24 March 2009 -- Short Hiatus

Hello folks, 

We here at the HRRU are getting slammed with work (yay!!) so we're taking a short hiatus from the blog. It'll be back up in April and just as fabulous as ever. 

On a related note, we're working on a rather timely issue, and would love to hear from you if you have any contacts with human rights activists in Israel or Palestine who are involved in the peace process .... especially women's human rights activists. 

Thanks so much & we'll be back sooooooon ------ 

16 March 2009

AFRICA:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo = Mai Mai commander Gedeon Kyungu Mutanga was convicted for crimes against humanity by a military court in Katanga province on March 5^th. Yay! (HRW)
• This ground-breaking ruling also awarded damages to victims of militia violence and found the government liable for failure to disarm militias. (HRW)
• Nigeria = The National Assembly is debating the “Same Gender Marriage Bill” which would punish same sex marriage by imprisonment. (HRW, Queerty)
• Sierra Leone = is kicking kids out of school if they get pregnant, or get a partner pregnant. (IRIN)
• Anyone else think this is a terrible idea? Yowza.
• Somalia = is instituting Sharia (Islamic) law. (AJ)
• Sudan = 4 staff members of Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) who were abducted in Darfur have been released. (AJ)
• Following these abductions, DWB pulled out of Darfur almost entirely, like many other aid organizations (see last week’s HRRU posting). (AJ)
• Tunisia = Political prisoner Sadok Chorou was rearrested this week for speaking his dissident views to the media, apparently. He spent almost 20 years in prison on questionable charges and was only released from that original arrest a few weeks ago. Not cool. (HRW)

MIDDLE EAST:

• Afghanistan = Journalist Jawed “Jojo” Ahmed was shot and killed this week; one of many media workers facing increasing violence and intimidation. (AI)
• Israel = Moshe Katsav, Israel’s former president, is to be charged with rape and sexual misconduct, including assault and harassment. (AJ)
• Pakistan = In response to massive street protests, the Pakistani government will restore the Supreme Court’s chief justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudry. (WP)
• Protestors began marching on Thursday in a rally against President Asif Ali Zardari, demanding the reinstatement of several judges who were dismissed, and defying the government’s ban on public gatherings. (DN)
• Hundreds of activists were jailed prior to the protest march. (DN)

CULTURAL:

• Liberia = 10 girls share their stories in a new documentary film: “I Have Something to Tell You” (UNICEF)
• Yay! Comic Relief 2009 raised £57m overnight. The money is for “disadvantaged people” in the UK and the African continent. Nice. (BBC)

AMERICAS:

• United States = Legislators in the state of New Mexico have voted to revoke the death penalty and replace it with life without parole in prison. (AJ)
• While the US does NOT view the death penalty as a human rights violation, the majority of nations globally DO. (AI)

ALSO OF INTEREST:

• Sri Lanka = UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Pillay is concerned that both the Tamil Tigers and the government are committing war crimes against Sri Lankan civilians. (AJ)
• “Pillay said the government had repeatedly shelled the designated ‘no-fire’ zones for civilians and also cited reports that the Tigers were holding civilians as human shields and had shot some as they tried to flee.” (AJ)
• Tibet = This week marked the 50^th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against China. (DN, WP))
• The Dalai Lama called for “meaningful autonomy” for Tibet. (DN, WP)
• Turkey is hosting the 5^th Annual World Water Forum this week. (ICRC)
• Turkey = Ebru Soykan, a transgender human rights activist was killed on March 10^th. Lambda Istanbul is the local transgender advocacy group. (HRW)
• Women may be at a higher risk of violence during the current and continuing global economic crisis according to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women. (AJ)
• As 53 million more people are expected to fall into poverty THIS YEAR, progress toward gender equity is likely to be halted in many countries as “more pressing” concerns take precedence. (AJ)

9 March 2009 Special Edition

THE BIGGEST OF THE BIG NEWS: SUDAN

• The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against Sudanese President Omar el-Bashir for crimes against humanity and war crimes regarding his actions in support of the civilian massacres in the Darfur region. This is the first time the court has issued warrants of arrest for a sitting head of state. (ICC)
• El-Bashir’s reaction has been to use this as an opportunity to criticize the West (primarily the US) and accuse the ICC, in conjunction with the West, of promoting neo-colonialism. He seems to be missing the point that many Sudanese also think his actions constitute war crimes (see below). (WP)
• But he did release one of his most prominent critics, who has been detained since January. (NYT)
• This seems to have prompted a backlash against NGO workers, which includes expelling entire NGOs from Darfur. (IRIN, WP, PRI)
• Hear what ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has to say about the decision to issue the warrants here. (AI)
• 28 Darfuri women, meanwhile, welcome the issuance of warrants against el-Bashir and write a letter to Sudan and the international community to encourage advocates to protect civilians from the rampant sexual violence in Darfur. Read it here. (HRW)
• Read more “Voices of Sudan” here. (HRW)

