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A 'tsunami' in the Democratic Republic of Congo every six months: Guterres urges help for one of the world's most under-funded emergencies

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres has issued an urgent plea to the international community to increase support for the desperately under-funded emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "This conflict is taking more human lives than the tsunami; we have a tsunami in the Congo every six months," Guterres said at a press conference Tuesday with the German Minister for Development Cooperation, Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul. (UNHCR, May 18, 2006)

http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/news/opendoc.htm?tbl=NEWS&page=home&id=446c99072

(Added: Thu May 25 2006   Modified: Thu Aug 17 2006   Hits: 74)

Is US using enemy to fight a proxy war?

In Somalia, where rising turmoil has killed 150 in the past month, the interim government claims that the US is backing the kind of warlords who were its old enemy, and who make the country ungovernable, to keep al-Qaeda, its worse enemy, at bay. This week two senior spokesmen from the Bush Administration refused to answer direct questions about US backing, but acknowledged fears that al-Qaeda would profit from the chaos. (Bronwen Maddox, The Times, 19 May 2006)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-2187524,00.html

(Added: Mon May 22 2006   Hits: 42)

The UN's 2006 List: Ten things the world should hear more about

Every year, the U.N.'s Department of Public Information unveils its list of the world's 10 most under-reported stories. Those for 2006 are as follows. Liberia: Development challenges top agenda as the nation recovers from years of civil strife. Lost in migration: Asylum seekers face challenges amid efforts to stem flows of illegal migrants. DR of Congo: As the country moves boldly towards historic vote, humanitarian concerns continue to demand attention. Nepal's hidden tragedy: Children caught in the conflict. Somalia: Security vacuum compounding effects of drought. Protracted refugee situations: Millions caught in limbo, with no solutions in sight. South Asian earthquake: Relief effort saves lives, stems losses, but reconstruction tasks loom large. Behind bars, beyond justice: An untold story of children in conflict with the law. From water wars to bridges of cooperation: Exploring the peace-building potential of a shared resource. Cote d'Ivoire: A strike away from igniting violence amidst a faltering peace process. (UN, 15 May 2006)

http://www0.un.org/events/tenstories/

(Added: Fri May 19 2006   Modified: Fri Sep 01 2006   Hits: 353)

Cote d'Ivoire: Peace as an Option (pdf)

The four-year crisis in Cote d'Ivoire could finally end if the government of national reconciliation continues to make progress toward presidential elections, meant to occur before 31 October. However, no political actors have yet given up the capacity for violence or committed themselves irrevocably to elections they may lose. The government should embark on a nationwide campaign to inform the public of necessary preparations, including identifying citizens entitled to vote and disarming and reintegrating ex-combatants. Major donor support is needed for all these steps. Prime Minister Banny should continue an inclusive dialogue with all political actors and social sectors to mobilise opinion behind the government and should continue working with President Gbagbo, who may be tempted to delay elections to prolong his power. If concrete results are achieved in the next few months, peace may finally be within reach. (Crisis Group, 17 May 2006)

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=4112

(Added: Thu May 18 2006   Hits: 165)

Inside India's hidden war: Mineral rights are behind clashes between leftwing guerrillas and state-backed militias

Last month Indian prime minister, Manmohan Singh, described the rebels as "the single biggest internal security challenge ever faced by our country". Entire villages have been emptied as tribal communities flee from the burnings, lootings and killings. The civil conflict has left more than 50,000 people camping under tarpaulin sheets without work or food along the roadsides of southern Chhattisgarh. (Randeep Ramesh, The Guardian, May 9, 2006)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,,1770612,00.html

(Added: Wed May 10 2006   Modified: Thu Jul 13 2006   Hits: 141)

Darfur Bleeds: Recent Cross-Border Violence in Chad

The crisis in Darfur, Sudan, which has been trickling into Chad for the better part of three years, is now bleeding freely across the border. A counterinsurgency carried out by the Sudanese government and its militias against rebel groups in Darfur, characterized by war crimes and "ethnic cleansing," has forcibly displaced almost two million civilians in Darfur and another 220,000 people who have fled across the border into Chad. The same ethnic "Janjaweed" militias that have committed systematic abuses in Darfur have staged cross-border raids into Chad, attacking Darfurian refugees and Chadian villagers alike, seizing their livestock and killing those who resist. This report is based on a Human Rights Watch research mission to eastern Chad in January-February 2006. (Human Rights Watch, February 2006)

http://www.hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/chad0206/

(Added: Thu May 04 2006   Modified: Thu Jan 18 2007   Hits: 190)

