Showing posts with label Molly Winfree. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Molly Winfree. Show all posts
Friday, April 19, 2013
Forced Labor in the Persian Gulf
Forced Labor in the Persian Gulf
Theresa M. Dantes is a 29 year old woman from the Philippines. She signed a contract, last year, with an employment agency in the Philippines. This would allow her come here in order to work as a maid in house earning $400 a month, in addition to room and board. When she got here her employer stated that he would only pay her $250. She consented to the lower wages because she had family back in Queon City that were reliant on the money she earned. Once she arrived she found that she was only given one meal per day which were leftovers from the families lunch. She stated, "if no leftovers, I didn't eat." She worked everyday of the week and after she cleaned her employer's house she was made to clean his mother-in-law and sister's house. When Ms. Dantes attempted to leave her employer laughed at her and told her that she couldn't quit. Kafala ("system that governs the working lives of every foreigner employed in Qatar"). She was unable to quit her job without the permission of her boss. She ran away and joined 56 women that had attempted to find shelter at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office. 94 percent of the Qatar labor force is made up by some 1.2 million foreign workers. It was developed in the late 1950s in low populated Persian Gulf states which were in need of people to work in their industries (oil and gas). The Qatar has grown so much that there are almost five foreign workers for each Qatari citizen. In the next few years it is conceivable that a million more foreign workers will come to help with construction on nine new stadiums. They will also be needed to help build $20 billion in roads which will be needed by 2022 (when Qatar hosts the World Cup). The Human Rights Watch has called this type of work they are undertaking as "forced labor." They employers take on legal responsibilities for their workers as well as giving them payment for their work, a work visa, and board and food. The worker must then agree to work for their boss for a fixed amount of time. However, these workers are not allowed to: switch jobs, leave the country, obtain a driver's license, rent a home, open a checking account without consent for his/her employer-sponsor, or kafeel (which can be withdrawn at anytime causing the worker to be sent home). In addition, one Arab-American businessman named Nasser Beydoun, stated that he was an "economic hostage" for 685 days in Doha before he was freed in October of 2011. Mr. Beydoun then stated, "Foreign workers in Qatar are modern-day slaves to their local employers. The local Qatari owns you." It was revealed by a poll, issued by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute at Qatar University, that only half of blue-collar workers (foreign) have signed work contracts before they come to Qatar. The rest come with a verbal understanding or agreement. The formal work contracts, however, do not give enough protection to these workers. A quarter of the blue-collar employees, that signed contracts, stated that their employers did not follow all the specifications of their contract. Another poll revealed that it increased to 42 percent with the third who were making less than $275 a month. The Human Rights and some labor advocates pressed the government into promising to offer new protections. Hussein al-Mulla (under secretary of the Labor Ministry) said, "Seven, eight years ago we didn’t have labor laws. It is better now than before. It will be better in the future." A phone line has been made so that employees can report abuses anonymously as well a system of arbitrating labor disputes. Those who are employing these workers have to report paycheck details to the Labor ministry. Laws are being finalized that set standards on occupational health, safety, and a charter of the rights of workers'. Andrew Gardner (anthropologist at the University of Puget Sounds) studies gulf labors and she reported, "The challenge is enforcement of these laws and establishing a new work culture. The scope of the problem is so large and the number of foreigners is growing so quickly.” Even though progress has been made more still needs to be done.
The obvious violation of rights is forcing people to do work that is outside of the parameters of their contracts and under such poor circumstances (low pay, leftovers, etc). Their personal health and freedoms are very restricted which is undoubtedly something every human being deserves. Progress has been made though because of people becoming aware of the problem and they are attempting, and in some ways, have made laws to allow these people to earn a living in a safe and healthy environment.
Molly Winfree
04/19/2013
3:27 pm
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/sunday-review/indentured-servitude-in-the-persian-gulf.html?hpw
Friday, April 12, 2013
Massacre In Syria
Massacre in Syria
The military in Syria moved (aggressively) to reclaim territory that had been lost in the revolt in the south of the country over the past few days. This was reported by anti goverment activists and it was said that in one town there were at least 60 casualties that included women and children. They were killed "in what the opposition called a government-ordered atrocity motivated by revenge." This report could not be independently verified. It happened in a town called Sanamayn (between Damascus and Dara'a) which sits astride a crucial highway that rebels have been trying and fighting to gain control of for weeks. Squads associated with the Syrian Army had taken over many towns south of Sanamayn. Earlier in the month they also took over a military base near Dara'a. This was the same place that the revolt against the president, Bashar al-Assad started over two years ago. The Observatory for Human Rights in Syria stated that the military began the attack on Sanamayn Wednesday. They shelled and shot randomly as they burned/wrecked 20 houses or more. Those victimized were, at least, seven women and five children under 18. One anti-Assad activist was reached by telephone and said his name was Qaysar, for safety purposes, and stated that some of the victims were "summarily executed or stabbed or burned." He then state that residents of Sanamayn had also been displaced and uprooted due to the civil-war that hit other parts of Syria as well as some Damascus suburbs. Since Thursday the town has remained encloses by government forces. The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces reported the killings in Sanamayn was a massacre by the military that "slaughters civilians in retaliation for its defeats." Cairo headquarters made a statement that said these killings had been done "for no other reason than to satisfy they hunger for killing and the thirst of blood which control the hears of the members of the criminal Assad regime." There were no reports of this in the state-run media. Both sides have continued accusing the other more and more of these atrocities which have totaled to more than 70,000 people dead. Human Rights advocacy groups stated that a most of these murders were done by government forces, which use heavy weapons and warplanes more and more. One of these groups made an accusation to the authorities of war crimes, Thursday, of commanding indiscriminate and intentional airstrikes against civilians. These targets included bakeries and hospitals in which civilians stood in line for bread. In addition it inflicted punishment on the Free Syrian Army and other armed adversaries of the Assad government. It was said that rebels were not careful enough to avoid deploying forces and placing headquarters by or in crowed/highly populated areas. The group that was based in New York stated that increasingly reported airstrikes by the opposing activists desperately after supplies of antiaircraft weapons, constituted "serious violations" of international humanitarian law. "Death From the Skies," a report, stated that "people who commit such violations with criminal intent are responsible for war crimes." The media web did not report any governments response to the accusations. The government has consistently stated that military actions it takes are "justified responses to terrorism."
While the destruction of homes and the murder of citizens is a definite problem another disturbing problem is the lack of action. Even though accusations have continued to rise civilians are continuing to die at the hand of the military. The government so far has not been held responsible and the media is not shedding any light on it. This creates a mixture of violations of human rights, lack of government involvement, and ignorance due to the media not being actively involved in these atrocities. This takes away power from the people in several ways. The government is taking lives and destroying homes and citizens are not informed which makes it impossible to make change.
