Web pages about "Law Enforcement"

Mozambique: Violent police assume ‘licence to kill’

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:43:49 +0100

In a report published today, Amnesty International revealed the extent of police violence in Mozambique, saying that police are killing and torturing people with near total impunity.

“Police in Mozambique seem to think they have a licence to kill and the weak police accountability system allows for this,” said Michelle Kagari, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme.

“In almost all cases of human rights violations by police – including unlawful killings – no investigation into the case and no disciplinary action against those responsible has been undertaken, nor has any police officer been prosecuted.”

Mozambican police face numerous challenges stemming from high crime rates, a backlog of criminal cases in the judicial system, and occasional violence against police by criminal elements. These have led to pressure from the public for the police to deal with the crime decisively and forcefully. Police officers have responded to these challenges by using excessive force, including the unlawful killing of suspects.

There have been many cases where excessive use of force by the police has resulted in death – and in some cases the killings appear to be unlawful.

On 5 February 2008, Mozambican police shot at people demonstrating against increased transport fares in the city of Maputo, killing at least three and injuring 30 with stray bullets. Related demonstrations took place in the provinces of Inhambane and Gaza on 11 February, during which the police also fired live ammunition into crowds. A police spokesperson said that live ammunition was used because some officers were “caught by surprise” by the demonstrators.

On 14 August 2007, police grabbed Abrantes Afonso Penicela from his home and pushed him into a car. Abrantes said that the officers gave him a toxic injection and drove him to a secluded area where they beat him until he lost consciousness. The police then shot him in the back of the neck and set him on fire, leaving him for dead. Abrantes somehow survived the attack and managed to crawl to a nearby road where he was found and taken to hospital. He managed to tell his family and police what had happened to him, but died of his injuries later that night. No police officer has been arrested for his killing.

The police have generally been unresponsive to the public, providing very little information to those who have lodged complaints against the police for human rights violations. Victims virtually never receive compensation for these violations.

“Any officer suspected of involvement in human rights violations must be held to account,” said Kagari. “Police officers must be made aware that they cannot torture, beat and kill with impunity. They must be held responsible for their actions if policing is ever going to change for the better in Mozambique.”

Amnesty International’s report urges the Mozambican authorities to ensure steps are taken to prevent human rights violations from occurring in the first place. The report recommends the revision of the police codes of conduct to bring them in line with international standards.

To see Amnesty International’s recommendations regarding policing in Mozambique and a full copy of the report Licence to Kill: Police accountability in Mozambique, please click here.

Nepal threatens Olympic protesters

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:14:30 +0100

Nepal's threat to use violence to prevent anti-China protests when the Olympic torch reaches Mount Everest has been condemned by Amnesty International.

The Nepali Home Ministry has pledged to use "force, including gunfire… to prevent anti-China protests" when the Olympic torch relay arrives on Mount Everest in early May. The threats follow earlier crackdowns on peaceful pro-Tibetan protesters, which were unconstitutional. Since 10 March over 2,000 people have been arbitrarily detained.

The Nepali government is extending illegal police actions against Tibetans in Nepal and systematically violating their fundamental rights to liberty, due process and freedom of movement, assembly and expression.

"Members of the Tibetan refugee community have in recent days faced increasingly punitive police measures designed to muzzle free speech, including threats of arbitrary deportation to China. Statements threatening the use of lethal force represent an unacceptable escalation," said Amnesty International.

The Nepal authorities must ensure that its officers are adequately equipped and trained to employ non-violent means of crowd control before resorting, where strictly necessary, to the use of force. Firearms may only be used as a last resort where lives are at risk. The government must also ensure that its officers are subject to strict regulations regarding the use of such methods and are tied to a strict system of accountability.

Amnesty International has called on the Nepali government to police demonstrations in line with the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force.

Post-election violence increases in Zimbabwe

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:07:29 +0100

Zimbabweans had little to celebrate on Friday 18 April, the 28th anniversary of their country's independence. Since the country went to the polls on 29 March 2008, nearly three weeks ago, the results of the presidential vote have still not been announced and violent attacks on opposition supporters are increasing in number.

