Impunity Watch: Europe

Bulgaria and Romania Warned by European Commission

Bulgaria and Romania, the EU’s most recent inductees, were criticized by the European Commission on Wednesday for failing to adequately address high-level corruption, organized crime, and contract killings within their borders.  This was the first progress report by the European Commission, to be conducted every six-months, on the Black Sea countries.  Although the European Commission said it was too early to impose sanctions, it warned that sanctions would be imposed if the countries fail to make headway by 2008.

Both countries have admittedly taken steps to fight corruption and organized crime since joining the EU in January.  Bulgaria has increased transparency in its judicial process and Romania’s efforts towards judicial reform were recognized by the Commission.  In particular, Romania was credited for its creation of a National Integrity Agency.

But, the report stated that “progress in the judicial treatment of high-level corruption is insufficient.”  Recently in Bulgaria, both the economy minister and the government’s chief investigator have been implicated in a corruption scandal.

In addition, the report notes that “’contract killings’ continue to be of great concern and in particular most recent killings of local politicians since January.  To date no prosecution and conviction has taken place.”

In Bulgaria alone, 150 people have been “gunned down in broad daylight” in the capital between 2001 and 2006, with no arrests made.  Targets included a top banker, a soccer company boss, and a top importer.

In Romania, the judiciary has been criticized for its failure to root out corruption.  However, the problem is accredited to the fact that judges and bureaucrats in Romania receive some of the lowest salaries in Europe.

Concerns about corruption in Bulgaria and Romania are not new.  The European Commission almost blocked the two countries from joining the EU in January over similar concerns.  A report by watchdog group Transparency International revealed that corruption was more prevalent in Bulgaria and Romania than in any of the other eight eastern European countries that recently joined the EU.

While the latest report has demonstrated unsatisfactory efforts in Bulgaria and Romania, European Commission Vice President Franco Frattini expressed optimism about their “good-will and determination.”

“We trust Bulgaria and Romania not only because they are EU member states, but because they are cooperation with the verification and cooperation mechanism” he said.

For more information see:

Bulgaria and Romania face EU rebuke, International Herald Tribune, http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/26/news/union.php, 26 June 2007.

New EU States Urged to Curb Graft, BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6243696.stm, 27 June 2007.

EU Commission Criticizes Bulgaria, Romania, Radio Free Europe, http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2007/06/F000E6B2-BE42-48DC-88ED-2BCC74070AEB.html, 27 June 2007.

EU Raps Bulgaria and Romania for Corruption, Times Online, http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1994275.ece, 27 June 2007.

EU Executive Chides Romania, Bulgaria on Corruption, Reuters, http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2753427720070627?feedType=RSS, 27 June 2007.

Tony Blair, From Prime Minister to Middle East Envoy

Hours after stepping down as Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair today was appointed special envoy for the Middle East by the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States.  This group, referred to as the Quartet, has been working since 2003 to establish a roadmap for peace between Israelis and Palestinians, but with little success.

Tensions in the Middle East have recently heightened after Hamas attacked President Abbas’ Fatah forces and took over the Gaza Strip a few weeks ago.  Today, as Blair’s new appointment was announced, Israeli forces killed 12 Palestinians during a raid against Hamas forces in Gaza.

Many question whether Blair has any shot at moving the peace process along in the Middle East.  The predecessor to Blair’s post, former World Bank chairman James Wolfensohn, quit the job less than a year after being appointed.

Critics argue that Blair’s credibility suffers from his pro-Israel image.  Moreover, Blair has drawn the ire of many Arabs as the lead supporter of the US-led invasion of Iraq.  In a statement today, Hamas said Blair’s appointment “is not acceptable to Hamas nor to the Palestinians.”  A Hamas spokesman said Blair “will not do anything to support Palestinian interests but will do everything to support the Israeli occupation.”

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas both welcomed Blair’s appointment.  It is Prime Minister Olmert’s belief “that Mr. Blair can have a favorable impact, in particular by helping the Palestinians develop solid governmental structures,” said the prime minister’s spokeswoman.

Earlier today, during Blair’s last appearance before the House of Commons, he was asked about the crisis in the Middle East.  Blair replied, “the only way to bring peace and stability to the Middle East is by a two-state solution.  I believe it is possible to do that but it will require a huge intensity of focus and work.”

