UN Approves New Troops for Darfur

The UN Security Council today approved a plan to send 20000 troops and 6000 civilian police to Darfur. Unfortunately the troops will not be allowed to seize weapons, only monitor them. Still, this is a step in the right direction as the region is in dire need of international intervention.

Namibian Organization asks ICC for Investigation

The Namibian Society for Human Rights has asked the International Criminal Court to investigate former President Sam Nujoma for the disappearances and deaths of over 4,000 from 1990-2005. Nujoma led Namibia following its independence from South Africa and some of the disappeared were accused of spying for South Africa.

Khmer Rouge Prison Chief Charged

The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia have charged former Khmer Rogue prison chief Kaing Khek Iev with crimes against humanity in connection with the genocide in Cambodia from 1975-1979. For more check out the Jurist.

Nepal's 'disappeared'

Last week I mentioned how the civil war in Nepal had resulted in many human rights violations, many of them attributed to the Maoist rebels (especially the use of child soldiers). However, even the Nepali government appears to have committed terrible acts, among them "disappearances". About 800 Nepalis were allegedly abducted by government forces after a state of emergency was declared in 2001 because they were believed to be Maoist supporters. Unfortunately for the families of those taken, the Nepal Army denies that many of those reportedly taken were ever prisoners of the army. Meanwhile, the Maoists are also accused of not accounting for over 100 prisoners and similarly deny there is any evidence. The hope for civilians on both sides is that eventually the truth will be discovered, but with the country still not at peace it may be a long time, if ever, before they find out what really happened to their loved ones.

Child Soldiers Still Remain in Chad

According to a new report issued by Human Rights Watch the government of Chad continues to use child soldiers in its military despite agreements to demobilize them. The UN Security Council's working group on children and armed conflict will meet July 19 to discuss the matter further. The use of child soldiers violates international law and treaties, including the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict (ratified by Chad in 2003).

Charles Taylor's Assets Face Seizure

The government of Liberia is working on legislation to seize the assets of former Liberian President Charles Taylor. Taylor is currently at the Hague where he is facing charges for his support of rebels in Sierra Leone from 1997-2003. The charges include terrorizing civilians, murder, sexual violence, physical violence, enslavement, looting, and using child soldiers.

The trial has been postponed until August 20, 2007 to give clear up issues of representation.

For more on Taylor's trial check out The Trial of Charles Taylor and Trial Watch.

Return of Civil War in Nepal Imminent?

The far left Maoist rebels of Nepal still wish to have absolute power and could ruin the peace process warns US Ambassador James Moriarty. The Maoist, considered a terrorist organization by the US, agreed to end a decade-long civil war last November and were given positions in the government. It appears that the Maoist do not wish to be a part of a democracy however, and at least one faction of the party wishes to resume the war which killed at least 130,000. The Maoist have been accused of many human rights violations, including disappearances, anti-gay violence, and the use of child soldiers. As such, one can only hope that the Maoist are unsuccessful in any attempt to seek more power.