A basic lesson in Human Rights. Simple but effective.
Holocaust Memorial Berlin
Thursday, February 4, 2010
US Military: Modern Weapons, Neolithic Mindsets
While Obama tries to further the plight of "gays in the military" in order (in my opinion) to bring the USA into the 21st century, his push for a repeal on the ban is being met with resistance and a slow bureaucratic process."Amid criticism from opponents of the ban that the Pentagon was moving too slowly, (Defence Secretary) Mr Gates warned against rushing through a change to the law without gauging the views of service members and their families. The Department of Defence is the biggest, most complex, organisation in the world. Our military culture is one of our greatest strengths but it's also a strong culture,'' he said."(http://www.smh.com.au/world/powell-does-aboutface-on-gays-in-us-military-20100204-ngae.html)
My response to that is...why is Mr Gates worried about views of service members and families? and so what if there is a strong culture. It's time to start respecting all rights, and not worrying about treading on some peoples' toes because they don't agree that a certain element of the population is worthy of equal treatment. GROW UP AMERICA!!! Start putting "rights policy" into practice and although it may not happen overnight, society will catch up at some point.
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.
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Far Western Reaches of China
Last year's violent ethnic protests in the city of Urumqi resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people and injuries in the thousands. The Chinese government has dealt with this situation the way it always deals with ethnic issues within its borders: through suppression, censorship, (mis-)trial, and the eventual execution of a few scapegoats:"On October 12, the Urumqi Intermediate People's Court tried seven men and sentenced six to death and one to life imprisonment. On October 14, another 14 men were tried and sentenced. Six received the death penalty, three of them with a two-year reprieve, while others were sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment. All the trials took place without prior public notification and were conducted in less than a day." http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/10/15/china-xinjiang-trials-deny-justice
I do not condone violence or violent protest, but I do empathize with situations which bring anger, frustration, and helplessness to a head. China, please don't blame the people, don't put them to death, don't set examples...find a process which allows for non-violent protest, freedom of speech, and legal processes which ensure fair and just treatment of those convicted.
Dead Can Dance - The Host Of Seraphim
October 17 is End Poverty Day...one of my favourite clips that reminds me of what's still happening around the world is from the movie "Baraka".
On this rainy Friday morning, I only need to go out my front door and see people sleeping in doorways and at bus shelters to remind me that poverty is at the local level as well.
Happy thoughts for the start of the weekend.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Sri Lanka on my mind...for all the wrong reasons.
Once again, Sri Lanka has done it...used it's Draconian politics to convict another journalist who is exercising his right to free speech.
"A High Court in Sri Lanka sentenced journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam (JS) Tissainayagam to 20 years rigorous imprisonment on Monday, for writing and publishing articles that criticized the government's treatment of Sri Lankan Tamil civilians affected by the war. The court said the articles caused "racial hatred" and promoted terrorism." http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/sri-lanka-jails-journalist-20-years-exercising-right-freedom-expression-20090901
The Sri Lankan government has not only done a good job of convincing the world that the war is over, it's held on to its "terrorism" laws which allows it to do what it wants to those who are not convinced of its claim to peace...shame on a country that has so much potential but so little interest in its people.
"A High Court in Sri Lanka sentenced journalist Jayaprakash Sittampalam (JS) Tissainayagam to 20 years rigorous imprisonment on Monday, for writing and publishing articles that criticized the government's treatment of Sri Lankan Tamil civilians affected by the war. The court said the articles caused "racial hatred" and promoted terrorism." http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/sri-lanka-jails-journalist-20-years-exercising-right-freedom-expression-20090901
The Sri Lankan government has not only done a good job of convincing the world that the war is over, it's held on to its "terrorism" laws which allows it to do what it wants to those who are not convinced of its claim to peace...shame on a country that has so much potential but so little interest in its people.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Delhi Ruling Rules!