As far as Blair’s responsibilities as Middle East envoy, UN spokeswoman Michle Montas said “Mr. Blair will mobilize international assistance to the Palestinians, working closely with donors and existing coordinating bodies.”  A Quartet statement added that Blair will “help identify and secure appropriate international support in addressing the institutional governance needs of the Palestinian state, focusing as a matter of urgency on the rule of law.”

To accomplish these tasks, Blair will be assisted by a small team of experts in Jerusalem, along with partner countries and institutions.

The idea of appointing Blair as special envoy came from Blair himself, who mentioned the idea to U.S. president George W. Bush in conversation.  Bush then suggested the idea to the U.N.  The appointment of Blair suffered a minor delay over concerns that Russia would protest the move.  However, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov was quoted as saying, “If the entire quartet is for, we will hail Tony Blair’s contribution to efforts to stabilize the situation on Palestinian territories.”

Blair’s appointment to the Middle East came as he resigned from both Prime Minister and member of parliament for Sedgefield.  Gordon Brown, Blair’s former finance minister, has taken over the position of Prime Minister.

For more information see:

Blair Accepts Role of Middle East Envoy, Guardian Unlimited, http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,2112698,00.html, 27 June 2007.

Blair appointed Middle East envoy, BBC, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/6244358.stm, 27 June 2007.

Blair Named Middle East Troubleshooter, Yahoo News,
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070627/wl_uk_afp/mideastbritainblair;_ylt=AiZPjb7hl7O8voiK9hTEdRh0bBAF, 27 June 2007.

Officials: Blair To Become Mideast Peace Envoy, CNN International, http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/26/britain.blair/index.html, 27 June 2007.

Tony Blair To Promote Peace Between Israel and the Palestinians, International Herald Tribune,
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/27/news/UN-GEN-UN-Mideast-Blair.php, 27 June 2007.

British Forces Escape Prosecution for Murder of Irish Attorney

Northern Ireland’s Public Prosecution Service (PPS) yesterday announced that no additional charges would be filed in the slaying of prominent Belfast attorney Pat Finucane, despite evidence that British police and soldiers colluded with loyalist paramilitary forces.  Finucane, a 39-year-old civil rights attorney who defended republican suspects, was shot dead by Ulster Defence Association (UDA) agents in front of his family in February 1989.  Only one of his killers was convicted, while another was acquitted and subsequently murdered by UDA agents.  The PPS stated that many charges had been contemplated against multiple suspects but that lack of evidence made any further prosecutions impossible.  The decision, which met widespread criticism from human rights groups, effectively ends an 18-year investigation of loyalist collusion with UK security forces.

The story of Finucane’s murder begins in early 1987 when the British Army’s secret agent squad, the Force Research Unit, sent former paramilitary Brian Nelson to Northern Ireland to act as a double agent and infiltrate the UDA.  Nelson, who rose to become Intelligence Chief of the UDA, was to steer the group into assassinating the “right” targets while attempting to minimize Catholic civilian casualties.  Finucane, who had recently successfully defended a man accused of killing two British army soldiers, was allegedly one of those “right” targets.  Nelson was arrested in 1992 and sentenced to 10 years in prison.  His testimony at trial was instrumental in producing the “Stevens Three Enquiry” in which a former London police chief concluded that security force collusion with loyalist paramilitaries led to numerous murders during Northern Ireland’s “Troubles.”

Yesterday’s decision was widely denounced by Catholic politicians, the Irish Press and Finucane’s family, who called upon incoming Prime Minister Gordon Brown to lead an inquiry into a possible cover-up.  Finucane’s son, Michael, himself an attorney, criticized the PPS for taking a “soft and very submissive approach to the manner in which prosecutions would be mounted.”  The Finucane family has repeatedly denied accusations that Pat worked for the IRA during the Troubles.  Many fear that the decision will undermine support for the criminal justice system and the political system itself in the region.  The Human Rights Commission stated, “The accountability and transparency of the State in its ability to investigate itself is now in question.”

