Don't stand by, STAND up!

More Voices Call for a UN Commission of Inquiry into Crimes in Burma

dansolomon — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:45:28 -0400

Early last week, Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Human Rights Situation in Burma, called on UN institutions to consider the establishment of a UN commission of inquiry into international crimes in Burma. Quintana’s call, which he included in a 30-page report of his February trip to Burma, was the latest in a series of calls for a UN commission of inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. Advocacy organizations, including the US Campaign for Burma, the Burma Campaign UK, Human Rights Watch, and the Genocide Intervention Network have consistently called for the establishment of such a mechanism directed at ending impunity in Burma. STAND student activists took an active role in lobbying for H.R. 898, which calls for a UN commission of inquiry, during our November lobby days. Quintana’s report is an important step towards ending the scourge of impunity, but STAND activists must continue to actively pursue approval for this policy by the U.S. government.

Participate in GI-NET’s March Lobby Days to advocate for this and other issues. Read this report to learn more about war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma.

Ask Obama to Answer the Tough Questions on Sudan

akroetsch — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:07:59 -0400

President Obama will appear on Fox News tonight, Wednesday March 17, at 6 PM Eastern, and the network is offering viewers the chance to submit and vote for the questions that will be asked of the President. This is a great opportunity for anti-genocide activists to interact directly with the Obama administration, which is why STAND has submitted two questions: one on the upcoming elections in Sudan, and one on genocide prevention. It is crucial that both of these issues be brought to the President's attention: ensuring that Sudan's elections are free and fair should be the United States's most urgent short-term priority, while longer-term efforts to enact the recommendations of the Genocide Prevention Task Force Report are necessary in order to make the promise of "Never again" a reality.

With this in mind, please take a minute to vote for both of the questions that we have submitted. Head over to http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/special-report/submit-your-questions, and type "Sudan reforms" into the search box. Please vote for the following question that should come up:

"At this juncture, which of the incentives and pressures outlined in the Sudan Policy Review is the Obama administration using to ensure that Omar al-Bashir's government makes the reforms necessary to ensure free and fair elections in April?"

Then, go back to the main page, search for "genocide," and vote for:

"What further steps is your administration taking to ensure that genocide and mass atrocities prevention becomes a national security priority for your administration, in addition to the recent creation of an interagency committee at the NSC?"

Once you've voted, feel free to spread the word on Twitter and Facebook! Here's a sample Tweet: "Challenge @barackobama to answer tough questions on #Sudan, #genprev! Go to http://bit.ly/9HT2kl, search 'Sudan reforms' and 'genocide,' and vote!

Thanks for taking action!

Answers and Analysis: Employing Military Options for Genocide Prevention

jackieunh — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:07:31 -0400

Last week's discussion topic focused on the fifth chapter of the Genocide Prevention Task Force (GPTF) Report, employing military options. While the GPTF report emphasizes the immense importance of prevention, to assume that preventive measures will be successful is to be unprepared for the instance of their failure. While initial action begins with nonmilitary preventive mechanisms, there may be a time when consideration and use of military options is necessary. It is important to keep in mind that it is not an all-or-nothing choice between doing nothing militarily and sending in the Marines with guns blazing; there is a wide spectrum of military involvement. This range of available options, if it becomes necessary, should be pursued while working with partners such as the UN, African Union, ECOWAS, NATO, and the EU.

Last week's trivia question addressed the challenges of employing military options. There are great challenges to acknowledge in the use of military intervention in genocide and mass atrocities. Your answers may have included any of the following: Because of the nature of genocide, forces can not be neutral and must chose sides. The American public may express concern about the use of military force, being unaware of the range of options available. There are also international political challenges; actions that are not authorized by the UN Security Council or out of self defense are considered illegitimate at best, illegal at worst. The Responsibility to Protect doctrine is a step forward around this challenge. An additional challenge is that the US military may not be prepared for a mission of this kind where the main objective is the protection of civilians.

Our discussion question asked you to consider the impact the GPTF recommendations on employing military options would impact Sudan, Congo, and Burma. Below, the E-team provides their analysis.

