The International Center for Transitional Justice
www.ictj.org
January 31, 2006
HEADLINES
Afghanistan: Former Intelligence Chief on Trial
Cambodia: Buildings for Trial Handed Over to UN
Chile: Pinochet Loses Immunity in Villa Grimaldi Case
Iraq: Uproar in Trial of Hussein Trial as New Judge Takes the Bench
Liberia: Liberian Leader Says Taylor Trial is Secondary Issue
Northern Ireland: Review of Killings Begins
Rwanda: Draft Reparations Bill Being Reviewed
South Africa: Policy on Prosecutions for Apartheid-Era Violations Submitted
Timor-Leste: Truth Commission Report Details Atrocities
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AFGHANISTAN
Former Intelligence Chief on Trial
January 17, 2006
The trial of former intelligence chief Assadullah Sarwari has begun in Kabul. He faces charges of torture and killings carried out during the former communist regime. Sarwari has denied the charges and could face the death penalty if found guilty.
See: Radio Free Afghanistan, First War-Crimes Trial in 25 Years Begins
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CAMBODIA
Buildings for Trial Handed Over to UN
January 19, 2006
The military authorities in Cambodia have handed over to the United Nations the buildings that will house the upcoming Khmer Rouge trials. The trial is expected to commence sometime in 2006.
See: BBC, Khmer Rouge court moves closer
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CHILE
Pinochet Loses Immunity in Villa Grimaldi Case
January 31, 2006
Former dictator Augusto Pinochet has been stripped of his immunity in another human rights case. He faces charges of illegal detention and torture at Villa Grimaldi, a detention center that was run by his secret police. In addition to several human rights cases, he and his family are facing charges of fraud and tax evasion. His eldest daughter, Lucia Pinochet Hiriart, recently fled to Argentina, then the U.S., trying to evade the courts. She returned to Chile where she was arrested and later released on bail. In related news, Michelle Bachelet, who was a political prisoner after Pinochet's 1973 coup, has been elected president of Chile.
See: AP, Pinochet Stripped of Immunity in Cases
AFP, Pinochet loses immunity against torture villa charges
AFP, Pinochet's daughter arrested in Chile after trip to US
AP, Court Grants Bail to Pinochet Daughter
Los Angeles Times, Former Political Prisoner Is Chile's New President
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IRAQ
Uproar in Hussein Trial as New Judge Takes the Bench
January 31, 2006
In a chaotic development at the Iraqi tribunal, former dictator Saddam Hussein, two of his co-defendants, and his defense team walked out of their trial soon after it resumed. They left after new presiding Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman removed Hussein's half-brother and co-defendant Barzan al-Tikriti. Judge Rahman has stated that he will keep strict order in the court and not tolerate political speeches. His predecessor, Judge Rizgar Amin, resigned amid criticisms that he was too lenient. Hussein and his lawyers have said they would boycott the next session of the trial.
See: BBC, Saddam walks out in trial uproar
Los Angeles Times, New Judge Lays Down the Law in Hussein Trial
AP, Lawyer: Saddam to Boycott Next Session
AP, New Saddam Trial Judge Sets Tough Tone
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LIBERIA
Liberian Leader Says Taylor Trial is Secondary Issue
January 30, 2006
Under pressure from international and local human rights groups to request former leader Charles Taylor's extradition to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has said she is tired of the issue, saying it should not distract the government's attention from national reconstruction and development.
See: The Inquirer, I Am Tired Over Taylor's Issue, Says Ellen; Wants Liberians Focus On Development
The News, 'I'm Tired of Taylor's Issue' - Ellen Tells Journalists
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NORTHERN IRELAND
Review of Killings Begins
January 21, 2006
The Historical Enquiries Team has begun its review of killings carried out during the conflict in Northern Ireland from 1969 to the 1998 Peace Accords. About 100 detectives, along with support staff, are expected to take between five and seven years to identify the victims and perpetrators of unsolved murders.
See: AP, Probe Opens in 3,268 N. Ireland Killings
BBC, Unsolved NI deaths probe begins
AP, Northern Ireland Murders to Be Re-Examined
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RWANDA
Draft Reparations Bill Being Reviewed
January 19, 2006
After previously calling a reparations package impractical, Justice Minister Edda Mukabagwiza has said that the government has come up with a new proposal to provide assistance to victims of the 1994 genocide. The Justice Ministry is organizing stakeholder consultations on a draft bill.
See: The New Times, Plan for Survivors' Fund On As UN Moves to Assist
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SOUTH AFRICA
Policy on Prosecutions for Apartheid-Era Violations Submitted
January 19, 2006
The National Director of Public Prosecutions has announced in a parliamentary committee a policy on prosecutions for apartheid-era human rights violations. The policy outlines the needs to consider the strength of the cases, to have oversight by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, to respect the victims' desires, and take into consideration the affected communities.
See: BuaNews, Policy on Prosecution of Apartheid-Era Human Rights Offenders Unveiled
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TIMOR-LESTE
Truth Commission Report Details Atrocities
January 31, 2006
Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao has presented to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan the final report of the Commission for Reception, Truth, and Reconciliation (CAVR) detailing the systematic human rights violations committed during the 24-year Indonesian occupation of Timor and the failure to achieve justice for these crimes. Despite the Commission's mandate to disseminate the final report to the Timorese and international public, the Timorese government has not officially released the report; however, advance copies have been made available.
See: Washington Post, E. Timor Atrocities Detailed
The Australian, Timor's full horror revealed
The Australian, Leaders favour silence on horrors
See also ICTJ, Timor Truth Commission Report Released on ICTJ Web Site
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Editor: Patrick J. Pierce
Patrick J. Pierce serves as a consultant to the ICTJ.
Contributing Editors: Marieke Wierda and Miranda Sissons
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