Molly Winfree
04/12/13
3:49 pm
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/12/world/middleeast/syria.html?_r=0
The military in Syria moved (aggressively) to reclaim territory that had been lost in the revolt in the south of the country over the past few days. This was reported by anti goverment activists and it was said that in one town there were at least 60 casualties that included women and children. They were killed "in what the opposition called a government-ordered atrocity motivated by revenge." This report could not be independently verified. It happened in a town called Sanamayn (between Damascus and Dara'a) which sits astride a crucial highway that rebels have been trying and fighting to gain control of for weeks. Squads associated with the Syrian Army had taken over many towns south of Sanamayn. Earlier in the month they also took over a military base near Dara'a. This was the same place that the revolt against the president, Bashar al-Assad started over two years ago. The Observatory for Human Rights in Syria stated that the military began the attack on Sanamayn Wednesday. They shelled and shot randomly as they burned/wrecked 20 houses or more. Those victimized were, at least, seven women and five children under 18. One anti-Assad activist was reached by telephone and said his name was Qaysar, for safety purposes, and stated that some of the victims were "summarily executed or stabbed or burned." He then state that residents of Sanamayn had also been displaced and uprooted due to the civil-war that hit other parts of Syria as well as some Damascus suburbs. Since Thursday the town has remained encloses by government forces. The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces reported the killings in Sanamayn was a massacre by the military that "slaughters civilians in retaliation for its defeats." Cairo headquarters made a statement that said these killings had been done "for no other reason than to satisfy they hunger for killing and the thirst of blood which control the hears of the members of the criminal Assad regime." There were no reports of this in the state-run media. Both sides have continued accusing the other more and more of these atrocities which have totaled to more than 70,000 people dead. Human Rights advocacy groups stated that a most of these murders were done by government forces, which use heavy weapons and warplanes more and more. One of these groups made an accusation to the authorities of war crimes, Thursday, of commanding indiscriminate and intentional airstrikes against civilians. These targets included bakeries and hospitals in which civilians stood in line for bread. In addition it inflicted punishment on the Free Syrian Army and other armed adversaries of the Assad government. It was said that rebels were not careful enough to avoid deploying forces and placing headquarters by or in crowed/highly populated areas. The group that was based in New York stated that increasingly reported airstrikes by the opposing activists desperately after supplies of antiaircraft weapons, constituted "serious violations" of international humanitarian law. "Death From the Skies," a report, stated that "people who commit such violations with criminal intent are responsible for war crimes." The media web did not report any governments response to the accusations. The government has consistently stated that military actions it takes are "justified responses to terrorism."
While the destruction of homes and the murder of citizens is a definite problem another disturbing problem is the lack of action. Even though accusations have continued to rise civilians are continuing to die at the hand of the military. The government so far has not been held responsible and the media is not shedding any light on it. This creates a mixture of violations of human rights, lack of government involvement, and ignorance due to the media not being actively involved in these atrocities. This takes away power from the people in several ways. The government is taking lives and destroying homes and citizens are not informed which makes it impossible to make change.
Molly Winfree
04/12/13
3:49 pm
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/12/world/middleeast/syria.html?_r=0
Friday, April 5, 2013
Abuse of Mentally Disabled in Ghana
Psychiatric institutions and spiritual healing centers in Ghana are suffering from severe abuses. The Human Rights Watch stated that the government has not done very much to solve this problem. There have been little attempts to fight or prevent this abuse from taking place. Thousands of people are forced to live in institutions that this abuse takes place. They often are taken there against their will. They also rarely can even challenge their imprisonment. The hospitals are overcrowded and are very unsanitary (poor conditions). In these prayer camps (spiritual healing centers) they have patients chained to trees (often in the blazing sun) and made to fast for weeks as a part of the "healing process," and without medications. These people also face stigma, discrimination, and lack of shelter, food, and healthcare. Medi Ssengooba stated, that the government needs to act against these abuses. The Human Rights Watch reported this based on 170 interviews with the people in the country's three public psychiatric hospitals, and the eight prayer camps as well as the community. The also interviewed family members, healthcare providers, administrators, and staff of prayer camps, government officials, staff members for local and international organizations working in Ghana. The World Health Organization estimated that almost 3 million citizens of Ghana live with mental disabilities and 600,000 of those people have severe mental problems.
There are three psychiatric hospitals (public) in Accra, Pantang, and Ankaful. These hold an estimated 1,000 people all with mental disabilities. All three facilities were reported to have unsanitary conditions which included: foul odors in some wards, feces on the floors because of broken sewage systems. Accara's hospital was extremely overcrowded and a lot of people spent the day outside of the actual building in the blazing sun with no or little shade. Many of these patients are said to be associated with the Pentecostal churches. These camps are run by self-proclaimed prophets and they operate completely outside of the governments control. Those at these camps do not get medical treatment and in some places it is even prohibited even if a medical doctor has prescribed it. Instead prophets try to "cure" patients through the use of miracles, consultation with "angels," and spiritual healing. The conditions were worse in the camps than the hospitals. Nearly all the patients at the eight different camps were chained to trees by their ankles in open areas. They had to sleep, urinate, defecate, and bathe in these same areas. Some had even been there for as long as five months. Part of the process was forcing patients (some were kids under ten years old) to fast for weeks. These fasts typically start with 36 hours of dry-fasting (not allowed to have water).
Doris Appiah lived in a prayer camp and a psychiatric hospital for over 10 years and is now living in the community. She said that while she was in the camp she was bound with ropes for over two months and forced to take herbs that were harmful to her which caused side effects to her tongue. The Human Rights Watch stated, "As soon as you get a mental disability, you nearly lose all your rights, even to give your opinion.” In July 2012 the Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities was enstated. This convention states that countries have to take steps to make sure the people with mental disabilities have the option to make life decisions for themselves. This also includes where they live, who they live with, and does not allow them to be forced into institutions. The 2012 Mental Health Act (put into effect in June) provided a system that allows people with disabilities to fight against their forced time in psychiatric hospitals. This law does not apply to the camps and in most camps the people cannot leave until the prophet says they are healed. This act allows for people to be forced in psychiatric hospitals and promotes guardianship that supports decision-making that restricts people with mental disabilities from making their own decisions. Both are not consistent with the Disability Rights Convention.
The Human Rights Watch said that the government should create community-based services (housing, healthcare, etc) that allow people with mental disabilities to live in the community. Facilities that allow people who are admitted/treated (including prayer camps) should be regulated. They should also make sure that people are not held against their will in these facilities and they should have access to ways of challenging violations of their rights.
