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Nothing is exciting about Mills latest reshuffle – Akomea
Nothing is exciting about President John Mills’ latest reshuffle- Nana Akomea NPP¹s Communication Director, Nana Akomea says the President¹s latest reshuffle will add nothing new to his government.
President John Mills in his last reshuffle before his terms expires early next year has brought on board MP for Ablekuma South Constituency, Fritz Baffoe, and Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam.
Hon Fritz Baffoe will be heading the Information Ministry while Hon Moses Asaga takes oversight responsibility at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.
To many political pundits, the President¹s latest reshuffle is important, going into an election year.
However, to Nana Akomea, ³nothing is exciting about the reshuffle².
To him, the resignation of former Education Minister, Betty Mould Iddrisu is more dramatic and should generate the needed questions; not a reshuffle.
The NPP had called on the then Education Minister who was serving as Ghana¹s Attorney General when the judgment debt were paid; to resign but, Nana Akomea said though she has resigned, questions still remain as to the main reason why she did so.
³We don¹t know if she resigned because of our call; that is, if she has resigned because of the role she played in the loss of 928 billion cedis to the state; or she resigned on health grounds; or she resigned because she didn¹t like her job as a minister, he told Xfm 95.1 in an interview, adding, ³we hear she has been appointed as a high commissioner to South Africa which is very strange; for a senior cabinet minister to be appointed as a high commissioner; which is lower than a deputy minister. So it¹s all very strange; we need to be told why².
³Because the matter involves corruption and the massive loss of gargantuan fund, we need to know the reason why she has resigned. Anything short of that, the case will still not be closed², he said.
A statement which indicated President John Mills¹ acceptance of Betty Mould Iddrisu¹s resignation stated that she did not want to be a hindrance to the President¹s better Ghana agenda; however, Nana Akomea is not convinced.
He asked, ³why will she be a hindrance to the better Ghana agenda? Is it because of some gargantuan mistake that she has done? We just need to be told. In what way has she been a hindrance to the better Ghana agenda? When we have the reasons, then we can interrogate the matters. And the people of this country deserve answers to how come this government paid up 928 billion cedis to an NDC financier when we have so many basic everyday needs of the people that are not satisfied².
Story by Abena Asiedua Tenkorang/ Xfm 95.1/ Accra/ Ghana NPP¹s Communication Director, Nana Akomea says the President¹s latest reshuffle will add nothing new to his government.
President John Mills in his last reshuffle before his terms expires early next year has brought on board MP for Ablekuma South Constituency, Fritz Baffoe, and Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam.
Hon Fritz Baffoe will be heading the Information Ministry while Hon Moses Asaga takes oversight responsibility at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.
To many political pundits, the President¹s latest reshuffle is important, going into an election year.
However, to Nana Akomea, ³nothing is exciting about the reshuffle².
To him, the resignation of former Education Minister, Betty Mould Iddrisu is more dramatic and should generate the needed questions; not a reshuffle.
The NPP had called on the then Education Minister who was serving as Ghana¹s Attorney General when the judgment debt were paid; to resign but, Nana Akomea said though she has resigned, questions still remain as to the main reason why she did so.
³We don¹t know if she resigned because of our call; that is, if she has resigned because of the role she played in the loss of 928 billion cedis to the state; or she resigned on health grounds; or she resigned because she didn¹t like her job as a minister, he told Xfm 95.1 in an interview, adding, ³we hear she has been appointed as a high commissioner to South Africa which is very strange; for a senior cabinet minister to be appointed as a high commissioner; which is lower than a deputy minister. So it¹s all very strange; we need to be told why².
³Because the matter involves corruption and the massive loss of gargantuan fund, we need to know the reason why she has resigned. Anything short of that, the case will still not be closed², he said.
A statement which indicated President John Mills¹ acceptance of Betty Mould Iddrisu¹s resignation stated that she did not want to be a hindrance to the President¹s better Ghana agenda; however, Nana Akomea is not convinced.
He asked, ³why will she be a hindrance to the better Ghana agenda? Is it because of some gargantuan mistake that she has done? We just need to be told. In what way has she been a hindrance to the better Ghana agenda? When we have the reasons, then we can interrogate the matters. And the people of this country deserve answers to how come this government paid up 928 billion cedis to an NDC financier when we have so many basic everyday needs of the people that are not satisfied².
Story by Abena Asiedua Tenkorang/ Xfm 95.1/ Accra/ Ghana NPP¹s Communication Director, Nana Akomea says the President¹s latest reshuffle will add nothing new to his government.
President John Mills in his last reshuffle before his terms expires early next year has brought on board MP for Ablekuma South Constituency, Fritz Baffoe, and Moses Asaga, MP for Nabdam.
Hon Fritz Baffoe will be heading the Information Ministry while Hon Moses Asaga takes oversight responsibility at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.
To many political pundits, the President¹s latest reshuffle is important, going into an election year.
However, to Nana Akomea, ³nothing is exciting about the reshuffle².
To him, the resignation of former Education Minister, Betty Mould Iddrisu is more dramatic and should generate the needed questions; not a reshuffle.
The NPP had called on the then Education Minister who was serving as Ghana¹s Attorney General when the judgment debt were paid; to resign but, Nana Akomea said though she has resigned, questions still remain as to the main reason why she did so.
³We don¹t know if she resigned because of our call; that is, if she has resigned because of the role she played in the loss of 928 billion cedis to the state; or she resigned on health grounds; or she resigned because she didn¹t like her job as a minister, he told Xfm 95.1 in an interview, adding, ³we hear she has been appointed as a high commissioner to South Africa which is very strange; for a senior cabinet minister to be appointed as a high commissioner; which is lower than a deputy minister. So it¹s all very strange; we need to be told why².
³Because the matter involves corruption and the massive loss of gargantuan fund, we need to know the reason why she has resigned. Anything short of that, the case will still not be closed², he said.
A statement which indicated President John Mills¹ acceptance of Betty Mould Iddrisu¹s resignation stated that she did not want to be a hindrance to the President¹s better Ghana agenda; however, Nana Akomea is not convinced.
He asked, ³why will she be a hindrance to the better Ghana agenda? Is it because of some gargantuan mistake that she has done? We just need to be told. In what way has she been a hindrance to the better Ghana agenda? When we have the reasons, then we can interrogate the matters. And the people of this country deserve answers to how come this government paid up 928 billion cedis to an NDC financier when we have so many basic everyday needs of the people that are not satisfied².
Story by Abena Asiedua Tenkorang/ Xfm 95.1/ Accra/ Ghana
AFAG demands Prez Mills’ resignation
The Alliance for Accountable Governance (AFAG), is calling for President Mills’ head following a litany of state issues they contend the president has failed to handle properly.
AFAG which embarked on a demonstration Wednesday cited the ongoing Woyome saga, the recent increase in fuel price and the dwindling fortunes of the cedi on the world market as some of their reasons for the president to resign.
The demonstration dubbed “Atta Wayo Demo” drew scores of NPP sympathizers and other AFAG members from four other regions outside the Greater Accra region to the Holy gardens, at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in Accra.
Before the demonstration got underway, members converged in different groups whiles chanting songs demanding the removal of the president and a refund of the 58 million Ghana cedis judgment debt paid to NDC businessman Alfred Woyome.
As is typical of demonstrations in the country, the demonstrators clad in red and black attires carried placards some of which read “Atta you have disappointed us”, “reduce petrol prices now” and “419 government” among others.
They also came out with a mathematical formula which read [(A+B) X (C+D) X (E-F)] = GARGANTUAN CRIMINALS.
They explained the formula thus: A represented former Education Minister, Betty Mould Iddrisu, B= Finance Minister, Dr. Kwabena Duffour, the letter C according to them stood for President Mills, D for the Vice President, John Mahama , E for the NDC party and F for Former President Jerry John Rawlings.
The demonstrators went through some principal streets in the capital such as Farisco Avenue and the Ministries area before converging at the Hearts park near the Arts centre in Accra where the demonstrators were addressed by their leaders amidst brass band music.
A leading member of AFAG, John Kumah in an interview with Multi TV’s Joy News channel said the huge judgment debt paid to Alfred Woyome was evident of the prevailing corruption in the NDC.
He said President Mills and the NDC have failed their promises to Ghanaians and thus called on the citizenry to vote the NDC government out of power in the December polls.
AFAG president Samuel Awuku who led the demonstration indicated that the NDC government had failed in its mandate to rule the nation hence the need to vote the party out of power.
He decried the high unemployment rate and increase in fuel prices in the country noting that the NDC government was insensitive to the sufferings of Ghanaians.
The NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the Dome Kwabenya constituency, Adwoa Safo, who was also part of the demonstration tasked supporters of the NPP to unite in order to vote the NDC out of power.
Source: Joy Online
EAC, Nordic Africa Institute sign MoU
EAC, Nordic Africa Institute sign MoU
ARUSHA, Tanzania, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The East African Community and the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the EAC Secretariat headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
The MoU creates a framework of cooperation with the overall objective of mobilizing the Institute’s competences and capacities and strategically using them to support the EAC’s regional integration agenda.
The cooperation will be realized under the Research and Capacity Development Partnership Programme (RCDPP), through which NAI will provide intellectual support to the EAC in matters related to the four clusters of its research competence, namely; globalisation, trade and regional integration; conflict, security and democratic transformation; rural and agrarian change, property and resources; urban dynamics.
EAC’s Deputy Secretary General in charge of Productive and Social Sectors Mr. Jean Claude Nsengiyumva, who represented the EAC Secretary General at the ceremony said with the MoU in place he was confident that the bloc and the Nordic Africa Institute would work together in a more coordinated manner.
Meanwhile the Nordic Africa Institute Director Carin Norberg lauded this step geared at enhancing collaboration, noting that the MoU “will open up avenues for us and our cooperation” and that it would expand research activities and knowledge to the mutual benefit of both parties.
The broad areas of co-operation will include research, publication of research findings, dissemination of research findings, professional development and joint mobilization and deployment of resources.
About the Nordic Africa Institute
The Nordic Africa Institute (Nordiska Afrikainstitutet) is a center for research, documentation and information on modern Africa in the Nordic region. Based in Uppsala, Sweden, the Institute is dedicated to providing timely, critical and alternative research and analysis of Africa in the Nordic countries and to strengthen the co-operation between African and Nordic researchers.
SOURCE
East African Community (EAC)
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Press conference of Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime Commissioner of rural economy and agriculture
Press conference of Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime Commissioner of rural economy and agriculture
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mrs. Rhoda Peace Tumusiime Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture of the African Union (AU), will on Thursday 26 January 2012 at 16:00 hold a press conference at the Media Center of the AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the press conference to be held on the sidelines of the 18th AU Summit, Mrs. Tumusiime will address the following issues:
– Outcome of COP17 / Africa and Climate Change Negotiations
– Food Security in Africa.
Journalists are invited to take part in the press conference.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
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UK Parliamentarians Table a Motion on Safety of Journalists in Somalia
UK Parliamentarians Table a Motion on Safety of Journalists in Somalia
MOGADISHU, Somalia, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) welcomes the decision of United Kingdom Parliamentarians to formally table a motion on safety of journalists in Somalia at House of Commons.
