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Summary: The civilian death toll increases amid government crackdowns on pro-democracy protesters in the region. Includes summaries on the situation in Libya, Yemen, Egypt and Azerbaijan.
Libya In Libya, clashes between Muammar Gaddafi loyalists and anti-government supporters have intensified in the past week, with more than 20 people killed and over 100 injured on Monday morning alone in the town of Misrata, and with at least seven people killed and more than 50 injured in the city of Ben Jawad. More on the story. In one of the regime’s remaining strongholds, the country's capital, Tripoli, supplies to and from the city have been disrupted, which has led to fears of food, water and electricity shortages. One 13-year-old boy has said: “I'm terrified, not feeling safe, and I'm afraid I'll be an orphan. I've heard that fathers of my friends are being taken and 'disappeared'.” More on the relief situation. Children are also directly affected by the violence in Libya. The Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict, Radhika Coomaraswamy, has received unconfirmed reports from human rights groups and civilians on the ground of violations of children's rights, which include the killing, maiming and use of children as combatants and the denial of humanitarian access. Coomaraswamy reminded the government, pro-government forces and opposition groups of their obligation under international law to protect children during armed clashes and that the recruitment and use of children may constitute a war crime. More here. Following a request last week from the UN Security Council to investigate the alleged crimes against humanity in Libya since 15 February, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, has said that “There will be no impunity in Libya...no one has authority to attack and massacre civilians.” Full story. Likewise, the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez, is teaming up with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions and a panel of experts on disappearances in order to probe allegations of the abduction, torture and execution of protesters at the hands of the Gaddafi regime. Such allegations include armed Gaddafi soldiers using ambulances to gain admittance to hospitals where they abduct patients and execute them elsewhere, in an attempt to eliminate potential witnesses. Full story. Yemen Meanwhile in Yemen, three people died on Tuesday in a prison riot in support of the country's anti-government demonstrations, while dozens others were injured in protests in the country’s capital Sana’a after security forces opened fire on crowds. Full story. Later on Tuesday, another civilian protester was killed while six others are in a serious condition after sustaining bullet wounds in a police raid at the University campus, where live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas were fired. Full story. And on yet another day of violence, on Wednesday 75 protesters were injured in Sana’a after security forces opened fire on them. Read more. Egypt Meanwhile Amnesty International has condemned the Egyptian army's heavy-handed method of clearing Cairo's Tahrir Square of protesters, after soldiers beat demonstrators and made over 100 arrests. According to eyewitnesses, army soldiers attempted to disperse a gathering of around 1,000 protesters by beating them, dismantling tents and breaking up an informal medical clinic. One protester who was arrested told how other detainees were beaten by soldiers. Full story. Azerbaijan Seemingly inspired by the events in the Middle East and North Africa, calls for pro-democracy protests have gained momentum in Azerbaijan. Yet the government has responded with a clampdown on freedom of expression, detaining protesters including five youth activists currently held under allegedly false charges who have reported being beaten, threatened with rape, and could face prison sentences. In response to their arrest and detainment, a coalition of organisations which includes ARTICLE 19 and Freedom House have called for their release and to cease restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Full story. Further Information: