Blog 12: Morocco's Attempts at Adhering to Human Rights of Domestic Workers

Morocco continues to struggle for human rights implementations in hopes of eliminating the unfair treatment of domestic workers throughout the country. The Moroccan government has fought in hopes to eradicate harsh working conditions for young girls who endure long, unfair work hours, physical abuse, as well as instances of sexual harassment. The mistreatment goes unreported and rarely are the perpetrators persecuted and held responsible for their actions. Human Rights Watch is advocating a stronger urge for government to enforce labor laws upon their employers and finding means to help these minors. Young girls, starting at ages eight to fifteen, are trafficked from rural areas and promised work as domestic servants in the major cities, Casablanca accounting for at least 13,500. The arrangements often are in due to helping the economic stability of their families. However, the wages earned are far below the minimum wage laws of the country and usually do not amount to the agreed negotiations between employers and parents. Interviews with said domestic workers reveal work weeks of sometimes100 hours without a day of rest for the a low income of 545 dirhams (61USD) a month; a salary which the workers hardly ever receive.

Even though the exploitation of these young women still occur, Morocco is indeed showing progress since the situation's awareness arose. The number of domestic workers has decreased from 517,000 in 1999 to 123,000 in 2011. Such attempts include the promotion of education for young women throughout the country, using methods like billboards and campaign posters. For the predominantly muslim country, this is an immense breakthrough since it adheres to a patriarchal society and many of the workers report merely completing the third grade. The pedagogy of the oppressed also prevents these young workers to speak out and find the help they need, as many go unnoticed by officials due to the privacy laws of their employers and their households. The United Nations is urging the Moroccan government to further enforce their labor laws in the following:

• Strictly enforcing age 15 as the minimum age for all employment, imposing penalties on employers and recruiters who employ or recruit children under age 15;
• Expanding public awareness campaigns regarding child domestic labor, including information about existing laws and how girls who need help can reach hotlines;
• Creating an effective system to identify and remove child domestic workers who are under the minimum age of employment and those ages 15 to 17 who are subject to abuse.
• Prosecuting under the Criminal Code people who are responsible for violence against child domestic workers.

Sadly, Morocco is not the only country facing the battles of unfair treatment of domestic workers and the exploitation of young women. Many developing nations around the globe are still trying to adhere to international labor laws and fair treatment of workers. Nonetheless, Morocco's efforts have shown great improvement and hopefully continue showing more results.

   Nov. 15, 2012  ~14.30

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/15/morocco-abuse-child-domestic-workers

Blog 11: United Nations Human Rights Council resolution focusing on global LGBT Rights

Equality for All.  

After been given a proposal by the Human Rights Council by South Africa, the United Nations Human Rights Council is still in the process of adopting two new resolutions demanding global protection of the LGBT community, reports The Human Rights Watch. The 16-month long debate has caused both advances and setbacks in various countries around the world: that of tightening of legislature of sodomy crimes and others embracing decriminalization and legalization of same-sex marriages. The dichotomy lies in attempts of upholding traditional values (or family values) and denying the “foundational principle of the Declaration of Human Rights: namely that human rights are universal and indivisible”. The UN resolution is hoping to defend sexual orientation and gender identity to stop discrimination and granting this minority group equal rights universally.

International response on the discussion has varied and have stirred many fundamental religious activists to instill fear and prejudice in opposition attempts. One such activist, Scott Lively, is currently being sued by Sexual Minorities Uganda, an LGBT activist organization, after the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was passed into legislation as a result of several appearances of his in the Uganda parliament to promote laws that discriminate against LGBT peoples. Other countries, such as Argentina and Brazil have taken sanctions in protecting their LGBT communities and granting Civil Unions and Marriages to same-sex partners. This past week, the states of Maine, Maryland, and Washington all voted in favor of Marriage Equality, marking a milestone in the United States as many more states are battling over the controversial issue. However, discrimination should not be tolerated by any government and its people, especially when the denial of equal rights is based upon religious fundamentalism. The United States, as well as the United Nations must stand up and protect this minority group as well as enforce sanctions promoting the acceptance once and for all. The paradox of the treatment and acceptance of said community can not be overseen anymore.  

Nov. 9th, 2012  ~15.50

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/08/two-steps-forward-one-step-back

Blog 9: Uruguay One Step Forward in Women’s Rights

Uruguay One Step Forward in Women’s Rights

Uruguay has made a major improvement to Women’s Rights after the Uruguayan President José Mujica signed a bill into law decriminalizing abortions.  This major step is the first for many Latin American countries, as many such as Chile, El Salvador, and Nicaragua have complete bans on this touchy subject.  Although praised as a huge milestone in Women’s Rights, some find the guidelines surrounding the new law to still be restrictive and in needing reform.  Under the new law, a woman seeking an abortion must follow a specific procedure in obtaining the right to an abortion.  The procedure must be within the first twelve weeks of gestation (fourteen weeks for incidences of incest and rape) and includes meeting with interdisciplinary team of physicians: at least one gynecologist, one mental health physician, and a social support specialist.  The law requires this aspect in order for the individual to inform the doctors about the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, including having to present economic and personal hardships to validate the abortion.   After consultation and cautioned of risk factors, the individual must wait a five day reflection period after which the individual, upon their own choice, may commence with the procedure.

The new bill passed by the Senate is hoping to reduce the amount of clandestine abortions, which 13% of maternal deaths in the region are a result of unsafe procedures.  In comparison to its neighboring countries, Uruguay is taking measures insuring human rights, even if the new law has its flaws.  It is a step in the right direction.  As the new law is being implemented, it is intended to not deny the procedure to any women seeking an abortion within the given time frame.  The next goal human rights activists is to diminish the restrictions of having to meet with a panel of physicians and the reflection period, as they state this is still an infringement on women’s rights.  

Oct. 26, 2012   ~13.45 

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/26/uruguay-new-abortion-law-breaks-ground-women-s-rights

Philippine Crack Down on Child Soldier Recruitment

Philippine Crack Down on Child Soldier Recruitment

On it's fight towards greater importance upon human rights, the Philippines is currently underway in implementing a new law, the Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Bill, in the hopes of harsher punishment and criminalization in regards to child soldiers and their recruitment. This new law has gained praise among Human Rights advocate groups, especially that of Child Soldiers International, as it would protect children from recruitment and engagement in war-like circumstances, as well as preventing occurrences such as the occupation of schools by armed forces or groups. However, Child Soldiers International, with the support of other groups such as the Human Rights Watch Organization, request an amendment be made to the proposed law. Due to the language of the bill, they suggest to emphasize the prosecution of solely the child soldier recruiters as the current bill leaves an undefined distinction of who could be deemed responsible, such as parents and relatives. The ill-defined law is suggested to cause misinterpretation and misuse, allowing the blame to fall upon parents whose children have been forcibly recruited under the premise of coercion and the “allowing” of said action.

The use of children in warfare has seen a drastic incline during the past century, especially in war-stricken areas in Africa. The Philippines has seen their own children forcibly recruited as soldiers, especially by the communist rebel New Peoples Army (NPA) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. But even in government forces and militia, children are being recruited due to a lack of thorough background checks. The use of children in war-like situations causes immense and severe psychological damage and trauma to the individual. In addition, the detrimental damage done by child soldiers as their innocence prohibits them from fully understanding the grave circumstances and consequences of their actions which is fed to them by easily being influenced and persuaded. This new law in the Philippines is detrimental in its attempt to align its laws to that of international legal protection of children in armed conflicts, as it will also ensure the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers.  

Oct. 19, 2012  ~16.20  

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/16/philippines-amend-draft-law-child-soldiers

Blog 7 - Taliban Assassination Attempt Outrages and Rattles Pakistan in Human Rights Battle

Taliban Assassination Attempt Outrages and Rattles Pakistan in Human Rights Battle

Taliban masked gunmen opened fire on a school bus on Tuesday unleashing an attempt at revenge to silence Malala Yousafzai, a fourteen year old Children's Rights activist. Yousafzai has gained national as well as international recognition in her fight against Islamist extremism undermining the right for girls to have any form of education. The fourteen year old girl has been awarded highly esteemed prizes for her work, and has become a national icon in Pakistan after being awarded Pakistan's first National Youth Peace Prize. But Yousafzai's ambitions contradict Taliban extremist ideology which wishes to suppress woman's education as it goes against Islamist religious doctrine. Their attempts in her assassination were unsuccessful, although she is still in critical condition after being hit by a bullet that passed through her head and was lodged in her shoulder. The Taliban have expressed and incited fear that another attack should be expected, as well as Yousafzai's father becoming a new target of theirs. The attack is a blow to Pakistan's time of progressives, infuriating fellow countrymen as well as national politicians and prominent military figures.