SUDAN

The US can fully expect a return to violence in any one of Sudan’s hotspots, and it must learn its lessons both from the bloody past of Sudan itself and its neighboring and nearby countries Kenya, Congo, and Rwanda to name a few. The US may need to prepare for concrete civilian protection activities, such as preparing to reinforce UNAMID or UNMIS, preparing to work with regional forces such as neighboring national armies or African Union peacekeepers, and preparing potential internal military responses that could protect civilians from further violence.

BURMA

Unlike the conflict in Darfur, UN or foreign troops have not been deployed for peacekeeping in Burma. However, should the conflict reach the level where military intervention is justified and necessary, the United States and the international community must be prepared to engage. Recommendation 5-2 suggests that “the director of national intelligence and the secretary of defense should leverage military capacities for intelligence and early warning and strengthen links to political-military planning and decision-making.” Because of drastic nature of a full-scale intervention, it’s important to consistently monitor the situation with a high enough level of intelligence to develop a response that takes a range of options into account rather than full-scale intervention.

CONGO

It is clear that DRC’s national army is neither sufficiently trained nor equipped to deal with the current crisis. Thanks to Operation Kimia II, MONUC soldiers have been working alongside FARDC to protect civilians from recurrent attacks, though with only meager achievements. Military intervention is a process that would benefit from serious research of dynamics of the conflict and therefore informed steps and engagements. This would stream line operations like the integration of former rebels into the national army; giving more attention to the re-indoctrination and training process would go a long way in matching ideals and preventing incidents like the ongoing looting, rape and killings being done by the newly formed coalition between FARDC and former rebels whose careless merging has created a dangerous situation. That way, peace efforts can move forward and the military intervention can have meaning.

Email education@standnow.org to receive trivia, discussion guides, and weekly news briefs.

Trivia and Discussion: Sudan's Elections

jackieunh — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 19:42:35 -0400

TRIVIA

Q: What will citizens be voting for in Sudan's April 2010 elections?

DISCUSSION

In countries emerging from violent conflict, the international community has presented free and fair elections as the mechanism for establishing legitimate and stable government. And so, from April 11^th – 13^th this year, the citizens of Sudan will cast their votes for both the president of the republic and for the semi-autonomous south, as well as for national, southern, and state legislative assemblies.

Why are these elections so important?

KEY FACTS ABOUT THE ELECTIONS:

75.8% of eligible Sudanese were registered during the voter registration period ending in December 2009 according to National Election Committee (NEC) statistics.
The Carter Center’s review of the process found it to be generally peaceful and commendable, but without the full incorporation of Darfur voters and Internally Displaced People living in camps.
Elections will be held for six levels of government, including the presidential seat. Approximately 70 political parties have already registered for the election.
To date, there are 12 presidential candidates who include:
- Abdullah Deng Nhial (Popular Congress Party)
- Mubarak Al Fadil (Umma Reform and Renewal Party)
- President Omar Hassan al-Bashir (National Congress Party)
- Yassir Arman (SPLM)

IMAGINING THE ELCTION: THE NDI (NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUE) EXPLORES ATTITUDES ABOUT THE 2010 SUDAN VOTE

Thoughts from the citizens themselves:

“Elections are meant to choose a democratically elected president who will listen to us because we shall have strong influence on his leadership, since we are the ones who choose him. “

“[Multi-party competition] is good in places like America and Britain where people don’t fight over election results, but for Sudan’s case, it is good to start with only two parties so that people can learn the ways of good elections.”

“We do not want to hear about NCP anymore…Even though that candidate from NCP is my mother, I cannot welcome her here.”

“What makes me think an election is fair is only when the international community is involved to monitor the election.”

“It is always my wish to vote in the elections if the time comes…Of course, I will vote because that is what I have been waiting for.”

“It [voting in secret] is very good because it will never create any conflict between the people on whom they voted for.”

“Surely, that [voting in secret] is a bad idea. We are not educated; we cannot read or write. How will we know this is the paper for my candidate?”

