Berlin Truck Attack; Syria Siege; Rebel Rampage in Central African Republic: HRW Daily Brief

Fifteen years ago, brave witnesses testified in the London trial of Faryadi Sarwar Zardad, an archetypal Afghan warlord who in the 1990s abducted and tortured travelers on a stretch of road he controlled east of Kabul. But now he has been released and deported back to Afghanistan. And those same witnesses are in grave danger. Police in Dr Congo have reportedly fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths from the streets of the capital Kinshasa this morning. They had gathered to demand that President Joseph Kabila step down after his mandate expired at midnight last night. There are fears that President Kabila's refusal to step down could spark violence across the country. So far, Human Rights Watch has confirmed 26 people killed by security forces, with more reports coming in. German police are investigating a "probable terrorist attack" after a man drove a truck through a busy Christmas market in the heart of Berlin last night, killing 12 people and injuring 48. As authorities investigate and the country comes to grips with the tragedy, xenophobia should be rejected in favor of a measured response. Diakité ‘Toumba’ Diakité, former commander of Guinea’s Presidential Guard, or Red Berets, was arrested yesterday in Senegal. In 2009, the Red Berets burst into a stadium in Guinea’s capital, Conakry, and opened fire on tens of thousands of opposition supporters peacefully gathered there. At least 150 people were killed or injured on what came to be called "Bloody Monday", and 'Toumba's arrest is a significant step toward justice. In 2010, imprisoned Chinese democracy advocate Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, but Liu could not attend, and in his place stood an empty chair. As China and Norway announce resumed bilateral relations this week, Norway should make clear that Liu can come get his prize as soon as he is able. From earlier today: A newly-formed rebel group in the Central African Republic has killed civilians, raped, and caused large-scale displacement in the northwest of the country over the past year, Human Rights Watch said today. Actions by the 3R armed group, short for “Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation", presents yet another emerging crisis for the country, HRW says.