The National Union of Journalists of Great Britain and Ireland (NUJ) in close cooperation with its sister union in Somalia, NUSOJ, lobbied British MPs to submit this motion which was tabled on 24 January 2012.
The motion reads:
That this House is concerned about the ongoing threats to, and arrests and killing of journalists in Somalia; condemns the mass arrest of journalists without charge in Somaliland; believes that these arrests are an attempt to intimidate journalists into not covering news stories critical of the governing authorities; is appalled at the killing of journalist Abdisalan Sheik Hassan, who was shot dead on 18 December 2011; equally condemns the killing of journalists Farah Hasan Sahel, Noramfaizul Mohd Nor and Abdiaziz Ahmed Aden, who were killed in 2011; supports the efforts of the National Union of Somali Journalists and its members who perform a crucial role in reporting in Somalia against a background of violence and intimidation for carrying out their jobs; and urges the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to raise the issues of organised and continuing threats against journalists in Somalia as a matter of urgency with the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.
“We hail the tabling of this important motion which highlight the sustained and systematic risks that Somali journalists face,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
NUSOJ commends the five MPs that tabled the motion who are playing instrumental role. NUSOJ is glad its cooperation with the NUJ has resulted in such submission.
SOURCE
National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ)
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Ethiopian blogger risks death penalty as judge confirms charges
Ethiopian blogger risks death penalty as judge confirms charges
NEW YORK, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Jailed Ethiopian dissident blogger Eskinder Nega will stand trial in March for all of the terrorism accusations initially advanced by prosecutors, a federal high court judge ruled yesterday, local sources said. If convicted on all charges, he could face the death penalty.
Judge Endeshaw Adane of the third criminal bench of the Lideta Federal High Court in the capital Addis Ababa reviewed evidence presented by government prosecutors yesterday and confirmed all six charges against Eskinder. His trial will begin March 5.
Five other journalists, all in exile and to be tried in absentia, initially faced the same terrorism charges. At yesterday’s hearing, the judge confirmed all six charges for two of those accused and dismissed all but one charge against three others.
“This ruling is an affront to justice and underscores that these are politicized charges used by the government to intimidate journalists and chill news-gathering activities,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We call for all terrorism charges to be dropped as they are baseless, and for Eskinder to be released immediately”
The two journalists besides Eskinder who still face all six charges are exiled editors of opposition broadcasters: Abebe Belew of the U.S.-based Internet radio Addis Dimts and Fasil Yenealem of the Netherlands-based ESAT, according to CPJ sources and news reports.
Three other exiled editors — Abebe Gellawof the U.S.-based Addis Voice and Mesfin Negash and Abiye Teklemariam of U.S.-based Addis Neger Online — will be tried in absentia under a single terrorism charge each, according to local sources.
Ethiopia’s antiterrorism law criminalizes reporting or publication of information the government deems favorable to groups designated as terrorists, which include opposition movements such as Ginbot 7 and the separatists of the Ogaden National Liberation Front. The government’s application of the law against journalists and dissidents has been criticized by the United Nations and the U.S. State Department.
The charges against the journalists are based on accusations of “disseminating terrorist ideas” to Ethiopians such as through ESAT TV, radio, Internet and Web chat forums such as Paltalk. The Addis Neger Online editors are accused of “lending professional support for terrorism,” by “allowing terrorist organizations such as Ginbot 7, Oromo Liberation Front, and Ogaden National Liberation Front to express their terrorist ideas and promote their agendas on their online publication,” according to a translation of the original charge sheet.
Other charges are based on accusations of recruiting young people to membership of the groups designated as terrorist, and on treason and spying for Ethiopia’s arch foe, Eritrea.
Earlier this month, three other local journalists were convicted of terrorism charges — one in absentia — and they could face the death penalty, news reports said. Their sentencing is expected tomorrow. In addition, two Swedish journalists were sentenced in late December to 11-year jail terms after being convicted of supporting terrorism and entering Ethiopia illegally.
In Africa, only Eritrea jails more journalists than Ethiopia, according to CPJ research.
SOURCE
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
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Press conference of Adv. Bience Gawanas, Commissioner of social affairs of the AU
Press conference of Adv. Bience Gawanas, Commissioner of social affairs of the AU
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Advocate Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union (AU), will on Thursday 26 January 2012 at 15:00 hold a press conference at the Media Center of the AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
During the press conference to be held on the sidelines of the 18th AU Summit, Adv. Gawanas will address the following issues:
– Persons with disabilities ;
– African Sports Architecture;
– Aids Watch Africa;
– CARMMA campaign;
– African cultural renaissance;
– Children welfare ;
– Human Trafficking
Journalists are invited to take part in the press conference.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
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Ugandan photojournalist shot at from police van
Ugandan photojournalist shot at from police van
NEW YORK, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Ugandan authorities must hold to account members of security forces who fired Tuesday on a photojournalist covering their attack on the motorcade of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.
Isaac Kasamani, a photojournalist with the independent Daily Monitor, said men in plainclothes shot at him from a blue police van some 10 meters away as he kneeled to take a photo of an exploding tear gas canister thrown by the agents, according to his account of the incident published in the paper today. Kasamani said the police van bore the license registration UP128 and was following Besigye’s motorcade after a peaceful opposition rally in Namungoona, a suburb of the capital Kampala. The operatives, numbering eight or nine, drove off immediately after shooting.
“It is deeply disturbing that our colleague Isaac Kasamani should come under fire from a police van while reporting on the actions of Ugandan security operatives,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We demand a thorough investigation into the shooting. Authorities must ensure that journalists can report without intimidation by security forces.”
Ugandan security forces have been severely curtailing the movements of Besigye as the government of President Yoweri Museveni cracks down on protests against inflation, according to news reports. Besigye has been the subject of repeated arrests and beatings, including a particularly brutal arrest in April 2011 that led to his medical evacuation to Kenya. Museveni has vilified journalists covering the security crackdown, and security forces have attacked journalists reporting on opposition demonstrations, according to CPJ research.
This month, police spokesman Asuman Mugenyi denied allegations by Besigye that some members of the security forces were consuming banned substances while charging protesters, Daily Monitor reported.
The Foreign Correspondents’ Association of Uganda (FCAU), of which Kasamani is a member on account of his contributions to Agence France-Presse, released a statement condemning the shooting and calling for an investigation.
“The bullet missed me narrowly as I was in motion, bending. I was startled by the incident since I was only doing my work,” Kasamani wrote.
In November, the U.S. State Department released a statement condemning Ugandan security forces over reports of heavy-handed and brutal tactics, extrajudicial arrests, and killings. Last month, the Ugandan government pledged to the U.N. Human Rights Council to “mainstream human rights issues in the training curriculum of security agencies,” according to a December 2011 report.
SOURCE
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
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Central African Republic editor jailed in politicized case
Central African Republic editor jailed in politicized case
NEW YORK, January 26, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities in the Central African Republic to immediately release a newspaper editor imprisoned since January 16 and to drop a politicized prosecution that stems from the paper’s critical coverage of a presidential relative who also serves as the government’s finance minister.
Police arrested Ferdinand Samba, top editor of the private daily Le Démocrate, at the paper’s offices in Bangui, defense lawyer Nicolas Tiangaye told CPJ. Samba was charged three days later with incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult based on a complaint filed by Sylvain Ndoutingaï, finance minister and nephew of President François Bozizé, over a series of columns published between September and November 2011, Tiangaye said. The opinion pieces, written by Samba, criticized Ndoutingaï’s management of public finances and reported allegations of abuse of power and embezzlement, Le Démocrate Editor-in-Chief Brice Oundagnon told CPJ.
The public prosecutor is seeking a one-year prison term, 50 million CFA franc (US$97,000) in damages, and a six-month suspension of the newspaper, Tiangaye said.
The requested prison term contravenes the country’s 2005 press law, which abolished imprisonment for alleged press offenses, according to Tiangaye and the country’s newspaper publisher association. Samba, originally jailed at the Central Office for Repression of Banditry, has been transferred to Bangui’s central prison, where he is to be held pending trial.
Tiangaye told CPJ that the damages and suspension are aimed at silencing a newspaper that has reported critically about a senior government official.
“The imprisonment of Ferdinand Samba is a glaring affront to the Central African Republic press law, which abolished the jailing of journalists,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We call on authorities to release Samba immediately and end a politicized case launched by an influential public figure to shield himself from legitimate scrutiny.”
Several local groups have denounced the politicized prosecution. The Media Observatory of Central African Republic (known by its French acronym OMCA) and the Group of Publishers of the Private Independent Central African Press (known by its French acronym GEPPIC) were among those to condemn Samba’s arrest, according to news reports. The country’s private newspapers staged a news blackout on January 19 and 20 to protest the imprisonment.
SOURCE
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
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INDONESIA: Military officers arbitrarily arrest and torture civilians based on false claims of rebel activity
Dear President of Indonesia,
INDONESIA: Military officers arbitrarily arrest and torture civilians based on false claims of rebel activity
Name of victims: Melianus Wantik, Edo Doga, Markus Walilo, Pilipus Wantik, Wilem Kosy, Elius Dabi, Lamber Dabi, Othi Logo, Nilik Hiluka, Hukum Logo, Martinus Mabel, and Saulus Logo
Names of alleged perpetrators: Seven commanding officers of the Kurulu military sub-district command (danramil Kurulu)
Date of incident: 2 November 2011
Place of incident: Umpagalo village, Kurulu sub-district, Jayawijaya, Papua
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the arbitrary arrest and torture conducted by seven officers of the Kurulu military sub-district command (danramil Kurulu) against 12 civilians at Umpagalo village, between 11pm to 3am.
I have learnt that a Kurulu villager named Alex, who reportedly drank and gambled with members of the pro-Jakarta militia Barisan Merah Putih, provoked Indonesian national military (TNI) officers by claiming there was a meeting between the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and the villagers at Umpagalo on the night of 2 November 2011, at Umpagalo village, Kurulu sub-district, Jayawijaya, Papua without specific evidence. Responding to this vague information, seven armed officers of the Kurulu military sub-district command (danramil Kurulu) prepared to handle the situation without any command letter of authorization (surat izin komando).
I wish to point out that after the armed officers came to Umpagalo at around 11pm, they beat three local activists, Melianus Wantik, Edo Doga and Markus Walilo, as well as nine villagers, Pilipus Wantik, Wilem Kosy, Elius Dabi, Lamber Dabi, Othi Logo, Nilik Hiluka, Hukum Logo, Martinus Mabel and Saulus Logo, then stabbed them with bayonets for two hours, forced them to crawl and doused them with water for one hour. The officers also humiliated, beat with big wood sticks, kicked and stepped on them with their boots, pointed their guns and threatened that they would cut their heads, and shot at them four times. After that, the officers brought all the victims to the 176/ Kurulu military headquarters of Wim Anesili Wamena battalion branch (Pos TNI Batalyon 756 kurulu cabang Batalion Wim Anesili Wamena) and examined them for two hours. The victims were then released without clear reason. Too scared to go to the hospital located around 50 meters from the military post for medical treatment, they made do with traditional remedies.
