16 February 2009

AFRICA:

• Africa = Human Rights Watch has issued a report about HIV/ AIDS related human rights abuses against women and girls in Africa. Available here. (HRW)
• Burundi = is debating a new criminal code that would—for the first time ever in Burundi’s history—criminalize consensual homosexual sex. No, no, no! (HRW)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo = Aid workers are accusing the Emergency Relief Coordinators of the UN of not protecting the people they are there to protect, and not stopping massacres they know are in progress. The UN says that they only have 300 peacekeepers – most of whom are engineers protecting the airports – for 6,000 square kilometers of rebel territory. So … shouldn’t the UN increase the number of peacekeepers in the area? Ask Alan Doss to do just that. (BBC)
• Ethiopia = Greater and greater numbers of people from Somalia are seeking refuge in Ethiopia. They are fleeing both general insecurity in Somalia as well as accusations that they are sympathetic with a foreign source and/ or that they have converted to Christianity. (AT, BBG)
• Ghana = Outgoing President Kufuor commuted all death sentences in the country before leaving office and encouraged the new President, John Atta Mills, to abolish the death penalty entirely in Ghana. (AI)
• Libya = is writing a new Constitution! Gaddafi’s son is apparently leading this effort. The new Constitution will allegedly adopt the system of direct democracy as a way of governance and will modernize the mechanisms of practicing this authority by the citizens without canceling previous documents like the Declaration of the People’s Power. The content of this new proposed Constitution is still largely unknown. Something to keep your eye on … (AT, TG)
• Nigeria = the Nigerian National Human Rights Commission, and other national, regional, and international bodies, including Human Rights Watch, urged legislators and the president to reject a bill before Nigeria's National Assembly to ban "same gender marriage." (HRW)
• South Africa = Dock workers in South Africa are refusing to unload Israeli goods – to show their solidarity with the Palestinians! Yay. (DN)
• Sudan = Human Rights Watch issued a report titled, “There is No Protection” about the current security situation for civilians in Sudan, and in Darfur in particular. You can read the HRW report here. (HRW)
• Zambia = President Banda commuted the death sentences of 53 prisoners, giving them life in prison instead. (AI)

MIDDLE EAST:

• Afghanistan = A former UN Human Rights Investigator, Cherif Bassiouni, was fired from the UN after releasing a report in the United States criticizing the US of committing human rights abuses upon Afghani people. He accused US troops of arbitrarily breaking into people’s homes, arresting the residents and torturing detainees. The torture allegedly consisted of sexual abuse, torture, beatings, and the use of force resulting in death, violating international treaties and the ideals of humanitarian law. Who is answerable for forcing out Mr. Bassiouni? Anyone know? It’d be great if we could all contact that person. (DN)
• Meanwhile, the US has signed a declaration with Afghanistan to attempt to reduce civilian casualties. (AJ)
• Israel = allegedly deported 10 passengers on a ship from Lebanon who were trying to deliver aid to Gaza. Israeli forces opened fire on the captain, crew and passengers and assaulted them after coming aboard. Another 18 passengers are still in Israeli custody. The ship carried 60 tons of supplies, including medical equipment. (DN)
• See previous posts for the US position on Israel-Palestine relations. It’s just not logical.
• Pakistan = the national government has agreed to restore Sharia (Islamic) law, in the Swat Valley and other areas in the country's northwest as part of a peace deal with local pro-Taliban fighters. How is this deal “promoting peace” if it ends up oppressing all of the ladies? (AJ, BBC)

CULTURAL:

• United Kingdom = The BBC has removed Margaret Thatcher’s daughter, Carol, from her position on “The One Show” for using an ethnically derogatory epithet. She used the offensive term during a private conversation she was having in a green room on BBC premises. She declined to apologize for her use of the remark. (BBC, GUA)
• The movie, “Waltz with Bashir,” has been banned in Lebanon. (PRI)
• So, apparently Fidel Castro has a blog. No kidding. Check it out here. (MSNBC)
• Sex ed via cell phone? (PRI)

AMERICAS:

• United States = The Senate Judiciary Committee leader, Senator Patrick Leahy, suggested that a Truth Commission be convened to investigate the Bush era. Leahy has said that the purpose of this is to assemble the facts, and “at least find out what happened … Those who testify will be offered immunity. Those who do not testify may be prosecuted based on evidence from others’ testimony … and, of course, anybody can be prosecuted for perjury. It may be the ONLY way to get the truth out.” President Obama is allegedly considering this proposal. (DN, MSNBC, NYT)
• United States = The 9^th Circuit Federal Court in San Francisco is considering the Motion to Dismiss filed by the Bush administration in the case regarding the transport and torture of 5 terrorism suspects who were picked up in the CIA’s extraordinary rendition program. This case came before the court during the Bush administration, which pleaded the State Secrets defense to get the case dismissed (State Secrets defense = it would jeopardize national security to even talk about this case in court). The Obama administration is repeating this blanket State Secrets defense. Kinda makes you wonder about the whole transparency issue. (MSNBC, ABC)
• United States = DirecTV has refused to air a pro-Palestinian advertisement on their channels. Click here to take action. (DN, AUPHR)
• US = More people in the military committed suicide in January 2009 than were killed in combat in both Iraq and Afghanistan. What will it take for us to recognize the reality and effects of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? Currently in the US military, sufferers of PTSD are not eligible for the purple heart medal. Not cool. (DN, NPR)

