| International Peace & Security Institute |
|
PEACE & SECURITY REPORT
IPSI's Peace & Security Report (PSR) is a concise weekly e-publication intended to brief busy students, academics, advocates, and practitioners in the conflict management community 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.
|
|
Featured Article
Uganda: War Crimes Trials Face Challenges
Human Rights Watch
 Legal and organizational issues that have emerged during Uganda's first war crimes prosecution pose challenges for Uganda in seeking to ensure justice for victims of the most serious crimes, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. Uganda's early experience may provide relevant information to other countries seeking to hold domestic trials for serious crimes committed in violation of international law - genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
In recent years, there has been increasing focus on making it possible for national courts to conduct trials of serious crimes. In particular, states parties to the International Criminal Court (ICC) have devoted greater attention to complementarity - the principle that national courts should be the primary vehicles for prosecuting genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
|
Africa
ETHIOPIA: Five killed, four kidnapped in Afar
Unidentified gunmen reportedly attacked five tourists in the Afar region of northern Ethiopia, kidnapping four and killing five on Tuesday. The victims are believed to be German, Hungarian, and Austrian nationals. The attack follows similar abductions in 2007 of five Europeans and 13 Ethiopians in the same region. Comment: Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon stated "The four people kidnapped were taken over the border to Eritrea." He blamed the attack on gunmen he said were "trained and armed by the Eritrean government." Lingering tensions over contested borders exists between the nations that fought a territorial war between 1998 and 2000. (BBC, Al Jazeera, All Africa)
MALI: Government forces, rebels clash in Menaka
Tuareg rebels late Monday started firing on Menaka in the Gao region of eastern Mali; full-scale fighting then erupted on Tuesday between Bamako's Mali Armed Forces (MAF) and the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA), reportedly over control of the town. The attack left one Malian soldier and several assailants dead. The following day, the army exchanged gunfire with the rebels in the towns of Aguelhok and Tessalit. Comment: Taureg separatists have fought several rebellions for a sovereign state in the Sahara desert. A large influx of ethnic Tuareg fighters who fought for Muammar Gaddafi returned with large stockpiles of weapons to Mali after his death. (AP, Reuters, Reuters, All Africa, Al Jazeera)
NIGERIA: Bombing suspect escapes
On January 15, alleged Christmas Day bombing mastermind Kabiru Sokoto escaped from police custody in Abaji, Abuja. The Boko Haram suspect was arrested the previous morning during a police raid at the Borno State Governor's Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. He reportedly received access to the lodge through a worker with which he was familiar. The announcement of his escape yesterday was followed by the subsequent suspension of the local police commissioner. Comment: On December 25, at least 44 people, mostly worshippers, were killed in the bombing attack on Saint Theresa's Roman Catholic Church in Madalla, outside Abuja. Borno State spokesman Inuwa Bwala has denied that Sokoto was arrested in the governor's home and said that Borno State governor Kashim Shettima and his opposition-led government were victims of political persecution. President Goodluck Jonathan said he believes that Boko Haram has infiltrated security agencies and government offices in the country. (Al Jazeera, AP, All Africa)
SOUTH SUDAN: 51 killed, 22 injured in attack on village On Monday, an armed group attacked villagers in Duk Padiet, a town in South Sudan's northeastern Jonglei state; the attack left 51 dead and 22 injured. The victims are believed to be mostly women, children, and the elderly of the Lou Nuer tribe. Comment: Although the identity of the gunmen is not clear, they are thought to be a youth group from the Murle people. Since January 2011, South Sudan has experienced a series of retaliatory clashes between ethnic groups in the region concerning cattle, displacing 60,000 civilians. Observers suspect the increased intensity of fighting results from proliferation of small arms in Jonglei state. (Reuters, Voice of America, BBC, France 24, Al Jazeera)
|
Americas