To read more from the citizens themselves click HERE

THOUGHTS FROM THE NDI:

After interviewing many people, the NDI came up with some generalizations that participants in Southern Sudan and the three areas have limited knowledge of the national elections planned for 2010. They define its purpose as fulfilling a CPA milestone and as an opportunity to choose more effective and responsive leaders. They also discovered that most Southern Sudanese participants believe the 2010 election will only involve the offices of president of the Republic of Sudan and/or President of the Government of Southern Sudan and are aware that other positions will be on the ballot as well. Almost all citizens that they talked to said that they intend to vote in the election, though they are unaware of the need to register first. The citizens also said that the only factors that could prevent them from voting are” insecurity, inaccessible polling stations or ID requirement.” Also, NDI discovered that the knowledge of political parties is limited, and is particularly low among women; however, the SPLM is the most widely recognized and supported political party in Southern Sudan.

To read the full NDI report click HERE.

WHY IS THIS ELECTION SO MONUMENTAL?

These elections will be a huge benchmark in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that was signed in 2005. The CPA marked the end of a 21-year civil war between the north and south Sudanese. It was signed by the Government of South Sudan as well as the Government of National Unity. In addition to holding of elections, the CPA also contains elements relating to border demarcation, the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants into the formation of joint integrated units involving the two sides and a national census. The elections will also set the scene for the milestone 2011 referendum on secession guaranteed to the people of South Sudan. There are, however, a lot of issues facing the Sudanese as they prepare to vote in April. For example, in Darfur, it will be nearly impossible to conduct fair elections with so much violence and hostility there. Many U.S. and UN officials are concerned that the government will use military intimidation on the citizens in the polling booths, especially in Darfur. And the government of Sudan right now has refused to lift the media censorship, which means that not all of the political parties have access to the media to publish their ideas freely, and therefore, very few citizens know which parties are campaigning.

-Emma Smith, National Sudan Education Coordinator

Email education@standnow.org to receive trivia, discussion guides, and the weekly news brief.

Weekly News Brief, 3.6.10 - 3.12.10

jackieunh — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:22:50 -0500

In this week's issue: The Enough Project reports that the LRA may be operating in Darfur to seek protection from the Sudanese military; UN Special Rapporteur recommended the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry in Burma; one of FARDC's most abusive commanders continues to receive supplies from the UN

Weekly News Brief: March 6 to 12, 2010, compiled by Joshua Kennedy of GI-Net and the STAND E-team. To receive weekly news briefs, trivia, and a discussion guide, email education@standnow.org.

Areas of Concern

Sudan

Special Envoy to Sudan Gration stated that the upcoming elections in Sudan, preparations for next year’s South Sudan independence referendum may draw attention away from the most recent push for a peace agreement in Darfur.
According to a report by the Enough Project, the LRA may be operating in areas of southern Darfur. Enough’s sources state that some LRA members have entered Darfur to seek protection from the Sudanese military.
At least 18 people were killed in tribal clashes, supposedly over cattle in Jonglei state’s Akobo County.
Fighting between the Abdalla Maharia and Misseriya tribes was reported near the West Darfur town of Nertiti last weekend. Between 15 and 21 people were killed in the fighting, which reportedly broke out due to a dispute over financial compensation for the previous death of a soldier. Renewed clashes were reported today.
According to the Sudanese government, the country’s military is in control of the Jebel Marra plateau, although there are still reports of clashes between the government and the forces of the SLA under Abdul Wahid.