The victims’ colleagues complained to the Kurulu sector police following the incident, but the police refused to process the complaint since there is no substantial evidence to prove the allegations and the military officers are beyond their jurisdiction based on law no. 31 of 1997 regarding military court.
I also learnt that the head of the military district command (Korem) 172/PWY Ibnu Tri Widodo acknowledged the violence. He stated that the seven soldiers who mistreated the civilians were now held in custody of the Wamena Military Police. They would be brought to the military court. Following the mistreatment, all soldiers on duty in the Kurulu sub-district had been transferred. He further promised that the military would no longer act “arrogantly” towards civilians. However, in many cases, I have noted that military trials, which are not open to the public, only sentence the perpetrators to a light punishment, such as transfer, which is inadequate given the seriousness of the human rights violations committed.
Therefore, I urge TNI jointly with Komnas HAM to send an independent investigation team to transparently resolve this case, including ensuring the adequate punishment of those responsible. The military court law should be reviewed to ensure that members of the military are brought exclusively before a competent, objective and impartial civilian court that is compliant with the internationally-accepted standards of fair trial, including public access to the process, in cases of human rights abuses by members of the military against civilians.
Yours sincerely,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
Arrest and judicial harassment of Mr. Temogen Sahipa Tulawie
January 19, 2012
Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales,
Chairperson,
Commission on Human Rights,
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex,
Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines.
Fax: +632 929 0102.
Email: [email protected] , [email protected];
Re: Arrest and judicial harassment of Mr. Temogen Sahipa Tulawie
Dear Chairperson Commission on Human Rights,
I have been informed by the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). I request your urgent intervention in the following situation in The Philippines.
According to the information received, on January 13, 2012, at about 11:45 in the evening, Mr. Temogen Sahipa Tulawie was arrested at his rented house in Davao City by combined elements of Military Intelligence Group (MIG) from Region 9 led by Sgt. Reyes, members of Special Action Force (SAF) led by Supt. Fernando Ortega and members of Police Regional Intelligence Group from Region 11 based in Davao City. He was then taken to Talomo police station for police blotter and to Davao Regional Hospital for medical check-up, before being taken to Camp Catitipan, Davao City, at the office of the Intelligence division for proper documentation. He was subsequently brought to Davao City Police Office in Camp Domingo Leonor, Davao City.
Mr. Tulawie is facing charges of “multiple frustrated murder” and “attempted murder” at the Regional Court of Jolo, Sulu, filed on July 22, 2009 (See background information).
On January 16, 2012, Mr. Tulawie was presented to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Davao City, where a letter from the Executive and Presiding Judge of Jolo, Sulu RTC Branch 3 (Judge Betlee-Ian Barraquias) to the Executive Judge of Davao City was read, ordering the transfer of Mr. Tulawie back to Jolo within 48 hours, in contravention to a Supreme Court Order dated June 13, 2011 and granting the motion he filed for transfer of venue to the RTC of Davao City (See background information).
On January 17, 2012 in the afternoon, Mr. Tulawie was flown by the law enforcers to Zamboanga City and detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)-Region 9. On the same day, the Office of the Court Administrator (Supreme Court) sent an order for immediate action stating that “said order of Judge Barraquias is contrary to the Resolution dated June 13, 2011 issued by the Third Division of the Supreme Court wherein the transfer of venue of Criminal Case Nos. (07-09) 1648-3 and (07-09) 1649-3, both involving Mr. Tulawie, was decreed to be held at the Regional Trial Court of Davao City. Likewise, be advised that the Motion for Reconsideration of the above Resolution had already been acted upon and this has apparently been DENIED. Thus, with more reason that Judge Barraquias has no authority to issue his supposed order. As such, you are hereby directed to inform the police or jail custodians of Mr. Tulawie that any order contrary to the Resolution dated 13 June 2011 of the Third Division of the Supreme Court cannot be implemented”.
As of issuing this Urgent Appeal, Mr. Tulawie remained detained at Davao City Police Office in Camp Domingo Leonor.
Background information:
Mr. Tulawie is facing charges of “multiple frustrated murder” and “attempted murder” at the Regional Court of Jolo, Sulu, filed on July 22, 2009. The charges relate to a bombing incident that happened in the municipality of Patikul, Sulu, on May 13, 2009, wounding twelve persons, including Governor Abdusakur Tan of the province of Sulu. The evidence and warrant of arrest against him was based on forced confessions of two of the accused which they later recanted[1].
Mr. Tulawie was forced to hide due to fears that he would not be accorded a fair trial.
However, at the time of his arrest, he was planning to voluntarily give himself and face the charges against him after the Supreme Court, on June 13, 2011, granted the motion he filed for transfer of venue to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Davao City. He argued that there were reasons to believe that he would not be afforded with impartiality if his case was to be tried in the RTC of Jolo. In its decision, the Supreme Court considered that “there is an indication of actual and imminent threat to the life of the petitioner and his family, as well as his witnesses” and that “there is reason to believe that continuing with the trial of the subject criminal cases in the RTC, Jolo, Sulu can lead to a miscarriage of justice”.
Actions requested:
I urge you to guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Temogen Sahipa Tulawie as well as of all human rights defenders in The Philippines;
Please take proper initiative to release Mr. Temogen Sahipa Tulawie immediately and unconditionally since his detention is arbitrary as it seems to only aim at sanctioning his human rights activities;
I also urge to put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against Mr. Temogen Sahipa Tulawie as well as against all human rights defenders in the Philippines, and ensure in all circumstances that they are able to carry out their work without hindrances;
Please suggest the government to comply with all the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations General Assembly, in particular:
its Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”,
its Article 6.a, which states that “everyone has the right individually and in association with others to know, seek, obtain, receive and hold information about all human rights and fundamental freedoms, including having access to information as to how those rights and freedoms are given effect in domestic legislative, judicial or administrative systems”,
Article 12.1, which foresees that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to participate in peaceful activities against violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms”,
and its Article 12.2 which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”
Please guide the government to guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other international human rights instruments ratified by the Philippines.
I thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely yours,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
Open letter to the Prime Minister of Cambodia on the forced eviction and arbitrary detention of Borei Keila residents
January 24, 2012
H.E. Samdech Hun Sen
Prime Minister
Cabinet of the Prime Minister Council of Ministers Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia
Via facsimile: +855 23 360-666
Re: Borei Keila forced eviction and arbitrary detention of 22 women and 6 children
Dear Prime Minister,
I, the undersigned, write to you to express our very serious concerns regarding the forced eviction of the Borei Keila community in Phnom Penh and the arbitrary detention on January 11, 2012, of 22 women and six children while peacefully protesting their eviction. Police and Daun Penh district security guards conducted the arrests on January 11 in front of the Phnom Penh Municipality building where protesters had gathered to demand a halt to the evictions and the release of fellow protesters arrested on January 3.
Prior to these arrests, on January 3, workers from the Phan Imex company destroyed the homes of around 300 families living in Borei Keila. State security forces that were present used tear gas and rubber bullets against the residents, and both sides threw rocks, sticks, and bottles. More than 64 people were reportedly injured. The authorities arrested at least eight of the residents, one of whom was released on bail on January 18 while seven remain in detention. These eight residents, including two children, have all been charged under both article 218 (“intentional acts of violence with aggravating circumstances”) and article 504 (“obstruction of public officials with aggravating circumstances”) of the Cambodian penal code.
Borei Keila has been the home to a large poor urban community for many years. The Cambodian government designated the area as a “social land concession” in 2003, sharing land with Phan Imex, which promised to build housing for the poor. However, it has been reported that the Phan Imex owner wrote to you in April 2010 requesting permission to be relieved of the obligation to build two of the ten buildings promised for the community. Many of the 300 families have been protesting against the company and local authority since then.
The authorities have relocated most of those evicted on January 3 to two remote resettlement sites, Tuol Sambo, on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, and Srah Po, also known as Phnom Bat, in Kandal province. Many are now living in makeshift tents, without access to electricity, sanitation or clean drinking water, schools, and employment opportunities. At least 30 families with people living with HIV/AIDS are among those evicted. The precarious situation facing these homeless families reflects a serious failure by the Cambodian government to fulfill its international legal obligations to respect the right to an adequate standard of living, including adequate housing, as recognized under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which Cambodia has ratified.
As a state party to the ICESCR, Cambodia is obliged to ensure, before any planned evictions, that all alternatives are explored in consultation with those affected by the eviction. Evictions may only occur in accordance with the law and in conformity with international standards, including genuine consultation with those affected, adequate notice and information on the proposed eviction, and provisions of legal remedies for those affected. Evictions may only occur if they do not render individuals homeless or vulnerable to the violation of other human rights.
In 2009, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the United Nations body charged with monitoring the implementation of the ICESCR, expressed its serious concerns at the increasing scale of forced evictions in Cambodia and made the following recommendation:
The Committee strongly recommends that the State party, as a matter of priority, undertake open, participatory and meaningful consultations with affected residents and communities prior to implementing development and urban renewal projects and to ensure that persons forcibly evicted from their properties be provided with adequate compensation and/or offered relocation that complies with the guidelines adopted by the Committee in its general comment No. 7 (1997) on forced evictions and guarantee that relocation sites are provided with basic services including drinking water, electricity, washing and sanitation, as well as adequate facilities including schools, health care centres and transportation at the time the resettlement takes place.
The 22 women and six children arrested during a peaceful protest on January 11 were arbitrarily detained at Prey Speu Social Affairs Center in Phnom Penh without access to their families, legal counsel, and medical care. In the past, Prey Speu has been used by the authorities to arbitrarily detain homeless people, drug users, and sex workers rounded up from the streets. Detainees there have been subjected to abuses including suspicious deaths, rape, torture, and beatings. Several of the women detainees told us that Phan Imex representatives had sought to intimidate them and told them that they would only be released if they agreed to sign or thumbprint documents to accept land in Tuol Sambo or Srah Po. Three women were released on January 16 and another woman on January 17, all after agreeing to sign a contract to accept land in Srah Po. On January 18, the remaining women and children climbed the fences around the center and escaped from Prey Speu during a visit to the facility by two opposition parliamentarians and the media.
I respectfully call on the Cambodian government to:
cease and refrain from all forms of intimidation, including arbitrary detention, against those forcibly evicted from the Borei Keila community; initiate a full and independent investigation into the arrest of the 22 women and six children on January 11 and their subsequent arbitrary detention at Prey Speu Social Affairs Center; release the seven Borei Keila residents still detained since the January 3 incident, pending further investigation; ensure that Phan Imex company is held to its original undertaking to build housing for all persons evicted from the Borei Keila community; ensure that all those forcibly evicted are provided with adequate compensation and suitable alternative accommodation that meets international standards for adequate housing; initiate a full and independent investigation into the Borei Keila forced eviction, examining why the eviction took place, the apparent use of excessive force by security forces, and the use of prolonged detention to coerce “agreement” to forced relocation; ensure that all members of the security forces found responsible for using or ordering the excessive use of force are held accountable in fair proceedings; and end all forced evictions and introduce a moratorium on mass evictions in Cambodia until a legal framework and relevant policies are in place to ensure that evictions are conducted only in accordance with Cambodia’s international human rights obligations.