The harsh treatment of these people and the violation of rights is simply wrong. Controlling the quality of these peoples lives is not consistent with basic human rights. Neither is taking away their freedom or right to choose. Withholding medication, keeping them chained without necessities in the same place they use the bathroom is simply inhumane. Every human being has the right to freedom of choice and the right to live a healthy, happy, and decent life regardless of any disabilities.
Molly Winfree
04/05/2013
3:34 pm
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/31/ghana-people-mental-disabilities-face-serious-abuse
Psychiatric institutions and spiritual healing centers in Ghana are suffering from severe abuses. The Human Rights Watch stated that the government has not done very much to solve this problem. There have been little attempts to fight or prevent this abuse from taking place. Thousands of people are forced to live in institutions that this abuse takes place. They often are taken there against their will. They also rarely can even challenge their imprisonment. The hospitals are overcrowded and are very unsanitary (poor conditions). In these prayer camps (spiritual healing centers) they have patients chained to trees (often in the blazing sun) and made to fast for weeks as a part of the "healing process," and without medications. These people also face stigma, discrimination, and lack of shelter, food, and healthcare. Medi Ssengooba stated, that the government needs to act against these abuses. The Human Rights Watch reported this based on 170 interviews with the people in the country's three public psychiatric hospitals, and the eight prayer camps as well as the community. The also interviewed family members, healthcare providers, administrators, and staff of prayer camps, government officials, staff members for local and international organizations working in Ghana. The World Health Organization estimated that almost 3 million citizens of Ghana live with mental disabilities and 600,000 of those people have severe mental problems.
There are three psychiatric hospitals (public) in Accra, Pantang, and Ankaful. These hold an estimated 1,000 people all with mental disabilities. All three facilities were reported to have unsanitary conditions which included: foul odors in some wards, feces on the floors because of broken sewage systems. Accara's hospital was extremely overcrowded and a lot of people spent the day outside of the actual building in the blazing sun with no or little shade. Many of these patients are said to be associated with the Pentecostal churches. These camps are run by self-proclaimed prophets and they operate completely outside of the governments control. Those at these camps do not get medical treatment and in some places it is even prohibited even if a medical doctor has prescribed it. Instead prophets try to "cure" patients through the use of miracles, consultation with "angels," and spiritual healing. The conditions were worse in the camps than the hospitals. Nearly all the patients at the eight different camps were chained to trees by their ankles in open areas. They had to sleep, urinate, defecate, and bathe in these same areas. Some had even been there for as long as five months. Part of the process was forcing patients (some were kids under ten years old) to fast for weeks. These fasts typically start with 36 hours of dry-fasting (not allowed to have water).
Doris Appiah lived in a prayer camp and a psychiatric hospital for over 10 years and is now living in the community. She said that while she was in the camp she was bound with ropes for over two months and forced to take herbs that were harmful to her which caused side effects to her tongue. The Human Rights Watch stated, "As soon as you get a mental disability, you nearly lose all your rights, even to give your opinion.” In July 2012 the Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities was enstated. This convention states that countries have to take steps to make sure the people with mental disabilities have the option to make life decisions for themselves. This also includes where they live, who they live with, and does not allow them to be forced into institutions. The 2012 Mental Health Act (put into effect in June) provided a system that allows people with disabilities to fight against their forced time in psychiatric hospitals. This law does not apply to the camps and in most camps the people cannot leave until the prophet says they are healed. This act allows for people to be forced in psychiatric hospitals and promotes guardianship that supports decision-making that restricts people with mental disabilities from making their own decisions. Both are not consistent with the Disability Rights Convention.
The Human Rights Watch said that the government should create community-based services (housing, healthcare, etc) that allow people with mental disabilities to live in the community. Facilities that allow people who are admitted/treated (including prayer camps) should be regulated. They should also make sure that people are not held against their will in these facilities and they should have access to ways of challenging violations of their rights.
The harsh treatment of these people and the violation of rights is simply wrong. Controlling the quality of these peoples lives is not consistent with basic human rights. Neither is taking away their freedom or right to choose. Withholding medication, keeping them chained without necessities in the same place they use the bathroom is simply inhumane. Every human being has the right to freedom of choice and the right to live a healthy, happy, and decent life regardless of any disabilities.
Molly Winfree
04/05/2013
3:34 pm
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/31/ghana-people-mental-disabilities-face-serious-abuse
Friday, March 22, 2013
Saudi Arabia Public Execution and Arrests
Saudi Arabia Public Execution and Arrests
Saudi Arabia is under criticism because of the public execution this week of seven men. The court also sent two well known and non-violent civil rights activists to jail. On that Wednesday the seven men (that had been arrested for armed robbery in 2005 and 2006) were executed publicly by use of a firing squad. Many organizations criticized this execution. The European Union and the United Nations both claimed that the confessions these men provided had been coerced out of them and that some of these men had even been arrested as juveniles. This punishment was even called an act of "sheer brutality," by Amnesty International. The United Nations commissioner for human rights said that,”capital punishment may be imposed only for ‘the most serious crimes’ and only after the most rigorous judicial process. As I pointed out to the Government of Saudi Arabia before the men were executed, neither of those fundamental criteria appear to have been fulfilled in these cases.” She also is worried that the confessions these executions were based on were achieved through torture and that these allegations have not been looked into.
Mohammad F. al-Qahtani (in the activists' case) was sentenced to 10 years in jail and Abdullah al-Hamid was sentenced to five years. These charges included calling protests, spreading "false information to outside sources," "undermining national unity," and "setting up an illegal human rights organization." Criticism has been heard from the country and claims that the judicial system only "addresses dissenting voices by silencing them." The Saudi criminal court has issued a travel ban for men once they have served their time in prison and disband the organization they created called the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association. This organization helped the families, in Saudi Arabia, of detainees who had been held with no charges or trials. Amnesty International stated that the imprisonment of these two activists was another "stain" on this Country's history of restraining or attacking freedom of expression. Philip Luther, director for Amnesty International, stated that they feel that these men were imprisoned only for using there right to freedom of expression and association and should be released "immediately and unconditionally.” There is disappointment from activist in Saudi Arabia toward the U.S. and Britain. The reason is there is a lack of public criticism of the Al Sauds (by Britain and the U.S.), but they do publicly criticize other nations that violate human rights. Clemency for the Abha Seven was rejected even though documentation was provided stating that the confessions were achieved through torture, they men were not given adequate legal representation, and that many of these men were juveniles when they committed the alleged crimes. The Saudi Judiciary was said to be, “one of the tools of state-sponsored terrorism,” by Mr. Qahtani and Mr. Hamid (both supporters of these activists who tried to keep the public updated on the trials). Despite the courts ruling Mr. Qahtani has continued to pursue the foundation's goals even though, he stated in a recent interview, "he was aware he could lose his freedom."
