1 June 2021 ISSUE 57

A quarterly bulletin by the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

T h e Responsibility to Protect (R2P) R2P Monitor applies an R2P Monitor: is a global norm, unanimously adopted atrocity prevention lens to » Provides background on populations by heads of state and government at the following situations of at risk of mass atrocity crimes, with the 2005 UN World Summit, aimed at particular emphasis on key events and preventing and halting Genocide, War concern: actors and their connection to the Crimes, Ethnic Cleansing and Crimes threat, or commission, of genocide, CURRENT CRISIS Against Humanity. R2P stipulates that:  war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes Mass atrocity crimes are occurring and against humanity. » Every State has the Responsibility urgent action is needed. to Protect its populations from the » O f f e r s analysis of the country’s past four mass atrocity crimes (Pillar I). IMMINENT RISK history in relation to mass atrocity  crimes; the factors that have enabled » The wider international community The situation is reaching a critical their possible commission, or that has the responsibility to encourage and threshold and the risk of mass atrocity crimes occurring in the immediate future prevent their resolution; and the assist individual States in meeting is very high if effective preventive receptivity of the situation to positive that responsibility (Pillar II). action is not taken. influences that would assist in preventing further crimes. » If a State is manifestly failing to protect its populations, the international SERIOUS CONCERN » T r a c k s t h e international response community must be prepared to take There is a significant risk of occurrence, to the situation with a particular appropriate collective action, in a timely or recurrence, of mass atrocity crimes emphasis upon the actions of the and decisive manner and in accordance within the foreseeable future if United Nations, key regional actors and with the UN Charter (Pillar III). effective action is not taken. the International Criminal Court.

» Suggests necessary action to prevent Afghanistan {p. 2} Mozambique {p. 18} CAR {p. 19} or halt the commission of mass Cameroon {p. 3} Nigeria {p. 20} atrocity crimes. Central Sahel {p. 5} South Sudan {p. 21} China {p. 6} Sudan {p. 22} DRC {p. 8} Ethiopia {p. 9} Israel and the OPT {p. 11} Myanmar (Burma) {p. 12} Syria {p. 14} Venezuela {p. 15} Yemen {p. 16} *Updates for DPRK and Eritrea are available on our website. globalr2p.org KAZAKHSTAN

1 June 2021 KYRGYZSTAN CURRENT Mass atrocity crimes are occurring CRISIS and urgent action is needed.

UZBEKISTAN TAJIKISTAN The Taliban has been blamed for most of the attacks, although TURKMENISTAN CHINA they deny responsibility. The so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant-Khorasan (ISIL-K) have claimed responsibility for some attacks on media workers, minority populations and other civilians. IRAN Kabul AFGHANISTAN Many attacks also target members of ethnic and religious minority communities. According to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, at least 115 civilians were killed or PAKISTAN maimed in attacks targeting places of worship during 2020. An INDIA unclaimed bomb attack on a high school in Dasht-e-Barchi, a predominantly Hazara neighborhood in Kabul, killed 85 civilians, including many schoolgirls.NEPAL

More than 10,000 civilians killed or injured According to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), each year between 2014-2019 1,783 civilians have been killed or maimed so far in 2021. The

number of women killed and injuredBANGLADESH increased by 37 percent and child casualties increased by 23 percent compared to the first AFGHANISTAN quarter of 2020. UNAMA has attributed 45 percent of the 8,820 civilian casualties in 2020 to the Taliban, 8 percent to ISIL-K and Populations in Afghanistan remain at risk of mass atrocity crimes 22 percent to Afghan security forces. as the Taliban continues its armed conflict with the government. Other armed extremist groups also threaten civilians. Although international forces have begun withdrawing their troops and intra-Afghan negotiations continue, progress BACKGROUND towards implementing other elements of the US-Taliban Since the Taliban were overthrown in 2001 by a North Atlantic agreement has been minimal. The agreement includes guarantees Treaty Organization coalition of military forces, they have to prevent the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups and conducted an insurgency against the internationally recognized a permanent ceasefire. However, the Taliban has reportedly not Afghan government. Following the 2014 withdrawal of most broken ties with al-Qaeda and attacks continue. foreign forces, the Taliban have made substantial military gains, currently controlling or influencing more than half the country. ANALYSIS The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that 2.1 million people During nearly two decades of war the Taliban, government are currently internally displaced and 2.7 million Afghans are troops and some international forces have violated International refugees – the second largest refugee population in the world. Humanitarian Law (IHL). The US-Taliban agreement and the start of intra-Afghan talks are welcome steps towards ending the Despite the finalization of a peace agreement between the war, but Afghanistan remains one of the deadliest conflicts in United States (US) and the Taliban on 29 February 2020, as well as the world for civilians. the commencement of intra-Afghan talks on 12 September, the Taliban have continued their military campaign against the Afghan According to the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal government. Since the start of intra-Afghan negotiations, Court (ICC), the Taliban have potentially committed crimes civilian casualties have increased by 38 percent. Ongoing violence against humanity and war crimes while Afghan security forces in Helmand, Kandahar, Kunduz and Uruzgan provinces has killed and members of the US military may have also committed or maimed hundreds of civilians. The 1 May 2021 withdrawal date war crimes, including the torture of detainees and summary for the estimated 3,500 remaining US troops in Afghanistan executions. Civilians in Taliban-controlled areas also suffer has been delayed by US President Joe Biden until 11 September. widespread human rights abuses, including the recruitment of After warning that a delayed withdrawal would result in increased child soldiers, torture and extrajudicial killings. attacks on both Afghan and US forces, the Taliban launched a renewed offensive in Helmand province shortly after 1 May. The threat of further war crimes and crimes against humanity will remain until a comprehensive ceasefire is fully implemented Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have frequently been used and the protection of civilians is prioritized by all sides. Attacks to target civil servants, journalists, professional women, human targeting minority populations and human rights defenders will rights defenders and politicians. Over 350 civilian casualties continue until sustained action is taken to end impunity, security were caused by IEDs during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. is improved and local governance is enhanced.

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NIGER

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The Afghan government needs ongoing international support to uphold its responsibility to protect. CHAD

NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE SOUTH Since 2011 the UN Security Council (UNSC) has imposed an arms CENTRAL SUDAN embargo and sanctions on individuals or entities who support the AFRICAN Taliban and its affiliates. On 10 March 2020 the UNSC unanimously REPUBLIC Juba adopted Resolution 2513, welcoming the US-Taliban agreement. CAMEROON

During 2017 the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, Fatou Bensouda, Yaoundé UGANDA requested authorization to proceed with an investigation into EQUATORIAL GABON alleged crimes committed in Afghanistan since May 2003. Despite GUINEA CONGO the Court initially rejecting the request, on 5 March 2020 the Appeals Chamber allowed the investigation to proceed. On 4 April 2021 US President Biden rescinded sanctions imposed by the 775,000+ people displaced by conflict in DEMOCRATIC previous US administration targeting Chief Prosecutor Bensouda the north-west and south-west regions and the Head of the ICC's Jurisdiction, Complementarity and REPUBLIC Cooperation Division, Phakiso Mochochoko, in retaliation for OF THE CONGO investigating possible war crimes perpetrated by US troops CAMEROON and intelligence officials in Afghanistan. Kinshasa Civilians in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon continue to face TANZANIA On 6 November Australia's Inspector-General concluded a atrocity crimes due to widespread violence between government special inquiry into alleged war crimes perpetrated by Australian forces and armed separatists. The armed extremist group Boko special forces in Afghanistan between 2009-2013. Potential Haram also poses an ongoing threat. prosecutions are pending. BACKGROUND The UN and the governments of Turkey and Qatar plan to convene During 2016 English-speaking lawyers, students and teachers in a high-level peace conference in Istanbul in order to accelerate Cameroon began protesting against their cultural marginalization the stalled intra-Afghan negotiations. by the Francophone-dominated government, leading to a violent crackdown by the security forces. In October 2017 Anglophone NECESSARY ACTION separatists proclaimed independence and declared a new state All parties to the conflict should help create an environment of “Ambazonia” in the north-west and south-west regions of conducive for intra-Afghan negotiations by committing to Cameroon. Since then, armed separatists and Cameroonian a comprehensive ceasefire. Afghan security forces and all security forces have continued to clash, resulting in widespread international military forces must ensure the protection of abuses against the civilian population. civilians and strictly adhere to IHL and International Human Rights Law (IHRL). International forces should increase efforts to Security forces have perpetrated extrajudicial killings, burned ensure the security of vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities. Anglophone villages and subjected individuals with alleged separatist ties to torture and ill-treatment. Security forces Intra-Afghan talks should include meaningful representation of have also been accused of widespread sexual and gender- women, ethnic and religious minorities and civil society. Avenues based violence. Armed separatists have also perpetrated for justice and the rights of victims should also be prioritized. The abuses, including kidnapping and killing civilians. Separatists international community should continue to pursue international have banned government education and frequently attacked justice for war crimes committed in Afghanistan, regardless of schools and teachers, resulting in 80 percent of schools in the the position, nationality or affiliation of the alleged perpetrator. two regions being closed or destroyed and 700,000 children forced out of school. Since 2016 at least 3,500 civilians and hundreds of members of the security forces have been killed in the Anglophone regions.

The security situation has deteriorated since the beginning of 2021 due to increased fighting between government forces and armed separatist groups. Attacks on education and humanitarian convoys, the use of IEDs and kidnappings have also escalated. Since January, separatists have carried out at least 27 IED attacks in 13 towns, more than in all of the previous years of the crisis combined.

