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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. 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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Feature Article 
Behind the Headlines: Drivers of Violence in the Central African Republic
Enough Project
 
The Enough Project has been closely following the violent conflict in Central African Republic, where mass killings and human rights abuses continue at an alarming rate. This new reportauthored by Field Researcher Kasper Agger explores the underlying drivers of the conflict, including regional dynamics and natural resource exploitation. Additionally it identifies ways the international community can support sustainable peace and stability. 
 
Africa  

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Attack in Nanga Boguila kills 22

At least 22 people, including 15 local chiefs and three staff members of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), died in an attack in Nanga Boguila on Saturday.   It is believed that armed Seleka rebels went to the MSF-run health clinic in search of money, and then opened fire, killing the local chiefs and MSF staff.  Seleka officials were not available for comment. Comment: On Sunday, African and French peacekeepers escorted 1,300 of the last remaining Muslims out of CAR to protect them from ongoing religious based violence. Around a million people have fled their homes during the crisis.The overthrow of President Francois Bozize by Seleka rebel commander Michel Djotodia in March of 2013 is believed to be the start of the current conflict in CAR. (BBC, Reuters, Al Jazeera, France 24)

 

ETHIOPIA: Journalists charged with inciting public violence

On April 25, authorities in Addis Ababa arrested and charged six members of independent blogger and activist group Zone 9 and three prominent journalists with attempting to incite violence through social media. All nine defendants appeared in court on Sunday. Human Rights Watch's (HRW) deputy Africa director, Leslie Lefkow, stated that "the nine arrests signal, once again, that anyone who criticizes the Ethiopian government will be silenced." The government defends the arrests saying it has nothing to do with muzzling the media. Comment: An anti-terrorism law, passed in 2009, stipulates that anyone caught publishing information that could incite readers to commit acts of terrorism could spend up to  20 years in jail.  In 2012, Ethiopia sentenced a prominent blogger and five other exiled journalists to between eight years to life on charges of conspiring with rebels to topple the government. (Reuters, VOA, Al Jazeera)

 

IVORY COAST: United Nations set to lift ban on diamond exports

Last Friday, the United Nations Security Council voted to partially ease a decade-long ban on diamond exports in Ivory Coast. UN experts claim the current diamond ban fails to stop illicit trafficking of rough diamonds. Ivory Coast received a positive review in November from the Kimberley Process which works to prevent the sale of "blood diamonds" from fueling armed conflict. Despite positive reviews, UN experts tasked with monitoring compliance of the diamond ban continue to report ongoing violations. Comment: In October, experts estimated the annual value of the illicit diamond trade to be between USD 12 to 13 million. Before the embargo, Ivory Coast produced about 300,000 carats of diamonds a year, valued at around USD 25 million. Ivorian authorities have said they would like to restore the sector to fund post-war reconstruction. (Reuters, Business Insider, IOL)

 

NIGERIA: Hundreds of women protest abduction of Borno school girls in Abuja

Hundreds of women marched through Abjua Tuesday to protest the kidnapping of over 200 students from the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok in Borno State.  Over 500 peaceful protestors, organized by the Women for Peace and Justice Organization, called for the government to take immediate action to secure the release of the girls allegedly kidnapped by Boko Haram.  During the protest, the Senate debated their action plan for recovering the missing girls. Comment: Local human rights groups are reporting that more than 200 girls have already been sold into "marriages" by their captors to Boko Haram fighters. Community elder Pogu Bitrus of Chibok town, where the girls were abducted, refers to the forced marriages as "a medieval kind of slavery." (BBC, The Guardian, UPI, Nigerian Watch, Al Jazeera)

 

Researched/Written by Brenda Tyler

Americas

CHILE: Anti-discrimination campaign launched in Santiago metro stations

On Tuesday, a representative of the LGBT activist group Movement of Integration and Homosexual Liberation (MOVILH) Oscar Rementer�a; General Director of the Santiago Metro, Ram�n Ca�as; and the Minister of Social Development, Mar�a Fernanda Villegas launched a joint campaign to promote  tolerance of social diversity in the country. The campaign involves posters in all 108 of Santiago metro stations portraying different groups, including homosexual couples, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly. Comment: EU Ambassador to Chile, Rafael Dochao, also collaborated in the effort to organize the campaign. He expressed that it was an honor for the EU to be part of such a campaign, stating that it is "something that brings Chile and the EU closer and brings our values-human rights, equality and the struggle against discrimination-closer." (BBC, I Love Chile, Santiago Times)