This is an obvious violation of human rights on many different levels. First of all, taking someones life in one of the worse violations. Especially when these cases so obviously did not follow the laws when it comes to fair trials. They did not have good representation, the confessions were obtained through torture, and they had been arrested as mere juveniles. All of this is a violation of their right to live and their right to a fair trial. The activists were non-violently exercising their right to freedom of speech and they were arrested for it. Any organizations they created the government tried to get rid of. The courts are taking lives and taking away their right to express themselves and it was in a non-violent manner. These are all basic rights that people should have and regardless of that they are being deprived of them. This doesn't not allow the people to have any control over what their government does because they can be imprisoned or killed and without any justice for the wrongdoings.
Molly Winfree
3/22/13
3:37 am
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/saudi-human-rights-record-comes-under-new-scrutiny/
Saudi Arabia is under criticism because of the public execution this week of seven men. The court also sent two well known and non-violent civil rights activists to jail. On that Wednesday the seven men (that had been arrested for armed robbery in 2005 and 2006) were executed publicly by use of a firing squad. Many organizations criticized this execution. The European Union and the United Nations both claimed that the confessions these men provided had been coerced out of them and that some of these men had even been arrested as juveniles. This punishment was even called an act of "sheer brutality," by Amnesty International. The United Nations commissioner for human rights said that,”capital punishment may be imposed only for ‘the most serious crimes’ and only after the most rigorous judicial process. As I pointed out to the Government of Saudi Arabia before the men were executed, neither of those fundamental criteria appear to have been fulfilled in these cases.” She also is worried that the confessions these executions were based on were achieved through torture and that these allegations have not been looked into.
Mohammad F. al-Qahtani (in the activists' case) was sentenced to 10 years in jail and Abdullah al-Hamid was sentenced to five years. These charges included calling protests, spreading "false information to outside sources," "undermining national unity," and "setting up an illegal human rights organization." Criticism has been heard from the country and claims that the judicial system only "addresses dissenting voices by silencing them." The Saudi criminal court has issued a travel ban for men once they have served their time in prison and disband the organization they created called the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association. This organization helped the families, in Saudi Arabia, of detainees who had been held with no charges or trials. Amnesty International stated that the imprisonment of these two activists was another "stain" on this Country's history of restraining or attacking freedom of expression. Philip Luther, director for Amnesty International, stated that they feel that these men were imprisoned only for using there right to freedom of expression and association and should be released "immediately and unconditionally.” There is disappointment from activist in Saudi Arabia toward the U.S. and Britain. The reason is there is a lack of public criticism of the Al Sauds (by Britain and the U.S.), but they do publicly criticize other nations that violate human rights. Clemency for the Abha Seven was rejected even though documentation was provided stating that the confessions were achieved through torture, they men were not given adequate legal representation, and that many of these men were juveniles when they committed the alleged crimes. The Saudi Judiciary was said to be, “one of the tools of state-sponsored terrorism,” by Mr. Qahtani and Mr. Hamid (both supporters of these activists who tried to keep the public updated on the trials). Despite the courts ruling Mr. Qahtani has continued to pursue the foundation's goals even though, he stated in a recent interview, "he was aware he could lose his freedom."
This is an obvious violation of human rights on many different levels. First of all, taking someones life in one of the worse violations. Especially when these cases so obviously did not follow the laws when it comes to fair trials. They did not have good representation, the confessions were obtained through torture, and they had been arrested as mere juveniles. All of this is a violation of their right to live and their right to a fair trial. The activists were non-violently exercising their right to freedom of speech and they were arrested for it. Any organizations they created the government tried to get rid of. The courts are taking lives and taking away their right to express themselves and it was in a non-violent manner. These are all basic rights that people should have and regardless of that they are being deprived of them. This doesn't not allow the people to have any control over what their government does because they can be imprisoned or killed and without any justice for the wrongdoings.
Molly Winfree
3/22/13
3:37 am
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/14/saudi-human-rights-record-comes-under-new-scrutiny/
Friday, March 8, 2013
Blog 6: Child Marriages in South Sudan
Child Marriage in South Sudan
The Human Rights Watch posted an article saying that the government in South Sudan needs to try to protect girls from being forced into marriages at a young age. This also increases the wide range between girls in school versus boys and increases the amount of maternal death rates. This also takes away the rights of these girls to live free of violence and to marry when they willing. Almost half of young girls (South Sudanese) are married between the ages of 15 and 19, and some even marrying at the age of 12. This report stated the various consequences of these children being forced to marry. One problem is the small amount of protection for victims of an abusive marriage or girls who attempt to resist marriage. Girls that were interviewed told the Human Rights Watch that they were often pushed and pressured into the marriage because of their family's want for dowry payments or the suspicion of their daughters having per-marital sex. One girl, name Ageer, spoke of her incident with forced marriage. She said that when she refused to marry she was beaten, and took her to the man where he forced her to have sex with him. After that she had no choice but to stay there. Many of these girls need education because most are not aware of the fact that they can get help. Those who resist are often punished by their families verbally, physically, and sometimes even killed. A 17-year-old girl was told by her father that she was to marry an old man who would pay a dowry to her family. When she refused she was taken into the woods where she was tied to a tree and beaten to death. Early marriage does not allow girls to continue their education and can often lead to much violence and abuse. Early marriage also has a negative affect on their health. It was said, by the Human Rights Watch, that continuing to allow child marriage "constrains the education, health, security, and economic progress of women and girls, their families, and their communities." Being married at an early age increases the chance of death or illness due to pregnancy and giving birth. Because their bodies are not always physically ready to give birth they are at a higher risk of life-threatening complications than that of older women. The fact that there is limited prenatal and postnatal health services increases these risks as well.
The Human Rights Watch suggests that the government the minimum age for marriage at 18. It also suggests ratify the CEDAW, CRC, and other treaties for human rights. In addition it was recommended that legislation be passed on "marriage, separation, and divorce." They added that the following actions also need to be addressed: create a national action plan that addresses the issues of marrying off children, how child marriage cases should be handled, have training for officials about the legal rights of these girls, have a campaign to increase awareness of the harms of early marriages, try to attain reforms of laws on marriage, separation, and divorce, and finally create policies that will help girls and women who want help in fighting forced marriages.