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Several attempts have been made to find a solution to the INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE conflict. During June 2019 Switzerland mediated peace talks Despite the government's failure to protect populations from which were followed by a national dialogue organized by President violations and abuses of human rights, or to hold security forces Paul Biya that October. On 3 February 2021 Cardinal Pietro Parolin, accountable for extrajudicial killings, during October 2018 Secretary of State of the Vatican, concluded a visit to Cameroon Cameroon was elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and announced the readiness of the Catholic Church to facilitate for the 2019-2021 term. a dialogue between the government and separatist groups. On 13 May 2019 the UNSC held an Arria Formula meeting on the Meanwhile, during February at least 12 people were killed and crisis in Cameroon, its first and only meeting on the situation. 100 buildings burned during inter-communal violence in the north-west region. At least 16 Fulani herders were also killed The UN's Special Representatives on Children and Armed Conflict, during two separate attacks on 5 and 7 March by armed men in Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Violence Against Children, as well the Boyo division. The north-west region has a long history of as the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, issued a inter-communal tensions between the Muslim Mbororo/Fulani joint statement on 21 February 2020 deploring human rights herders and Christian farming communities, particularly in the abuses committed against civilians in the south-west and north- Bamenda Grassfields area. Armed separatist groups have also west regions of Cameroon. perpetrated attacks on Fulani communities, forcing 12,000 people to flee and killing 250 since 2016. Fulani vigilante committees, On 22 June five Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, along with two established in response to the attacks, have been accused of former heads of state, other eminent figures and the Global collaborating with the government's military operations against Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, called upon all parties Anglophone separatists. to the conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon to declare a humanitarian ceasefire amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that at least 712,800 people have been On 1 January 2021 the US Senate adopted Resolution 684 calling internally displaced by violence in the north-west and south-west on the government of Cameroon and armed separatist groups regions, while at least 66,000 have fled to Nigeria. According to to end all violence, respect human rights and pursue an inclusive OCHA, 1.15 million people are currently severely food insecure. A dialogue to help resolve the conflict in the Anglophone regions. significant increase in targeted attacks on humanitarian workers over the past year has further restricted the delivery of vital NECESSARY ACTION aid. Approximately 30 percent of health facilities are unable to Security forces must end all extrajudicial killings of unarmed operate due to insecurity. civilians and ensure that the human rights of all Cameroonians are equally protected, regardless of cultural identity. Security forces The armed extremist group Boko Haram is also active in the implicated in violations of IHL and IHRL should be investigated Lake Chad Basin region that includes Cameroon, Chad, Niger and held accountable. Armed separatist groups must also halt and Nigeria. There have also been widespread allegations of the attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. security forces perpetrating extrajudicial killings during military operations against the group. The government and armed separatists should declare a ceasefire as a prelude to peace talks. In order to work towards a negotiated ANALYSIS solution to the crisis in the Anglophone regions, the government The targeting of individuals based upon their cultural identity should hold an inclusive dialogue mediated by a neutral player poses a direct threat to Anglophone and Francophone civilians on neutral territory. The government, UNSC and African Union and may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The (AU) should support attempts by the Vatican to mediate a government continues to deny the severity of the current crisis comprehensive ceasefire in the Anglophone regions. and has failed to address the root causes of the Anglophone conflict or provide a political means for resolving it. The government of Cameroon should grant the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) immediate and The Anglophone and Francophone areas of Cameroon have been unfettered access to the north-west and south-west regions unified since 1961, but there have been long-term disputes over to investigate potential violations and abuses of IHRL. Foreign the extent to which access to government resources is controlled governments and regional organizations should suspend all by the French-speaking majority. Although the Anglophone military assistance to Cameroon until its security forces have minority constitutes 20 percent of the population of Cameroon, made demonstrable progress towards upholding the human rights they are a majority in the north-west and south-west regions. of all Cameroonians. The AU and Economic Community of Central What began as a political dispute in the Anglophone regions is now African States should work with the government to prevent any a complex armed conflict and major humanitarian crisis. further deterioration of the armed conflict. The UNSC should add the situation in Cameroon to its formal agenda. The government of Cameroon is failing to uphold its responsibility to protect and requires international assistance to mediate and end the armed conflict in the north-west and south-west regions.

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Niger. Since January at least 400 civilians have been killed in LIBYA WESTERN Tillabéri and Tahoua, and more than 102,000 people are now SAHARA ALGERIA displaced in Tillabéri. SUDAN MAURITANIA Islamist armed groups routinely attack civilian infrastructure, includingCHAD places of worship, health centers and schools. These MALI NIGER groups have targeted state education across the Central Sahel, burning schools and threatening, abducting or killing teachers SENEGAL Niamey CHAD BURKINA for using the secular state curriculum. The UN has recorded an GAMBIA Bamako FASO increase in grave human rights violations committed against GUINEA Ouagadougou BASSAU GUINEA NIGERIA children in Mali, including killing and maiming, human trafficking, BENIN CÔTE GHANA TOGO D’IVOIRE forced recruitment by armed groups, rape and being forced

SIERRA LEONE into sexual or domesticSOUTH servitude. Armed groups have also used CENTRAL landmines and IEDs,SUDAN particularly in central Mali and southwest 2,440 civilians killed in attacks in Burkina AFRICAN Niger, indiscriminately killing and maiming civilians. CAMEROON REPUBLIC Juba Faso, Mali and Niger during 2020 Some counterterrorism operations by Sahelian security forces, the G5 Sahel Joint Force (FC-G5S) and Operation Barkhane CENTRAL SAHEL GABON CONGO –DEMOCRATIC France’s regional force – have led to grave human rights abusesREPUBLIC against civilians. In Burkina Faso and Mali, more civilians Populations in the Central Sahel – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger OFwere THE killed CONGO by local militias and national security forces than – face atrocity crimes as a result of attacks by Islamist armed by attacks by Islamist armed groups in 2020. On 30 November Kinshasa groups and security forces, as well as growing conflict between Niger’s National Human Rights Commission found that elements ethnic militias and community self-defense groups. of the Nigerien security forces were responsible for the extrajudicial execution of more than 70 unarmed civilians whose BACKGROUND remains were discovered in six mass graves in Inatés, Tillabéri. Civilians across the Central Sahel are facing increased attacks A report released on 30 March by MINUSMA concluded that a by Islamist armed groups and state security forces, as well as January airstrike by Operation Barkhane killed 19 civilians who inter-communal violence perpetrated by rival militias. More were attending a wedding in central Mali. than 2,440 civilians were killed during 2020. Inter-communal violence between rival ethnic militias and Violence and instability have been endemic in Mali since 2012 "self-defense" groups is also rising across the Central Sahel. when Tuareg separatists and Islamist armed groups seized Violence in Mali has taken place between Dozos - traditional territory in the north following a military coup. Despite the hunters mainly from the Dogon ethnic community - and ethnic presence of several international forces, including a UN Bambara fighters against members of the predominantly peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA), the conflict in Mali has Muslim Fulani community, particularly in the Mopti and Ségou expanded from a separatist rebellion into inter-communal and regions. During 2020 there was also increasing violence within extremist violence. the Dogon community. One armed group, Dan Nan Ambassagou, has carried out attacks against other community members who The International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on Mali has have participated in reconciliation efforts. In Burkina Faso, reported that between 2012-2018 Islamist armed groups meanwhile, 89 percent of attacks by government-affiliated committed crimes against humanity and war crimes, including civilian security volunteers targeted the Fulani community, murder, torture, recruitment of children, maiming, rape and killing dozens of civilians and prompting retaliatory violence. sexual violence, as well as attacks against humanitarian workers and MINUSMA. More than 130 MINUSMA peacekeepers have The Central Sahel is now one of the fastest growing been killed since July 2013, including 10 so far this year. The CoI displacement crises in the world with approximately 1.8 million also determined that the Malian security forces committed war people displaced, including over 1 million children. A record 14.4 crimes, including targeted killings, rape and torture. million people need humanitarian assistance, a 60 percent increase since January 2020. Since Islamist armed groups expanded their activities from northern to central Mali during 2015, violence has spilled into ANALYSIS neighboring Burkina Faso and Niger. The porous tri-border area Militias, self-defense groups and security forces continue to has facilitated the expansion of groups linked to al-Qaeda and target populations on the basis of their ethnic and/or religious the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The identity. Islamist armed groups also target people's livelihoods, number of violent attacks has increased eightfold since 2015. destroying crops and food reserves and blockading villages. The During March more than 200 civilians were massacred during rise in inter-communal tensions in western Niger highlights the a series of attacks by presumed Islamic State in the Greater growing risk of further atrocities. Sahara fighters in the volatile Tillabéri and Tahoua regions of

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Weak state institutions, porous borders, a climate crisis and RUSSIA arms proliferation have exacerbated conflict across the Central Sahel. Historically, the Dogon, Bambara and Fulani communities have clashed over land, water and grazing rights. The conflict in KAZAKHSTAN MONGOLIA the Central Sahel has been exploited by Islamist armed groups Beijing NORTH who have targeted young Fulani men for recruitment. This KYRGYZSTAN KOREA UZBEKISTAN

TAJIKISTAN SOUTH JAPAN violence, in turn, further exacerbates ethnic tensions. KOREA

AFGHANISTAN CHINA Despite support from international military forces, Sahelian

PAKISTAN security forces have been unable to adequately protect civilians NEPAL in the vast regions of central and southern Mali, northern BHUTAN INDIA BANGLADESH MYANMAR (BURMA) and eastern Burkina Faso and western Niger. The Burkinabè VIETNAM government’s “Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland” law provides arms and training to civilian volunteers, but the Approximately one million Uyghurs and other Turkic proliferation of arms and militias has fueled further violence. Muslim minorities are currently being detained in “re-education” or “de-extremification” facilities The governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger are struggling to uphold their responsibility to protect. CHINA INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE Following a referral by the government of Mali, the ICC launched The systematic persecution of Uyghurs and other Muslim an investigation in January 2013. During August 2017 former minorities in China may amount to crimes against humanity and Ansar Dine leader Ahmad al-Faqi al-Mahdi was sentenced genocide. for the war crime of partially destroying the World Heritage Site at Timbuktu. On 30 March 2021 the ICC’s Trust Fund for BACKGROUND Victims, UNESCO and the government of Mali awarded symbolic Under the guise of combatting religious extremism and reparations to victims of atrocities in Timbuktu. terrorism, in recent years the government of China and authorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) The UNSC subjects eight individuals in Mali to targeted sanctions have increased their persecution of members of the ethnic for obstructing the peace process and violating human rights, Uyghur (or Uighur) community, as well as Kazakhs, Kyrgyz and including recruiting child soldiers and attacking UN personnel. other Muslim minorities. China’s policies have resulted in large- On 29 June 2020 the UNSC renewed MINUSMA’s mandate for scale arbitrary detention, severe restrictions on religious an additional year. practice and repressive population control policies.

