Blog 9: Somalia

Last Friday eleven people were killed and over a dozen were injured in a Mogadishu hotel because of a car bombing attack. The bombing was heard throughout the city. This particular hotel not only provided a comfortable stay for the elite but it also had a restaurant and coffee shop. Immediately after the bombing police and security forces secured the area. This area is popular with elite people and politician. On the day of the bombing the hotel was hosting VIPs. The article stated that “ Mogadishu is frequently targeted with suicide and car bombings carried out by al-Qaeda-linked Shebab rebels”  Government officials believe that these rebels are fighting to impeach internationally backed government. This is not their first attack. The attackers were responsibilty for the massacre in the shopping center in the Nairobi which left 67 individual dead. Not only has Kenya’s military stepped in but the US Navy Seals have intervened also.

Somalia is a country that lacks a government system. For there to be a bombing in the nicest area of the city makes a lot of since. The Shebab rebels are trying to prove a point and destroying what is nice is suppose to open the “government's” eyes. The rebels know that this is the area for the elite, for politicians and they probably also knew that there would be VIPs in the area. Somalia, N. Korea and Syria will continue to be places that experience civil war until there is a legitimate government, good public policy and recognition of other countries. By improving these things it can decrease war within the country. Also implementing better laws will decrease the citizen from performing hate crimes. The Shebab rebels have killed over 100 individuals. How many people will they have to kill for them to stop? Before there is a change?

Jasmine Lea

11/8/13

6:12

 http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/somalia-11-dead-in-mogadishu-hotel-car-bombing/article1-1149009.aspx

Blog 6: Global Slavery

There are at least 30 million people living as slaves around the world. The Global Slavery Index has created a list of shame to recognize those countries. India has about fourteen million individuals living as slaves. FOURTEEN MILLION! China has at least 2.9 and Pakistan at least 2.1 million. Other countries on the list were Nigeria, Ethiopia, Russia, Thailand, Myanmar and Democratic Republic. Modern slavery can sometimes be based on colonial conflicts, sex trafficking, child marriages or forced labor. The authors stated that “the reason for conditions of slavery varied country to country but, one constant was that it remained a “hidden problem”.” In some countries slavery is viewed as a cultural and economic practice. On the other hand some countries have high levels of forced marriages and child marriages or trafficked women also known as prostitutes. Theses people can’t just walk away. These individuals are controlled, brainwashed and manipulated through violence. Brazil is one of the leading countries in anti-slavery efforts. Brazil’s goal is to eradicate slavery.

Though slavery was abolished in America it is evident that it still happening in 2013. Slavery is a crime against humanity. Though some of the countries aren’t holding their citizens captive slavery is slavery. Human and sex trafficking is a crime. Forced labor is a crime.  It is understood that many nations, countries or states have not enforced the fact that slavery is a crime. It is an invisible crime, an unspoken crime. This issue makes you question the  government and legal system. For there to be at least 30 million slaves across the world is a major issue. In the article it only spoke of one country try to enforce change which was Brazil. Why is that? It also spoke of two individuals who have been donating at least half their wealth to philanthropic causes. Though these men are pretty rich why are they the only people recognized in the article. Slavery is a big deal and it is a major issue that is not recognized in general or as a crime. It shouldn’t be ignored.


http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/17/world/global-slavery-index/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Jasmine Lea
10/18/13
3:57

Blog 5: Syrian rebel fighters guilty of serious abuses

Syria is experiencing attacks from the opposition fighters aka the rebel fighters. The abuse began August 4th when the fighters overran government and army positions and occupied over 10 Alawite villages. The government in Syria launched a counteroffensive on August 5th the day after the attacks. In turn the government regained full control by August 18th. The rebel fighters attacked a Village near the Syrian city of Latakia. There were 190 civilians that were killed. That type of crime may amount to crimes against humanity. The rebel fighters would randomly open fire into these villages and attempt to kill entire families or killing the adult male in the household and holding the woman and children hostage. Till this day over 200 civilians are still being held hostage; most women and children. The Human Rights Watch has gathered evidence suggesting killings, hostage/kidnapping and other types of abuses cause by the rebel fighters. This group strongly urges to stop selling to supplying firearms and ammunition.