This event has sparked outrage and might cause a new stir against Taliban extremism throughout Pakistan. The last of such events galvanizing public opinion of the extremist group happened after a video captured the flogging of a teenage girl by a Taliban fighter in 2009. Yousafzai's attack has also invoked a national convergence and unification and might be the cataclysm in projecting a national shift in anti-terrorism of Taliban forces. Both government and military have consolidated each other fearing more retaliation by Taliban groups, but no action for opposition has yet been put forth. Regardless, the country condemns these cowardice actions and stand in full support of Malala Yousafzai as demonstrations and vigils have been held in her honour. Perhaps the attack will produce a major shift in this strict patriarchal society,promoting and granting equal rights among woman, specifically concerning the education for young girls.    

Oct. 12, 2012  14.20
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/10/world/asia/teen-school-activist-malala-yousafzai-survives-hit-by-pakistani-taliban.html?_r=0

Blog 6 - France: Unwarranted Police Behaviour by Conducting Racial Profiling

 France: Unwarranted Police Behaviour by Conducting Racial Profiling

French and International Human Rights organizations are coming together to promote and speak out on a campaign promise made by President François Hollande during his run for office. The newly elected President Hollande stood committed in “fight[ing] against ethic profiling and abusive practices during identity checks”, but has had recent opposition by other active political figures. Human Rights Groups such as Human Rights Watch (France) (Ligues des Droits du l'Homme) and Grains of France (Graines de France) have come to support Hollande's prospective plans, also applying pressure for it's passing into French law. These expected modifications are to eliminate racial profiling and to prevent abuse by French police and Gendarmerie when conducting identity checks. These means of security are breaching upon violating the right to privacy and cause humiliation. Often these check are performed not based on behaviour, but rather on race and appearance. New restrictions on police and Gendarmerie include “specific rules for the use of physical pat-downs” and “stop forms”, newly introduced documents required to be filled out during every check. These stop forms are a way to prevent invasion of privacy and to allow evaluation of identity check powers.

France has a history following struggles of racial profiling and heated immigration debates. Many French immigrants are the targets of discrimination and unfair treatment, as many immigrants in other countries do as well. However, harassment should not be tolerated nor performed by local police and Gendarmerie. The racial profiling in conducting identity checks is racial discrimination. Police officials should be forced to ensure identity checks are only conducted on the basis of reasonable suspicion. Modifications should be enforced to “establish a procedure respectful of citizens”. The french government has not been the only political body facing such scrutiny in past years. Certain resemblance can be drawn to the 2010 Arizona legislative law allowing police officers to conduct driver's license and other document checks with the purpose to root out illegal immigrants. This caused for accusations of racial discrimination. Arizona's neighbour state New Mexico contested this law, the state itself having opposing viewpoints on immigration. Nonetheless harassment should never be tolerated, especially when on grounds of racial profiling and abuse.  

Oct. 5th, 2012  16.45 

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/05/france-respect-hollande-s-commitment-id-checks

Blog 5: Philippine Freedom of Speech Under Persecution

Under the new Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, signed into effect as of Sept. 12, 2012 by current President Benigno Aquino III, the freedom of speech of the Philippine population is under severe threat. This new piece of legislature has been added to its constitution in order to (among others) “[prohibit] child pornography, 'cybersex', illegal access to computer systems and hacking, online identity theft, and spamming”. As these reason are deemed credible, it is the actions by local government and police agencies that are of growing concern to the country's population, as well as going against Philippine government's obligations to international law.

Freedom of speech comes into play as the Cybercrime Prevention Act deliberately denounces the right of expressing one's personal beliefs and critiques of many journalists and bloggers. This new Act has also ratified the penalty of online libel. Crimes of online libel are subject to a penalty of six years to twelve years in prison in comparison to its former sentence of six months to a year. Online libel can be anything from disagreement on political affairs and performance, corruption, official abuse. In addition, the measures of prosecuting online libel has very few limitations on it. The Department of Justice is capable of shutting down any website in violation without a required warrant. It also impedes upon journalism, as many journalists face imprisonment for investigative research and circulation. The arrest of Philippine journalists has been evident in the past months, and the threat of more arrest can only be assumed under this new constitutional law. Many call for the the private handling of said “libel crimes” rather than court proceedings. As in the years past, we have seen online websites, such as Facebook, being essential in the demise of dictating regimes in Northern Africa. Without this tool, organized demonstrations would not have come to be, leaving multiple populations oppressed under strict regimes. It seems as if the Philippine government is trying to subdue any negative controversies among its people and annihilate any sort of rebellious actions. Should the Philippine government not repeal this new law, or at least ratify it, the freedom of opinion and expression of Philippine citizens is being directly denied with heavy consequences.   

