News Clips - All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of

News Clips - All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide/
Coupures de presse - Groupe parlementaire multipartite pour la prévention
du génocide
Good day / Bonjour,
Le français suit
For your information, attached are articles from the past week on the subject of
genocide and crimes against humanity. Please note that the documents are
provided in their original language of publication.
À titre de renseignement, veuillez trouver ci-joint des articles parus la semaine
dernière touchant le génocide et les crimes contre l’humanité. Veuillez noter que les
articles transmis sont dans la langue officielle dans laquelle ils ont été rédigés.
Thank you / Merci
NEWSCLIPS – COUPURES DE PRESSE
Sudan / Soudan
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Sudan, South Sudan meet for crisis talks after fighting
Sudan’s ruling party denies early elections
Sudan’s Bashir heads to Arab summit despite ICC warrant
South Sudan applies to join IPU
Democratic Republic of Congo / République démocratique du Congo
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EU says DR Congo votes ‘not credible’
RDC : les résultats des élections de 2011 ne sont pas crédibles
DRC: humanitarian situation worsening in South Kivu
RDC : vers l’abolition de la peine de mort?
Other Related News / Autres Nouvelles
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No clear way to court for Syria war crimes suspects
Arab summit accuses Syria of crimes against humanity, urges
regime-opposition talks
Syrie : les Etats-Unis accusent Damas de violer le plan Annan
Accused in Rwandan genocide demands trial in French
Génocide rwandais: de nombreux accusés se trouvent au Canada
Swiss drop probe into Turkish minister genocide comments
Génocide arménien : Un ministre turc ne sera pas poursuivi en Suisse
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ICC’s Israel war crimes probe halted pending UN decision
NEWSCLIPS – COUPURES DE PRESSE
Sudan / Soudan
Sudan, South Sudan meet for crisis talks after fighting
PUBLICATION: AFP
DATE: 2012.04.03
INFORMATION :http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jeH5rmMX
wbwxYGUHJIQTU5tMP5tA?docId=CNG.2df4241cd5b67a8010b67316ebe71c24.2a1
Senior officials from Sudan and South Sudan met Monday for the first face-to-face
talks since heavy fighting between their armies broke out last week in disputed oilrich border regions.
As senior envoys met in Ethiopia, US President Barack Obama called US-backed
South Sudan President Salva Kiir to urge restraint.
Bloody clashes including airstrikes, tanks and heavy artillery -- the worst violence
since South Sudan's independence in July -- had raised international concerns the
former civil war foes could return to all-out war. […]
Sudan’s ruling party denies early elections
PUBLICATION: Sudan Tribune
DATE:2012.04.04
INFORMATION :http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-ruling-party-deniesearly,42130
Sudan’s ruling National Congress Party denied Tuesday calling for early elections in
the country and reiterated that it is sticking to maintain the president of the
republic and the parliament until the end of the term of their mandate.
The NCP was reacting to statements made by presidential advisor Mustafa Osman
Ismail who stated last week that his party is willing to hold new elections if the
opposition parties accept the proposal.
The Sudanese opposition already rejected the idea saying basic rights freedoms
should be restored before such elections aiming to reinstall the NCP for more five
years and renew its legitimacy. […]
Sudan’s Bashir heads to Arab summit despite ICC warrant
PUBLICATION: AFP
DATE:2012.03.29
INFORMATION :http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ilBT8qDp5D
9N7aqt2l_xkBD1Y5_g?docId=CNG.65a0fee7d1f178af8bc035c95df49112.501
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, wanted by the International Criminal Court for
alleged war crimes, left on Wednesday for the Arab League summit in Baghdad,
official radio reported.
"Bashir left Khartoum for Baghdad, heading the country's delegation in the Arab
League summit," state-run Radio Omdurman said.
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's office had announced on Sunday that Bashir would
attend the meeting, but until Wednesday's radio report there had been no official
comment about the trip within Sudan. […]
South Sudan applies to join IPU
PUBLICATION: New Vision
DATE: 2012.04.04
INFORMATION:http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/630081-South-Sudan-applies-tojoin-IPU.html
The new state of South Sudan has applied to join the Inter Parliamentary Union
(IPU) and pleaded to the world body to mount pressure on Khartoum so as to avert
a looming war over border disagreements.
