Human Rights

Treating Civilian Deaths as a ‘Sore Point’

The White House decision to send additional ground troops to Afghanistan (see Extra!, 4/09) is only part of the escalation of the war in Central Asia. The increased use of airstrikes and drone-fired missiles in both that country and neighboring Pakistan are likely to increase civilian deaths. Recent coverage, however, suggests that corporate media will present such incidents as aberrations that distract from U.S. strategic interests—or highlight the supposed public relations prowess of official enemies like the Taliban.

Posted in afghan occupation, civilians dead, drone attacks, Human Rights, Afghanistan, Pakistan

UN Food Stolen From the Starving in Somalia Fake Camp Fraud

One of the UN’s largest international relief efforts is under investigation after it emerged that thousands of sacks of food aid were being diverted from starving refugees and openly sold for profit.

The head of the UN’s $955 million (£580 million) aid operation in Somalia has launched an inquiry after being shown footage showing tonnes of food bearing the World Food Programme (WFP) logo widely on sale in Mogadishu, the capital.

Posted in food, Human Rights, Somalia

A Boy and an Artificial Leg: A Gaza Story

His room is ready; the walls have fresh paint and my kids prepared a basket of chocolates and other treats to place beside his bed. They hung a poster on his door that has been decorated with colored pens and glitter that says “Welcome Shobhi!” I have taught them that “Sobhi” actually means the “morning light”, and that during his visit, he will not be treated as a visitor, but as a brother. They have compiled a list of fun places to visit, parks, the beach and maybe a ferry ride.

Posted in Human Rights, free gaza

Shell Settlement with Ogoni People Stops Short of Full Justice

Shell's decision to settle out of court with a group of Ogoni people rather than take them on in New York means a measure of justice has come to the Niger Delta. The sum of $15.5m (£9.6m) may be peanuts for the company and nothing can compensate the 500,000 Ogoni people for generations of devastating pollution, human rights abuses and persecution.

Posted in big oil, Human Rights

Prison Is Revolving Door for Mentally Ill, Who Don't Get Needed Meds

It was 3 o'clock in the morning when the bad guy showed up, talking real loud and fast, like an auctioneer.

"Are you OK, my son?" Ellen Hanson asked as her son headed up the stairs. The look in his eyes when he turned to face her was like nothing she had ever seen before. It sent chills down her spine.

"I'm not your son," was his rapid reply.

Posted in healthcare, Human Rights, prison system

Farm Suicides Turn Children Into Farmers

YAVATMAL, India - Eleven-year-old Digambar Rathod looks older than his age. Shy and uncertain, he stares disconcertedly at the garlanded photograph of his father Jaideep, a 42-year-old cotton farmer who committed suicide on Jan. 1, 2009 in Tiwsala village, in eastern Maharashtra state's suicide-torn Yavatmal district.

As the new head of the household, the boy-turned-farmer has adult responsibilities like the repayment of a bank loan of 190,000 rupees (roughly 3,960 dollars) that was the cause of his father's death.

Posted in children, farming, Human Rights, India

Two Men Who Stood Under the Plunderers’ Knives

Ken Saro-Wiwa and Alberto Pizango never met, but they are united by a passion for the preservation of their people and their land, and by the fervor with which they were targeted by their respective governments. Saro-Wiwa was executed by the Nigerian government Nov. 10, 1995. Pizango this week was charged by the Peruvian government with sedition and rebellion, and narrowly eluded capture, taking refuge in the Nicaraguan Embassy in Lima. Nicaragua has just granted him political asylum.

Posted in Activism, Human Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 8, 2009
4:09 PM

CONTACT: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Tel: +1-212-216-1832
Email: hrwpress@hrw.org

Kosovo: Protect Independent Journalist

Government Should Condemn Threats and Defend Press Freedom

BRUSSELS - June 8 - Kosovo's president and prime minister should forcefully condemn recent threats against the independent journalist Jeta Xharra in a newspaper that receives substantial advertising revenues from the government, Human Rights Watch said today. The attacks are the latest indication that freedom of the media in Kosovo is coming under threat.

The newspaper in which the threats have appeared, Infopress, is considered a pro-government publication.

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Human Rights Watch is one of the world's leading independent organizations dedicated to defending and protecting human rights. By focusing international attention where human rights are violated, we give voice to the oppressed and hold oppressors accountable for their crimes. Our rigorous, objective investigations and strategic, targeted advocacy build intense pressure for action and raise the cost of human rights abuse. For 30 years, Human Rights Watch has worked tenaciously to lay the legal and moral groundwork for deep-rooted change and has fought to bring greater justice and security to people around the world.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) Links:

Posted in Human Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2009
3:46 PM

CONTACT: Human Rights First
Brenda Bowser Soder
(202) 370-3323,
bowsersoderb@humanrightsfirst.org

As International Hate Crimes Escalate, Human Rights First Urges Senate to Strengthen US Laws

Passage of Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act Provides Crucial Protections, Offers United States the Opportunity to Lead by Example

WASHINGTON - June 4 - Human Rights First (HRF) is urging the U.S. Senate to pass legislation that would strengthen protections against hate crimes throughout the nation and abroad. According to a letter sent to Senators today, passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909) would fortify existing laws by permitting federal authorities to assist local and state governments in hate crimes investigations, a step that enables the United States to demonstrate its commitment to fighting hate crimes at home and lead by example abroad.

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Human Rights First is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in New York and Washington D.C. Human Rights First believes that building respect for human rights and the rule of law will help ensure the dignity to which every individual is entitled and will stem tyranny, extremism, intolerance, and violence.

Human Rights First Links:

Posted in Human Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 4, 2009
1:27 PM

CONTACT: Human Rights Watch (HRW)
Tel: +1-212-216-1832
Email: hrwpress@hrw.org

UN: Press for Surrender of Sudanese President

ICC Prosecutor to Brief Security Council on Darfur

NEW YORK - June 4 - Members of the United Nations Security Council should press for the surrender and trial of President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and others wanted for serious crimes committed in Darfur, Human Rights Watch said today.

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Human Rights Watch (HRW) Links:

Posted in Human Rights