2014-12-24 08:29
Baghdad - Women and girls from Iraq's Yazidi religious minority
have told rights activists they were beaten and forced into sexual
slavery by the Islamic State jihadist group, driving some to suicide.
ISIS
militants have overrun swathes of Iraq since June, declared a
cross-border caliphate also encompassing parts of neighbouring Syria and
carried out a litany of abuses in both countries.
The group has
targeted Yazidis and other minorities in northern Iraq in a campaign
that rights group Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday
amounted to ethnic cleansing, murdering civilians and enslaving others
for a fate that some captives consider worse than death.
It said
hundreds and possibly thousands of Yazidi women and girls had been
forced to marry, sold or given to ISIS fighters or supporters.
"Many of those held as sexual slaves are children - girls aged 14, 15 or
even younger," said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty's senior crisis response
adviser, who interviewed dozens of former captives.
19-year-old named Jilan committed suicide out of fear she would be
raped, according to the Amnesty report entitled "Escape from Hell:
Torture and Sexual Slavery in Islamic State Captivity in Iraq".
"One
day we were given clothes that looked like dance costumes and were told
to bathe and wear those clothes. Jilan killed herself in the bathroom,"
said a girl who was held with her but later escaped.
"She cut her
wrists and hanged herself. She was very beautiful; I think she knew she
was going to be taken away by a man and that is why she killed
herself."
Another former captive told the rights group that she
and her sister tried to kill themselves to escape forced marriage, but
were stopped from doing so.
"The man who was holding us said that either we marry him and his brother or he would sell us," said Wafa, 27.
"At
night we tried to strangle ourselves with our scarves. We tied the
scarves around our necks and pulled away from each other as hard as we
could, until I fainted," she said, but two other captives stopped them.
Sixteen-year-old
Randa was abducted with her family, then beaten and raped by a man
twice her age. Her male relatives were killed.
The man "took me as
his wife by force. I told him I did not want to and tried to resist but
he beat me. My nose was bleeding, I could not do anything to stop him,"
Randa said.
"It is so painful what they did to me and to my family," she said.
ISIS boasts of abuse
Amnesty said that many of the perpetrators were ISIS fighters, but might also include supporters of the group.
Some of the escaped victims said they were kept in family homes with wives, children, parents and siblings of the rapists.
ISIS has boasted in its propaganda magazine "Dabiq" of the horrors it has inflicted.
In
an article entitled "The revival of slavery before the hour", Dabiq
argues that by enslaving people it claims hold deviant religious
beliefs, ISIS has restored an aspect of Islamic sharia law.
"After capture, the Yazidi women and
children were then divided according to the sharia amongst the fighters
of the Islamic State who participated in the Sinjar operations," the
article said, referring to the area where the Yazidis were seized.
The abductions and rapes have drawn widespread international condemnation.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has denounced the enslavement of women and girls by ISIS as "abhorrent".
The abuse causes long-term damage even to those who manage to escape.
"The physical and psychological toll of the horrifying sexual violence these women have endured is catastrophic," Rovera said.
"Many of them have been tortured and treated as chattel. Even those who have managed to escape remain deeply traumatised."
One man said that he fears his wife, who escaped captivity, may commit suicide, and makes sure someone is with her at all times.
"My wife has panic attacks and can't sleep. I can't leave her alone because I'm afraid for her safety," he said.
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Wednesday, 24 December 2014
ISIS sex slavery pushes victims to suicide
2014-12-24 08:29
Baghdad - Women and girls from Iraq's Yazidi religious minority have told rights activists they were beaten and forced into sexual slavery by the Islamic State jihadist group, driving some to suicide.
ISIS militants have overrun swathes of Iraq since June, declared a cross-border caliphate also encompassing parts of neighbouring Syria and carried out a litany of abuses in both countries.
The group has targeted Yazidis and other minorities in northern Iraq in a campaign that rights group Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday amounted to ethnic cleansing, murdering civilians and enslaving others for a fate that some captives consider worse than death.
It said hundreds and possibly thousands of Yazidi women and girls had been forced to marry, sold or given to ISIS fighters or supporters.
"Many of those held as sexual slaves are children - girls aged 14, 15 or even younger," said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty's senior crisis response adviser, who interviewed dozens of former captives.
Also Read: Algerian army kills militant behind tourist's murder
A 19-year-old named Jilan committed suicide out of fear she would be raped, according to the Amnesty report entitled "Escape from Hell: Torture and Sexual Slavery in Islamic State Captivity in Iraq".
"One day we were given clothes that looked like dance costumes and were told to bathe and wear those clothes. Jilan killed herself in the bathroom," said a girl who was held with her but later escaped.
