STAND Conflict Update: October 2021

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

East and Southeast Asia

Burma

Following the National Unity Government’s declaration of the people’s defensive war against the military junta, clashes between defense forces and the military have been increasing. Ethnic minority regions have been the focus of several of the military’s attacks and violence against civilians, with churches and homes being burned down in Chin State and whole populations abandoning their towns to seek refuge in Mizoram, India. Harsher repressions are also occurring in the northern and central parts of Burma, where artillery strikes have injured civilians including children. The humanitarian crisis is growing. As of October 18th, there are 589,000 internally displaced persons within Burma, and since February 1st, there have been 22,000 refugee movements to nearby nations.

On the global stage, the BURMA Act, legislation authorizing targeted sanctions against the military junta and its conglomerates, was introduced in the United States Congress on October 5th. This act would also pressure the Biden administration to acknowledge the war crimes committed by the Burmese military, as well as to determine the violence targeting Rohingya people as genocide. The European Union parliament has voted to recognize the National Unity Government, although there have not been any changes in the struggle for recognition at the United Nations. ASEAN has also taken a step away from its usual non-interference policy by excluding the junta leader Min Aung Hlaing from its summit, although it invited a diplomat from the junta’s foreign ministry, who did not end up attending. The military has attempted to deflect growing international pressure against it by giving amnesty to prisoners in a strategy similar to those used by the previous Burmese dictators when they wanted to divert pressure, and many of those released were re-arrested almost immediately. Many journalists, politicians, activists, and civilians still remain unjustly arrested.

East Turkistan

Uyghur Muslims continue to be persecuted and forced into concentration camps in Xinjiang, China. Recent developments with Taliban control over Afghanistan have affected the livelihood and displacement of several Uyghur Afghan and Muslim refugees. Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar met with several Chinese officials to discuss policy options, despite tensions between both countries. This alarmed several Uyghurs due to fear of Chinese officials encouraging the Taliban to deport Uyghur Afghans into these camps. Amidst these discussions, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a militant group dedicated to establishing an independent East Turkestan state, and the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) expressed warnings to China to recruit Uyghur Muslims to help fight against attacks in Afghanistan. China remains wary of both militant groups attacking concentration camps and attempting to regain control of the region.

Kashmir

After experiencing immense surges of violence within the past month, Indian military and government officials began moving hundreds of migrant workers to safer locations away from the Himalayan valley. The attacks targeted non-native Kashmiris and Hindu and Sikh laborers residing in the eastern Bihar state. Indian military forces increased patrolling in other less-populated locations as well, with police camps set up for families and displaced individuals. These attacks have further fueled anti-Muslim sentiments within the Indian parliament. Recently, right-wing politician Vikram Randhawa of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) received backlash for hateful rhetoric against Muslim populations in Kashmir after encouraging his supporters to “skin them alive” and that Muslim parents must recognize their giving birth to “ungrateful children.” This hate speech continues to heighten tensions between India and Pakistan and exacerbate the conflict in Kashmir.

Middle East

Palestine

This month, Palestine has begun its olive harvest season and there have been reports by Palestinian farmers that they are being harassed by Israeli settlers. The settlers have stolen crops, uprooted saplings, and ruined trees. The olive season is a main source for farmers in Palestine. Ghassan Daghlas, who monitors conflict and violence in the northern West Bank described these attacks as “planned and not spontaneous.” International organizations have commented on the attacks of Palestinian farmers and landowners. The IRC released a report at the beginning of the month that explained how climate change and unstable weather patterns have harmed the livelihoods of these Palestinian farmers. These attacks only exacerbate the problems Palestinian farmers along the West Bank already face; climate change decreased their harvest yield by 55% in 2020.

The end of September and the beginning of October saw many civilian deaths along the Gaza strip and the West Bank. According to a report by the United Nations, twenty-nine Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces or Israeli settlers. Among these victims was a three-year-old boy. There were also Palestinians wounded during Israeli raids at Damascus Gate and the surrounding area. There were 23, mostly minors, arrested, and 22 injured. These raids came at a time when Palestinians celebrated the birthday of their Prophet Muhammad.

Syria

On October 20th, two drone strikes followed by rockets hit a U.S. military outpost on Syria’s southern border. Officials reported that the attack did not harm any American troops, despite repeated measures to do so. The outpost exists for the U.S. military to train Syrian forces to eliminate the presence of militia groups, especially the Islamic State militant group (ISIS). Alongside this, Syrian air defenses recepted Israeli missiles that targeted Damascus and injured two Syrian soldiers. Israel and Syria have been carrying out nightly air raids and attacks within the past month, with Israel targeting Iran-backed militias in and aiding Syrian forces, such as Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia. Amidst these tensions, recently, the Syrian government sentenced twenty-four individuals to death and another eleven to life in prison for starting wildfires in the northern region of the country last year. The Assad regime stated that these wildfires signified an act of terrorism versus arson, which worsened the instability caused by the ongoing civil war and COVID-19 pandemic. These outcomes have contributed to more polarized opinions on Assad’s government and the outcomes of the war.

Yemen

On the 7th of October, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted to end the mandate of experts investigating war crimes in Yemen. According to human rights activists, this is a major turning point in the ongoing crisis, which will lead to serious consequences on human rights protection. The activists on the field accused the UN of betraying the people in Yemen and allowing Saudi Arabia-led coalition to avoid accountability of the possible violations of international law. They emphasized the need for a new resolution that will broaden the scope of the investigation on human rights violations and examine the conflict in a wider political, ethnic, and cultural context. Al Jazeera reported that this is the first time the United Nations’ top rights body has ever rejected a draft resolution since its foundation in 2006.

On the 20th of October, the London-based organization named Guernica 37 had submitted its key findings to the UK Metropolitan Police to investigate Saudi Arabia and UAE complicity in crimes against humanity in relation to Yemen. The lawyers had clarified, that under the rule of general jurisdiction, the UK has the right to prosecute the perpetrators of gross human rights violations regardless of where and when these violations occurred.

Africa

Cameroon

On October 14, a mob lynched a military police officer after he had killed a five-year-old girl at a checkpoint in the anglophone South West region. The girl was shot after her parents refused to stop at the checkpoint and reportedly also refused to pay the requested 500 francs to continue past it. Residents of the region have expressed frustration not only with the girl’s death, but with the way they are consistently treated by militarized security forces. This led to mass protests, in which people carried the girl’s body to the regional governor’s office and waved 500 franc notes. There were also reports of gunfire, but nobody was linked to this shooting. This incident is just the latest way in which tensions between the government and residents of anglophone regions have spilled over to harm civilians.

DR Congo

Violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) continues to preside and exacerbate ongoing tensions between the regime, military, rebel groups, and civilian population. In the past month, a rebel fighter group, known as “M23,” seized two villages located on the eastern border of DRC, near Rwanda and Uganda. The M23 group, which is notorious for committing human rights abuses, forced families out of Tashanzu and Runyoni and targeted and hurt several female civilians and refugees through sexual violence. Although this violence prevails, the DRC regime has been gradually maintaining international government relations to ensure domestic infrastructure development. Recently, the President, Felix Tshisekedi, met with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the COP26 Summit in Glasgow, Scotland. This new relationship was started over mutual agreement to stop deforestation in the DRC’s parks and cities. Both parties expressed desires to invest in clean, sustainable technology to ensure business development, reducing poverty, and increasing healthcare across the DRC and in de-escalating military conflict along the borders. This new partnership shows promise in ensuring stronger relations between European and African countries and in promoting global economic, social, and environmental progress.

Sudan

Within the past month, the Sudanese military executed another coup that resulted in the arrest of Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok. The current transitional government, which focused on ensuring free elections and bringing about more democratic change to the regime, was also forcibly dissolved, causing mass unrest and protests in the capital, Khartoum, and another major city, Ondurman. Government and health officials reported seven casualties by gunfire, where another one hundred and forty protesters were severely injured due to encounters with military officials. General Abdel-Fattah Burham, the leader of the Sudanese military, declared that the military will form a “technocratic government” that manages the upcoming elections for July 2023. These actions have incited several negative international responses. Immediately, U.S. President Joe Biden announced his stopping of $700 million that was allocated to the former Prime Minister’s transactional government and infrastructure development. The United Nations Security Council called for an exclusive meeting between the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Norway, Estonia, and the United States, all of which condemned the military’s actions and asked for the release of government officials. This sudden action has caused massive unrest within the country and worsens prospects for economic and social development in the near future.

United States

Immigrants are being arrested and jailed with no legal representation at the Texas border. A man who crossed the Rio Grande to get to Texas was arrested after trying to find a better life. It has been four months since he was without a lawyer, without charges, and unable to communicate with anyone outside of the case, including his wife and seven-year-old son. Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s efforts to arrest undocumented immigrants on private property have drawn the ire of hundreds of migrants, who say their constitutional rights are being violated. While many migrants have been released to immigration authorities, others are waiting for attorneys, charges, and court appearances. Governor Abbott and his partners continue to increase personnel, legislation, and resources.

Writers

Alondra Becerra is a student at Texas State University. Alondra contributed to the Palestine portion of this update.

Ana Marija Apostoloska is a member of the Yemen Action Committee. Ana Marija contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a student at Brown University. Mira contributed to the Cameroon portion of this update.

Su Than Thar Nyi is a student at Smith College. Su Than Thar contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Shreya Satagopan is a student at the George Washington University. Shreya contributed to the East Turkistan, Kashmir, DR Congo, Sudan, and Syria portions of this update.

Trinity Anthony is a student at the Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC. Trinity contributed the United States portion of this update.

STAND Conflict Update: September 2021

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

East and Southeast Asia

Burma

On September 7th, the National Unity Government (NUG) Acting President, Duwa Lashi La announced the NUG’s declaration of “defensive war” against the military junta. The declaration was made public via a Facebook video in which he said, “with the responsibility to protect the life and properties of the people, the National Unity Government… launched a people’s defensive war against the military junta.” Many People’s Defense Forces (PDF) welcomed the declaration and urged residents to be alert and help resistance fighters as more fighting is expected. On the other hand, battles between the military and ethnic armed groups have been rising since the declaration. Ethnic armed groups such as The Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), Chin National Front (CNF), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), have stepped up military operations in the areas where they operate according to Radio Free Asia. As war wages on the ground, the battle to represent Myanmar is also waging at the United Nations assembly floor.

As of September 30th, more than 1,100 civilians have been killed and more than 6,900 civilians are under detention since the February 1st coup. The military junta has resumed the internet shutdown in many areas especially areas where the battles between the military and the oppositions are intense. As the situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate, the economy is on the brink of a total collapse. Myanmar’s currency has lost more than 60% of its value since the beginning of September. If the economic crisis is not addressed immediately, poverty will double by 2022.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

Since 2017, Uyghur Muslims have been inhumanely kidnapped and forced into concentration camps in Xinjiang, China. Unfortunately, little progress has been made in the correct direction, as the situation is currently at a standstill. However, Michelle Bachelet, a United Nations Human Rights top spokesperson (UN High Commissioner for Human Rights), made a statement on September 13th at the Human Rights Council Meeting, stating that she is struggling to find information about Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang camps, yet will continue a report over the situation occurring there. She also expresses her regret for not recognizing and putting more focus on this situation until now.

Additionally, there was a planned hearing supposed to be held on September 22nd but was postponed to October 27th, 2021. This hearing was determining the fate of Idris Hasan, an arrested Uyghur from Morocco, who was flagged by Interpol and captured. Later, however, Interpol processed new information leading to the red flag marking being taken off. Within this hearing, they will be discussing whether or not he should be transferred to China. This poses a real risk, due to how unsafe and life-threatening it is for Muslims to reside in China.

Kashmir

A recent surge in violence in Indian-administered Kashmir has caused significant tensions in the region of Kashmir. A series of attacks on civilians left 33 people dead. This marks the beginning of another wave of attacks in the region that are costing many innocent civilians their lives. The attacks are reported to be targeting migrant workers in the region who are non-native Kashmiris. The killings are said to have been committed by various rebel groups in the region who oppose the emergence of other religious groups. For context, Kashmir is characterized by a majority Muslim demographic and this demographic character has changed since the revocation of Article 360 in August 2019. This has contributed to an increase in tensions between many rebel groups and non-native Kashmiris residing in the region.

The increase in violence has led to an increase in conflict between India and Pakistan. India claims that Pakistan supports the armed rebellion in Kashmir; however, Pakistan denies these allegations. The response in the region has manifested in the form of a crackdown by the Indian military where multiple rebels have been killed in many operations across the valley. This violence has caused more international discussion on the effectiveness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies in the region.