 

MEXICO: Mayor in Michoac�n state accused of kidnapping and extortion

On Monday, authorities arrested Arquimides Oseguera, mayor of Lazaro Cardenas, on suspicion of kidnapping, extortion and ties to the Knights Templar cartel. He is the latest addition to a series of statesmen linked to Mexico's organized crime. Lazaro Cardenas is one of Mexico's major commercial port cities, and a stronghold of the cartel. Authorities believe the Knights Templar used the port as a transit point for drug trafficking to Central America.  Comment: Two weeks ago, the mayor of Apatzingan, another Knights Templar stronghold, was arrested on suspicion of extorting money on behalf of the cartel. The arrest of public officials, led by the Commission for Security and Integral Development, is part of a wider operation to reestablish order in Michoac�n. (BBC, LA Times, Panama Post)

 

UNITED STATES: Debates over execution procedures

On Tuesday, the manner of death of Clayton Lockett, a death row inmate, launched debates over the death penalty and Oklahoma's execution procedure. His execution was stopped after 20 minutes when the inmate began to struggle violently, lifting his shoulders and head from the gurney. He was declared dead of a heart attack 40 minutes later. Comment: Death penalty states have tried to find new execution methods after drug companies, mostly based in Europe, have withdrew their supplies. The death penalty is prohibited by the 28-member European Union, and human rights groups have put pressure on drug makers to not supply lethal drugs for American executions. Lockett was injected with midazolam, which acts as a sedative and is also used as an anti-seizure drug, followed by vecuronium bromide and potassium chloride. Tuesday's incident appeared to fuel the debate over the death penalty in the U.S., in particular the use of these untested drug combinations. (BBC, CNN, The Guardian

East Asia 

BRUNEI: Sultan enacts first phase of sharia law

On Wednesday, Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah announced that the commencement of the first phase of the country's newly established Sharia Penal Code Order would take place on Thursday, May 1. The Sultan stated that the new penal system would be introduced in three phases. The first phase of the law will introduce jail sentences and fines, the second phase is set to introduce corporal punishment, and the third phase will introduce the death penalty. Muslims will be primarily subjected to this law, though non-Muslims are also subject to the law for certain offenses. Comment: Nearly 80 percent of the population is Muslim, while nearly 20 percent are Buddhist, Christian, or other. The Order outlines offenses that are punishable by penalties set forth in the Quran, and will eventually include such punishments as flogging, amputation, and death by stoning for certain crimes. The first phase of the law includes fines or jail terms for offenses such as "pregnancy outside of marriage or failure to perform Friday prayers." The second phase will cover offenses such as "theft and alcohol consumption" and the third phase of the law will cover such offenses as "adultery, sodomy, or insulting the Quran." The UN Commission on Human Rights office recently stated that it was "deeply concerned" about some of the penalties, such as stoning, citing that such punishments were classified under international law as "torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." In response to such criticisms, the Sultan has stated that though "theory states that God's law is harsh and unfair, God himself has said that this law is fair." (Al Jazeera, Brunei Times, Brudirect, Reuters)

 

CHINA: Train station attack in western China leaves multiple casualties

On Wednesday evening, a bombing at the Xinjiang Urumqi Train Station left three people dead and 79 others injured. The attackers used knives to stab people at the station's exit after the bombs detonated. Witnesses claim that the explosion happened close to pieces of luggage that were left at the station exit. Comment: Xinjiang is an autonomous region in China that is home to a majority of ethnic Uyghur Muslims. Chinese President Xi Jinping has since urged "decisive actions" against violent terrorist attacks. Though it is not definitively known who is responsible for the attacks, some experts believe that it was executed by Uyghurs. Earlier this year, suspected Uyghur separatists led a mass knife attack at the Kunming train station in the southern region of China, leaving 33 dead and more than 140 injured. (Al Jazeera, BBC, Xin Hua

 