Amnesty International has received confirmed reports of one death and over 240 people injured as a result of state-sponsored human rights abuses in Zimbabwe. Of those 240 people, 18 are currently in hospital with severe injuries.

The number of casualties has risen sharply since the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) called a general strike on Tuesday 15 April. Forty-two recorded cases were treated by doctors on 17 April alone.

At least 150 people have been arrested since 14 April and on the morning of 18 April were detained in Harare Central police station alone.

Violence appears to be targeted at active supporters of the MDC and their families, particularly those in rural areas and low income suburbs where the MDC appears to have gained more votes than the ruling the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party. Mashonaland East and West provinces have been particularly badly affected and numbers of reported incidents of violence are on the increase in Harare.

Victims report receiving death threats unless they vote "correctly" in a second round of voting should it be found that there was no outright winner of the presidential vote.

Many of the casualties have seen their homes, food reserves and livestock destroyed and are now displaced. Hundreds of homesteads are reported to have been burnt in Manicaland and Mashonaland East.

Perpetrators of the violence include so-called “war veterans” and supporters of the ruling party, as well as police officers and soldiers. State actors are accused of working hand-in-hand with ZANU-PF supporters. Individuals have been abducted from their homes by members of the military, in uniform and in plain clothes, as well as by ZANU-PF supporters.

An MDC activist in Mashonaland West province was stabbed to death on 13 April by ZANU-PF supporters outside his house, according to local reports. His brother, a 58-year-old man, also an MDC member from Mashonaland West, reported that three groups of about 60 ZANU-PF supporters came to the MDC activist’s house and started throwing stones asking him to come out because they wanted to "sort him out".

Though nine other MDC members also gathered at his house and retaliated by throwing back the stones, they were out-numbered by the ZANU-PF supporters. The ZANU-PF supporters managed to reach his house and abduct his brother, the MDC activist.

The MDC activist was stabbed twice with a knife in the stomach and died at the scene. The brother of the deceased also suffered serious injuries and had to be hospitalised. The case was reported to the police who are reported to have said they were too afraid to intervene.
A 21-year-old woman in Harare, an MDC activist, was woken up during the night on 30 March 2008 by ZANU-PF supporters after she had been celebrating the victory of MDC councillors in the election. The ZANU-PF supporters took her from her house and assaulted her with clenched fists and sjamboks [whips].
A 30-year-old man from Mashonaland East province reported that, on 9 April, a group of "war veterans" burnt down three houses at about 11pm. The inhabitants had previously received a tip-off that this would happen and had fled to the bush.
On another occasion, nine people from a residential area in Harare were detained, while they were attending a funeral, by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police Support Unit and other people suspected to be members of the Zimbabwe National Army who were dressed in plain clothes.
On 16 April, 22 people were abducted by soldiers and ZANU-PF supporters from their homes in a high density suburb outside Harare city centre during the early hours of the morning. Some of the people were assaulted with booted feet and slapped all over the body.

In some cases, doors were forced open to enable ZANU-PF supporters and members of the army to gain entry into the homes of the victims. Victims were not informed of the charges levelled against them either as they were arrested or after they had been taken to police stations.

In a statement published in newspapers in approximately seven Southern African countries on and around Zimbabwe’s Independence Day, Amnesty International’s Secretary General appeals to President Robert Mugabe in his capacity as head of state and as leader of the ruling ZANU-PF party to denounce and bring to an end all human rights abuses, including violent attacks by soldiers, police, “war veterans” and ZANU-PF supporters.

Irene Khan also appeals to the Commissioner-General of Police and the Zimbabwe National Army Commander as well as the chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association.

She urges Southern African leaders to redouble their diplomatic efforts to avoid further deterioration of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe and to acknowledge publicly and express concern at the human rights abuses being perpetrated by members of state security organizations, “war veterans”, and ZANU-PF supporters.