Burma

The New Mon State Army, a smaller cease-fire militia operating in Mon State, will reportedly wage a guerilla war against the Burmese government if it is attacked.
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, Tomás Ojea Quintana, has recommended that the UN establish a Commission of Inquiry into war crimes committed in Burma. The Commission of Inquiry could be a first step in referring war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Burma to the International Criminal Court.
The Burmese military wants a “yes or no” answer on the transition of the Kachin Independence Army into a border guard force. The Burmese government has set a March 15 deadline for the integration of ethnic ceasefire militias into the Burmese army as border guard forces.
The Burmese government issued guidelines governing this year’s elections on Monday. The guidelines forbid members of religious orders and several key opposition figures from participating in the process. The guidelines also forbid political parties who do not expel members in prison.
The U.S. has stated that the new guidelines ensure that the coming national elections will not be credible, but that it would continue to have conversations with Burma.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Colonel Innocent Zimurinda, one of the FARDC’s most abusive commanders, reportedly continued to receive supplies from the UN, even after warnings that MONUC assistance to Zimurinda could make the mission complicit in war crimes. Zimurinda, a former CNDP officer, allegedly massacred civilians in early 2009 during the Kimia II operations and reportedly was still receiving supplies in December 2009.
Global Witness accused former members of the CNDP of having greater control of mineral resources in the eastern Congo. The ex-CNDP soldiers are reportedly charging for access to mines and illegally taxing civilians in areas under their control.
The Enough Project released a new report on the LRA threat to civilians in the northern Congo. The report states that the group remains operational in the Bas-Uele and Haut-Uele regions of northern Congo, but civilians are also at risk of extortion and targeting by members of the Congolese national army. Download the full report here.

Afghanistan

The U.S. is beginning to overhaul the training of more than 90,000 Afghan National Police officers in an attempt to rub out the corruption, bribery and extortion that has fueled the insurgency in the country. This may include sending officers abroad for advanced training.

Iraq

Iraqi civilians went to the polls to elect new members of parliament last weekend. The elections were marked with limited violence as at least 38 people were killed across the country
Vote tabulation from the elections is still underway, with current Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi showing strong performances.

Pakistan

Three suicide bombings killed at least 45 people in the city of Lahore on Friday. This is the second bombing in Lahore this week, following an attack on a Pakistani military safe house.

Somalia

WFP will not give new contracts to three Somalis accused of diverting food aid to militants in the country. WFP has denied previous allegations that food aid has been funneled to insurgents.
This week’s fighting in Mogadishu has killed at least 54 people as insurgents and government forces battled for control of the city. In response to the anticipated government counter-offensive, the city’s mayor has warned residents to leave the capital.

Sri Lanka

General Fonseka will go on trial next week on charges that he engaged in politics while in uniform.
The number of IDPs in Sri Lanka has dropped under 100,000. As of February 25, there are just over 99,000 people still in temporary camps in the northern part of the country, the bulk of which are located in the Vavuniya district.

Around the World

Nigeria

The Nigerian government has charged 49 people with murder for their involvement in Sunday’s massacre of up to 500 people near the central city of Jos. It appears that the attack may be linked to retribution for an attack on a nearby town in January.

Central African Republic

The start date for the ICC trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba has been delayed to July 5 to allow Bemba’s defense team to challenge the admissibility of war crimes charges. Bemba is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his actions during the CAR between 2002 and 2003.

Guinea

Guinea will hold presidential elections on June 27. Campaigning for the election will run from May 17 to June 26.

Growing the Movement for Congo

dansolomon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:46:16 -0500

This February, University of Richmond’s STAND chapter, invited Omekongo Dibinga, a spoken word artist, rapper, actor, and motivational speaker to the Richmond campus. Omekongo posted a reflection on his speaking experience and the building movement for conflict resolution in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Enough Said, the Enough Project’s blog.

Last week, I traveled to the University of Richmond (UR) to perform my spoken word poetry and hip-hop on the Congo. I was invited by Maria Sebastian of the school’s STAND chapter and Matt Sobel of the UR’s Sigma Chi Fraternity. I was impressed with the hospitality they showed me, and overwhelmed by the enthusiasm the students showed for learning about the Congo and the conflict minerals issue.

The STAND chapter there has less than 10 active members, and the Sigma Chi Fraternity members there told me they didn’t know much about the Congo. Despite these seeming obstacles, over 200 people attended – leaving standing room only – on a rainy Wednesday night. As I walked into the Commons Student Center, I saw NCAA games on the TVs and of course Winter Olympic activity. All of the campus life distractions were still taking place that night but these students came out to learn how they could stop violence and destruction in the Congo. That to me is incredible and speaks to what a small group of dedicated people can do to affect change.

