third country is China. The spokeswoman for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jiang Yu, issued a statement reinforcing China's "earnest" enforcement of Security Council resolutions, but would not comment on the 'middleman' hypothesis. The report remains unpublished, pending signatures of approval from all 15 members of the Security Council. Comment: This report, if true, calls into question China's commitment to non-proliferation. China has blocked similar reports in the past, but with its new found prestige in the supposed G2, the international community increasingly expects China to conform to international standards regarding security issues. (Chosunilbo, Taipei Times, Asahi, Reuters)
TAIWAN: Health Minister formally protests 'province of China' label
While in Geneva on Tuesday, Taiwan's Health Minister, Wen-Ta Chiu, submitted a formal letter protesting the World Health Organization's use of the title 'Taiwan province of China.' In 2009, Taiwan was invited to attend the World Health Assembly's annual meeting under the title 'Chinese Taipei' following a warming of relations with the mainland under President Ma Ying-jeou's Administration. In a published copy of the letter made available by the Department of Health in Taipei, Minister Chiu describes the terminology as "erroneous" and "inconsistent with reality," requesting that the previous term be used in its place. Comment: The perception that Taiwan is a province of the People's Republic of China (PRC) would impede the Republic of China's continued efforts to seek legitimate recognition as a sovereign entity. The PRC disapproves of any nation that recognizes the Republic of China (ROC) and the ROC's continued efforts to define themselves separately from the mainland. (AFP, Straits Times, Taipei Times)
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| Europe & Central Asia
BELARUS: Opposition candidate and wife sentenced to prison
A Belarussian presidential candidate, Andrei Sannikov, was sentenced to five years in prison on Saturday on charges of staging riots following December's controversial presidential election. Sannikov denounced the sentence as political punishment for challenging the nation's authoritarian leader Alexander Lukashenko and said he was tortured by secret police. An additional four opposition activists were sentenced to prison in the same trial, and Sannikov's wife, Iryna Khalip, was given a two-year suspended prison sentence two days later. Comment: During the election, police violently dispersed opposition rallies and arrested hundreds of people, including presidential candidates. The international community criticized the election as fraudulent and accused the Lukashenko regime of corruption and numerous human rights violations. (Radio Free Europe, The Guardian, The Washington Post)
KAZAKHSTAN: First suicide bombing in Kazakh city targets security services
A suicide bomber detonated himself on Tuesday at the head office of the state security services in the northwestern Kazakh city of Aktobe, just 100 km from the Russian border, wounding three security services personnel. The explosion is the first known suicide bombing in Kazakhstan, Central Asia's largest economy, where 70 percent of the population is Muslim. In recent months, militants from Aktobe have been detained or killed in the Russian republic of Dagestan. Comment: Experts have identified several Kazakh militants among groups operating in Central Asia and the North Caucasus, and they have noted a gradual return of militants from fighting in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Several radical Islamist groups have stated their objective of creating a Muslim caliphate incorporating large parts of Central Asia. (Central Asia Newswire, The Moscow Times, Reuters)
RUSSIA: Amnesty International criticizes Russia for poor human rights record
In its annual report published last Friday, Amnesty International criticized the Russian government for continuing violation of human rights and freedoms in the country, specifically citing widespread inefficiency and corruption in the justice system. The report cited the December sentencing of former Yukos CEO Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the clampdown on peaceful demonstrations by opposition in Moscow and St. Petersburg, scandals around a highway through Khimki forest near Moscow, and a ban on gay parades. It also expressed concern over the rise of racially motivated crime in the country and the spreading of violence in Russia's North Caucasus. Comment: Since taking office in 2008, President Medvedev has promised to fight corruption and strengthen the rule of law in the country, and the authorities have voiced more support for freedoms. Amnesty International, however, has criticized these efforts as "piecemeal" and as having done little to actually curb rights abuses. (Amnesty International, RIA Novosti, The Moscow Times)
Researched/Written by Mark Simeone |
Middle East & North Africa
IRAQ: Hezbollah in Iraq warns U.S troops
On Wednesday, Hezbollah and other Shiite militias warned about consequences of the U.S. maintaining a presence in Iraq beyond the set withdrawal deadline of December 31, 2011. The warning was in reaction to recent U.S. statements indicating the complete withdrawal of troops may be postponed, as well as Iraqi government openness to a continued U.S. presence. Recently, Shiite militias in southern Iraq, likely with support from Iran, have intensified attacks against the remaining U.S. troops. Comment: The continued escalation of violence in southern Iraq could be a result of competition between local militias to claim that they are the driving force behind the U.S. departure once the U.S. has fully withdrawn its troops. There are an estimated 46,000 troops, 63,000 contractors, and 100 U.S. bases remaining in Iraq. (AP, Elaph, Huffington Post)
LIBYA: ICC to issue arrest warrant for Gadhafi
On Monday, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, submitted paperwork requesting a warrant for the arrest of President Gadhafi, his son, and his brother-in-law, who heads Libya's intelligence organization. Moreno-Ocampo asserts that he has strong evidence that Gadhafi personally ordered attacks on unarmed civilians and authorized the use of rape as a weapon of war against Libyan women. Comment: The ICC's role in issuing warrants provides an opportunity to limit the operational capacity of Gadhafi. As NATO forces continue to strike military targets, with a warrant for his arrest, Gadhafi could be facing operations targeted directly at him. (UPI, Alarabiya, The Atlantic Wire, CS monitor)
SYRIA: U.S. imposes sanctions on al-Assad for human rights violations