This is a violation of basic human rights in different ways. For starters, the right to choose whether you will marry or not is a decision that we are allowed to make. Not being able to decide for yourself if you want to marry takes away ones freedom. It also determines what kind of life they can live. Once these children are married their lives are determined by that of their husbands. So in addition their choice in how they live their life is taken away. Early marriage also has negative affects on their health. They are forced into physically destructive situations. Their bodies are not ready for the burden of child bearing and some are also beaten within the marriage. These children are not given their freedom to choose how they will live their lives. Many girls came forward and were interviewed for this report explaining how bad it is for them. Their freedoms have been taken away as well as their right to be protected against any forms of abuse.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/07/south-sudan-end-widespread-child-marriage
Molly Winfree
3/08/13
3:40 pm
The Human Rights Watch posted an article saying that the government in South Sudan needs to try to protect girls from being forced into marriages at a young age. This also increases the wide range between girls in school versus boys and increases the amount of maternal death rates. This also takes away the rights of these girls to live free of violence and to marry when they willing. Almost half of young girls (South Sudanese) are married between the ages of 15 and 19, and some even marrying at the age of 12. This report stated the various consequences of these children being forced to marry. One problem is the small amount of protection for victims of an abusive marriage or girls who attempt to resist marriage. Girls that were interviewed told the Human Rights Watch that they were often pushed and pressured into the marriage because of their family's want for dowry payments or the suspicion of their daughters having per-marital sex. One girl, name Ageer, spoke of her incident with forced marriage. She said that when she refused to marry she was beaten, and took her to the man where he forced her to have sex with him. After that she had no choice but to stay there. Many of these girls need education because most are not aware of the fact that they can get help. Those who resist are often punished by their families verbally, physically, and sometimes even killed. A 17-year-old girl was told by her father that she was to marry an old man who would pay a dowry to her family. When she refused she was taken into the woods where she was tied to a tree and beaten to death. Early marriage does not allow girls to continue their education and can often lead to much violence and abuse. Early marriage also has a negative affect on their health. It was said, by the Human Rights Watch, that continuing to allow child marriage "constrains the education, health, security, and economic progress of women and girls, their families, and their communities." Being married at an early age increases the chance of death or illness due to pregnancy and giving birth. Because their bodies are not always physically ready to give birth they are at a higher risk of life-threatening complications than that of older women. The fact that there is limited prenatal and postnatal health services increases these risks as well.
The Human Rights Watch suggests that the government the minimum age for marriage at 18. It also suggests ratify the CEDAW, CRC, and other treaties for human rights. In addition it was recommended that legislation be passed on "marriage, separation, and divorce." They added that the following actions also need to be addressed: create a national action plan that addresses the issues of marrying off children, how child marriage cases should be handled, have training for officials about the legal rights of these girls, have a campaign to increase awareness of the harms of early marriages, try to attain reforms of laws on marriage, separation, and divorce, and finally create policies that will help girls and women who want help in fighting forced marriages.
This is a violation of basic human rights in different ways. For starters, the right to choose whether you will marry or not is a decision that we are allowed to make. Not being able to decide for yourself if you want to marry takes away ones freedom. It also determines what kind of life they can live. Once these children are married their lives are determined by that of their husbands. So in addition their choice in how they live their life is taken away. Early marriage also has negative affects on their health. They are forced into physically destructive situations. Their bodies are not ready for the burden of child bearing and some are also beaten within the marriage. These children are not given their freedom to choose how they will live their lives. Many girls came forward and were interviewed for this report explaining how bad it is for them. Their freedoms have been taken away as well as their right to be protected against any forms of abuse.
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/03/07/south-sudan-end-widespread-child-marriage
Molly Winfree
3/08/13
3:40 pm
Friday, March 1, 2013
Blog 5: Afghan Police Killed
Afghan Police Killed
In Kabul, Afghanistan there were two attacks on Wednesday that ended up killing twenty Afghan police officers. There was also a report that there was a mass poisoning in southeaster Afghanistan. In the Ghazni Province 17 policemen (who were just trained by Americans) were drugged by their comrades and went into comatose stupors while they were on duty. After, they were all shot to death. In the Kandahar Province three police officers were killed by an attack carried out by a supporter. Two police officers were arrested by Afghan officials because they were thought to be Taliban infiltrators and the ones who did the attack. These attackers poisoned the officers dinners then shot them (close range) to ensure that they were dead. They proceeded to take their weapons and ran away after they set the police car on fire. Ten of these officers had just finished their training, and the other seven were recruits who were still in training. There have been problems of attacks from the inside as well as accusations towards officers for violating human rights. The unit that was murdered was trained by Americans. A week earlier another attack was made on drug policemen in the same district. The drug was not strong enough and they escaped. Fiazanullah stated, "we have repeatedly warned the A.L.P. recruiters and trainers to conduct proper and accurate vetting processes for people who want to join the A.L.P ranks." They were also advised not to admit unknown people or people who "are not vouched by tribal elders." They try to meet the recruiting deadline to get credit rather than taking precautions that Fiazanullah recommends. Zabiullah Majuahid emailed journalists saying that Taliban was responsible for the attack. The authorities in an episode in Kandahar Province said that three National policemen had been found dead (shot) outside of their posts. Ghorzang, a spokesman for the police, claimed that the attacker was a heroin addict and was a relative to one of the victims. Ghorzand said that the victim had taken his relative for treatment and once the police had fallen asleep the relative took a gun and killed the Commander (his relative) as well as two officers. The gunman was not identified and ran away. There have been series of attacks on the inside against these officers. Poison or drugs have been used often against these policemen and once they are unconscious they have been shot. A local police officer killed his commander and some colleagues in the same way. These different attacks have totaled up to seventeen deaths.
This is a huge violation of human rights. The most sacred and personal right one has is the right to live. These policemen are being targeted and murdered by their own people. Taking a persons life is one of the worse violations of human rights and this is a right that should be protected. It also destroys the trust these officers have for each other and shatters confidence in one another. This can result in inadequate work from these officers because of the inability to rely on their fellow officers. With their own people killing them and no protection being put in place to keep them safe these people have to live in fear.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/world/asia/afghan-police-officers-drugged-and-killed.html
Molly Winfree
3/01/13
3:02 am
In Kabul, Afghanistan there were two attacks on Wednesday that ended up killing twenty Afghan police officers. There was also a report that there was a mass poisoning in southeaster Afghanistan. In the Ghazni Province 17 policemen (who were just trained by Americans) were drugged by their comrades and went into comatose stupors while they were on duty. After, they were all shot to death. In the Kandahar Province three police officers were killed by an attack carried out by a supporter. Two police officers were arrested by Afghan officials because they were thought to be Taliban infiltrators and the ones who did the attack. These attackers poisoned the officers dinners then shot them (close range) to ensure that they were dead. They proceeded to take their weapons and ran away after they set the police car on fire. Ten of these officers had just finished their training, and the other seven were recruits who were still in training. There have been problems of attacks from the inside as well as accusations towards officers for violating human rights. The unit that was murdered was trained by Americans. A week earlier another attack was made on drug policemen in the same district. The drug was not strong enough and they escaped. Fiazanullah stated, "we have repeatedly warned the A.L.P. recruiters and trainers to conduct proper and accurate vetting processes for people who want to join the A.L.P ranks." They were also advised not to admit unknown people or people who "are not vouched by tribal elders." They try to meet the recruiting deadline to get credit rather than taking precautions that Fiazanullah recommends. Zabiullah Majuahid emailed journalists saying that Taliban was responsible for the attack. The authorities in an episode in Kandahar Province said that three National policemen had been found dead (shot) outside of their posts. Ghorzang, a spokesman for the police, claimed that the attacker was a heroin addict and was a relative to one of the victims. Ghorzand said that the victim had taken his relative for treatment and once the police had fallen asleep the relative took a gun and killed the Commander (his relative) as well as two officers. The gunman was not identified and ran away. There have been series of attacks on the inside against these officers. Poison or drugs have been used often against these policemen and once they are unconscious they have been shot. A local police officer killed his commander and some colleagues in the same way. These different attacks have totaled up to seventeen deaths.