9 March 2009

AFRICA:

• Kenya = Oscar Kamau Kingara and John Paul Oulu, two Kenyan human rights activists, were executed at close range while trapped in their car in a traffic jam in downtown Nairobi. (WP)
• The two had recently cooperated with a UN investigation into illegal killings by police officers during Kenya’s recent political turmoil. This UN investigation led to calls for the resignation of Kenya’s Attorney General and Police Commissioner. (WP)
• The UN has called for an investigation into their murders. (NYT)
• Tunisia = Tunisian human rights activist Mohamed Abbou was again denied (for the 7^th time, now) permission to leave Tunisia. He was hoping to attend an Amnesty International conference in London; it was suggested to him that he should not try to leave Tunisia again. (AI)

MIDDLE EAST:

• Iran = Independent journalist, Roxana Saberi, will allegedly be released this week, after nearly a month in detention. [see previous posts for more details on Ms. Saberi] (NYT)
• Iraq = View results of studies on the effect of violence on Iraqi civilians’ mental health here. It’s been especially tough for the ladies. (NYT, IRIN)
• Israel = YAY! Bedouin tribes in Southern Israel’s Negev area have stopped practicing female genital mutilation (FGM) according to new research. (IRIN)

CULTURAL:

• PRI published a great story, “Responsibility to Protect”: When will “never again” really mean “never again”? (PRI)
• Clearly I’m not the only one who found the fatwa against yoga ridiculous … (NYT)
• Yoni Goodman of Waltz With Bashir fame, turns his talents to Gaza. Watch the video here.
• Visit mideastyouth.com to see just how cool teenagers can be.

AMERICAS:

• Unites States = Binyam Mohamed, a 30 year old prisoner caught in America’s “extraordinary rendition” program and held at Guantanamo Bay for seven years, was recently released without charge. (WP)
• He now alleges that the British government assisted the US in both his rendition and subsequent torture; the British government will hold a judicial inquiry into these allegations that directly contradict Britain’s previous claims of ignorance of rendition and torture. (WP)

ALSO OF INTEREST:

• China = Chinese police shot and killed a Tibetan monk who set himself on fire as a protest after he was refused entrance at a prayer hall. (WP)
• INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY was yesterday, March 8^th
• Then and now. (AI)
• In Afghanistan, women celebrated by gathering at cities throughout the country for a Prayer for Peace With Justice.
• The women wore blue scarves, that match the burka (widely viewed as a symbol of women’s oppression under the Taliban) to “call attention to the need to look beyond the burka toward a future where women’s contribution to society is fully acknowledged.” (UNIFEM)
• Jacqueline Nolley Echegaray suggests issues for women’s human rights advocates to address here. (CAP)
• UNICEF sponsored a “Girl Power and Potential” Reception at UN HQ (UNICEF)
• Sri Lanka = Humanitarian conditions for civilians caught in the middle of the conflict between the government and the Tamil Tigers are “dire.” (IRIN)
• Thailand = the first annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was a bit of a farce. (WP)
• ASEAN’s charter mandates the formation of an independent human rights body … which seems rather unlikely to happen since Burma and Cambodia threatened to leave the summit if human rights activists from their countries were allowed to participate. (WP)
• UNIFEM Executive Director Ines Alberdi issues a Call to Action around women’s treatment in conflict zones, including sexual violence, the lack of female voices in peace processes and the implementation and enforcement of Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820. (UNIFEM)
• See also the Human Rights Index on Women and Armed Conflict here.

2 March 2009

AFRICA:

• Ghana = Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, the first female Minister of Justice and Attorney General has been appointed. She has a background as a human rights advocate, and will hopefully continue along that same path toward justice for all … (AT, GG)
• Kuwait = Dr. Lubna Al-Kazi is been a powerful voice for women's suffrage as well as women’s rights to run for political office. She is a leader of the Kuwaiti Women's Social and Cultural Society, one of the most pwerful women's rights group in Kuwait.
• Dr. Al-Kazi was interviewed for a podcast with Vital Voices and gives a very thorough and educational account of the current situation in Kuwait. She also advises advocates where to focus our efforts. You can listen here. (VV)
• Sierra Leone = Issa Sesay, Morris Kallon and Augustine Gbao from the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), a former rebel group, have been convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity (including forced marriage and recruiting child soldiers) committed during the country's civil war. (AJ)
• Tanzania = superstitious killings of albinos for their body parts have now claimed the 45th victim since 2007 – a 14 year old girl. Witch doctors are allegedly fueling the killings. (AT)
• Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, has called for the killings to cease. (ABC)

MIDDLE EAST:

