Blog #10 Clearing The Tangled Path For Land Ownership In The West Bank

Clearing The Tangled Path For Land Ownership In The West Bank

In Palenstine, one can not simply own a piece of land. One can buy land, but they never see a title deed, as you would when you purchase a piece of land in the United States. People can buy land, but they never technically own it. A Palestinian-Canadian company called UCI is out to change that. They are buying property with money from the world bank in hopes to help with Palestine's economy.

To have the right to own your own property has many benefits for a person as well as the region of Palestine as a whole. Owning your own land in Palestine would allow the owner certain rights, including borrowing money against the land, using it as collateral.

Unfortunately, this is not a welcomed practice in Palestine. Many people think that UCI is a for profit company, just looking to earn money from them. They believe that the subdivided land would be better if made into housing developments instead of being sold to individuals. Many also believe that the land is overpriced and Palestinian's can not afford the cost of the land. A majority of Palestinian's believe that history should not be messed with, and that the area should stick with what they know.

From this article, UCI seems to have a great point: an economy will flourish if people are able to purchase land for their own personal ownership. They will be able to take loans out, using their property as collateral. This will allow for more money to be used in the region, which will in turn help the economy. However, I firmly believe in not taking out unnecessary loans. I believe that this is a world of debt, and that life would be much simpler if we didn't have the need for debt. This may be a naive thought, but I hope to have as little debt as possible, because I've seen people owe more than they bring in because they're allowed to take loans for more than they should due to having collateral. Those situations do not end well. With the people I've known who have dealt with this, they have ended up filing for bankruptcy, foreclosure, or even having their wages garnished because they can't afford the taxes on the properties that they have loans for. It seems like a never-ending downward spiral, because (unless you are very wealthy) you are required to take out loans to buy a house, land, and sometimes even a vehicle. This causes many to overextend themselves financially, and that is the downfall of our country. I would  hate to see the people of Palestine following in our debt-filled footsteps. I believe the Palestinian's are correct in saying that UCI should leave the region alone and let them continue on with their debt-free lives.

Andrika Payne 

4/24/2015

11:53 PM

Blog #6 Human trafficking laws 'should not ban buying sex'

Human trafficking laws 'should not ban buying sex'

According to BBC, Holyrood's justice committee has been gathering evidence on the Human Trafficking Exploitation Bill, which is going though parliament.  Many campaigners throughout Scotland are asking for prostitution to be made illegal, but the committee thinks they are not the right legislation for addressing this very pressing issue. Michael Matheson, who is the Justice Secretary, has agreed to meet with campaigners on both sides of the matter before a conclusion is reached. 

The committee backs the basic principles of the legislation, creating a specific offense of human trafficking and calling for a maximum penalty of life in prison. However, the persons forced into committing a crime will not be held responsible for their crimes. There are many positive parts of the bill, it is just a matter of singling out the offense of human trafficking and strengthening the protection of the victims of trafficking. The issue of creating an offense for the purchasing of sex along with this bill is not appropriate and should be consider two separated issues. 

It is wonderful to hear that Scotland is making progress in regards to human trafficking. I am glad to hear that this offense is being made illegal and punishable through the justice system. However, I do agree that the two issues involved (trafficking and selling sex) should be dealt with separately. I can see why they would try to lump the two together to protect the victims of human trafficking, but I think that it would be more appropriate if they created a clause in the bill that protects victims of human trafficking. I think that a separate bill should be passed in order to make prostitution illegal, therefore anyone who is selling their bodies can (and hopefully will) be prosecuted for that offense. If there is a clause in the Human Trafficking Exploitation Bill that dismisses any charges of selling sex from the victims of human trafficking, then the victims are protected, and the persons selling sex without being trafficked can still be prosecuted. Overall, I agree with the committee in their decision not to lump together two separate, although related, issues. It makes more sense to be specific about the offenses and to protect the victims of human trafficking. 

Andrika Payne

4/24/2015

11:34 PM

Blog #10: UN Condemns Horrific Week of Human Rights Violations in Libya

This past week in Libya, there have been horrific human rights violations. Several hundred people lost their life in the Mediterranean trying to escape violence in Libya. There were also several members of a prominent family killed by the Islamic State in Libya. Those trying to escape were migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers and they were all at risk of killings, torture, abduction, and physical assault. The human rights division of the UN Support Mission in Libya had several visits to detention centers in Libya. They reported concern including “chronic overcrowding, poor sanitation, health care, and insufficient food.” The spokesperson of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights also stated that there were reports of physical or verbal mistreatment, labor exploitation, sexual violence, and confiscation of identity documents.

