World View: Serious Human Rights Problems in Eastern Ukraine, Crimea

This morning’s key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

• Terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, causes mass evacuations
• Serious human rights problems arise in eastern Ukraine and Crimea

Terrorist attack in Nairobi, Kenya, causes mass evacuations

Kenyan officials were furious on Wednesday after Britain, the U.S.,France, and Australia issued warnings about travel to Kenya based onintelligence about an imminent terrorist attack. Hundreds of touristsresponded to the warnings by checking out of hotels, prompting Kenyaofficials to say that the alerts were “unfriendly,” would increasepanic, and play into the hands of the terrorists.

On Friday, while Kenya’s president Uhuru Kenyattawas giving his nationally televised state of the nation speech, atleast 10 people were killed and dozens injured in a twin bombing in amarket in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya. The bombing occurred atGikomba Market, one of the biggest second-hand clothes markets in eastand central Africa. It’s assumed that the perpetrators are theSomalia-based al-Qaeda linked terror group al-Shabaab, which has beenresponsible for a number of terror attacks, including the horrific3-day attack on Nairobi’s upscale Westlake Mall, killing dozens andwounding hundreds. (See “23-Sep-13 World View — Minnesota link to Kenya shopping mall attack raises U.S. fears”) 

Britain’s Foreign Office is now warning of a continued “high threat”from terrorists. Some tour operators have cancelled all flights toMombasa until October, and some 400 tourists already there will beflown back. BBCand Daily Mail (London)

Serious human rights problems arise in eastern Ukraine and Crimea

A report by the United Nations finds that life is becomingincreasingly chaotic in Crimea, which has been annexed bythe Russian Federation, and eastern Ukraine, which isunder threat from Russian troops. 

According to the report: 

• Armed groups continue to illegally seize and occupy public and administrative buildings in cities and towns of the eastern regions, and proclaim “self-declared regions.” Leaders and members of these armed groups commit an increasing number of human rights abuses, such as abductions, harassment, and unlawful detentions, in particular of journalists. This is leading to a breakdown in law and order and a climate of intimidation and harassment.
• In Crimea, which has been annexed by Russia, there is increasing harassment directed at the Tatar ethnic group and other residents who did not support the fraudulent March 16 referendum that led to the annexation.
• Peaceful demonstrations often turn suddenly violent, increasingly leading to numerous deaths and injuries. The police are unable to guarantee the security of participants or to ensure law and order.
• Journalists in eastern Ukraine are under particular attack, and the increasing prevalence of hate speech is further fueling tensions. Both these factors are deepening divisions between communities and exacerbating the crisis.

However, Ukrainian billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, who is one of eastUkraine’s largest employers, is using patrols of steelworkers in hisemploy to try to restore order in some cities. Akhmetov is joiningwith other groups to insist that eastern Ukraine remain united withthe rest of Ukraine. United Nationsand Washington Post

KEYS: Generational Dynamics, Kenya, Nairobi, Uhuru Kenyatta,Gikomba Market, Westgate Mall,Ukraine, Crimea, Russian Federation, Tatars,Rinat Akhmetov 

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