Sept. 28th, 2012  12.35

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/28/philippines-new-cybercrime-law-will-harm-free-speech

Blog 3 Bangladesh Marriage Laws entrap Women into Poverty

Bangladesh Marriage Laws entrap Women into Poverty

Considering Bangladesh's patriarchal history, it comes to no surprise that more and more Bangladeshi women, as well as their households, are finding themselves poverty stricken according to recent documentation by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP). This significant rise in poverty among women is in correlation with the personal laws on marriage, separation, and divorce that are enforced. These strict laws impede current actions in fighting poverty in the country, as they oppress the rights of women and leave them destitute after abandonment and divorce. Women's rights activists in conjunction with Human Rights Watch (HRW) are urging the Bangladeshi government to reform these laws enabling women marital property rights and government assistance to impoverished women.



The personal laws of Bangladesh complicate the situation of marriage and divorce. Even though Islam is the national religion and its religious laws are in place, different religious communities are governed by their respective personal status laws. The intrinsic nature of the judicial system and its practiced laws diminish the hope for equal rights for women. Polygamy is also recognized under Bangladeshi civil law, allowing men to have multiple wives, which can contribute to the poverty of women. For instance, one man can abandon three women impoverished all at once and not face any consequences or repercussions of said action. As in most patriarchal societies, woman enter marriage in hopes of financial security and prosperity. The clutches of male dominance within this country ensnare women into domestic abuse, exploitation, and coerced free labor. 55% of Bangladeshi women over the age of ten are married. During marriage, many of them are expected or most often times forced to hard labor of maintaining the family farms and livestock or perhaps their husbands enterprise. Should they not, they are subjugated to their husbands furry through violence, such as the example of “Namratu” in the article. It is therefor incumbent upon the Bangladeshi government to reform the marriage laws to end the feminization of poverty and its rapid growth.   

http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/09/16/bangladesh-discriminatory-family-laws-fuel-female-poverty

Blog 4: Violation of Human Rights of Georgian Prison Scandal

After recent video evidence emerged from physical inmate abuse by guards in the Gldani prison were shown on TV, hundreds of people have taken post in the country's capital of Tbilisi. The videos aired on TV9 capture guards sodomizing an inmate, as well as physical abuse of another inmate. Officials immediately took action in the prosecution of 10 guards and other prison officials as an investigation is underway under the premises of “torture and human and degrading treatment”. Georgia president Mikheil Saakashvili has contributed his support of the arrests of said prison officials, possibly in conjunction with hopes of presidential election support for the upcoming parliamentary elections on Oct. 1.  It is also rumoured to have been a staged footage account, with a large compensation for the assailants carrying out the attacks.  However, in 2010 the same Georgian prison had reported cases of inmate abuse, both physical and sexual. 

Regardless of here-say, Georgia is not the only country plagued by human rights violations in regards to prison violence. In 2007, a report by the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics reported 70,000 inmates of American penitentiaries are annually sexually victimized. It also stated that 2.9% were staff-on-inmate sexual abuse. These occurrences frequent prison inmates, as the inmates are victims as often times officials running the penitentiary blur their roles as enforcers of the law but instead feed into the power and control held over inmates. This hierarchy of forced power upon weaker subjects is also found among inmates. Many of the victims are weak and frail in statue, gay, first offenders, and those sentenced for violence and sexual abuse of minors. Often times victimized inmates are many times defenseless, for if they should speak out, they could face repercussions of further torture and abuse. Under premises of the International Human Rights Law, these conditions fall under ill-treatment and torture and must be investigated and ensure criminal sanctions against the assailants to be held criminally responsible.

Sept. 21, 2012 15.35

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/20/world/europe/a-resignation-and-protests-follow-the-release-of-prison-abuse-videos-in-georgia.html

Blog 2 The Continuous Rise of Airfare.