Syria is a country that needs to establish a modern state. They need to localize territory, establish a legitimate government, loyal population and recognition of other states. In the article the Human Rights Group stated "Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's family belongs to the minority Alawite sect, which is associated with Shia Islam. His government has consistently blamed the country's conflict on "terrorists" backed by foreign powers, while his own forces are accused of abuses, including the use of chemical weapons against civilians." With that being said it is evident that the group blames the president for the abuse that they are receiving from the rebel fighters. Once Syria is able to establish a legitimate government and give their trust to their leader that could cut down on a lot of the crime. Also a loyal population can definitely decrease the crime. If this country came together as one instead of fighting each other and killing one another they could build to become a better country. Causing strife among each other is not solving the problem. Crime is happening throughout the world and in most areas they have groups like the Human Right Watch group to observe the situation and obtain evidence. These groups are for the people and their safety.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/11/world/meast/syria-civil-war/?hpt=zite_zite2_featured
Jasmine Lea
10/11/13
2:50pm

Blog 3: Fourth officer arrested in Mexico mass kidnapping case

On May 29 of this year 13 youth disappeared after leaving an afterhours bar in Zona Rosa district. The youth’s bodies were found in Mexico City. So far there has been 4 police officers arrested plus an addition 14 other individuals have been arrested for their involvement. The officers in this case have yet to be charged but are detained for questioning until the investigation is done. The forth officer that was recently arrested has been accused of kidnapping but not of the killing. An officer that was detained earlier in September has been accused of “active and direct participation in the mass killing and kidnapping.’ Making it clear that the individuals in the kidnapping all were murdered. This case is still under investigation until further notice. Many of the victims and their families say that they do not trust Mexican authorities and have called for an international investigation case.


Looking at this case you can see that it was more individuals involved than there were victims. These victims were innocent people who were enjoying a night out when everything wrong you could imagine happens. The victim families are crying out for the case to an international investigation because they do not trust the Mexican authorizes. You can’t not blame them for wanting the case to be handle differently. Once again you have a case where the people you are supposed to trust to help you and protect you are the individuals who can hurt you. Though they did not say in the report if the officers were on or off duty, it’s the fact of the matter that the police was involved. Which makes other wonder how many other cases are there were police are involved. Thankfully more evidence is surfacing every day for the case revealing each individual but what about the cases where there isn’t much evidence to unveil the truth.

 http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/25/world/americas/mexico-bar-kidnappings/index.html?iref=allsearch

 

Jasmine Lea
9/27/13\

5:00pm

Blog 1: New Delhi Gang Rape Case

On December 16, 2012 a young woman of the age of 23 was brutally ganged raped by 4 individuals. They young woman left that day to see a movie with a male friend. After the movie she got onto a bus with her friend to go back home. On the bus there were four drunk men. After dragging her to the back of the bus they began beating her male friend. Each of the men took turns raping her and using other objects to violate her to the point where she had to have some internal organs removed. This entire act was happening while the bus was still moving in route. The young woman died two weeks after the incident. The four individuals were arrested immediately. One of the four men was place in a juvenile correction facility for 3 years. On the other hand the other three men received their sentencing this week. All three received life in prison; though the victim’s family and prosecutors asked for the death penalty. Many individuals protested during the trail and wanted the men to be executed but, the judge verdict overruled.

This is a social problem not just in India but all across the world. The article states “According to Indian government statistics, a woman is raped every 22 minutes on average.” Rape is a major crime that is sometimes pushed under the rug. Many individuals who are raped keep that information to themselves instead of reporting the crime.  Safe Horizon states “In 2010 there was 188,380 reports of rape and/or sexual assault in the US.” Which make you wonder how many have been ignored or not reported. The young woman in the article received justice but what is India doing to protect the other victims who are being assaulted every 22 minutes? Woman all over the world are raped and though some survive many die and the results of the crime effect not only the victim but the individuals who committed the act. The world tells woman to view men as being strong, protectors and fighters but, those same men who are supposed to protect woman are hurting woman. Though society frowns upon this crime it is also unspoken a lot of the time.

Jasmine Lea
9/13/13
3:24

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/13/world/asia/india-gang-rape-sentence/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

http://www.safehorizon.org/index/what-we-do-2/rape--sexual-assault-64.html?gclid=CImt5YKJybkCFRRk7Aodsy8Axg