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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. 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 

Preventing Mass Atrocity Crimes: The Responsibility to Protect and the Syria Crisis 

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Turkish Troops

 

The Responsibility to Protect (R2P) is a complicated and "emerging norm" of international law that seeks to provide a means for the international community to prevent mass atrocity crimes occurring within the boundaries of a sovereign state.  Since its emergence in 2001, in the wake of humanitarian tragedies in Bosnia, Rwanda, Kosovo, and Darfur, R2P has been hailed as a way of resolving what one commentator called the "problem from hell." Under R2P, however, the use of force is reserved for actions within the UN Charter's Chapter VII framework. 


As the Syria crisis has demonstrated, this position continues to hinder efforts by the international community to protect populations from mass atrocity crimes.  At the time of writing, attacks by Syrian government forces and militias have killed upward of 75,000 civilians, and approximately 1,000,000 refugees have fled into neighboring states. Diplomacy and sanctions have not worked.  Although the UN Human Rights Council has concluded that Syria's humanitarian crisis is being driven by a "state policy" of deliberate attacks against civilians, the Security Council remains deadlocked and ineffective in the crisis. Reports from a number of Western governments that the Syrian government has deliberately used chemical weapons against civilians underscore the gravity of the crisis.


This article argues that when peaceful measures have been exhausted and the Security Council is deadlocked, R2P's third pillar should allow the use of only those low-intensity military options, such as no-fly zones and humanitarian safe havens, that are focused on protecting populations. This approach would advance R2P's development by establishing specific criteria that allow for the limited use of force when the Security Council fails to act. In doing so, R2P will be able to fulfill its primary purpose of preventing mass atrocities within a sovereign state, thus preventing humanitarian tragedies similar to those witnessed in Bosnia, Rwanda, Darfur, and now Syria.

 

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Africa 
DRC: Congolese Army troops accused of mass rape

On Wednesday, the UN Joint Human Rights office released a report accusing Congolese troops of committing serious human rights violations, including the rape of at least 97 women and 33 girls, over a two-day period last November. The violations occurred largely in the town of Minova, 50 km south of provincial capital Goma, where the troops retreated following a defeat at the hands of the M23 rebels. The report alleges that for two days the soldiers raped, looted, and killed in anger over their loss before commanders could re-establish control. Comment: The report also accuses members of M23 of committing "serious violations of human law and gross human rights violations" during their occupation of Goma and Sake in November, including at least 59 instances of sexual violence. Congolese government spokesperson Lambert Mende said they were determined to punish those responsible and have already arrested 11 soldiers and suspended the commanding officers and deputy officers of the units; however, analysts argue that the arrest of a "select-few" is unlikely to end the culture of impunity that surrounds this issue in DRC. (Al-Jazeera, Reuters, UN News)

 

NIGERIA: Boko Haram launches major attack in Borno state

On Tuesday, 200 heavily armed members of Boko Haram, a militant Islamist group, launched a coordinated attack throughout the Borno state in northeastern Nigeria. The raid started in the early morning and lasted for five hours, during which at least 55 people were killed and 105 prisoners were freed from a jail in the town of Bama. Militants also burned down the Bama police station, military barracks and a number of government buildings. Comment: While Boko Haram attacks are common in the area, observers say their highly coordinated nature makes them stand out. These attacks also undermine claims made by the Nigerian government that recent military operations have diminished the threat Boko Haram poses to the country's security. In order to end the conflict with Boko Haram, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to agree to terms for an amnesty deal, but Boko Haram's leader, Abubaker Shekau, has rejected the idea thus far. (BBC, Reuters, This Day)

 

SOMALIA: UK co-hosts international donor conference

Fifty countries and organizations gathered in London on Tuesday for a major international donor conference co-hosted by United Kingdom's Prime Minister David Cameron and Somali President Hassan Shiekh Mohamud. During the conference, President Mohamud stated that security is his top priority and he expects to have full control of the territory by 2015, with the support of the 18,000 African Union troops currently in the country. Donors pledged USD 96 million to support the year-old Somali federal government. Comment: In spite of the fact that similar conferences held on Somalia's behalf over the past 20 years have yielded little progress, this conference took a notably optimistic tone. The new federal government is the first to be recognized by the U.S. since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in the early 1990s and the UN has also given strong backing to the new government stating they hope to shift their efforts into development projects and away from humanitarian aid. Reports from Mogadishu, however, indicate that Somalis feel less optimistic that the conference will result in any changes on the ground. (Al-Jazeera, All Africa, BBC, Reuters)