South Sudan Legislative Assembly Speaker, James Wani Igga told delegates at the
126th IPU Assembly meeting at Serena Hotel in Kampala on Sunday that his
country was willing to abide by all the conditions governing the IPU membership.
"My delegation has come with full mandate and determination to join this renowned
world body," Igga stated. "We are tabling our application to the IPU secretariat at
once and without delay," he added.
South Sudan, which fought a civil war with the then North for 38 years gained its
independence in July last year after voting to secede in January 2011. It thus
became the United Nation's 193rd member. […]
Democratic Republic of Congo / République démocratique du Congo
EU says DR Congo vote results ‘not credible’
PUBLICATION: AFP
DATE: 2012.03.30
INFORMATION:http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gYKtHXkeY5
3LZw4zTCrseLXwE2sg?docId=CNG.e201d56eb2b61927ecd3238a3ab62220.771
The results of Democratic Republic of Congo's November elections, which were
marred by violence and fraud claims, were flawed and unreliable, European Union
monitors said Thursday.
The EU monitoring mission said in a final report that the results "were not credible
in the light of numerous irregularities and fraud witnessed during the electoral
process."
It said the voters' registration list was not checked and there were multiple cases of
fraud, "marked by a profound lack of transparency."
The EU monitors also called for a revamp of the national election commission to
include civil society groups and beef up its "transparency, independence and
reliability." […]
RDC : les résultats des élections de 2011 ne sont pas crédibles
PUBLICATION : Romandie
DATE : 2012.03.30
INFORMATION:http://www.romandie.com/news/n/_RDC_les_resultats_des_election
s_de_2011_ne_sont_pas_credibles_31290320121924.asp
Les résultats des élections présidentielle et législatives de fin 2011 en République
démocratique du Congo ne sont pas crédibles en raison de nombreuses irrégularités
et fraudes, estime la Mission d'observation de l'Union européenne dans un rapport
publié jeudi à Kinshasa.
La mission considère que les résultats publiés par la Commission électorale
nationale indépendante (Céni) ne sont pas crédibles à la lumière des nombreuses
irrégularités et fraudes constatées lors du processus électoral, écrit-elle dans son
rapport final sur ces scrutins remportés par le chef de l'Etat sortant Joseph Kabila et
l'alliance de partis qui l'ont soutenu.
La Mission d'observation de l'UE (MOE-UE) évoque notamment l'absence d'audit du
fichier électoral, le manque de transparence lors du nettoyage de ce fichier, le vote
sur simple présentation de la carte d'électeur de 3,2 millions d'électeurs, de
multiples incidents de fraude et de bourrages d'urnes lors du vote le 28 novembre,
ou encore une publication des résultats caractérisée par un profond manque de
transparence. […]
DRC: humanitarian situation worsening in South Kivu
PUBLICATION : StarAfrica
DATE : 2012.04.04
INFORMATION : http://www.starafrica.com/en/news/detail-news/view/democraticrepublic-of-the-congo-humani-226151.html
As fighting intensifies in South Kivu, the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) is worried about the civilian population. In recent months, a sharp increase
in attacks on civilians has caused massive displacement.
"We are very concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in South Kivu,
especially in the northern part of the province, in Shabunda, Walungu and Kalehe
territories," said Laetitia Courtois, the head of the ICRC sub-delegation in Bukavu.
"What is most worrisome is that most of the victims of the attacks are civilians. All
civilians, including those who have a family member who has joined the fighting,
must be spared." Under international humanitarian law, civilians and their property
must be spared and protected. The wounded and the sick must be cared for, and
medical facilities and personnel must be respected and protected. […]
RDC : vers l’abolition de la peine de mort?
