Headines for Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Taliban step up attacks in advance of elections in Afghanistan
The Taliban claimed responsibility for eight rockets fired early today in the heart of Kabul - two of them landed in a residential area near the American Embassy. Asma Nemati reports.

Three civilians were wounded in this morning’s rocket attack on the heart of Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the eight rockets fired, announcing that the attacks were to show the government’s inability to secure the capital before upcoming elections. embassy compounds in the past. In another attack in the western city of Herat, 12 people were killed by a roadside bomb yesterday. The Taliban also claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack. Among the killed were a woman, a 12-yr-old girl and two policemen. A district police chief was also seriously wounded in Monday’s blast in Herat. As a recent UN report highlighted a 24% rise in civilian deaths from the same period as 2008, the Taliban have promised further disorder in advance of Afghan elections scheduled for August 20th. For FSRN this is Asma Nemati reporting from Kabul.

Human Rights Groups alarmed at continued use of private contractors in Afghanistan
A group of human rights experts have expressed concern at the trend towards extensive privatization of the war in Afghanistan. UN Radio’s Bissera Kostov.

The Human Rights Council Working Group on the use of mercenaries concluded an official two-week visit to the United States on 3 August. The leader of the Working Group delegation, Ms. Shaista Shameem said its members are "particularly alarmed that the use of private military and security companies to protect US forward operating bases in most places in Afghanistan may further dilute the distinction between military and civilian personnel, an obligation under international humanitarian law." Following the Nissour Square killings of 16 September 2007 in Baghdad where Blackwater guards shot 17 Iraqi civilians, the US Congress repeatedly expressed its concern at the lack of proper oversight of private military and security contractors. The Working Group noted that the US government has since taken serious corrective action, including adoption of legislation and regulations aimed at strengthening the oversight and accountability of private contractors for security functions. Bissera Kostova, UN Radio.

Former workers allege that Blackwater boss may have killed those that cooperated in investigations
According to Federal Court documents obtained by author Jeremy Scahill and published in the Nation magazine, two former employees of the military-contractor Blackwater – now called Xe - have suggested company owner Erik Prince, may have either killed or arranged to kill people that aided federal investigations of the company. In sworn statements filed under threat of perjury, the former workers also claim that Prince moved "illegal" or "unlawful" weapons into Iraq and that he and other Blackwater administrators intentionally destroyed evidence. One worker also says Prince "views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe," and "encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life." The statements were filed late last night as part of a motion on behalf of Iraqi civilians suing Blackwater for alleged war crimes.

North Korea pardons two jailed American journalists after former President Clinton visit
North Korean media reports that leader Kim Jong Il has pardoned two reporters who had been sentenced to 12 years of hard labor and ordered their release. The two had been accused of illegal entry and hostile acts. This after former US President Bill Clinton met today with North Korean leader in Pyongyang during an unannounced and highly unusual visit aimed, at the least, to negotiate the release of the two jailed American journalists.  According to North Korea, the two held “exhaustive talks” on a variety of matters -- the White House characterizes the trip as a “private mission,” and the State Department refused to comment on the trip at all.

Iran charges three Americans with “illegal entry,” while opposition calls for protests of innauguration
In Iran today, the Governor of Kurdistan province confirmed that three Americans – including one journalist – have been arrested there and charged with illegal entry. Shane Bauer reports for New American Media. Bauer, along with Sarah Shourd and Joshua Fattal, was detained Friday after allegedly crossing an unmarked border between Iraq and Iran. As the United States has no diplomatic relationship with Iran, Swiss officials are working to establish contact with the detained Americans. Also today, Iranian authorities said they would prosecute security forces and officials, including security personnel and judicial officials accused of abusing civilians following the general elections held in June. Iran’s opposition has called for more street demonstrations tomorrow to protest the second term inauguration of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

HRW says India’s police guilty of human rights violations
In a new report issued today, Human Rights Watch has accused police in India of widespread rights violations. FSRN's Bismillah Geelani has more.

The report titled “Broken System: Dysfunction, Abuse and Impunity in the Indian Police” was released today in Southern Indian City of Bangalore. Documenting various incidents of rights abuses like arbitrary detentions, torture and custodial killings, it says the police have scant regard for the legal procedures and are often a law on to themselves. The US-based group says it took them one year to compile the report based on interviews with police officers, victims of police excesses, experts and activists. The group says many of the police officers interviewed confessed to committing abuse during investigations in order to win accolades from their seniors. Besides detailing the abuses, the report also speaks challenges faced by police such as lack of sufficient resources, inadequate training and poor living conditions. Further, it urges the government to take immediate steps to overhaul what it calls a failing system that encourages abuses. The Indian authorities have not yet reacted to the report. Bismillah Geelani, Free Speech Radio News, New Dehli.