Recent attacks against African asylum seekers in Tel Aviv are raising important questions for the state of Israel. Advocates say the migrants are victims of racism, discrimination and decades of poor policy. But some citizens and politicians argue the rising number of “infiltrators” – as they call them – is leading to crime and a fall in living standards. In this episode of The Stream, we speak to journalist Mya Guarnieri; Sanjeev Bery, Middle East Director at Amnesty International; Yohannes Bayu, Founder and Executive Director for the African Refugee Development Center; and David Sheen, Israeli filmmaker. Two molotov attacks within two weeks have raised tensions between Israeli residents and African migrants in south Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv Mayor, Ron Huldai has called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to take action “before it is too late” On May 6, two firebombs hit a residence in south Tel Aviv that is home to African asylum seekers. Less than two weeks earlier, a number of molotov cocktails were launched into four homes and one kindergarten in Israel’s refugee community of Shapira. Tensions have grown in recent months between Israelis and African asylum seekers from countries such as Eritrea and Sudan. – Source:ALJAZEERA – VIDEO
Kabuga is in Kenya, Says ICTR
by ICC.supporter » Sat May 12, 2012 9:44 am
The New Times
Rwanda: Kabuga is in Kenya, Says ICTR
By Edwin Musoni, 11 May 2012
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)’s most wanted fugitive, Felicien Kabuga, is still hiding in Kenya, the Tribunal’s Prosecutor, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, declared yesterday. The fugitive millionaire is accused of financing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which a million people were killed.
This is not the first time the Arusha-based UN court has made the allegation, in the face of heated denial by the Kenyan government. Indeed, Nairobi’s position has been that it has no proof that the Genocide fugitive is in the country and would welcome any assistance in tracking him down and apprehending him.
But this position has not stopped both the ICTR and the US government from repeating the charge. “Our updated information still links Kabuga to Kenya, we are continuing with our hunt for him,” Jallow told journalists in Kigali yesterday.
Speaking to The New Times yesterday Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga would not be drawn into the Kabuga matter. “We would wish to have the big suspects transferred to Rwanda, but even if they are not, all we want is to see them tried fairly.”
The wealthy fugitive is the most wanted of nine genocide suspects being sought by the ICTR, but has proved hard to find. The United States government placed a $5 million bounty for information leading to his arrest.
Kabuga has been on the run for years since he was indicted by the ICTR and is suspected to have found a safe haven in Kenya, where it is alleged that top government officials in the previous regime protected him. But going by the repeated position of the ICTR, he would appear to have also found protection under the current government; a charge that Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga flatly denied during a visit to Kigali late last year.
Born in 1935, Kabuga is said to frequent various African capitals where has bought protection. He was expelled from Switzerland in 1994, and spent some time in the Democratic Republic of Congo before seeking refuge in Kenya, where he has evaded several attempts to arrest him.
He narrowly escaped arrest in Kenya in 1998, when an ICTR team raided a Nairobi house allegedly rented from a nephew of the former president and found a note indicating he had been tipped off by sources within the Kenyan police.
The Tribunal’s mandate ends by December 2014, and last week it triggered its winding procedures when it swore in nine judges assigned to the International Residual Mechanism Tribunal, which will commence its work on July 1, 2012.
Apart from Kabuga, other high level fugitives sought by the Tribunal are Protais Mpiranyi, a former Commander of the Rwandan Presidential Guard, and a former Minister of Defence, Augustin Bizimana.
So far the ICTR has transferred four case files of suspects to Rwanda but the government has expressed interest in trying the top three suspects.
So far, the only suspect transferred to Kigali is Jean Uwinkindi, signifying the Court’s new found confidence in Rwanda’s reformed judiciary. The three case files sent to Rwanda are on the ex-Mayor (Bourgmestre) of Nyakizu, Ladislas Ntaganzwa, a former inspector in the criminal investigation department, Fulgence Kayishema, and another former Bourgmestre, Charles Sikubwabo.