            It is so sad to me that the people killed in the Mediterranean felt so scared that they had to flee from their own country when most of them were already in poverty. The Islamic State in Libya also held an execution of at least 28 Christians in two separate incidents this week. Something needs to be done in Libya. As a human, you are allowed to practice whatever religion you want and you should not be targeted just because you are a Christian. This has been an issue all year in Libya. Earlier this year, the High Commissioner urged Libyans “to unite against extremists launching attacks based on religious, ethnic, national, racial, or political ground” and would like to continue to reiterate this today.

Emily Burris

04/24/2015

10:16 pm

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=50676#.VTqGzxZCZFI

Worsening conditions draw attention

Worsening Conditions for Women in Iran Begin to Draw Attention

        It seems like every time things start to look up, it just does't quite get there. The President of Iran Hassan Rouhani spoke up against the worsening conditions for women in Iran. He said " we have no patriarchy nor matriarchy in Islam, what we have is a meritocracy", he is trying to convince people that men and women stand side by side but this is plenty of evidence to show that this is not true. Unemployment in Iran is a huge problem right now. The government has said that there is going to be a possible 2,284 government jobs available, these jobs are mainly for men. 16 of these spots are "women jobs" and there are hundreds that has unspecified gender but in reality these positions also go to men.

          People are unhappy that the president keeps making promises that are not kept. There has been talk about amending laws that band women from sports stadiums and other places however, whenever this ban seems to be getting lifted there is always someone who claims that this amending has not been decided yet.  Even though there has been talk about men and women becoming more equal and standing side by side, it seems like things are getting worse for women instead of better. In the past few years there has been more restrictions having to do with health care, social lives, ect, put on women. Militias were created to make sure that all women were dressed properly created many attacks on women. These militia were eventually stopped. 

          What I have noticed through out the past few weeks is that a lot of places around the world are having the same human rights issues, and many, but not all of them deal with women. In Iran the human rights issues against women kept getting pushed away because the focus was on nuclear weapons.  It seems that the government is not caring and paying enough attention to what is happening to its citizens. Citizens are suppose to be able to rely on their government for help and protection and so far all the government has been doing is making things worse. 

Eliana Berger

http://www.iranhumanrights.org/2015/04/rouhani-women-discrimination/

Blog #10: Population Control in Myanmar Threatens Minorities.

A new bill introduced the idea of having women of Myanmar practice "birth spacing". This means that women are required to wait at least three years between each pregnancy. Physicians for Human Rights believe that it will help with curb child and maternal deaths since within Southeast Asia, Myanmar has one of the highest infant mortality rates. This bill could affect the Muslim Rohingya population in the western Rakhine state of Myanmar, who already have been subjected to restrictions on marriage, abuse, registration of births amongst other human right violations. Widney Brown of Physicians for Human Rights, has expressed that with this particular bill could lead to forced abortions and the sterilization of women and men, ultimately keeping the Rohingya from having children at all. Yanghee Lee, a United Nations special reporter on human rights in Myanmar, says the bill on population control and other proposed laws on religious conversions can worsen the ethnic tensions following a government plan in February to revoke identification "white cards" for minorities. The bill has currently been passed by Myanmar's parliament and awaits for the approval by President Thein Sein before it becomes an enforced law.

Even though the government has taken action to provide more opportunities in accessing education and contraception in hopes to improve child and maternal health, passing a bill for "birth spacing" may not be the most efficient solution. The proposed bill creates complications for the Rohingya in which they will believe their right on how to have kids will be taken away. This ethnic group amongst others will continue to feel abused by the laws set by the government who are already subjected to pervasive and persistent discrimination within the country. As said by Widney Brown, "We want to encourage lower fertility rates but it can't be done coercively or by suppressing the growth of marginalized groups". I think the government should compose new tactics in lowering the infant mortality rate while still continuing to provide education on maternal and child health.