What was also great to see was that the students followed up the next day with a “cell-out” protest. Participants turned off their phones and left messages on their voicemails explaining that their phones are off in order to draw attention to how our electronics are supporting violence in the Congo. As we posed for the picture attached to this post, one student asked: "How many people died for that camera to work?" Another student said: "I was thinking the same thing."

That summed it up for me. We will win this fight because we are getting people here in the United States, who wouldn’t think about violence in Congo on a daily basis, to consider how their everyday devices are helping fuel a war targeting innocent men, women, and children on the other side of the world. It’s a reality people don’t see on television, and we must work to raise awareness and suggest meaningful solutions.

The challenges in Congo are part of me; a day doesn’t pass when I don’t think of the people there and the many years of violence they have endured. Getting people like the students at University of Richmond thinking about how Congo is part of them is proof positive that the movement we’re building for Congo is on the right track, and we must continue spreading the word. I can’t wait to visit the next school as part of the RAISE Hope for Congo Speakers Tour!

Lobby Your Representative This March!

dansolomon — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:04:43 -0500

If you are interested in effecting real change in the conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Burma, or on the United States government's approach to genocide prevention, sign up to lobby at our in-district lobby sessions this March!

This year, GI-NET and STAND are lobbying Congress to take a more active role in resolving the conflicts in Sudan, Congo, and Burma and preventing genocide and mass atrocities. Lobby your Congressperson to ensure that the voices of STAND activists are heard across the United States.

From March 29 to April 9, your Congressperson will be in your home state. If you sign-up to attend a meeting:

We’ll work to schedule the meeting to fit your schedule.
We’ll provide training calls, give you all the information you need, and find others to go to the meeting with you.

All you need to do is sign-up here.

Trivia and Discussion: Preventing Genocide and Employing Military Options

jackieunh — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:40:30 -0500

TRIVIA

What are the challenges to employing military options for genocide prevention? Name two.

Hint: You’ll find the answer in the following discussion guide.

DISCUSSION

The Genocide Prevention Task Force Report outlines the challenges of and recommendations for the inclusion of early prevention of genocide and mass atrocities into US foreign policy. While the report analyzes these recommendations on a general level, it does not specifically apply them to current conflicts or troublesome areas which threaten to become conflict zones.

How would the GPTF recommendations on employing military options impact the conflicts in Sudan, Congo, Burma and other areas of concern if they were implemented into government policy?

Read the fifth chapter of the GPTF report here.

KEY FACTS ON EMPLOYING MILITARY OPTIONS FROM GPTF CHAPTER 5

The United States does not face an all-or-nothing choice between taking no military action and launching a major intervention.
While there is a necessary focus on prevention, we cannot assume preventive measures will succeed.
Challenges to employing military options:
- The nature of genocide (can't be neutral; must take sides)
- Domestic political challenges (public does not understand whole scale of military options)
- International political challenges (if actions aren't authorized by the UNSC or out of self defense- illegitimate at best, illegal at worst; "responsibility to protect" is a step forward with this problem)
- Military challenges (primary objective is protection of civilians, not a goal or consequence of broader aim; is the US military prepared for something like this?)
Most important tools for military preparedness: national policy, doctrine, plans, and training
Check out the charts on page 82 and 83 of the GPTF Report to see the process of violence and graduated military options
The US should work with partners- UN, AU and ECOWAS, NATO and EU