"She cut her wrists and hanged herself. She was very beautiful; I think she knew she was going to be taken away by a man and that is why she killed herself."
Another former captive told the rights group that she and her sister tried to kill themselves to escape forced marriage, but were stopped from doing so.
"The man who was holding us said that either we marry him and his brother or he would sell us," said Wafa, 27.
"At night we tried to strangle ourselves with our scarves. We tied the scarves around our necks and pulled away from each other as hard as we could, until I fainted," she said, but two other captives stopped them.
Sixteen-year-old Randa was abducted with her family, then beaten and raped by a man twice her age. Her male relatives were killed.
The man "took me as his wife by force. I told him I did not want to and tried to resist but he beat me. My nose was bleeding, I could not do anything to stop him," Randa said.
"It is so painful what they did to me and to my family," she said.
ISIS boasts of abuse
Amnesty said that many of the perpetrators were ISIS fighters, but might also include supporters of the group.
Some of the escaped victims said they were kept in family homes with wives, children, parents and siblings of the rapists.
ISIS has boasted in its propaganda magazine "Dabiq" of the horrors it has inflicted.
In an article entitled "The revival of slavery before the hour", Dabiq argues that by enslaving people it claims hold deviant religious beliefs, ISIS has restored an aspect of Islamic sharia law.
Baghdad - Women and girls from Iraq's Yazidi religious minority have told rights activists they were beaten and forced into sexual slavery by the Islamic State jihadist group, driving some to suicide.
ISIS militants have overrun swathes of Iraq since June, declared a cross-border caliphate also encompassing parts of neighbouring Syria and carried out a litany of abuses in both countries.
The group has targeted Yazidis and other minorities in northern Iraq in a campaign that rights group Amnesty International said in a report on Tuesday amounted to ethnic cleansing, murdering civilians and enslaving others for a fate that some captives consider worse than death.
It said hundreds and possibly thousands of Yazidi women and girls had been forced to marry, sold or given to ISIS fighters or supporters.
"Many of those held as sexual slaves are children - girls aged 14, 15 or even younger," said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty's senior crisis response adviser, who interviewed dozens of former captives.
Also Read: Algerian army kills militant behind tourist's murder
A 19-year-old named Jilan committed suicide out of fear she would be raped, according to the Amnesty report entitled "Escape from Hell: Torture and Sexual Slavery in Islamic State Captivity in Iraq".
"One day we were given clothes that looked like dance costumes and were told to bathe and wear those clothes. Jilan killed herself in the bathroom," said a girl who was held with her but later escaped.
"She cut her wrists and hanged herself. She was very beautiful; I think she knew she was going to be taken away by a man and that is why she killed herself."
Another former captive told the rights group that she and her sister tried to kill themselves to escape forced marriage, but were stopped from doing so.
"The man who was holding us said that either we marry him and his brother or he would sell us," said Wafa, 27.
"At night we tried to strangle ourselves with our scarves. We tied the scarves around our necks and pulled away from each other as hard as we could, until I fainted," she said, but two other captives stopped them.
Sixteen-year-old Randa was abducted with her family, then beaten and raped by a man twice her age. Her male relatives were killed.
The man "took me as his wife by force. I told him I did not want to and tried to resist but he beat me. My nose was bleeding, I could not do anything to stop him," Randa said.
"It is so painful what they did to me and to my family," she said.
ISIS boasts of abuse
Amnesty said that many of the perpetrators were ISIS fighters, but might also include supporters of the group.
Some of the escaped victims said they were kept in family homes with wives, children, parents and siblings of the rapists.
ISIS has boasted in its propaganda magazine "Dabiq" of the horrors it has inflicted.
In an article entitled "The revival of slavery before the hour", Dabiq argues that by enslaving people it claims hold deviant religious beliefs, ISIS has restored an aspect of Islamic sharia law.
Bin Laden 'shooter' probed by US Navy
2014-12-24 10:07
Washington - The former US Navy Seal who claims to be the soldier who fired the shots that killed Osama Bin Laden is being investigated for possibly leaking classified information, the US military confirmed on Tuesday.
US Navy spokesperson Ryan Perry said investigators were probing claims that Rob O'Neill had broken the law by disclosing details about the daring 2011 raid that ended a 10-year manhunt for Bin Laden.
"The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is in receipt of an allegation that Mr O'Neill may have revealed classified information to persons not authorised to receive such information," Perry said in an email to AFP.
"In response, NCIS has initiated an investigation to determine the merit of the allegations."
