Democratic.net: [RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, July 29, 2009

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

[RED DEMOCRATICA] CFR.org Daily Brief, July 29, 2009

July 29, 2009

View this newsletter as a web page on CFR's website.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

-Reports of detainee mistreatment in Iran.
-Iraq raids Iranian exile camp in Diyala.
-Nigerian death count rises in violence.
-Chavez ends diplomatic relations with Colombia.

Top of the Agenda: Iran’s Detainees

Outrage is growing in Iran amid reports that people detained since last month’s protests surrounding the country’s disputed election have been abused, and some even killed, in prison (NYT).

The reports have appeared on opposition-linked websites, and some hospital workers have told human rights activists they have seen evidence of more than 100 protester deaths. The Iranian government puts the death toll at 20, and says 500 total have been arrested (WSJ).

Responding to pressure, the Iranian government freed about 140 people (Tehran Times) that had been imprisoned in Evin prison since the protests. Officials said 150 people, charged with more serious crimes, are still being detained inside Tehran's main prison, Evin.
Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also ordered the closure of Kahrizak detention center (BBC), saying it had failed to "preserve the rights of detainees."

Analysis:
The Christian Science Monitor looks at the political power struggles going on in the Iranian government, noting the reformist Grand Ayatollah Yousef Sanei’s statement that "those forcing confessions out of them [prisoners] are sinners."

Expert Shaul Bakhash says a recent speech by former President Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and a call for a referendum by former President Mohammad Khatami gave new life to the opposition movement.

In Newsweek, Fareed Zakaria says the best strategy for the Unites States is to “do nothing” about Iran for now, because it does not make sense to try to negotiate with Tehran.

Background:
A recent Human Rights Watch report describes detainee treatment in Iran.

A new CFR Backgrounder looks at Iran’s media landscape, and how it has been affected by the political uprising.

MIDEAST: Iraq Raids Camp

Four people were killed when Iraqi forces raided a camp (Reuters) in Diyala province that housed the People's Mujahideen of Iran (PMOI), who had been exiled in Iraq since the Iran-Iraq War. Members of the PMOI, which the United States and Iran consider a terrorist group, say they fear being forcibly returned to Iran, where they may face persecution.

PACIFIC RIM: U.S.-China Dialogue Ends

Wrapping up two days of top-level talks in Washington, U.S. and Chinese leaders pledged to increase cooperation on economic, environmental, and political issues. The Financial Times outlines the commitments both countries made as a result of the dialogue, and notes continued tension on climate change policy.

A Foreign Policy briefing book examines the U.S. policy agenda and strategy toward China.

Uighurs: Exiled Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer arrived in Tokyo for a three-day visit, angering the Chinese government (Xinhua). China says Kadeer was behind the July 5 riot in Xinjiang province that killed nearly 200 people. Kadeer denies any involvement in the recent unrest in Xinjiang.

In a CFR podcast, Dru C. Gladney, an expert on China's ethnic minorities, says the Urumqi riots began as protests for social justice, and really had "nothing to do with Islam, or separatism, or independence."

SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA: Afghan Campaign Violence

A campaign manager for Afghan presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah was seriously injured after being attacked by gunmen (Reuters). The attack comes after an assassination attempt on President Hamid Karzai’s running mate over the weekend.

Drug Trade: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency will increase its staff in Afghanistan (NPR) from 13 to 81 by the end of the year, as part of a shifting U.S. focus away from poppy eradication and toward mid-level drug operators, drug labs, and high level traffickers.

AFRICA: Nigerian Violence Continues

Nigerian troops shelled the home (Bloomberg) of radical Islamic leader Mohammed Yusuf, after clashes between police and Yusuf’s group, Boko Haram, led to at least 250 deaths over the last three days.

Somalia: Thousands of Somalis are preparing to cross the Gulf of Aden to Yemen to escape heavy fighting (al-Jazeera) between armed rebel groups and the government. 30,000 Somali refugees have already fled to Yemen this year, according to the United Nations.

AMERICAS: Chavez Cuts Ties with Colombia

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez froze diplomatic relations (El Universal) with neighboring Colombia after Sweden and Colombia accused Chavez of selling weapons to the FARC rebel group. Chavez withdrew the Venezuelan ambassador and said he was halting trade deals between the two countries.

Haiti: Nearly eighty people are missing and nine are confirmed dead after a boat carrying some 200 Haitian refugees capsized near the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos (Miami Herald). 113 people have been rescued, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

EUROPE: EU Bank Deal

The European Union says it will renew an agreement (BBC) allowing U.S. officials to monitor the banking activities of European citizens in an effort to combat terrorism.

Moldova: Moldovans head to the polls (WSJ) for parliamentary elections today, choosing between the ruling Communist Party, or the opposition Our Moldova Alliance (AMN), which promises to improve ties with the West. The new vote is being held three months after a disputed ballot that led to violence and two deaths.

Spain: A car bomb (NYT) in the northern city of Burgos tore the front off a building, injuring 46 people. Police said Basque separatist group ETA was responsible.

A CFR Backgrounder profiles ETA.

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