I have been monitoring the human rights situation in Cambodia for many years and have witnessed the tragic loss of homes and livelihoods of countless Cambodians, and the enormous social costs of forced evictions. As the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2012, Cambodia should abide by its legal obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms under the ASEAN Charter and end the practice of forced evictions that is a blot on the country’s reputation internationally.
When the ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Surin Pitsuwan visited Cambodia in December last year, King Norodom Sihamoni advised him that “beyond achieving material progress, it is important to develop a peaceful and sustainable region.” Failure to fully address forced evictions and related widespread human rights abuses not only violates Cambodia’s international obligations, it also risks undermining social stability and economic development.
Thank you for taking into consideration our concerns and recommendations.
Sincerely yours,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
wwww.williamgomes.org
Cc:
H.E. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
H.E. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior
H.E. Ith Sam Heng, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veteran and Youth Rehabilitation
H.E. Om Yentieng, President, Cambodian Human Rights Committee, and current Chair, ASEAN Inter-Government Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)
SRI LANKA: An innocent youth persecuted for over six years by the Teldeniya police
Dear Mr. N K Illangakoon,
SRI LANKA: An innocent youth persecuted for over six years by the Teldeniya police
Name of the victim: Mr. Muttiah Chandra Mohan (36) of No: 01/B, Ambakotte, Kengalle in the Kandy District
Alleged perpetrator: Police officers attached to the Teldeniya and TID Colombo
Date of incident: 6 April 2008
Place of incident: Terrorist Investigation Department
I am writing to express my serious concern over the case of Mr. Muttiah Chandra Mohan (36). Chandra Mohan is a driver by profession, married and the father of two daughters. He resides with his family at No: 01/B, Ambakotte, Kengalle in the Kandy District.
During July 2006, there was a clash between the policemen from the Teldeniya Police Station and a youth of Ambakotte. At that time the policemen came to the village in plain clothes and beat several young people indiscriminately. As the officers were in plain clothes and did not identify themselves as police officers the young men retaliated and beat them in return. Chandra Mohan was arrested along with some others in this connection and was remanded for 8 months at Bogambara Remand Prison. He was later released on bail and the case is still proceeding (after six years) in the Kandy Magistrate’s Court. As a condition of bail Chandra Mohan was ordered by the court to report to the Teldeniya Police Station on every first Sunday of the month.
On the 6 April 2008, when he was returning from the Teldeniya Police, (after reporting) Chandra Mohan was arrested by the Colombo Terrorist Investigation Department (TID) officers at his house at Ambakotte. He was detained at Gurudeniya in a house for 4 days. He was handcuffed and during the day he was blindfolded. Chandra Mohan was inhumanly tortured during those four days. He was kicked, hung, stripped naked and beaten and later taken to the Colombo TID office where he was detained for 10 months. From the TID office he was transferred to Boossa, where the terrorist suspects are detained without having been charged. He was detained there until October 2009.
Chandra Mohan was finally produced in the Magistrate’s Court of Colombo on the 10 October, 2009 and was remanded in Colombo Remand Prison (CRP) as a terror suspect under Remand No. 5820. His case No: is B/3122 EER 25/2011.
Since 2008 Chandra Mohan has never been given the reason for his arrest. In January 2012 the Attorney General’s Department filled an indictment accusing him of participating in terrorist activities. His High Court case will be called at the Kandy High Court.
Chandra Mohan and his family feel that it is a revenge taken by the police for the incident that happened in 2006 at Ambakotte that he was arrested again tortured and accused.
I request your urgent intervention to ensure that the authorities listed below instigate an immediate investigation into the allegations of illegal arrest, illegal detention, torture by the police perpetrators, and the prosecution of those proven to be responsible under the criminal law of the country for misusing powers of state officers and for wrongful prosecution. The officers involved must also be subjected to internal investigations for the breach of the department orders as issued by the police department.
Yours sincerely,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
PAKISTAN: The former Ambassador to the United States faces death threats
Dear President of Pakistan,
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding life security of Mr. Hussain Haqqani, former Ambassador to the United States of America.
I am shocked to know that Mr. Haqqani is facing threats to his life by the state intelligence agencies and fundamentalist groups, who have good support from the security establishment. Mr. Haqqani has expressed his concerns about the threats to his life to the London Telegraph and pointed out he would be assassinated like the former governor of Punjab province and a former federal minister on minority affairs.
The former Ambassador has been provided temporary shelter in Prime Minister’s House but government has failed to provide him protection from the state intelligence agencies and their cronies, the Muslim armed groups which are operating openly their nefarious designs by killing high profile personalities.
I was also informed that the case against Haqqani follows an ominous trend in Pakistan. The assassinations of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer, Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, and journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad this past year have created a culture of intimidation and fear that is stifling efforts to promote a more tolerant and democratic society. Significant segments of the Pakistani media have already judged Haqqani to be guilty of treason, which could inspire religious extremists to take the law into their own hands as they did with Taseer and Bhatti.
I am also concerned that his wife Farahnaz Ispahani, when finding no protection of his husband’s life, went to the United States and asked help from the USA authorities which is very serious view on the security affairs in Pakistan and it has given an impression that civilians have no contro on the security issues and all rest on the whims of military and its intelligence agencies.
It is shocking for me that the Ambassador’s wife is constantly followed by ISI agents working inside America. She should have the ability to live in USA free from intimidation and threats.
I was informed that the ISI’s involvement is visible in the trap laid for the ambassador in order to eliminate him from the scene in that its head, Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha, visited London and investigated the case himself by intimidating Mansoor Ijaz, the writer of the Memo, to place the blame on the Ambassador. The ISI chief went to London on his own self without taking permission from his boss, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. The man’s arrogance is such that that he filed the affidavit to the Supreme Court without consulting the government in an effort to show his own superiority over the civilian law.
I therefore urge you to prosecute the Director General of ISI, Mr. Shuja Pasha, who is operating on his own without the permission of the Prime Minister for continuously using his offices for intimidating and coercing Hussain Haqqani during the court trial of the Memo case. Mr. Haqqani must be provided protection and the government should take action against the ISI officials and fundamentalists groups for threatening him.
The threats to his life and restrictions on his free movement is against the fundamental rights of an individual and also against the articles 15 and 19 of the constitution of Pakistan. It is also against the article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which is ratified by the Pakistan and under its obligations government has to ensure the freedom of expression and movement to Mr. Haqqani. Sadly it is the very institutions which should be providing protection, the armed forces and the ISI, which are the cause of the threats to his life.
Yours sincerely,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
NDC disqualifies Emelia Arthur from contesting Shama primaries
The National Vetting Committee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has disqualified the Deputy Western Regional Minister Madam Emelia Arthur from contesting against the incumbent MP for the Shama Constituency, Hon. Gabriel Kojo Essilfie.
Although reasons for her disqualification have not been made known, there had been issues with her membership and loyalty to the NDC.
The election for the Shama Constituency was suspended last Saturday because disagreements over the candidature of the former Shama DCE had not been resolved.
Whilst the entire constituency executives insisted that Madam Emelia Arthur was not an active card-bearing member of the party, and thus, ineligible to contest, some polling station executives, rooted for her candidature maintaining that she was a loyal member of the NDC and better placed to retain the seat for the party.
Although Madam Arthur successfully went through the regional vetting, which was described by the constituency executives as fraudulent, it appears she was unlucky with executives at the national level who sat on the matter.
The constituency executives had threatened to resign en bloc if she was cleared to contest.
The Western Regional Chairman of the NDC, Nana Toku, who spoke to Maxx News, did not give reasons for her disqualification except to say that it is in the interest of the party.
According to him, the decision was taken solely by the national executives after they had deliberated on a report forwarded by the regional wing. He said the national executives also held talks with Madam Emelia Arthur and impressed upon her to support the incumbent in the larger interest of the party.
Nana Toku said the incumbent MP has also been advised to remain calm. He noted that regional executives with support from the national headquarters will embark on a campaign to unite the disgruntled groups in the constituency to forge ahead in unity in the 2012 elections.
“It is my party issues so I don’t want to go into details. The issue is that they have spoken to Madam Emelia Arthur and she understands that she has to allow her colleague to go and we have been talking to the incumbent to remain calm so we all join hands together for the NDC’s victory” the Regional Chairman said.
Meanwhile the group of polling station executives who endorsed Madam Arthur’s candidature say they might support her to go independent. But that decision is to be taken at a news conference on Thursday. Spokesperson for the group, Famous Hotorwovi, told Maxx News Madam Arthur is billed to attend the press conference to speak to them.
“The constituency executives who are doing that do not like the woman. But we grassroots people who work for the party prefer the woman. The decision they have taken will bring problems for the NDC in the Shama Constituency and we will advice ourselves. We only heard on radio that she has been disqualified with no reasons” he said.
However, Madam Emelia Arthur, a two-time parliamentary candidate of the National Reform Party (NRP) in 2000 and 2004, has remained silent about these developments.
Source: Joy Online
SRI LANKA: An innocent man is illegally arrested, tortured
Dear Mr. N K Illangakoon,
SRI LANKA: An innocent man is illegally arrested, tortured and laid with a false charge by the Wattala Police
Name of the victim: Mr. Narahenpita Gamage Sisil Weerasinghe(48) is resides at No: 212/1, Woodland Estate, Colombo Road, Chilaw
Alleged perpetrator:
1. Police officer Mr. Mahinda attached to the Police Station of Wattala
2. Two other police officers attached to the Police Station of Wattala
Date of incident: 30 December 2011
Place of incident: Wattala Police Station
I am writing to express my serious concern over the case of Mr. Narahenpita Gamage Sisil Weerasinghe (48). Sisil is married, the father of two daughters and a retired soldier. Sisil, who resides at No: 212/1, Woodland Estate, Colombo Road, Chilaw is disabled as the result of injuries to the right leg and hand in a battle during July 1992. Following his partial recovery Sisil was removed from operational duties and given light duties. He retired from the service in 2007 and later worked as a private security guard attached to the Peoples Bank.
On 30 December 2011, he was working at the People’s Bank branch at the Headquarters of Island Revenue Department at Fort, Colombo. On this particular day after completing his work he was on his way home by bus. Then as he felt a stomachache he informed the conductor and asked him to stop the bus. He alighted from the bus and went to a nearby for toilet after which he waited for another bus to continue to his home.
While he was waiting a red colour three-wheeler came and stopped in front of him. Then the persons who were in police uniforms asked him what he was waiting at the roadside for at that time (by this time it was close to 10 pm). Then Sisil explained what had happened to him and told the officers that he is waiting for a bus. The police officers accused him of planning to commit to a house breaking. Sisil explained to them that he was a former soldier of the Sri Lanka Army, that he was disabled and presently working at the Peoples Bank Security Section at the Island Revenue Department Branch. However, the officers did not accept his explanation, accused him of arguing with them and started to beat him with fists and boots. The officers then dragged him into the three-wheeler and brought him to the Wattala Police Station.
At the police station again three police officers including a police officer who was later identified as Mr. Mahinda started to beat him with a cricket bat. Another officer beat him with a plastic pipe that had been filled with sand. Sisil was assaulted all over his body and pleaded with the officers not to beat him. He repeatedly explained that he was a disable soldier but the officers did not listen. Even after Sisil fell to the ground the officers continued to beat Sisil mercilessly. Later they locked him in a cell.