Delhi's High Court ruled that the law outlawing homosexual acts was discriminatory and a "violation of fundamental rights". The court said that a statute in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which defines homosexual acts as "carnal intercourse against the order of nature" and made them illegal, was an "antithesis of the right to equality". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8129836.stm
In a country of over 1 billion, this ruling, in my opinion, will set a precedent for dialogue on sexual rights, de-stigmatization, and HIV/STI related issues throughout India and in the South/South East Asian region in general.
This decision will not go unchallenged, nor will it be an easy road ahead for advocates who continue to fight for the cause...but as a first step I'm sure it has created hope, along with a feeling that there is at least some political and legal will to advance the rights of people marginalized because of their sexuality.
In a country of over 1 billion, this ruling, in my opinion, will set a precedent for dialogue on sexual rights, de-stigmatization, and HIV/STI related issues throughout India and in the South/South East Asian region in general.
This decision will not go unchallenged, nor will it be an easy road ahead for advocates who continue to fight for the cause...but as a first step I'm sure it has created hope, along with a feeling that there is at least some political and legal will to advance the rights of people marginalized because of their sexuality.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
USA Okay, Lithuania Nay
After coming out of the Bush era, Obama has begun paving the way for an American society that is finally beginning to acknowledge same-sex couples:
"The presidential memorandum signed by Mr. Obama allows same-sex partners of U. S. civil-service employees to be added to the government's long-term-care insurance program. Gay and lesbian civil servants can also use their sick leave to care for an ill domestic partner or non-biological, non-adopted children. Same-sex partners of U. S. foreign-service employees will be able to use government medical facilities and be eligible for medical evacuations from overseas posts. Extending equal benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees is "the right thing to do," Mr. Obama said at a late-afternoon signing ceremony. "As Americans, we are all affected when our promises of equality go unfulfilled." http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=1708559
On the other side of the planet in the European Baltic country of Lithuania, gay persons will have to keep fighting just for the right to be treated with dignity.
"The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, approved a bill Tuesday that bans gay speech in schools..The bill prohibits schools from discussing being gay and bans any reference to homosexuality where it might be viewed by children. The amendment denies the right to freedom of expression and deprives students access to the support and protection they may need...The bill bans information that “agitates for homosexual, bisexual relations or polygamy,” calling such information detrimental to youth. Critics said the bill's broad language effectively bans any discussion of homosexuality except in a negative context, effectively legislating homophobia. Lithuania has signed up to these international humanitarian declarations but it is now defying them. It wants the rights of EU and UN membership, but not the responsibilities. Lithuania has no right to belong to European institutions if it violates their human rights principles."http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4026&MediaType=1&Category=24
You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have...the ludicrous nature of the world in which we live.
"The presidential memorandum signed by Mr. Obama allows same-sex partners of U. S. civil-service employees to be added to the government's long-term-care insurance program. Gay and lesbian civil servants can also use their sick leave to care for an ill domestic partner or non-biological, non-adopted children. Same-sex partners of U. S. foreign-service employees will be able to use government medical facilities and be eligible for medical evacuations from overseas posts. Extending equal benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees is "the right thing to do," Mr. Obama said at a late-afternoon signing ceremony. "As Americans, we are all affected when our promises of equality go unfulfilled." http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/story.html?id=1708559
On the other side of the planet in the European Baltic country of Lithuania, gay persons will have to keep fighting just for the right to be treated with dignity.
"The Lithuanian parliament, the Seimas, approved a bill Tuesday that bans gay speech in schools..The bill prohibits schools from discussing being gay and bans any reference to homosexuality where it might be viewed by children. The amendment denies the right to freedom of expression and deprives students access to the support and protection they may need...The bill bans information that “agitates for homosexual, bisexual relations or polygamy,” calling such information detrimental to youth. Critics said the bill's broad language effectively bans any discussion of homosexuality except in a negative context, effectively legislating homophobia. Lithuania has signed up to these international humanitarian declarations but it is now defying them. It wants the rights of EU and UN membership, but not the responsibilities. Lithuania has no right to belong to European institutions if it violates their human rights principles."http://ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=4026&MediaType=1&Category=24
You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have...the ludicrous nature of the world in which we live.
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