Rachel Ear
April 22, 2015
1:19 pm.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/04/22/world/asia/22reuters-myanmar-law-minorities.html?_r=0

Blog 9: Rights group supports Aussie in Thailand

Rights group supports Aussie in Thailand

Alan Morison, an Austrailian Journalist who is scheduled to go to trial on July 14th, is being backed by The Human Rights Watch (based in New York) for the charges against him to be dropped. He is facing up to seven years in prison sentences and $A4000 in fines in Thailand if convicted of the crimes. The charges are related to a Phuketwan report, published in 2013 that republished excerpts from  a Reuters report that allege Thai security being involved in the smuggling of Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar, Burma. The report, from which the journalists won a Pulitzer Prize, was part of a Reuters investigative series on the Rohingya, a stateless and oppressed minority in Myanmar. The Human Rights Watch believes that the punishment against Alan Morison were disproportionate for the charges against him, causing reputational harm and infringing on the rights of freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. 

I am sure that journalist Alan Morison is counting his lucky stars for the Human Rights Watch backing him in this lawsuit. It is almost obvious that the people of Thailand did not like the report, no matter how well written, because it had a negative connotation for the Thai security. Journalist of the report won a Pulitzer Prize, so it was well written and (most likely) backed with evidence and citations of the allegations against the Thai Security's involvement with the smuggling of Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar, Burma. Not only are the charges unfair because the punishment is extreme for the alleged crime presented, but it seems as though they should be dropped because they seem to be bogus claims. Although these feelings could just be my American brain getting the best of my judgment of the situation. It is well known that the United States has freedom of press, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression, and it seems completely bogus that someone could be punished for producing a truthful work of art.

Andrika Payne
4/17/15
11:53 PM

Blog #9: Iraqi Leader Confirms Investigation Into Human Rights Abuses

Today, Haider al-Abadi, the Iraqi Prime Minister, said that the perpetrators of human rights abuses among his security forces and Shi’a militia will be held accountable for their actions. He stated that they needed to crack down on the abuses and excesses of the small minority of fighters that do not follow the government’s policies. He also stated that these allegations of criminal conduct are being investigated. However, he never mentioned whether the fighters guilty of ISIS-like crimes have been brought to justice yet. The people involved will be held accountable and prosecuted with the fullest weight of the law. He stated in his speech that the government’s priority was reducing ethic, secretariat tensions and divisions in Iraq. ABC News also confronted the Iraqi military for photos that had been posted on social media of committing war crimes. One photo shows a person from the military stepping on two severed heads. Another showed a young boy being gunned down in cold blood.

            The Iraqi government needs to stop delaying prosecuting these people. The war crimes that committed and found in the photos on social media were discovered in February. There has not been anything done with this. Some of these photos were extremely horrifying, containing photos of beheadings, torturing and executions and should not have been posted anywhere. They claim to have a good Iraqi justice system, however nothing has been done to serve justice.  Certain units of the Iraqi Security Forces have been barred from receiving weapons and training because of their human rights violations in the past. 

Emily Burris

11:44 pm

04/16/2015

http://abcnews.go.com/International/iraqi-leader-confirms-investigation-human-rights-abuses-offers/story?id=30377290

ISIS Escapes Describe systematic rape

ISIS: Crimes Against Humanity 

         There are certain things that are considered human rights and one of them is that women's bodies are theirs and not to be sold or abused. ISIS has partaken in events that are considered as crimes against humanity. Hundreds of women women have been taken and tortured by ISIS fighters, however there has been some that have escaped and have been interviewed so they can share with the world the horrific things ISIS is doing to women. Most of their stories involve  rape, sexual slaver, imprisonment, religious persecution, and forced marriage. An article of the interview with these girl has recently been published and their stories are awful. Girls as young as 12 are been raped by multiple ISIS fights, forced into marriage and then sold to other people as "gifts". ISIS has publicly stated that they believe it is okay to give their fighters women as "spoils" of the war. On top of being sex slaves and passed around to people, these women are tortured and abused. These women are human beings, not animals, and something needs to be done to help these poor women and children. 

The women who have been able to escape are in need of serious medical treatment, psychological and physically. These women are getting diseases and even pregnant.

       Abduction and detention of innocent people instantly goes against their human rights and doesn't just happen because of ISIS. This happens all around the world. Women especially, are raped, abused, and sold. Escapees have told Human Rights Watch that they didn't have choice, they had to do what they were told or they were beaten. They went through selection, which involved men examining their bodies and dragging off who ever they liked the most, raping them and then bringing them back to trade in for someone else. These stories are of women and children some as young as 8 being.   