As Sisil was suffering immense pain he pleaded with the officers to provide medicine. They then took him out from the cell and brought him before a doctor. Before he was brought into the doctor two officers held his arms while another officer forcefully poured liquor into his mouth. Sisil tried to resist but the officers forced him. Then he was brought before the doctor. Then Sisil explained to the doctor in the presence of the perpetrators how he was tortured in police custody. He further told the doctor that due to the assault one of his hands was fractured and that he was experiencing enormous pain. However, to his amazement the doctor ignore him and did not provide any treatment or medicine.
Later Sisil was returned to the police station and put back in the cell. When he started to screaming with pain one of the officers gave him two tablets but he did not know what it was.
Later in the morning on 31 Sisil was asked to sign a document but he refused. He further explained that he cannot read without his spectacles. The officers told him that if he signed and pleaded guilty at court he could go home and get treatment. He then signed the document and was brought to the Wattala Magistrate’s Court. The police officers who tortured him were present in the court and they stood close to Sisil while he was produced before the Magistrate. Sisil did as he was instructed and pleaded guilty. He later learned that he had been charged with indecent behaviour due to being inebriated. He was then fined Rs. 1,500/=. Sisil vehemently denies the accusation and states that as he was in severe pain and in fear of further torture by the perpetrators who never once left his side. He therefore states that he had no option but to plead guilty to the charge.
Sisil went home and received treatment from a doctor. Though the doctor provided medicine by 2 January, 2012 Sisil’s condition worsened. He was admitted to the Chilaw Base Hospital for treatment by his family members. While he was treated at the hospital the doctors revealed to him that there is a fracture in his hand. The Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) examined him and recorded his situation. The officers attached to the Police Post of the Hospital also recorded his statement. On 4 January he was discharged but he was asked to return to the clinic for further treatment.
Sisil states that he was illegally arrested, detained, severely tortured and maliciously prosecuted. He states that his fundamental rights were violated by the police officers attached to the Wattala Police Station.
After he was discharge from the hospital Sisil complained to the Human Rights Commission, Inspector General of Police, Attorney General, the Director of Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police of the Western Province (North) and the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Wattala Police Station. To-date none of these authorities have responded to him nor investigated his complaint.
I request your urgent intervention to ensure that the authorities listed below instigate an immediate investigation into the allegations of illegal arrest, illegal detention, torture by the police perpetrators, and the prosecution of those proven to be responsible under the criminal law of the country for misusing powers of state officers and for wrongful prosecution. The officers involved must also be subjected to internal investigations for the breach of the department orders as issued by the police department.
Yours sincerely,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
Border Security Force continues war on people of Bangladesh in Indo -Bangla border
January 19, 2012
Mrs. Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Prime Minister
Tejgaon, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Fax: +880 2 811 3244 / 3243 / 1015 / 1490
Tel: +880 2 882 816 079 / 988 8677
E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]
Re: Border Security Force continues war on people of Bangladesh in Indo -Bangla border
Dear Mrs.Sheikh Hasina ,
I am writing to express my concern regarding a Bangladeshi citizen brutally tortured by Indian Border Security Force (BSF).
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and its partner organisation, the Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), have been documenting and reporting cases of extreme forms of brutality committed by the Border Security Force (BSF) stationed along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal state.
Since the past eight years, MASUM is reporting directly and through international human rights organisations like the AHRC, cases against the BSF to the Indian authorities. So far MASUM has reported about 800 cases. These are cases of torture and other forms of custodial violence, rape, murder, extortion and corruption. The AHRC is not aware of any open and credible action taken against any of the officers mentioned in these cases, though every possible detail has been provided to the authorities.
According to the latest information received is a video of extreme torture by the BSF of a civilian that reportedly happened on 16 January 2012. The video shows blood-chilling torture, committed by the BSF. The incident is a shame and the brutality documented alarming, suggesting that the officers require psychiatric assistance, a condition that challenges their very legitimacy to guard the country’s border.
When the video was aired yesterday through local television channels in West Bengal, the administration has taken ‘action’. This is the suspension of eight BSF officers and the transferring of the District Magistrate (DM) and the Superintendent of Police (SP) of Murshidabad district.
International human rights watchdog Asian human rights commission shared in the statement that the official defensive statement by the BSF, that the video could be as old as 15 years, is nothing but irresponsibility in print. The security agency that is mandated to protect the country’s border should have the minimum knowledge, that mobile telephones with a camera, now though common, was exceptionally rare 15 years ago. The BSF does not have a case that their officers exposed in the video are serving in the same outpost for the past 15 years. If the video is not of an incident that happened on 16 January, then on what reason was the officers stationed at Charmurasi border outpost suspended?
AHRC also disclosed that the video shows officers, identifiable in person, violating every code of their operative mandate, in some of the most brutal and inhuman manner. It shows the alarming wilt of discipline among the officers. Any agency, having such sick officers posted on duty has serious reasons to consider overhauling its operative structure to ensure basic discipline. In the BSF however, such actions are unlikely to happen. At the most the case would end, probably after a decade, with some punitive actions taken against the officers who are now placed under suspension.
In the statement AHRC also mentioned that the DM and the SP, of Murshidabad should have known that such incidents are common. They cannot content otherwise, since the MASUM and the AHRC together have sent these officers some 800 cases during the past eight years. These two officers have the legal responsibility to answer for what is in the video since had their office been diligent enough such incidents would not have repeated. In a case reported by the AHRC and MASUM on 19 October 2012, the victim in the case was stoned to death by the BSF. The incident happened within the jurisdiction of Raninagar Police Station. No action has been taken on this case so far. The details of the case are available at AHRC-UAC-210-2011.
AHRC mentioned that the Inspector General (IG) of the BSF is also responsible for the incident since the IG’s office is bound by ‘command responsibility’. In the same vein, the Inspector-General commanding the South Bengal Frontier unit of the BSF and the Commandant and under whom the officers involved in the incident served are also to be punished. Command responsibility is no legal fiction. It is legal norm, which applies in this case without exception.
AHRC shared that most importantly the question that needs to be answered now is that what allows the BSF to perpetuate such horrendous forms of violence against unarmed civilians? Had the BSF been operating in compliance with the Border Security Force Act, 1968 and its Rules 1969, such incidents would not have happened. It shows that discipline and commitment to duty is not ensured within the rank and file in the force. Violence by the BSF against unarmed civilians and other forms of corruption and crimes committed by the BSF with impunity is a threat to the border security of the nation. Such a BSF is a threat to the entire country.
If experience were of any value, one need to see whether, at least in this occasion there would be a transparent investigation and adjudication. If national security is of any interest to the government, it should prove it by taking actions in all cases reported to the government, of crimes committed by the BSF. The AHRC is willing to once again submit to the Government of India a dossier containing details of the cases documented by the AHRC involving the BSF.
Dear Prime Minister, It is not an isolated issue of Brutal torture by neighboring country’s Border Security Force. Indo-Bangladesh became ground of human rights violations in the form of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, including torture, reports of rape.
Bangladesh is not in war with India or there is no visible enmity between two friendly countries. I want to remind you hold a constitutional position and you also have the responsibility to secure the life of the citizens’ home or aboard.
I request you please publicly discuss with Indian government of the requirements for the treatment of detainees under international human rights law, in particular the U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (the Convention Against Torture).
I condemn your government’s continuous failure to address the continuous the life and property of Bangladeshi citizens from the Indian BSF.
Please ask the Indian government to stop war on the peaceful Bangladeshi citizen and take proper action against the forces and bring them under law.
I urge you, ask the Indian government to form a special commission inquire the cases of torture, rape and other forms of human rights violations on Bangladeshi citizens of last 3 years and bring the perpetrators under law and insist the Indian government to give proper compensation to the Bangladeshi victims of torture, rape and other sorts of human rights violations, who were victimize by the BSF and other forces in Indo Bangla border.
I suggest you in terms of information’s of different human rights violations on Bangladeshi citizens in Indo Bangla border the prominent Indian human rights organization Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) would be a natural and credible source of information.
I will again urge you take the proper initiative to secure the life and property of Bangladeshi citizens in Indo Bangla border.
I thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely yours,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
Nothing exciting about latest reshuffle – Nana Akomea
NPP’s Communication Director, Nana Akomea, says President Mills’ latest reshuffle will add nothing new to the government.
President John Mills in his last reshuffle before his term expires early next year has brought on board Member of Parliament (MP) for Ablekuma South, Fritz Baffoe, and the MP for Nabdam, Moses Asaga.
Fritz Baffoe will be heading the Information Ministry while Moses Asaga takes oversight responsibility at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare.
To many political pundits, the president’s latest reshuffle is important, going into an election year.
However, to Nana Akomea, “nothing is exciting about the reshuffle”.
To him, the resignation of former Education Minister, Betty Mould-Iddrisu is more dramatic and should generate the needed questions; not a reshuffle.
The NPP had called on the then Education Minister who was serving as Ghana’s Attorney General when the judgment debt were paid; to resign but, Nana Akomea said though she has resigned, questions still remain as to the main reason why she did.
“We don’t know if she resigned because of our call; that is, if she has resigned because of the role she played in the loss of 928 billion cedis to the state; or she resigned on health grounds; or she resigned because she didn’t like her job as a minister”, he told Xfm 95.1 in an interview, adding, “we hear she has been appointed as a high commissioner to South Africa which is very strange; for a senior cabinet minister to be appointed as a high commissioner; which is lower than a deputy minister. So it’s all very strange; we need to be told why”.
“Because the matter involves corruption and the massive loss of gargantuan fund, we need to know the reason why she has resigned. Anything short of that, the case will still not be closed”, he said.
A statement which indicated President John Mills’ acceptance of Betty Mould-Iddrisu’s resignation stated that she did not want to be a hindrance to the president’s Better Ghana agenda. But Nana Akomea is not convinced.
He asked, “why will she be a hindrance to the better Ghana agenda? Is it because of some gargantuan mistake that she has done? We just need to be told. In what way has she been a hindrance to the Better Ghana agenda? When we have the reasons, then we can interrogate the matters. And the people of this country deserve answers to how come this government paid up 928 billion cedis to an NDC financier when we have so many basic everyday needs of the people that are not satisfied”.
Source: Joy Online
Turkey: Police raid of NGOs offices in Diyarbakir
16 January, 2012
Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Basbakanlik 06573 Ankara,
Turkey,
Fax: + 90 312 417 0476;
E-mail: [email protected]
Re: Turkey: Police raid of NGOs offices in Diyarbakir
Dear Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan,
I have been informed by the Human Rights Association (IHD) about the police raid of the offices of its Diyarbakir branch as well as that of the General Centre of the Public Workers’ Trade Union (KESK), the Education Workers’ Trade Union (Egitim-Sen), the Kurdish Language Research and Development Association (Kurdi-Der) and the Solidarity Association For Prisoners’ and Convicts’ Relatives (Tuhay-Der).