PUBLICATION : Afrik.com
DATE : 2012.03.31
INFORMATION: http://www.afrik.com/article25237.html
La République démocratique du Congo (RDC), par la voix de son ministre de la
Justice et des Droits humains Luzolo Bambi, a fait part de son engagement,
vendredi, de vouloir abolir la peine de mort, lors d’une conférence sous-régionale
sur « les stratégies d’abolition de le peine de mort en Afrique Centrale ». « La RDC
s’engage pour une abolition responsable de la peine de mort, mais pas pour faire
plaisir », a lancé le ministre à l’ouverture de la conférence. Et d’ajouter que son
pays s’inscrirait dans la ligne droite des pays, qui « sans tuer le criminel, le
neutralisent pour l’empêcher de récidiver ».
Les déclarations du ministre de la Justice et des Droits humains de la RDC, Luzolo
Bambi de vouloir abolir la peine de mort lors de la conférence sous-régionale sur
« les stratégies d’abolition de le peine de mort en Afrique Centrale », ne fait que
mettre en relief la sévérité dont a pu faire preuve ce pays par le passé. […]
Other Related News / Autres Nouvelles
No clear way to court for Syria war crimes suspects
PUBLICATION: Reuters
DATE: 2012.03.29
INFORMATION: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/30/us-syria-justiceidUSBRE82T04F20120330
U.N. officials have compiled a list of Syrian figures suspected of crimes against
humanity in the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, but opposition from
Russia and China means the accused are unlikely to appear in the dock at the
international war crimes court any time soon.
As world powers press for an end to the violence that has racked Syria and claimed
thousands of lives, pressure is building over accusations that Assad's security
apparatus has committed crimes in suppressing the year-long revolt.
Syrian government forces have been accused in a U.N. report of committing
widespread, systematic and gross human rights violations amounting to crimes
against humanity. There was also evidence of abuse by some rebel groups, it said
last month. […]
Arab summit accuses Syria of crimes against humanity, urges regimeopposition talks
PUBLICATION: Naharnet
DATE: 2012.03.29
INFORMATION: http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/35014-blast-in-baghdad-asarab-summit-opens
Arab leaders urged dialogue and an end to Syria's bloody crackdown on dissent at a
landmark summit in Baghdad on Thursday, while Iraq's premier warned that arming
rival camps would spark a "proxy war."
Regional leaders approved a resolution calling for an end to the government's
crackdown, for the opposition to unite and for parties to the conflict to launch a
"serious national dialogue."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's remarks at the summit highlighted the split in
the Arab League.
While hardliners Qatar and Saudi Arabia have called for President Bashar al-Assad
to step down and for rebels opposing his regime to be supplied with weapons,
others including Iraq have been pushing for a political reconciliation. […]
Syrie : les Etats-Unis accusent Damas de violer le plan Annan
PUBLICATION : Le Nouvel Observateur
DATE : 2012.03.29
INFORMATION:http://tempsreel.nouvelobs.com/monde/20120329.AFP1732/syrieles-etats-unis-accusent-damas-de-violer-le-plan-annan.html
L'armée syrienne a intensifié ses opérations contre les rebelles à travers le pays,
violant ainsi selon les Etats-Unis les dispositions du plan de paix de l'émissaire Kofi
Annan, accepté selon l'ONU par Damas.
La Haut commissaire de l'ONU aux droits de l'homme, Navi Pillay a averti le
président syrien Bachar al-Assad qu'il "y a assez de preuves" pour engager des
poursuites contre lui pour crimes contre l'humanité, au vu des actes
"épouvantables" commis par son armée.
Il est "clair" que le président syrien n'a pas pris "les mesures nécessaires" pour
appliquer le plan de l'émissaire international Kofi Annan, comme il l'avait promis, a
estimé mercredi le département d'Etat américain, appelant à "maintenir la
pression" sur Bachar al-Assad. […]
Accused in Rwandan genocide demands trial in French
PUBLICATION: Globe and Mail
DATE: 2012.04.03
INFORMATION:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africamideast/accused-in-rwandan-genocide-demands-trial-infrench/article2390034/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=
World&utm_content=2390034
When Léon Mugesera last spoke to a crowd of Rwandans, he had no trouble
expressing himself in his native Kinyarwanda tongue. That was in 1992, when he
made a now infamous speech urging the country’s Hutu population to rise up
against the Tutsi minority.