On 12 June 2020 the G5 Sahel countries – Burkina Faso, An estimated 1 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger – and France launched the been detained in “re-education” or “de-extremification” facilities International Coalition for the Sahel, coordinating the efforts without formal charges or due process. During September 2020 led by the FC-G5S and its partners, including Operation the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) reported that Barkhane, MINUSMA and Takuba Task Force. more than 380 suspected detention facilities in XUAR - including so-called “re-education” camps and prisons - have been built NECESSARY ACTION or expanded since 2017. On 2 February the BBC reported on While countering violent extremism remains crucial for Burkina widespread rape, sexual abuse and torture of ethnic minorities Faso, Mali and Niger, it is essential that all three governments in detention facilities. Meanwhile, an estimated 250,000 children and international forces ensure that their efforts do not under the age of 15 in XUAR have lost at least one parent to further exacerbate inter-communal tensions and fuel distrust detention, with many children placed in state-run orphanages of state authority. Additional measures must be implemented to or boarding schools. end the proliferation of arms, militias and self-defense groups. Disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts need to During 2020 ASPI reported that over 80,000 Uyghurs are also be focused on areas where atrocity risks are greatest. working under “conditions that strongly suggest forced labor,” with many transferred from detention camps to factories. The governments of the Central Sahel, with the support of Other reports have identified 135 detention facilities in Xinjiang MINUSMA, OHCHR and the UN Office on West Africa and the that have on-site factories where detainees are reportedly Sahel, should investigate all violations and abuses of IHL and forced to work. The factories are part of supply chains that IHRL and help restore confidence in state accountability. The allegedly provide goods for 82 global brands. According to governments of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger should establish a evidence published by the Center for Global Policy, hundreds special entity to investigate and prosecute international crimes. of thousands of ethnic Uyghurs and other minorities are also

6 R2P Monitor | globalr2p.org 1 June 2021 forced to work in Xinjiang’s cotton sector, which produces 20 disappearances and arbitrary detentions. On 26 June 2020 percent of the world’s cotton. According to the Coalition to a group of 50 UN Special Procedures mandate holders called End Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region, 45 percent of the for the establishment of an impartial and independent UN world’s polysilicon also comes from XUAR, supplying the global mechanism to monitor the grave human rights situation in China. solar panel industry. On 6 October Germany delivered a statement to the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee on behalf of 39 governments, The Chinese government is also conducting a campaign to reduce calling on China to allow independent observers “immediate, birth rates among Uyghurs and other Muslim populations in meaningful and unfettered access to Xinjiang” and refrain from XUAR. According to investigations, the coercive campaign arbitrarily detaining Uyghurs and other minorities. On 29 March includes forced abortions and sterilizations. Chinese government a group of 16 independent UN experts called for unhindered statistics reveal that the birthrate in XUAR for 2020 was only access to the country to conduct investigations and urged 8.14 births per 1,000 people, nearly half the figure from 2017. companies to closely scrutinize their supply chains.

Chinese authorities have also engaged in the systematic On 12 January Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) announced a destruction of Uyghur cultural heritage, including by demolishing set of measures to prohibit products that profit from Uyghur shrines, cemeteries and pilgrimage sites. Approximately 16,000 forced labor from entering their countries. The US government mosques have been destroyed or damaged as a result of has also banned the importation of cotton and tomato products government policies. produced in Xinjiang. On 22 March Canada, the European Union (EU), UK and US imposed sanctions against officials in China over These measures have been imposed in conjunction with human rights abuses in XUAR. The EU also froze the assets of increased restrictions on religious practice. In March 2017 XUAR the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Public Security authorities passed the “Regulation on De-extremification,” Bureau, a state-owned economic and paramilitary organization. which prohibits a range of “extreme” behaviors, such as “abnormal” beards. Leaked government documents reveal that On 19 January the US became the first government to formally the crackdown in Xinjiang was a result of pressure from senior accuse China of committing genocide and crimes against officials, including President Xi Jinping. The Communist Party humanity against the ethnic Uyghur population and members Secretary of XUAR, Chen Quanguo, subsequently intensified of other Muslim minority groups. Since then, the parliaments Uyghur persecution and expanded the detention camps. of Canada, Lithuania, Netherlands and UK have also recognized According to evidence collected by the Uyghur Human Rights the situation in Xinjiang as constituting genocide. Project, 1,046 imams and other religious figures from XUAR have been detained in camps or imprisoned since 2014. NECESSARY ACTION The government of China should immediately end the enforced ANALYSIS separation of Uyghur children from their families, stop the Under customary international law and the Rome Statute of practice of forcibly preventing births, cease the deliberate the ICC, the widespread or systematic persecution of Uyghurs destruction of Uyghur cultural heritage, and repeal the and other Muslim minorities on religious, cultural, ethnic and “Regulation on De-extremification.” The authorities should gender grounds; the large-scale detention program; abuse release all persons being arbitrarily detained in “re-education of detainees; forced sterilization; and denial of information camps” and related facilities. regarding the fate of persons in state custody in XUAR could constitute crimes against humanity. The HRC should mandate a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in China or a Fact-Finding Mission The Chinese government also appears to be intentionally (FFM) to investigate and report on systematic violations of perpetrating at least four acts prohibited under Article II human rights. of the Genocide Convention: “imposing measures intended to prevent births” within a targeted group; “causing serious Recognizing the important influence they may have, the bodily or mental harm to members of the group;” “deliberately Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Muslim-majority countries inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring and neighboring states should urge China to respect the about its physical destruction in whole or in part;” and “forcibly rights of minorities and cease their persecution of the Uyghur transferring children of the group to another group.” population. All UN member states should ban goods produced with forced labor in Xinjiang. The government of China is failing to uphold its responsibility to protect and is perpetrating possible crimes against humanity and genocide against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has requested that China allow her office to carry out an independent assessment of reports of enforced

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NIGERIA SOUTH 1 June 2021 CENTRAL AFRICAN SUDAN REPUBLIC ETHIOPIA target civilians, killing more than 200 people and kidnapping at CAMEROON SOMALIAleast 70 in the first three months of 2021.

EQUATORIAL Mogadishu GUINEA UGANDA KENYA CONGO UNHCR and the UN Children’s Fund have warned that atrocities GABON DEMOCRATIC in North Kivu are putting internally displaced persons (IDPs) REPUBLIC RWANDA OF THE CONGO BURUNDI and children at particular risk. According to UNHCR, between Kinshasa TANZANIA December 2020 and January 2021, armed groups committed at least seven incursions into five sites for displaced populations in North Kivu. Some armed groups have also forcibly occupied schools and attacked health centers in North Kivu. ANGOLA ZAMBIA In Ituri province armed groups, particularly factions of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO), a At least 120 armed predominantly ethnic Lendu armed group, have recently 5.2 million people groups still operating escalated their attacks on villages. According to OCHA, during internally displaced in eastern DRC April at least 40 people were killed in attacks that also involved kidnappings, rape and burning of homes, especially in Djugu and northern Irumu territories. OCHA estimates that at least 70,000 DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC people fled as a result of the violence.

OF THE CONGO During April UNHCR also warned of a resurgence of violence in the Grand Kasaï region, where inter-ethnic militia violence Various armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo resulted in widespread atrocities between 2016-2018. During continue to perpetrate crimes against humanity, resulting in the late March 2021 clashes reportedly erupted in the Bakwakenge largest displacement crisis in Africa. locality between fighters from the Luba and Kuba ethnic groups, resulting in at least 13 people killed, 190 homes destroyed and BACKGROUND 21,000 people displaced. Attacks by armed groups and recurring inter-communal violence continue to threaten populations in the eastern provinces of ANALYSIS the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Despite military For more than 20 years various armed groups have exploited offensives conducted by the government’s armed forces the weakness of state authority to perpetrate attacks against (FARDC) with assistance from the UN peacekeeping mission civilians. Widespread violence in eastern DRC is indicative of in the DRC (MONUSCO), violence continues to escalate. More the enduring challenge of building effective governance and than 120 militias and armed groups are currently active in the stability. The volume of attacks by armed groups in Ituri, North eastern DRC. Kivu and South Kivu provinces, combined with inter-communal tensions, is straining the capacity of the FARDC and MONUSCO According to the UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in to provide adequate protection to civilians. the DRC, during 2020 an estimated 2,487 civilians were killed by armed groups in North Kivu, South Kivu, Tanganyika and Ituri Rampant impunity and competition for control of profitable provinces. The majority of victims were in Ituri and North Kivu, minerals have enabled the proliferation of armed groups. While where inter-communal violence, as well as fighting between the the FARDC has initiated offensives against various militias, FARDC and ethnic militias, has escalated. According to UNHCR, groups like the ADF have a history of violent reprisals targeting over 5.2 million Congolese are currently internally displaced, civilians. The FARDC and police have also been implicated in including an estimated 3 million children, while more than 934,000 widespread violations of IHL and IHRL, including arbitrarily killing refugees have fled to neighboring countries, making this the civilians, while combatting armed groups. largest displacement crisis in Africa. The World Food Programme and UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimate that 27.3 Renewed attacks by CODECO elements could result in a million people are critically hungry. recurrence of atrocities in Ituri. CODECO and its affiliates were implicated in the killing and rape of hundreds of civilians during In North Kivu attacks by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) the first half of 2020 prior to signing ceasefire agreements with armed group, which has been perpetrating atrocities in the the government. UNJHRO has previously accused CODECO of Beni region for more than six years, escalated after the FARDC potential crimes against humanity for its role in inter-communal launched an offensive in October 2019. Since then, the ADF has violence between ethnic Lendu and Hema communities between carried out retaliatory violence against villages near Beni, as December 2017 and September 2019. well as in Ituri province, killing nearly 850 civilians and kidnapping 534 during 2020. UNJHRO reported that attacks by the ADF The DRC government has struggled to uphold its responsibility have been “systematic and brutal” and may amount to crimes to protect, and government forces have at times been complicit against humanity and war crimes. The group has continued to in atrocity crimes.

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SAUDI ARABIA

JORDAN EGYPT

SUDAN

1 June 2021

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE ERITREA The UNSC currently subjects 13 entities and 31 individuals in YEMEN the DRC to sanctions. Since 2013 the government of the DRC SUDAN and neighboring states have collectively addressed the threat DJIBOUTI of armed groups through the “Peace, Security and Cooperation Addis Ababa [PSC] Framework for the DRC and the region.” SOUTH SOMALIA SUDAN On 18 December 2020 the UNSC extended the mandate of ETHIOPIA MONUSCO for one year. The resolution emphasized that the government “bears the primary responsibility to protect civilians within its territory and subject to its jurisdictions, including protection from crimes against humanity and war crimes.” KENYA

UGANDA Mogadishu On 31 March the UNSC issued a Press Statement expressing concern regarding rising inter-communal violence and armed 2 million people remain displaced group activity. by ongoing conflict in Tigray

NECESSARY ACTION The DRC government and MONUSCO must ensure that ETHIOPIA protecting civilians remains their primary priority as they address the ongoing threat posed by various armed groups. PartiesTANZANIA to the conflict in the Tigray region have perpetrated possible crimes against humanity and war crimes. Populations The government should cooperate with UNJHRO and ensure across Ethiopia are also at risk as a result of a surge in ethnic all state agents responsible for extrajudicial killings, sexual violence. violence and other human rights violations and abuses are held accountable. Recent massacres must be independently BACKGROUND investigated and the perpetrators punished. On 4 November 2020, following months of political tensions, the federal government of Ethiopia launched a military offensive The government, with the support of MONUSCO, should against the governing Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) implement measures to mediate inter-communal tensions in in the Tigray region. Since then, thousands of people have eastern DRC and address structural issues of land access, been killed and an estimated 2 million people remain internally resource allocation and poor governance. The DRC government displaced, while over 63,000 have fled to Sudan. Widespread needs to implement a credible disarmament, demobilization, violations of IHL and IHRL have been reported, including ethnic- reintegration and repatriation program to encourage the ADF, based killings, sexual violence, forced displacement and the CODECO and other armed groups to permanently lay down systematic destruction of food, water and healthcare systems. their arms. Numerous cultural heritage sites, as well as camps hosting at least 96,000 Eritrean refugees, have reportedly been Neighboring states should continue to uphold the PSC damaged and looted. Framework and provide assistance in confronting armed groups. Despite the Ethiopian government declaring an official end to the conflict in Tigray on 28 November, clashes continue between the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), its allies and the Tigray Defense Forces – a newly formed armed group. During April CNN obtained a leaked report by the regional interim government, which stated that Eritrean troops were looting and blocking humanitarian aid in many areas of Tigray, including Samre and Gijet.

