Holocaust Memorial Berlin

Undoing Human Wrongs

Set-up on Saturday, June 2, 2007, this site has been established to address human rights issues. I have always been disturbed, concerned, and saddened by humanity's preoccupation with fearing difference. Ethnic conflict, criminalizing sexuality, exclusionary processes, political and religious frameworks guaranteeing division; these are ever-present topics taking place in all parts of the world. On the other hand I have always been inspired by communities and states that have moved forward in a quest to guarantee universal rights for all, creating laws which include rather than exclude certain groups. I have also been inspired by individuals who challenge others to think about prejudice, racism- discrimination at all levels. My challenge to friends, family, and the bloggers reading this is to become aware of new places with human rights abuses, learn about inspirational people, send stories, and make people aware. You can send messages out through your own sites, in emails to friends, or to the comments section of my blog. If you have links, videos, literature, etc, that you would like added send me a note (email in my full profile below). Terry

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Saudi Arabia- No Rights for Guest Workers

Living in Sri Lanka not only allows me to learn about human rights issues taking place here, it also opens my eyes to the abuse faced by many Sri Lankan guest workers abroad. There has been a lot of news recently about a young women on death row in Saudi Arabia because of accusations of her killing a child under her care. Rizana Nafeek was only 17 when she went to Saudi Arabia, faking her documents to allow her to work abroad. The story of the child's death has become controversial in that it has uncovered unjust processes which allow Saudi authorities to arrest, detain, and pass judgement on guest workers.

It also has brought to light many other cases of abuse faced by workers from other countries such as Indonesia. "Nour Miyati, an Indonesian domestic worker, sustained serious injuries and lost her fingers due to gangrene in 2005 after her employer locked her up, physically and verbally abused her and deprived her of food. She then faced a countercharge of making false accusations against her employer, and was sentenced to 79 lashes". http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/17/saudia16699.htm


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