For more information, please see:

"No new charges over IRA lawyer slaying" Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070625/ap_on_re_eu/nireland_lawyer_slain;_ylt=AprXZOC5DxKQZLkFI0vTkFd0bBAF   25 June 2007

"No soldiers or police to be charged over Finucane murder, prosecutors rule" Guardian Unlimited
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,,2111463,00.html   26 June 2007

"Government accused of 'cover-up' over Finucane inquiry" The Independent
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/ulster/article2710643.ece   26 June 2007

"Anger over Finucane collusion decision" The Irish Times
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2007/0625/breaking71.htm 25 June 2007

"No security charges over Finucane"  BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6237428.stm 25 June 2007

"Stevens Inquiry: At a glance"  BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/2956337.stm 17 April 2003

European Court Fines Russia for Killing Chechen Family

On Thursday, the European Court of Human Rights issued a ruling holding Russian authorities responsible for the execution of a Chechen human rights activist and three of her family members on May 21, 2003.  The court held that Russia violated Articles 2, 3, 5, and 13 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which cover the right to life, the prohibition of torture or inhuman and degrading treatment, the right to liberty and security, and the right to an effective remedy.

The ruling is part of a series of cases in which the court has found Russia responsible for human rights violations stemming from the two wars in Chechnya.  The first war began in 1994 after Chechnya sought independence from Moscow and a second war started in 1999.  The fighting has claimed over 100,000 lives over the past 13 years.

This latest case involved Zura Bitiyeva, who was a local anti-war activist and member of the Committee of Soldiers’ Mothers in Chechnya.  At 3:30 a.m. on May 21, 2003, 11 men, dressed in camouflage and masks rounded up Ms. Bitiyeva, her husband, brother, and son and shot them execution style in the back of the head.  The murders were witnessed by Bitiyeva’s daughter and other son who hid behind an armchair.  The victims were discovered with their arms and legs bound and tape over their mouths.

The court was persuaded of Russian involvement in the killings based on witness testimony.  The killers attire, vehicles, and ability to travel freely during curfew hours supported allegations that Russian state agents were involved.  Additionally, the methods of the killing – checking passports, hooding the victims, and execution style killing – were also practices associated with Russian agents.

The killings also raised concerns that Russia was retaliating against Bitiyeva for filing an application with the European Court of Human Rights back in 2000 after she had been released from detention at Chernokozovo, Chechnya.  Although the court found no “direct evidence” that Bitiyeva’s death was in response to the application, it did find that she suffered inhuman and degrading treatment while detained at Chernokozovo, a detention center operating with no legal authority.

In 2000, Bitiyea and her son were detained after reporting to a local police station for a passport check.  Police, for no apparent reason, sent the two to Chernokozovo, which is known as a “filtration” camp where women and children are subject to rape and torture.  While at Chernokozovo, Bitiyeva was beaten with rifle butts and eventually wound up in the hospital after being denied medical attention for preexisting ailments.  After spending a month in detention she was cleared of the charges against her.

In its ruling, the court declared that it "inconceivable that, in a state subject to the rule of law, a person could be deprived of his or her liberty in a detention facility over which for a significant period of time no responsible authority was exercised by a competent state institution.  It added, “This situation fosters impunity for all kinds of abuses and is absolutely incompatible with the responsibility of the authorities to account for individuals under their control.”

Bitiyeva’s daughter, who filed the application in Strasbourg after her mother’s murder, was awarded $115,000 in moral damages by the court.  After filing the application, she herself has been harassed by authorities.  Dozens of such cases remain to be heard by the European Court of Human Rights and many others have similar stories but are afraid to file applications.  Harassment and death threats continue to impede victims from bringing such claims.
For more information see:

Russia breached rights in Chechnya-European court, Reuters,
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L21828385.htm, 21 June 2007.

Court blames Russia for Chechnya deaths, Yahoo News, http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070621/ap_on_re_eu/european_court_chechnya;_ylt=ArDDxcQpFRJSPU.6sUguY7h0bBAF, 21 June 2007.

Court rules against Russia in Chechen killing, The Independent, http://news.independent.co.uk/europe/article2692483.ece, 22 June 2007

Russian Federation: European Court of Human Rights rulings on Bitiyeva and X v. Russia, Amnesty International, http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR460272007, 21 June 2007.

