Blog #10 Azerbaijani Human Rights Lawyer Convicted and Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Prison

April 22, 2015, an Azerbaijani court sentenced Intigam Aliyev, Azerbaijan’s leading human rights lawyer, to seven years and six months in prison on what are questionable charges. 

Aliyev was convicted on what Baku’s Grave Crimes Court says are the following “politically motivated” charges: tax evasion, illegal business activities, embezzlement, or the misappropriation of funds, and abuse of authority. On April 16, 2015, the same court sentenced Rasul Jafarov, another human rights defender, to 6.5 years on similar charges.

Giorgi Gogia, who according to the article is the senior South Caucasus researcher at Human Rights Watch, explains that Aliyev is Azerbaijan’s key figure in human rights advocacy. If this conviction and sentencing isn’t lifted, it would mean that future victims of human rights abuse in Azerbaijan have lost one of their strongest advocates.

Aliyev is a lawyer and chair of the Legal Education Society, which disputed human rights cases in domestic courts. He was one of the first Azerbaijani lawyers to bring cases to the European Court of Human Rights and has also trained the republic’s human rights lawyers. In August 2014, Azerbaijani authorities confiscated the group’s computers and documents and shut down its office. In addition to Aliyev’s arrest, authorities have started applying a new series of what seem to be extremely restrictive laws on nongovernmental organizations, including requiring a government license of foreign donor organizations and government speculation of grants awarded. Authorities have also frozen bank accounts of over 50 groups, and in some cases accounts of individual staff members.

Human Rights Watch argues that the charges are politically motivated, and mock what was once an acceptable justice system before Aliyev’s arrest. I agree; if his position of human rights advocacy is so great and influential, then he would represent a problem in the eyes of more controlling authorities. However political motivation charges aren’t new, this kind of corruption has been around for years. What’s more disturbing is that Aliyev is in fact one of the leading human rights advocates in the area, and without his guidance a stream of cases will be left defenseless. A worse possibility is if other strict governments follow this example, and we start to see a decline in cases of human rights being disputed. 

Read the article here: http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/04/22/azerbaijan-human-rights-lawyer-convicted

Salwa Majeed

04/24/2015

11:48 PM

Blog #8: Canada backs Latin American funds in hopes of achieving better human rights

Prime Minister Stephen Harper pledged nearly $100 million Friday in Canadian economic aid for Latin America, but this weekend he plans for a push for greater democracy and better human rights in the area.

The Prime Minister arrived in Panama City to attend the seventh Summit of the Americas, a regular gathering that allows leaders from more than 30 countries in the Western Hemisphere to meet, and for the first time Cuba has been invited to this. The warm invitation shows some signs of an improving relationship between Cuba and the United States, even after a half-century of distrust since the Cold War. U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro are expected to meet Saturday during the two-day event.

Harper, who before had not approved of inviting Cuba because it is not a democracy, is said to also be interested in meeting Castro at this gathering. This chance at reconciliation between the U.S. and Cuba has only been a realistic goal because Canada aided secret negotiations between the two countries within its own soil. 

If the meeting is successful and continual growth between the two becomes a reality, Harper plans to meet with Castro as well, only to tell him Cuba has work to do on improving human rights for its citizens. Also, Harper is set to deliver an address to all leaders at the summit that Canada has made it a priority to improve human relations through the region as a whole. 

Before the start of the gathering Friday evening, Harper met with CEOs of Canadian companies, including Scotiabank, Barrick Gold, BlackBerry and Ellis Don, to come up with business opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean. Harper announced the details of seven projects that will last several years and receive a total of $98.1 million in Canadian government funds. The money will be distributed to Honduras, Colombia, Peru, Cuba and Guatemala for projects to boost mining, agriculture and coffee production.

According to the article, the Canadian government says its “Americas Strategy has three goals: increase Canadian and hemispheric ‘economic opportunity’; foster democracy, human rights and rule of law; and create ‘lasting friendships.’”