This is a huge violation of human rights. The most sacred and personal right one has is the right to live. These policemen are being targeted and murdered by their own people. Taking a persons life is one of the worse violations of human rights and this is a right that should be protected. It also destroys the trust these officers have for each other and shatters confidence in one another. This can result in inadequate work from these officers because of the inability to rely on their fellow officers. With their own people killing them and no protection being put in place to keep them safe these people have to live in fear.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/world/asia/afghan-police-officers-drugged-and-killed.html
Molly Winfree
3/01/13
3:02 am
Friday, February 22, 2013
Blog 4: Immigrant Worker Abuse
Abuse of Immigrant Workers
Obama and Congress have been trying to give citizenship to undocumented workers and make border security more secure. However, there attempts do not offer concrete solutions for better protection of immigrant workers. These workers are being abused and exploited. Employers are hiring and underpaying them so they can save money by having cheap labor. They lower wages and standards for the workplace for all of their employees. Some employers get their way by threatening to have workers deported and it ensures that they remain silent about working conditions. This misuse of power is harmful to workers who are forced to keep quiet about how bad it is for them. The system that is supposed to employ temporary workers legally is not ideal either and has its share of problems. It is possible that this system might actually make the problem worse. A recent report discussed the commonality of abuse among these worker programs. These programs each have their own regulations/rules with very little in common. The only thing this report said these programs had in common was, "fraud, discrimination, severe economic coercion, retaliation, blacklisting and, in some cases, forced labor, indentured servitude, debt bondage and human trafficking.” Unfortunately, the abuse of these people starts before they even come to the US for work. Workers end up paying recruiters fees so they can start their lives and because of these payments they start their lives in very bad debt. Because of their inability to get away from employees who are abusive or legal systems access, they remain quiet and continue working. If one should speak out they are fired, deported, threatened, or blacklisted. They do not have the option (very often) to complain about conditions, sue, or be given their right to take time off and overtime. This report concluded with a discussion of the importance of programs that "ensure workers' rights." There are also benefits for American workers if immigrant workers can exercise their rights to work together to put a stop to abusive employers.
This is a prevailing problem globally. Employers continue to take advantage of immigrant workers in many ways. In order to have cheap labor they force workers to work in bad conditions, without rights, and with terrible pay. This is bad for both immigrant workers and American workers. Immigrants have to work in terrible conditions with barely anything to show for it. American workers then have a harder time getting jobs because employers are hiring others for cheap labor. These employers need to be held responsible for their unethical use of power and unfair treatment of workers. This is one of the ways that the rich continue to get richer while the poor continue to get poorer. Forcing people to work in terrible conditions for hardly any pay (and threats for speaking out) are all violations of human rights. They do not work in safe environments, are not given enough income to survive on, work long hours, and live in fear of their employers. No human being should be subjected to this. All individuals should be able to earn a reasonable income in a good environment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/opinion/immigration-reform-and-workers-rights.html
Molly Winfree
2/22/13
3:01 pm
Obama and Congress have been trying to give citizenship to undocumented workers and make border security more secure. However, there attempts do not offer concrete solutions for better protection of immigrant workers. These workers are being abused and exploited. Employers are hiring and underpaying them so they can save money by having cheap labor. They lower wages and standards for the workplace for all of their employees. Some employers get their way by threatening to have workers deported and it ensures that they remain silent about working conditions. This misuse of power is harmful to workers who are forced to keep quiet about how bad it is for them. The system that is supposed to employ temporary workers legally is not ideal either and has its share of problems. It is possible that this system might actually make the problem worse. A recent report discussed the commonality of abuse among these worker programs. These programs each have their own regulations/rules with very little in common. The only thing this report said these programs had in common was, "fraud, discrimination, severe economic coercion, retaliation, blacklisting and, in some cases, forced labor, indentured servitude, debt bondage and human trafficking.” Unfortunately, the abuse of these people starts before they even come to the US for work. Workers end up paying recruiters fees so they can start their lives and because of these payments they start their lives in very bad debt. Because of their inability to get away from employees who are abusive or legal systems access, they remain quiet and continue working. If one should speak out they are fired, deported, threatened, or blacklisted. They do not have the option (very often) to complain about conditions, sue, or be given their right to take time off and overtime. This report concluded with a discussion of the importance of programs that "ensure workers' rights." There are also benefits for American workers if immigrant workers can exercise their rights to work together to put a stop to abusive employers.