 

SOUTH SUDAN: Rebels capture town in Jonglei province

Following two days of fighting, the South Sudan Democratic Army (SSDA) rebel group, led by former politician David Yau Yau, seized the town of Boma, including its military base, in the eastern Jonglei province. This is the second area to fall to the SSDA this month after the group took control of the Murua airstrip last week. While the Government of South Sudan had initially denied reports of the takeover, spokesperson Philip Argur confirmed on Wednesday the loss and claimed the army would soon retake the area. Comment: Beyond security concerns, the Jonglei Province is particularly important to the Government of South Sudan who wants to launch further oil exploration in the area with the support of the French firm, Total. According to the UN, the recent fighting has also uprooted tens of thousands of civilians and has hampered their ability to provide much needed humanitarian aid. (Reuters, Sudan Tribune, Voice of America)

  

Researched/Written by Janene Sawers

Americas

COLOMBIA: Women dressed as nuns arrested for transporting drugs

On Monday, local authorities at the San Andres international airport arrested three young women who are accused of manufacturing and trafficking narcotics. The women were attempting to transport 2kg of cocaine strapped to their legs while wearing fake habits. Officers state the women were behaving nervously and became suspicious because the costume did not match the fabric or design of the habits of real nuns. Comment: San Andres, a coral Caribbean island which belongs to Colombia, is located in a geostrategic location for the narcotics trade. It is a popular stopping point for smugglers attempting to transport drugs to Central America via submarines or speedboats. (CNN, BBC, El Tiempo)

 

HAITI: Lawyers give UN ultimatum on cholera case

On Wednesday, lawyers representing victims of Haiti's cholera epidemic threated to take legal action against the UN if they did not admit liability and pay out compensation within the next 60 days. The UN is accused of negligently allowing peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is rampant, to pollute Haiti's water with the disease. The UN has denied responsibility for the outbreak and insists it is immune from legal proceedings; however, the UN's own cholera expert, Danielle Lantagne, stated that the outbreak is likely to have stemmed from the peacekeepers. Comment: Over 8,000 people died from cholera between 2010 and 2012 following the arrival of peacekeepers to assist in the aftermath of Haiti's 2010 earthquake. The lawyers are seeking USD 100,000 as compensation for families of those that died from the disease and USD 50,000 for those that became sick but survived. (Al-Jazeera, BBC, Voice of America)

 

UNITED STATES: New talks to end the Syrian conflict

This week, Secretary of State John Kerry visited Russia and met separately with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss potential resolutions to the conflict in Syria. In both meetings, President Putin and Mr. Lavrov agreed to revive talks later this month, which may include representatives of both the Syrian government and the opposition. According to Secretary Kerry, President Putin said that he would meet with President Obama in separate one-on-one talks at the upcoming G8 Summit in Northern Ireland mid-June to further discuss the issue. Comment: Secretary Kerry's visit to Russia comes in response to allegations that the Syrian government deployed chemical weapons. Last June, both the U.S. and Russia supported a negotiated political solution to the conflict, but failed to agree on how such solution would be implemented. The two countries still disagree on a number of issues including the fate of the Assad regime: while the U.S. agreed with the Syrian opposition to exclude Assad from any future government, Russia has argued that such decisions must be made by the Syrian people.  (Reuters, RIA Novosti, Al Jazeera)

  
REGIONAL: Brazil and Cuba negotiate doctor exchange 
On Monday, negotiations began between Brazil, Cuba and the Pan-American Health Organization to allow Cuban doctors to practice in Brazil. According to Foreign Minister, Antonio Patriota, Brazil plans to hire 6,000 Cuban doctors to serve in remote parts of the country where medical services are deficient or nonexistent. The Brazilian Medical Association opposes the plan stating that standards at Cuba's medical schools are lower than those inBrazil and, in some cases, equivalent only to a nursing education. Comment: This initiative is one of many that the two governments are developing in order to strengthen ties between the countries. Brazil also plans to finance the modernization of five Cuban airports in Havana, Santa Clara, Holguin, Cayo Coco and Cayo Largo. According to Brazil's Trade Minister Fernando Pimentel an agreement was signed in Cuba on Monday, establishing the condition for a USD 176 million loan from BNDES (Brazil�s development bank) to upgrade and expand the airports. (Reuters, The Guardian, BBC )

 