Middle East

Palestine

Palestinian families have called for the Israeli government and Defense Forces to release prisoners held in “administrative detention” in downtown Ramallah (in Occupied West Bank). Six prisoners went on a hunger strike to protest this policy which permits Israeli authorities to detain Palestinians on the basis of “secret information,” without providing legal aid or a trial. During these ongoing protests, Israeli civilians and settlers have continued to commit violent attacks against Arab and Palestinian farmers harvesting oil trees in villages on the Occupied West Bank. Ghassan Daghas, an official responsible for investigating attacks in the northern West Bank, reported 58 attacks since the start of fall, nine of which have harmed Palestinians in Burin. The growing violence in the Occupied West Bank has worsened relations between Palestinian and Israeli individuals and further fueled anti-Jew and anti-Arab sentiments that persist.

Syria

On October 20th, a bomb explosion on a military bus in Damascus resulted in the death of fourteen individuals. Early that morning, jihadist groups involved in the ongoing Syrian Civil War stuck two devices under the bus while traveling through the Jisr al-Rais Bridge. These groups also attacked civilian populations shortly after, causing the death of an additional ten people. Since 2001, rebel groups have been increasing attacks on and are currently attempting to enclose around the northwest region near Damascus to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad, resulting in over 350,000 casualties and over five million displaced persons. Water shortages in public facilities and key rivers along with ongoing drought have exacerbated the refugee crisis and infrastructure even more, with an outbreak of diseases such as leishmaniasis and acute diarrhea, hitting populations in Northeast Syria. Currently, there are 56,000 recorded cases of acute diarrhea and 17,000 cases of parasitic disease, which still does not account for all affected civilians.

Amidst the domestic conflict in the country, tensions between Syria and Israel heightened after the government accused the Israeli government of assassinating a Syrian government official. On Saturday, October 16th, a sniper killed Midhat Saleh, who supervised policy on the Golan Heights border and was collaborating with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard to refine military infrastructure needed for an attack against Israel. These issues have heightened the stakes for the Syrian Civil War and government relations in this area.

Yemen

Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, is set to meet with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to work towards a cease-fire in Yemen between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels backed by Iran. President Biden’s administration has temporarily halted Saudi weapons sales, but the conflict is still ongoing, and individuals in Yemen are still suffering. Saudi Arabia continues to enact airstrikes that kill civilians and block important ports, keeping food, supplies, and aid from Yemenis. The Houthis continue to fight too and are currently trying to take control of the province of Marib, which would give them an upper hand in ceasefire talks. People fighting on both sides, as well as people simply residing in Yemen, are still being injured and killed even after six years.

Children especially are suffering, and a recent United Nations report has found that over 3,500 children have suffered from indiscriminate human rights violations in the war. An entire generation of Yemeni children have been killed, maimed, denied humanitarian access, and even recruited into fighting. Furthermore, 16 million Yemenis are close to starvation and are forced to ration their food. The most vulnerable of the nation’s population are facing the brunt of the crisis. Countless people are in need, but there is still hope for an end to the conflict.

Africa

Cameroon

On September 16, the government of Cameroon reported that anglophone separatists had killed 28 people, including 13 civilians, and destroyed several armored vehicles in an attack on a group of soldiers in the Northwest Region. Separatists used improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-tank rockets they reportedly smuggled from Nigeria. This came after another attack using IEDs on September 12, which hit a military convoy in the same region. After these attacks, Cameroon’s defense minister announced that they were going to change their military strategy, while the minister of employment and vocation called on anglophones to help by reporting people who they suspected of smuggling weapons.

Despite this increasing violence, there have been some improvements in conditions for civilians. On September 6, hundreds of schools in anglophone western regions reopened after being shut down by separatists for the past 3-5 years. The separatists recently decided that the schools should be left out of the conflict.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

On September 4, 30 people were killed in an attack suspected to be carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) in DR Congo’s northeastern region. Estimates from the country report that the ADF are responsible for over 6,000 deaths since 2013, with September’s attack being the most recent in a line of similar assaults. On September 10, the UNHCR released a news brief on the severity of conflict in DR Congo- in 2021 alone, the country has witnessed an estimated 1,100 rapes and 1,200 deaths in the regions of Ituri and North Kivu.

On September 25, the ADF was accused of carrying out another attack south of the Ituri province, during which five civilians were killed and one Red Cross volunteer was kidnapped. According to a recent report from Human Rights Watch, despite DR Congo implementing martial law, a high civilian death rate persists.

Sudan

Security forces in Sudan fired tear gas at protesters in the capital of Khartoum. The protesters were in the capital in support of a civilian-led transition to democracy; however, they were met with intense brutality. Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok said that he will be addressing the issues brought forward by the people, especially during this transition. However, it is important to note holding free elections at the end of the transitional period is vital in allowing the Sudanese people to choose a government of their own choice. Many civilian officials accused the military leadership of disrespecting boundaries and hurting the many civilians in the process.

This demonstration was seen just a week after the coup attempt in which 21 officials were detained by the military for having attempted to take power in the country. Civilian officials claim that politicians are the main cause behind these coups because they undermine the power of the average citizen.

United States

Thousands of Haitians who are looking for work, escaping environmental disasters, fleeing the political instability after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, and trying to make a better life for themselves and their families have come to the United States. These individuals have been met with violence from President Biden’s administration and agents under U.S. legislation. Border Patrol agents on horseback whipped migrants with their horse reins and told them to go back to where they came from. The United States has a long history of inhumane treatment towards asylum-seekers and migrants, especially Haitians, and this is a continuation of its anti-immigrant and anti-Black violence.

Biden, who campaigned on a promise of more welcoming immigration policies than former president Donald Trump, has even used Trump-era policies to enact mass deportations. “Title 42” cites the Covid-19 pandemic as justification to immediately return most migrants who arrive at the United States border, but many believe this is just an excuse to deport more people more quickly. The U.S. has deported over 6,000 people so far, and there seems to be no plans to stop.

Writers

Saw Tar Thar Chit Ba is a student at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania majoring in Business Administration. Saw Tar Thar contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Alvina Mastakar is a student in Terre Haute, Indiana. Alvina contributed to the East Turkistan portion of this update.

Ishreet Lehal is a freshman at the University of Southern California. She is the co-Education and co-United States Action Committee Lead on the Managing Committee. Ishreet contributed to the Kashmir and Sudan portions of this update.

Shreya Satagopan is a junior at The George Washington University studying political science and criminal justice. She is the co-Education and co-Burma Action Committee Lead on the Managing Committee. Shreya contributed to the Palestine and Syria portions of this update.

Grace Harris is a freshman at UCLA. She was president of her high school STAND chapter and serves as the co-Fundraising and co-High School Outreach lead on the Managing Committee. Grace contributed to the Yemen and United States portions of this update.

Mira Mehta is an incoming freshman at Brown University. She is the co-Policy and co-Yemen Action Committee Lead on the Managing Committee. Mira contributed to the Cameroon portion of this update.

Caroline Mendoza is a student at Columbia University studying human rights. Caroline is STAND’s Student Director and has served on the Managing Committee for four years. Caroline contributed to the Democratic Republic of Congo portion of this update.

STAND Conflict Update: June 2021

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

Since the offering of a peace deal between the Sudanese transitional government and the country’s rebel group occurred, more violence has broken out in the country. Small battles and skirmishes between the Arab Taaisha and non-Arab Falata groups killed over thirty-six individuals in the Western Darfur region. Around thirty-two individuals were also severely wounded from the conflict, which began due to a land dispute. Recently, the Sudanese government agreed to bring forward military officials who were accused of war crimes in the Darfur region. These conflicts are posing a significant challenge to Sudan’s transitional government, which is struggling to maintain its relations with neighboring countries. Additionally, cooperation between Sudan and the Ethiopian government has reached an all-time low. Increased conflict in the Ethiopian civil war has made its leaders more wary of compromising and settling the dispute over the Ethiopian Dam. As a result, the transitional Sudanese government requested the United Nations Security Council to intervene and stop the Ethiopian government from filling the dam without consent, especially since it places several Sudanese civilians’ lives in danger. Despite mass protest, Ethiopian leaders are eager to push to fill the dam.

South Sudan

After the United Nations’ warning of South Sudan being at risk for large-scale conflict, violence has still occurred, with millions of civilians suffering and peace efforts utilizing increased time. The civil war has worsened the famine, with over 5,000 additional refugees trying to rebuild homes and produce food. Currently, over six million people do not have access to food. The government’s focus on drilling oil and oil licensing versus humanitarian efforts has been a primary contributor to the growing number of refugees and individuals without food or medical supplies. Recently, the South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir, dissolved the parliament and made a motion to call on new cabinet members. Both South Sudan’s political groups and activist organizations hope this step allows for the President to make quicker, more efficient decisions on a peace deal, but many doubt this considering past efforts for peace. Activists are continuing to protest against the government’s actions and are urging the South Sudanese government to focus on providing aid to refugees.

Middle East

Yemen

Since the beginning of the civil war, many Yemenis have fled to a northern Yemeni city, Marib, for safety. Marib contains oil which is highly desirable to both the Houthis and Hadis. Violence in Marib escalated when the Houthis seized the city in February 2021. The Houthis have attempted to take control of Marib, claiming that it would make them much stronger. In the past week, the violence reached what some claim its “heaviest.” At least 111 have been killed in three days as the Houthis attempted to weaken government forces. This has been especially concerning since Marib is home to about one million displaced Yemenis whose lives are threatened by the fighting between the Houthis and Hadis.

The Houthis also claimed to be responsible for recently launching five ballistic missiles at two airports and a military site. However, the Saudi air forces were able to destroy two of the middles. They retaliated by launching 23 airstrikes on the Houthi militia located in Western Marib.

Amid the violence, Yemen continues to suffer from a humanitarian crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Yemen started its vaccination campaign in early April when it received 1.9 million doses of AstraZeneca. Just recently, in mid-June, the World Bank approved a grant from the United States to further support vaccination efforts in Yemen. The grant also aims to support the health care centers which lack many essential items including oxygen, water, and more. As Yemen begins to control the pandemic, the violence between the Houthis and Hadis continues further suggesting that it will continue in the post-pandemic environment.

Syria

The effects of the war in Syria have had grave consequences on its youth. In the annual Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) report, the United Nations (UN) stated that an alarming 19,379 children were affected by the war. This number has skyrocketed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the victims in this year’s report have been recorded as having endured the greatest number of “grave violations,” such as rape or recruitment into armed groups. Verified cases of abduction and sexual violence against children increased by 90 and 70 percent since the onset of the pandemic. The UN states in its report that “aggravated existing vulnerabilities of children, including by hampering their access to education, health, and social services, limiting child protection activities and shrinking safe spaces” have all caused the human rights violations to increase, further jeopardizing the future of the region.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising on the international stage as Iran-backed groups demand revenge and the United States defends its airstrikes in Syria. Iraqi armed groups, along with Iran, have stated that four members of the Kataib Sayyed al-Shuhada faction were killed in the attack on the border of Iraq and Syria which has caused the military to issue a condemnation of the US strikes as a “blatant and unacceptable violation of Iraqi sovereignty and national security.”

Asia

Burma

Earlier this month, the United Nations voted to formally denounce the military coup in Burma and called for an end to weapons sales. This is a rare show of international condemnation that holds great significance due to the 119-1 vote, but unfortunately, it is a non-binding resolution and thus, does not enforce a boycott of the Tatmadaw military government. Furthermore, they are still funded by their role in the global gem economy, with a recent report exposing corruption in the multi-billion dollar jade industry. Top military officials and their families directly profit from sales, and the report warns that it will continue to prop up the Tatmadaw unless major change is made through boycotts and sanctions.

Conditions are still poor for persecuted ethnic groups such as the Rohingya, with the new military regime perpetuating the same racist, nationalistic ideology of Rohingya individuals being second-class citizens. Because of this, the regime refuses to recognize the Rohingya as an official ethnic group. Refugees from countless marginalized groups, including the Rohingya, Karen, Chin, and others continue to flee the country, as they find that exclusionary policies enacted by other countries have placed burdens and made their lives more difficult.

Kashmir

After nearly two years of having no autonomy over their land, Kashmiris are being promised the right to hold elections once again. Prime Minister (PM) of India, Narendra Modi, stated that his government promises to hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir in the near future. On Thursday, June 24th, he met with regional leaders to discuss these polls, which marks the first time any such discourse has taken place since the special status of Kashmir was revoked in August of 2019. Chief ministers of Kashmir attended the meeting, all of whom are part of a group known as the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration. This group of leaders has put pressure for change as Delhi’s aggressive and highly militarized role in the valley has grown. Chief ministers who were detained under house arrest for months, such as Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, and Mehbooba Mufti, questioned the timing of the elections as well as PM Modi’s intentions with the region. Ruhulla Mehdi, a former National Conference legislator in the region, says that Modi’s government may have agreed to talk to Kashmiri leaders after mounting pressures for change from several other countries such as Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates. Many experts believe that Modi now sees the need to talk to Kashmiri leaders and attempt to tackle mounting criticism against his government for failing to effect any political change in the region. These conversations could be a start to giving Kashmiris their autonomy back and perhaps alleviate the ongoing lockdown and military occupancy in the region.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

China continues to deny allegations of human rights abuses occurring in East Turkistan and says the government camps are anti-terrorism measures. The United States and other nations continue to accuse China of genocide in East Turkistan. Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim nation, has been quiet on the problems occurring in China. In a recent interview, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan briefly touched on the issue and restated China’s claim that no human rights violations have taken place. This is due to China’s close economic ties with Pakistan. This places Ughyurs who have escaped China in an extremely precarious situation, with threats of being sent back to China being placed against families in Pakistan. Pakistan is not the only predominantly Muslim nation that has stood in support of China. Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates are amongst the 37 countries that signed a letter to the UN Human Rights Council, praising China’s contribution to international human rights causes. The reason for this seems to be purely economic with China contributing a large sum to these nations’ growth.