Rights Court Says Russian 'State Agents' Killed Chechen Activist, The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/21/AR2007062102483_pf.html, 22 June 2007.

CASE OF BITIYEVA AND X v. RUSSIA, European Court of Human Rights, http://cmiskp.echr.coe.int/tkp197/view.asp?item=24&portal=hbkm&action=html&highlight=&sessionid=1006805&skin=hudoc-en, 21 June 2007.

“Charter of Fundamental Rights” Meets Opposition at EU Summit

Representatives of the member states of the European Union meet again today in Brussels in a summit that will address a legally binding declaration on fundamental rights, among other issues.  The so-called “Charter of Fundamental Rights” remains a sticking point between the majority of member states and the United Kingdom, who opposes the measure.  German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who chairs the two-day summit, has hinted that compromise might be possible, with “opt-outs” made available in special circumstances. 

The Charter began life at the 2000 Nice summit as a declaration of civil, political and social rights enjoyed by all EU citizens.  It is based in part on the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights and is divided into six wide-ranging sections: “Dignity, Freedom, Solidarity, Equality, Citizenship and Justice.”  In 2005 French and Dutch voters heartily defeated a referendum on the EU Constitution that would have incorporated the language of the Charter.  While the document currently has no legally binding force, it has been cited in member state courts, as well as in the European Court of Justice (ECJ).   

Britain views the Charter as an unacceptable infringement on its sovereignty and has threatened to veto the German-sponsored treaty.  Opponents note that the ECJ could trump state law in many cases, and argue that representatives rather than unelected EU judges could better address human rights issues.  Business leaders have protested the charter for parts of the document they argue will hurt small business, such as limiting the workweek to 48 hours and mandating that employers allow their workers to unionize. 

German representatives allegedly told UK representatives they had lost the fight against the Charter in light of the “overwhelming support” of other member states demanding a legally binding charter.  Officials, however, noted that Britain’s common law system presented a special case and that “opt-outs” could be granted from provisions that interfere with British social and employment law.  Proponents of the measure hope that an agreement can be reached by this weekend while noting the shortcomings of a potential compromise. “We need to mutilate the constitution in order to save it," said a senior German official.

“Germany sets collision course with UK on rights” Guardian Unlimited
http://www.guardian.co.uk/germany/article/0,,2107811,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=12 21 June 2007

“EU leaders to discuss new treaty” BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6224932.stm 21 June 2007

“Strikes, work curbs and litigation: how life may change under the EU charter” The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1963956.ece 21 June 2007

“The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union” European Parliament
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/default_en.htm 21 February 2001

“Q&A: Charter of Fundamental Rights” BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6225580.stm 21 June 2007

Latest Resolution Would Delay Kosovo Independence Four Months

A U.N. resolution was circulated today by the United States and Europe which would delay Kosovo independence for four months in the hopes that Albanian and Serbian players can come to an agreement.  Kosovo’s minority Serb population opposes independence, while the ethnic Albanian majority, making up 90% of the 2 million population, strongly supports independence.

The resolution asks U.N. secretary general, Ban Ki Moon, to engage the parties in negotiations and demands “that the parties refrain from making any unilateral declarations regarding final status during that period.”  If the talks fail to produce results after the 120 days, the resolution activates the independence plan created by U.N. envoy Martti Ahtisaari “unless the Security Council expressly decides otherwise after conducting an evaluation.”

But Russia, which holds veto power in the 15-state Security Council, remains opposed to Kosovo independence.  A strong ally of Serbia, Russia has hinted at its unwillingness to accept such a resolution.  Vitaly Churkin, Moscow’s ambassador to the U.N. referred to the resolution as “unacceptable.”

For the past eight years, Kosovo has been under U.N. administration and under the protection of a 16,500-strong NATO peace force.  Kosovo was under the control of Belgrade up until 1999 when NATO began a bombing campaign in response to the ethnic cleansing of 10,000 Albanian citizens at the hands of Serbian forces.  Serbia has refused to part with Kosovo which it considers an integral part of its cultural makeup.

If the Ahtisaari plan goes into effect, the EU would take over the UN mission currently established in Kosovo.  Additionally, an EU police mission would be deployed to the area in support of the NATO forces already there.  The plan would also grant Kosovo the ability to join international organizations and enter into international agreements.