Researched/Written by Ana Maria Rodriguez Contreras
East Asia

CHINA: Israeli and Palestinian leaders make separate visits

President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority visited Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping on Sunday; the two leaders oversaw the signing of agreements for economic and cultural exchanges. On Monday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also visited China, first stopping in Shanghai before going to Beijing on Wednesday for his second visit as Prime Minister since 1998. In Beijing, Netanyahu met with Li, and the two spoke of stronger bilateral ties and commitment to resolving conflicts in the Middle East. Li stated that the new Chinese government wants to deepen relations through government and civil society exchanges. China stressed its position as friends of both Israel and Palestine, with a desire to help the peace process. Comment: Netanyahu expressed to Chinese media that Israel's research and development expertise would complement China's economic power as "the Jewish and Chinese people have great minds" to be the forefront in making conceptual products. Netanyahu also hinted toward including developing nations, such as those in Africa. China and Israel established diplomatic ties in 1992, and China was the first country to set up an office in Palestine in the 1960s. Abbas told Chinese media he would like the Chinese government to work with Israel to remove obstacles to Palestinian development.  (Aljazeera, South Morning China Post, Xinhua)

 

JAPAN: Abe pushes to reform Constitution

After drafting reforms last year, Japanese Prime Minister Abe is now pushing to pass an act to change Article 96 of the Japanese constitution, which currently stipulates a two-thirds majority of parliament required to make constitutional amendments. If the act passes, it would change to a simple majority required. Many fear that changing Article 96 will allow other important articles to be more easily changed, such as Article 9 of the constitution that forbids Japan from having a military. Last Friday about 3,500 people marched in Hibiya Park in Tokyo to protest government plans to change the Article 9. Comment: The constitution of Japan was written after World War II when Japan was occupied by the U.S. and has not been altered since 1947. Article 9 rendered Japan a pacifist nation, but it has been interpreted liberally to allow "defense forces" that have expanded in recent years. Domestic and international opposition, mostly from China and South Korea, have expressed fears that Japan will revert to a militant regime. According to polls, 54 percent of the population agrees with changing Article 96, but only 38 percent agree that Article 9 should be amended. (Japan Daily Press, WSJ, Tokyo Times)

 

MALAYSIA: Thousands take to streets to protest election results

On Sunday, Prime Minister Najib Razak's party, Barisan Nasional (BN or National Front) was reelected, gaining 133 of 222 parliamentary seats; this was the coalition's worst election results in 50 years of power, and BN failed to gain a two-thirds majority for the first time since 2008. The three-party opposition coalition denounced the results, and on Wednesday, 40,000 protestors dressed in black gathered to demonstrate at the Kelana Jaya Stadium. Comment: The opposition claims that "indelible" ink used for ballots was easily removable and accused the government of flying in thousands of people, some foreigners, to vote for the ruling party. The government insists that the elections on May 5 were "free and fair," but independent election watchdogs such as Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) and the Centre for Public Policy Studies (CCPS) state that the elections were "only partially free and not fair." However, Malaysia's Election Commission chairman Abdul Aziz expressed disappointment, stating that some opposition members harassed locals voting who appeared foreign.  (Bernama, Aljazeera, BBC)

 

SOUTH KOREA: US-ROK alliance reaffirmed

On Tuesday, South Korea (ROK) President Park Geun-hye arrived to Washington, DC to meet with President Obama and commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the ROK-U.S. alliance that was signed after the Korean War. The following day, President Park made a speech before a joint session of U.S. Congress in which she reaffirmed the U.S.-ROK commitment to stability in Asia, calling for an end to the "vicious cycle" on the Korean peninsula and for eventual national reunification. Comment: Tensions on the Korean peninsula are cooling down after several months of provocation on behalf of North Korea, but Park stated that the isolation of the DPRK makes it difficult to decipher why threats and provocations have decreased. The U.S. and South Korea are dedicated to the denuclearization of North Korea, and Obama stated in a private meeting with Park that "the days when North Korea could create a crisis and elicit concessions" are over. (South Morning China Post, Aljazeera, Korea Hearld)

 