Europe-based Ugyhurs and Tibetans alike took to the Olympic Museum in Switzerland on June 23rd in order to protest the upcoming Beijing Olympics. Protesters cited the mass genocide of Uyghur Muslims as the reason for their protesting of the games.

The U.S. Senate held two hearings over the atrocities in Xinjiang, which Senators Kaine, Markey, and Menendez presided over. The Senate Foreign Relation Committee passed the bipartisan Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act out of committee. The purpose of the bill is to ensure that the United States and its entities do not fund forced labor and genocide amongst the ethnic minorities of the region.

Central Africa

Central African Republic

On June 2nd, the Central African Republic (CAR) saw clashes on its border with Chad that resulted in the death of three Russian soldiers and six Chadian civilians. The three Russians killed were part of a Russian assistance mission to CAR amid the country’s increased internal conflict and instability. On June 7th, the United Nations Security Council called for greater protection of United Nations (UN) peacekeepers. In addition to suspected abuses against peacekeepers, Russian forces have also been accused of violence against CAR civilians, having most recently killed 10 individuals in the northeastern region of CAR.

On June 23, the UN Special Representative for CAR spoke to the dire humanitarian situation in the country. Fifty-seven percent of CAR civilians are in need of humanitarian assistance, and, within the first quarter of 2021, sexual violence rates are five times higher than the last quarter of 2020.

Cameroon

In June, Cameroon’s military completed an operation called “Bui Clean,” in which they conducted raids on several towns and villages in an attempt to fight anglophone separatists. Many residents of these villages have said that they were falsely accused of working with rebels and that they experienced at the hands of the military, although the military has claimed that many of these residents are, in fact, supporting separatists. The military is not the only party responsible for violence in this conflict. After the operation had ended, there was a raid on a police station, and at least 10 soldiers were confirmed to have been killed.

Overall, civilians have continued to suffer the consequences of this conflict. In June, Doctors Without Borders reported that there are over 1.4 million people in the western regions of Cameroon in need of humanitarian support and tens of thousands who have been denied access to lifesaving healthcare since December. The group was banned in December because the government of Cameroon has claimed that they are too close with anglophone separatists. The government has not said when the group may be able to resume work in the region.

Democratic Republic of Congo

On May 31st, attacks from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) killed 57 internally displaced people, causing over 5,800 civilians in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to become forcibly displaced. The ADF, a militant group that commonly raids villages in eastern DRC, initiated another attack on June 7th, killing 19 people in the village of Boga. This violence, paired with similar abuses, caused DRC leadership to impose martial law for 15 additional days after declaring a state of siege one month previously. Despite efforts to reduce violence in the country, on June 2, the city of Beni saw two bomb blasts in one day. Authorities have since imposed a curfew to protect civilians from further attacks.

Refugees

On June 25, the European Union approved three billion euros in assistance to Turkey over the next three years to support Syrian refugees living in the country. Additionally, to strengthen border security in the country, 2.2 billion euros will also be given to Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria to support their refugees and internally displaced people. The plan is seen by many as a way to limit the number of refugees entering the EU by ensuring that other countries can continue to support them.

Before the EU meeting at which this funding was approved, several NGOs asked the group to relocate several refugees and asylum seekers who were being held in places with poor living conditions and were suffering human rights abuses. This was partially in response to poor conditions at refugee camps in Greece known as Moria and Moria 2.0. While thousands of refugees have been relocated since April of 2020, the EU has not made a change in response to this most recent request.

Shreya Satagopan is an incoming junior at The George Washington University studying political science and criminal justice. She is the co-Education and co-Burma Action Committee Lead on the Managing Committee. Shreya contributed to the Sudan and South Sudan portions of this update.

Aisha Saleem is an incoming senior at Barnard College. She is the co-Outreach (University) and co-Yemen Action Committee Lead on the Managing Committee. Aisha contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Ishreet Lehal is an incoming freshman at the University of Southern California. She is the co-Education and co-United States Action Committee Lead on the Managing Committee. Ishreet contributed to the Syria portion of this update.

Grace Harris is an incoming freshman at UCLA. She was president of her high school STAND chapter and serves as the co-Fundraising and co-High School Outreach lead on the Managing Committee. Grace contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Saroona Khilji is a psychology student at George Mason University and a member of STAND. Saroona contributed the Kashmir portion of this update.

Simmy Ghosh is a rising senior at College Station High School. She is the co-East Turkistan Action Committee Lead on the Managing Committee. Simmy contributed to the East Turkistan portion of this update.

Caroline Mendoza is a student at Columbia University studying human rights. Caroline is STAND’s Student Director and has served on the Managing Committee for four years. Caroline contributed to the Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo portions of this update.

The Future is Bright: Class of 2021 Farewell

Posted on May 9, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

At the beginning of the 2020-2021 STAND year, we had no idea if the Managing Committee could be as close, supportive, and impactful as usual with all of the challenges of the pandemic. We’ve been blown away at how the team has become a true community that has run some of our most effective campaigns ever – while never meeting in person!

Under the leadership of these four graduates (soon to be alumni!), STAND has grown its grassroots reach, attracted discussion with high-level experts, and become a more inclusive and accessible movement. All of these women are continuing their studies related to international issues and atrocity prevention. They remind us every day that the future is bright, and we are so hopeful for their next steps. Thank you, and congratulations!

Abby Edwards (co-Student Director), Columbia University and Sciences Po Paris

You have really taken on the co-Student Director role as your own. Thank you for sharing your ideas and making them come to life, from the Book Club to your conversation with Ambassador Power. You built up the East Turkistan Action Committee from scratch, forging partnerships and delving into complex policies. You are also STAND’s top merch model! You have a unique blend of skills in creative, managerial, and forward-thinking areas that will serve you well in grad school and beyond. I will miss the many, many Slack messages and jokes throughout the day, but I’m so excited that you’ll be in DC. You’re welcome to come see Travis anytime. – Laura Strawmyer, Program Director

Abigail, I will never forget the time I first met you during the August 2019 retreat when you were so jetlagged but refused to take a nap during the day. You have always been so goal-oriented and persistent. I will never forget how much fun we had making the GFA Campaign with other fellow STAND members. I’m glad to have met another friend at Columbia and happy that we have been able to share our love for the school and President Bollinger. It has been great to see you go up from MC member to SD and it has been rewarding to see your growth as a leader. You are so incredibly talented and nice and it’s hard to find a friend like you. It’s not easy to do 2 bachelors in 4 years but look at you! You have excelled in many ways (through extracurriculars, academically and more) and I know I’ll be reading your autobiography in the future. I’m going to miss you a lot but I know you’re doing great things in the future. I’m so excited to see the amazing things you’ll do in the future as a great lobbyist and even better skier. Glad to have been your conference and lobbying buddy. – Aisha Saleem, co-Outreach (University) and co-Yemen AC Lead

Abby, thank you for putting forth effort and talent during your time here in STAND. You never cease to amaze us all and the best part? This is only the beginning. Your leadership and passion shines through in everything that you do. You are truly a powerful voice and force. You are going big places and I cannot wait to see all of the amazing things that you will accomplish. Working with you has been an absolute honor. I think I can speak for us all when I say thank you for teaching us and guiding us in any and all ways. From the GFA to tea chats and painting calls, getting to know you has been a blast. I’m going to miss seeing your smile on zoom calls!! Thank you for your dedication and I wish you the best in all of your life endeavors. You have been such a great friend and leader, and we are all so proud of you. – Jordyn Galvan, co-Policy and Communications Lead

Abby!!! My East Turkistan Action Committee buddy (and the person who always reminds me to do the things I forget to do)!! You have been a WONDERFUL co-Student Director this year and have really made my first year on the MC so fun and meaningful! Your work leading both our Action Committee and STAND itself has been really incredible, and I have really had the best time working with you. You just do so much and are always involved, and I am in awe of your incredible activist organizing skills. Also you’re just so kind and helpful, always ready to give me college advice, tour me around the campus, or help me develop my own skills as an advocate. We have really become close this year and I have absolutely loved my time with you! You’re always ready to have a funny icebreaker or host our next iconic bonding activity, and I love that! This year has been amazing thanks to you! I know you will be amazing in grad school and I really can’t wait to see where your life takes you! I know we’ll stay friends, and I know you will do amazing things in the future!!! One last woooo for you!!!! -Grace Harris, co-Xinjiang AC and co-Outreach (High School) Lead

Megan Rodgers (co-Student Director), University of Arkansas

It’s a rare thing to find someone as compassionate, driven, and knowledgeable as you! I have so much respect for how you’ve forged your own path from unlikely circumstances and never let a challenge keep you down. I was so amazed by your knowledge and conviction from the first time I saw you lobby your representative and handle difficult questions with grace. You have left a mark on how STAND works on displacement and refugee issues. We needed your caring leadership during this tumultuous year. Thank you for shepherding the State Advo Lead program this year in addition to the MC. I can’t wait to see you in DC soon and follow what you do next! – Laura Strawmyer, Program Director

Megan, I’m so glad to have met you in the August 2019 and January 2020 retreat before COVID hit! I remember how we bonded over having 4 siblings as we ate pizza and how you talked about your sister in law who had the same name as you! I’m so glad to have seen you grow from the position of DRC AC lead to the SD. You excelled in both roles and always had a smile on your face. I can’t even imagine how difficult it must have been to manage school (and your insane 3 majors) and all those extracurriculars, but congratulations on graduating! Everyone knows this but you are incredibly hardworking and driven, and it’s so amazing to see how much effort you put into the stuff you care about. You are genuinely a kind person and I am so excited to see you go. You’re going to do great things and the drive you have will take you far! Good luck with everything and start happy – Aisha Saleem, co-Outreach (University) and co-Yemen AC Lead

Megan, no matter if it’s in a Zoom call or at an MC Retreat, I know that I will always see you with a genuine, warm smile on your face. Your amazing personality, optimistic spirit, and loving heart shine through in every conversation I have with you. I remember the first time I met you at the August 2019 retreat, where our first conversation was about it being both of our first times to Washington DC. You’re truly one of a kind– you constantly work to better your understanding of the world around you, you’re the first one there to offer words of encouragement, and you bring out the best in everyone who works with you. I’m continuously inspired by your kindness, humbleness, and love of life. I feel blessed to have worked with you these past two years, and I know that you will do incredible things in your life. I’ll miss us hanging out at in-person retreats, but I know I have a forever friend in you! -Claire Sarnowski, co-Outreach (Fundraising) and State-Level Education Lead

Jan Jan Maran, George Mason University

JAN JAN! Seeing your advocacy blossom within the last year has been a beautiful sight. In every post, speech, conversation, video, and poem, you can hear and feel all of the love and care that you carry for your community. The personal connection that you carry with your advocacy shines through and shows just how strong you are. Your sleepless nights and consistent efforts do not go unnoticed and I truly believe that YOU specifically will bring forth so much change for your community. Your bubbly personality, creative perspective, and dedication brings forth such a strong voice and I cannot wait to see the places you will go. You are one of the most hardworking people I have ever met. Thank you for being such a great colleague, advocate and friend. I hope I can meet you one day, just know that no matter where you are, we are sending our support. I’m so honored to have met such a strong individual. You are changing the world for young women everywhere and seeing you do it from your most authentic self is the best part. Sending you love, luck and support in everything you do. Keep shining bright Jan Jan, I believe in you. – Jordyn Galvan, co-Policy and Communications Lead

Jan Jan, you were kind to me before you even really knew me, and that’s just the kind of person you are. You are dedicated and caring, and you are always making sure that people are included and represented, whether it’s members of our team or people around the world. It has been so incredible to see you advocate for your community and all people in Burma with such love and genuine care. Everything you do is so personal, and that’s what makes it meaningful. I know that it’s been a lot of sacrifice, but I hope you know that your work is really making an impact, and everything you have done has been worth it. You have inspired so many of us already, and I’m always learning from your advocacy. Your positive and optimistic personality always makes it a treat to work with you, even when things are getting to be heavy or tiring. STAND won’t be the same without you, but I can’t wait to see what you do next! -Mira Mehta, co-Yemen AC Lead

