Blog 12: Children of the Cannabis Trade

Lavonnie Gittens

Blog 12

Children of the Cannabis Trade

Summary

Vietnamese children are being forced to work underground in the cannabis trade. These children are often “held hostage” by debt and poverty. They are often prosecutes as criminals rather than seen as victims of domestic violence. These children s - some as young as 13, many not older than 16, are forced to work trapped inside the buildings, 24 hours a day. The working conditions are torturous and they are being exposed d toxic chemicals on a daily basis.  There is a constant risk of electrocution and fire. There is the constant fear of violence, intimidation and extortion of gang members. Vietnamese children make up the largest group of children being trafficked into the UK, with nearly 300 children annually and approximately ¼ end up on cannabis farms. The UK authorities estimate that 75 per cent of the criminal gangs involved in this trade are ethnically Vietnamese. Debt bondage is common, with the trafficking and criminal networks determining the amount of money the bonded worker will have to pay off through unpaid labor.

Analysis

This article demonstrates the violation of several human rights. Knowing that these traffickers are targeting people living in relative poverty there needs to be special attention paid to breaking the cycle of poverty. Perhaps if the Vietnamese government were able to improve the minimal productivity rate of the impoverished there would then be an increase in capital, which would allow for an increase in human services which would offer more ways for the poor to overcome poverty. Better organizational infrastructure and an increase in human services may offer the children of poor Vietnamese families a better chance of nit being trafficked.

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2011/07/201172795838377646.html

Blog : 11 Age Matters: China

Age Matters: China

Last Modified: 20 Feb 2011

Summary

China’s demographics are changing rapidly this is partially due to China’s development. Seniors that are traditionally venerated are finding themselves in retirement homes.  Many seniors are choosing to move into such homes rather than put pressure on their children. These citizens are making up an increasing proportion of the population.  The decrease in the birth rate leaves fewer young people available to care for the elderly population.  One of the women interviewed said that China has a quote “There are no dutiful sons for a bed ridden parent however responsible he is he will leave you anyhow for his family or for his career.” Many of the residents live in such homes to overcome loneliness. Either their children live and work far away or their spouse passed away leaving them alone.  The Chinese government has been considering making it legally mandatory that children visit their aging parents.

Analysis

I believe that one of the main factors behind China’s aging population is globalization. It has allowed China to advance developmentally and has changed the social contracts of the society. For many years it was expected for children particularly male children to care for the elderly parents. However new industrialization has caused many of these male children to move far from home. They are in a catch 22 between being traditional and caring for their parents and emerging into the new developments and preparing to better care for their future wives. Globalization and development in China also has females delaying marriage and children and opting for education and careers instead.  The Chinese government is trying to maintain tradition by mandating children at least visit their aging parents however some senior prefer living in a retirement home as opposed to having their children care for them.

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/facesofchina/2011/02/2011220112134994368.html

Blog 10: Moroccans Call for End to Rape-Marriage Laws

Moroccans Call for End to Rape-Marriage Laws

Summary

A woman’s virginity is highly regarded in many Arab societies. For a female to lose her virginity outside of marriage is seen as dishonour on her family, even if her first intercourse experience was rape. In order to overcome this familial shame laws have been enacted to allow a rapist to legally marry his victim. After 16 year old Amina Al Filali committed suicide by drinking rat poison because of such a marriage activists in Morocco have stepped up. These activists are pressuring the government officials to overturn these laws. Under Moroccan law, rape is punishable by five to 10 years in prison, rising to between 10 and 20 years if the victim is a minor. Approximately 25% of Moroccan women are sexually assaulted at least once during their life.

Analysis

I believe it is clear that these societies are extremely patriarchal and the females are viewed as second class citizens. Being forced to marry and live with a man that has violated you in such an intimate way will undoubtedly be hard. This is yet another example of women having their human rights violated. I believe the laws that allow for such mistreatment were implemented more for the protection of the rapist than for the honour of the female and her family. These laws allow the rapist to avoid jail time at the expense of the well-being of their victim. As in the case of Filali her rapist avoided a possible sentence of 20 years. Not only did he avoid jail but he was also gifted his victim to brutalize as he wished. The young lady in return had her family turn their back on her and felt death was better than her current situation.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/03/2012315134325471675.html

Blog 9: Honour Killing in Belgium

Family Jailed in Belgium for Honour Killing
7:50pm 25 October



Summary
On October 22, 2007 Sadia Sheik was shot to death. sheik was guilty of defying her family by living with a Belgian and refusing an arranged marriage. Her death was in to her family, in the name of honour.

Years after Sheik’s death a Belgian court has sentenced four members of a Pakistani family to prison for the "honour killing" of their law student daughter and sister. Sheik’s brother Mudusar, confessed to shooting his sister three times. Her parents and sister stood accused of aiding and abetting the killing which took place when the student visited her family in the hopes of patching up their quarrel. Sadia Sheikh left the family home to study after her shopkeeper parents tried to arrange a marriage with a cousin living in Pakistan whom she had never met. This was Belgium’s first “honour killing” trial.