• Iran = Yay! Hana Abdi, a Kurdish student and activist, was released after spending 15 months in prison. Her release was largely due to women’s human rights activists advocating on her behalf. She was originally charged with "enmity against God" and "gathering and colluding to harm national security". (AI)
• Iran = Boo! Iran has admitted to holding a US journalist, 31 year old Roxana Saberi, in detention since January of this year. She is a freelance reporter for the BBC, FoxNews, and NPR. (DN)
• Saudi Arabia = Local activists have been taking action to highlight the abuses of the religious Hey’a police force – formerly the Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice – by posting videos to YouTube. Yay! (NPR)

CULTURAL:

• United States = the media ban on soldiers’ coffins has been lifted. The decision of whether or not to allow media to show photos or video of the soldiers who have given their lives in service of their country. (DN, NYT)
• Barbie® turns 50 = see my previous posting on another blog to feel good about YOUR body.
• “Killer’s Paradise” is a great movie about the depressing phenomenon of femicide in Guatemala …

AMERICAS:

• United States = Ali al-Marri is FINALLY being charged with a crime: providing support to terrorism. He has been held for 5 years at a navy prison. It’s ‘bout time. (AJ)
• United States = The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (the NAACP) is 100 years old – Happy Birthday!
• United States = Boo! US Secretary of State Clinton says that human rights concerns should not impede our relations with China … (DN)

ALSO OF INTEREST:

• Malaysia = Human rights groups rebel against the latest fatwa: leading Islamic clerics have issued an edict against women doing yoga. For real.
• Sisters in Islam, a women’s rights group, and other advocates from 47 countries are using the Quran to support their opposition to this fatwa. They argue that the human interpretation is patriarchical and inconsistent with the original text’s emphasis on justice and equality. (AWID)
• Myanmar = Ummm … ? 24 political prisoners in Myanmar were released this weekend … after the government said it would release 6,313 prisoners. (AI)
• Serbia = the former President, Milan Milutinovic, was acquitted of murdering hundreds of Kosovan Albanians by the UN criminal tribunal. Five others were found guilty. (AJ)

23 February 2009

AFRICA:

• Opportunity to TAKE ACTION:
• Sign the “Africa for Women’s Rights” Declaration here! This campaign's aim is to call on African states to ratify international and regional women's human rights protection instruments and to respect them in law and practice. (AWID)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo = Activists call for the UN to take action to stop rebel massacres in Eastern DRC by deploying more troops there. (AT, HRW)
• Egypt = Opposition leader Nour has been released from jail (after being held for 3 years) and plans to continue his political career. (AT, AJ, DN)
• Egypt = Dia' el Din Gad, a 23 year old student blogger critical of Egypt’s policy towards Gaza is at risk of torture since his February 6^th arrest. (AI)
• Ethiopia = introduces a law against marriage under the age of 18, as part of new family planning laws. Yay! (BBC)
• World Vision Ethiopia’s Amhara province office advocated for this law and explains the need for it thus: girls = economic burden = married off early = not ready for childbirth physically = fistula = pain, shame, death. You can listen to the BBC-World Vision interview here. (BBC, WVR)
• Swaziland = Yay! Attorney Mary-Joyce Doo Aphane has filed a lawsuit to compel the government to overturn a discriminatory law which prohibits women from registering property under their own name. This case will challenge whether the courts will uphold the Constitutional provisions guaranteeing equality for women. (AWID)

MIDDLE EAST:

• Afghanistan = Detainees at Bagram will not have the Constitutional right to challenge their imprisonment in any US court. Boo! (MSNBC)
• Iran = The government is targeting Iranian activists … perhaps with the goal of forestalling a larger human and/or civil rights movement in Iran.
• Shirin Ebadi, a human rights activist and 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been harassed, and two Iranian doctors focusing on HIV have been imprisoned and sentenced to prison terms of 3 and 6 years (see previous posts for more info on them). This is extending beyond these well-known advocates, however, and it is unclear how far-reaching this oppression will broaden or how long it will continue. It’s clearly a situation to keep our eyes on. (NPR)

CULTURAL:

• American author Greg Mortensen, author of Three Cups of Tea is now volunteering for the US military to do cultural sensitivity training in Afghanistan. You can listen to his interview with PRI here. (PRI)
• Iraq = Nadje al-Ali has written a book entitled, What Kind of Liberation? Women and the Occupation of Iraq. She examines how Iraqi women have managed since the US invasion of March 2003. It’s not a pretty picture. (GUA)
• Sudan = Jerry Fowler of Save Darfur, an alliance of 180 orgs, gave a comprehensive 15 minute interview—including the background of the current conflict in Darfur, as well as the current nature of the conflict. You may want to check this out because the ICC is deliberating issuing an arrest warrant for Sudan’s president, al Bashir. Fowler discusses the politics behind the fighting and looks forward to what activists can and will achieve in Darfur. "Need a peace surge." - JP (USHMM)
• You can listen here.