Jan Jan you are literally the sweetest person and I know you will continue to do the amazing things you’ve already been doing! I love your passion and enthusiasm and you really are such a good writer! I love seeing your heartfelt poems on social media. You have done an AMAZING job in your Burma advocacy both with leading an amazing committee and with bringing in community members to join our work. Everything you do is just so meaningful and I know you really put all of yourself into your work. It really has been amazing working with you. this year, from late night bonding calls to being lobbying partners to making really bad art! While we’ve never actually met in person, we’ve become friends this year virtually and I really can’t wait to see what you do next! Whatever you decide, make sure to take time for self-care because you totally deserve it!! Good luck for the next big stage of your life, I know you got this! Woooo!! –Grace Harris, co-Xinjiang AC and co-Outreach (High School) Lead

Jenna Walmer, West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Jenna, working with you this year has been such an amazing experience. You’re so incredibly intelligent and kind, and you’re always willing to take the time to explain things. You are so passionate and ready to dive into things, and you bring such a fun energy to everything you work on. I loved getting to know you — from watching you be amazing in GFA videos over the summer to seeing your amazingly detailed full year CCC plan (I wish I could do that) and getting to work on that with you. You are so much all wrapped into one — an athlete, an advocate, a professor, and an influencer — and that showed in the way you approached everything with such creativity. It was so cool to see you come up with news, different ways to pull in different types of people and groups and make our work accessible and interesting to everyone. I’m going to miss working with you, but I know you’re going to be doing amazing things. Wishing you lots of love and luck; we’ll all be watching in awe! -Mira Mehta, co-Yemen AC Lead

Jenna, thank you so much for all the work you have done for STAND. I remember the first day I joined the MC about five months ago, and you were so welcoming, accepting, and helpful. At the retreat, when I was new, you were there right away to give me the help I needed. Also, Congratulations on committing to Syracuse! Both of my parents graduated from Syracuse, and I am certain that you are going to do amazing things and thrive there, as you always do (P.S. my parents said that you should shop at Wegmans because it’s awesome). From all the amazing work you have done for STAND to your newfound career as an influencer, I just know that you are going to be successful with whatever you end up doing. I’m so sad that I won’t be working with you in STAND anymore, but I am so proud of you for everything you have done and everything you are going to accomplish in the rest of your life. – Allison Weiner, Sudan & South Sudan AC Lead

Jenna my CUQ (conflict update queen) and all around goddess- I’ve beyond loved working with you this past year and appreciate your dedication and witty humor that makes everything that much better. You’re so so knowledgeable and one of the smartest people I know- it’s very intimidating and I remember being kinda scared of you LOL. I always enjoy your hilarious snaps and am hoping that your influencer career will take you far. Thanks for always being literally the best partner I could ask for and for serving as an amazing role model both for me and everyone else on the team. I’d wish you luck in all your future endeavours but I know you don’t need it You’re awesome and so deserving of all the great things you’re going to do!! – Caroline Mendoza, co-Education and co-Burma AC Lead

STAND Conflict Update: April 2021

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

Despite the peace deal signed last year between Sudan’s transitional government and many of the country’s rebel groups, some groups still refuse to sign on. Both members of a major military group and survivors of violence in Darfur have voiced their complaints but they have not been addressed. The agreement promises reparations for genocide survivors and those impacted by conflict, but many still do not trust the government due to the involvement of military leaders. They believe that no peace deal can truly bring justice unless those most impacted by Sudan’s violence are involved in the process.

South Sudan

On April 27, the United Nations warned that South Sudan may be at risk of large-scale conflict again due to the slow pace of peace accord reforms. Since the ceasefire just over a year ago, tensions have risen again between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, and there is much discontent among different political and military groups. South Sudan has not yet unified military command or finalized the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, two major reforms in the accord.

The people of South Sudan are still in a crisis, and conflict has worsened the ongoing famine. It is estimated that acute food insecurity is affecting 60% of the population, and the civilian killings and displacement only add to the problem. Many humanitarian organizations are blocked from delivering supplies and aid to those in need due to fighting. There are still hopes for lasting peace in South Sudan, though, but humanitarian aid, political peace, and civilian protections are needed.

Middle East

Yemen

Violence in Yemen escalated after the Saudi-backed government presented a peace initiative to end the ongoing war but the Houthis rejected the ceasefire. The Houthis used two drones to strike the King Khalid air base and a facility of Aramco oil company. However, the Saudi-backed coalition reported that they intercepted one of the drones targeting the airbase and destroyed it.

On a different front, the Houthis have usurped the Kassara battlefield, even though there have been Saudi-led airstrikes in the region. Houthi rebels also advanced closer to the center of Marib, as they seized complete control of the Kassara battlefield despite air attacks by the Saudi-led coalition. The violence has resulted in over 65 casualties. The Biden administration wants to push Saudi Arabia to end the conflict and provide aid to the millions of refugees suffering.

Syria

Next month, Syria is scheduled to have a presidential election. Syrian refugees in Lebanon have been encouraged to register to vote, but some refuse because the results of the election seem “guaranteed” to go to current president Bashar al-Assad. Western countries, including the United States and those in the European Union, do not think that these elections will be “free or fair” without a solution to the ongoing conflict in the region. Conflict has escalated because of a Syrian missile explosion in Israel on April 22. Israel retaliated with increased airstrikes in Syria.

Asia

Burma

The conflict in Burma has only increased in scale and violence since March. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, over 3,431 citizens have been arrested and over 750 have been killed. The junta continues to terrorize the country and use lethal force against protesters and non-protesters alike. Since the coup’s beginning in February, over 250,000 people have been forcibly displaced. On April 17 the junta released over 23,000 prisoners, following a tradition to celebrate the new year, however it has not yet been confirmed if any of the pardoned were involved in the protests. Those still incarcerated for protesting now face even greater threats- at least 23 people have been sentenced to death in military courts.

As this horrific violence continues, the UN ordered an immediate end to the coup and called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to do the same- however, ASEAN refuses to do so. Despite taking a firm moral stance against the coup, the UN refuses to take bolder actions due to Russian and Chinese opposition. While the US and European Union have increased sanctions, without pressure from international organizations like the UN, true progress seems far off.

A significant development came with the establishment of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH): the effective government currently deemed illegal by the junta. Despite being banned, the CRPH has received overwhelming support from the people of Burma as well as international diaspora. On April 1, CRPH members, many of whom are from the National League for Democracy, officially abolished the 2008 constitution. This act destroys the legislature that granted the military extensive power. On April 16 the CRPH created the National Unity Government, which aims to provide democracy and legitimate representation to many ethnic minorities who have faced discrimination for years.

Kashmir

Despite small accounts of violence in the region, conditions in Kashmir and relations with India seem to be improving. Multiple sources have reported on the potential for formal peace talks and agreements between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir region, though the process for peace restoration has barely begun.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, mentioned that “if India is willing to revisit some of the decisions that they took on August 5, 2019, Pakistan will be more than happy to engage.” Amongst some of the issues that Pakistan would like to negotiate during peace talks are the recent demographic changes, the return of political prisoners, the removal of Internet blockades and shutdowns, and the re-granting of full statehood rights to Kashmir. Pakistani sources point out that these conditions are the minimum requirements needed for Pakistan to be willing to discuss peace with India. Due to the recent nature of Pakistan’s statement, all that can be done now is to wait until India decides to take the next step and move peace talks forward.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

Following sanctions made in March, the United Kingdom officially declared the atrocities occurring in East Turkistan as a genocide. The House of Commons agreed on April 22 that “Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in China’s Xinjiang region are suffering ‘crimes against humanity and genocide.’” This motion is non-binding as it does not force the British government to act against China, however, it is a step in the right direction following the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands’ declaration of genocide in previous months.

On April 13, U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Marco Rubio introduced legislation “to make Uyghurs who have been persecuted by the People’s Republic of China eligible for priority refugee processing in the United States.” The legislation would designate Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities as priority 2 refugees.

Several reports were also released in the past month, including from Human Rights Watch and the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). The report from Human Rights Watch identified a range of abuses against Uyghurs and urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to investigate the allegations. The USCIRF report recommends that the United States enforce the Uyghur Human Rights Act of 2020, impose further sanctions, and publicly express concerns about the Beijing 2022 Olympics by stating that US officials will skip the Olympics should genocide against the Uyghurs continue.

Central Africa

Central African Republic

On April 6, the Union for Peace in CAR (UPC), one of the country’s most powerful rebel groups, left the rebel alliance that had worked to unseat President Faustin-Archange Touadéra since December 2020. The UPC leader noted civilian suffering as a result of violent clashes as the main reason for the group’s departure, a message coming at a time when starvation and civilian casualties have seen a steep increase. There are over 12,500 individuals in need of humanitarian assistance in the cities of Grimari and Ngoulinga due to mass forced displacement following election violence in December 2020. On April 16, food rations successfully reached a portion of those in need, however, internally displaced people and refugee numbers continue to rise as resources and space become increasingly difficult to come by.

As of April 20, over 2,000 CAR refugees have fled to neighboring Chad after a surge in fighting between government and rebel forces. According to the UNHCR, the situation in CAR is one of the most underfunded humanitarian aid operations, with a mere 12% of necessary funds met.

Cameroon

On April 17, the Cameroonian military freed nine civilians who had allegedly been held hostage by anglophone separatists. The hostages stated that they were not given any food to eat, and had their ears cut off while one man lost his fingers when he tried to escape. During the military raid to free these people, however, two separatists were allegedly killed, and it has been reported that some civilians were also killed or injured. It is unclear exactly how the raid happened, but the military denies any wrongdoing despite a history of not distinguishing between civilians and separatist fighters.

While this conflict continues, there has been some progress in other areas. Security at Cameroon’s border with Nigeria has reportedly improved, with economic activity starting to begin again with less fear of attacks from Boko Haram. The group continues their attacks, however, and Human Rights Watch officials in the area have said that it is still not safe enough for internally displaced people to return home.

Democratic Republic of Congo

On April 20, the International Court of Justice began its hearing over the conflict between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). DRC is hoping for $4.3 billion in compensation for the human rights abuses that occurred after Uganda’s illegal invasion in the 1990s and early 2000s. During this conflict, Uganda also exploited DRC’s land for natural resources. DRC is asking for an additional “$2.8bn for damages to wildlife, $5.7bn for macroeconomic damages, and $700m for loss of natural resources– bringing the total reparation demands to over $13bn.”

This month has also seen an increase in protests against the United Nations peacekeeping forces in Beni. The civilians have been protesting for the removal of the peacekeepers because they believe they have not prevented killings by militia groups. Police have used force to attempt to quell the protests, including firing gunshots into crowds and detaining civilians.

Refugees

Despite his previous statements that he would raise the refugee admissions ceiling, on April 16, President Biden decided to maintain President Trump’s historically low 15,000 person cap, citing humanitarian concerns. After much pushback, Biden revealed that evening that he would raise the cap by May 15, though it is unclear by how much. The Biden administration also revealed on April 23 that it was considering a provision to allow people fleeing their homes due to the threats of climate change to be granted refugee status in the United States. This could be significant as an increasing number of people are affected by climate change and related natural disasters.

–

Grace Harris is a senior at Tampa Prep High School. She has been a member of her school’s STAND chapter since her freshman year and currently serves as its president. With STAND, Grace is the co-East Turkistan and co-High School Outreach lead. Grace contributed to the Sudan and South Sudan portion of this update.

Shreya Satagopan is a sophomore at The George Washington University studying political science and criminal justice. She is a member of the STAND Yemen and Sudan Action Committees and is a State Advocacy Lead. Shreya contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Jenna Walmer is a graduate student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania working towards an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and an M.A. in General Psychology. With STAND, she is the co-Education and co-Policy lead. Jenna contributed to the Syria and DRC portions of this update.

Ella Cimino is a student at Tampa Preparatory High School. Ella contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Morgan Swindall is a student at George Mason University. Morgan contributed to the Kashmir portion of this update.

Audrey Firrone is a student at the University of Memphis. Audrey contributed to the East Turkistan portion of this update.

Caroline Mendoza is a student at UCLA studying international development. Caroline serves on the Managing Committee as a co-education and co-Burma committee lead. Caroline contributed to the Central African Republic portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a student at Westfield High School. Mira contributed to the Cameroon and Refugees portions of this update.

STAND Conflict Update: March 2021

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

Tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia continue as conflict over the Nile Dam worsens. Ethiopia believes the dam is essential for providing many of its citizens with jobs, while Sudan sees it as an imminent flooding threat that could cripple their already suffering economy. Sudan is not the only country fearing the construction of the dam, as Egypt worries their economy may be impacted as well. With the ousting of Sudan’s autocratic leader, Omar al-Bashir, and a common interest in preventing the dam’s construction, Sudan and Egypt have planned to tackle the dam issue together. Prime Minister Hamdok of Sudan has offered resolutions if Ethiopia shares information on the dam’s construction to prevent flooding hazards.

South Sudan

Reeling from conflict, the UN Commissioner for Human Rights called on the South Sudanese government to hold accountable the many militias that were responsible for the killings and rape that pillaged the Greater Jonglei region. The UN Mission in South Sudan and Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have strongly urged the Sudanese government to build an organized military and investigate the human atrocities that have occurred in the region.