Synopsis
Honour killings are not necessarily a new phenomena. They have been occurring for many years and its acceptance is culturally relative. This particular trial also involved rights groups pleading for gender equality as part of a civil suit at the hearings. These groups may have been involved because this was the first honour killing trial in Belgium. Although there are now laws against such killings in Pakistan I believe the government needs to implement these laws. Because Pakistani women are seen as second class citizen and their best interest may not always considered. Honour killings can be seen as a crime against the inalienable human rights of these women. These killings are not capital punishment. There is no judge, jury, or trial. In some cases the victims of honour killings are only thought to have done something to dishonour the family name. Until the courts, police, and legislation change their view about women I believe it will be hard to stop the occurrence or significantly reduce honour killings in Pakistan.




http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2011/12/2011121220173289603.html

Akshaya Tritiya Day,Tthousands of Children Marry

Akshaya Tritiya: Hotbed of child marriages

On the Auspicious Day of 'Akshaya Tritiya', Thousands of Child Brides Become Victims of Early Marriage in India.

Last Modifies 4 May 2012

Summary

UNICEF's State of the World's Children 2012 report says that more than 40 per cent of the world's child marriages happen in India. Even though the extent of early marriage varies from countries and regions, the highest rate is found in West Africa, followed by South Asia. Archbishop Desmond Tutu is reported as saying child marriage is "a practice that robs millions of girls of their childhood, their rights and their dignity. I find it astounding that this issue does not receive far greater attention. Together, we and our partners commit to working together to end it." There is a difference between urban and rural areas. Union health ministry's Family Welfare Statistics  suggest that, "for every woman aged below 18 getting married in urban areas, three women are getting married in rural areas". Often the men these girls marry are more twice their age. Narmada, who worked as an agricultural laborer, was just 12 when her family arranged her engagement to a 45-year-old man who was already married. Poverty also plays a key role in child marriages. In communities where economic transactions are integral to the marriage process, a dowry is often welcome income for poor families. Where poverty exists, giving a daughter in marriage allows parents to reduce family expenses, ensuring they have one less person to provide for, Oberdof explained. The children of child brides are "60 per cent more likely to die before their first birthday than the children of mothers who are over 19", said Oberdof. These young brides are also at a higher risk for domestic violence. These arrangements stifle the girls’ opportunities to go to school and realize their own potential beyond being a wife and mother. The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2006) will give two years of imprisonment or a penalty of Rs100,000 ($1,900), or both, for those guilty of marrying girls younger than 18. The law still remains unimplemented in many tribal districts in the country. While mass child marriages - such as those seen in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh - do not happen in all states, many girls end up getting married in their early teens.Ending child marriage is a challenge; even parents who are aware of its negative impacts find it difficult to resist the heavy weight of tradition. "Moreover, economic and social pressures compel them to get their daughters married off at a tender age," Dickinson told Al Jazeera. 

Synthesis

Education is a central part of child brides. In many communities where child marriage is practiced, girls are not valued as much as boys. Females in general are seen as second class citizens. In cultures that have economic importance attached to marriage and significant expense attached to raising a female child, child marriage may seem like a viable option. Unfortunately parents may not see how this practice is mentally, emotionally, and socially repressive. The fear that educated girls may become difficult control may also be a contributing factor. If parents in these areas become educated about the harm they are doing to their children they may be more reluctant to marry their young girls off. Also if the parents and societies practicing this realize that educated females will become more of an asset to them and the society in the long run a perhaps then participation of child weddings will decline significantly.

Child marriage could be identified by international agencies as a human rights violation, and a barrier to achieving development goals. Improving girls' access to quality schooling would help shift norms around child marriage, report experts.

Blog 7: Forced Marriage Should Not be Criminalized

Forced Marriage is Criminal, but Criminalizing it is not the Best Solution
Last Modified 25 Jun 2012

Summary

Home Secretary Theresa May is due to outline how forced marriage will become a criminal offense in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If this law is broken offenders face up to two years in prison. There is often a confusion between arranged marriage and forced marriage. The former has an agreement between two families including the bride-to-be and the groom-to-be. The latter happens when one side is forced into a marriage against their will. Although it is illegal in the UK to force people into marriage it still happens. In 2009 the UK had approximately 8,000 young people forced into marriages. There was a significant difference between males and females (15% and 85% respectively) however it is noteworthy to recognize that males are victim to this as well. The Crown Prosecution Services (CPS) defines marriage as "A choice by right" and a forced marriage is defined as a "marriage conducted without the valid consent of one or both parties where duress is a factor." Duress can include  physical, psychological, financial, sexual and emotional pressure. Victims of forced marriage, particularly women, suffer from isolation, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse and attempted suicide as well as other physical and mental illnesses. Some violence in the name of so-called honour or "honour killing" is linked with forced marriage. Both proponents and opponents of the government proposal that forced marriage is a criminal act are concerned about whether it will be enforceable. Those who hold the view that it should be a crime in law suggest that "it will raise awareness and it will act as a deterrent - just as it is doing in places such as Australia, Germany, Belgium, Cyprus and Denmark." The opposition believes that to go ahead with the additional criminalization of forced marriage could deter victims, which would then lead to fewer civil or criminal sanctions, and ultimately result in forced marriage being driven further underground. The fear that victims may not come forward cannot be underestimated.

Synthesis

Forced marriage is a clear case of human rights violations. Arranged marriages and choice marriages should be viewed as culturally relative. However forced marriage I don't believe has any significant cultural basis. As inhumane as this situation is I believe internal change is need in order for this practice truly be eliminated. The UK government is taking a paternalistic stand point by making this practice a legal crime. However as Lord Lester of Herne Hill, who introduced the Forced Marriage Bill that led to the 2008 Act "Laws work best with the mobilization of public opinion for them; the moral acceptance by majority population is thus important. Raising awareness about and creating a revulsion against forced marriages is vital."

Increased awareness about forced marriage may induce the internal change needed to overcome this matter.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2012/06/2012622112715670229.html