GUATEMALA: New president promises reformsOn Saturday Otto Perez Molina was sworn in as Guatemala's new president, the first former military officer elected president in 25 years. Perez has called for international cooperation in combating cartels and drug-related violence in Guatemala. He has expressed a willingness to meet conditions to restore U.S. aid ceased in 1978 during Guatemala's bloody civil war that killed an estimated 200,000 civilians. Comment: Throughout his campaign, Perez took a hardline stance against cartel-related violence. Currently, Guatemala's homicide rate is twice that of Mexico, with a murder rate of 41 for every 100,000 residents. Perez's desire to restore U.S. aid may improve future relations with Washington. (Huffington Post, Al Jazeera English, BBC) PANAMA: Canal workers continue protestsOn Wednesday approximately 6,000 workers continued protests for a third day at the USD 5.25 billion expansion site of the Panama Canal. The workers are employed by the construction consortium Grupos Unidos por El Canal (GUPC) and are demanding an increase in the base wage from USD 2.90 to 4.90 per hour and from USD 3.52 to 7.10 per hour for skilled workers. Additional grievances include compensation for unpaid overtime and vacation hours, as well as concerns over unsafe working conditions for those employed by GUPC. Comment: Passage through the Panama Canal accounts for an estimated five percent of global commerce; about 14,000 ships pass through the Canal per year. GUPC noted discrepancies with its payroll and its efforts to address erroneous accounting. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2014 and will enable the passage of larger ships through the Canal's waters. (El Comercio, USA Today, BBC) UNITED STATES: Keystone XL Pipeline denied permitCiting environmental concerns and inadequate research, the U.S. Department of State rejected plans on Wednesday for the construction of the 1,600 mile (2,700 km) Keystone XL Pipeline. The Keystone XL would have potentially extended from western Canada to refineries in Texas. Concerns over the Pipeline include contamination of a major aquifer and carbon emissions from oil sands. Pending adequate research, TransCanada, the company that initiated the Keystone XL Pipeline, can submit a new proposal with alternative routes for the Pipeline. Comment: The proposal was rejected primarily on the basis of inadequate time for research and assessment, as Congress set a 60-day timetable in December's payroll tax bill for a final decision on the Pipeline. The Obama Administration highlighted polarization and party politics as imposing an arbitrary deadline for a decision. The Pipeline was expected to increase Canadian oil exports to the United States by 700,000 barrels a day. Canada may pursue exporting oil to alternative markets such as China. (BBC, Al Jazeera English, NY Times)
|
East Asia
CHINA: Dissident arrested for poem
On January 17, veteran Dissident Zhu Yufu was reportedly arrested and indicted by Chinese authorities on subversion charges for writing a poem entitled "It's Time," which rallied fellow citizens to gather in defense of their freedoms. Chinese officials have not commented on the reported charge, but the Foreign Ministry responded to U.S. Ambassador Gary Locke's assessment that human rights in the country were deteriorating by claiming "Such statements are not true" and that "the Chinese side attaches great importance to promoting and protecting the fundamental rights and interests of people of all ethnic groups, including the freedom of expression and of religion." Zhu's arrest comes as the latest in a string of indictments and trials aimed at popular dissidents this year. Comment: Zhu, a 60 year-old dissident, has been jailed twice before; in 1999 for seven years and in 2007 for two years. Zhu was again formally arrested last April, just as China began a major crackdown on dissent. A date for Zhu's trial has not been set, according to his lawyer, Li Dunyong, who added that his client was in good condition. (BBC, Reuters, IBT)
MYANMAR: Army ordered not to attack in conflict areas
On January 17, a top official said the government of Myanmar order the military to halt all offensives in ethnic minority conflict zones, but admitted that the order maybe hard to actually implement on the ground. An earlier presidential order issued in mid-December 2011 decreed that the military cease attacks against ethnic Kachin guerillas in the north of the country, although according to the rebels heavy fighting continues in the region. Last Thursday, the army-backed government, which last year replaced the ruling junta, signed a ceasefire with Karen rebels in the eastern border region. Comment: The previous junta justified decades of repressive military rule as a way of maintaining stability and unity in a country where one-third of the population is made up of ethnic minorities. The country now has a civilian government following a controversial November 2010 election, but its ranks are filled with former generals including current president Thein Sein, who was premier under the junta. Observers are surprised with the regime's sweeping reforms, which have included talks with pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been allowed to run in an April by-election. In addition, hundreds of political prisoners have been released. (AFP, ST, France24)
NORTH KOREA: Western news bureau granted access
On January 16, the Associated Press opened its newest bureau in Pyongyang, becoming the first international news organization with a full-time presence in North Korea. In a ceremony Monday, less than a month after the death of longtime ruler Kim Jong Il and nearly a year after the advent of discussions, AP President and CEO Tom Curley and a delegation of top AP editors inaugurated the office situated inside the headquarters of the state-run Korean Central News Agency. Comment: Many analysts are hailing AP's access as a monumental change in policy for the notoriously secretive country. While North Korea permits foreign media visits occasionally, often for important ceremonial occasions, journalists are restricted in their movements and accompanied by officials; however, there are still restrictions on who can cover news and how it can be covered, despite the change. The permanent reporter and photographer are North Korean, and authorities decide who works with foreigners. (ABC, SMH, Guardian)