However, officials in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, are worried that continued talks with Serbia may toll on the patience of the citizens in Kosovo.  “We concluded talks on the Ahtisaari package,” said Prime Minister Agim Ceku, “we don’t have anything to negotiate anymore.”  Nonetheless, Ceku understands the importance of efforts to convince Russia to abstain from vetoing Kosovo independence.

Diplomats hope that U.S. President Bush and Russian President Putin can reach some sort of deal on Kosovo when they meet in Maine early next month.

Meanwhile, no date has been set for a Security Council vote on this latest Kosovo resolution.

For more information see:

U.S. and Europe seek more talks on Kosovo plan, International Herald Tribune,
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/20/news/socks.php, 20 June, 2007.

Russia rejects new Western plan for Kosovo, Yahoo News, http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070620/wl_nm/serbia_kosovo_un_dc;_ylt=AuZ.4_uwHR3fS_e3zYtH0oB0bBAF, 20 June 2007.

U.N. Draft Would Delay Kosovo Statehood, Forbes, http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/06/20/ap3840664.html, 20 June 2007.

Kosovo hits out at UN prosecutor over delaying status, France24, http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/administration/afp-news.html?id=070620191306.cr305ncy&cat=null, 20 June 2007.

Former Serbian Commander Arrested To Face War Crimes Tribunal

Montenegrin police yesterday arrested Vlastimir Djordjevic, a former Serbian commander alleged to have ordered the deaths of hundreds of ethnic Albanians during the violence surrounding the collapse of the former Yugoslavia.  Djordjevic, who had been on the run for over three years, was arrested in the coastal resort town of Budva and was immediately deported to The Hague.  His capture was the result of continued cooperation between the Serbian government and the European Union and is hoped to pave the way for the arrests of additional fugitives accused of war crimes. 

Djordjevic had been indicted in 2003 on charges of crimes against humanity and other war crimes stemming from the 1999 persecution of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo.  Following the discovery of mass graves in that country in 2001 he went into hiding and was thought to have been residing in Russia.  Instead he had been living in Montenegro under an assumed identity, and was employed as a construction worker.  He now joins six other Serb senior officials in The Hague facing trial for similar charges.

EU officials applauded the arrest, praising Serbian and Montenegrin officials for “another successful operation.”  The Serbian government, which for years was reluctant to cooperate with war crimes investigators, has recently been increasingly active in hunting down alleged war criminals.  The June 1st arrest of Serb military commander Zdravko Tolimir led the EU to resume pre-accession talks with Serbia.  Talks had been suspended due to the country’s supposed failure to assist international authorities in detaining dozens of fugitives indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). 

Hague chief prosecutor Carla del Ponte suspects that four additional wanted wartime leaders are still in hiding in Serbia.  Among those wanted is Ratko Mladic, a Bosnian Serb alleged to have ordered the slaughter of over 8,000 men at Srebrenica.  Yesterday’s arrest fuels speculation that Mladic’s capture is imminent.  "One after another, the men on the run in the Balkans are being arrested by the authorities in the member states of the Council of Europe," said ICTY Secretary General Terry Davis.  "They can't hide forever — time is running out for all of them."

For additional information, please see:

“Serb Leader Sentenced For Croatian Ethnic Cleansing Campaign”  Impunity Watch
http://www.impunitywatch.net/impunity_watch_europe/2007/06/serb_leader_sen.html  12 June 2007

“War crime suspect 'in UN custody'”  BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6761059.stm 17 June 2007

“Serb war crimes fugitive arrested”  CNN.com
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/17/serb.arrest.reut/index.html 17 June 2007

“Serbian war crimes suspect arrested”  Associated Press
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070618/ap_on_re_eu/war_crimes_kosovo;_ylt=AqlACo5ynjnHG6BpOxBELWt0bBAF 17 June 2007

“Another key Serbian war crimes suspect transferred to The Hague”  Southeast European Times
http://www.setimes.com/cocoon/setimes/xhtml/en_GB/features/setimes/features/2007/06/18/feature-01 17 June 2007

“Profile: Carla Del Ponte” BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/1809185.stm 18 Sugust 2003

“Former Serbian minister wanted for Kosovo war crimes arrested in Montenegro”  International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/06/17/europe/EU-GEN-War-Crimes-Kosovo.php 17 June 2007

“Ratko Mladić” Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratko_Mladic 17 June 2007

Corruption Charges Loom as Chirac Immunity Ends

Former French leader Jacques Chirac loses his presidential immunity tonight at midnight, just one month after ceding power to presidential successor Nicolas Sarkozy.  The implications are grave for Chirac who faces possible corruption charges for five separate incidents that allegedly occurred while Chirac served as the mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995.