Researched/Written by Melissa Newcomb
Europe & Central Asia

AZERBAIJAN: Thousands of prisoners could be released

On Tuesday, the Azerbaijani parliament anonymously adopted the Act of Amnesty, which will grant freedom to 9,000 prisoners throughout the country. The law is applicable to prisoners who have sentences of less than a year, do not possess a serious threat to society, or whose crimes are not grave. Only 2,000 of the prisoners are expected to actually be released; these will be mainly women, elderly, and disabled convicts. Although the prisoner amnesty applies to thousands of prisoners, political prisoners are not included, and human rights organizations have accused Azerbaijan of restricting freedom of expression and silencing the voices of dissidents. Earlier this year, several demonstrations were brutally suppressed by Azerbaijani security forces that arrested demonstrators for expressing their religious and political views. Comment: The Act of Amnesty coincided with the upcoming 90th anniversary of the birth of former president Heydar Aliyev. The amnesty proposal was initiated by the first lady of Azerbaijan, Mehriban Aliyeva, and has largely been discussed as an act of forgiveness by the Azeri government. In 2007 and 2009, respectively, Azerbaijan passed amnesty laws that fostered reintegration of criminals into society. (AFP, Hurriyet Daily News, APA, Azernews)

 

FRANCE: Suspected Basque separatists arrested

Six suspected members of the Basque separatist group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) were detained on Tuesday by French security forces at three sites in southwest France outside traditional Basque territory. The Minister of the Interior, Manuel Valls, stated that five of the six detainees were on France's "most wanted list," but did not reveal additional details. In a separate case, a United Kingdom court ruled that an ETA suspect, Raul Angel Fuentes Villota, who was arrested last year, will be extradited to Spain, where he faces allegations of terrorism in conjunction with attempted murder and possession of guns and explosives. Comment: ETA is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the European Union and is blamed for more than 800 deaths in Spain and France. In October 2011, ETA announced a unilateral ceasefire, but no formal disarmament has taken place. ETA has expressed interest in negotiating with the French and Spanish government; while the Spanish government has refused to participate in talks, the French government was involved in peace talks in 2011, but has since followed Spain's lead. (AP, BBC, France24, Euronews)

 

TURKEY: Peace process moves forward

On Wednesday, rebel fighters from the separatist group Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) began withdrawing from southeastern Turkey to the bases of the Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq. The Turkish army has increased its military presence along the border areas, but stated that the extra measures were simply a continuation of their "fight against any terrorism." Instances of violence were reported on Tuesday when pro-Kurdish demonstrators hurled petrol bombs at Turkish security forces in the border areas, and on Wednesday, there were three incidents of suicide bombings in northern Iraq. Comment: 200 to 400 of an estimated 2,000 PKK fighters in Turkey were expected to withdraw on Wednesday, according to PKK spokesman Bakhtiyar Dogan, but the process of removing all rebels could take up to four months. On Thursday, however, the central government of Iraq rejected refuge for PKK rebels, which has been seen as a key element for the success of the peace process. In March, the jailed PKK leader, Abdullah �calan, ordered the withdrawal of PKK rebels from Turkish territory, but the peace process was slowed down when rebel fighters demanded legal protection before laying down arms. While it is unclear if the rebels have disarmed before withdrawing, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stressed the importance of disarming in order for the peace process to succeed. (AP, BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, Hurriyet Daily News)

 

Researched/Written by Caroline Larsson

Middle East & North Africa 

EGPYT: Muslim Brotherhood benefits from cabinet reshuffle

On Tuesday, Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Qandil announced a cabinet reshuffle that would include nine changes in personnel, including the removal of two ministers who were closely involved with securing a USD 4.8 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund to ease the country's economic crisis. The new cabinet will include 10 ministers affiliated with the President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood and with the Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), an increase from the eight ministers that represent the Brotherhood in the current cabinet. Muslim Brotherhood member Amr Darrag will replace Ashraf al-Arabi as Planning Minister, and Fayyed Abdel Moneim will replace Al-Mursi Al-Sayed Hegazy as the cabinet's Islamic economics specialist, giving the Brotherhood more control over the country's economy. Comment: On Tuesday, a member of the main opposition, the National Salvation Front, said that the new cabinet will deepen the country's political crisis by further polarizing the country. The NSF has demanded that Qandil be removed and has called for a neutral cabinet to be put in place to oversee parliamentary elections next year. President Morsi's government has often been criticized for failing to revive an economy that has suffered from the country's political turmoil since Mubarak's ousting two years ago. (Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, Saudi Gazette)

 

ISRAEL/SYRIA: Israeli strikes hit near Damascus

Last Friday, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted an air strike in Syria on a convoy carrying "game changing missiles" supposedly bound for the Lebanese group, Hezbollah. On Sunday morning, the IAF conducted another air strike that set off a series of explosions outside of Damascus, destroying three military facilities and killing at least 42 Syrian soldiers. The target of Sunday's attack was allegedly a shipment of Iranian-made missiles headed towards Hezbollah. On Monday, Syrian officials said that there would be retaliation for the Israeli air strikes, but only when the "time is right." Comment: According to the Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon who spoke on Tuesday, Israel is not trying to involve itself in the Syrian conflict, and the Israeli strikes were not meant to boost the rebels cause. Nearly all Arab States have sided with the opposition forces; however, the same Arab states have declared the IAF's attacks this weekend as a grave violation of state sovereignty.  (Al Jazeera, Daily Star, Al Arabiya, Gulf News)