After making this move, I think Canada has become a major game-changer among the developed countries in improving human rights. Prime Minister Harper is a headstrong individual, and laying the groundwork for close economic ties with Latin American countries by investing millions into funds for their improvement is a commendable strategy. It serves as an example for the US government regarding its relations, or lack of, with Cuba. In recent months, American and Cuban negotiators have worked towards a deal to restore full relations but have failed, despite being facilitated by Canadian governement. Until the U.S. removes Cuba from its list of states that sponsor terrorism, no deal can be reached. Though the goal remains in grasp, Canada seems to be working well with human, political, and economic international relations. 

Read the article here: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/politics/harper-pledges-funds-for-latin-america-will-press-for-better-human-rights

Salwa Majeed

04/10/2015

10:52 PM

Blog #7: Saudi Officials Retaliate to Open Criticism of Non-Democratic Policies

Just recently, Sweden’s feminist human-rights activist Margot Wallstrom publicly criticized the Saudi authorities for their reducement of women in Saudi Arabia, and their recent trial of human-rights advocate Raif Badawi. He was was sentenced to a 10-year prison term and 1,000 public lashings for criticizing Saudi clerics. Not only did this open denouncement of Saudi practices make the Arab authorities angry, but also Quebec’s Immigration Minister Kathleen Weil said this past Wednesday, April 1st, that her province also would continue to root for Badawi’s release from prison, and with his wife and children having fled Saudi Arabia to Quebec in 2013, Quebec’s authorities in February had already decided on a resolution calling for his immediate release.

With insult from the foreign minister added to the prior public injury, Saudi authorities angrily denounced Weil, recalled their ambassador and announced a sudden, and immediately effective, travel ban on Swedes, which included any business relations.  Along with the foreign ministers of he Arab League, Saudi officials came up with a clean rebuttal, which denoted Weil’s public opinion as “incompatible with the fact that the constitution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is based on Sharia law.”

As author of the article Harry Sterling puts it, Wallstrom was being told that the Saudi authorities (and their new king), and other Muslim leaders in the League would not stand for such criticism of their policies that been effective and primarily unchanged since the death of the prophet Mohammed in 632. In essence, the Saudis were making a clear stand that they were not subject to the same universal human rights commitments granted all people under the United Nations charter.

I think it’s important here to regard two factors in this debate. One: the open criticism is coming from two Westernized nations, and two: that the fingers pointed at Saudi Arabia have automatically been pointed to the other countries in the Arab League as well. I agree with Wallstrom and Weil; Saudi Arabia’s policies fit the definition of an extremist state. In fact in my own analysis, Saudi Arabia’s quick and rather harsh denouncement of the Swedish minister presents the argument that it could be one of the most extremist states of the Arab League. It is true that under strict Sharia Law and unchanged royal policies regarding women, criminal trials, and other things fit the characteristics of a very conservative state. However it is also unfair to quickly shun Saudi policies if they don’t quite fit the criteria of a democratic nation’s opinion of what an ideal institution. Openly criticizing Saudi Arabia (and by extension the surrounding Muslim nations) results in a risk of economic interests being broken. 

It is a bit of an issue that Saudi officials refuse to follow the policies of the United Nations charter, but according to the article, Saudi Arabia never signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It’s extremist ways present a critical problem for the social advancement of its people, but even with a lack of democracy and fundamental human rights, Saudi society itself is slowly evolving, both economically and socially. Increasing numbers of young Saudis are better educated, and are being allowed to study abroad, especially in Western democracies whose governments backed the continued oppressive rule of the Saud dynasty (and where does the United States lie in this matter, as one of the biggest democratic nations holding diplomatic relations with the country for twenty years or more now). There’s room for improvement is, in general, what Weil and Wallstrom were trying to say. However, light needs to be shed on the fact that Saudi Arabia’s conservative polices will be in place as long has their royal head holds power. 