According to the information received, in the early morning of January 13, 2012, the anti-terrorism unit of the police raided on the basis of an illegal search warrant[1] the offices in Diyarbakir of IHD, KESK, Egitim-Sen, Kurdi-Der and Tuhay-Der, in the framework of a wide ranged anti-terrorist operation intended to dismantle an alleged terrorist network – the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK)[2] – that in fact targets peaceful activists from the Kurdish community who are not related to any terrorist activities, including human rights defenders and associations. The police confiscated computers found on the premises of all organisations. All were later returned except those confiscated in IHD’s offices.
I denounce the continuing harassment of human rights defenders and organisations in Turkey, and particularly IHD members, members of trade unions and those fighting against the impunity of serious crimes and calling for a peaceful resolution of the Kurd question, which seems to merely aim at sanctioning their human rights activities. To that extent, the Observatory recalls that several IHD members are currently in pre-trial detention, notably Mr. Muharrem Erbey, IHD General Vice Chairperson and Chairperson of its Diyarbakir Province branch who had been detained since December 2009, Mr. Arslan Özdemir, Ms. Roza Erdede, IHD members in Diyarbakir[3], Mr. Ragip Zarakolu, Honorary Board Member and Founder of IHD and publisher, and Ms. Büsra Ersanli, lecturer at the Marmara University Faculty of Political Sciences and International Relations in Istanbul[4], members of associations of families of victims of abusive anti-terrorism policies[5] and lawyers[6]. Dozens of other human rights defenders remain in provisional release pending the outcome of criminal trials on alleged terrorism charges[7].
Accordingly, I call upon the Turkish authorities to put an end to the continuing harassment against human rights associations and defenders and urges the Turkish authorities to stop raids and release all human rights defenders held in detention immediately and unconditionally, since their detention is arbitrary.
I urge you guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Ragip Zarakolu, Ms. Büsra Ersanli, Mr. Muharrem Erbey, Mr. Arslan Özdemir and Ms. Roza Erdede as well as all other members of IHD, KESK, Egitim-Sen, Kurdi-Der and Tuhay-Der, members of associations of families of victims of abusive anti-terrorism policies and lawyers, and in general, all human rights defenders in Turkey.
I also urge you please release immediately and unconditionally Mr. Ragip Zarakolu, Ms. Büsra Ersanli, Mr. Muharrem Erbey, Mr. Arslan Özdemir and Ms. Roza Erdede as well as members of associations of families of victims of abusive anti-terrorism policies and lawyers who are currently detained, since their detention is arbitrary as it only aim at sanctioning their human rights activities;
Please put an end to all acts harassment, including at the judicial level, against Mr. Ragip Zarakolu, Ms. Büsra Ersanli, Mr. Muharrem Erbey, Mr. Arslan Özdemir and Ms. Roza Erdede as well as all other members of IHD, KESK, Egitim-Sen, Kurdi-Der, Tuhay-Der, members of associations of families of victims of abusive anti-terrorism policies and lawyers and, in general, all human rights defenders in Turkey;
I also urge you please comply with the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, especially its Article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”, as well as Article 12.2, which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.
More generally, ensure in all circumstances the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international and regional human rights instruments ratified by Turkey.
I thank you for your consideration of my recommendations. Please be reassured of my highest regards.
Sincerely yours,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
[1][1] The warrant was issued by the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 10 on the demand of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecution Office in violation of rules governing jurisdiction. According to the law, only the Diyarbakir Chief Public Prosecution Office has the jurisdiction to apply for a search warrant concerning an association located in Diyarbakir province.
[2][2] A body said to be the “urban front” of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
[3][3] See Observatory Annual Report 2011.
[4][4] See Observatory Urgent Appeal TUR 003 / 1111 / OBS 121, issued on November 3, 2011.
[5][5] See Observatory Urgent Appeal TUR 002 / 1011 / OBS 119, issued on October 25, 2011.
[6][6] See Observatory Joint Open Letter, December 16, 2011.
[7][7] See Observatory Annual Report 2011.
SRI LANKA: Do not protect an accused charged before a court of law
The Honourable Shanthi Eva Wanasundara
Attorney General
Attorney General’s Department
Colombo 12
SRI LANKA
Fax: +94 11 2 436421
E-mail: [email protected]
Dear Ms. Wanasundara,
I have learned from Asian Human Rights Commission of your decision to take over the prosecution of a Private Plaint filed in the Magistrate’s Court of Panadura, without the consent of the Complainant of the said case, upon an application and representations made by and on behalf of the Accused who is a Superintendent of Police. The case bears No. 92368 (Private Plaint)
The decision of the Attorney General was communicated to Court by the Senior State Counsel who appeared in Court on December 15, 2011, in the case referred to.
The accused in this case is Lesly Hamilton Gregory Cooray who was the Superintendent of Police for Panadura area, at the time that the alleged incident took place. The Complainant is M. Nishantha Fernando Jayawardena.
By this decision you will be protecting an accused charged before a court of law. This is very opposite to what an Attorney General who exercises the public prosecutors role is suppose to do. This is dangerous to the nation as it undermines the rule of law. Your role is to protect the rule of law and not to undermine it. Thus this is gross abuse of your powers. The AG’s power to exercise nolle proseque ( Not to prosecute), should not be so trivially used in violation of the principle of equality before law.
We do not know whether this is done due to political pressure or on your own initiative. Whatever, be the reason there is no excuse for threatening the rule of law in this manner.
Besides, you are depriving a citizen a right to a remedy. That is the worst that can be done to a victim of crime. Sri Lankan Government is duty bound to provide all citizens remedy for the crimes they suffer. This also an international obligation under Article 2 of Civil and Political Rights Covenant, ICCPR.
In recent times former AG’s have abused their powers and there is on going public criticism on that score. Your action will further bring bad image to the institution you are heading.
We urge you to review your illegal and wrong decision in this case. And withdraw your takeover of this prosecution with the view to withdraw it and thus help an accused who is charged in a court of law. By withdrawing this decision your will assist in rebuilding much damaged national stability and also respect the rights of a citizen to pursue justice, which is been so badly sabotaged.
For further details please read the AHRC statement
Yours sincerely,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
www.williamgomes.org
Iran: Summons of Dr. Mohammad Maleki to serve a one-year prison term
January 26, 2012
Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
President
the Presidency, Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran,
Fax: + 98 21 649 5880.
E-Mail: [email protected]
Re: Iran: Summons of Dr. Mohammad Maleki to serve a one-year prison term
Dear Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad,
I have been informed by Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), regarding the following situation in Iran.
New information:
I hav been informed by the Iranian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LDDHI) of the summons of Dr. Mohammad Maleki to serve a one-year prison term.
According to the information received, on January 23, 2012, Dr. Mohammad Maleki, founding member of the Iranian Association for the Defence of Liberty and Human Rights (IADLHR)[1], was summoned to Evin prison to serve a one-year prison term (See background information) and was given three days to go to prison. He stands a high risk of arrest at any time.
I condemn the judicial harassment of Dr. Mohammad Maleki since it seems to merely aim at sanctioning his human rights activities and expresses its deep concern about the ongoing attempts to hinder the peaceful activities of human rights defenders in Iran.
Background information:
Dr. Maleki spent five years in prison from July 1981 to August 1986 as a result of his strong objection to the closure of universities. He was also arrested on March 12, 2001 and spent more than six months in solitary confinement without trial.
On August 22, 2009, Dr. Mohammad Maleki was again arrested after the presidential election for having boycotted the 2009 presidential election and protesting the post-election abuses and spent more than six months in detention in Evin prison before being released on bail in March 2010. He was then accused of contacts with opposition groups. During his detention, he was hospitalised several times owing to a heart attack and other physical problems including prostate cancer. He was also reportedly denied access to an adequate treatment[2].
His trial, which was initially scheduled at Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolution Court for July 27, 2011, was then re-scheduled to July 30, 2011 due to the refusal of the accused to attend the trial[3]. Dr Maleki then attended the court, but refused to defend himself and said he would not appeal the sentence, because he considered the court of first instance to be illegal. He had initially faced the charge of “moharebeh” (fighting God), “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic Ayatollah Khomeini and Ayatollah Khamanei” (the incumbent leader) but was finally sentenced on the charge of “propaganda against the system.”
In September 2011, he wrote a brief report to the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment on the tortures he had suffered during his prison terms and was subsequently interrogated and received a notice banning him from travelling abroad.
Actions requested:
i. Please guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Dr. Mohammad Maleki as well as that of all human rights defenders and their families in Iran;
ii. Put an end to any kind of harassment – including at the judicial level – against Dr. Mohammad Maleki and more generally against all human rights defenders in Iran.
iii. I urge you to conform in any circumstances with the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted on December 9, 1998 by the United Nations General Assembly, in particular:
– its article 1, which states that “everyone has the right, individually or in association with others, to promote the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”;
– its article 5.b, which states that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels, (…) to form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups”;
– its article 12.2 which provides that “the State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration”;
iv. More generally ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Iran.
Thank you for taking into consideration our concerns and recommendations.
Sincerely yours,
William Nicholas Gomes
William’s Desk
wwww.williamgomes.org
Cc:
· Leader of the Islamic Republic, His Excellency Ayatollah Sayed Ali Khamenei, The Office of the Supreme Leader, Shahid Keshvardoost St., Jomhuri Eslami Ave., Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Faxes: + 98 21 649, + 98 21 649 / 21 774 2228, E-Mail: [email protected]
· Head of the Judiciary, His Excellency Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, Ministry of Justice, c/o Public relations Office, Number 4, 2 Azizi Street, Vali Asr Ave., above Pasteur Street intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: +98 21 879 6671 / +98 21 3 311 6567, Email: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
· Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Abdolmajid Keshk-e Mesri Av, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, Fax: +98-21-66743149, Email: [email protected]
· H.E. Mr. Seyed Mohammad Reza Sajjadi, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland, Fax: +41 22 7330203, Email: [email protected]
· Embassy of Iran in Brussels, 15 a avenue Franklin Roosevelt, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 762 39 15. Email: [email protected]
Mills Must Step Down -Kumah
…John Kumah
A leading member of the Alliance For Accountable Governance (AFAG) and a member of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) communication team, Mr. John Kumah has stated that Professor Mills must step down as President before the December 2012 general elections.
In an interview with the Front Page, he said Prof. Mills has disappointed Ghanaians by saying that he did not know anything about the payment of the judgment debt to Mr. Alfred Abgesi Woyome which has become the issue of the day. He explained that the amount that was doled out to Mr. Woyome alone can improve the lives of Ghanaians in terms of good roads, good drinking water, schools, health-care and other basic amenities.
A fire-brand in the NPP communication team, John Kumah elaborated that as at now, Mr. Woyome has not being able to prove to the world that he had a contract with the previous government and so he deserved that kind of money, yet the NDC and Prof. Mills see nothing wrong with it and allowed those who connived with Mr. Woyome to go scot free.
He said, “once his ministers are disappointed and are now resigning from their positions, it goes to indicate the fact that, President Mills himself must also resign because he has disappointed Ghanaians”.
Mr. Kumah told this papers that AFAG will never allow the gargantuan crime which the former Attorney General (A-G) Mr. Martin Amidu alleged is going on will never be allowed to be swept under the carpet by the Prof. Mills-Ahwoi-Mahama administration.