PHILIPPINES: Clash between military and Abu Sayyaf leaves 15 dead and 19 wounded

From Tuesday evening through early Wednesday morning, a firefight between Philippine military forces and the Muslim rebel group Abu Sayyaf left 14 rebels and one soldier dead. 19 others were wounded in the attacks. The conflict began after Abu Sayyaf members attempted to launch what military officials called a "surprise attack" to reclaim their South Sulu training and base operation camp that had been taken over by Philippine marines on Monday. Military spokesman Ryan Lacuesta stated that at least three factions of Abu Sayyaf banded together for the attack, and prompted both ground and aerial attacks from Philippine Marines and Air Force. Comment: The Abu Sayyaf is a Muslim rebel group who has reported ties with Al-Qaeda, and operates primarily in the southern region of the Philippines. The Philippines' largest Muslim rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, signed a peace accord with the Philippine government last month with the aim of ending violence in the southern region of the country. (BBC, Al Jazeera, PhilStar)

 
Researched/Written by Nicole Watkins
Europe & Central Asia

NORTHERN IRELAND: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein Leader, detained

On Thursday, Northern Irish police arrested Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams for the abduction and murder of Jean McConveille in 1972 while he was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He is currently detained under the Terrorism Act passed in 2000, which allows police to hold suspects up to 28 days before being formerly charged; a judge will determine by 2000hrs local time on Friday whether he can continue to be detained under the Act. Adams denies involvement in the murder as well as ever being a member of the IRA. Comment: Analysts indicate that Adams was seen as the spokesman for the Irish Republican Army during the 1980s campaign against British rule. The Sinn Fein party claims the arrest was timed to impact the upcoming elections set to take place in three weeks. UK Prime Minister David Cameron has made statements indicating there is no political motive behind the arrest. Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson stated Adam's arrest "strengthens our political process in Northern Ireland for people to know that no one is above the law." (The Guardian, BBC News, Reuters)

 

TURKEY: Turkish prime minister requests extradition from the U.S.

On Tuesday, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan announced that he will ask the U.S. to extradite cleric Fethullah G�len, who lives in self-imposed exile in the U.S. Although G�len was a former ally of the Turkish prime minister, supporting him since 2002, Erdogan now accuses him of using his supporters in the judiciary and police to try to undermine the prime minister.  Erdogan also claims that G�len may "pose a threat to U.S. security by his activities." Comment: G�len is a Turkish Islamic opinion leader and founder of the Turkish Islamic Hizmet (service) movement.  G�len fled the country to the state of Pennsylvania in the U.S. after he was accused by secularist authorities of Islamic activities in 1997; G�len was acquitted of these charges in 2008 .  Jurists say his extradition would be possible if Turkey is able to produce evidence that he committed a crime and issue an arrest warrant against him.  Prime Minister Erdogan recalled the compliance of Turkey with more than 10 extradition requests from the United States. (Le Point, Reuters, Aljazeera)

 

REGIONAL: CoE report highlights overcrowded prisons

On Wednesday, the Council of Europe released a report on European prisons that sheds light on an overconcentration of inmates, an issue that affects half of European countries, as well as the increasing rate of inmate suicide. Among several targeted countries, the report addressed concern toward Serbia, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary and Belgium, which host the most crowded prisons in Europe. The report also highlighted France as having the greatest number of inmate suicides in Europe.  Comment: Since 1960, the Council of Europe has worked to improve the treatment of inmates in European prisons. Its report is based on standards established by the European Court of Human Rights, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), and observations and recommendations made by the Commissioner for Human Rights.  Two million people are currently imprisoned in penal institutions in Europe. (Balkans.com, EU observer, Politics.hu)

 

Researched/Written by Myriam Allain

Middle East & North Africa 

EGYPT: April 6 youth movement banned

On Monday a court banned the youth group April 6 that was instrumental in the 2011 uprising that ousted President Mubarak.  The sentencing at the Court of Urgent Matters is a result of a suit filed by lawyer Ashraf Saeed, who wanted the group banned over allegations that it "tarnished the image of the Egyptian state" and conspired against the country's national interests. A privately-run television channel broadcasted recordings of April 6 members allegedly plotting against the state. April 6's headquarters have been seized and all their assets have been frozen. Comment: April 6 started as a small group of Egyptian activists in 2008 that supported a planned textile worker's strike, and grew to over 70,000 supporters (via Facebook) in a number of weeks. April 6 did not support President Morsi in the aftermath of the uprising and, although initially supportive of the army-led overthrow of Morsi, has grown increasingly critical of the military-backed interim government. The leaders of the movement, Ahmed Maher and Mohammed Adel, are currently serving a 6 year jail sentence for demonstrating without a police permit, which violates Anti-Protest Law. Despite the ban, the group has vowed to continue operating, stating that they are more than a movement, but an "idea...[and] an important aspect of this generation's voice and dream." (Aawsat, Aljazeera, ArabNews, BBC, PBS)