Musa Hilal, Janjaweed militia leader in the armed conflict, was pardoned and released from a detention center in Khartoum on March 11. Many in Sudan feel like the pardoning of Hilal did not give the victims of the Darfur conflict the justice they deserve.

Middle East

Yemen

After the United States’ calls to end Saudi support and Houthis’ calls to lift the Saudi blockade, the Saudi-backed government finally presented a new peace initiative to end the current war in Yemen. This initiative includes allowing food, fuel, and other medical imports through the Hudaydah Port (which was previously restricted), reopening the Sanaa airport, and restarting diplomatic political negotiations between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed government. In addition, the Saudis proposed a ceasefire between both parties under the supervision of the United Nations.

While the chief negotiator of the Houthis, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has continued to talk with Muscat, Washington, and Riyadh to achieve a final peace agreement, Saudi Prince Faisal states that this initiative will be implemented immediately after the Houthis agree to it. The Houthis still remained determined to retain their territory, which would ensure their control over central and northern Yemen, while the Saudi-backed government attempted to stop the seizure of Marib. Meanwhile, the first fuel ship docked in the Hudaydah port this year, as the Saudi coalition agreed to relax the blockade.

Syria

ISIL violence in Syria has increased in the past month. At the end of March, Kurdish-led forces conducted a sweep through the al-Hol refugee camp and arrested nine suspected members of ISIL. This refugee camp has seen a surge of violence since the new year, with ISIL fighters killing 47 people since the beginning of 2021. Outside of the refugee camp, Syria has experienced an increase in air strikes on its Turkish border. The United Nations and the United States have condemned the attacks and called for a ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the United Nations has been working diligently to assist Syria in bringing justice to war crimes committed in the country. Catherine Marchi-Uhel, who investigated serious crimes in Syria, believes that the documentation provided by the United Nations has been the best since World War II. With extensive documentation, justice is possible.

Asia

Burma

At the beginning of this month, Aung San Suu Kyi, the winner of the November 2020 election, appeared in court against four charges from the Burmese military. There is still no sign of the Burmese military relinquishing power. Pro-democracy protests are still occurring, and they are often met with deadly violence. On March 3rd, Burma’s security forces killed at least 38 peaceful protesters during a demonstration. Images and videos from the protest show soldiers heavily armed.

On March 13th, Burma marked seven weeks under military rule. A demonstration on March 14th in Yangon ended in at least 74 deaths in the Hlaing Tharyar Township. It was reported that some demonstrators wrote their personal and medical information on themselves in case they would need medical attention during the protest. Unfortunately, on March 23rd, seven-year-old Khin Myo Chit became one of the youngest killed by the military during a raid on her family’s home in the city of Mandalay. While the Burmese military interrogated her father, she ran to his lap and was subsequently shot and killed.

In an effort to control protests, the Burmese military has taken control of some hospitals, and is targeting frontline medical workers who are aiming to aid injured protestors. On March 19th, the U.S. House of Representatives called for the reinstatement of Burma’s elected officials and the release of detainees after voting to pass legislation condemning the coup. Currently, a number of nations have publicly taken stances against the actions of the Burmese military. Alongside the fight against the military coup is the fight for equality from Burma’s ethnic minority groups. While these groups historically have felt that Suu Kyi governed in favor of only the majority, these groups support the demonstrations against military rule in Burma.

Kashmir

Violence at the Pakistan-Kashmir border raises concerns over recent moves toward peace. Shortly after the foreign envoys’ visit, India and Pakistan announced a mutual ceasefire between the two countries on Thursday, February 25, which was the first effort towards peace since 2003. Then, as secret peace talks continued, India sent a letter asking Pakistan’s Prime Minister for “cordial relations” between the two neighboring countries on Tuesday, March 20. However, tensions could be on the rise after very recent mentions of casualties in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Saturday, March 27. While peace talks continue and olive branches are exchanged, it is important to keep an eye on the region since National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah pointed out that there is still “much more to do.”

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

On March 12, the United States condemned China during an address before the United Nations Human Rights Council. The condemnation follows Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s call for international monitors to probe for abuses in East Turkistan.

The Biden administration announced more sanctions against two Chinese government officials over the current human rights abuses. Between March 17 and March 22, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States established sanctions against China and Chinese officials in response to the atrocities occurring in East Turkistan. The decision of the European Union follows the Dutch Parliament’s declaration of genocide on February 26. New Zealand and Australia released a joint statement supporting these sanctions, but have not established any sanctions of their own.

Central Africa

Central African Republic

Since December 2020, the Central African Republic has seen over 240,000 civilians forcibly displaced as the result of rebel attacks following the country’s national elections. A humanitarian crisis now ensues, with aid blockages due to rebel control of over two-thirds of the country and violent clashes preventing mobile health clinics and other support from reaching those at risk. In Swia, an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in CAR, IDPs rely on unclean water and informal shelters to survive. On March 9, the International Committee of the Red Cross successfully sent over 135 tons of food to CAR while close to 500 UN trucks remain stuck on the Cameroon-CAR border due to clashes.

On March 12, the UN Security Council approved a resolution to supply CAR with an additional 3,700 personnel to support already stationed UN peacekeepers in the country. The resolution also noted the role of the reinforcements in facilitating aid deliveries and providing security to CAR in light of escalating tensions between rebel groups. Despite security risks, CAR has moved ahead with a second round of parliamentary elections after rebel violence disrupted the country’s first round. On March 14, civilians in 118 of CAR’s provinces took to the polls to cast their ballots for 49 open seats.

Cameroon

On March 18, a trial was set to resume for soldiers who killed 21 civilians in the English-speaking North West region in February of 2020. The soldiers also burned homes and pillaged many other places in the village, but their trial did not begin until December 2020 and was stopped twice in between then. The resumed trial was criticized for being inaccessible to families of the victims because of its location, but there have not been any updates since the expected resumption of the trial. Accountability is seen as a crucial step to support the victims and make progress, as the incident in question is far from the only case of military violence against civilians.

There are currently more than a million internally displaced people in Cameroon, about 70% of whom are from the English-speaking North West and South West regions. Little has been done to resolve the crisis beyond military action that has escalated conflict and harmed civilians.

Democratic Republic of Congo

On March 8, judges on the International Criminal Court awarded 30 million dollars to the victims of atrocities committed by Bosco Ntaganda, a Congolese militia leader convicted on 18 counts of crimes against humanity in 2019. Former child soldiers, victims of rape and sexual violence, and resulting children are all eligible to receive reparations for the horrors they endured in the early 2000s. Ntaganda has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Despite this news, violence is still ongoing, and at least a dozen people were killed in a village attack believed to be committed by the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF). The UN estimates that the ADF killed a total of 850 people last year.

Additionally, according to the UN, an estimated 2,945 people were killed in the DRC in 2020, and humanitarian conditions in especially the regions of North Kivu, South Kivy, and Ituri continue to worsen. The UN has stated that in order to curb violence, a program of disarmament, community support, and stabilization needs to be implemented.

Further, a recent report has found that Congolese workers are being heavily exploited at multiple palm oil plantations in the DRC. Residents of those areas have reported that Belgian colonizers stole the land in the early 20th century, and today’s exploitative practices are a reminder of this violent colonial legacy. Security guards beat a man to death after accusing him of stealing palm fruit in February, and no one has been held accountable. Workers are paid very little and have to work in dangerous conditions. Furthermore, multiple large investment companies from the U.S., Europe, and South Africa are funding this violence and exploitation.

Refugees

On March 22, there was a large fire at a refugee camp in Bangladesh, mostly filled with Rohingya people from Burma. About 45,000 people are now without a place to live, with 11 people confirmed as dead and hundreds of others injured. About 400 people are still missing. Humanitarian aid workers from the UN World Food Programme and other organizations are working to clean up the debris and support survivors.

In Lebanon, Syrian refugees are facing different trauma. Amnesty International found that the Lebanese government has detained hundreds of Syrian refugees, including children, as terrorists without any real cause since 2014. During this time, refugees were tortured, often in order to extract information that would be used against them when they were tried in military courts rather than civilian ones. It remains to be seen how the international community will respond.

—

Yusef Mohammed is a student at Reedley College. Yusef contributed to the Sudan and South Sudan portions of this update.

Shreya Satagopan is a sophomore at The George Washington University studying political science and criminal justice. She is a member of the STAND Yemen and Sudan Action Committees and is a State Advocacy Lead. Shreya contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Jenna Walmer is a graduate student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania working towards an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and an M.A. in General Psychology. With STAND, she is the co-education and co-policy lead. Jenna contributed the Syria portion of this update.

Valerie Owusu-Hienno is a student at The International School of Beaverton. Valerie contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Morgan Swindall is a student at George Mason University. Morgan contributed to the Kashmir portion of this update.

Audrey Firrone is a student at the University of Memphis. Audrey contributed to the East Turkistan (Xinjiang) portion of this update.

Caroline Mendoza is a student at UCLA. Caroline contributed to the Central African Republic portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a student at Westfield High School. Mira contributed to the Cameroon and Refugees portions of this update.

STAND Conflict Update: February 2021

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

Sudan’s transition continued this month with the appointment of a new cabinet by civilian Prime Minister Hamdok. This cabinet includes rebel leaders who recently signed peace agreements with the Sudanese government, as well as members of the old cabinet. Hamdok says that the goals of the cabinet are to be inclusive and to avoid the collapse of the country. The new cabinet is expected to continue reforms and to address economic struggles.

Tensions between Sudan and Ethiopia continue to rise. The border between the two countries has been especially fraught lately, as Sudan accuses Ethiopia of supporting violence inside its borders while Ethiopia accuses Sudan of intruding on their territory. 7,000 refugees have fled into Sudan to escape ethnic violence in Ethiopia, adding another complication to the relationship between the two countries. There are also questions surrounding a dam that Ethiopia is building on the Nile River. South Sudan is expected to host peace talks for the two nations later this year.

South Sudan

South Sudan is experiencing a new surge of attacks a year after the supposed end of the country’s civil war. According to the United Nations, violence is “a lot worse” than it was at the war’s height. Rape, ethnic-based attacks, violence against civilians, forced displacement, and abductions are at all-time highs. South Sudanese leaders have been dismissive towards the UN’s findings, stating that similar reports have been issued before. The UN also found a drastic increase in child soldiers.

South Sudan is also grappling with famine, floods, and inadequate aid, all during a partial lockdown after an increase in COVID-19 cases. The country has more than 65 deaths and an estimated 4,000 confirmed cases. This is its first lockdown since June of 2020. Schools are closed, events are canceled, and strict guidelines have been placed regarding restaurants and mask-wearing. Citizens are concerned about economic difficulties as well as the government’s ability to enforce restrictions.

Middle East

Yemen

In his first major foreign policy speech, U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to “reset” foreign policy by ending U.S. support for the Saudi-led coalition’s offensive military operations in Yemen. Previously, the Biden administration asserted that it would exempt certain aid transactions tied to the Houthi rebel group from sanctions, however these exemptions expired on February 26. In mid-February, the newly-appointed U.S. Special Envoy to Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, noted at a State Department Briefing that in efforts to pursue Biden’s promise, the U.S. is “aggressively” using back-channels to speak to Houthi leadership and “energizing” diplomatic efforts with multilateral partners to negotiate a settlement.

Despite these steps to end the war, the Houthis have increased attacks on the province of Marib and caused shells to land in the Hussein Ali Wuhaish refugee camp. As a result, the U.S. urged the Houthi rebels to stop their attack in light of potentially exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis while also calling on the Houthis to stop attacks on Saudi Arabia. In response to the U.S. statement, Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdel Salam called on the Saudi coalition to end its own offensive campaign and lift the blockade on Houthi territory.

Syria

On February 25, the United States government ordered airstrikes on infrastructure used by multiple Iranian-backed militant groups. The attack left an estimated 17 people dead. The airstrike was in retaliation to an attack on a U.S. military base two weeks ago claimed by a group called Awliya al-Dam. While some American officials have claimed this was a defensive strike with a proportionate response, others have criticized the move for continuing an endless war.

Next month marks ten years of war in the Syrian Civil War, and violence has taken its toll on Syrians, making conditions dangerous for many. Food insecurity has reached record levels after ten years of conflict, with the cost of food rising above average salaries. The World Food Program estimates that 1.3 million Syrians are severely food insecure and another 1.8 million are at risk of becoming so. Children are especially at risk, with data showing that up to one in three Syrian children in the northwest and northeast have stunted growth due to malnutrition. Millions are not receiving an education due to attacks on schools and war conditions that make a normal life impossible. People are also in need of health assistance and despite attacks and bombings on hospitals, doctors are still working to bring people care.

Asia

Burma

Anti-government demonstrations continue across the country as there is still no sign of the Tatmadaw (military) giving up power. Protesters were reignited when 19-year-old Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing took a gunshot to her head at a rally on February 8th, just two days before her 20th birthday. She was declared brain dead soon after and was officially taken off life support eleven days later. February 20th is recorded to be “the worst single day of violence” as two protesters, a 36-year-old man and a boy under 18, were killed at protests.