        Human Rights Watch has been informed that less then 150 women and children have been able to escape and that not all of these women are unable to get medical treatment once they are free. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is trying to provide health and other services to these women but there are still huge gaps in medical care for this women. The whole world needs to know what is going on over there and needs to take a better look at the human rights violations that are happening around world. Not enough attention or focus is put on this and these people are getting away with their crimes.  

Eliana Berger

http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/14/iraq-isis-escapees-describe-systematic-rape

Blog #8 Rights groups welcome release of Chinese women activists

Rights groups welcome release of Chinese women activists

Human Rights groups have welcomed China's release of five activists who were held for more than a month, saying it was driven by an international outcry. The women, who were detained right before International Women's Day (March 8), planned many priests against sexual harassment. The US, UK, and European Union all called for their release. 

There have not been charges against the five activists, but the bail conditions mean there will be charges given at a later date. Liang Xaiojun, their lawyer, said they would need to let their whereabouts be known to authorities. Maya Want from Human Rights Watch stated that their release "shows international pressure works on China, when it is strong enough", and authorities should "cease harassment". William Nee, from Amnesty International said the release was "an encouraging breakthrough", but that "the authorities must now follow through and drop all charges and restrictions against the women". The co-founder of Yirenping, a Chinese campaign group that some of the women were involved with, said their detention was "a glaring injustice", but advocacy for their release has "actually furthered legal protection of women's rights and strengthened the rule of law in China".

The women, who are part of China's Women's Rights Action Group, are free on bail, but will remain under surveillance by authorities. Many see the arrests as a warning for civil rights groups in China to decrease their activities. This year's International Women's Day coincided with China's annual parliamentary session, which usually has tight security and is often preceded by the detention of activists. The women planned activities including gatherings in Beijing and Guangzhou calling for awareness of sexual harassment on buses and a march in a Beijing park where participants would wear stickers advocating safe sex. China said on Monday it had lodged a formal complaint to the US over a statement by Secretary of State John Kerry at the weekend in which he called for their unconditional release.

It is welcomed news to hear that these women have been released from detainment. I believe that China is using these women as examples of what could happen if activists continue to voice their opinion of what needs to be changed in China. From the article, it seems as though the activists had very peaceful plans such as a march while wearing stickers and gatherings. These are very non-violent types of protest, and usually are not means for detainment. I definitely think that China is using these women as a scare tactic to keep other protesters and activists under wraps. This is the issue that I have with governmental authority. China is supposedly a democratic nation. They are democratic in the sense that you vote for your leaders, but any time you wish to voice your opinion (and it's different from the norm) you run the risk of being detained. The same goes hear in the United States. There have been multiple times that peaceful protesters have been detained, beaten, sprayed with mace, or even killed. Stories like this make me never want to attend a protest, even if it is peaceful, out of simple fear for my life and my freedom. 

Andrika Payne

4/15/15

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Blog #9: Boko Haram's Report Released.

Amnesty International has compiled a 90-page report based on dozens of interviews with escaped abductees and witnesses, nearly a year after Boko Haram seized more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria. However, the report reveals that since the start of last year, Boko Haram Islamic militants have kidnapped 2,000 women and girls. The report also indicates that the girls and women were routinely taken after invading and controlling a town. These women and girls in turn would be made into sex slaves, cooks and fighters. A 19 year old women has told Amnesty that she was one of the girls that were taught how to shoot, bomb and attack a village. In addition, she has been gang-raped several times since her kidnapping in September 2014. Men have also become victims to Boko Haram's when they refuse to join the ranks and end up becoming killed. Two men told the researchers that at least 100 were executed when the militants took over Madagali. The only reason they survived, they stated, was because the knife became to dull to slit their throats. Elect Muhammadu Buhari, president of Nigeria vows to rid Boko Haram and the locate the missing girls.

It has been in the news every so often about the actions of Boko Haram, however the report has only just been released. The capturing of children, mostly, by Boko Haram is incredibly inhumane. It violates the rights that are entitled to this kids and strips them of their identity. Being forced into becoming soldiers or sex slaves is in violation of human rights. As stated by Daniel Eyre, author of the report, "These appalling executions, the sexual violence, the recruitment of child soldiers, these are war crimes and crimes against humanity and they need to be investigated". Despite the words of the President Elect Muhammadu Buhari, the government needs to take noticeable action to really make an effort in stopping the horrific acts of Boko Haram.