Jean Veil, Chirac’s lawyer, told reporters that the former president has not yet been summoned to appear before a judge.  However, sources close to Chirac have indicated that he is concerned about the issue and that he has been working with legal counsel on a defense to likely charges of corruption.

For the past 12 years, Chirac has been shielded from complying with any summons by Article 67 of the French constitution which grants the President immunity while in office.  In 2001, Chirac was outraged when a judge, investigating an allegedly illegal kickbacks scheme in the city of Paris, served the president with a summons to appear as a witness in the trial.  It was the first time a French president had been formally summoned by a judge since the birth of the Fifth Republic in 1958.

The most probable of cases likely to haunt Chirac stems from a scheme which used kickback money from companies that won construction contracts for projects in Paris to fund the salaries of members in Chirac’s party, the Rally for the Republic (RPR).  Investigations into the scheme led to the conviction of Chirac ally Alain Juppe and some 38 other figures.

Another notable case is the referred to as the “Clearstream” case, which involved a smear campaign that accused then interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy of receiving illegal kickbacks from the sale of French warships to Taiwan.

Other cases include alleged misappropriation of funds in the “Euralair” case, where the airline provided free flights to Chirac, his wife, and other beneficiaries and a charge of misappropriation of public money stemming from City Hall’s printing company while Chirac was mayor.

More recently, back in May, Chirac came under pressure after files found at a French spy’s home linked him to a Japanese bank account containing 45 million euros.  One year earlier, when allegations first surfaced, Chirac “categorically denied” having a Japanese bank account.

Since leaving office last week, Chirac has maintained a low profile, working on his new foundation which promotes environmental protection and sustainable development.

For more information see:

Clock ticking on Chirac's immunity, CNN International, http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/16/chirac.legal.ap/index.html, 16 June 2007.

French Corruption Probe Clouds Chirac's Green Retirement, Expatica, http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=25&story_id=40919, 15 June 2007.

New Files 'Link Chirac to Secret Japanese Bank Account', The Guardian,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/france/story/0,,2087566,00.html, 24 May 2007.

French Court Convicts Chirac Associates in Housing Kickbacks Scandal, JURIST, http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/07/french-court-convicts-chirac.php, 5 July 2006.

Citizen Chirac Sets Sights on Foundation Despite Corruption Cloud, Expatica, http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=58&story_id=39748, 14 May 2007.

Furious Chirac rejects corruption trial summons, The Independent, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20010329/ai_n14373563, 29 Mar 2001.

Chirac's Prosecution Immunity Expires, MSNBC, http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19249529/, 15 June 2007.

Russian Soldiers Found Guilty in Rare Chechen War Crimes Trial

A Russian military court today convicted four soldiers for the 2002 killings of six Chechen civilians.  Major Alexei Perelsky reportedly shook his head as the three-judge panel sentenced him to nine years in a high-security prison.  Three other defendants, missing since April, were convicted in absentia and handed sentences ranging from 11 to 14 years.  Human rights groups and Chechen citizens alike applauded the verdict, while many noted that Russian soldiers accused of committing atrocities in the region are infrequently brought to justice.

The killings took place in the midst of the protracted conflict between Chechen separatists and Russian forces in the Caucasus.  The convicted soldiers were part of a special task force deployed to the Shatoy area, a traditional stronghold of Chechen resistance.  In January 2002 the servicemen opened fire on a van after its driver refused to stop at a checkpoint.  The initial attack killed a school principal and injured two others.  Upon receiving orders from command, the defendants executed the survivors in the vehicle including a disabled woman and a woman eight months pregnant.  The soldiers then burned the bodies in attempt to destroy evidence of the killings. 