This is a prevailing problem globally. Employers continue to take advantage of immigrant workers in many ways. In order to have cheap labor they force workers to work in bad conditions, without rights, and with terrible pay. This is bad for both immigrant workers and American workers. Immigrants have to work in terrible conditions with barely anything to show for it. American workers then have a harder time getting jobs because employers are hiring others for cheap labor. These employers need to be held responsible for their unethical use of power and unfair treatment of workers. This is one of the ways that the rich continue to get richer while the poor continue to get poorer. Forcing people to work in terrible conditions for hardly any pay (and threats for speaking out) are all violations of human rights. They do not work in safe environments, are not given enough income to survive on, work long hours, and live in fear of their employers. No human being should be subjected to this. All individuals should be able to earn a reasonable income in a good environment.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/opinion/immigration-reform-and-workers-rights.html
Molly Winfree
2/22/13
3:01 pm
Friday, February 15, 2013
Blog 3: Freedom of Speech in Palestine
Palestine and Freedom of Speech
In Palestine citizens basic rights are being violated. In this particular article the harshness on freedom of speech by the government is discussed. Anas Awwad was sentenced to a year in prison for speaking out against Mahmoud Abbas (Palestinian Authority's president) over facebook. Awwad is 26 years old and a Palestinian activist who has generated much support from thousands of people since he was imprisoned. They have joined a facebook group showing their support and solidarity with Awwad, but unfortunately freedom of speech has taken a hit in Palestine. Basic freedoms are being restricted for all citizens. Abba, the president, has continued to run for four terms longer than he was supposed to. Even though technically he should have stepped down by now he continues to rule as an unelected ruler with unlimited power. His senior adviser even told a reporter that he did not want to continue to rule, but because of the division of the society he could not leave his position. There has been a lot of outcries on the internet speaking out against this corruption. The authorities are working to shut down these activists (internet activists) once again violating their freedom of speech. Jamal Abu Rihan is an internet blogger who started a campaign (via facebook) called, "The People Want an End to Corruption." He was arrested for criticizing Abbas. Not long after this incident Tarek Khamis (a journalist) was detained for speaking out against/criticizing the way the authorities treated Ms. Abdul-Khaleq. George Canawati (director of a radio station) and Rami Samar (journalist) were also detained for criticizing the authorities via facebook. The president claims that he is focused on attaining peace. It has been said that human rights, compared to peace, may not be at the top of the priority list. In Gaza, there is repression of women, cancellations of social media conferences, arresting of journalist, and dissidents being tortured. During a heated speech, that declared Jihad on any enemies who came to Muslim land, Ahmad Bahr asked God to "kill all Jews and Americans as well as their supporters." A direct quote from Bahr himself was: “Count them one by one, and kill them all, without leaving a single one.” Al Jazeera made no statement of being against this speech and when asked if there were any disagreements between the parties both Fatah and Hamas said there were none between them. This reported said that this is a problem (that there is no disagreement over Bahr's statement) because the pursuit of peace is not the same as terrorist acts or those that call for "the annihilation of a people." This reporter concluded that Awwads arrest showed the authority in Palestine does not have enough respect for citizens rights to freedom of speech or the system of democracy. He said the West should side with Democrats on this issue of human rights instead of continuing to let Abbas' transgressions slide. He suggests a way to start is by the West providing economic help to the authorities in Palestine for respecting the citizens right to freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is key to our power as citizens. Taking away a person's right to speak out (especially against their government) can give limitless power to the wrong kinds of people. We have the right to express our opinion about out government. As Thomas Jefferson said, "When the people fear their government there is tyranny; when the government fears the people. There is liberty." Taking away the right to speak not only robs citizens of their basic rights it also takes away their source of power. It creates a feeling of helplessness and inevitability in the way things are. Using force to control people instills fear which only allows for more abuse of power. The government is meant so serve its people not use them. Our ability to speak out against wrongdoings is a necessity to our power to change things and the right to have a say in our own lives. In that respect this article does give a close look into the dangers of violating basic human rights. Not only for the people themselves, but society as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/opinion/palestines-democratic-deficit.html?hp&_r=0
Molly Winfree
2/15/13
4:00 pm
In Palestine citizens basic rights are being violated. In this particular article the harshness on freedom of speech by the government is discussed. Anas Awwad was sentenced to a year in prison for speaking out against Mahmoud Abbas (Palestinian Authority's president) over facebook. Awwad is 26 years old and a Palestinian activist who has generated much support from thousands of people since he was imprisoned. They have joined a facebook group showing their support and solidarity with Awwad, but unfortunately freedom of speech has taken a hit in Palestine. Basic freedoms are being restricted for all citizens. Abba, the president, has continued to run for four terms longer than he was supposed to. Even though technically he should have stepped down by now he continues to rule as an unelected ruler with unlimited power. His senior adviser even told a reporter that he did not want to continue to rule, but because of the division of the society he could not leave his position. There has been a lot of outcries on the internet speaking out against this corruption. The authorities are working to shut down these activists (internet activists) once again violating their freedom of speech. Jamal Abu Rihan is an internet blogger who started a campaign (via facebook) called, "The People Want an End to Corruption." He was arrested for criticizing Abbas. Not long after this incident Tarek Khamis (a journalist) was detained for speaking out against/criticizing the way the authorities treated Ms. Abdul-Khaleq. George Canawati (director of a radio station) and Rami Samar (journalist) were also detained for criticizing the authorities via facebook. The president claims that he is focused on attaining peace. It has been said that human rights, compared to peace, may not be at the top of the priority list. In Gaza, there is repression of women, cancellations of social media conferences, arresting of journalist, and dissidents being tortured. During a heated speech, that declared Jihad on any enemies who came to Muslim land, Ahmad Bahr asked God to "kill all Jews and Americans as well as their supporters." A direct quote from Bahr himself was: “Count them one by one, and kill them all, without leaving a single one.” Al Jazeera made no statement of being against this speech and when asked if there were any disagreements between the parties both Fatah and Hamas said there were none between them. This reported said that this is a problem (that there is no disagreement over Bahr's statement) because the pursuit of peace is not the same as terrorist acts or those that call for "the annihilation of a people." This reporter concluded that Awwads arrest showed the authority in Palestine does not have enough respect for citizens rights to freedom of speech or the system of democracy. He said the West should side with Democrats on this issue of human rights instead of continuing to let Abbas' transgressions slide. He suggests a way to start is by the West providing economic help to the authorities in Palestine for respecting the citizens right to freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is key to our power as citizens. Taking away a person's right to speak out (especially against their government) can give limitless power to the wrong kinds of people. We have the right to express our opinion about out government. As Thomas Jefferson said, "When the people fear their government there is tyranny; when the government fears the people. There is liberty." Taking away the right to speak not only robs citizens of their basic rights it also takes away their source of power. It creates a feeling of helplessness and inevitability in the way things are. Using force to control people instills fear which only allows for more abuse of power. The government is meant so serve its people not use them. Our ability to speak out against wrongdoings is a necessity to our power to change things and the right to have a say in our own lives. In that respect this article does give a close look into the dangers of violating basic human rights. Not only for the people themselves, but society as well.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/12/opinion/palestines-democratic-deficit.html?hp&_r=0
Molly Winfree
2/15/13
4:00 pm
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Human Rights and Children in India
India and Child Abuse
A report stated that sexual abuse on children has become a big problem that has not been solved yet. Although it has become "disturbingly common," and awareness of this issue is very high it continues to be a problem for these children. Most of the people who have the power to fix this widespread issue this are not only ill prepared to handle these cases, but they also have the tendency to worsen the situation rather than fix it. Children are abused in various places such as home, school, orphanages, and in their own neighborhoods. Most of these cases, unfortunately, are not reported. When they are reported by these children the reaction of the government and law enforcement is not enough to fix the problem and help these victims. In addition to this, the process is traumatic for these victims and because of the additional pain they have to go through when they report it, sometimes it is better for the kids not to even report it. Meenakshi Ganguly said that of all incidences of child abuse only 3 percent of it is actually reported. The responses by the police is also a big part of the problem. One example was a 12-year-old girl that was raped by a man who was a member of a politically high ranking family. He was put in jail for about two weeks, but the police wanted and insisted that the young girl needed to change her story. The Integrated Child Protection was introduced to help protect children, but the ideas presented by this have not been put into action.