O'Neill, 38, ignited a firestorm of controversy last month after coming forward to claim that he was the man who shot Bin Laden through the forehead at his hideout in Abbottabad three years ago.
The highly decorated Montana native told The Washington Post that he was near the head of the column of US soldiers that raided Bin Laden's compound, adding that at least two other SEALs fired shots.
However O'Neill's decision to go public dismayed military brass and serving SEALS who maintain a fierce, Omerta-like code of silence.
Another former Seal, Matt Bissonnette, who published his account of the raid, "No Easy Day" in 2012, took issue with O'Neill's version of events.
"Two different people telling two different stories for two different reasons," Bissonnette said. "Whatever he says, he says. I don't want to touch that."
O'Neill told the Post he had decided to come forward after meeting with relatives of victims of the September 11 2011 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
"The families told me it helped bring them some closure," O'Neill told the Post.
Washington - The former US Navy Seal who claims to be the soldier who fired the shots that killed Osama Bin Laden is being investigated for possibly leaking classified information, the US military confirmed on Tuesday.
US Navy spokesperson Ryan Perry said investigators were probing claims that Rob O'Neill had broken the law by disclosing details about the daring 2011 raid that ended a 10-year manhunt for Bin Laden.
"The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is in receipt of an allegation that Mr O'Neill may have revealed classified information to persons not authorised to receive such information," Perry said in an email to AFP.
"In response, NCIS has initiated an investigation to determine the merit of the allegations."
O'Neill, 38, ignited a firestorm of controversy last month after coming forward to claim that he was the man who shot Bin Laden through the forehead at his hideout in Abbottabad three years ago.
The highly decorated Montana native told The Washington Post that he was near the head of the column of US soldiers that raided Bin Laden's compound, adding that at least two other SEALs fired shots.
However O'Neill's decision to go public dismayed military brass and serving SEALS who maintain a fierce, Omerta-like code of silence.
Another former Seal, Matt Bissonnette, who published his account of the raid, "No Easy Day" in 2012, took issue with O'Neill's version of events.
"Two different people telling two different stories for two different reasons," Bissonnette said. "Whatever he says, he says. I don't want to touch that."
O'Neill told the Post he had decided to come forward after meeting with relatives of victims of the September 11 2011 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
"The families told me it helped bring them some closure," O'Neill told the Post.
Thursday, 18 December 2014
Benue deputy governor, assembly members to dump PDP for APC
2014-12-18 14:49
Makurdi - The deputy governor of Benue State, Steven Lawani and some
members of the State House of Assembly are set to dump the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) , reports Leadership.
Lawani and the lawmakers decided to dump the PDP after losing out in the just concluded primaries of the party in the state.
Lawani , who is aspiring to govern the state in 2015, is aggrieved because he was denied the ticket to fulfill the aspirations of the Idomas to rule the state.
Many lawmakers who had contested the PDP primaries and lost are all set to dump the PDP.
Lawani and the lawmakers decided to dump the PDP after losing out in the just concluded primaries of the party in the state.
Lawani , who is aspiring to govern the state in 2015, is aggrieved because he was denied the ticket to fulfill the aspirations of the Idomas to rule the state.
Many lawmakers who had contested the PDP primaries and lost are all set to dump the PDP.
Offenders of female genital mutilation to be prosecuted
Abeokuta - Elizabeth Sonubi, the Ogun
Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, on Wednesday,
said the state government would prosecute anyone caught practising
"Female Genital Mutilation."
The commissioner disclosed this in Abeokuta during a news conference to celebrate the "16 Days Activism on the Elimination of Gender Based Violence’’ with the theme "Let us Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Woman.’’
According to Sonubi, offenders are liable to one year imprisonment.
She said "Female Genital Mutilation and Female Circumcision Prohibition Law’’ is in force in the state.
She added that the law is aimed at preventing anyone from cutting or mutilating the female private part, organ or clitoris in any manner.
The commissioner explained that Female Genital Mutilation was a common and harmful traditional practice on women and girls.
She defined it as practice where female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the goal of affecting a woman's sexual feelings.
"This practice is mostly performed before puberty on girls between the age of four and eight years, but recently, it is performed on babies from weeks or months old,’’ she said.
According to her, it is performed during adulthood in some culture.
She said it was commonly practised in the South West, particularly in Ogun, stressing that the state government would continue to support and protect the interest of women.
The commissioner disclosed this in Abeokuta during a news conference to celebrate the "16 Days Activism on the Elimination of Gender Based Violence’’ with the theme "Let us Challenge Militarism and End Violence Against Woman.’’
According to Sonubi, offenders are liable to one year imprisonment.