After the Syrian death toll of unarmed civilian protesters rose to nearly a thousand young men and women, the Obama administration announced on Wednesday that they are imposing sanctions against President al-Assad and six other senior government officials. Since the initial stages of the "Arab Spring," Syrian troops have engaged protestors with deadly force. The U.S. and EU members had been reticent about directly addressing president al-Assad's role in ordering the use of deadly force until the sanctions were imposed. President Obama commented on Syria during his speech on Thursday, calling on Assad to work towards a transition of power or step down. Comment: Syria officially condemned the U.S. decision, calling it one of a series of actions against the Syrian people that serves only the U.S. and Israeli interests. (Reuters, BBC, The Australian, SANA)
REGIONAL: U.S. offers incentives for democratic reform
President Obama spoke at the U.S. Department of State Thursday afternoon where he announced a new Middle East strategy that provides economic incentives for countries that embrace democracy in the region. The U.S. pledged billions of dollars in debt relief and private investment to help support and stabilize Tunisia and Egypt as they approach their presidential elections at the end of this year. Comment: The new deal presented by Obama could entice Arab countries facing turmoil to seize the economic opportunity, especially those Arab countries in desperate need of monetary assistance. Yemen could be next to receive the economic boost, as President Saleh agreed yesterday to sign a power transfer agreement crafted by the Gulf Cooperation Council. (Al jazeera, Alarabiya, IBTimes)
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South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: Anti-NATO protests
On Wednesday, a dozen civilians died and more than 80 were injured in Taloqan, in Northern Takhar province, during protests against NATO forces. Demonstrators took to the streets after International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) carried out an operation killing four insurgents - two of which were women. Locals argue the "insurgents" were innocent civilians and took to the streets to demonstrate their outrage towards NATO. The raid came in a week where three children were already reported killed during NATO raids. NATO apologized for the accidental deaths, but ensured that the raid carried out in Taloqan targeted insurgents. Afghan officials have denied involvement with the raid in Taloqan, while NATO insists the raid was carried out in cooperation with Afghan forces and intelligence services. Comment: Anti-NATO sentiments have escalated in Afghanistan as the group continues to carry out night raids despite ongoing requests from the Afghan government to cease such actions. Both NATO and government officials have come under fire. Rising levels of mistrust among Afghans is making NATO's mission increasingly difficult and has led many to call for a more rapid withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan. (BBC News, Bakhtar News Agency, Pajhwok, Reuters)
INDIA / SRI LANKA: India Urges Sri Lanka to Investigate Human Rights Violations
India's External Affairs Minister, S.M. Krishna, met with Sri Lanka's Minister Peiris, on Tuesday to discuss allegations of human rights violations during Sri Lanka's civil war. Krishna urged Sri Lanka to investigate the allegations - including the killing of civilians, use of suicide attacks, forced labor, child soldier recruitment, and persecution - and work to ensure a speedier re-settlement of the over 100,000 ethnic Tamil's who are still displaced from the war. Sri Lanka had previously rejected a UN panel report which highlighted atrocities committed by both the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. The Sri Lankan government has affirmed any investigations into the war would occur internally in the Sri Lankan judicial system. Comment: This week marks the two year anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka's 25-year-long civil war. It is yet to be seen whether any action regarding investigations into war crimes or initiatives to hasten the return of IDPs will occur; however, continuing dialogue for such action is encouraging. Relations between India and Sri Lanka are already tense regarding fishing practices; as numerous Indian fishermen have been detained and even killed this year by the Sri Lankan Navy. (BBC Sinhala, Lankae News, The Hindu, UN)
PAKISTAN: U.S. and Pakistan need 'reset' button
U.S. Senator Kerry met with Pakistan's President Zardari on Monday to speak about strains in Pakistan-U.S. relations. Prime Minister Gilani reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to fighting terror and highlighted the human and economic sacrifices Pakistan has made in this endeavor. Pakistani officials also sought clarification from the U.S. envoy regarding the United States' policy towards Pakistan's nuclear program. Senator Kerry assured officials the U.S. had no strategies to undermine the Pakistani program. Comment: After weeks of disgruntled remarks from Pakistan regarding the U.S., Senator Kerry's trip may signify a turn towards repairing this strained relationship; however, further complicating relations with the West, Pakistan reported that two soldiers were injured this week in a firefight with NATO helicopters which had reportedly violated Pakistani airspace. Alternately, PM Zardari visited China this week declaring the country as its "most trusted friend," indicating that Pakistan may be looking to strengthen relationships with countries other than the U.S. (New York Times, Pak Tribune, Pakistan Observer, BBC News)
Researched/Written by Kamila A. Badat
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IPSI Symposiums
Meet IPSI's Faculty:
Francis M. Deng, UN Under-Secretary General and Special Advisor to the Secretary General on the Prevention of Genocide, will share his extensive knowledge of conflict prevention at the 2011 Bologna Symposium >>
Watch a presentation by Francis on YouTube >>
See the full list of invited faculty >>
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IPSI News
IPSI Advisor and Lecturer, John Marks, briefs AFRICOM on how Search for Common Ground (SFCG) "Addresses Sexual Violence Issues in DRC using Popular Media"
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IPSI News
Maria Effendi, IPSI Summer Staff at the 2011 Bologna Symposium, is profiled for her leading role in the Conflict Resolution community in Pakistan
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IPSI Leadership
Cameron M. Chisholm Dr. I. William Zartman
Dr. P. Terrence Hopmann
Alexander Little
Nadim Salti
Pamela Aall
Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah
Betty Bigombe
Jan Eliasson
Gareth Evans
Dr. Ted Robert Gurr
Amb. Jacques Paul Klein
Peter Kyle
Dr. Jean Paul Lederach
Jeffrey Mapendere
John Marks
Susan Collin Marks
Dr. Joyce Neu Dr. Valerie Rosoux
William Stuebner
Dr. Ruth Wedgwood Dr. Craig Zelizer About Us >> ___________________ |
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