The AFAG leading member noted that they will use the rule of law to let truth the come out even if not under this government. “We are sure Ghanaians have seen the difference between the NPP government and the NDC government and by the grace of God NPP will come back to power to correct all the mistakes of this NDC ‘sie me preko’ administration”, he concluded.
Source: Front Page Newspaper
ON NIGERIA POLICE AND OTHER SECURITY AGENCIES
On Nigeria Police and other security agencies
By Samuel Noah Oluwafemi
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Late Ojukwu
There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.- Albert Einstein. Albert Einstein; an all-time inscrutable scholar, in the context of my thought summarized this article in the fore-going witty axiom. Nigeria, like so many other countries within the Africa region seems to be fulfilling a part of this truism while other rational countries are on the other divide.
In advanced climes where everything works without agitation or demand from the populace, citizens have been relieved of the burden of having to call on God to solve all their problems including those He has already delegated. For example, citizens do not have to trust God for basic amenities that should define the existence of humans in the first place.
The opposite, however, holds true for Nigeria. We have to pray and ask God just about anything ranging from putting roof over our heads, to putting food on our tables, and providing clothes for us to put on. We also trust Him to be our security personnel – I only wonder how much we will be willing to pay Him for all these services at the end of the month, if He were to charge us or remove subsidy from them. Amusingly, we now even pray for him to turn water into petrol after he has given us the resource in large quantity!
While the developed climes have used their ingenuity to better the living condition of the larger percentage of the populace, ours have been the opposite. While citizens in economies that have applied the principles of love, integrity and trust are enjoying the eventual benefits, Nigerians often will have to seek God’s face for miracles in order to ave such benefits. Therefore, as the great scientist puts it, there are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle – just in the case of access to basic amenities by most people in developed world. The other is as though everything is a miracle – obviously this resonates with our condition in Nigeria.
One of such conditions we obviously live in today is in the area of safety. Safety in this context is not restricted to the recent threat from Boko Haram but most importantly, this has to do with those who are paid to defend and ensure we are secured. An average Nigerian now trusts a vigilante over men of the Nigerian Police Force. The reason, however, is not far-fetched as police and some other security agencies have proven anti-people in critical moments when Nigerians are in dire need of their services.
Each time I read in the dailies of how Nigerians are killed over discomfited arguments with our national security operatives, I get disturbed. Within October 2011 to January 2012 alone, over five Nigerians have been buried from the killings of trigger-happy Nigerian policemen. On Sunday 16th October 2011 for example, Victor Emmanuel, 20years, was guned down while coming from Church on the account of challenging a police request of some sort in Bayelsa State. Most gruesome of the story is the killing of this 20-year-old right before Mrs. Victor Grace, the mother; a woman who has for 20 good years nurtured the young man.
As it is our culture to respond to issues while the memory is still fresh, House of Representative adopting a motion sponsored by Honorable Warman Ogoriba (PDP, Bayelsa), mandated its committees on Police, Human Rights and Justice to investigate the matter and report back in two weeks. That was in October 2011. We hope a report has been submitted and not just submitted, but the appropriate action taken against the culprit. I am sure most Nigerians will want to know what the current development about the case is.
Between that incident in October last year and January 2012, many other inhumane acts have been committed by the men of the Nigeria Police. Report has it that from January 1 to January 14 alone, not less than 4 people have been confirmed dead through the bullets of our supposed security custodians. Ademola Aderinto, 25, on the 9th of January 2012, though not part of the protest for the fuel subsidy removal, but playing football with friends in the Agege area of Lagos, was reported to have been shot and consequently died in his own pool of blood!
What is the worth of a Nigerian life to a Nigerian police? It was confirmed that another of those shot at the same venue as Ademola later died in the hospital that same day and others sustained several degrees of injuries. The police officials at the nearest station which happens to be the division in which the concerned culprit is attached even refused giving out a police report in order for hospital to treat the others who were also wounded until a reporter intervened.
While we wait on the House of Reps on their enquiry into the killing of Victor Emmanuel, we also hope Lagos State commissioner of Police will ensure that justice is done to the killer of Ademola and others who have been fell by the bullets of our security personnel. Above all, we hope the Inspector General of Police and other security chiefs will find lasting solution to this.
I sincerely hope that one day; Nigerians will not need a miracle in order to enjoy the benefits of the Nigeria police and other security agencies.
Oluwafemi writes from Lagos
ADAPTATIONS…A MIRROR ON NIGERIA
Adaptations…a mirror on Nigeria
By THERESA ONWUGHALU
Thursday, January 26, 2012
With his eyes set on nation building, John Oyewole Adenle who teaches art at the Federal College of Education, Osiele Abeokuta, recently showcased 35 plastic sculptural pieces tagged Adaptations. Though his first solo exhibition, Adenle has participated in several group exhibitions over the years. He is currently a doctoral student for his PhD. in Art Therapy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He explained how he was inspired by Igbaro and Raqib Basorun’s works.
Expectedly, the exhibition held at Yusuf Grillo Art Gallery, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Yaba, Lagos, attracted other notable artists and art lovers. Some of the works include Ori-yeye-ni-mogun, Unequally-yoked, Kokoro to n jefo, Hydra-headed and Reverse. Ori-yeye-ni-mogun, which is made of plastics and fibre glass, is the first work carried out by Adenle in the progression of his experimentation with plastics. It depicts the plight of the downtrodden in society. The work literarily shows how hundreds of innocent masses suffer for offences not committed by them.
The mixed media work, National Cake, is symbolic of the reckless way the revenue of the country is being shared at the centre especially by the National Assembly. Apart from legislating outrageous increases of their salaries and wages, they share and eat allocations meant for their constituencies without giving back to the electorates. They have not only caused political decadency but have also made democracy to be expensive at the expense of economic development.
The artwork reveals the scrambling at the centre for national cake and the hunger and starvation represented by the dry bones at the four corners of the work. The thirty-six assembled bottles symbolize the lawmakers from the thirty-six states of the federation and they are united in their unwholesome politics of eating the nation to the bone marrow.
The piece, Unequally-yoked, is a fabricated plastics which depicts how Nigeria exists only as a geographical entity. It is now clear that Nigeria, a nation so complex in nature and culture ought not to have been amalgamated together as one. This fact has also led to civil war and in recently, led to fight for resource control, sectional militancy and tribalism. The plastic arrangement of the artwork outlines the map of Nigeria showing jumbled components that are forcefully joined in a marriage of inconvenience. The colours of the component plastics are in sharp contrast against one another. The black background also signified uncertainty that has already enveloped the nation and how it challenges national unity. The spotted red plastic at the Delta area of the country may as well translate to the fact that our oil may be our time bomb if no discussion is facilitated at a national conference table.
Kokoro to n jefo is made of both wood and plastics. It is a prefix of a Yoruba proverb that translates as: ‘The insect that infests a vegetable resides in its stems’. The insects or cankerworms that milk the national resources are not ghosts, they reside among the people. The work shows a design replicating the effects of ants’ infestation on wood. These people are the politicians and leaders who are merely interested in what they can benefit from. One may also be surprised that the corruption at the surface may be a child’s play compared to the internal invasion already caused by the ‘pests’. This work warns of the imminent explosion if the system is not fumigated with truth, probity and uprightness.
Hydra-headed is a plastic work that depicts the nature of Nigeria’s multiple problems. Each national problem is hydra-headed as the works reveals. This means each big problem has smaller ones. The work is a monster-like figure with multiple heads. Each head can be interpreted as representing each problem including insecurity, power failure, corruption, religious conflict, tribal war and sectional militancy among others. Reverse, another plastic work, explains the paradox of our growth and development, which is a mirage says the artist “We think we are moving forward yet in the reverse. We move one step forward and two steps backwards.” As much as the artist wishes to see Nigeria moving forward, he keeps seeing an inverted image that is bemused by roughness, coarseness and stone-heartedness.
Adeola M. Balogun, curator of the exhibition said the exploration of plastics both in two and three dimensional formats reveal a passionate experimentalist and environmentali0st in Adenle, while Dr. Kunle Filani, the Provost, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, , described Adenle as creatively curious, versatile and experimentally restless. Also Odubiyi James Abiodun, Head, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Federal College of Education, Osiele Abeokuta, said “Form this collection, we are brought into the world of Adenle as a passionate sculpture who expresses his talent through works of art. Apart from his duty as an academic, he has established himself as a frontline artist whose works and wealth of experience would inspire younger artists.”
Mr. Kehinde Adepegba, Art and Industrial Design Department, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu, noted that Adenle is one of those artists who are deeply touched by the new spectacle of socio-political debacle in Nigeria after 51 years of independence.
“Through Adaptations, Adenle has expressed his innermost contemplation about the socio-political state of the nation. He does not only projects the problems for all to see but also offers solution in works titled: Angelic Visit and Voyage,” Adepegba said.
Meanwhile, Kenny Badary, Chairman, Society of Nigerian Artists, (SOVA) Ogun State Chapter said the initiative by John Oyewole Adenle is highly commendable as has reduced disposable needs and costs.
GROUP APPLAUDS INSTALLATION OF UWAZURUIKE AS IGBO LEADER
Group applauds installation of Uwazuruike as Igbo leader
By PHILIP NWOSU
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The National Union of True Igbo Movement (NUTIM) has called for support for the leader of Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, following his installation as the new Igbo leader. National President of NUTIM, Dr. Samfo Nwankwo said Uwazuruike deserve the honour as “he has consistently fought for Ndigbo in the same manner our late leader, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu did.”
Nwankwo, who spoke to newsmen in Owerri criticized Ohanaeze Ndigbo for dissociating itself from the title bestowed on Uwazuruike and described the action as the product of envy.“Leadership is earned. To our objective assessment, Uwazuruike has earned his leadership of Ndigbo just as our late father, Dim Ojukwu did,” the NUTIM boss submitted.
He said unlike the current leadership of Ohanaeze, Uwazuruike had laid down his life severally for the survival of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
According to him, “there is no prison in Nigeria Uwazuruike has not been a guest. Was it because he stole? No! He has been suffering deprivations because of Ndigbo. Those who criticize him are known to be carrying their CVs from office to office groveling before men of power for their selfish aggrandizement.”
He noted that those opposing Uwazuruike also opposed Ojukwu for the reason that while the two leaders stood for the masses, the others ‘stood for their pockets’.
Nwankwo described Ohanaeze as a group that had lost relevance and should be disbanded, saying that the executive was no longer connected to the people.“Without equivocation, it was only during the tenure of Justice Ozo Ozubu that Ohanaeze represented the interest of Ndigbo. After that golden era, what we have are people chasing appointments and contracts,” he lamented.
He said it was unfortunate that while Arewa and Afenifere were defending the rights of Hausa and Yoruba people, Ohanaeze was acting like a servant to any government in power.
He was happy that with the assumption of office of Uwazuruike as the new Igbo leader, no government and ethnic group would take Igbos for granted again. “After the burial of our great leader no other person or group would speak on behalf of Ndigbo except Chief Uwazuruike,” he said. He said NUTIM members across Igboland would soon pay a solidarity visit to Uwazuruike to urge him to continue to make sacrifices for the wellbeing of Ndigbo.