Zimbabwe opposition under attack

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:07:59 +0100

Opposition parties in Zimbabwe have complained of violence against people perceived to be their supporters. There have been allegations of police and army involvement in some of the incidents in the post-election period.

Amnesty International has received information about widespread incidents of post-election violence, suggesting the existence of coordinated retribution against known and suspected opposition supporters. Violence has been reported in Harare, Mashonaland East, Midlands, Matabeleland North and Manicaland provinces.

According to the reports, victims of political violence have been pulled from buses and assaulted at their homes in rural areas, townships and farms.

In Gweru, on or around Sunday, 6 April, soldiers were reported to have assaulted people in a bar at Mkoba 6 shopping centre. Victims told local human rights groups that the soldiers were accusing them of “not voting correctly”.

On and around Monday 7 April, soldiers also assaulted shoppers at Mkoba 14 shopping centre in Gweru. The soldiers were reported to be wearing anti-riot gear and assaulted people with sticks.

At around midnight on Sunday, about 10 soldiers and two people dressed in police uniform, went to the home of a known Movement for Democratic Change activist, in Mkoba 14 in Gweru and assaulted him and two of his friends. They were assaulted with baton sticks and kicked. The activist sustained injuries and required medical treatment. The matter was reported to the police, yet no-one has so far been arrested.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Amnesty International welcomed the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) announcement of an emergency meeting to discuss the Zimbabwe crisis to be held on 12 April in Lusaka. The organisation called on the SADC leaders to redouble their diplomatic efforts to avoid further deterioration of the human rights situation in the country.

“SADC leaders should come out and publicly acknowledge the human rights violations being perpetrated by security organisations, war veterans, and supporters of political parties – and insist on an end to the political violence,” said Simeon Mawanza, Amnesty International’s Zimbabwe researcher.

“SADC should also publicly acknowledge that one of the causes of the increasing tension in Zimbabwe is the delayed release of the presidential election results. They must urge the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to immediately release the results.

“Zimbabwe has been allowed to operate outside the African Union and United Nations human rights frameworks for too long – reinforcing a culture of impunity in the country.”

Zimbabwe: Police urged to remain non-partisan

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:48:11 +0100

On 29 March 2008, Zimbabweans took part in a general election to elect members of the parliament, local councillors and a president. According to results released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), the main opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Morgan Tsvangirai, won 99 seats.

The ruling Zimbabwe African national Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU_PF) won 97 seats. The faction of the MDC led by Arthur Mutambara won 10 seats and one seat was won by an independent candidate.

While the situation remains generally calm with all political parties exercising restraint, people are anxious and concerned about delays by the ZEC to release the presidential election results.

In this highly sensitive environment Amnesty International is urging the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Republic Police to ensure that officers under his command continue to operate in a non-partisan manner and observe the rights of all.

The Electoral Act stipulates that if none of the presidential candidates gets more than 50 per cent of the vote, a second round has to be held between the two candidates with the most votes within 21 days.

In the event that the presidential election goes into a run-off, Amnesty International calls on the government of Zimbabwe to fully respect the rights to peaceful assembly and association of all political parties and candidates.

The government of Zimbabwe must ensure that police officers act with restraint when policing peaceful demonstrations. People who are arrested and detained should be accorded all of their rights while they are in police custody. Detainees must be allowed access to lawyers, food, water and medical care.

Gangs and police cripple Jamaica's inner cities

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:07:01 +0100

Poor inner city Jamaicans are left at the mercy of gangs and abusive police officers who are rarely, if ever, brought to justice for human rights abuses.

A new Amnesty International report exposes how the Jamaican authorities are wilfully neglecting the poorest communities by failing to tackle the violence - and its causes - that is shattering inner cities. This particularly includes abusive policing methods that lead to hundreds of fatal shootings and extrajudicial executions.