|
Europe & Central Asia
HUNGARY: European Commission takes legal action against Hungarian reformsThe European Commission began legal proceedings on Tuesday against Hungary due to its failure to make mandated changes to constitutional reforms that violate European Union law. The EU objects specifically to reforms in three issue areas that it claims threaten democracy: the independence of Hungary's central bank, the retirement age for judges, and the independence of the data protection authority. The first course of action is a letter of warning concerning each of the three issues; inaction could culminate in Hungary appearing before the European Court of Justice. Comment: The constitutional reforms have already caused controversy within Hungary, where tens of thousands of protesters took part in a demonstration on January 2 organized by opposition parties and civil society groups. (Deutsche Welle, Reuters, New York Times) KAZAKHSTAN: Ruling Nur Otan party maintains majority in parliamentary electionIn January 15 parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan, the Nur Otan party won an expected victory with 81 percent of the vote, allowing them to keep control over the parliament. Although the new parliament will comprise three parties instead of just the Nur Otan party, as is the current case, international observers claim that the elections still fail to meet democratic standards. Comment: The two parties that won seats alongside the Nur Otan party - the pro-business Ak Zhol party and the Communist party - are sympathetic to the Nur Otan government and generally supportive of its policies. International observers are skeptical of the likelihood for true pluralism in the Kazakh parliament. (Eurasianet, Washington Post, Reuters, BBC) TURKEY: No terrorism charges in murder of Turkish-Armenian journalistFive years after Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was killed in Istanbul, Turkish courts acquitted 20 suspects of charges of involvement in an armed terrorist organization on Tuesday. The suspects had been tried under premises that Dink's murder was an organized crime. Following the acquittal, approximately 200 demonstrators marched with Dink's family to protest the verdict. The Dink family and their lawyers claim that Dink's murder was a politically motivated action of a terrorist organization. Comment: Dink was shot in January 2007 after invoking anger in Turkish nationalists for using the term "genocide" to refer to mass killings of Armenians in the early twentieth century Ottoman Empire. The use of the term "genocide" to refer to the killings has been a source of controversy in Turkey for decades. Dink's death and Tuesday's verdict drew concern from the international community over human rights violations in Turkey. (Deutsche Welle, Hurriyet, CNN)
|
Middle East & North Africa
EGYPT: Mubarak's defense claims that army was responsible for protesters' deaths
The trial of former Egyptian President Mubarak resumed on Tuesday, January 17 with defense lawyers claiming that Mubarak was not responsible for the deaths of protesters following the January 2011 Revolution. Defense lawyer Farid al-Deeb claimed that there was no evidence that Mubarak gave orders to use live ammunition against peaceful protestors. Rather, he claimed that Mubarak had imposed a curfew and left security responsibilities in the hands of the army, who were ultimately responsible for hundreds of civilian casualties. Comment: An acquittal of Mubarak would lead to widespread unrest in the country and possible riots, especially considering the current tension surrounding the transition to democracy; however, even if Mubarak is convicted, violence may still be inevitable. Although many are calling for the death penalty for Mubarak, those over 80 years of age (Mubarak is 83) are not eligible for the death penalty under Egyptian law. (BikyaMasr, BBC, Al Jazeera) ISRAEL: Israeli websites hacked by "0xOmar" The websites of the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and El Al Airlines were paralyzed after infiltration by a Saudi hacker calling himself 0xOmar on the morning of Monday, January 16. Although the websites had to be taken completely offline, the hacker was not successful in shutting down the Stock Exchange or disrupting El Al flights, and Israeli authorities have denied that any sensitive information has been compromised. A number of Arab leaders have praised the hackers, namely Kuwaiti scholar Tareq Al Suwaidan, who on Wednesday referred to the cyber-attacks as "Electronic Jihad". Comment: These disruptions are the latest in a series of cyber-attacks that first started on Tuesday, January 3. Other attacks have included the posting of 20,000 Israeli credit cards online and defacement of various Israeli websites, including the personal website of Israeli deputy foreign minister Danny Ayalon. In response, one Israeli IDF soldier