Reports indicate that since November the ENDF, TPLF, Eritrean armed forces, and Amhara regional forces and affiliated militias may have committed abuses that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. International human rights groups have exposed massacres of civilians by Eritrean forces and the ENDF, including in Aksum, Dengelat and Mahibere Dego. The UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict has detailed reports of sexual violence and has determined that rape is being used as a weapon of war in Tigray. Ongoing conflict has impeded humanitarian access to 5.2 million people in need.

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According to the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC), INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE ethnic Tigrayan forces committed war crimes and crimes Since November the UN, Intergovernmental Authority on against humanity during a massacre of over 600 ethnic Amhara Development (IGAD) and AU have all condemned the violence men in the town of Mai-Kadra in the South West Zone of Tigray in Tigray. The UN, US, EU and others have also called for the on 9 November. Ethiopian refugees in Sudan have also reported immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Tigray. The EU similar massacres of Tigrayans by Amhara regional forces has withheld 88 million euros in budgetary aid to Ethiopia due and allied militias in Mai-Kadra, Humera and surrounding to the human rights situation in Tigray. areas. During March Amhara regional forces seized control over areas in Western Tigray, forcing over 185,000 Tigrayans On 13 November the UN Special Advisers on the Prevention to flee. According to an internal US government report of Genocide and the Responsibility to Protect released a leaked to The New York Times, ethnic Amhara militias have statement urging Ethiopian authorities to protect their undertaken a campaign to forcibly displace the Tigrayan population from violence in Tigray, emphasizing the threat population, “deliberately and efficiently rendering Western of atrocity crimes. On 5 February the Special Adviser on the Tigray ethnically homogeneous.” Prevention of Genocide released another statement calling for accountability for reported abuses in Tigray. Ethnically motivated attacks have also been on the rise elsewhere in Ethiopia. Violence in Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz, On 21 November the AU appointed three high-level envoys to Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s regions broker peace in Tigray, but Prime Minister Abiy has rejected has killed hundreds of people and displaced over 200,000 since their entreaties. September 2020. In Oromia, security forces and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) armed group have allegedly committed On 26 February Germany delivered a joint statement to the enforced disappearances and attacks on civilians. The OLA HRC on behalf of 42 member states calling on the Ethiopian have been accused of killing at least 50 Amhara civilians during government to hold perpetrators of human rights violations April alone. In the Amhara region, clashes between Amhara and accountable. Oromo populations in the North Shewa and Oromo special zones reportedly killed 500 people during March and April. On 25 March OHCHR and EHRC agreed to conduct a joint investigation into reports of human rights violations committed Border disputes within Ethiopia also continue to result in inter- in Tigray. communal violence. From 2-6 April at least 100 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the Afar and Somali regions. On 22 April the UNSC released its first Press Statement on the crisis, expressing concern regarding alleged human ANALYSIS rights abuses, including reports of sexual violence, and calling Ethiopia's federalist system has resulted in widespread for accountability. allegations of ethnic favoritism, with many groups feeling marginalized by the central government. A history of NECESSARY ACTION dictatorship and past human rights abuses carried out by All parties operating in Tigray must ensure ongoing military security forces has also left many Ethiopians deeply distrustful operations are conducted in strict adherence with international of state power. law and ensure the protection of civilians. Parties to the conflict must also allow unfettered delivery of humanitarian aid to The TPLF controlled Ethiopia’s government for 27 years until a vulnerable populations. Refugees and other displaced persons mass protest movement eventually led to the appointment of must be protected, in compliance with international law. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. While Ethiopia and Eritrea have previously fought a war against one another, they appear All Eritrean forces should immediately withdraw from Tigray. to currently be cooperating to militarily destroy the TPLF and occupy Tigray. All potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ethiopia must be thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators held The Ethiopian government has failed to uphold their accountable, regardless of rank or affiliation. responsibility to protect all populations in Ethiopia, regardless of ethnicity, and bears responsibility for ongoing potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Tigray.

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1 June 2021

setting fire to synagogues and Jews attacking and stoning cars LEBANON SYRIA IRAQ driven by Arab residents. According to OCHA, at least 27 people were killed, including 3 children, and over 6,370 injured in the ISRAEL Occupied West Bank between 10-21 May. Israeli security forces West were also complicit Baghdadin some violent attacks by Jewish settlers Bank Gaza on Palestinian citizens of Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin SAUDI Netanyahu reportedly told Israeli police they would be shielded ARABIA JORDAN from potential inquiries or investigations into their conduct.

SOUTH SUDAN The Palestinian territories of the Gaza Strip, West Bank and EGYPT East Jerusalem have been illegally occupied by Israel since 1967. Illegal Israeli settlements continue to expand in the West Bank and according to OCHA, at least 322 Palestinian-owned structures have been demolished or seized by Israeli government At least 230 Palestinians and 12 authorities since January. However, the Israeli government’s Israelis killed from 10-21 May plans to formally annex parts of the West Bank, originally announced in April 2020, have been indefinitely postponed.

ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED During July 2020 the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the OPT, Michael Lynk, highlighted that the Israeli PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES government inflicts collective punishment on the Palestinian population by obstructing critical civilian supplies, demolishing Despite the 21 May ceasefire, populations in Israel and the Palestinian structures and causing mass displacement. Israel’s Occupied Palestinian Territories remain at risk of war crimes ongoing air, sea and land blockade of Gaza has been in place for and crimes against humanity. 13 years and has inflicted collective punishment on 2 million Palestinians. Hamas' security forces have also committed grave BACKGROUND abuses against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, including arbitrary Armed conflict intensified from 10-21 May in Israel, Gaza and arrests, summary executions and torture. other parts of the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) as civilians endured a surge of deadly Israeli airstrikes and ANALYSIS indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas. A ceasefire, brokered by The 21 May ceasefire ended the most recent armed Egypt, was eventually reached between Israel and Hamas on 20 confrontation between Hamas and Israel, but the risk of May and went into effect the morning of 21 May. recurrence remains high until both sides commit to a permanent cessation of hostilities and a negotiated solution to the conflict. During the renewed violence, more than 230 Palestinians, including 65 children, were killed and 1,900 injured by Israeli Israeli airstrikes appear to have deliberately ignored the airstrikes on Gaza. At least 450 buildings – including 17 principles of proportionality and distinction and may amount hospitals and the only laboratory for COVID-19 testing – were to war crimes under international law. Indiscriminate rockets seriously damaged or destroyed, forcibly displacing over 58,000 fired by Palestinian armed groups also violated IHL. people. Meanwhile, Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups indiscriminately fired thousands of rockets towards civilian The systematic nature of human rights violations in the OPT areas of Israel, killing at least 12 people and damaging civilian may amount to crimes against humanity, while the collective property. Approximately 90 percent of the rockets were punishment of Palestinians as a coercive measure of population intercepted by Israel’s “Iron Dome” anti-missile defense system. control may amount to a war crime.

The latest escalation of armed conflict came after weeks of Human Rights Watch and B’Tselem have recently characterized tensions and protests against the possible forced eviction Israel as an “apartheid regime” that is implementing laws, of several Palestinian families residing in the Sheikh Jarrah practices and policies to entrench the supremacy of its Jewish neighborhood of Occupied East Jerusalem. Israeli authorities population over Palestinians. Under the Rome Statute, the crime used excessive force while arresting protesters and carried of apartheid is a crime against humanity. out violent raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound between 7-10 May, injuring over 1,000 Palestinians. Hamas responded by Systematic impunity for Israel’s past violations of international indiscriminately firing hundreds of rockets into Israel, prompting law has fueled cycles of violence. There has been no retaliatory airstrikes by Israel. accountability for potential war crimes committed during the 2014 Gaza war between Hamas and Israel, nor for the The escalation also led to increased identity-based incitement disproportionate and deadly use of force by Israeli forces in inside Israel and the Occupied West Bank. Inter-communal response to protests along the Gaza border during 2018-2019. violence in the Israeli town of Lod resulted in Arab Israelis