Two civilian juries acquitted the four men, although none of the defendants denied the facts of the case.  Instead, the defendants were able to successfully argue that they were acting under orders and were hence not punishable.  The Military Board of the Russian Supreme Court overturned both those verdicts on procedural grounds.  The highly controversial case was closely followed in Russia, especially by ethnic Chechens. 

Human rights observers and the European Court of Human Rights have previously criticized the Russian government for failing to prosecute soldiers or compensate Chechen victims.  Today’s decision was widely accepted by such critics, although the relative of at least one victim argued for stiffer sentences for the defendants.  According to Victoria Webb, of Amnesty International: “today's verdict is a very welcome acknowledgment of the fact that defense of following orders is not a defense in Russian domestic legislation, nor under international law, and nor can it ever be."

For more information, please see:

“Russian court rules in landmark Chechnya case”  EuroNews
http://euronews.net/index.php?page=info&article=427592&lng=1, 14 June 2007

“Troops jailed for Chechnya murder”  BBC News
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6751887.stm 14 June 2007

“Russia Condemned for Chechnya Killings” Human Rights Watch
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/10/13/russia14384.htm  12 October 2006

“Defendant in Ulman case Perelevsky arrested in courtroom”  InterFax
http://www.interfax.com/3/282450/news.aspx  14 June 2007

“Russian Military Court Convicts Four Soldiers of Chechen Murders”  Voice of America
http://voanews.com/english/2007-06-14-voa30.cfm  14 June 2007

“Second Chechen War crimes and terrorism”  Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Chechen_War_crimes_and_terrorism  14 June 2007

Malta Unsuccessfully Appeals for EU Assistance with Migrant Problem

Malta, the smallest member in the 27-state European Union, called for other member countries to help share the burden of housing illegal migrants trying to reach Europe.  The small island nation with a population of 400,000 is located between Sicily and Libya, making it a gateway for illegal African migrants seeking refuge in Europe.  In the past two weeks alone, 250 immigrants have been rescued by the Coast Guard in Malta.

Malta came under criticism last month after 27 shipwrecked Africans went three days without rescue as Malta and Libya squabbled over who should rescue them.  To avoid such crises in the future, Malta Interior Minister Tonio Borg suggested that rescued migrants be distributed across EU member states based on size and population.

“The situation right now is just a complete mess,” Borg told reporters.  “Each year 600 immigrants are dying on the threshold of Europe.  It is unbelievable that on the doorstep of Europe we are having this tragic situation and not enough is being done.”

But Borg’s EU partners are reluctant to accept his proposal.  EU officials believe such a proposal would only encourage illegal immigration by reassuring potential migrants that they will be rescued and housed across Europe.

The European Commission has criticized EU member states for failing to adhere to a common asylum system.  As of today, there are at least 20 separate asylum systems operating across EU member states.  The European Commission is making it a goal to harmonize asylum rules across the EU by 2010.

EU Justice Commissioner Franco Frattini has expressed his frustration with EU states for failing to provide rescue planes, helicopters, and boats to be used by EU border control agency Frontex to save migrants stranded at sea.  States have only provided 10% of the 115 boats and 100 planes and helicopters pledged.

EU interior ministers approved a deal on Tuesday to pool 500 on-call border guards for emergency operations.  However, Frontex director Ilkka Laitinen said the deal would have little effect as the guards are only available for emergencies, not for daily patrols around Malta and other compromised areas.

“Frontex is not and will never be the panacea to problems of illegal migration” Latinen said.  Each year more than 500,000 immigrants enter Europe illegally looking for illicit jobs.

For more information see:

EU Faces Tough Talks on Saving Migrants at Sea, Reuters, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L11834548.htm, 12 June 2007.

Malta Wants EU Help on Migrants, BBC News, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6746013.stm, 12 June 2007.

EU Nations Refuse to Split Up Refugee Burden, International Herald Tribune, http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/12/news/migrate.php, 12 June 2007.

European Union Split on Solution to African and Iraqi Refugee Influx, The New York Times Europe, http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/13/world/europe/13eu.html?_r=1&ref=europe&oref=slogin, 12 June 2007.

Malta Appeals for EU Help to Confront Immigrant Wave, Deutsche Welle, http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,2606205,00.html, 12 June 2007.