Rachel Ear
April 14, 2015
3:42 pm.

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/04/14/world/africa/14reuters-nigeria-girls-warcrimes.html

Blog #8: International Criminal Court Says ISIS Is Out of Its Jurusdiction

There has been a growing pressure in the International Criminal Court to investigate the human rights abuses in the territory controlled by the Islamic State or ISIS. The chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, stated Wednesday that her office had received reports of “crimes of unspeakable cruelty.” However, the court has no jurisdiction over Iraq and Syria where the acts occurred or over the group’s leaders. For an investigation to begin, the United Nations Security Council would have to ask the court to begin an investigation since the change in jurisdiction would have to come from outside the court. Another option would be for Iraq and Syria to accept the court’s jurisdiction, which won’t happen anytime soon. The office has looked into several different options to attempt to investigate the crimes by ISIS. There have been several thousand foreign fighters join ISIS, however, they appear to be low-ranking and could be investigated by their home courts but not the international court.

            Something needs to be done about the human rights crimes committed by ISIS. Everything ISIS has done has been extremely cruel and unusual. The International Criminal Court needs to make an exception to investigate ISIS before they harm more innocent people. William Schabas, an international law professor at Middlesex University in Britain, claims that there is no rule that said that an organization could not be referred to the court, even if it operated in countries that were not members. These Islamic militants need to be prosecuted for what they have done.

 Emily Burris

3:00 pm

04/10/15

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/09/world/middleeast/international-criminal-court-says-isis-is-out-of-its-jurisdiction.html?_r=0

Blog #8: "Beyond Inhumane" Syrian Refugee Camp.

Within the Syrian capital, a Palestinian refugee camp was taken by Islamic State militants. Palestinian fighters clashed with these militants in Yarmouk which makes this the extremists' deepest trek into Damascus. This also allowed for the living conditions of the 18,000 Yarmouk residents to worsen. Withe lack of basic medicine, food and water, the United Nations Security Council called an emergency meeting to discuss the matters of Yarmouk. According to Hatem al-Dimashqi, an activist based around the area south of Damascus and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, states that after the heaving fighting on Sunday, there have been smaller clashes on Monday along with the Syrian government using aircrafts to shell the camp and drop barrel bombs. Within the camp the fighting has put Aknaf Beit al-Maqdis, a Palestinian faction opposed to Syrian President Bashar Assad against the Islamic State group. Rami Abdurrahman, Observatory director, states that 90% of Yarmouk are now controlled by the Islamic State group who are accused of working with the Nursa Front, a rival of the al-Qaida affiliate in Syria. The United Nations agency, UNRWA that supports Palestinian refugees has been unable to send any convoys or food into the camp since the fighting began. The UN says 18,000 civilians which include a large number of children are trapped in Yarmouk. Only 93 have been able to evacuate the camp so far.

Though an emergency meeting with the United Nations Security Council has been scheduled to meet with Pierre Krahenbuhl, the head of the U.N agency for Palestinian refugees, there should be more action taken. Out of 18,000 people trapped within the camp, only a very small percentage have been able to be rescued. Without the agency supplying the civilians, they are living with little food and water and lack of health care. The people living within Yarmouk are already subjected to illnesses and starvation while they are holed up within their houses with violence occurring outside their doors under governmental control. Despite recognizing the political conflict and result of which is happening between the two parties, the United Nations needs to take quicker actions in trying to help the citizens of Yarmouk and securing their safety outside of the fighting.

Rachel Ear
April 6, 2015
4:48pm

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2015/04/06/world/middleeast/ap-ml-syria.html

Blog #7; McDonalds to give a pay raise to hourly workers

McDonalds to give a pay raise to hourly workers

McDonald’s states it going to raise the pay for workers at company-owned US locations. This makes it the latest employer to increase worker incentives in the improving economy. Company owned restaurants account for 10 percent of the more than 14,300 US restaurants. The remaining 90 percent are run by franchisees and they “make their own decisions on pay and benefits.” Many other major companies, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., have also announced wage increases. In the past 12 months, there has been a 1.2 percent decrease of the unemployment rate. President Mike Andres states, "It's a very competitive environment and a significant rationale for this plan is that we want to be the most competitive and attractive employer.”