But in a packed courtroom here Monday, where he faces charges of genocide and
inciting genocide, Mr. Mugesera demanded his trial be held in French.
It was his second appearance in a Rwandan court since Canada deported him to
Kigali in January after a 17-year legal battle.
Language is at the crux of the case against Mr. Mugesera. The speech he made 20
years ago to a gathering of thousands of loyalists of the MRND political party, and
the party itself, became driving forces behind the Hutu-Power movement that
eventually led to pogroms against the Tutsi and decimated the population. […]
Génocide rwandais : de nombreux accusés se trouvent au Canada
PUBLICATION : le Soleil
DATE : 2012.04.04
Le Rwanda demande au Canada d'accélérer le pas pour traduire en justice les
présumés génocidaires qui se trouvent toujours sur son territoire. Et selon le
procureur général du pays, Martin Ngoga, ils sont nombreux.
«Nous croyons sincèrement que l'approche du Canada n'est pas très utile et qu'elle
ne nous aidera pas à traduire en justice tous les suspects qui se trouvent sur son
territoire», a déploré le chef de la justice rwandaise en entrevue téléphonique de
Kigali.
«Dans un avenir rapproché, nous voulons discuter avec nos vis-à-vis canadiens
pour savoir comment il serait possible d'accélérer les choses», a-t-il affirmé,
ajoutant que cela ne pouvait plus durer ainsi. Pour ce faire, il propose notamment
d'extrader les ressortissants rwandais accusés de génocide plutôt que de les juger
au Canada. […]
Swiss drop probe into Turkish minister genocide comments
PUBLICATION: Reuters
DATE: 2012.04.02
INFORMATION:http://www.euronews.com/newswires/1467714-swiss-drop-probeinto-turkish-minister-genocide-comments/
Swiss prosecutors will drop a criminal probe against Turkey’s EU affairs minister,
instigated after he denied Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Armenians
nearly 100 years ago, because he is protected by diplomatic immunity.
Zurich prosecutors began investigating minister Egemen Bagis after comments he
made at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January, and also at a concert in
Zurich. Swiss anti-racism legislation outlaws genocide denial.
Turkey summoned the Swiss ambassador in Ankara to complain after the
investigation was launched. […]
Génocide arménien : Un ministre turc ne sera pas poursuivi en Suisse
PUBLICATION : 20minutes.fr
DATE : 2012.04.02
INFORMATION:http://www.20minutes.fr/ledirect/909665/genocide-armenienministre-turc-poursuivi-suisse
Le ministère public de Zurich a renoncé à ouvrir une procédure pénale contre le
ministre turc de l'Union européenne, Egemen Bagis, qui a affirmé lors d'une visite
cet hiver en Suisse que les massacres d'Arméniens par l'armée ottomane en 1915
ne relevaient pas du génocide.
La justice zurichoise a estimé que le ministre turc bénéficiait de l'immunité pendant
son séjour dans la confédération. Début février, elle avait ouvert une enquête
préliminaire afin de déterminer si Bagis avait violé la loi par ses propos niant le
génocide arménien. Un article du code pénal suisse réprime en effet les actes de
racisme, y compris la négation publique des génocides. […]
ICC’s Israel war crimes probe halted pending UN decision
PUBLICATION: AFP
DATE: 2012.04.03
INFORMATION :http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hFJ8u4_Atg
kP2Kpy_BXg_ETV7N-g?docId=CNG.117b9d2e24e98f4d9cc4a11a230c357d.221
The International Criminal Court prosecutor said Tuesday he would hold off on a
preliminary probe into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories until
the UN rules on Palestinian statehood.
"The office (of the prosecutor) has assessed that it is for the relevant bodies at the
UN or the Assembly of State Parties to make a legal determination whether
Palestine qualifies as a state for the purpose of acceding to the Rome Statute", the
court's founding treaty, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.
The Palestinian Authority in January 2009 accepted the Hague-based court's
jurisdiction, asking prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo to launch a war crimes
investigation against Israel following the Gaza war in December 2008 - January
2009.
It wanted Moreno-Ocampo to look into "acts committed on the territory of
Palestine" going as far back as July 2002. […]