Peace in Sri Lanka: The Official Website of the Sri Lankan Government's Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP)

The conflicts in Sri Lanka illustrate the operation of some of the most combustible factors in ethnic relations: language, religion, long historical memories of tensions and conflict, and a prolonged separatist agitation. Born out of a need to institutionalize the Peace Process, the Secretariat for Coordinating the Peace Process (SCOPP) was established on 06 February 2002 with the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL). SCOPP is Primarily a coordinating and facilitating body of the Peace Process. It is the main instrument of the Government to consolidate and strengthen the Peace Process. SCOPP engages in extensive consultations with all stakeholders involved in the Peace Process including the public and private sectors, civil society, donor community and line agencies on a regular basis.

http://www.peaceinsrilanka.org/Default.asp

(Added: Tue May 02 2006   Modified: Thu Jun 01 2006   Hits: 63)

Perceptions of the "Unpeople"

It is comforting, the author states in this short article, to attribute the alleged "clash" between Islam and the West to their hatred of American freedom and values, as the president proclaimed after 9/11, or to a curious inability to communicate true intentions. Studies even by the government itself show, however, that throughout history any such clash has more to do with the American government's protecting its own interests in the Middle East, at the expense of many of the people. (Noam Chomsky, ZNet Commentary, 29 April 2006)

http://www.zmag.org/sustainers/content/2006-04/26chomsky.cfm

(Added: Mon May 01 2006   Modified: Mon Jul 10 2006   Hits: 71)

The Rwandan Genocide

On the twelfth anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, we must honor the memory of the victims and think again of the pain and horror caused by the 1994 killing campaign. We must recall the suffering that followed the refusal of others in the world to heed the cries of those targeted for extermination. Honoring the victims requires us also to continue investigating, documenting, and analyzing how the genocide was prepared and executed, so as to be better prepared to avert similar horrors in the future. As part of their continuing effort to bring to light the fullest information possible about the genocide, Human Rights Watch publish this briefing paper, drawing upon some materials not previously used by researchers to show the planning and execution of the genocide. (Human Rights Watch, April 2006)

http://hrw.org/backgrounder/africa/rwanda0406/

(Added: Tue Apr 18 2006   Modified: Thu Jul 13 2006   Hits: 83)

CHAD: Residents prepare for war as rebels close in on capital

Soldiers are out in force on the streets of the Chadian capital N'djamena and residents are stocking up on cash and food in case of a descent into fighting after rapidly advancing rebel forces closed in on the city's outskirts late on Wednesday. (Reuters, 12 April 2006)

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=52774&SelectRegion=West_Africa&SelectCountry=CHAD

(Added: Thu Apr 13 2006   Modified: Fri Sep 08 2006   Hits: 51)

30 year war creates shadow of hunger over Eritrea

War and drought have reduced this East African country to a state of almost total dependence on food aid. Most of the fertile land was caught up in the conflict with Ethiopia, and now that peace has returned, farmers have found their land covered with land mines and their cattle stolen. This special report by Panos Features says Eritrea is destined to be dependent on food aid for some time to come. (Donica Tesfamariam, Panos, April 2006)

http://www.panos.org.uk/global/featuredetails.asp?featureid=1038&ID=1003

(Added: Tue Apr 04 2006   Modified: Tue Aug 29 2006   Hits: 335)

Handcuffed Taylor deposited at war crimes court

UN peacekeepers delivered handcuffed former Liberian president Charles Taylor into the custody of a UN-backed Special Court in Sierra Leone on Wednesday where he will be the first former African head of state to face prosecution for war crimes before an international tribunal. (UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 29 March 2006)

http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=52503

(Added: Mon Apr 03 2006   Modified: Thu Apr 13 2006   Hits: 46)

March 20 to 26, 2006: Iran-USA, beginning of a major world crisis

The Laboratoire europeen d'Anticipation Politique Europe 2020, LEAP/E2020, now estimates to over 80% the probability that the week of March 20-26, 2006 will be the beginning of the most significant political crisis the world has known since the Fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, together with an economic and financial crisis of a scope comparable with that of 1929. This last week of March 2006 will be the turning-point of a number of critical developments, resulting in an acceleration of all the factors leading to a major crisis, disregarding any American or Israeli military intervention against Iran. In case such an intervention is conducted, the probability of a major crisis to start rises up to 100%, according to LEAP/E2020.Written by LEAP/E2020 Saturday, 25 February 2006.