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Kabul AFGHANISTAN

PAKISTAN 1 June 2021 INDIA Annexation of occupied territory violates the Geneva Convention, and amounts to a crime of aggression under the NEPAL BHUTAN Rome Statute of the ICC. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva INDIA CHINA Convention also prohibits an occupying power from transferring BANGLADESH parts of its civilian population into occupied territory. INDIA MYANMAR VIETNAM (BURMA) Israel, the Hamas de-facto administration and the Palestinian LAOS Authority are all obligated to uphold their responsibility to Naypyitaw protect. THAILAND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE On 23 December 2016 the UNSC adopted a resolution reaffirming that Israeli settlements in the OPT violate international law. This was the first UNSC resolution adopted on Israel and the OPT since 2009. More than 820 people have been killed and over 4,000 arrested since the 1 February coup Following a May 2018 referral by the Palestinian Authority, on 5 February 2021 the Pre-Trial Chamber of the ICC confirmed that the Court’s jurisdiction extends to Gaza and the West MYANMAR (BURMA) Bank, including East Jerusalem. On 4 March the Office of the Prosecutor officially opened its investigation. Populations in Myanmar are facing crimes against humanity perpetrated by the military following the 1 February coup. Between 10-21 May the UNSC made three attempts to adopt a statement condemning the latest war and calling for a BACKGROUND ceasefire, but the US blocked each effort. On 27 May the HRC On 1 February Myanmar’s military, headed by Commander-in- voted to establish a CoI to investigate violations of international Chief Min Aung Hlaing, overthrew the civilian-led government law in the OPT and Israel and identify the root causes of and declared a state of emergency. Since then, hundreds of recurrent tensions. thousands of people have participated in protests and strikes against the reimposition of military rule. According to the NECESSARY ACTION Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, more than 820 The ICC should urgently investigate any potential war crimes people have been killed by the security forces and at least 4,000 or crimes against humanity committed during the most recent people are currently detained for resisting the coup. armed conflict. On 16 April a coalition of democratic opponents to military rule Israel must lift the blockade on Gaza, cease illegal settlement- formed the National Unity Government (NUG), which includes related activity and apartheid policies, and end the collective members of parliament ousted by the military – known as the punishment of Palestinians. All parties should condemn anti- Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) – as Semitic and anti-Arab hate speech and cooperate fully with well as politicians from ethnic minority groups. The military has the investigations of the ICC and CoI. branded the NUG and CRPH unlawful organizations and charged their members with high treason. All parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must work towards a sustainable political solution consistent with international The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in law and various UNSC resolutions. States with strong political Myanmar, Tom Andrews, and the High Commissioner for Human and economic ties to Israel, the Palestinian Authority or Hamas, Rights, Michelle Bachelet, have said that abuses committed should push for a lasting political solution to the conflict, by the military since the coup may amount to crimes against accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity, humanity. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for and the protection of human rights for all civilians in Israel and Myanmar (IIMM) has also started collecting evidence regarding the OPT, regardless of ethnicity or religion. potential crimes against humanity.

The security forces have recently launched fresh offensives against ethnic armed groups in some regions of the country. According to OCHA, at least 20 people have been killed and an estimated 42,000 displaced in south-eastern Myanmar due to clashes between the military and the Karen National Liberation Army, as well as indiscriminate attacks by the military on civilian areas. An estimated 5,000 people are also currently displaced in Kachin State due to armed confrontations between the military and Kachin Independence Army.

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Myanmar’s armed forces – or the Tatmadaw – previously ruled During September 2018 the HRC created the IIMM to “collect, the country from 1962-2011, overseeing the violent repression consolidate, preserve and analyze evidence of the most of the democracy movement and waging war against several serious international crimes and violations of international ethnic armed groups. Despite the beginning of a transition to law” committed in Myanmar. civilian rule in 2011, the military retained control of several crucial ministries and 25 percent of seats in parliament. During November 2019 Pre-Trial Chamber III of the ICC authorized the Chief Prosecutor to proceed with an In 2018 the HRC-mandated FFM on Myanmar concluded that investigation into crimes against humanity that may have senior members of the military, including General Min Aung been committed against the Rohingya, resulting in their forced Hlaing, should be prosecuted for genocide against the Rohingya deportation across the Myanmar-Bangladesh border. ethnic group as well as for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Kachin, Rakhine and Shan states. The FFM also On 11 November 2019 The Gambia filed a lawsuit at the asserted in 2019 that Myanmar breached its obligations under International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing Myanmar of the Genocide Convention and “continues to harbor genocidal violating its obligations under the Genocide Convention. On 23 intent” towards the Rohingya. January 2020 the ICJ ordered Myanmar to comply with four provisional measures. The majority of Myanmar’s Rohingya population were forced to flee the country after the military launched “clearance A number of governments have imposed targeted sanctions operations” in Rakhine State on 25 August 2017, bringing the in response to the coup, including Canada, EU, UK and US. total number of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to over The EU, UK and US have also sanctioned several military-run 900,000 people. The estimated 600,000 Rohingya who remain conglomerates. The Republic of Korea restricted military in Rakhine State are still subject to severe restrictions on their exports and suspended defense exchanges. The EU also freedom of movement and other human rights. Myanmar’s 1982 suspended development funds. Citizenship Law rendered most Rohingya stateless. On 23 March the HRC adopted a resolution on the situation of Between November 2018 and November 2020 the military human rights in Myanmar, expressing concern at violent acts also engaged in an armed conflict with the Arakan Army, an against peaceful demonstrators and extending the mandate armed group seeking self-determination for the ethnic Rakhine of the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar. On 28 March High population. High Commissioner Bachelet said that attacks on Commissioner Bachelet and the UN Special Adviser on the civilians in Rakhine and Chin states may amount to war crimes Prevention of Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, issued a joint and crimes against humanity. statement calling on the military to stop killing civilians and reminding the international community of its responsibility to ANALYSIS protect populations in Myanmar. Impunity for past atrocities has enabled the security forces to commit widespread and systematic human rights violations and On 24 April the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) abuses against civilians, particularly those from ethnic minority held a summit to discuss the situation in Myanmar and agreed to populations. Anti-coup protests are unlikely to subside and the a “Five-Point Consensus,” which includes an immediate cessation risk of further atrocities remains extremely high. of violence. The military’s indicated they would only consider ASEAN’s proposal “when the situation returns to stability The coup also complicates the prospects for a safe, dignified and in the country.” voluntary repatriation of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh. Given its past history and public declarations, the military regime NECESSARY ACTION is unlikely to address the denial of citizenship for the Rohingya The UNSC should immediately impose a comprehensive arms or accountability for past atrocities. embargo on Myanmar and sanction senior military officials, including General Min Aung Hlaing. All UN member states and Myanmar’s military has manifestly failed to uphold its regional organizations should take urgent measures in response responsibility to protect and bears responsibility for to the reimposition of military rule. The military junta should not the commission of war crimes, crimes against humanity be diplomatically recognized as the legitimate representatives and genocide. of Myanmar.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE Foreign companies should immediately divest and sever ties The only formal response by the UNSC to the genocide against with all businesses linked to Myanmar’s military. the Rohingya was the adoption of a Presidential Statement on 6 November 2017 that stressed the “primary responsibility General Min Aung Hlaing and other senior military leaders who of the Myanmar government to protect its population.” The bear responsibility for crimes against humanity, war crimes and UNSC has met five times on the situation in Myanmar since the genocide should face international justice. coup and adopted four statements.

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Tahrir al-Sham and other armed groups. Northern Syria has TURKEY also seen an increase in the use of IEDs, resulting in over 600 civilians killed or injured during 2020.

Clashes also continue in southern Syria between government forces and armed opposition groups. Government forces have CYPRUS SYRIA regained control over much of the south and continue to commit LEBANON Damascus IRAQ murder, torture and sexual violence as a matter of state policy. The government is also imposing arbitrary restrictions on freedom of movement and depriving individuals of their property in areas previously held by the opposition. The CoI argues this JORDAN SAUDI ARABIA may amount to the war crime of collective punishment.

ISIL has continued to carry out attacks in Deir Ezzour, Hasakeh, 16 UNSC vetoes 13 million people Badiya Al-Sham and Resafa. At least 58,000 children of alleged blocking action still displaced ISIL fighters from 57 countries also remain trapped in squalid and accountability detention camps run by the SDF in northeast Syria.

SYRIA The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has documented the illegal use of chemical weapons in Populations continue to face war crimes and crimes against Syria for over seven years. Its Investigation and Identification humanity committed by various state forces and non-state armed Team released reports in April 2020 and April 2021 that groups. attribute responsibility to government forces for the use of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas and sarin. The CoI BACKGROUND has also reported on 37 instances of chemical weapons use in Since the armed conflict between the government and Syria since March 2013, including 32 attacks perpetrated by opposition groups in Syria began in 2011 at least 580,000 the Syrian government. EGYPTpeople have been killed. The HRC-mandated CoI on Syria has reported more than 130,000 arbitrary detentions, abductions ANALYSIS or disappearances since 2011, with the majority attributable For the past decade the government of Syria, its allies and to the Syrian government. Nearly 13 million people have been armed opposition groups have all perpetrated attacks on displaced – the largest number displaced by any conflict in the civilians and civilian infrastructure, blatantly disregarding world – including 6.7 million Syrian refugees. An estimated 13.4 international law. All parties to the conflict have committed acts million Syrians remain in need of humanitarian assistance. that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity and continue to perpetrate violations of IHL and IHRL. Various parties to the conflict continue to perpetrate serious violations and abuses of international law, but over the past As various armed groups attempt to consolidate their control year the conflict has shifted away from large-scale military over territory in a fragmented Syria, civilians continue to hostilities along major front lines to localized clashes between face indiscriminate attacks and systematic human rights armed groups and government forces. violations. The Syrian government and other parties to the conflict continue to perpetrate detention and disappearance In northern Syria the Syrian National Army (SNA) and other as a strategy to control and intimidate civilians. The fragility of Turkish-backed armed groups have perpetrated torture, sexual current ceasefire agreements, particularly in the northwest, violence, systematic looting and arbitrary detention. Clashes in increases the risk of a recurrence of large-scale conflict. Ain Issa between the SNA and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) escalated during December, causing 10,000 civilians The grave situation across Syria is partly a consequence of to flee. A further 20,000 were forced to flee in April 2021 when the inability of the UNSC to hold perpetrators accountable. clashes between armed groups erupted in Qamishli. The Syrian government has directly violated various UNSC resolutions, and Russia has systematically shielded Syria from Meanwhile, indiscriminate shelling and airstrikes in Aleppo and international accountability measures. across northern Syria have hit civilian objects, including densely populated neighborhoods, hospitals and displacement camps, The government of Syria has not only manifestly failed to resulting in dozens of civilian casualties. Clashes between non- uphold its responsibility to protect, it bears primary state armed groups and Syrian government and Russian forces responsibility for the ongoing commission of war crimes and also continue in Idlib, where civilians and humanitarian workers crimes against humanity. still face arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killings by Hayat

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ARUBA INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE CURAÇAO Following the outbreak of violence during March 2011, the GRENADA international community censured the Syrian government for TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO its widespread violations of human rights. The UN Secretary- Caracas General has also repeatedly called for the situation in Syria to VENEZUELA be referred to the ICC.

GUYANA Despite this, the UNSC has failed to respond effectively. Since 2013 the Council has passed 26 resolutions on humanitarian COLOMBIA SURINAME access, peace talks and chemical weapons in Syria. Several refer BRAZIL to the government’s responsibility to protect populations, but none have been fully implemented. Russia and China have jointly vetoed 10 draft UNSC resolutions and Russia has independently vetoed an additional 6. The HRC has also adopted 35 resolutions condemning atrocities in Syria, the majority of which demand 5.5 million people have fled that the Syrian authorities uphold their responsibility to protect the country since 2014 the Syrian population.