Read the article here: http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/columnists/harry-sterling-saudis-upset-at-swedish-leader-s-criticism-1.1813366

Salwa Majeed

04/03/2015

10:17 PM

Blog #6: Venezuela Slams US Sanctions and Claims the Start of A "Rumor War"

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has claimed there is a new international “psychological war campaign” waged against his country by Colombian authority, along with the U.S. and Spain. 

The new war includes a much more uncontrollable force: the spreading of rumors about Venezuela’s security and economic problems: violence, kidnappings, and shortages of food and other goods.

Maduro blames the campaign on Venezuelan right-wing political advisor Juan Jose Rendon, saying that Rendon was organizing the program’s operation in Miami and Bogota, while Felipe Gonzalez, Spain's former Socialist prime minister, coordinates the campaign from Madrid. Maduro explained that the campaign, from his view point, could make Venezuelans disregard the recent US sanctions against the country, and also President Barack Obama's March executive order that placed Venezuela as a country in national emergency. 

In Venezuela, a different campaign was launched to combat the alleged rumors; citizens are collecting 10 million signatures against President Obama’s executive order before the beginning of April 9, when the Summit of the Americas (which is a sequence of meetings between the heads of state in North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean), will open in Panama. This will allow the opportunity for President Obama and President Maduro to discuss the terms of the sanctions and potentially put an end to the negative light that has been casted on Venezuela.

According to Maduro, over 1.5 million signatures have been collected, and once the campaign was voiced on social media, it generated 3 million messages of support for the country. His concerns especially wish to address the US pointing out “serious” violation of human rights and policies that “undermine” democracy in the Venezuela.

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attacked the US sanctions against the seven Venezuelan officials. Initially I was slightly surprised by Lavrov’s intrusion on the subject, but I can see why. This gives Russia an excellent opportunity to play peacemaker between the U.S. democratic machine and sovereign Venezuela. For Russia, it must feel good to be able to point out a bit of the self-righteous attention the U.S. is throwing around in regards to Ukraine. With a small investment Russia could, without a doubt, make things very troublesome for the U.S. in Venezuela. I think this is where the term "spheres of influence" applies, as in if the U.S. doesn't want Russia meddling in Venezuela, it should take a few strides back from Ukraine. As for President Maduro and the rest of the Venezuelan people, this campaign is definitely highlighting their non-violent intent, and I hope this action serves as a basis of change for other nations as well.

Read the article here: http://rt.com/news/243977-usa-venezuela-psychological-war/

Salwa Majeed

3/26/2015

7:53 PM

Blog #4: Indonesia's Civic Culture only Grazes Democracy

Indonesia’s “street justice” and open distrust of its urban authorities has long since held the nation back from fully accepting any form of democracy. Scientists Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba had created a term 50 years ago, “civic culture,” which was related to a political culture that is opportune to democracy, but someone or something was holding it back. 

Not too long ago, there were reports of a young man in Jakarta suffering from a motorcycle fall that resulted in him being wedged under a car; the unfortunate part is that the driver of the car, who was aware of the youth under his vehicle, continued to drag him along for another 30 kilometers before he was forced to stop. His justification? The fear of being lynched by a growing mob of witnesses on the scene, which prompted him to speed away. His fear wasn’t far-fetched, for there had been another recent case in the city of Tangerang, where a mob had lynched and incinerated a man caught stealing a motorcycle. The mobs taking matters of street crime into their own hands shows a lack of confidence in the present authorities, which is one of the loftiest walls separating the nation from accepting full democratic reform. Almond and Verba had argued that civic culture society should be able to build a bridge of trust with its government, and expect to be protected and judged fairly by its agencies, however this is lacking in Indonesia’s current state.

Civic culture also includes tolerating different views, which, to an extent, is missing in parts of Indonesia where minority groups are sometimes treated as second-class citizens. A recent lecture on creating a system of healthcare for the 1965-66 Communist Purge victims in Solo was ended by the Islamic Defenders Front, who dictated that it had been an attempt to spread communism. Last week in Sidoarjo, East Java, the same illiberality was present when GP Ansor, the youth organization of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) was successful in the removal of town square statues that had shown traditional rural occupations. The Muslim youth organization alleged the statues were a form of idolatry, thereby disrespecting Islamic tenets. 