According to Jallow, the ICTR is satisfied by the manner in which Rwanda is handling the case of Uwinkindi.
Ocampo 4 summoned to The Hague in June
By EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, May 12 2012 at 22:30
The trial preparations of the four Kenyans facing charges at the International Criminal Court kicks off in earnest on June 12 when the accused and their lawyers are scheduled to gather at The Hague for a preparatory conference.
A source familiar with the trial preparations told the Sunday Nation from The Hague that trial judges have notified the parties to attend the status conference during which the rules of engagement will be defined including procedural matters and sequence of proceedings.
The status conference lays ground for the trial proper whose date would depend on the issues raised and efficiency of the parties.
During the meeting, the parties would have their first interaction with judges Christine van den Wyngaert (Belgium), Kuniko Ozaki (Japan) and Chile Obeo-Osuji of Nigeria who will preside over the trials. (READ: Japanese elected lead judge in Kenya chaos cases)
The court’s decision is likely to dampen the spirits of President Kibaki who is engaged in a last ditch effort — both at home and abroad — to stop the proceedings at The Hague-based court.
It comes barely two weeks after he indicated to Parliament the government’s determination to set up a local court to try those suspected to have sponsored the 2008/9 violence.
Days later, the President secured a resolution by the East Africa Community for the expansion of the jurisdiction of the East Africa Court of Justice to handle the Kenyan cases.
Similar efforts are underway at a gathering of legal experts from the African Union working on a similar resolution. (READ: AU moves to take over Hague cases)
The lawyers meeting in Addis Ababa are exploring ways of implementing a January resolution of AU leaders seeking to expand the scope of the Africa Court of Justice to enable it to take over ICC cases involving African leaders — Sudan President Omar al-Bashir and Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura and radio journalist Joshua Sang, who were on January 23 committed to trial for crimes against humanity committed during the violence.
During the conference, judges will set a timetable for the start of trials and disclosure of witnesses and evidence between the prosecutor and defence. The accused have an option of attending the conference in person.
Mr Karim Khan, who is leading Mr Muthaura’s defence team, on Saturday confirmed the summons and said he would attend the conference with members of his team.
However, he was no-committal on whether his client will be present. “It is a usual court occurrence during which issues are agreed upon relating to evidence, procedure and sequence of the proceedings. Attendance of the accused at status conferences is optional,” he said in a phone interview.
The Muthaura defence includes Mr Ken Ogeto of the Kenyan Bar, Malaysian Shyamala Alagendra and Mr Essal Faal from The Gambia while Mr Kenyatta is represented by British lawyers Steven Kay and Gillian Higgins.
A lawyer who spoke under the cover of anonymity said by the decision, the ICC had “called the government’s bluff”. “The ICC is testing the government and suspects’ commitment to co-operate with the court,” he said.
Explaining the significance of the conference in a recent conversation, ICC spokesman Fadil Abdallah said it is largely a house keeping affair.
“The parties will present their observations to the chamber on their preparedness, which will review them and establish a timetable for trials proper,” he said.
Commenting on Saturday, Senior Counsel Paul Muite advised Mr Ruto and Mr Uhuru to review their defence strategy and composition of their lawyers.
“They should have faith in Kenyan lawyers because they understand the history and context of the case,” he said citing the success of Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and Maj (Gen) Hussein Ali’s during the confirmation of cases hearings.
CJ DECLINES TO OFFICIATE MIGUNA’S BOOK LAUNCH .
Monday, 02 July 2012 18:02 Macharia Wamugo
Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has declined to officiate the launch of Miguna Miguna’s book, Peeling Back the Mask. Justice Mutunga says Miguna went ahead to announce that he will be the chief guest at the launch before confirmation. The chief Justice wanted to read the book before agreeing to officiate its launch.