On 21 December 2016 the UN General Assembly voted to VENEZUELA establish an International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators Ongoing state-sanctioned persecution in Venezuela may amount of atrocities in Syria. A number of countries have also to crimes against humanity. initiated domestic legal proceedings against suspected Syrian perpetrators under the principle of universal jurisdiction. The BACKGROUND first conviction of a member of President Bashar al-Assad’s Since 2014 Venezuelan security and intelligence forces have intelligence services for complicity in crimes against humanity been accused of widespread torture, sexual and gender-based was delivered in Germany on 24 February 2021. violence, arbitrary detention and enforced disappearances in an attempt to silence political dissent. State agents, On 18 September 2020 the government of the Netherlands including the Special Action Forces (FAES), have also allegedly formally requested negotiations with the Syrian government perpetrated thousands of extrajudicial killings. According to on allegations of torture as a first step towards holding Syria reports by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, an accountable for violations of the UN Convention against Torture. estimated 8,200 individuals were killed in “security operations” The government of Canada issued a similar request on 4 March. between January 2018 and May 2020 alone. The HRC-mandated FFM on Venezuela has also reported that more than 200 On 21 April a majority of States Parties to the Chemical Weapons people were killed by police between January-March 2021. Convention voted to suspend Syria’s rights and privileges under Since November 2020 the government has intensified its the treaty. persecution and criminalization of civil society organizations and independent media. NECESSARY ACTION All parties must uphold their obligations under IHL and IHRL, On 16 September 2020 the FFM warned that patterns of including ending attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, violations and abuses over the past six years have been and establish a timetable for the release of all detainees and ordered and authorized at the highest level of government and abductees. All parties to the conflict must facilitate unimpeded committed as part of a “widespread and systematic attack” humanitarian access to civilians trapped or displaced by fighting. against the civilian population that may amount to crimes Parties to the conflict should uphold the ceasefire agreements against humanity. During December the General Secretariat in the northwest and northeast. of the Organization of American States released a report reaffirming the FFM’s findings while noting that crimes against All returns of refugees and other displaced Syrians must be in humanity have “increased in scale, scope and severity.” The Chief accordance with the principle of non-refoulement. Prosecutor of the ICC also presented a report in December asserting that there are reasonable grounds to believe UN member states should continue to pursue accountability that crimes against humanity have been committed since at for alleged perpetrators of atrocities under the principle of least April 2017. universal jurisdiction. Ten years since the conflict first began, the UNSC should refer the situation in Syria to the ICC and Since March armed confrontations between state forces and ensure that atrocity crimes do not continue with impunity. armed groups have also escalated in Apure State along the

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Venezuelan-Colombian border, forcibly displacing nearly 6,000 unrestricted access to the country and fully cooperate with civilians. Security forces, including the FAES, have allegedly all UN mechanisms. committed arbitrary arrests, torture and extrajudicial executions of civilians. States should actively support calls for renewed dialogue between the government and opposition and lift all measures Venezuela continues to experience an unprecedented that limit the population’s access to basic goods and services. humanitarian, economic and political crisis. When mass Venezuela and Colombia should work together to prevent protests erupted against insecurity, hyperinflation and a further violence along their shared border and protect lack of essential services in 2014, security forces responded vulnerable populations. with disproportionate force, torture and sexual violence. The protracted political crisis further escalated in January 2019 In the absence of domestic accountability mechanisms, other when President Nicolás Maduro was sworn in for a second term. states should consider taking legal action, including under Although Juan Guaidó, thenEGYPT President of the opposition-led universal jurisdiction, against those responsible for possible National Assembly, declared himself caretaker President, crimes against humanity in Venezuela. President Maduro remained in control of key state institutions and the security forces.

Approximately 5.5 million people have fled the country since SAUDI OMAN 2014 and an estimated 7 million people in Venezuela are in urgent ARABIA need of humanitarian assistance.

ANALYSIS Sana’a ERITREA Widespread impunity emboldens state agents to continue YEMEN perpetrating possible crimes against humanity. Extrajudicial killings appear to be part of a systematic strategy to combat crime, repress dissent and reinforce social control. ETHIOPIA DJIBOUTI Recent concessions by the Maduro government, including the announcement of a new National Electoral Council, has renewed SOMALIA some hope for a potential negotiated solution to the protracted political crisis. 18,500+ civilians killed or maimed by SOUTH coalition airstrikes since March 2015 The government refuses to fully cooperate with the FFM and other human rightsSUDAN mechanisms and is failing to uphold its responsibility to protect all Venezuelans, regardless of YEMEN political affiliation. War crimes are being committed in Yemen as pro-government INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE forces and a regional military coalition fight against Houthi rebels Since November 2017 the EU has imposed asset freezes on 55 who still control much of the country. senior government officials. The US government has imposed targeted sanctions against the government, as well as broader BACKGROUND sanctions that have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. For over six years civilians in Yemen have suffered from ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity. Fighting between On 26 September 2018 Argentina, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Houthi rebels, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), and Paraguay and Peru requested that the Chief Prosecutor of forces loyal to the internationally recognized government – as the ICC open a formal investigation into possible crimes against well as airstrikes by a Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates humanity in Venezuela. (UAE)-led international coalition – has resulted in the deaths of thousands oof civilians since March 2015. More than 18,500 On 27 September 2019 the HRC adopted a resolution civilians have been killed or maimed as a result of coalition establishing the FFM. The mandate of the FFM was renewed airstrikes alone, including over 2,300 children. The conflict for two years on 6 October 2020. has displaced at least 4 million people and created the world's largest humanitarian crisis. NECESSARY ACTION Venezuelan authorities must end the systematic persecution Armed hostilities and indiscriminate bombing are ongoing of civil society, the media and their political opponents. throughout Yemen, with at least 49 active frontlines across The government should also dissolve the FAES and ensure the country. Hostilities in Hodeidah, Taizz, Al Jawf and Hajjah impartial investigations of all serious violations and abuses have increased and the Houthis launched a new offensive in of human rights. The government should grant the FFM Marib in early February 2021. Since January over 600 civilians

16 R2P Monitor | globalr2p.org 1 June 2021 have been killed or maimed across Yemen. Indiscriminate missile All parties to the conflict in Yemen appear manifestly unable or and artillery fire has hit markets, displacement camps and other unwilling to uphold their responsibility to protect. civilian objects in and around Marib City. Hundreds of coalition airstrikes and fierce ground fighting have also occurred across INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE the governorate, particularly in Sirwah District. Houthi forces The UNSC imposed sanctions on former President Ali Abdullah are also allegedly recruiting and deploying child soldiers. Since Saleh and Houthi leaders in November 2014. On 14 April 2015 violence renewed in Marib, 25,000 civilians have fled the area. the UNSC established an arms embargo and demanded the Houthis withdraw from all areas they had militarily seized. On On 22 March 2021 the coalition submitted a ceasefire proposal 21 December 2018 the UNSC passed a resolution endorsing to the Houthis. While the Houthis dismissed the offer, the UN the Stockholm Agreement and authorizing the deployment of Secretary-General and UNSC formally welcomed the initiative. a monitoring team. The UNSC has not passed any substantive resolution related to the situation in Yemen since. On 14 July Since its first report in 2018, the HRC-mandated Group of 2020 the UNSC renewed the mandate of the UN Mission to Eminent Experts (GEE) on Yemen has documented violations support the Hodeidah Agreement for one year. and abuses of international law perpetrated by parties to the conflict that may amount to war crimes, including indiscriminate In its September 2020 report, the GEE recommended that the airstrikes and shelling, torture, arbitrary detention, and sexual UNSC refer the situation in Yemen to the ICC and expand the and gender-based violence. The GEE alleges that Canada, France, list of persons subject to sanctions. The UN Panel of Experts Iran, UK and US may be complicit in these violations due to their has also recommended that the UNSC explore mechanisms for provision of military intelligence, arms and logistical support to justice and accountability for violations of international law. some parties to the conflict. On 25 October 2019 the European Parliament called on all EU The UNSC-mandated Panel of Experts on Yemen has reported member states to halt weapons exports to Saudi Arabia. On since 2015 that arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, 4 February 2021 the US government announced an end to its ill-treatment and torture of detainees have been conducted support for Saudi Arabia’s offensive operations in Yemen. by the governments of Yemen and Saudi Arabia, as well as the However, arms transfers to the UAE will continue. Houthis, STC and forces affiliated with the UAE. The Panel has also warned of ongoing arrests of humanitarian workers in NECESSARY ACTION Houthi-controlled areas in the north. All parties to the conflict should fully implement the terms of the Stockholm Agreement and extend the Hodeidah ceasefire More than 20 million Yemenis need humanitarian assistance to all conflict-affected areas. The government of Yemen should and 13.5 million are facing acute food insecurity. The GEE has allow access to the GEE, as well as representatives from OHCHR, reported that parties to the conflict may have used starvation and ensure that all potential war crimes and crimes against of civilians as a military tactic. The distribution of essential humanity are properly investigated and prosecuted. vaccines and other humanitarian aid has been systematically blocked by parties to the conflict, particularly the Houthis. The distinction between military and civilian targets is central to IHL and must be adhered to at all times. In keeping with the ANALYSIS Arms Trade Treaty, all UN member states should immediately All parties to the conflict have perpetrated indiscriminate halt the sale of weapons to parties to the conflict who routinely attacks and targeted civilian infrastructure, amounting to war violate IHL, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. crimes and crimes against humanity. The UNSC should adopt targeted sanctions against all those Although parties to the conflict signed the Stockholm responsible for potential atrocities and the deliberate Agreement in December 2018, which established a ceasefire for obstruction of vital humanitarian assistance. The UNSC should Hodeidah Governorate, they continue to perpetrate widespread refer the situation in Yemen to the ICC. violations of IHL and IHRL. The protracted conflict has been characterized by fragmenting coalitions and a multitude of fronts, as well as a pervasive climate of impunity. Hostilities have escalated over the past year with the recent Houthi offensive in Marib putting hundreds of thousands of IDPs at risk.

The dire humanitarian situation is a direct result of the armed conflict and requires a political solution. Escalating violence in Hodeidah, Marib and other governorates threatens the delivery of life-saving aid to millions of vulnerable Yemenis. Humanitarian restrictions and the destruction of medical facilities present grave challenges as Yemen continues to confront the COVID-19 pandemic.

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IMMINENT The situation is reaching a critical foreign workers, as militants fought with the security forces. RISK threshold and the risk of mass More than 54,000 people have since fled the city. Fighters atrocity crimes occurring in the also reportedly kidnapped at least 150 children. Although the immediate future is very high if government regained control of the majority of the city in early DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC April, sporadic clashes continued throughout the month. OF THE CONGO effective preventive action is not taken.