McDonald’s has also been dealing with negative publicity from demonstrations over pay and labor practices at its restaurants, so the change comes at a great time. Worker groups have been pressuring the company with lawsuits and cases filed with the National Labor Relations Board and U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on behalf of workers, in addition to ongoing protests since late 2012. Andres said few McDonald's workers are "not taking a toll.”

Kwanza Brooks, a McDonald’s employee of North Carolina called the move "too little to make a real difference" and said that it only covers a fraction of workers.

Beginning July 1, McDonald's starting wages will be one dollar more than the local minimum wage where company-owned restaurants are located. Wages will be adjusted accordingly based on tenure and performance, it said. By the end of 2016, it said the average hourly wage for McDonald's workers at those stores will be more than $10 an hour, up from $9 an hour. In addition to wage increases, McDonald's says workers at company-owned stores will get paid time off. Employees who have worked for the company for at least a year and work an average of 20 hours a week will be eligible to accrue about 20 hours of paid time off a year. Workers who don't take the time off will be paid for the value of that time, McDonald's said.

McDonald's Chief Administrative Officer, Pete Benson, stated last month that at the time a big part of the turnaround effort in the U.S. would be what the company is doing "around the employment image and our employee-employer relationship."

McDonald's U.S. business has been struggling, with customer counts and sales at established locations falling two years in a row. The company named Steve Easterbrook, its chief brand officer, as its new CEO in January. Easterbrook stated, "We know that a motivated workforce leads to better customer service so we believe this initial step not only benefits our employees, it will improve the McDonald's restaurant experience."

McDonald's also said it is expanding benefits to help workers at company- and franchise-owned restaurants complete high school and college, although there were no details provided about this.

Although this news is a step in the right direction, I believe that what Kwanza Brooks stated is true. McDonald’s is only making a change in 10 percent of the stores nation wide. I think that it is great that they are offering paid time off, even for part time employees.  It seems as though they are making a step in the right direction, but I definitely think that they could do a better job. I know that working at McDonald’s is not a job that requires many skills, however, I do believe that people should be given the right to earn a living wage in such establishments. I understand that 90 percent of the restaurants in the United States are owned by franchisees, but I do believe that they could be included in the increase. It doesn't seem fair to only see an increase in a small percentage of a company, and give them praise. I know if I were a worker in a franchisee owned McDonald's, I'd be trying to transfer to a corporate owned one immediately.  It is not fair that someone doing the exact same job, potentially in the exact same area, is getting paid one dollar more per hour and gets a benefits package just because of who the owner of the restaurant is. Is there no way that they could include a company wide minimum wage and benefits package in the corporate contract with the franchisees?

Blog #7: U.N. Body Tells Russia to Act Against Human Rights Abuses

The United Nations rights experts have asked Russia to act on the human rights abuses that were reported. The committee issued this document after looking at Russia’s record last month. Some of these abuses are laws limiting free speech and targeting homosexuals and to act firmly to prevent torture by police, racist crimes and a wide range of other abuses. One committee member stated, “What worries us the most is the reduced space for civil liberties as the result of an onslaught of legislation.” This 12 page document noted abuses and violence, calling them “ultra-nationalist, racist and neo-Nazi” extremists and torturing crime suspects in jail. It specifically names Zaur Dadayev, the policeman who was one of the suspects in the murder of Putin critic Boris Nemtsov, asking Russia to investigate the allegation that Dadayev was tortured in prison. The laws that President Putin passed, limiting Internet activity and restricting links between Russian non-governmental organizations and foreign groups, appears to violate the U.N. convention.

            Russia has always been known for violating human rights. This was brought to light when Russia announced anyone displaying homosexuality at the Olympics would be arrested, no matter where they were from. There needs to be equal rights everywhere in the world for everyone. The U.N. also stated that it wanted Russia to fight the patriarchal attitudes on the role of women and men in the family and society at large. Something also needs to be done about the supposed torturing of suspects in prison. This is unacceptable, no matter what circumstances the individuals are in for. 

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2015/04/02/world/europe/02reuters-un-rights-russia.html?_r=0

Emily Burris

6:04 pm

04/03/15

Blog #7: Crackdown on Activism in China.