Miguna Miguna
African migrants under attack in Isreal
Recent attacks against African asylum seekers in Tel Aviv are raising important questions for the state of Israel. Advocates say the migrants are victims of racism, discrimination and decades of poor policy. But some citizens and politicians argue the rising number of “infiltrators” – as they call them – is leading to crime and a fall in living standards. In this episode of The Stream, we speak to journalist Mya Guarnieri; Sanjeev Bery, Middle East Director at Amnesty International; Yohannes Bayu, Founder and Executive Director for the African Refugee Development Center; and David Sheen, Israeli filmmaker. Two molotov attacks within two weeks have raised tensions between Israeli residents and African migrants in south Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv Mayor, Ron Huldai has called on Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to take action “before it is too late” On May 6, two firebombs hit a residence in south Tel Aviv that is home to African asylum seekers. Less than two weeks earlier, a number of molotov cocktails were launched into four homes and one kindergarten in Israel’s refugee community of Shapira. Tensions have grown in recent months between Israelis and African asylum seekers from countries such as Eritrea and Sudan. – Source:ALJAZEERA – VIDEO
Kabuga is in Kenya, Says ICTR
by ICC.supporter » Sat May 12, 2012 9:44 am
The New Times
Rwanda: Kabuga is in Kenya, Says ICTR
By Edwin Musoni, 11 May 2012
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)’s most wanted fugitive, Felicien Kabuga, is still hiding in Kenya, the Tribunal’s Prosecutor, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, declared yesterday. The fugitive millionaire is accused of financing the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which a million people were killed.
This is not the first time the Arusha-based UN court has made the allegation, in the face of heated denial by the Kenyan government. Indeed, Nairobi’s position has been that it has no proof that the Genocide fugitive is in the country and would welcome any assistance in tracking him down and apprehending him.
But this position has not stopped both the ICTR and the US government from repeating the charge. “Our updated information still links Kabuga to Kenya, we are continuing with our hunt for him,” Jallow told journalists in Kigali yesterday.
Speaking to The New Times yesterday Prosecutor-General Martin Ngoga would not be drawn into the Kabuga matter. “We would wish to have the big suspects transferred to Rwanda, but even if they are not, all we want is to see them tried fairly.”
The wealthy fugitive is the most wanted of nine genocide suspects being sought by the ICTR, but has proved hard to find. The United States government placed a $5 million bounty for information leading to his arrest.
Kabuga has been on the run for years since he was indicted by the ICTR and is suspected to have found a safe haven in Kenya, where it is alleged that top government officials in the previous regime protected him. But going by the repeated position of the ICTR, he would appear to have also found protection under the current government; a charge that Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga flatly denied during a visit to Kigali late last year.
Born in 1935, Kabuga is said to frequent various African capitals where has bought protection. He was expelled from Switzerland in 1994, and spent some time in the Democratic Republic of Congo before seeking refuge in Kenya, where he has evaded several attempts to arrest him.
He narrowly escaped arrest in Kenya in 1998, when an ICTR team raided a Nairobi house allegedly rented from a nephew of the former president and found a note indicating he had been tipped off by sources within the Kenyan police.
The Tribunal’s mandate ends by December 2014, and last week it triggered its winding procedures when it swore in nine judges assigned to the International Residual Mechanism Tribunal, which will commence its work on July 1, 2012.
Apart from Kabuga, other high level fugitives sought by the Tribunal are Protais Mpiranyi, a former Commander of the Rwandan Presidential Guard, and a former Minister of Defence, Augustin Bizimana.
So far the ICTR has transferred four case files of suspects to Rwanda but the government has expressed interest in trying the top three suspects.
So far, the only suspect transferred to Kigali is Jean Uwinkindi, signifying the Court’s new found confidence in Rwanda’s reformed judiciary. The three case files sent to Rwanda are on the ex-Mayor (Bourgmestre) of Nyakizu, Ladislas Ntaganzwa, a former inspector in the criminal investigation department, Fulgence Kayishema, and another former Bourgmestre, Charles Sikubwabo.