http://newropeans-magazine.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3463&Itemid=85

(Added: Mon Mar 06 2006   Modified: Thu Jul 13 2006   Hits: 74)

Making It Work: why the Kimberly process must do more to stop conflict diamonds

This report considers the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme, an agreement set up to eliminate the trade in conflict diamonds. The authors show that despite the progress made and the international acclaim garnered by the scheme, the Kimberley Process must be strengthened significantly if it is to achieve its aim. Produced by: Global Witness (2005)

http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_detail.php/407/en/making_it_work_why_the_kimberley_process_must_do_m

(Added: Thu Mar 02 2006   Modified: Thu Feb 01 2007   Hits: 106)

Iran: consequences of war [PDF - 1MB]

This briefing paper by the Oxford research group examines the potential consequences of a conflict between the West and Iran stemming from Iran's purported desire to acquire nuclear weapons. The paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the likely nature of US or Israeli military action that would be intended to disable Iran's nuclear capabilities. It outlines both the immediate consequences in terms of loss of human life, facilities and infrastructure, and also the likely Iranian responses, which would be extensive. An attack on Iranian nuclear infrastructure would signal the start of a protracted military confrontation that would probably grow to involve Iraq, Israel and Lebanon, as well as the USA and Iran. The report concludes that a military response to the current crisis in relations with Iran is a particularly dangerous option and should not be considered further. Alternative approaches must be sought, however difficult these may be.

http://www.oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/publications/briefing_papers/iranconsequences.php

(Added: Tue Feb 14 2006   Modified: Wed Mar 26 2008   Hits: 108)

Top ten under-reported humanitarian stories of 2005

The immense human toll caused by conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Haiti, Chechnya, and northeast India are among the "Top Ten" Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2005, according to the year-end list released by the international humanitarian medical aid organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/invoke.cfm?objectid=BE9D3CA3-A88C-5381-2B0F0FDC6FE53946&component=toolkit.report&method=full_html

(Added: Fri Jan 20 2006   Modified: Wed Jul 12 2006   Hits: 182)

Parliamentarians and civil society appeal on Iran and nuclear weapons

The proliferation of nuclear weapons is possibly the single greatest threat to civilisation. If a feared cascade of proliferation occurs, the probability that by malice, madness, miscalculation or malfunction, nuclear weapons will at some point be used will increase sharply. All nations have a responsibility to ensure that the number of nations with nuclear weapons does not grow, to prevent non-state actors from obtaining them, and for those who posses nuclear weapons to eliminate and abolish them. This message to governments, urges no military action and especially no use of nuclear weapons over Iran, and a nuclear-free Middle East.

http://www.gsinstitute.org/pnnd/ParliamentariansIranNukes.htm

(Added: Tue Jan 10 2006   Modified: Wed Jun 14 2006   Hits: 93)

Iran: Western hysteria

This short opinion article, written by Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey, suggests that Iran has now been targeted by Washington, the 'the intellectually challenged President of the United States' and 'the hype machine' as the new pariah in the international community.

http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/15983_Iran.html

(Added: Thu Aug 18 2005   Modified: Thu Jul 13 2006   Hits: 49)

Dangerous Liaisons (PDF 531 Kb)

Global Witness, December 2004. The continued relationship between Liberia's natural resource industries, arms trafficking and regional insecurity. A briefing document submitted by Global Witness to the UN Security Council.

http://www.globalpolicy.org/security//////////////////////issues/liberia/2004/1208dliaisons.pdf

(Added: Mon Feb 21 2005   Modified: Thu Feb 08 2007   Hits: 171)

Genocide: Debunking the Myths

Minority Rights Group. Genocide is a legal term, which according to different opinions, is either over used or not used frequently enough. It is nevertheless commonly understood to define the very worst and most abhorrent crime against humanity, deserving of universal condemnation and punishment. Recently attention has focused on the situation in Darfur and debate has once again turned to the issue of genocide and the legal responsibility of the international community to act if such a definition is confirmed. Here, MRG takes a close look at what genocide actually is in an attempt to throw out some myths and establish the truth beyond the apparent confusion. However, beyond the legal and political debate, MRG's message is clear, that whether the international community chooses to define a situation as genocide or not, it does not absolve it of the responsibility to act when innocent civilians face slaughter and persecution.