TANZANIA While Al-Shabaab has been the main perpetrators of violence

ANGOLA against civilians, government forces have also been implicated MALAWI COMOROS in grave violations and abuses, including arbitrary arrests ZAMBIA of individuals suspected of affiliation with Al-Shabaab. On 9 September Amnesty International verified video footage of MOZAMBIQUE MADAGASCAR security forces engaging in the torture and abuse of prisoners, ZIMBABWE NAMIBIA the dismemberment of the corpses of alleged Al-Shabaab fighters, possible extrajudicial executions, and the transport BOTSWANA and disposing of corpses into apparent mass graves.

SOUTH AFRICA Mozambique has a history of atrocities stemming from its 1977- Maputo SWAZILAND 1992 civil war, during which approximately one million people died. War crimes and crimes against humanity were perpetrated by the armed rebel group, RENAMO, who carried out massacres of 2,000+ civilians killed and 700,000 civilians and systematically killed teachers and health workers. displaced since October 2017 The government's armed forces were also responsible for war crimes. A peace agreement was signed in 1992, but low-level conflict resumed from 2013-2018. MOZAMBIQUE ANALYSIS Attacks by armed extremists from "Al-Shabaab" leave populations Although Al-Shabaab began as a small armed group in 2017, their in Mozambique at imminent risk of atrocity crimes. attacks have intensified since 2020. The group’s willingness to perpetrate indiscriminate attacks on civilians increases the BACKGROUND risk of further atrocities. Al-Shabaab has exploited popular Since October 2017 an armed extremist group, known locally discontent over corruption and poverty in Mozambique to as “Al-Shabaab,” has engaged in a violent insurgency in Cabo recruit fighters. The discovery of liquified natural gas off Delgado, a northern province of Mozambique. Al-Shabaab, which the coast of Mozambique brought hope for a boost to the is loosely affiliated with ISIL, has perpetrated indiscriminate country’s economy, but following the attack on Palma several attacks against civilians, including beheadings, sexual and companies announced they would halt work on the project, citing gender-based violence, abductions, recruitment of child soldiers growing insecurity. and destroying civilian infrastructure. More than 2,800 people have been killed and nearly 700,000 displaced since October Despite the security forces’ failure to adequately protect 2017. Both Al-Shabaab and government security forces, as well populations in Cabo Delgado, the government has resisted as a government-contracted private military company, have regional offers to provide logistical support or troops. perpetrated extrajudicial executions and other violations of IHL that may amount to war crimes. The government of Mozambique is struggling to uphold its responsibility to protect and requires international assistance. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project recorded over 365 violent incidents in northern Mozambique during 2020, INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE resulting in at least 650 civilians killed, including dozens of During April 2020 the EU expressed its growing concern civilians beheaded or dismembered while Al-Shabaab temporarily regarding the situation in Cabo Delgado and called upon occupied several towns in Cabo Delgado. the government to protect civilians and hold perpetrators of atrocities accountable. The EU has agreed to assist the Since August 2020 significant fighting between Al-Shabaab and government in confronting the threat of armed Islamist security forces has taken place near Mocímboa da Praia, Palma, groups and has considered sending a military training mission and other port towns where several major offshore liquified to Mozambique at the end of 2021. The US and Portugal natural gas projects are under development. Thousands of currently have forces deployed to the country to conduct displaced civilians have arrived in Pemba since October. counterinsurgency training.

Following a period of relative quiet at the start of 2021, on 24 During June 2020 OCHA launched a $103 million humanitarian March hundreds of Al-Shabaab fighters raided Palma and took appeal to assist Mozambique’s response to the dual threat of control of the city. At least a dozen civilians were killed, including COVID-19 and escalating violence.

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During a summit of the Southern African Development NECESSARY ACTION Community (SADC) on 8 April the regional organization noted Security forces should ensure the protection of civilians and its concern regarding the situation in Cabo Delgado and agreed IDPs in Cabo Delgado. All military operations against Al-Shabaab to deploy a technical team to assess the need for a regional must be carried out with strict adherence to international law. response to the conflict. On 21 May South Africa announced The government should welcome external support from the AU, its intention to call upon SADC to authorize a military force. EU, SADC, UN and neighboring states as it attempts to combat Al-Shabaab and the threat of violent extremism. CHAD

SERIOUS There is a significant risk of CONCERN occurrence, or recurrence, of mass atrocity crimes within the foreseeable future if effective action is not taken.

The Central African Armed Forces (FACA) and their allies SUDAN have subsequently recaptured several towns from the CPC CHAD and other armed groups across the country. However, FACA NIGERIA have also reportedly perpetrated arbitrary killings, torture SOUTH and arbitrary arrests. Private military personnel allied with CAMEROON CENTRAL SUDAN AFRICAN FACA have also allegedly perpetrated summary executions, REPUBLIC arbitrary detention, torture, forced disappearances, forced displacement, destruction of civilian infrastructure and attacks Bangui on humanitarian workers. DEMOCRATIC CONGO REPUBLIC UGANDAThe protracted crisis in CAR has its origins in the overthrow OF THE CONGO of President François Bozizé on 24 March 2013 by the mainly Muslim SélékaKENYA rebel alliance. Abuses by the Séléka led to the GABON formation of predominantly Christian anti-balaka militias and 1.5 million Central Africans have the collapse of state institutions. Despite a peace deal signed fled their homes since 2013 by the government and 14 armed groups in 2019 that formally ended the 2013–2015 armed conflict, violence continues as some signatories regularly violate the agreement and have CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC consolidated their control over territory and natural resources. TANZANIA Ongoing violence by armed groups leaves populations in the OHCHR has reported that both anti-balaka and ex-Séléka forces Central African Republic at risk of atrocity crimes. may have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity between 2013-2015. Most perpetrators have not been held BACKGROUND accountable. Former President Bozizé, who is under UNSC Tensions in the Central African Republic (CAR) rose ahead of sanctions for his role in the 2013-2015 conflict, is reportedly the country’s 27 December 2020 general elections as an alliance leading the CPC. of predatory armed groups, known as the Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), launched a series of attacks across the Over 1.5 million people have fled their homes since 2013, including country. Election-related violence forced thousands of people at least 280,000 since December 2020. At least 370,000 children to flee, resulted in a surge of human rights violations and closed are internally displaced – the highest level of child displacement hundreds of schools and dozens of hospitals. since 2014. An estimated 2.8 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance and protection. According to OCHA, between October 2020 and March 2021, 14 of CAR’s 16 prefectures experienced armed conflict. UNHCR has ANALYSIS also noted that refugees arriving in Chad during April reported Armed groups continue to control the majority of territory fleeing clashes in northern CAR, as well as pillaging and extortion in CAR and profit from illegal taxation and arms trafficking. by armed groups. Children have been severely impacted, with The cross-border flow of foreign fighters, arms and natural thousands displaced and almost 3,000 recruited by armed resources are fueling the crisis in CAR. groups so far this year.

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CHAD SUDAN

1 June 2021

Although the 2019 peace agreement was hailed as an opportunity NIGER to bring an end to the armed conflict, a climate of impunity has SENEGAL enabled ongoing violence and allegations of serious human rights BURKINA CHAD MALI FASO violations and abuses by GUINEAarmed groups as well as state security BASSAU GUINEA forces and their allies. The CPC’s recent offensive threatened BENIN to end the agreement. Conakry NIGERIA SIERRA LEONE TOGO CÔTE D’IVOIRE Abuja SOUTH The government requires ongoing international assistance to GHANA stabilize the country and uphold its responsibility to protect. CENTRAL SUDAN AFRICAN CAMEROON REPUBLIC Juba INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE The UNSC has passed 14 resolutions since October 2013 that emphasize the government's responsibility to protect UGANDA populations in CAR. A UNSC-mandated sanctions regime and 35,000 people killed since 2009 due arms embargo have been in place since 2013, imposing travel to violence and insecurityGABON caused by bans and asset freezes on 11 individuals and two entities. On 12 CONGO Boko Haram DEMOCRATIC March the UNSC adopted a resolution increasing the military and police deployment for MINUSCA to support the protection REPUBLIC of civilians and facilitate humanitarian access. NIGERIA OF THE CONGO

During May 2014 the government referred the situation in Increased attacks by Boko Haram and inter-communal Kinshasaviolence TANZANIA CAR to the ICC. On 16 February 2021 the trial of two former in Nigeria's "Middle Belt" region leave civilians at risk of mass anti-balaka leaders, Alfred Yekatom and Patrice-Edouard atrocity crimes. Ngaïssona, for war crimes and crimes against humanity began. On 24 January CAR authorities surrendered the first Séléka BACKGROUND suspect, Mahamat Said Abdel Kani, to the ICC to face charges Multiple security threats leave civilians in Nigeria at ongoing risk of war crimes and crimes against humanity. of atrocity crimes, including increased attacks by the armed extremist groups Boko Haram and the so-called Islamic State On 16 February the Peace and Security Council of the AU in West Africa (ISWA). Recurring inter-communal violence in condemned attacks by the CPC, noting that they amount to the “Middle Belt” region and disproportionate force utilized by “flagrant violations of human rights, war crimes and crimes security forces also pose an ongoing threat. against humanity.” The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region held a summit on 21 April devoted to the political In recent years Boko Haram and ISWA have intensified attacks and security situation in CAR. The participating governments on civilian and military targets in north-east Nigeria, killing at underlined the importance of ending impunity for violations and least 3,000 people since January 2018. Between 10-14 April, at abuses of IHL and IHRL. least eight people were killed in a series of attacks on the town of Damasak. The violence forced 65,000 people – 80 percent of NECESSARY ACTION the town’s population – to flee. Armed men looted and burned The CPC and other armed groups must immediately cease houses, as well as offices and warehouses of international hostilities. All signatories to the peace agreement must comply humanitarian organizations, including a health clinic and UNHCR with their commitments and refrain from any action limiting the facility. On 23 April suspected Boko Haram and ISWA fighters restoration of state authority. All armed forces operating in attacked Geidam in Yobe State, forcing 150,000 people to flee. CAR must fully adhere to IHL. According to OCHA, 35,000 people have been killed since National authorities should prioritize ongoing reconciliation 2009 when Boko Haram launched its violent campaign aimed efforts and accountability for atrocity crimes. at overthrowing Nigeria’s secular government. At least 1.9 million people remain internally displaced in Borno, Adamawa and The UNSC and AU should impose sanctions on any groups Yobe states as a result of insecurity caused by the group. Boko or individuals that endanger the peace agreement. The Haram's attacks have also expanded into neighboring countries, international community should continue to support security killing and displacing civilians in Cameroon, Chad and Niger. sector reform in order to bolster FACA’s capacity to protect civilians and uphold human rights. According to UNHCR, there has also been a recent surge of violence in north-west Nigeria as result of fighting between herders and farmers. Those fleeing the violence have described murders, kidnapping and looting. Armed banditry in the north- west also resulted in more than 1,600 people being killed during the first half of 2020 and has displaced more than 300,000 civilians in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger and Kebbi

20 R2P Monitor | globalr2p.org 1 June 2021 states over the past year. Armed bandits have also perpetrated in Nigeria, concluding that Boko Haram and Nigerian forces attacks on secondary schools in Zamfara, Katsina and Niger committed war crimes and crimes against humanity. According states, including kidnapping 333 boys on 11 December 2020 to the Chief Prosecutor, the Nigerian authorities failed to and 279 girls on 26 February. All children were later released. properly investigate and prosecute these crimes.