 

LIBYA: Besieged ministries lead to possible cabinet reshuffle

On Sunday, the General National Congress passed a law banning anyone who held a senior position during the Gaddafi era from holding office. The law could potentially remove the prime minister and several other higher officials. On Tuesday, Defense Minister Mohammed al-Barghathi resigned amidst the continuing siege of ministries by armed groups, but was later convinced by Prime Minister Ali Zeidan to rescind his resignation. On Wednesday, Zeidan announced that a cabinet reshuffle would take place within the next few days. Comment: Libyan militiamen have besieged two ministries in Tripoli for over a week. Initially calling for a law banning Gaddafi affiliates from holding office, the militiamen are now demanding that Prime Minister Zeidan be removed. On Wednesday, the armed groups removed their armed vehicles surrounding the ministries, but their protests have continued. (Saudi Gazette, Daily Star, Al Arabiya, Al Jazeera)

 

Researched/Written by Kevin Coughlin

South Asia

BANGLADESH: Clash between Islamists and Secularists in Dhaka

In Dhaka, riots between police and Islamists demanding religious reform caused the death of at least 20 on Monday.  Protesters, led by the Hefajat-e-Islam group, called for a constitution banning women and men from openly mingling, the death penalty for bloggers blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad, and Islamic education for the mostly secular country. Hundreds of protesters threw stones, set vehicles on fire, and stormed a police post prompting police to retaliate with rubber bullets and teargas.  The Awami League ministers have accused the Islamists of uniting with opposition parties to undermine the government as the different ideologies of the two political parties are used to exploit the conflict between secular and Islamic groups. Comment: The group known as the Hefajat-e-Islam was a product of the war tribunals held earlier this year which demanded the death sentence for Islamist leaders found guilty of war crimes. The group, comprising of more than a dozen Islamist groups, is supported by the religious schools around Bangladesh - a country with a Muslim population of over 90 percent. (New York Times, Reuters, BBC)

 

PAKISTAN: Imran Khan recovering at hospital after fall

Imran Khan, leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) political party, is currently recovering at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital where he is being treated after falling and injuring his head and spinal column at a rally Tuesday evening in Lahore. Khan suffered two small back fractures and had 15 stitches in his head with no brain injuries. The cricketeer-turned-politician hit a metal rod and lay bleeding and unconscious after attempting to step off a forklift 14 feet high that was hoisting him to the stage. With Thursday being the last day for campaigning, Khan plans to rally via video saying that the fight for 'naya' (new) Pakistan is now in the hands of his supporters. Hundreds of Khan's supporters held a vigil outside the hospital chanting "Long live Imran Khan." Comment: Nawaz Sharif, Khan's main opposition, delayed his campaign out of respect for the injured politician. Khan's injury is just one affliction among dozens of violent incidents across Pakistan as the country goes to the polls in the upcoming days. (Dawn, Al Jazeera, BBC)

 

PAKISTAN: Son of Ex-PM Gilani kidnapped

On Thursday, unidentified gunmen kidnapped former PM Yousuf Raza Gilani's son, Ali Haider, a candidate for the Pakistan People's Party who was rallying in the central city of Multan. The gunmen, on a motorbike, opened fire during the election rally seizing Haider and leaving at least one person dead. Haider's two brothers, who are running for the national assembly, told reporters that they would not permit elections in Multan unless their brother was returned to them. The police sealed all access in and out of the city in order to detain any suspects in hopes of uncovering any information about the kidnapping. Comment: Although they have not claimed responsibility for the abduction, Taliban militants have increasingly used suicide bombings and hostages for ransom in an attempt to thwart the upcoming elections. The Pakistani military confirmed it would deploy several thousand troops and security officers at polling stations across the country. (Dawn, Reuters, BBC) 

 

Researched/Written by Angela Mughal

May 10, 2013
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Africa
Americas
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Europe & Central Asia
Middle East & North Africa
South Asia

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IPSI Advisor and former Australian Foreign Minister, Gareth Evans, writes "A Safer, Saner World Needs a New Midset from Nuclear States."
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