by John Richardson on April 1, 2009
Today’s update of human rights events around the world.
SUDAN: Arab leaders snub al-Bashir warrant
Arab Leaders meeting in Doha, the Qatari capital, have rejected an international arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir, the Sudanese president accused of war crimes in Darfur. al Jazeera
BURMA: Dying, and Alone, in Myanmar
The people of Myanmar, a country that seems to have been marked for suffering, receive little foreign assistance – the country ranks among the lowest per capita for such aid in the world. The same is true for assistance for people with H.I.V./AIDS. Médecins Sans Frontières estimates that 240,000 people are currently infected with H.I.V. in Myanmar and that 76,000 are in urgent need of antiretroviral drugs. Every year, about 25,000 people with the virus die. New York Times
IRAQ: US soldier jailed for Iraq murders
A US army sergeant has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his part in the killing of four Iraqi detainees, the army said. al Jazeera
U.N.: Peacekeepers-for-Hire? Not so Fast, Critics Warn
Is the U.N. willing to emulate the U.S. model of engaging private defense and security firms in dealing with issues of war and peace? U.N. officials say no. But some analysts and observers hold that in the future, the privatization of peacekeeping may be accepted as an international norm. IPS
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by John Richardson on March 18, 2009
Today’s update of human rights events around the world.
VATICAN: Pope says condoms could worsen Aids
The Roman Catholic pope has come under renewed criticism after saying that condoms are not the solution to Africa’s HIV epidemic. Al Jazeera
ISRAEL: Lieberman has Arabs worried
The Arab world is reacting with alarm in the wake of a coalition agreement that brings Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman closer to becoming the next foreign minister and grants his party other key posts. “The leader of extremism is leading diplomacy in Israel,” the Middle East Online news site proclaimed on Monday. Jerusalem Post
PALESTINE: Gazans Struggle for Clean Drinking Water
As environmental experts, NGOs and government officials gather in Istanbul this week to attend the Fifth World Water Forum, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has drawn attention to the critical water situation in Gaza. IPS
COLOMBIA: FARC releases Swedish hostage
Colombia’s largest guerrilla group FARC released a Swedish citizen the rebels had held hostage for almost two years, a government official said Tuesday. The FARC released Erik Roland Larsson in the Córdoba department, where they kidnapped the 69-year-old Swede in May 2007. Colombia Reports
SIERRA LEONE: Women raped in Sierra Leone clashes
At least 20 people have been injured and six women raped in clashes between the two largest political parties in Sierra Leone. Al Jazeera
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by John Richardson on February 19, 2009
Today’s update of human rights events around the world.
ZIMBABWE: Roy Bennett remanded in custody until 4 March
MDC Treasurer General, and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate, Roy Bennett has been remanded in custody to the 4th of March 2009. The Magistrate indicated that he would hear submission and arguments on whether or not to grant him bail tomorrow (Thursday 19 February 2009). This is Zimbabwe
MEXICO: Ordeal Ends for Sons of Alleged Guerrillas
Antonio and Héctor Cerezo, whose parents have been accused by the Mexican authorities of founding a guerrilla group, walked free out of prison this week after serving seven-and-a-half year sentences. According to human rights organizations, they were victims of state revenge. IPS
CHINA: Aids takes deadly toll
Chinese officials have said that HIV/Aids was the leading cause of death last year, compared with other infectious diseases. BBC
SWEDEN: Ex-Guantanamo man accepted
Sweden has agreed to give asylum to a Chinese Muslim man who was held at Guantanamo Bay for almost five years. BBC
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by John Richardson on February 3, 2009
The daily update of human rights events around the world.
SUDAN: Sudanese Harassed for Cooperating with the International Criminal Court
FIDH is concerned about the repeated attacks against persons suspected of supporting or cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which have been registered in Sudan over the last months. FIDH
U.S.: Time to Select U.S. AIDS Leader
As acronyms go, OGAC — the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator — is no memorable stand-out. However, its coordinator has the extraordinarily important job of setting U.S. AIDS policy and identifying spending priorities. With the U.S. investing more than ever in the global AIDS fight, it’s time to fill the position with someone with the knowledge, credibility and leadership to head up what is America’s largest global public health initiative, accounting for billions in annual spending. Remarkably, this office has been leaderless for over a week now. Nicholas Kristoff – NY Times
CHINA: Human Rights Lawyer in Arbitrary Detention
The Chinese government should immediately disclose the whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng, a leading human rights lawyer who disappeared two weeks ago, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and Human Rights in China said today in a joint statement. Human Rights Watch
LATIN AMERICA: Human Rights Coverage Serving Washington’s Needs
A new Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR) study finds that leading newspapers have been putting political considerations ahead of humanitarian concerns in their editorials on human rights in Latin America. Common Dreams
BOLIVIA: Tight Grip on the Next Big Resource
In the rush to build the next generation of hybrid or electric cars, a sobering fact confronts both automakers and governments seeking to lower their reliance on foreign oil: almost half of the world’s lithium, the mineral needed to power the vehicles, is found here in Bolivia – a country that may not be willing to surrender it so easily. NY Times
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by John Richardson on February 2, 2009
The daily update of human rights events around the world.
Lifting of ‘Gag Rule’ Helps Restart Much-Needed Health Services in Africa
Aid workers and experts say President Barack Obama’s decision to allow aid money to flow again to international groups that offer abortion counseling will help restart programs desperately needed in Africa, the continent hardest hit by a so-called “gag rule.” Common Dreams
US Turned Blind Eye to Somalia Abuses: Rights Group
The United States has turned a blind eye to abuses by its allies in Somalia and worsened the situation there by reducing a complex conflict to a front in its “war on terror,” a leading human rights group said. Common Dreams
Colombia rebels hand over captives
The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have handed over four hostages to a humanitarian delegation in the southern jungle region. Al Jazeera
Deaths as Sri Lanka hospital bombed
At least 13 people have been killed after a hospital in northern Sri Lanka was hit in three artillery attacks, United Nations officials have said. Al Jazeera
Israeli warplanes bomb in Gaza after mortar attacks
Israeli aircraft bombed Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, the Islamist group said, after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert vowed a “disproportionate” response to mortar fire that injured three Israelis. Reuters
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A US army sergeant has been sentenced to life imprisonment for his part in the killing of four Iraqi detainees, the army said. al Jazeera
Is the U.N. willing to emulate the U.S. model of engaging private defense and security firms in dealing with issues of war and peace? U.N. officials say no. But some analysts and observers hold that in the future, the privatization of peacekeeping may be accepted as an international norm. IPS