http://www.minorityrights.org/features/features_genocide.htm

(Added: Thu Oct 07 2004   Modified: Thu Jul 13 2006   Hits: 93)

An Evaluation of Humanitarian Information Centers (HICs) including Case Studies of HICs for Iraq, Afghanistan, and Liberia

(ReliefWeb) August, 2004. The Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) is a common service of the UN System, managed by the Field Information Support Unit (FIS) of OCHA. The evaluation team was comprised of two independent consultants hired by USAID/ OFDA and DFID/ CHAD. The team was asked to examine the success of HICs in servicing the humanitarian community. Three case studies were to inform this - Liberia, Afghanistan and Iraq. This document looks at HIC performance in crisis stiuations, their role in decision-making and provides key recommendations for improving their effectiveness.

http://www.reliefweb.int/library/documents/2004/hicevaluation-24aug.pdf

(Added: Fri Sep 17 2004   Modified: Fri Jul 14 2006   Hits: 432)

Spotlight on Haiti

AMERICAS.ORG offers here a selection of background and analysis articles on the current situation in Haiti: Mary Turck, Resource Center of the Americas editor and author of Haiti: Land of Inequality (Lerner, Minneapolis:1999), writes Haiti Q & A , answering basic questions about the current conflict. An editorial from The Jamaica Observer, Haiti's Obscene Nightmare, expresses a neighbor's pain over Haiti's disintegration. Haiti Progres, a journal published in New York by Haitians describes the armed rebels now in possession of several eastern cities in As Contras Launch Major Offensive, Washington Suggests Aristide Removal. Randall Robinson, one of the founders of TransAfrica, writes eloquently about Haitian contributions to the world and U.S. obligations to Haiti in Honor Haiti, Honor Ourselves

http://www.americas.org/index.php?cp=item&item_id=13760

(Added: Fri Feb 27 2004   Modified: Tue Dec 20 2005   Hits: 152)

Stark Message of the Mutiny: Is the Philippine Government Bombing its Own People for Dollars?

By Naomi Klein, August 15, 2003. It looks like south-east Asia is about to become the next major front in Washington's war on terror. The Philippines and Indonesia may have missed the cut for the axis of evil, but the two countries do offer Washington something Iran and North Korea do not: US-friendly governments willing to help the Pentagon secure an easy win. Both the Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and the Indonesian president Megawati Sukarnoputri have embraced Bush's crusade as the perfect cover for their brutal cleansing of separatist movements from resource-rich regions - Mindanao in the Philippines, Aceh in Indonesia.

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0815-04.htm

(Added: Mon Aug 25 2003   Modified: Fri Jul 21 2006   Hits: 130)

Terror in Monrovia

Sam Nagbe recounts the terrifying ordeal, "the agony, fear, frustration, anxiety and hopes" that ordinary Liberians have been forced to endure over the past month. Sam Nagbe is Oxfam's Liberia project officer, based in Monrovia. Since early June, he has been in charge of Oxfam's operations in the war-torn city. As their workplace became a war zone, Oxfam's Liberian staff have been continuing their humanitarian work, bringing clean water and toilet facilities to thousands of people fleeing the conflict.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/where_we_work/liberia/emergency/samdiary/010803.htm

(Added: Tue Aug 12 2003   Modified: Fri Oct 03 2003   Hits: 86)

Communal Violence in Indonesia: Lessons from Kalimantan

International Crisis Group (ICG) 27 June 2001. html intro, pdf file format. Long-simmering tensions between indigenous Dayaks and immigrant Madurese suddenly exploded in the town of Sampit, Central Kalimantan, in the middle of February 2001. Within days, isolated killings perpetrated by both sides had developed into a one-sided massacre of Madurese by enraged Dayaks. In the following weeks the killings spread to other areas in the province and by early April almost the entire Madurese population had fled the province. The massacre of about 500 - and possibly many more - Madurese by Dayaks and the flight of virtually the entire Madurese community closely resembled two similar events in the Sambas district in the northern part of West Kalimantan in 1996-7 and in 1999 and highlighted the danger of violence spreading to West and East Kalimantan.

http://www.crisisgroup.org/home/index.cfm?l=1&id=1455

(Added: Fri Nov 15 2002   Modified: Wed Jul 12 2006   Hits: 181)

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