Myanmar protesters called for an intervention from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after members agreed on a plan for “dialogue, reconciliation and the return to normalcy”. The rest of the world, including the G7 and European Council, released statements condemning the coup.

Kashmir

On Thursday, February 24, The Jammu and Kashmir National conference agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control. This involves both Indian and Pakistani armies. Both countries have agreed to strictly observe the ceasefire which became officially in effect on February 23 at midnight.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

On February 18, Representative Jim McGovern and other members of the House of Representatives reintroduced the bipartisan Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act with the goal to once again pass in the House and move on to a vote in the Senate. About a month previously on January 27, Marco Rubio and Jeff Merkley also reintroduced the bill in the Senate. If passed, this bill will allow President Biden to apply sanctions against those who utilize forced Uyghur labor in their production lines. In addition to the reintroduction of the bill, Representatives have called for Biden to boycott the Winter Olympics set to take place in Beijing in 2022.

Representative John Katko said in a letter to Biden that “participation in an Olympics held in a country who is openly committing genocide not only undermines those shared values but casts a shadow on the promise for all those who seek free and just societies.” As of now, there has been no word on whether the United States will boycott the upcoming winter games.

There has also been official recognition of genocide against the Uyghurs and other Turkic minority groups by the Canadian Parliament. Canada’s designation of such is the second in the world, following the genocide designation made last month by former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.

Central Africa

Central African Republic

On February 16, two anti-balaka militias leaders were tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, war crimes, torture, murder, and rape, following accusations of leading violent attacks against Muslims. Both leaders pleaded not guilty despite evidence of the militia’s threats and hate speech against Muslim populations. This trial is noted to be the ICC’s first for crimes committed in the Central African Republic.

CAR continues to face extreme domestic conflict as the Central African Republic Army clashes with rebel groups working to overturn the results of the country’s December 2020 elections. On February 16, conflict between security and armed forces left 14 people dead at a religious site in Bambari. Following this event, Amnesty International published a report on their investigation of CAR’s post-election violence- the organization’s findings stated that since December 2020, an estimated 240,000 civilians have been internally displaced as a result of the country’s violence. Many of these people have fled to neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo, while those who remain in CAR suffer from humanitarian aid blockage as armed groups disrupt trucks providing food supplies.

Cameroon

On February 15, eight Cameroonian soldiers were detained after a video showing them torturing a man to the point of unconsciousness spread. The incident occurred on February 11 in the English-speaking North West Region. This region has seen much conflict between separatists and the military since 2017. Little other information about the incident is available, but it is just the latest in a series of alleged human rights abuses perpetrated by the Cameroonian government during this conflict.

Beyond their ethnic conflict, Cameroon has also arrested nine people suspected of homosexuality. The people are being detained until their trial on March 10, but they could be heavily fined or sentenced to anywhere between six months and five years in prison.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported new cases of the Ebola virus. The newest fatalities were confirmed from Butembo in the North Kivu province. As of February 14th, there are now four new confirmed Ebola cases, as well as multiple unconfirmed cases. This rise in individuals carrying the Ebola virus is following a previous outbreak which lasted from July of 2019 to June of 2020.

On February 22nd, Italian ambassador, Luca Attanasio, and his police consort, Vittorio Iacovacci were killed in what is now being considered a gun fight in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s eastern region. Along with the death of the two Italian officials came the loss of their Congolese driver Moustapha Milamb. The incident is being investigated by not only DRC police but also an Italian investigative team. As of now, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but there are many well-known rebel groups that operate in the area.

Refugees

On February 25, the Indian Coast Guard found a boat full of 89 Rohingya refugees sailing from the refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Eight people had already died during the two weeks that the boat had been adrift due to an engine failure. The Indian government has said that they are in discussion with the Bangladeshi government to ensure the refugees’ safe return. Other refugees from Burma have faced difficulties as well, as the government of Malaysia repatriated 1,086 people even after the Kuala Lumpur High Court had ordered a halt to deportations. Among these people were refugees and asylum seekers, and many bishops and human rights figures have spoken out against this. The decision to deport the refugees comes after many similar attempts from Bangladesh, where a large portion of Rohingya refugees are currently located.

There have also been problems noted in the treatment of asylum seekers in the United States. On February 17, 42 members of Congress sent a letter to President Biden and the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security requesting that deportations of asylum-seeking Cameroonians be halted. This would be crucial for the over 100 Cameroonians currently in ICE custody. These people believe they would almost certainly be executed or imprisoned upon their return to Cameroon. For now, they are still waiting for a response from the Biden administration.

–

Alison Rogers is a senior University Scholar concentrating in journalism and international studies at Baylor University. Alison contributed to the Sudan and South Sudan portions of this update.

Amna Haider is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Iowa. Amna contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Don Nuam is a student at The University of Oklahoma. Don contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Dorene Hantzis is a junior at Terre Haute South High School. Dorene contributed to the Kashmir portion of this update.

Audrey Firrone is a student at the University of Memphis. Audrey contributed to the East Turkistan portion of this update.

Caroline Mendoza is a freshman at UCLA. Caroline contributed to the Central African Republic portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a senior at Westfield High School. Mira contributed to the Cameroon and Refugees portions of this update.

Simmy Ghosh is a junior at College Station High School. Simmy contributed to the Democratic Republic of Congo portion of this update.

STAND Conflict Update: January 2021

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Laura Strawmyer

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

On January 15th, violence erupted in the West Darfur province of Sudan, quickly spreading into South Darfur. According to a tweet from the Prime Minister’s office, the violence began after a man was stabbed to death. Shortly after, armed militias attacked El Geneina, the capital of the West Darfur state. Militias also besieged a camp for internally displaced people. UNHCR reports that 250 people – including three humanitarian workers – have already lost their lives in this conflict, and more than 100,000 have been displaced. Sudanese authorities have responded by declaring a state of emergency and imposing a curfew in the region.

Sudan has also had several developments in its relationship with other states throughout the past month. At the beginning of the month, Sudan signed onto the U.S.-brokered peace agreement with Israel known as the Abraham Accords. In order to incentivize Sudan to take this action, the U.S. announced that it will help Sudan pay off its debt to the World Bank with a bridge loan totalling more than $1 billion. Sudan also agreed on a strategy with the African Development Bank earlier this month to provide relief on more than $400 million owed. Meanwhile, tensions have increased in Sudan’s relationship with neighboring Ethiopia. Sudan has accused an Ethiopian military aircraft of crossing into its territory. Also, ongoing armed conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia has sparked concerns with Sudanese leaders that the Ethiopian government may take advantage of the chaos to attempt to obtain control of territory in the disputed border region between the two countries.

South Sudan

For the first time since 2016, a recent court case convicted South Sudanese soldiers for raping women from the village of Adio. Military judges were sent from the capital to oversee the case in response to growing frustrations over the lack of convictions in crimes committed by soldiers. Michael Machar Malual, head of civilian-military relations for the army in Central Equatoria state, expressed the desire that this case will serve as a warning to troops.

A report by the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) in South Sudan also revealed that the number of grave violations against children has declined significantly in the past five years, although children in South Sudan continue to be harmed at extremely high levels. Despite these promising improvements, intercommunal conflict continues in northern regions of the country, farmers continue to face the threat of unexploded mines, and food insecurity is increasing with many in South Sudan facing famine conditions.

Middle East

Yemen

Yemen has been one of the areas that the Biden administration has decided to focus its efforts on following his January 20 inauguration. On January 19th, now Secretary of State Anthony Blinken proclaimed that the Biden administration would end the United States’ current support for Saudi Arabia’s military intervention in Yemen. This means ending the sale of arms in Yemen by Saudi Arabians. In addition, the new administration aims to reverse former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s last-minute Foreign Terrorist Organization designation of Yemen’s Houthi rebels (also known as Ansar Allah).

On January 24, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed government entered into new negotiations about prisoner exchanges. These UN-backed negotiations seek to release about 300 prisoners. This comes after they exchanged about 1,000 prisoners last year.

Syria

On January 3, nine Syrian army soldiers were killed from an attack suspected to be carried out by the Islamic state. This is the second of such incidents, where only a week prior, 28 were killed in a similar attack on the border of Iraq. Israeli air raids have also become increasingly common against Iran-backed militants in Syria- on January 13, Israel carried out its fourth airstrike in two weeks, leaving 43 Iran-backed militia and 14 Syrian army soldiers dead. Many suspect that the recent strikes have been in an attempt to target warehouses and military storage facilities in the Deir al-Zour and Albu Kamal regions. Insecurity has also ensued in Syria’s displacement camps- since the start of 2021, the United Nations has reported 12 murders at al-Hol camp, the country’s largest camp with over 60,000 people.

Asia

Burma

The Burma Military and Union Solidarity and Development Party are pushing claims of election rigging, according to Myanmar Now. The Union Parliament rejected a meeting to discuss the matter over COVID-19 concerns and the military is claiming this decision was unconstitutional. On January 7th, the military called for elections to be held as soon as possible in all townships where elections were canceled. Student unions in Rakhine State are also calling for voting to be held and are urging the release of fellow student activists who were arrested during the conflict between government forces and the Arakan Army (AA) that led to the cancellation of votes. The students are also demanding access to 4G internet that has been blocked by the government in an attempt to control the AA. To facilitate peace talks, the parliament has approved a proposal from the Arakan National Party to remove the AA from its list of terrorist groups. Without this measure, it would be unlawful for the military to meet with AA leaders to facilitate peaceful negotiations.

After being displaced from their homes when fighting broke out in March 2020, protesters from Marlar village in Rakhine state are calling for the removal of military bases so they can return home. Villagers fear being shot or arrested by the military if they return to their homes. Outside of Burma, Rohingya refugees are suffering after a fire broke out in a refugee camp in southern Bangladesh. No serious injuries were reported, but more than 550 homes and 150 shops were destroyed in the fire. During talks mediated by China, Bangladesh and Burma have begun a third attempt to repatriate Rohingya refugees. Bangladesh’s foreign secretary, Masud Bin Momen, told reporters it looks like repatriations will begin in June. However, it is unlikely Rohingya refugees will feel safe returning to their home in Rakhine state unless several demands are met, including granting all Rohingyas full citizenship, holding the perpetrators of the violent crimes committed against the Rohingya accountable, and a neutral international security force to ensure safety in Rakhine state. With the U.S. election of President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken promised in a Senate committee hearing to oversee a review of Burma’s treatment of the Rohingya genocide if confirmed in his nomination.

Kashmir

The Kashmiri people feel cautiously hopeful after the January 20 United States inauguration of Vice President Kamala Harris. Harris, who is the first U.S. Vice President of Indian descent, has been critical of India’s Prime Minister and the government’s discriminatory policies.

Despite this positive news, conflict still continues in the region. Internet services on mobile devices have been suspended in Kashmir. Officials fear for violence on the upcoming Republic Day and Independence Day, initiating a short-term suspension for the holiday. Additionally, Pakistan killed a Kashmiri soldier while violating a ceasefire along the Line of Control by resorting to heavy cross-border shelling.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

On January 19, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo released a statement declaring that what is happening in East Turkistan constitutes a “genocide.” This is the first official move of genocide designation from the United States regarding the Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities that live in the region. Pompeo called on the People’s Republic of China to “immediately release all arbitrarily detained persons and abolish its system of internment, detention camps, house arrest and forced labor.” President Biden’s pick for Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has also agreed with Pompeo’s designation. This designation does not mean that there will be international consequences, as China is not subject to the Rome Statute which would give the International Criminal Court jurisdiction to conduct inquiries. Following the designation, China’s Foreign Ministry stated that the designation is a “completely false allegation and a malicious farce fabricated and hyped up by certain anti-China, anti-communist forces.”

Central Africa

Central African Republic

On January 19, two armed rebel groups, Union for Peace and anti-Bakala, killed two UN Peacekeepers. Many have stated that the attacks are part of a larger surge of violence following CAR’s disputed January 18 election results when President Touadéra was declared the winner. The opposition attacks have led to the displacement of close to 100,000 people, with 60,000 having fled to neighboring countries and 58,000 remaining as internally displaced peoples despite increasingly dangerous conditions in CAR.

In light of escalating violence, CAR declared a 15-day state of emergency on January 21. This will allow the government to more easily arrest armed groups and increase the military’s ability to detain individuals without a prosecutor. Simultaneously, Mankeur Ndiaye, the UN envoy to CAR, urged the UN Security Council to deploy more peacekeepers to the region despite almost 12,000 peacekeepers already on the ground in CAR. Estimates report that at least 3,000 additional peacekeepers, special forces, and helicopters would be needed to effectively stabilize CAR.

Cameroon

A Cameroon appeals court has rejected the case to release over twenty members of the Cameroon Renaissance Movement, a prominent opposition party, after their arrests in September of 2020. They were arrested in government crackdowns targeting peaceful protest and opposition.