She said "Female Genital Mutilation and Female Circumcision Prohibition Law’’ is in force in the state.
She added that the law is aimed at preventing anyone from cutting or mutilating the female private part, organ or clitoris in any manner.
The commissioner explained that Female Genital Mutilation was a common and harmful traditional practice on women and girls.
She defined it as practice where female genitals are partly or entirely removed or injured with the goal of affecting a woman's sexual feelings.
"This practice is mostly performed before puberty on girls between the age of four and eight years, but recently, it is performed on babies from weeks or months old,’’ she said.
According to her, it is performed during adulthood in some culture.
She said it was commonly practised in the South West, particularly in Ogun, stressing that the state government would continue to support and protect the interest of women.
UN chief heads to West Africa for Ebola
UN - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that he's
heading to West Africa to demonstrate the U.N.'s solidarity with the
countries most affected by the Ebola outbreak, and to see for himself
how the world is responding.
The UN chief will leave on Wednesday night and visit hard-hit Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea as well as Mali. He will also visit Ghana, where the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response is headquartered.
"I want to see the response for myself and show my solidarity with those affected, and urge even greater global action," Ban told a news conference.
In the world's largest Ebola outbreak, some 18 500 people have been infected, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Of those, more than 6 800 have died.
Ban said local communities and national governments are engaged, there has been “an impressive outpouring of life-saving contributions from across Africa and across the world... and we are beginning to see improvements”.
But he said there is still a shortage of people and resources to tackle Ebola, and warned that "now is not the time to ease up on our efforts”.
"As long as there is one case of Ebola, the risk remains," Ban said. "We must do everything we can to get to zero."
During his trip, Ban said he will meet with five presidents and staff from the UN mission known as UNMEER. He said he will also try to visit treatment facilities provided by key countries such as the US, Britain and France, and some other local treatment centres.
The secretary-general said he will be travelling with Dr. Margaret Chan, the World Health Organization director-general, and UN Ebola chief Dr David Nabarro. He said Tony Banbury, who heads UNMEER and is in Conakry, will also join the trip.
The UN chief will leave on Wednesday night and visit hard-hit Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea as well as Mali. He will also visit Ghana, where the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response is headquartered.
"I want to see the response for myself and show my solidarity with those affected, and urge even greater global action," Ban told a news conference.
In the world's largest Ebola outbreak, some 18 500 people have been infected, mainly in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Of those, more than 6 800 have died.
Ban said local communities and national governments are engaged, there has been “an impressive outpouring of life-saving contributions from across Africa and across the world... and we are beginning to see improvements”.
But he said there is still a shortage of people and resources to tackle Ebola, and warned that "now is not the time to ease up on our efforts”.
"As long as there is one case of Ebola, the risk remains," Ban said. "We must do everything we can to get to zero."
During his trip, Ban said he will meet with five presidents and staff from the UN mission known as UNMEER. He said he will also try to visit treatment facilities provided by key countries such as the US, Britain and France, and some other local treatment centres.
The secretary-general said he will be travelling with Dr. Margaret Chan, the World Health Organization director-general, and UN Ebola chief Dr David Nabarro. He said Tony Banbury, who heads UNMEER and is in Conakry, will also join the trip.
Super Eagles end 2014 on a low
Lagos - Nigeria has slipped one step from 42nd to 43rd in the world
in the latest FIFA ranking released by world football governing body on
Thursday, ending the year 2014 on a poor note.
The African champions however held on to the 9th spot in Africa after failing to book a ticket to the 2015 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria had continued to go the downward trend since September where they were ranked 37th in the world and 6th in Africa.
Algeria maintained the top spot on the continent, and so was Tunisia and Ivory Coast in 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Senegal, Ghana and Guinea retained their 4th, 5th and 6th places, same as Cape Verde and Cameroon.
Globally, Germany continue to seat on top, and are trailed by Argentina, Colombia, Belgium and Netherlands in the top five positions.
Brazil, Portugal, France, Spain and Uruguay complete the top ten teams in the world.
The African champions however held on to the 9th spot in Africa after failing to book a ticket to the 2015 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria had continued to go the downward trend since September where they were ranked 37th in the world and 6th in Africa.
Algeria maintained the top spot on the continent, and so was Tunisia and Ivory Coast in 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
Senegal, Ghana and Guinea retained their 4th, 5th and 6th places, same as Cape Verde and Cameroon.
Globally, Germany continue to seat on top, and are trailed by Argentina, Colombia, Belgium and Netherlands in the top five positions.
Brazil, Portugal, France, Spain and Uruguay complete the top ten teams in the world.
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