"Poor inner city Jamaicans are paying the price of this public security crisis with their lives. They are being held hostage in an endless confrontation between gangs and police officers who kill with impunity," said Kerrie Howard, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Americas programme.

Jamaica has one of the highest murder rates and police killings in the Americas with around 1,500 homicides and 272 police killings in 2007. Gang leaders use the vacuum left by the absence of the state to control huge aspects of inner city people's lives -- including the collection of "taxes", allocation of jobs, distribution of food and the punishment of those who transgress gang rules.

"Criminal gangs make up a small proportion of the community population but their actions are devastating: they keep thousands of people living in constant fear and provide an excuse for government officials and the society in general to label all community members as criminals," said Kerrie Howard.

Despite the violence, community members are reluctant to report abuses due to fear of reprisals by gang leaders, lack of confidence in the judicial system and mistrust of police officers working in their communities.

18-year-old Ravin Thompson was shot by police and soldiers in July 2007, while talking to his aunt at her house. The officers had been pursuing another young man who ran into the home.

Ravin's aunt insisted on accompanying him to the hospital in the officers' jeep but, while on route, she claims a soldier pushed her out. When she finally arrived, Ravin was dead. The autopsy later revealed that he had four gunshot wounds. Yet Ravin's aunt and others present at the shooting were certain he had only been injured in the arm and shoulder. They claim he was murdered in the jeep, before arriving at the hospital.

The police recorded the incident as a "shoot-out". They initiated investigations but, to Amnesty International’s knowledge, no officer has been charged in connection with Ravin’s death.

"There are many good serving police officers in Jamaica who risk their lives every day to help improve security for Jamaican citizens. However, until human rights abusers are brought to justice and corruption purged they won’t be able to make a change," said Kerrie Howard.

Amnesty International has called on the Jamaican authorities to take urgent and effective measures to tackle the underlying causes of this public security and human rights crisis – including the reduction of homicide rates in inner cities, the introduction of human rights-based policing and the reform of the judicial system to improve access to justice.

"The conversation that needs to take place in Jamaica is no longer about 'ifs' or 'hows' but about when will the urgent changes be made in order to stop the crisis taking any more lives - and the answer must be today," said Kerrie Howard.

Truce reduces fighting in Iraq

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:24:11 +0100

Fighting in Basra between government forces and the Mahdi Army is reported to have ended following Moqtada al-Sadr's orders to his followers on Sunday to stop fighting Iraqi security forces. The Shi'a cleric also called on the government to stop arresting his followers and to release all those who have been recently detained.

The government is reported to have agreed to stop arresting followers of the cleric and to allow Mahdi Army members to keep their weapons. While armed clashes were said to have continued overnight in Basra, the city is now reported to be quiet.

The government says that more than 200 people have been killed in Basra since fighting between the Iraqi security forces and the Mahdi Army erupted on 25 March. It is still not known how many civilians have been killed and injured as a result of the fighting.

In Baghdad, a three day curfew was lifted in the early hours of Monday, but there were further rocket attacks on the Green Zone apparently carried out by members of the Mahdi Army.

Non-governmental organizations appealed to the Iraqi government on Sunday to facilitate their distribution of humanitarian assistance to civilians in both Basra and Baghdad. The fighting and the curfew have seriously affected the delivery of such assistance.

Many people are in desperate need of food and water and many hospitals have run out of vital medicines.

"All sides must immediately allow food, water and other humanitarian assistance to be provided to the civilian population in the areas affected by the violence," said Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Programme.

Imprisoned for giving water to monks

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:47:17 +0000

Three people in Myanmar were sentenced to prison for giving water to monks on the street. The three are among a wave of prison sentences handed down since the Myanmar authorities violently suppressed demonstrations six months ago.

Amnesty International released details of the sentences on Monday after the UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on Friday criticising the human rights situation in the country. The Council urged the Myanmar authorities to release all political prisoners and to take urgent measures to end abuses.

Amnesty International's research revealed that at least 40 protesters, including seven monks, have been given prison sentences. The sentences appear to be politically motivated or on account of protesters’ peaceful exercise of their human rights.