 

JORDAN: New camp for Syrian refugees at Azraq

On April 30, The Jordanian government and the UN officially opened a new refugee camp for Syrians fleeing from civil war. The camp, which began sheltering 437 refugees on Monday, has shelters for 25,000 and infrastructure for 50,000, with the capacity to support up to 130,000 refugees if necessary. That is the same amount of people that are currently residing in Zaatari camp, the largest refugee camp in Jordan. Comment: Jordan is host to approximately 600,000 Syrian refugees, roughly 10 percent of Jordan's population. There are about 2.7 million Syrian refugees, mainly in neighboring countries, and another 6.5 million internally displaced persons. (Haaretz, UNHCR, TheGuardian, BBC)

 

LIBYA: Gunmen attack parliament amidst new PM vote

On April 29, gunmen attacked Libya's parliament as MPs were voting on a new prime minister. An unconfirmed number of people were wounded when gunmen entered parliament, causing the vote to be abandoned and lawmakers to exit the building. Spokesman Omar Hmeidan stated that the attack was linked to one of the defeated candidates for prime minister. Comment: The MPs were voting on a replacement for interim Prime Minister al-Thinni, who resigned earlier this month after gunmen targeted his family. Parliament members were deadlocked over the latest appointment when the gunmen attacked. One round of voting was completed, with two of seven candidates selected to move to the next round of voting. The second round of voting is now slated for May 4. (BBC, Aljazeera, Libya Herald)

 

Researched/Written by Luchele Chisunka

South Asia

AFGHANISTAN: Deadly floods sweep through north

Disaster authorities said on Sunday that at least 127 people were killed by flash floods in northern Afghanistan, with more missing and thousands displaced. The floods were triggered by heavy rainfall which washed away houses and destroyed crops in parts of six northern provinces. More than 1,000 families were forced to leave their homes since the floods began last week. Helicopters are evacuating people, but more remain trapped. National and international aid workers are trying to respond to the immediate needs of the population. Comment: A similar yet smaller-scale incident took place in August 2011 when 22 people died in Kabul's province. Northern Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters as heavy rain and snow melts often result in serious flash floods. The rugged terrain is highly vulnerable to flooding, and many homes in rural areas are built in mud or stone and are easily washed away. (Reuters, Press TV, BBC, Al Jazeera)

 

INDIA: Activist receives prestigious environmental prize

Environmental activist Ramesh Agrawal was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, the largest of its kind, on April 29. Agrawal received the cash prize of $175,000 for his work helping villagers in the central state of Chhattisgarh stop a massive coal mining project. He was one of six recipients of the award. Agrawal's campaigning made him the target for mining industry supporters, and he faced a number of death threats. Shortly after the mining project was abandoned gunmen broke into Agrawal's cyber cafe, which he used as an office, and shot him in the leg. Comment: India's growing economy has created a demand for domestic coal. New mines have overtaken large portions of forest and farmland. Environmentalists say that this expansion has worsened the air and water quality and pushed villagers off their land. India passed a law to improve accountability of government agencies in 2005, but many have accused the government of colluding with industrialists. (Times of India, Reuters, LA Times, BBC)

 

PAKISTAN: Journalists 'under siege' from threats

On April 30 human rights group Amnesty International released a report documenting the high amount of violence and intimidation faced by the media in Pakistan. "A bullet has been chosen for you: Attacks on journalists in Pakistan" is based on field research in over 70 cases and interviews with over 100 media workers. The report says that since 2008, 34 reporters have been killed in attacks with justice being served in one case only. Many more face threats, harassment, torture, and attempted killings. Comment: Pakistan is not new to threats to journalists, but events in recent days brought this issue to the spotlight. On April 19 gunmen attempted to assassinate Hamid Mir, a well-known journalist. Mir's family accused the Pakistani intelligence, ISI, of being behind the attack. Nothing has been confirmed nor denied. Journalists in Pakistan remain trapped between competing state and non-state actors. (Amnesty International, The Nation, Al Jazeera, Voice of America)

 

Researched/Written by Giorgia Nicatore

May 2, 2014
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In This Issue
Featured Article
Africa
Americas
East Asia
Europe & Central Asia
Middle East & North Africa
South Asia
Experiential Education

 Doctors are educated in both theory and practice before they ever enter the operating room.  Why should peacebuilding be any less professional?

 

 

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