GPTF RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendation 5-1: The secretary of defense and U.S. military leaders should develop military guidance on genocide prevention and response and incorporate it into Department of Defense (and interagency) policies, plans, doctrine, training, and lessons learned.
- Genocide prevention would be integrated into already existing defense planning.
- Language on protecting civilians from mass atrocities should be included in the rules of engagement (ROE) issued by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
- The US should support mapping out the range of early and longer term options to prevent or halt actors from committing atrocities; there should be a clear indication of "interruption points" within the development of conflict.
Recommendation 5-2: The director of national intelligence and the secretary of defense should leverage military capacities for intelligence and early warning and strengthen links to political-military planning and decision making.
- Strengthening the military's role in intelligence and early warning is important for dispelling false idea of only being able to do nothing or launch an intervention.
- Defense intelligence capabilities can strengthen the link between indicators of potential violence and use of military assets; genocide indicators should be introduced into military intelligence
Recommendation 5-3: The Departments of Defense and State should work to enhance the capacity of the United Nations, as well as the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and other regional and subregional bodies to employ military options to prevent and halt genocide and mass atrocities.
- The US should support and reinforce UN and other international peace keeping efforts.
Recommendation 5-4: The Departments of Defense and State should work with NATO, the European Union, and capable individual governments to increase preparedness to reinforce or replace United Nations, African Union, or other peace operations to forestall mass atrocities.
- Missions may need rapid reinforcements if peacekeeping operations come under threat themselves or if violence escalates. (ex. Rwanda)
- The US can also provide logistics and operational capabilities.
Recommendation 5-5: The Departments of Defense and State should enhance the capacity of the United States and the United Nations to support a transition to long-term efforts to build peace and stability in the wake of genocidal violence.
- Long-term support for post-conflict rebuilding is important for sustainable peace.

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Weekly News Brief, 2.20.10 - 3.5.10

jackieunh — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:52:10 -0500

In this week's issue: after JEM rebels and the Sudanese government signed a framework agreement, clashes and instability remain; Tensions are rising between the Burmese military and Karen Independence Organization and troops are being deployed; Global Witness is pushing the EU to exclude imports of Congo's conflict minerals

Your weekly news brief, February 20 to March 5, compiled by Joshua Kennedy of GI-Net and the STAND E-team. Email education@standnow.org to receive weely education emails including news briefs, trivia, and discussion guides.

Areas of Concern

Sudan

JEM and the Sudanese government signed a framework agreement at the end of February. The agreement includes a ceasefire, a general amnesty, the incorporation of JEM as a political party, and the potential incorporation of JEM into the Sudanese Armed Forces. For more reaction to the peace deal, read the Social Science Research Council’s response as well as the response of the ENOUGH project.
JEM reportedly threatened to walk out of upcoming peace talks if the Sudanese government worked to include other rebel groups in negotiated agreements.
At least 30 people were killed in cattle raids between two different Dinka clans in South Sudan’s Lakes state, near the town of Yirol.
According to UN Humanitarian Coordinator Toby Lanzar, the humanitarian catastrophe feared after last year’s expulsion of aid organizations in Darfur has yet to appear. Lanzer also said that increased collaboration with the Sudanese government and local organizations helped improve conditions.
Susan Rice warned that ongoing fighting in Darfur and ‘blatant disregard’ for the UN arms embargo on Darfur are undermining regional peace efforts.
Fighting continues near the town of Deribat in Darfur’s Jebel Marra region, with at least 140 civilians killed according to the UN. The fighting between the Sudanese government and the SLA has displaced at least 40,000 people.

Burma

Burma’s Supreme Court rejected Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal to overturn her house arrest, which precludes her from participating in the 2010 elections. Suu Kyi will be seeking a special appeal.
On February 18, UN Special Human Rights Envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana met with Tin Oo, vice-chairman of the National League for Democracy, and visited Insein Prison to examine Burmese treatment of political prisoners. He was not allowed to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Thai Labor Ministry announced that 500,000 migrant workers who missed the March 2 to renew work permits will be deported to their country of origin. International labor organizations have protested, saying that migrant workers may face human rights violations if forcibly repatriated.
Tensions are rising between the Burmese military and the Karen Independence Organization as they continue to negotiate over the Border Guard Force. The Burmese Army has increased security along northern trade routes while the Karen Independence Army is recruiting soldiers and conducting military training.
An order has been released for all Burmese Army divisions and battalions in Shan State and Kachin State to prepare for combat, said sources close to a local Burmese military unit. It is speculated that the order is meant to prepare an offensive against the KIO and UWSA. The Burmese government is reportedly deploying 70,000 troops to confront the USWA.
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) reportedly reversed its original decision to accept the regime's plan for ceasefire groups to become a border guard force.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The U.N. will begin to redeploy its MONUC peacekeeping forces in the DR Congo in June, withdrawing from more stable areas, while keeping a large presence in the eastern DR Congo.
The Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers released a report on the recruitment of children by local Mai Mai militia in the eastern DR Congo.
Global Witness is pushing the European Union to exclude imports of conflict minerals sourced from the eastern Congo from entering the EU market.