According to Jallow, the ICTR is satisfied by the manner in which Rwanda is handling the case of Uwinkindi.
http://allafrica.com/stories/201205120076.htmlLiberate yourself from your tribe and its “leaders.” It’s a great feeling!ICC.supporter
http://www.kenyan-post.com/2012/05/revealed-uhuru-njenga-and-thuo-mungiki.html
Ocampo 4 summoned to The Hague in June
By EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, May 12 2012 at 22:30
The trial preparations of the four Kenyans facing charges at the International Criminal Court kicks off in earnest on June 12 when the accused and their lawyers are scheduled to gather at The Hague for a preparatory conference.
A source familiar with the trial preparations told the Sunday Nation from The Hague that trial judges have notified the parties to attend the status conference during which the rules of engagement will be defined including procedural matters and sequence of proceedings.
The status conference lays ground for the trial proper whose date would depend on the issues raised and efficiency of the parties.
During the meeting, the parties would have their first interaction with judges Christine van den Wyngaert (Belgium), Kuniko Ozaki (Japan) and Chile Obeo-Osuji of Nigeria who will preside over the trials. (READ: Japanese elected lead judge in Kenya chaos cases)
The court’s decision is likely to dampen the spirits of President Kibaki who is engaged in a last ditch effort — both at home and abroad — to stop the proceedings at The Hague-based court.
It comes barely two weeks after he indicated to Parliament the government’s determination to set up a local court to try those suspected to have sponsored the 2008/9 violence.
Days later, the President secured a resolution by the East Africa Community for the expansion of the jurisdiction of the East Africa Court of Justice to handle the Kenyan cases.
Similar efforts are underway at a gathering of legal experts from the African Union working on a similar resolution. (READ: AU moves to take over Hague cases)
The lawyers meeting in Addis Ababa are exploring ways of implementing a January resolution of AU leaders seeking to expand the scope of the Africa Court of Justice to enable it to take over ICC cases involving African leaders — Sudan President Omar al-Bashir and Kenya’s Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, former Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura and radio journalist Joshua Sang, who were on January 23 committed to trial for crimes against humanity committed during the violence.
During the conference, judges will set a timetable for the start of trials and disclosure of witnesses and evidence between the prosecutor and defence. The accused have an option of attending the conference in person.
Mr Karim Khan, who is leading Mr Muthaura’s defence team, on Saturday confirmed the summons and said he would attend the conference with members of his team.
However, he was no-committal on whether his client will be present. “It is a usual court occurrence during which issues are agreed upon relating to evidence, procedure and sequence of the proceedings. Attendance of the accused at status conferences is optional,” he said in a phone interview.
The Muthaura defence includes Mr Ken Ogeto of the Kenyan Bar, Malaysian Shyamala Alagendra and Mr Essal Faal from The Gambia while Mr Kenyatta is represented by British lawyers Steven Kay and Gillian Higgins.
A lawyer who spoke under the cover of anonymity said by the decision, the ICC had “called the government’s bluff”. “The ICC is testing the government and suspects’ commitment to co-operate with the court,” he said.
Explaining the significance of the conference in a recent conversation, ICC spokesman Fadil Abdallah said it is largely a house keeping affair.
“The parties will present their observations to the chamber on their preparedness, which will review them and establish a timetable for trials proper,” he said.
Commenting on Saturday, Senior Counsel Paul Muite advised Mr Ruto and Mr Uhuru to review their defence strategy and composition of their lawyers.
“They should have faith in Kenyan lawyers because they understand the history and context of the case,” he said citing the success of Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey and Maj (Gen) Hussein Ali’s during the confirmation of cases hearings.
CJ DECLINES TO OFFICIATE MIGUNA’S BOOK LAUNCH .
Monday, 02 July 2012 18:02 Macharia Wamugo
Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has declined to officiate the launch of Miguna Miguna’s book, Peeling Back the Mask. Justice Mutunga says Miguna went ahead to announce that he will be the chief guest at the launch before confirmation. The chief Justice wanted to read the book before agreeing to officiate its launch.