I found this report very sad. As adults it is our job to protect our children. Not just our own kids, but other children too. A child should not be a target of such horrific crimes. These innocents can't even go to school or home without being targeted by adults. No child should be taken advantage of in such a way. It is our job to keep these kids safe and the people who can are not. The people that they should be able to trust, are the very ones doing them harm.
http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/child-sexual-abuse-rampant-and-untreated-in-india-report-says/?ref=freedomandhumanrights
Molly Winfree
2/8/13
12:25 am
A report stated that sexual abuse on children has become a big problem that has not been solved yet. Although it has become "disturbingly common," and awareness of this issue is very high it continues to be a problem for these children. Most of the people who have the power to fix this widespread issue this are not only ill prepared to handle these cases, but they also have the tendency to worsen the situation rather than fix it. Children are abused in various places such as home, school, orphanages, and in their own neighborhoods. Most of these cases, unfortunately, are not reported. When they are reported by these children the reaction of the government and law enforcement is not enough to fix the problem and help these victims. In addition to this, the process is traumatic for these victims and because of the additional pain they have to go through when they report it, sometimes it is better for the kids not to even report it. Meenakshi Ganguly said that of all incidences of child abuse only 3 percent of it is actually reported. The responses by the police is also a big part of the problem. One example was a 12-year-old girl that was raped by a man who was a member of a politically high ranking family. He was put in jail for about two weeks, but the police wanted and insisted that the young girl needed to change her story. The Integrated Child Protection was introduced to help protect children, but the ideas presented by this have not been put into action.
I found this report very sad. As adults it is our job to protect our children. Not just our own kids, but other children too. A child should not be a target of such horrific crimes. These innocents can't even go to school or home without being targeted by adults. No child should be taken advantage of in such a way. It is our job to keep these kids safe and the people who can are not. The people that they should be able to trust, are the very ones doing them harm.
http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/07/child-sexual-abuse-rampant-and-untreated-in-india-report-says/?ref=freedomandhumanrights
Molly Winfree
2/8/13
12:25 am
Friday, February 1, 2013
Setback in Human Rights for India
India and Human Rights
India has experienced a setback when it comes to human rights. Women have continued to be targets of violence and so far nothing has been done to change this. Not only have these violent acts not been stopped, but nothing has been done in the protection of their freedom of speech. The Human Rights Watch made it known that they were unhappy with the lack of changes they saw in regards to sexual violence towards these women. Those in the public eye or in power (public officials) have also not been punished or held responsible for their acts. However, this is not for lack of trying. The government has been trying to fix these problems, but its problem is with executing these plans and getting them to start helping these victims. Although the government has made recommendations on fixing how these issues are handled and they are trying to change things it still has not happened. Part of that is because public officials and other people with power are not held responsible for their actions. Ms. Ganguly said, "India needs a stronger system of accountability for public officials and better training and sensitization of the police." Freedom of speech has also suffered a setback because of the lack of protection of this right. Social media has become a problem as well. The government in India is called "heavy handed" when it comes to restrictions on the use of social media. There has been a ban for youtube and facebook in Kashmir and two women in Mumbia were arrested for what they were doing on facebook. It was said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (lets soldiers violate rights) needs to be rejected as well. Although these are serious issued that they are still trying to fix some ground has been made in other areas of human rights. Within the last year children have been given protection from sexual abuse, more medical care centers have been encouraged, and suspects of the 2002 Gujarat riots have been convicted.
I thought this was a very interesting article because it said several times how the government itself is trying to fix these problems. Just reading the title I thought the government was intentionally revoking human rights, but after reading this I learned that many are trying to fix this problem for these women. These issues are particularly important because everybody should be able to live without fear of being attacked. Anybody who violates that should be punished without a doubt. People should be able to live with the peace of mind that somebody cannot just walk up and do them harm regardless of their gender, race, class, sexuality, etc. This article was important, I thought, because it addresses the safety of people, their right to speak, governments ability to handle these issues, and people being held accountable by the government for any violation of basic human rights.
http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/human-rights-violation-on-the-rise-in-india-recent-report-says/
Molly Winfree
2/1/13
4:06 pm
India has experienced a setback when it comes to human rights. Women have continued to be targets of violence and so far nothing has been done to change this. Not only have these violent acts not been stopped, but nothing has been done in the protection of their freedom of speech. The Human Rights Watch made it known that they were unhappy with the lack of changes they saw in regards to sexual violence towards these women. Those in the public eye or in power (public officials) have also not been punished or held responsible for their acts. However, this is not for lack of trying. The government has been trying to fix these problems, but its problem is with executing these plans and getting them to start helping these victims. Although the government has made recommendations on fixing how these issues are handled and they are trying to change things it still has not happened. Part of that is because public officials and other people with power are not held responsible for their actions. Ms. Ganguly said, "India needs a stronger system of accountability for public officials and better training and sensitization of the police." Freedom of speech has also suffered a setback because of the lack of protection of this right. Social media has become a problem as well. The government in India is called "heavy handed" when it comes to restrictions on the use of social media. There has been a ban for youtube and facebook in Kashmir and two women in Mumbia were arrested for what they were doing on facebook. It was said that the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (lets soldiers violate rights) needs to be rejected as well. Although these are serious issued that they are still trying to fix some ground has been made in other areas of human rights. Within the last year children have been given protection from sexual abuse, more medical care centers have been encouraged, and suspects of the 2002 Gujarat riots have been convicted.
I thought this was a very interesting article because it said several times how the government itself is trying to fix these problems. Just reading the title I thought the government was intentionally revoking human rights, but after reading this I learned that many are trying to fix this problem for these women. These issues are particularly important because everybody should be able to live without fear of being attacked. Anybody who violates that should be punished without a doubt. People should be able to live with the peace of mind that somebody cannot just walk up and do them harm regardless of their gender, race, class, sexuality, etc. This article was important, I thought, because it addresses the safety of people, their right to speak, governments ability to handle these issues, and people being held accountable by the government for any violation of basic human rights.
http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/01/human-rights-violation-on-the-rise-in-india-recent-report-says/
Molly Winfree
2/1/13
4:06 pm
Friday, January 18, 2013
Human Rights
I'd like to focus on Human Rights because it's something that everyone is entitled to. Even though it is something everyone should have there are still people who are denied their basic human rights. More specifically I want to see why certain people do not have rights while others do. It is something that seems to be taken for granted and I think it's important to remind ourselves that we have opportunities and lives that many do not.
Molly Winfree
1/18/2013
7:10 pm
Molly Winfree
1/18/2013
7:10 pm
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