Afghanistan

A NATO airstrike killed 27 civilians mistaken for a convoy of insurgents on Monday. The attack outraged President Karzai and drew a public apology from ISAF commanding general McChrystal.
A bomb killed seven Afghan civilians and injured 14 others near a government building in the Helmand province capital of Lashkar Gah.
Taliban militants killed six policemen and injured two others on Saturday in the Helmand Province.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for a series of bombings and shootings last Friday in the capital, Kabul. At least 16 people died.
The Obama administration has announced that the ongoing Marjah offensive in Helmand province is only a precursor to a larger, more comprehensive operation in Kandahar scheduled for late 2010.

Iraq

Suicide bombers attacked two police stations and a hospital on Wednesday, the latest in a wave of pre-election violence, killing 31. The attacks targeted officers slated to guard polling stations during Sunday’s elections. Suicide bombs also killed seven people in Baghdad on Thursday.
In another display of pre-election violence between Shiites and Sunnis, gunmen shot and beheaded a Shia family of eight living in a Sunni neighborhood Monday morning.
A bomb exploded outside a government compound in Ramadi, killing at least 13 people, including four policemen.
Iraq’s defense minister has said that the pullout of U.S. troops from Iraq is top challenge to Iraq’s security forces. Iraq’s security forces will not complete a modernization program until 2010 and U.S. troops will fully pull out by the end of 2011.
The name of U.S. operations in Iraq will change from “Operation Iraqi Freedom” to “Operation New Dawn” to reflect the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq.

Pakistan

A Pakistani airstrike in South Waziristan killed at least 30 militants on Saturday.
Pakistan’s president urged General Petraeus , commander of the U.S. central command, to transfer drone technology to Pakistani security forces so they can attack the Taliban, as opposed to the “secret” drone strikes by the U.S. in Pakistan.
Last Thursday, Pakistan agreed to hand over the Taliban second-in-command, captured by Pakistani intelligence in January, to Afghanistan.
A suicide bomber attacked a police station in the North Western Frontier Province on Saturday, killing 4 and wounding dozens, another bombing in Swat on Monday killed six and injured dozens more.
Pakistani officials s they have killed a top Swat Valley Taliban commander and arrested the Afghani Taliban’s former finance minister in the southern city of Karachi.

Somalia

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week on whether foreign officials can be sued in U.S. courts over claims of torture. The suit argues that the pre-1991 Somali defense minister can be sued for acts of torture committed under the government of former Somali president Siad Barre.
Al Shabaab announced on Sunday that it would halt any WFP operations in Somalia, saying the organization was politically motivated and bankrupted local farmers. WFP and the Somali government said aid would continue as long as it was safe it to do so.
The AU’s special representative to Somalia said the country had made enough progress in restoring state institutions that it could manage its own funds. The UN special envoy to Somalia urged the UN and other international organizations to return to operating in Somalia instead of from Kenya.
Nine were killed and dozens injured in Mogadishu in shelling between government and rebel forces on Tuesday night.
The U.S. accused Eritrea of attempting to destabilize the Horn of Africa region. Eritrea continues to protest sanctions imposed by the U.S. last December to condemn Eritrea’s alleged funding and arming of Somali rebels.
Explosions rocked a Mogadishu hotel on Monday, killing three civilians.
Hizbul Islam captured Dhobey, a town near the Kenyan border, last Friday. Al Shabaab argues it remains in control of the town. Hizbul Islam reiterated it would continue to battle Al Shabaab in southern Somalia for control of key towns.
U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice denied this week that aid to Somalia was being withheld due to political reasons, blaming al Shabaab attacks on aid groups and possible diversion of aid to terrorist groups for the discontinuation of aid.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka announced that it plans to release more than 500 LTTE child soldiers in a rehabilitation government program by May 2010.
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court refused to release jailed former presidential candidate Sarath Fonseka, responding to a suit filed by his wife. Fonseka faces charges for unspecified “military offenses.”
President Rajapaksa extended emergency laws for another month as the country prepares for parliamentary elections in April. The state of emergency gives the government sweeping powers of arrest and detention without trial.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay expressed concern that human rights abuses in Sri Lanka were preventing full reconciliation after the war. She called on the government to conduct an investigation into possible war crimes committed by both sides during the civil war.