The Beijing Yirenping Center, offices of a major human rights organization, was raided by Chinese security agents on Tuesday, March 31.  At least two dozen police officers came into the building showcasing yet another act of the authorities' hostility towards non-profitable and nongovernmental organizations who either receive funding from foreign sources or help promote civic activism.  Specifically, the Beijing Yirenping Center focus on gender equality and fights against discrimination for people with HIV, physical disabilities and hepatitis. The found of the group, Lu Jun, suggests the raid was due to the support and publicized efforts for the five females activists who have been recently causing international criticism.  The authorities have taken files, laptops and computers and have restricted the employees from entering the building without any explanation. According the article, there has been an increase to civil rights defenders being jailed as "part of a crackdown on social activism and political dissent" since President Xi Jinping came into term two years ago. Lawyers for the detained women are stating that they are being mistreated, sleep deprived and forced to comply with lengthy interrogations, one of which is being denied medical attention for hepatitis. Within the past recent months, Chinese authorities have dismantled the Transition Institute, detaining many employees, closed a numerous rural lending libraries, and harassed labor advocates. 

China's recent actions towards civil rights activists and civil rights groups have been strict and unnecessary. The results of trying to shut down defenders and organizations have only further lead to a bigger political and social gap between the Chinese government and it's civilians. Especially with the treatment of these people who are trying to raise awareness and promote equality within the country. The treatment of the detained women is inhuman. It's basically torture. Mild - yes, but still violates the person's individual rights. China's attempt of trying to keep everything under governmental control with the President's regime and conform to the idea of the government will only further cause these organizations and activists to speak and act out for civilian rights and equality. 

Rachel Ear
April 2. 2015
6:42 pm. 

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/27/world/asia/china-raids-offices-of-rights-group-as-crackdown-on-activism-continues.html?_r=0

Blog #6: Human Rights Abuses in Cambodian Garment Factories

The Human Rights Watch interviewed 270 garment workers in Cambodia and concluded that Cambodian women faced numerous human rights abuses while working in the garment factories. While it is mostly women in the factories, the Human Rights Watch found 11 factories that used child labor and were in violation of local and international laws. In Cambodia, children under 18 can only engage in light work and for no more than 8 hours a day. The children get paid less than the minimum wage of $80 a month and some were missing school to help their families. The garment industry generates more than $5.7 billion U.S. dollars a year in global exports. The Cambodian women work long hours for little pay in suboptimal conditions. They are sometimes refused bathroom breaks, get no sick leave, and suffer sexual abuse from their male bosses. The workers complained that they were only paid $80 U.S. dollars and did not receive overtime pay for their long hours of work.

            Many big name brands use these kinds of factories to make their clothes. Some of those brands include Gap and Nike, however they were reluctant to disclose this information because that would allow Cambodian government officials to inspect the factories. I feel as though these factories should be inspected monthly, maybe even weekly, to ensure the workers are being treated fairly. These brands should protect the workers rights through all the supply chains but it rarely happens. The workers need to be treated fairly, giving them the necessary breaks for the length of time they work. There is no reason that any of them need to be treated this poorly.

Emily Burris

2:45 pm

03/27/2015

http://metronews.ca/news/world/1319431/human-rights-abuses-rife-in-cambodian-garment-factories-report-says/

Blog #6: Myanmar Students & Activists Charged for Protest.

A mixture of activists and students too part in a protest against a new education bill in Myanmar. These protests began in March from Mandalay to Yangon opposing the bill that allow centralizes to take control of higher education. These students and activists were fighting for more power to be given to higher education institutions such as universities, the opportunity to teach ethnic minority languages and the right to form student unions. With negotiations with the authorities, the students were able to continue to march to Yangon, however the students became angered by the police's opposition once they had reached Letpadan, 90 miles north of Yangon causing them to try and break through police lines. Violence broke out leading up to more than 100 students being arrested. These students could face up to six years in jail. The President of Myanmar, Thein Sein, justifies the actions taken by police officers stating that if similar situations was to occur in any other Western countries, then there could've been gunfire and death.

Though stated in the article that the march was technically illegal because it was not officially approved of, there had been negotiations to allow the students and fellow activists to march. There has been no information stating that it was a violent protest, just students march from point A to point B to demonstrate their stand on Myanmar's new education bill. The police took it to themselves to enable such an outcome when the students could've have continued to march peacefully. A BBC correspondent states that despite the reforms in Myanmar after the end of military rule, this specific case involving these students has showed that the legal system as well as it's laws remain "dated and repressive". If Myanmar authorities did in fact negotiate with the students then violence should not have occurred. More just actions could have taken place yet the President of Myanmar chooses to say,  well, it could've been worse.