No one can deny the accomplished feeling one gets from finding a good bargain; whether it be for clothes, an electronic device, college textbooks, n'importe quoi as the french like to say.  Whatever your preference may be, my guilty pleasure comes from finding a super good deal on airfare, regardless of if I actually am traveling to the destination or not.  No, instant gratification is never the case when flight shopping, but perseverance and endurance pays off.  And finally, after weeks and weeks of searching for a cheap flight to surprise to my family for Christmas, a sigh of relief instantly came, but at the strikingly high dollar amount of $900 USD.  For some, traveling once was an affordable leisure of bountiful experiences, and for others a necessity to visit family and close friends living abroad.  But what was once an affordable leisure now is practically an investment.   

In the past year, many changes have affected the affordability of airfare for global nomads, businessmen, and the general population alike. The two main proponents of the current price hike are accredited to higher jet fuel costs, as well as recent merges among popular airlines. Without a doubt, these days none are unaffected by the current cost of fuel, as many Americans are having to dig deeper into their wallets at the gas pump. Just the same, airlines are being hit hard by the increasing price of fuel. Delta, a major American airline reports spending $12 billion USD this past year on fuel alone in comparison to $9 billion the previous year. Although airlines might have you fooled otherwise, there is another underlying cause of the recent price inflation of airfare. Due to the growing number of airlines filing bankruptcy in the past few years, many industry mergers are also to blame for this atrocity. The three main mergers have been: “Delta linking with Northwest; United, with Continental; and Southwest, with Airtran”. A capitalist economy cannot function without competition among companies being present. If so, it wouldn't be capitalism, but rather a communistic approach. Yes, these recent merges amongst airlines limit the amount of competition ensuring the cost of flights to rise as a shared monopoly subsists. In addition, these major airlines are now taking almost complete ownership of major airports throughout the United States. This is in part due to airlines having main hub airports, airports designated or primarily offering one specific airline as it's fundamental carrier. Smaller, regional airports are unable to compete without the funding of airlines who claim them as “hubs”. These two circumstances have lead to a 4.8% increase of domestic airfares throughout the country within the last year.

Many travelers are considering alternative methods of transportation, as flights are simply out of anyone's price range. Yet for the few determined, or better said those without a choice of how to cross the oceans of the world, it is simply the price one must pay to play the game.  

Date and Time:  Sept. 7th, 2012  ~16.50
USA Today - Fliers pinched as airfares take off.

Blog 1: Unaccompanied Minors facing Deportation after Illegal Immigration

A recent New York Times article, dated August 25th, 2012, investigates and legitimizes the current influx of unaccompanied minors who illegally immigrate into the United States, many of whom are detained and are facing deportation proceedings in the southwestern States.  Authorities have detained roughly 21, 842 unaccompanied minors in recent months, a 48% increase in just one year.  Although illegal immigration from predominately Latin American countries overall has seen a decrease, it is the immigration of children that has seen its peak recently.  This surge of refugees is blamed upon increased violence of gangs and drug traffickers who forcibly try to recruit young children.  The parents of these children are most often times already illegal immigrants with steady jobs in the United States who are trying to reunite with their children.  However, when the passage falters, these children, whose ages range anywhere from four to sixteen years old, must face the legal battle of deportation entirely on their own.  As a public defender is not provided in immigration courts, these minors are left to defend their case, often times not even realizing the offense they have committed.  Even now claim-makers and voluntary organizations, such as South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project (ProBAR) who advocate for the legal representation of immigrants, are overwhelmed with the amount of proceedings currently taking place.  Many migrants are excluded from a recent Obama administration policy providing presecutorial disgression should they have not committed a crime within the US.  This however proves counterproductive considering their initial entry into the country is an act of an illegal crime. Even though most will face deportation, 40% of unaccompanied minors have been found eligible to gain legal immigration status.  These cases must prove the minor experienced neglect or abuse at home or had become victims of human traffickers.  In addition, many must have legal sponsors, primarily legal relatives living in the United States, to gain this status.  In this circumstance, their illegal immigration can be deemed as refugee asylum seekers.  Nevertheless, many argue this predicament to be a violation of human rights, as a child without legal representation in a US court goes against the notion of US law granting everyone the right of legal representation.  As well, many are infuriated by the idea of these children, who the majority are attempting to flee violent situations in their home countries, are being deported and sent back into the calamities they initially tried to escape, as it is a fatal threat to their well-being and a crime against humanity.

NY Times Article: Young and Alone, Facing Court and Deportation

Date: Aug. 31, 2012  10.10