Around the World

Côte d’Ivoire

Xenophobia and electoral violence are reportedly on the rise in advance of this year’s Ivorian elections. Supporters of current President Gbagbo are reportedly calling for the exclusion of suspected foreign nationals on the basis of family names. Tensions over foreign residents of the country was one of the main issues during the Ivorian Civil War.

Kenya

The Chief Prosecutor of the ICC has asked judges to approve an investigation in crimes committed against Kenyan citizens in 2008. Mr. Ocampo said that senior leaders from both leading Kenyan political parties committed crimes in order to fulfill political objectives and retain power.

Rwanda

Agathe Habyarimana, the widow of former Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana, was arrested in France on suspicion of involvement in the 1994 genocide.

Sawatdee Kaa/Khrab from Thailand!

matthewheck — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:12:07 -0500

Two days ago we landed in Bangkok, jetlagged but unbelievably excited and ready for an amazing trip to the Thai-Burma border to learn more about the conflict in Burma and the effects on the communities in these border towns.

We spent our first day in Bangkok wandering the city and checking out the beautiful Grand Palace and giant reclining Buddha. The next day, we met with Alt-SEAN, an NGO which trains ethnic minority women in advocacy and organizing skills. We met six amazing interns who are all doing unique and inspiring work, especially regarding women's rights, within their home communities. These women are returning with the skills from Alt-SEAN to train fellow activists to create a network and create political change that fits their cultural needs, while also uniting various ethnic groups that otherwise held tensions between each other.

Last night, we took a night bus from Bangkok to the border town of Mae Sot (and managed not to kill each other on the ten-hour ride.) Today was jam-packed but mind blowing! First we met with the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, founded and run by people who have been held as political prisoners within Burma to help current political prisoners or previous political prisoners now living in exile. We were struck by their optimism and resolve even in the face of the horrific things they have endured at the hands of the Burmese military regime, simply for seeking human rights.

Next, we got the chance to hang out with the famous Generation Wave, a hip hop group doubling as underground political activists. Using music, graffiti, and technology, these young activists have kept the democracy movement alive amongst the youth of Burma. They were incredibly cool and, beyond just chatting about their experiences and jamming to an acoustic Burmese version of "I'll Be Missing You," they made us lunch - traditional home-cooked Burmese style! It was awesome to hear ideas to create change in Burma from their perspective. Like the members of AAPP, they can't reveal their identities, so unfortunately we couldn't take videos or pictures of them for you.

Last but not least, we met with Yuang Chi Oo Workers Association, an NGO that deals with the issues Burmese migrant workers face in Thailand. There are hundreds of thousands of Burmese migrant workers struggling to support their families back home while struggling to protect their own rights. All the people we spoke with today told us that above all, though they value the safety of living and working in Thailand, they miss their families and their lives in their home country and long to return home.

Today was amazing, and offered us a view we don't normally receive as activists in the U.S. It is rare to see the situation from the perspective of Burmese people and to have the opportunity to see and discuss their tools and tactics as activists. The rest of our week will only get better, so keep checking back for more video and blog content!

Peace, love, STAND,

Morgan, Nikki, and Matthew

(Burma Education Coordinator, MA State Outreach Coordinator, Online Strategies Coordinator)