“Not a single sentence has been on account of the otherwise legitimate reasons stated by the authorities, but rather for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and assembly,” said Amnesty International.

Myanmar state media had announced on 7 November 2007 that legal action would be taken against people involved in “violence and terrorist acts in one way or another”. On 3 December, Myanmar Police Chief Khin Yi announced at a press conference that “only those individuals involved in arson or the possession of illegal weapons will be brought to trial.”

“Just as the government of Myanmar has attempted to divert international attention away from last September’s crackdown towards its constitutional referendum, so too has it redirected its suppression of legitimate protest from the public streets into closed courtrooms,” said Amnesty International.

“Just as the referendum is the government’s effort to legitimize military rule in Myanmar, the handing down of prison terms is its attempt to justify its violent crackdown on peaceful dissent.”

At least 700 people arrested during and since the September protests remain behind bars, while 1,150 political prisoners held prior to the protests have not been released.

“The recent sentencing of protestors involved in last September’s crackdown should also be viewed in light of the arbitrary detention of the remaining 660 or more people who have now spent six months behind bars with no end in sight,” said Amnesty International.

In light of the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution, Amnesty International has called on the international community to put pressure on Myanmar to allow the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar to conduct a fact-finding mission in Myanmar immediately.

Freedom for Moroccan jailed over Facebook profile

Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:30:53 +0000

A Moroccan who was jailed for creating a Facebook profile of a prince has been released from prison. Fouad Mourtada, a 26-year-old IT engineer, was freed on Tuesday after being pardoned by the king.

Fouad Mourtada had been given a three-year prison term and fined 10,000 dirhams (US$1,320) in February for creating a profile of Morocco's Prince Moulay Rachid on Facebook. He was convicted after a trial in Casablanca.

Two Amnesty International delegates observed the trial. They said they were concerned that the trial failed to satisfy international fair trial standards.

Benedicte Goderiaux, one of the organisation's observers, welcomed the release, but said "Allegations that Fouad Mourtada was ill-treated by police during interrogation still need to be investigated."

Tension in Tibet as police raid homes

Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:42:21 +0000

Chinese police are sweeping through the homes of Lhasa residents in search of people involved in recent protests in the city.

While streets in the Tibetan capital are reported to be quiet and empty, there are continued reports of unrest in neighbouring Chinese provinces with large populations of Tibetans. According to reports from the Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, hundreds of Tibetans converged on the streets in Kardze County, Sichuan Province, with the situation reported to be extremely tense. There were also reports of demonstrations in Gansu province.

The atmosphere in Lhasa has been reported by some to be “terrifying”, with police and soldiers conducting house-to-house searches and taking people into custody. There is now great concern for the well-being of those detained.

The government imposed a deadline of midnight on Monday 17 March for individuals involved in the protests to turn themselves in, threatening to “severely punish” those who failed to do so. Eyewitnesses have reported that some individuals are being dragged out of their homes and Tibetans who have pictures of the Dalai Lama in their homes are being taken away.

Official Chinese sources say 13 "innocent civilians" have been killed by the Tibetan rioters. Tibetan exile sources say 99 Tibetans have been killed by the armed police forces.

The Chinese authorities have imposed a near-total block on information from Tibet and the surrounding areas. The authorities have also cut off internet and mobile phone connections within Tibet. When foreign news reports about Tibet come up on foreign news broadcasting in China, they are censored - the screen going black.

Amnesty International has called on the Chinese authorities to avoid the use of excessive force in restoring order.

"The authorities must also fully account for all those detained, ensuring they are not tortured or otherwise ill-treated, have access to lawyers and medical care, are brought promptly before an independent court and are able to challenge their detention," said Catherine Baber, Acting Director of the Asia-Pacific Programme.

"China must allow full and unimpeded access to Tibet and other Tibetan areas to journalists and other independent observers as well as allowing independent UN investigation into the events of the last week."