ALSO OF INTEREST:

• ACTIVIST HIGHLIGHT: Kumi Naidoo
• This South African activist completed a 3-week hunger strike to draw attention to Zimbabwe’s human rights and humanitarian crises, including the cholera epidemic, financial collapse, failure of basic services, and human rights abuses against both civilians and opposing party politicians. (BBC, HFP)
• ACTIVIST HIGHLIGHT: Alison Des Forges
• Activist for the people of Rwanda and the Great Lakes region and genocide expert, Alison Des Forges was killed in a plane crash this week. You can read Human Rights Watch’s tribute to her here. (HRW)
• Cambodia = is finally trying leaders of the Khmer Rouge for human rights abuses committed 30 years ago. In this instance, the revolution WILL be televised. (AJ, NYT)
• Hungary = A Hungarian woman appealed to international law – in the form of CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) -to stop her abusive partner from further harming her. This remedy is not available to American women because our great nation has not yet ratified CEDAW. (HRW)
• Sri Lanka = is threatening to expel foreign aid workers and journalists in this 3^rd year of war between the government and the rebel Tamil Tigers, now that the military is capturing the last of the rebel bases. The Sri Lankan government has accused reporters from CNN, the BBC, and Al Jazeera of being sympathetic to the Tamil Tigers. Independent journalists are not allowed in the conflict zone. The current humanitarian situation is poor—250,000 civilians are trapped in the midst of the fighting in the Mullaitivu district. Meanwhile the foreign minister says, “there are no human rights abuses in our country.” (DN, AI)
• Russia = Human Rights Watch has issued a report of the status of migrant workers in Russia. People who are migrant workers face many challenges, including being denied wages, threats of violence and police abuse. Check out the report here.

Take Action Today For Girls in Zambia

Equality Now, a leading international women's human rights group, has just issued an urgent action to support the prosecution of schoolteachers who rape their students in Zambia. Having lived there myself, I can attest to the fact that this problem is rampant. This issue is really near and dear to my heart and it is super easy for you to take action! I hope you will.

8 February 2009

AFRICA:

• Cameroon = An Amnesty International Report is citing abuses, including executions, of journalists and dissidents. Police have enforced policies preventing people from exercising their rights to freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. In February 2008, at least 100 people were killed. (AI, AT)
• Kenya = The Ember Project was highlighted by Chicago Public Radio: you can listen to the interview here. This is a project that supports grandparents raising their AIDS-orphaned extended family. Sounds like a great grassroots conceived and driven project … check ‘em out here.
• Madagascar = Thousands of residents of Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city, participated in weekend protests of the government in anticipation of a general strike. The protestors are calling for the resignation of President Marc Ravalomanana in favor of Antananarivo’s mayor, Andry Rajoelina. (AT)
• Nigeria = Kidnappers shot 11 year old Oduayo Awonusi who was trying to save her 9 year old brother Emmanuel from being kidnapped. This girl’s father is an executive for Royal Dutch Shell oil company. The kidnappings in Nigeria are part of a campaign which has successfully targeted the oil industry, in protest of land use in the Niger Delta. (AT, BBC)
• Somaliland = Somaliland, a break-away province of Somalia, is not internationally recognized and so does not receive any foreign aid. This has led to an increase in men’s depression and an increase in men’s chewing khat (a narcotic) … igniting a huge increase of the number of women in the labor force—primarily as market vendors. This has in turn led to debates about Islam’s analysis of women working outside the home. For various views on this, you can listen here. (WVR)
• Uganda = Uganda is outlawing pornography. This is good for women’s rights advocates … and perhaps a cause of concern for freedom of speech, as this is the first time internet providers are in the firing line in Uganda. Bummer. The terminology states that, “pornography in any form is prohibited and a person who produces or participates in the production or trafficking or publishing or broadcasting in any way” is liable. I like prohibiting porn, personally … it’s easier to regulate all the activities involved with it (i.e. trafficking of persons) when it is unequivocally illegal. This could be a slippery slope to restrictions on internet use in Uganda, though. Thoughts? Opinions? (AT)

MIDDLE EAST:

• Iran = Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize Laureat, discusses the dangers she faces in Iran … and why she won’t leave her homeland despite the threats against her. You can listen to her interview with Amy Goodman here.
• Palestine = The Obama administration is continuing the Bush policy of non-recognition of the democratically-elected Hamas government in Gaza. In fact, U.S. Secretary of State Clinton recently said that the US, “will not in any way negotiate with or recognize Hamas, until they renounce violence, recognize Israel, and agree to abide by … prior agreements.” (DN, AJ)
• Clinton is NOT, however, asking Israel to renounce violence, recognize Palestine or agree to abide by prior agreements. The facts support Palestinians’ allegations of human rights abuses by Israeli troops (see prior posts), so why are we not basing our policies on the facts? Not cool. (DN)

CULTURAL:

• Angelique Kidjo, a Grammy-winning Beninese singer, was featured in the most recent World Vision Report. I have had the opportunity to see her live, and her energy is contagious; she is a fantastic performer as well as a social advocate. She dropped out of law school to be a musician, because she saw music as a more effective means of advocacy than law (can’t really blame her there). She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and sang at the first 4664 Concert for Mandela in South Africa. She’s just fabulous.
• Hamad Nikpay, an Iranian artist, released a new album entitled, “All is Calm.” He fuses Persian melodies with Flamenco beats; it’s both chill and funky … in a good way. You can check him out here.
• Palestine Inside Out: An Everyday Occupation is a recently published book by Professor Saree Makdisi of UCLA. He discusses the media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the importance of language in framing the conflict. It’s really good, thought-provoking stuff for those of us who daily hear the word “settlement” as opposed to “colony.” To listen to an interview with Prof Makdisi about his book on KPFA Berkeley radio, click here.

ALSO OF INTEREST:

• Iran = The Guardian Weekly podcast, dated 2/2/09 provides a great—and brief—history of the 1979 Revolution; it’s from minute 9 to approximately minute 14 of the podcast. You can listen here.

1st February 2009

AFRICA:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo = General Laurent Nkunda was arrested while on a recent trip to Rwanda. He is wanted for war crimes in Congo, and it is still unclear whether his Rwandadn captord will turn him over to Congolese forces or not. Refugees at camps in Rwanda have called for his release, calling his arrest illegal and citing entrapment. This prompted Rwandan forces to tighten security in the camps. (AT, BBC, 702)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo = There is concern about ongoing military operations to disarm the Rwandan Hutus in Eastern DRC. Rwandan and Congolese militia are forcibly “disarming” FDLR rebels. Rwanda sees this group as THE major threat to its security. These military operations will almost certainly create massive displacement of civilians in North Kivu. (UNHCR)
• Somalia = There have been explosions and gunfire in Mogadishu, killing at least 5 people. This prompted Parliament to move to Djibouti for their presidential vote, where they extended the time for elections by five days. (AT, DN, BBC)

MIDDLE EAST:

• Iran = Two doctors focused on HIV prevention, Dr. Arash Alaei and Dr. Kamiar Alaei, who talk to their clients about sex, along with other methods of infection, were arrested in 2008 and charged with seeking to overthrow the Iranian government. They are currently awaiting a verdict in their case. The World Health Organization, btw, says that their efforts helped to give Iran one of the best HIV prevention programs in the world. (PHR)
• *TO TAKE ACTION = Sign the online petition to the Government of Iran on behalf of Doctors Arash and Kamiar Alaei HERE.
• Pakistan = the United States launched 2 airstrikes into Pakistan, with new President Obama’s approval. 20 people were killed, including 3 kiddos. (DN, GUA)
• Gaza, Palestine = 8 Israeli human rights groups are calling for an investigation into Israel’s use of white phosphorous in its recent 22-day attack on Gaza Strip, accusing the Israeli military of war crimes. The human rights groups calls the number of women and children killed “terrifying” in its enormity. (DN, AI)

CULTURAL:

• For a good mini-history lesson, check out John Prendergast’s podcast on the Eastern Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo, that is) for the United States Holocaust Museum. It’s 12 minutes of great background info for those of you who are new to this conflict area.
• The BBC and SkyNews are refusing to broadcast an Oxfam appeal for Gaza, calling the recent attacks by Israel a “political crisis” and citing fears of being seen as endorsing one side over the other. Why suddenly quash this issue with political rhetoric? C’mon BBC. It seems pretty clear that—from a strictly human rights perspective—an Oxfam appeal certainly makes sense. Gaza’s resources were overstretched before the attacks – now there is even less food, water, and medical supplies available for Gazan civilians. And FYI: The BBC HAS aired politically charged Oxfam appeals before, including one for Darfur. You can find others here.(DN, PRI, BBC)

ALSO OF INTEREST:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo = Tomas Lubanga, a former militia leader in Eastern DRC is being tried at the International Criminal Court, in its first trial ever, for conscription and use of child soldiers. This is being prosecuted exclusively as a war crime for the first time. (AT, DN)