According to him, “after the burial of Dim Ojukwu, we shall mobilize to formally pledge our loyalty and cooperation with Chief Uwazuruike so that together, we shall protect Ndigbo.”
NAF/BARAKALLAHU LAND DISPUTE: MILITARY CLEARS AIR
NAF/Barakallahu land dispute: Military clears air
From ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has expressed dismay over allegation by the host community, Barakallahu, of forced eviction and demolition of the community’s houses and destruction of farmlands around the Base in Kaduna.
This is coming on the heels of Monday morning’s demonstration by hundreds of women who took over the major Kaduna-Zaria Expressway protesting against their forced eviction by the NAF from their ancestral home at a village behind Barakallahu, near Rigachikun, a satellite town in Kaduna. The women were challenging NAF authority who had already mobilised workers to the site to build perimeter fence around the occupied community’s residences, farmlands and graveyards.
Meanwhile, in an interactive forum with newsmen at the Air Force Base in Kaduna yesterday, the Commander of 335 Base Service Group, Air Commodore Musbau Soladoye said NAF was not a tyrant organisation and had no intention to destroy anybody’s structure. He wondered why the complaint by the community, which, according to him, had enjoyed cordial relationship with NAF for decades, even after earlier extensive discussions with leadership of the host community over the issue.
“We rely on those people for the maintenance of security and they have been our neighbours with many of their children who grew up with us. I want to believe that people are inciting the residents against the Air Force because those people thrive on making trouble and causing public unrest,” Soladoye opined.
He, however, lamented that the community had continued to encroach on the NAF territory, saying “that is why the government and the traditional institutions in the state, in their continued resolve towards finding a lasting solution to the problem, convened a meeting with representatives of government, representatives of the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris and the three leaders of Barakallahu, including the disputed leader of Ungwan Waziri, Samaila Waziri, in my office on Monday where an agreement was reached.”
According to the commander, “it was agreed that the demarcation exercise should continue and to stop demarcation up to places we do not have residential buildings. The meeting also resolved that the leadership of Barakallahu would be held responsible for any security breach in the area because they have been adequately consulted and what the NAF is doing is in line with what the government has put in place. The fourth agreement is that we are doing the demarcation in line with 2008 government agreement.”
BOKO HARAM: FEC SEEKS DIVINE INTERVENTION
Boko Haram: FEC seeks divine intervention
From JULIANA TAIWO-OBALONYE, Abuja
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) opened yesterday with prayers for divine intervention in the activities of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram. The council specifically prayed God not only to expose and disgrace the perpetrators of the dastardly act but to grant the nation peace and President Goodluck Jonathan the wisdom to govern at this time.
At the end of its meeting the FEC approved the procurement of two 45 seater fast-moving Passenger Ferries (Catamaran) by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to improve water transportation in the country. The procurement, awarded in favour of Messrs Karflex Fisheries Limited, will cost the government N168.45 million, inclusive of taxes with a delivery period of six months.
Addressing State House correspondents, the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, alongside his colleagues in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed, Science and Technology, Professor Ita Ewa, Transport, Umar Idris and Interior Abba Morro, said “the provision of the ferries will promote waterways transportation, boost economic activities and reduce pressure on other modes such as road transportation.
“The project will directly create 23 job opportunities for professionals and non-professionals during the operation of the ferries while many job opportunities will be created indirectly when the ferries are fully operational”. “Council took a major step to make operational the lower River Niger which dredging has been completed. As you all known since the 1960s, every administration in Nigeria had planned to dredge the lower Niger to faciltate the movement of goods and persons through the lower Niger up to the north of the country. But this plans had remained in the pipeline until the advent of the Yar’Adua/Goodluck Administration.
The contract for the dredging of the Niger was awarded under the Yar’Aduna administration. In the last two years, the dredging of the Niger has been completed. What is going on right now is the maintenance dredging. Also the inner waterway ports have been virtually completed, some are set for commissioning.
“So in order not to allow the Niger to remain fallow after dredging, Council approved the purchase of two fast moving ferries to ply the Niger right from Ontisha-Warri-Lokoja, carrying passengers. These farries would be jointly managed by government and the private sector and part of government efforts to bring down the cost of transportation in the country. Only two weeks ago, the President launched a mass transist project involves the supply of long buses at free interest rate. He had also hinted the utilization of the use of waterways to bring down the closet of transportation.
“The capacity of the ferries is 45 seater the cost of N168.4 million.
MAKE 2ND NIGER BRIDGE OUR FIRST PALLIATIVE, JDPC TELLS JONATHAN
Make 2nd Niger Bridge our first palliative, JDPC tells Jonathan
From ALOYSIUS ATTAH, Onitsha
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Justice Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, has appealed to the Federal Government to muster courage and construct the Second Niger Bridge from the proceeds of the oil subsidy removal.
Making the call in Onitsha, the Archdiocesan JDPC Coordinator, Rev. Martin Onukuba, said the reactions of angry Nigerians on the subsidy removal policy of the government was as a result of the betrayal of trust by successive governments in Nigeria in the provision of basic infrastructure and making life meaningful for the citizens He also regretted that the construction of the Second Nigeria Bridge had been a campaign gimmick by political office holders in the past while the present Niger Bridge had been over burdened. He therefore called on Mr. President to build and consolidate trust among Nigerians by taking firm decisions and matching words with action.
“The much talked about Second Nigeria Bridge has been a recurring issue for so many years and we don’t know whom to trust again. The most scandalous in the whole thing was the revelation that the contract was never signed in the first place even when a former president once came to flag off the project. This has been a promise and since we’ve heard it over and over again, we urge the government to now actualize the project. Let this be our first benefit from the Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme.
“While we appreciate government’s plan to bring back railways, we also should think about this bridge first because if this is done, the people of South-east and Nigerians will give more support to government programmes.”
Also reflecting on the lessons learnt from the protest over subsidy removal, the cleric said it had shown that Nigerians were now more conscious of their rights and the power of their voices in a democracy. He, therefore, advised political office holders to perform because their mandate renewal during elections henceforth would be determined by their output while in office.
TRIBUTE TO OJUKWU
Tribute to Ojukwu
By Felix Elemchukwu Onuoha
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Late Ojukwu
Historically, the world, at one time or the other, receives from God, as gifts, talented great men and women destined to render critical services to man. The births and lives of these men and women are severally shrouded by mysteries and their bodies spiritually fortified to carry out difficult divine tasks. Their coming into the world usually provokes both Satan and man to challenge their mission.
They come in different forms with different messages; suffer great oppositions, rejections and confrontations. They preach and do not less of their vocations, and in turn are hated. Although many of them died half their journeys, their missions had never been uncompleted. Many are of lowly birth while few are of noble birth, but both show resemblance of greatness in contrast.
Like dispersal seeds, they are scatted across the world to places of their divine mandates as liberators, reformists, redeemers, leaders, scientists etc according to God’s divine will for man. It was for this same reason that General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was sent to the Igbos in Nigeria to defend and liberate them from extinction. Born on the 4th November, 1933, into the family of Sir Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu, the first Nigerian millionaire, from Nnewi in Anambra State of Nigeria, he had his early education in Nigeria, Britain and after graduation, joined the Nigeria army against his wealthy father’s will.
When he joined the army, no one knew why and what God wanted to do with him for his great race, until 1966. A nobleman of great affluence, but yet humbler than most men. To me, he was one of the amazing men ever lived. A man who laid his life and wealth to save his entire race from programmed decimation.
He was a genius in many areas than most men, and was also an astonishing soldier and leader. His prognostications were thirty years ahead of their time. His speeches were awe-inspiring and his remarkable ideas depicted great mind at work. His talent was amazing such as his drive was phenomenal. A man so fashioned by God and lavishly supplied with such influence and grace, charisma and ability that wherever he went or turned, each of his actions was so divine that he left behind all other men and clearly made himself known as a genius endowed by God to achieve a divine mandate for his race.
The Igbos saw great passion in Gen. Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, who demonstrated great practical love for them which has never been sufficiently noticed and praised. And I hope that this would be done at his burial and thereafter. A man endowed with inestimable grace and infinite wisdom in every action and capacity so fit and so vast that wherever his mind turned to difficult tasks, he resolved them completely with ease. His nobility and affluence joined with proficiency, and sincere spirit and bravery were steadily stately and liberal.
His fame and name spread so widely that the least of his race holds him in a high esteem even onto his death and thereafter. To the Igbos, he seemed indispensable. To others that are not Igbos, his death has brought an end to his uncompleted divine mandate. But like Moses, the God that anointed him will choose his own Aaron to complete his mission.
This great man, a sage and warrior, is dead at a time we need him most. His death is painfully obvious and lamentable. Yet, he has done his best. As a soldier, he rose above others. As a leader of Biafra, he was a hero. And if he had been a businessman, he would have been a guru. If he had been an engineer, optician, an architect, a manufacturer or studied science, he would have been a master. If he had studied mathematics, he would have been greater than the great Prof. Chike Obi. As a historian, he was admired by his peers and protégés and all professionals that have deliberated on his life.
A Renaissance and Universal man; the Ikemba Nnewi, Eze di Ora mma of Igboland and Eze Igbo gburugburu (The grand commander of Igbo race). Ikemba, who will speak for us again? Or whose face would be as beard or as fierce as yours in tackling Igbo matters again? If you have not died, your words and warnings would have jittered the spineless boko haramists and
their sponsors to a stop. If you were alive, the Igbos killed in Madalla, Niger State, and other parts of Northern Nigerian by Boko Haram would have received much government attention and caused more street protests than the fuel subsidy withdraw.
From the foregoing, it is not mistaken if the Igbos and the world revere and idolize him. As we mourn him, we should reflect on the man ‘Emeka Ojukwu’, what he represented, stood for, his believes and what he preached. We should also reflect on his life, ideas and exploits. It is hoped that in doing so, his death and burial would unravel the untold truth about this great son of Ndigbo and offer other Nigerians a new vista to see and say the truth no matter which section of Nigeria a person comes from. What Ojukwu felt, what he taught and what he did were all the same. His silence worried his foes and portends difficult riddles. Before now, you, Ojukwu, were like an iceberg that there is much more to you than meet the eye. Except for the Igbos, only about 15 percent of you were noticeable. Your real Emeka Ojukwu and your character was below, shrouded. That was why many Nigerians knew you not and misunderstood you.
Ikemba, your vociferous stance on Igbo issues, fierce eyes and formidable face combine with compelling and flawless pronouncements on Igbo positions in Nigeria and beyond would certainly be missed. On the other hand, the Igbos should not only give him the best state burial, but immortalize him much that generations yet unborn would see and say, ‘a shepherd and warrior has once been born unto the Igbos. They should also make the 26th of November of every year, a public holiday to commemorate his death.
A documentary on him (both in print (books) and electronic (video) should be made for our children to read and emulate his sterling quality and selfless life. His dream(s) should be kept alive. The Igbos, wherever they may be, should close their businesses and offices and accord this great son of ours the last respect come March 4,2012, he would be buried. For to whom more is given, much is expected. Ikemba, we love you, but God loves you most. Adieu, our beloved brother and leader!.
Onuoha writes from Abuja