Conflict is still ongoing. On January 8, more than 12 civilians, including eight children, were killed in a bombing believed to be committed by Boko Haram. On another occasion, at least eight civilians were killed in an attack by the Cameroon military. Cameroon has also taken in an estimated 5,000 refugees who were fleeing violence and post-election insecurity in neighboring Central African Republic.

Democratic Republic of Congo

On January 22, the National Assembly filed a motion for Prime Minister Sylvestre Ilunga to resign within 48 hours or face a vote of no confidence. The decision is expected to cause the government to collapse, though it is seen as a political victory for President Felix Tsishekedi. The prime minister was an ally of former President Joseph Kabila, but President Tsishekedi will now be able to select a new prime minister. He will also be able to choose a new head of the electoral commission and a new central bank board, which could open the door for international donors to give assistance. However, some are skeptical that this will bring any real change.

Forty-six members of the Pygmy ethnic group were killed on January 13 in an attack in Ambedi, a village in the Ituri province. The Congolese military stated that the Allied Democratic Forces, a rebel group in the region, were to blame for the attack, after the group had been escalating violence in the region over the past several years.

Refugees

President Biden has pledged to raise the annual refugee admissions cap to at least 125,000 and potentially continue to raise it over time. He has already begun to take steps towards more refugee-friendly policies. On January 20, after being inaugurated, he revoked former President Trump’s infamous travel ban on people from several Muslim-majority countries (as well as Venezuela and North Korea), which could pave the way to admit refugees from these countries.

Also on January 20, Australian authorities began releasing asylum-seekers from hotels where they had been kept since November of 2019. These asylum-seekers were fleeing violence from Sri Lanka when authorities confined them to the hotel. Upon release, the refugees have only been given temporary visas, so their futures in Australia remain uncertain.

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Megan Rodgers is a senior honors student at the University of Arkansas studying International Studies, Political Science, and Spanish. She is one of STAND’s co-student directors for the 2020-2021 academic year. Megan contributed to the Sudan and South Sudan portion of this update.
Ananya Gera is a junior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. She is one of their STAND Chapter Leaders, and is also the Social Media Coordinator for STAND. In addition to her work with STAND, she is involved with Together We Remember and CANDLES Holocaust Museum. Ananya contributed to the Yemen portion of this update.

Caroline Mendoza is a student at UCLA studying international development. Caroline serves on the Managing Committee as a co-education and co-Burma committee lead. Caroline contributed to the Central African Republic and Syria portions of this update.

Joy Senn is a recent graduate in biology from the University of Arkansas. She is a member of the Burma Action Committee and contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Jenna Walmer is a graduate student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania working towards an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and an M.A. in General Psychology. With STAND, she is the co-Education and co-Policy lead. Jenna contributed the Kashmir portion of this update.

Audrey Firrone is a third year student at the University of Memphis and is a member of the East Turkistan Action Committee. Audrey contributed to the East Turkistan portion of this update.

Mira Mehta is a student at Westfield High School, and a co-lead of the Yemen Action Committee. Prior to this, she was the New Jersey State Advocacy Lead and served on the STAND Communications Task Force for two years. Mira contributed to the DRC and Refugees portion of this update.

STAND Conflict Update: December 2020

Posted on December 30, 2020 by Laura Strawmyer

Special Update: Armenia & Azerbaijan

Since the dispute over the Nagorno-Karabakh territory, conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has left debris and ruins across the area, with families on both sides victimized by the aftermath. On December 19, Armenians were spread out for three days to mourn over the victims who were lost during the conflict. Opposition in Armenia has led many to push for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation after the leader ceded large amounts of territory to Azerbaijan, some calling Pashinyan a “traitor.”

On December 27, an attack was carried out in the Khojavend region of the Nagorno-Karabakh territory by an Armenian militia group, leaving one Azerbaijani soldier dead and one injured. While all six of the attackers were killed in the attack, the Azerbaijan defense ministry sent out a warning stating it would seriously consider “‘decisive measures’” if Armenian troops continued to incite violence.

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

On December 14, the United States formally removed Sudan from its state sponsors of terror list, a designation that was highly detrimental to the country’s economy. Sudan’s transitional government deemed the removal from the state sponsors of terror list crucial because the designation rendered Sudan ineligible for debt relief and financial support from international financial institutions. According to Sudan’s acting finance minister, the U.S. has committed to providing over $1bn for debt relief. This debt relief would enable Sudan to receive $1.5bn annually from the International Development Association.

On December 16, Sudan’s armed forces reported that Ethiopian militia ambushed officers during a security patrol. Meanwhile, according to a statement from Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s office, Sudan and Ethiopia intend to hold negotiations about their shared border.

South Sudan

The head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, David Shearer, requested that the international community focus on South Sudan more. Since the 2018 Peace Deal, the country has struggled to recover and end the civil war. Additionally, a UN. panel of experts reported halted progress on South Sudan’s 2018 peace deal and that authorities have blocked humanitarian access to conflict areas.

On December 18th, three United Nations organizations requested immediate humanitarian access to support the people in Pibor County. The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification projected that 60% of the South Sudanese population will face either a state of official food crisis or worsening acute food insecurity between April and July 2021. In response to the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and other humanitarian organizations are increasing their efforts in the country.

Middle East

Yemen

On December 3, the United Nations released new data on Yemen, noting that 45% of Yemenis suffer from food insecurity- a percentage predicted to increase to 54% within the first half of 2021. The statistics come amid increased shelling in the port city of Hodeidah, where suspected Houthi rebels killed eight and injured thirteen on December 4.

On December 18, the government announced a new Presidential cabinet that includes both the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) and the Hadi government, two groups that were previously allied and now in conflict. The move comes amid hope for an end to political turmoil and power struggles between the STC and Yemeni government. After being sworn in on December 26, President Hadi faced backlash from women protestors who pointed out that the new cabinet included zero women, an exclusion not seen for the past 20 years.

Syria

On December 22, the United States imposed new sanctions on Syria that aim to cut funding to President Bashar al-Assad and his government in order to stop the Syrian war. These sanctions target Syria’s central bank and a list of specific people, including parliamentarians, government officials, military commanders, and Assad’s advisors.

Starting in the middle of December, northeast Syria experienced an increase in violence between Turkish-backed and Kurdish-led militias groups. The Kurdish-led forces have continued shelling Ain Issa, a city in northeast Syria, daily, forcing almost 10,000 Syrians to flee their homes. This adds to the number of already displaced people fleeing violence or impoverishment.

Asia

Burma

The Arakan Army (AA) and Burmese military held a meeting after an agreement on a temporary truce. According to the Irrawaddy, AA spokesman Khaing Thukha said, “The meeting was centered on peace and election affairs and to ensure the bilateral ceasefire.” The AA also called for the Burmese military and government to hold elections before December 31 in townships where voting was canceled during Burma’s national elections in October. To aid these negotiations, Japan sent its special envoy, Yohei Sasakawa, to Burma to help achieve lasting peace for both sides.

Since August 2017, the Burmese military has carried out a harsh crackdown on the Muslim minority group, the Rohingya, causing about 700,000 Rohingya to flee from Rakhine State to camps in Bangladesh. Now, officials in Bangladesh have begun forcibly relocating the Rohingya to an island called Bhashan Char. Many concerns were raised by the United Nations and other human rights organizations regarding this decision, due to the fact that the island surfaced just 20 years ago and Rohingya refugees were neither informed nor allowed to make a decision about this relocation. Most Rohingya do not want to return to Burma due to safety concerns and remain in overcrowded and under-resourced camps.

Kashmir

Earlier this month, Kashmir held multiple local elections. The Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration, a party in favor of Kashmiri autonomy, took the lead with 112 out of 280 seats. In response to this, the Indian government detained 75 activists and political leaders as a means to prevent violence and protests.

An investigation into Indian military officer Bhoopendra Singh has found that he killed three Kashmiri civilians and covered up their deaths by planting weapons on them. After the killings this summer and the labeling of terrorists, family members and activists rose concern to investigate the incident. In most cases of police and military violence, the crime goes unpunished, and victims rarely receive justice. This time, however, Singh was indicted, although he has not yet been charged.

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

China’s continued crackdown on the Uyghur minority shows no signs of letting up. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has detained over one million Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities in forced labor camps across the Xinjiang region. “We cannot be complacent at this moment, because the threats are still out there,” said Xu Guixiang, director of the Xinjiang Communist Party in an interview on December 21. The Chinese government continues their systematic oppression of the Uyghur population even in the face of economic sanctions. In early December, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced that it would be halting shipments from Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps unless it could be proved that products were not made with forced labor from detained Uyghurs or other minorities.

Central Africa

Central African Republic

Throughout 2020, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has overseen the repatriation of refugees in Cameroon back to the Central African Republic. On December 2, a second group of over 200 refugees voluntarily returned to CAR as part of the UNHCR’s plan to repatriate a minimum of 1,500 CAR refugees by the end of 2020.

During the election held on December 27, 14% of the polling stations were closed because of violence. CAR scheduled national elections for December 27, despite opposition calls to postpone voting due to escalating violence in the country. On December 25, armed combatants killed three UN peacekeepers and injured two after a truce was broken between the government and a rebel coalition. In a Human Rights Watch report released on December 23, it was noted that the situation in CAR continues to be unstable and unsuitable for a national election, given that five civilians have been killed within the past few days with thousands more fleeing conflict. CAR’s election is recognized as a chance for the nation to prove itself after years of political turmoil and internal conflict.

Cameroon

Cameroon held regional elections in their English-speaking regions on the 6th of December, which prompted separatists to abduct tribal chiefs in English-speaking regions, resulting in the unfortunate death of two. A group of separatists attacked the city of Beau and kidnapped three chiefs from the Southwest region, while another group kidnapped a local chief belonging to the Babanki people in the Northwest region. As these bizarre actions made headlines, they also served to exemplify the disregard which separatists held towards the elections, and their long-time ask for “independence and a return to a federal state.”

On December 19th newfound evidence confirmed that the Cameroonian government and business officials have ties to the Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Haram. This news came in a timely manner after the Cameroonian military arrested former parliamentarian, Blama Malla, when his cousin was caught transferring 10 cattle to Boko Haram.

Meanwhile in the United States, Cameroonian asylum seekers continue to undergo horrific treatment and detention under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Ever since ICE deported over 90 Cameroonians since October, Cameroonian asylum seekers are fearing for their lives.

Democratic Republic of Congo

On December 1, the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) announced that it would be withdrawing its healthcare support for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kimbi and Baraka areas after repeated violence and attacks directed towards MSF staff throughout 2020. Amid escalating violence in the DRC, a new report from the United Nations, released on December 3, highlights that close to 21.8 million people are suffering from acute food insecurity, with conflict and COVID-19 being the main drivers of widespread famine and instability in the country.

Since President Felix Tshisekedi took over the position of the former longstanding leader Joseph Kabila, the DRC’s Parliament retains numerous allies of Kablia, with 300 of 500 Parliament members in opposition to Tshisekedi. On December 6, Tshisekedi announced possible plans to dissolve the current Parliament and hold elections for a new one, sparking protests and causing newfound political turmoil in the country.

Refugees

Bangladesh announced on December 27 that it is planning to move 1,000 Rohingya refugees to the island of Bhasan Char after 1,600 were moved there earlier in the month. The government claims that this is meant to reduce overcrowding in refugee camps, but the international community has many concerns about whether the island is actually fit for refugees to live there. The government has responded that people should take into account how these islands could help prepare refugees to be repatriated. Previous attempts at repatriation have failed because people were too scared to return to Burma.

Refugees at Bosnia’s Lipa camp are living in freezing conditions without adequate blankets and other resources. They and other aid organizations have warned that they may die if conditions do not change.

On December 26, a confrontation between Syrian refugees in a Lebanese refugee camp and youth living in the area led to a massive fire that forced hundreds of refugees out of the camp. Unfortunately, this was not an isolated incident. Resentment towards Syrian refugees has been increasing as a result of both a worsening financial crisis and blatant racism.

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Saroona Khilji is a psychology student at George Mason University, and a member of STAND. Saroona contributed the Armenia & Azerbaijan portion of this update.

Iyanu Osunmo studies international relations at Lawrence University and is a State Advocacy Lead. Iyanu contributed to the Sudan and South Sudan portion of this update.

Caroline Mendoza is a student at UCLA studying international development and STAND’s co-Education and co-Burma AC Lead. Caroline contributed to the Yemen, CAR, and DRC portions of this update.

Jenna Walmer is a graduate student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania working towards an M.A. in Holocaust and Genocide Studies and an M.A. in General Psychology. With STAND, she is the co-Education and co-Policy lead. Jenna contributed the Syria portion of this update.

Saw Tar Thar Chit Ba is a student at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania majoring in Business Administration. Saw Tar Thar contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Rohan Shah is a senior at the University of Chicago Lab School, and State Advocacy Lead for Illinois. He is involved in Model UN and Mock Trial at his school. Rohan contributed the East Turkistan portion of this update.