Rachel Ear
3/25/2015
12:48 p.m

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32046136

War crimes and crimes against humanity by ISIS

War crimes and crimes against humanity by ISIS

ISIS war crimes as well as crimes against humanity continue to grow. There has been report of ISIS carrying out genocide on the Yaziid people in Iraq. A report has been published from the Human Rights office that gives details of the horror that these people are going through. Killings, torture, rape, and sex slavery is ramped in the towns that are being taken over. The report that came out is based off of interview of 100+ witnesses and survivors of these awful attacks. Systematic and organized attacks are place on the Yazidi people.  The men and boys over the age of 14 are taken an executed while the younger ones are sent to become child soldiers. Women and girls are raped and or sold to the sex slave business.  Boys are forced to convert to Islam and are taught to be soldiers, watching videos of executions. The Yazidi people were not given choices like the Christians who got overrun got.  In other places people were given the choice to convert, pay a tax, or leave. Here they we just picked up and marched off to be executed.

The inhumanity that is taking place in these towns that are being taken over by ISIS is horrific. There is testimony from witnesses and victims that confirm that there are foreign fighters from many different countries within ISIS. One witness apparently described how people were executed and then cadets kicked around the heads of these people like footballs.   The Iraqi government has been seeking help from the UN rights office and is trying to assure that there will be accountability for these crimes that are taking place.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3002547/IS-likely-committing-genocide-against-Yazidi-minority-Iraq-UN.html

Blog #5: U.N. Monitor Says Iran Is Worsening on Rights

A human rights monitor for the United Nations stated Monday that Iran’s use of the death penalty is rising and its repression of political critics is worsening. The United Nations monitor raised the possibility that the human rights situation could improve if progress is achieved in overall relations between Iran and Western governments. Since President Hassan Rouhani took office in 2013, human rights have deteriorated. Iran has one of the highest execution rates in the world. Last year Iran executed 753 people, at least 13 were juveniles. And in the first 10 weeks of this year, Iran has already executed 252 people. Of those executed, most were for drug-related offenses. Under the International Law, drug-related offenses are not considered sufficiently grave to warrant capital punishment. There are also several draft laws being considered in Iran that would only worsen the current rights problem.

            Capital punishment is a problem in many countries and it needs to be addressed. Iran is executing a high number of people, many of which were in violation of the international law. This has been a problem in Iran since 2009 and has continued to get worse. When lawyers try to go help prisoners, the Iranians prosecuted them for representing the prisoners. There have been at least 50 lawyers have been prosecuted since 2009. The Iranian government will also not allow journalists to come into the country to report on what is happening. They are also being prosecuted and sent to prison. More people need to be aware of what is happening in this country and try to prevent even more lives from being wrongly executed. 

Emily Burris 

1:41 PM

03/20/2015

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/world/middleeast/un-monitor-says-iran-is-worsening-on-rights-despite-pledges.html

Blog #5: North Korea Accountable for Abductions.

An investigator of the United Nations has called for international action to take place to have North Korea to take account for the abduction of foreigners over the past several decades. From the 1960s to the 1990s, North Korean agents have abducted hundreds of foreign citizens from China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Romania, Malaysia, and Lebanon. 12 people of Japan have been identified who have not returned by the Japanese authorities, however, they are still currently investigating 881 other citizens who could've possibly been abducted by North Korea. Marzuki Darusman, the special rapporteur handling the case, is presenting strategies to resolve the issue in Geneva next week to the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

North Korea is usually under speculation over the treatment of citizens within their country and their actions can seem questionable, however, the arising case of hundreds of missing citizens delivers a whole new situation for North Korea. Not only is North Korea violating human rights by physically taking and forcing someone into their own country, but they are also involving violation of laws and rights from the other countries. Bringing this issue to the United Nations Human Rights Council can only be effective if North Korea chooses to comply and admit to the numerous kidnappings years ago, otherwise North Korea will continue to deny any allegations set upon them. This is not the first issue about North Korea to be brought to the United Nations Human Rights Council.  It is reasonable for one to believe that change has to happen for human rights in North Korea to accommodate the past and pave a way for a better future for the citizens of the country. 

Rachel Ear
3/19/2015
4:36 pm

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/10/world/asia/un-presses-north-korea-to-account-for-abductions.html