Holocaust Memorial Berlin
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Zimbabwe-Now What?
Robert Mugabe just keeps getting caught-out, this time with his fingers in diamond mining. The Kimberly Process", a joint initiative (goverments, industries, civil society) to curb the trade of conflict diamonds will decide this week if it will suspend Zimbabwe's certification.
"Canadian Ian Smillie was one of the architects of the Kimberley Process set up seven years ago to try to end trade in conflict diamonds. He resigned earlier this year because he said the organization had failed to act against Zimbabwe over what he and some non-governmental organizations say are many gross human-rights abuses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields...Several informal miners at the diamond fields said the Zimbabwe army used helicopter gunships in an operation to take control of the Chiadzwa diamond field in the Marange district of eastern Manicaland last year. They said that many poverty stricken people digging for diamonds were shot and wounded and that an unknown number were killed. Others said they had been beaten and chased away by security forces." http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-03-voa49.cfm
The funny thing about Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe is that he has managed to get away with abuses which have been ongoing for a couple of decades. Every new crisis brings a moderate slap on the hand (at most) and he has somehow managed to convince other African states and other investment partners to support him...or has he been able to find leverage points with other parties to ensure that if he goes down, he won't do it alone?
"Canadian Ian Smillie was one of the architects of the Kimberley Process set up seven years ago to try to end trade in conflict diamonds. He resigned earlier this year because he said the organization had failed to act against Zimbabwe over what he and some non-governmental organizations say are many gross human-rights abuses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields...Several informal miners at the diamond fields said the Zimbabwe army used helicopter gunships in an operation to take control of the Chiadzwa diamond field in the Marange district of eastern Manicaland last year. They said that many poverty stricken people digging for diamonds were shot and wounded and that an unknown number were killed. Others said they had been beaten and chased away by security forces." http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-11-03-voa49.cfm
The funny thing about Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe is that he has managed to get away with abuses which have been ongoing for a couple of decades. Every new crisis brings a moderate slap on the hand (at most) and he has somehow managed to convince other African states and other investment partners to support him...or has he been able to find leverage points with other parties to ensure that if he goes down, he won't do it alone?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Somalia: At Least it Keeps Human Rights Groups Busy
The latest news comes out of Somalia where an "adulterer" has been stoned to death. If that isn't bad enough, his pregnant girlfriend has been spared UNTIL she gives birth, at which point she will also be stoned to death and the child given to her family to take care of...
"Meanwhile, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has accused al-Shabab of spoiling the image of Islam by killing people and harassing women."Their actions have nothing to do with Islam," said the moderate Islamist during a ceremony at which he nominated a new administration for the capital, Mogadishu." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8347216.stm
Of course this has nothing to do with Islam...since when do any acts which harm, torture, or marginalize people have anything to do with any religion? Humans have learned to harness power and corruption to meet their own needs, sad but true.
"Meanwhile, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has accused al-Shabab of spoiling the image of Islam by killing people and harassing women."Their actions have nothing to do with Islam," said the moderate Islamist during a ceremony at which he nominated a new administration for the capital, Mogadishu." http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8347216.stm
Of course this has nothing to do with Islam...since when do any acts which harm, torture, or marginalize people have anything to do with any religion? Humans have learned to harness power and corruption to meet their own needs, sad but true.
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