Conflict in Nigeria's “Middle Belt,” often rooted in historical NECESSARY ACTION grievances between herders and farming communities, has It is essential that the government of Nigeria addresses the also escalated in recent years. Clashes between herders and root causes of inter-communal violence and armed extremism farmers has left more than 8,000 people dead and displaced through socio-economic initiatives and political reforms 300,000 across the country since 2011. that tackle poverty, corruption, youth unemployment and environmental degradation. The government should also work Amidst a deteriorating security situation, on 27 April Nigeria's with local civil society to ameliorate long-standing grievances House of Representatives called upon President Buhari to between herding and settled communities. immediately declare a state of emergency and fast track measures to ensure the restoration of peace in the country.”CHADUtilizing the Economic Community of West African States’ Early Warning System, the government should increase police ANALYSIS and military deployments to vulnerable areas. The government Although the regional Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) also needs to urgently reform the security sector, including by has made significant progress in confronting Boko Haram and incorporating IHL and IHRL into all military and police training, ISWA, civilians remain at risk of terrorist attacks and identity- and ensure accountability for human rights violations. based violence.

While Boko Haram has been responsible for mass kidnappings in the north-east, including more than 270 girls in the town of Chibok in 2014, the recent kidnappings in the central and north- SUDAN western states are raising fears about the possible expansionCHAD of Boko Haram’s influence, or of increased cooperation between NIGERIA ETHIOPIA the armed extremist group and local bandits.CAMEROON SOUTH CENTRAL AFRICAN SUDAN While the “Middle Belt” has experienced recurring inter- REPUBLIC communal violence, growing desertification has exacerbated the Juba situation. The loss of grazing land in the north has driven many DEMOCRATIC ethnic Fulani herdsmen, who are mainly Muslim, southward into REPUBLIC CONGO UGANDA areas farmed by settled communities that are predominantly OF THE CONGO Christian. Arms proliferation has also made these conflicts more deadly. KENYA GABON 2,000+ killed in local conflicts during 2020 Nigerian security forces have a history of using excessive and deadly force against civilians. During counterterrorism operations, the military has allegedly forcibly displaced entire villages in the north-east and arbitrarily detained thousands SOUTH SUDAN of people suspected of supporting extremist groups. The risk of recurring armed conflictTANZANIA between government forces The government of Nigeria is struggling to uphold its and armed rebel groups, as well as inter-communal violence, poses responsibility to protect and needs ongoing support from the an ongoing threat to civilians in South Sudan. international community. BACKGROUND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE Populations in South Sudan continue to suffer as a result of The MNJTF has led efforts to combat Boko Haram since 2015. increased violence, including clashes between government forces and armed opposition groups. According to the Head of the UN During a visit to Nigeria in September 2019, the UN Special Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), more than 2,000 civilians died in Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions localized conflicts during 2020. The HRC-mandated Commission condemned rising violence across Nigeria and a “lack of on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS) has asserted that the accountability” for perpetrators. current level of localized violence may be higher than during the country’s 2013-2015 civil war. Since January 2021 this violence On 11 December the Chief Prosecutor of the ICC announced has displaced people in Central and Western Equatoria, Upper the completion of a preliminary examination into the situation Nile and Warrap states.

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The Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), formed During its 46th session in March 2021, the HRC adopted in February 2020, has been unable to address the underlying two resolutions on South Sudan, extending the mandate of causes of conflict. The UN Panel of Experts has warned that the CHRSS until March 2022 and requesting that the High the selective implementation of the 2018 peace agreement Commissioner provide technical assistance to the Government threatens the security of the country. Growing discontent within on human rights monitoring and transitional justice. the two main political parties, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) of President Salva Kiir and the Sudan People’s NECESSARY ACTION Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) of Vice The international community should exert increased diplomatic President Riek Machar, has led to further instability. Defections pressure on all parties to the R-ARCSS to ensure its full and political fragmentation have triggered recent violence in implementation. The UNSC should impose further targeted Upper Nile, Warrap and Central Equatoria states. sanctions against any individuals who undermine the peace process. The AU, IGAD and neighboring countries should actively An estimated 1.62 million civilians remain displaced as a result of enforce the arms embargo. past conflict, with 2.2 million refugees in neighboring countries. IRAQ Nearly 5.8 million people in South Sudan are acutely food insecure The AU and the government should expeditiously establish and an estimated 1.4 million children under the age of five are the Hybrid Court and prosecute individuals responsible for malnourished. The UN reported that more people are in need of past atrocities, regardless of their affiliation or position. The humanitarian assistance during 2021 than ever before. HRC should enable the CHRSS to continue its work until an appropriate court or tribunal is fully operational. ANALYSIS Political instability and armed conflict have been pervasive in South Sudan for the majority of its ten years of independence. EGYPT LIBYA Between December 2013 and August 2015 an estimated 400,000 SAUDI people were killed as the army and SPLA-IO perpetrated war ARABIA crimes and crimes against humanity, but there has been no substantive attempt to hold perpetrators accountable. The CHRSS alleges that between 2017-2019 government troops and CHAD SUDAN ERITREA YEMEN opposition forces deliberately used the starvation of civilians Khartoum as a method of warfare, particularly in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Jonglei states. ETHIOPIA While there is a history of seasonal inter-communal violence in CENTRAL SOUTH AFRICAN SUDAN parts of South Sudan, recent disputes have been exacerbated by REPUBLIC resource pressures caused by climate change, arms proliferation and the decline of state authority. Historic peace deal aimed at ending conflict in Darfur, South Kordofan and Although the formation of the TGoNU was supposed to provide Blue Nile signed on 3 October 2020 an opportunity to address divisions in the country, senior political and military leaders continue to manipulate long-standing enmities between rival ethnic communities. Bitter disagreements SUDAN between leaders of the TGoNU on how to implement the peace agreement have led to a widening of political, military and ethnic Populations in Sudan, especially in the Darfur region, continue divisions and an increase in violence. to face the threat of inter-communal violence and potential atrocities by armed groups. The TGoNU is struggling to uphold its responsibility to protect. BACKGROUND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE Inter-communal violence and militia attacks have escalated in The UNSC has subjected eight people to targeted sanctions since Sudan since the start of 2021, particularly in West and South 2015 and imposed an arms embargo since 2018. On 12 March Darfur. Disputes over land ownership and competition for scarce 2021 the UNSC extended the mandate of UNMISS until March resources between herder and farming communities have led to 2022, emphasizing that, “South Sudan’s government bears the violent clashes that are often ethnically motivated, resulting in primary responsibility to protect its populations from genocide, hundreds of people being killed. According to the International war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.” Organization for Migration, approximately 237,000 people have been displaced by conflict in Darfur since the beginning of 2021, The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the CHRSS which is four times higher than during all of 2020. have expressed alarm over the escalation of inter-communal conflict in South Sudan. From 16-17 January violence broke out between individuals from the Massalit and Arab communities around the city of El Geneina,

22 R2P Monitor | globalr2p.org West Darfur, prompting allied militias to mobilize. In the resulting 2020, he has not been held accountable for past atrocity crimes. clashes, at least 250 people were killed and an estimated 100,000 At least one member of the Sovereign Council – Mohamed Hamdan displaced. Additional fighting erupted on 3 April between the “Hemedti” Dagolo – is also implicated in atrocities committed in Arab and Massalit communities around El Geneina, resulting in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile as commander of the RSF. 117 people being killed and 283 injured. Sustained international support is necessary to assist Sudan’s In response to the violence, Sudan’s transitional government has transitional authorities in upholding their responsibility to protect. deployed the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to restore security and mediate between the Massalit and Arab communities. INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE The UNSC has imposed an arms embargo on Darfur since 2004 During October 2020 the transitional government – the Sovereign and sanctions on six individuals since 2006. Following a UNSC Council – and the leaders of the Sudan Revolutionary Front, a referral, the ICC issued arrest warrants for three Sudanese coalition of armed groups from Darfur, South Kordofan and officials, including Bashir, and two anti-government militia leaders Blue Nile, signed a peace agreement aimed at ending almost two for atrocities perpetrated in Darfur. During October 2020 the ICC decades of armed conflict and atrocities. The agreement also Chief Prosecutor traveled to Khartoum to discuss the potential calls for the establishment of transitional justice mechanisms. prosecution of ICC indictees.

ANALYSIS On 4 June 2020 the UNSC established UNITAMS to assist Sudan in While the October peace agreement is an opportunity to address its transition to democracy. The UNSC ended UNAMID’s mandate the root causes of conflict, tensions in the Darfur region remain on 31 December. high. The recent violence in West and South Darfur started less than a month after the end of the AU-UN Hybrid Operation On 14 December the US removed Sudan from its list of state in Darfur (UNAMID). The UN’s newly established Integrated sponsors of terrorism, providing opportunities to access Transition Assistance Mission (UNITAMS), which is mandated to foreign loans. assist the government during the democratic transition, has no uniformed armed personnel. The Sudanese security forces, who NECESSARY ACTION are responsible for the protection of civilians, have previously Despite the withdrawal of UNAMID, the UNSC must continue to committed atrocities against populations in Darfur. closely monitor the precarious security situation in the Darfur region. The transitional authorities must take immediate steps During his 30-year dictatorship, former President Omar al-Bashir to disarm armed groups and ethnic militias, and provide effective and other government officials were responsible for crimes protection to all vulnerable populations in Darfur. The Sudanese against humanity, war crimes and acts of genocide while fighting authorities, with the encouragement of the UNSC and the armed groups in South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur. Although international community, should actively support efforts to bring Bashir was convicted of corruption following his overthrow in April Bashir and other ICC indictees to justice.

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