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

Saturday, June 21, 2008

World Refugee Day 2008

June 20, 2008 is World Refugee Day:

The refugee challenge in the 21st century is changing rapidly. People are forced to flee their homes for increasingly complicated and interlinked reasons. Some 40 million people worldwide are already uprooted by violence and persecution, and it is likely that the future will see more people on the run as a growing number of push factors compound one another to create conditions for further forced displacement. http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/events?id=3e7f46e04

The refugee "crisis" is on the rise, and it's not just due to war and famine, it's about people who are marginalized, segregated, and unable to create livelihoods for themselves and their families. World Refugee Day is about reflecting on what we as priviledged people have, and learning how to empathize with those who struggle on a daily basis to feel safe and secure.

World Refugee Day for me is also about appreciating those people who have created homes in Canada, the UK, the USA, etc and have become advocates for human rights and dignity, and who have learned to value peace and contribute positively to their new countries.

T

Thursday, June 12, 2008

State of the world's human rights 2008

Why haven't we learned from all the mistakes of the past!!!???

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Gambia- A Human Rights Disaster Zone

President Yahya Jammeh of The Gambia has declared war on homosexuals:

He promised "stricter laws than Iran" on homosexuality and said he would "cut off the head" of any gay person found in The Gambia. This comes at a time when the country is set to be the host nation of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7416536.stm

As a devout muslim, and as someone trying to hold on to power in a developing nation, Mr. Jammeh is using scapegoating means in an attempt to show his strength as a leader...it is through these means however, that he is showing himself to be unfit to be in the presidential position.

Throughout history "leaders" have used fear as a way to further marginalize the already marginalized, have created genocidal campaigns to do away with the "enemies within", and have appealed to the lowest common denominators within their countries to further their causes. History repeats too often and we are not learning from our mistakes. National leaders have a responsibility to treat every individual within their countries with respect and dignity regardless of how they may feel about their religions, lifestyles, etc. Mr. Jammeh is really just a coward who cannot face his own inabilities, and in turn masks them by bullying the weak.

T