Jan Jan Maran is a student at George Mason University and is STAND’s Burma Action Committee co-lead. Jan Jan contributed to the Cameroon portion of this update.
Mira Mehta is a student at Westfield High School, and a co-lead of the Yemen Action Committee. Prior to this, she was the New Jersey State Advocacy Lead and served on the STAND Communications Task Force for two years. Mira contributed to the Refugees portion of this update.

STAND Conflict Update: November 2020

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Laura Strawmyer

Special Update: Armenia & Azerbaijan

After six weeks of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia have come together to sign a peace deal on November 9th. The peace deal ceded some territory to Azerbaijan which was formerly under Armenian control. This prompted Armenian protestors who were discontent with the results to storm into government buildings at Armenia’s capital, Yerevan. While such reactions of dissent were expressed in Armenia, individuals in Azerbaijan were spotted taking to the streets with flags in celebration for what they perceived as a victory for their country.

Win or lose, the Prime Minister of Armenia has said that he has taken actions as he deemed fit, with much consideration of advice from political experts. The Prime Minister comforted his citizens in saying that although the signing of the peace deal was not “a victory,” there was definitely “no defeat.” Since September 27, the conflict has taken as many as 5,000 lives. Putting a halt to the war has come to the benefit of Armenia, but the peace deal has brought more power to Turkey and Russia, who back the two warring countries on opposing sides.

Sudan and South Sudan

Sudan

Sudan was supposed to create a transitional parliament by November 15, based on a peace deal signed in August, however, this has been pushed back to December 31 to ensure a “national consensus.” One of the main disputes has been the distribution of seats in the parliament. Although the original agreement stipulated that there should be 300 seats, 201 of which should go to members of the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC), an FFC leader has now suggested that their group only be allocated165 seats. The leader has also suggested designating 75 seats for the Sudan Revolutionary Front, leaving 50 seats for members of other factions. Other organizations were strongly opposed to this plan, but new discussions have started about how to best allocate seats in the transitional parliament.

On November 12, Sudan held talks with the United States to discuss its removal from the State Sponsor of Terror List. The two countries discussed how to take full advantage of this decision and support development efforts in Sudan- doing so would provide a much-needed boost to the Sudanese economy and help establish better infrastructure for the country in the future.

South Sudan

On November 17, the National Dialogue Conference, at which over 500 representatives convened, ended. Refugees and internally displaced people used this opportunity to bring attention to their struggles and their need to return home. Many people also called for governance to be more inclusive of women, youth, and disabled people. While this was a key part of the 2018 peace deal, many of the more practical aspects of the deal, including the creation of a national parliament and many state governments, have not been implemented yet. It is unclear when this will happen.

On November 16, the United Nations began converting protection of civilian (POC) sites, which provided sanctuary to many civilians throughout the civil war, into camps for internally displaced people. As part of this change, many soldiers are being removed from the sites and redeployed to places with higher levels of conflict. They will be placed on temporary bases and long patrols as part of the UN’s efforts in anticipation of higher levels of conflict during the dry season (December and January). During this time, the UN has also announced that it would be building new roads in the country not only to improve infrastructure for civilians and help open borders with Sudan at key crossing points.

Middle East

Yemen

In a report released on November 17, Oxfam stated that the countries in the Group of 20 (G20) have made more than $17 billion off of arms sales to the Saudi coalition, a number three times more than what the G20 countries have given Yemen in humanitarian aid. As Yemenis suffer from an increasingly dire humanitarian situation, the UN allocated $100 million for the Central Emergency Response Fund due to the high likelihood of widespread famine in Yemen. The country will receive $30 million of this aid through a voucher program initiated to aid women and girls as well as people with disabilities.

The U.S. has considered designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. However, numerous aid organizations view the move as detrimental to Yemeni humanitarian aid. As the Houthis govern northern Yemen, aid organizations are required to obtain their permission to deliver assistance and fear that humanitarian workers will be criminalized if the Houthis are classified as a terrorist organization. On November 27, the Saudi-led coalition carried out air raids in Sanaa in retaliation to a Houthi attack in Jeddah on the 23rd, destroying two mines south of the Red Sea.

Syria

On November 4th, the Syrian government bombed the country’s northwestern region to exterminate a rebel base, resulting in the death of seven people. Sources like World Vision state eight people were killed, but four children were part of the casualties, with the youngest being four years old, and with seventeen others injured. A truce between Turkey and Russia, who back opposite sides in the conflict, has started to deteriorate as both sides’ attacks increase and create more civilian casualties. On November 24th, attacks also occurred when Kurdish fighters, who are linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party, fought the Syrian National Army, who are rebels supported by Turkey. The two groups clashed in Northern Syria, where the conflict started after Turkish-backed forces invaded Northern Syria and the Kurds residing there rose in response. The fighting occurred in the town of Ein Issa, leaving 18 fighters dead, with another conflict in al-Bab and Afrin that killed a total of 8 people.

During the first week of November, a conference was held in Damascus, Russia, over Syrian refugees. The president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, gave a speech declaring that over six million refugees spread across neighboring Turkey, Lebanon, and Europe were being blocked by Western powers from returning home. Currently, only around 65,000 of those refugees have returned home since 2016. The United Nations Refugee center and European countries’ representatives refused to attend the conference in Russia, citing the crimes committed by al-Assad’s government, which include kidnapping, sexual violence, and torture.

Asia

Burma

The ruling party of Burma, the National League for Democracy, claimed a landslide win in the November 8th election. This comes amid criticism received by the Union Election Commission (UEC) for canceling votes from 15 townships. This revoking of voters’ fundamental rights is a result of what the UEC calls a security concern. The military-backed opposition, Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), deems the election “unfair” and demands a re-vote. However, the USDP’s public rejection “does not reflect the military view,” says Major General Zaw Min Tun, the Myanmar military spokesperson. In the midst of these dissenting opinions, some minority groups still won 42 seats, such as Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (13 seats), Arakan National Party (8 seats), Mon Unity Party (5 seats), Kayah State Democratic Party (4 seats), Ta’ang National Party (4 seats), Pa-O National Organization (4 seats), and other Ethnic Parties (4 seats).

The Myanmar military recently stated publicly they would begin a formal investigation concerning recent allegations of using children as human minesweepers. This complex situation resulted in the death of two Muslim boys and injured one. This incident occurred on October 5, and the UN Country Taskforce on Monitoring and Reporting on Grave Violations against Children in Myanmar (CTFMR) is urging the military to complete an ethical investigation. Amidst this investigation, there have been further restrictions to internet access throughout Burma.

According to the Telenor Group, a major communication service in Burma, the Myanmar Ministry of Transport and Communications directed all mobile phone operators in Myanmar to extend the internet restriction on 3G and 4G networks in Rakhine and Chin States until December 31, 2020.

Kashmir

On October 29th, just two days after India enacted laws that would allow its citizens to buy property in Kashmir, militants killed three politicians from the Bharatiya Janta Party. Later that week, many businesses in Indian-controlled Kashmir shut down in response to those same laws, which many see as a move by India to dramatically change Kashmir’s Muslim-majority demographic.

On November 1st, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that Gilgit-Baltistanm, a region in the northern portion of Kashmir, will be granted provisional provincial status by his government. For this to happen, the Pakistani parliament will need to pass a constitutional amendment. If the proposal is passed, Gilgit-Baltistanm, which is extremely important to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure plan, will have a status similar to that of Pakistan’s other provinces.

This weekend the Organisation of Islamic Conference’s council of foreign ministers met. Originally not on the agenda, Pakistan combatted that by proposing a resolution to recognize Kashmiri special status and human rights abuses in the region. After passing the resolution, India described this as “factually incorrect, gratuitous and unwarranted.”

East Turkistan (Xinjiang, China)

As the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act continues to go through the legislative process, lobbyists have started pushing back. On November 20, news broke that Apple lobbied to weaken the bill. Despite the reports from congressional staffers, Apple states that they support the bill as they work to ensure that workers in their supply chain are “treated with dignity and respect.” Other companies have lobbied to have their names removed from the bill, but there has been no action taken on these appeals.

Pope Francis has “publicly named China’s Uyghur minority among a list of the world’s persecuted peoples.” U.S. senators have started to work on a bipartisan effort to name these atrocities a genocide. However, their work was halted due to congressional recess.

Central Africa

Central African Republic

Earlier this month, the first refugees since March returned home to the Central African Republic (CAR) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The 474 refugees returning to CAR are the first of the 4,000 the United Nations plans to bring home by the end of 2020.

Statistics on humanitarian issues within the country show that people are still at risk despite these positive signs. In the upcoming year, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that 2.8 million Central Africans will need humanitarian aid. The ongoing pandemic has only worsened conditions devastated by decades of armed conflict and historical exploitation. The number of people in CAR has increased since 2019, and without large-scale programs, human rights violations, conflict, gender-based violence, and need-insecurity will only continue.

Cameroon

Following the killing of eight schoolchildren in Kumba last month, several teachers have been kidnapped from a school in a western Cameroon region. Armed men raided the local primary and secondary school in Kumba and kidnapped 11 teachers. Since October 2017, anglophone fighters have declared an independent state in the Northwest Region and Southwest Region, leading to conflicts negatively affecting children’s abilities to obtain a quality education. In November 2019, UNICEF estimated that 855,000 children did not get schooling in the two anglophone regions.

The negative effects on children’s upbringing in these regions are only deepened by the fact that more than two million children in Cameroon do not have a birth certificate according to Public Health Minister, Manaouda Malachie. The authorities blame the situation on the conflict in Cameroon’s English-speaking regions and the attacks by Boko Haram militants in the north. On November 16, 2020, Parliament began meeting to find solutions to the issue and released a statement hoping to make the process of obtaining a birth certificate easier. UNICEF notes that more than 40,000 children could not attend their school exams last year because of a lack of a birth certificate.

In the U.S., Cameroonian asylum seekers claimed that ICE agents forced them to sign their own deportation orders. In a complaint filed by Southern Poverty Law Center, Freedom for Immigrants, and the Detention Watch Network, six Cameroonian asylum seekers allege that ICE agents physically forced and threatened them into signing deportation orders. In the report, they claim, “These are not isolated incidents; rather, the use of violent force to obtain signatures in violation of immigrants’ rights appears to be part of an ongoing pattern and practice.” If forced to return home, Cameroonian asylum seekers fear their lives could be at risk, since deportees repatriated last month are now missing.

Democratic Republic of Congo

On November 23, a military court convicted militia leader Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka of war crimes committed in 2010 and between 2012 and 2014 in the Walikale and Masisi territories. They used child soldiers, pillaged towns, murdered people, and committed many acts of sexual violence. The UN sees this as an important step to achieving justice and healing for victims of this violence. Unfortunately, conflict continues in Salamabila in the Maniema province. People are fighting over access to a natural gold mine called Mount Namoya. Civilians are often caught in the crossfire as targets of violence, looting, property destruction, sexual violence, and other human rights violations.

Refugees

In Ethiopia, tensions are rising swiftly with over 4,000 refugees from the Tigray region crossing over the border into Sudan per day. This makes around 33,000 people who have sought asylum in Sudan since early November. Refugees reported that the sudden accounts of heavy artillery and tanks around the regional capital, Mekelle, caused them to immediately seek shelter. The arrival of these refugees was not expected or prepared for and the United Nations is planning for around 200,000 more refugees in the next six months. With rising cases of COVID-19 in refugee camps, humanitarian access and help are becoming harder to come by and more needed by the minute. Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, said that conditions for refugee children are “extremely harsh” and that the UN agency is working to urgently provide critical life-saving support.

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Jan Jan Maran is a student at George Mason University and is STAND’s Burma Action Committee co-lead. Jan Jan contributed to the Armenia & Azerbaijan portion of this update.

Madeline O’Brien is a student at Northeast Community College studying Global Studies and is transferring to University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire to study Public History. Madeline contributed to the Syria portion of this update.

Saw Tar Thar Chit Ba is a freshman at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania majoring in Business Administration. Saw Tar Thar contributed to the Burma portion of this update.

Sulphia Iqbal is a senior at South Brunswick High School and a member of the STAND Yemen and Burma Action Committees. Sulphia contributed to the Kashmir portion of this update.

Audrey Firrone is a student at the University of Memphis and is a member of the East Turkistan (Xinjiang) Action Committee. In addition to working with STAND, she also works with the Free Uyghur Student Coalition. Audrey contributed the East Turkistan (Xinjiang) portion of this update.

Ishreet Lehal is a senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, and serves on the STAND Managing Committee as the Kashmir Action Committee Lead. Ishreet contributed to the Cameroon portion of this update.

Dorene Hantzis is a student at Terre Haute South Vigo High School, and a chapter leader and Indiana State Advocacy Lead. She is also a partner with Together We Remember to remember victims of identity-based violence. Dorene contributed to the Refugees portion of this update.

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