hacked and posted the credit card information of hundreds of Saudis, Egyptians, Syrians, and others on Tuesday, January 10. (Al Jazeera, CNN, Emirates 24/7) SYRIA: Truce between Government forces and anti-regime rebels in Zabadani A truce was called on Wednesday, January 18 between Syrian Deputy Defense Minister Shawkat and Zabadani town leaders representing local activists and members of the Free Syrian Army, an anti-Assad rebel group made up of defected Syrian soldiers. The truce called for all government troops to leave the town and rebel fighters to stay off the streets, ending hostilities that erupted last Friday between the opposing forces. The Syrian government has issued no statements or recognition of the truce. Comment: This truce comes just days before the Arab League meets to discuss the effects of its monitoring mission tasked to oversee relationships between the regime and rebels following a November peace initiative. (Haaretz, Reuters, BBC)
|
South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: Diplomats react to urination video
Last week, a video posted on YouTube showing four men dressed in U.S. Marine uniforms urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban insurgents was a potential threat to peace talks between the West and the Taliban. Although the U.S. Military did not immediately confirm the authenticity of the video, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated Monday that "those found to have engaged in such conduct will be held accountable to the fullest extent." Afghani President Karzai called the acts "inhumane" while Secretary of State Clinton expressed "total dismay," also adding that the two soldiers identified could be charged with war crimes. The Taliban released a statement on January 12 clarifying that peace talks with the West will not be affected. Comment: Before the release of the video, the Taliban expressed their desire to open a political office in Qatar in order to commence peace talks with the United States. In exchange for dialogue, the Taliban will ask the U.S. to release several Taliban prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay. (Reuters, Telegraph, WSJ)
INDIA/NEPAL: Delegates from India, Nepal discuss terror
A delegation led by Indian Home Secretary RK Singh pledged Monday to help improve immigration facilities in Nepal's Tribhuvan International Airport; this and additional steps to augment Nepal's technology will help the two countries share information related to terror. A member of the delegation in New Delhi stated, "Any lapse on the part of Nepal can cost us heavily in India... Kathmandu understands our concerns and has been consistently improving its system." High-level bilateral talks have not occurred since late 2009 due to Indian concerns over Chinese influence in Nepal. Comment: Reports state that India will begin supplementing Nepal's military, but these claims cannot be substantiated. External Affairs Ministry Official Spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said, "The factual position is that India has not supplied lethal equipment to Nepal since 2005." Nepal is known to be a battleground for regional influence between India and China. (India Times, Nepal Nation, Hindustan Times, Himalayan Times)
PAKISTAN: Pakistani government refuses U.S. diplomat
U.S. State Department Spokesman Mark Toner confirmed on Tuesday that Pakistan refused a visit from Special Representative Marc Grossman this week. Grossman is currently visiting the U.A.E., Qatar, and Afghanistan in response to the Taliban's proposal to open a political office in Qatar. Pakistan postponed Grossman's visit until its alleged review of diplomatic relations with the U.S. is finished. The announcement from Pakistan came hours before President Obama agreed to receive the new Pakistani Ambassador, Sherry Rehman. Comment: Bilateral relations between the U.S. and Pakistan are strained due to a series of recent events, including the Memogate scandal and a November 2011 NATO airstrike that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan has only recently allowed some goods to pass through vital routes to Afghanistan it had closed in response to the NATO airstrike. (Dawn, BBC, Reuters
Researched/Written by Tarek J. Nasser
|
|
|
|
|
IPSI News
Three weeks until the Early Decision deadline for IPSI's 2012 Peace & Security Symposiums in Bologna and The Hague!
Learn More >>
___________________ |
IPSI News
Watch a short documentary about the IPSI Bologna Symposium on Conflict Prevention, Resolution, & Reconciliation. Click here to watch >>
___________________ |
IPSI News
IPSI mourns the loss of one of the peace field's visionary leaders, Raymond Shonholtz, founder of Community Boards and Partners for Democratic Change. He will be missed.
___________________ |
IPSI News
IPSI Advisor and UN Special Representative for the Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng conceptualizes genocide by linking it to identity based conflict.
Watch short video >>
___________________ |
IPSI Leadership
Cameron M. Chisholm Dr. I. William Zartman
Dr. P. Terrence Hopmann
Alexander Little
George Foote
Pamela Aall
Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah
Betty Bigombe Francis Deng
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 >> ___________________ |
|