Finally, several parts of Indonesia lack civic cooperation, or the ability of citizens cooperating to achieve the common good. Last year when free rice was being given away at a Chinese temple in Tuban, East Java, several people had been injured from agitation and crowding, being shoved along while waiting for their turn. 

Writer Johannes Nugroho dictated in the article that in order for democracy to sow its seeds and grow, civic culture must be strong. Elements of democracy, like elections and judicial systems, can be assimilated relatively easily only once the country meets strong civic culture standards. I think it’s important to consider here that even as the holder of the largest economy in Southeast Asia and the epicenter of major trade routes, it’s still a nation that has succumbed to inter-disputes among it’s diverse populations, and unfortunately has yet to establish a trust between it’s authoritative organizations and it’s booming urban population. The concept of street justice, racial and ethnic inequality, and intolerance only being elements of crumbling states or impoverished countries is no longer relevant; Indonesia is a major Pacific power and is one of the emerging market economies on the globe. With so much potential, and I know this is a problem that takes a painstaking process to fix, it’s unfortunate to see such a massive population hindered by an untrustworthy government. I’d hope in the near future a fitting state of democratic ideals finds its way among this archipelago of islands and ends its inner-city rabbles. 

Read the article here: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/what-you-think/article/indonesia-just-scratching-the-surface-of-democracy-johannes-nugroho

Salwa Majeed
Thursday, March 2015
7:24 PM

Blog #3: Morocco, Islamism, and a Growing Democracy

"Islamism" doesn't exactly have the nicest connotation with people of Western ideals, and unfortunately it may be due to an intolerance that has come about because of what has been shown in media and what's been left out. 

However, there is a silver lining in North Africa that will hopefully take a firmer grip among the more depraved countries in the region and in the Middle East. Last week the Woodrow Wilson Center hosted a discussion on Islamism in the Middle East and in North Africa, and although the general consensus was that the state of affairs was not pleasant, the Wilson Center panel shed light on Islamist movement in Tunisia and Morocco. The Center's senior scholar David Ottaway argued the pragmatism of the Islamist movements in Northwest Africa, with the exception of Libya, and their open-mindedness to take part in political affairs. In Tunisia, the Ennahda party shed its power after it lost to the Tunisian secular party leader Nidaa Tounes in the Fall 2014 parliamentary elections. In Morocco, the Islamist PJD party, while still holding reign, has swayed to abide by the country's political process. 

The Center's panel during the discussion pointed out that this was the process of coexistence; the party's rise to power has led the other political parties to pursue their own identities and bring about more secular policies, and so far it has been smooth sailing. The Istiqlal party of Tunisia is now moving away from the pan-Arabist party of the independence movement, to a more modernized agenda. Should this continue to work, it will give rise to a less ignorant and more diverse and strengthening meetings about Morocco's coming age of democracy and politics. The PJD hasn't stopped just there; the party has begun to focus its Islamist ambitions into a good, trustworthy political outlet. Instead of mirroring any violent Islamism in the Middle East, the PJD uses a more smooth approach, placing the development of Morocco first instead of promoting a religious state. 

Speaking as a student of religion as well as someone who has had firsthand exposure to Westernized opinions of Islamism, I find there to be much more significance in this. Islamist groups find fault with most democratic ideals, so for the PJD party to simply accept its country's wishes to follow democracy is a very big step forward in stabilizing the political systems in North Africa and the Middle East. Should this "coexistence" keep working, Islamism may finally be presented to the world in a much less radical light, and the renewal and restoration of corrupted economies and government in the Middle East may be triggered because of this wave of political change.

Read the article here: http://allafrica.com/stories/201502201674.html
Salwa Majeed
Thursday, February 2015
11:23PM

Blog #2: Tunisia backtracks while adjusting to democracy

After promising to bring about economic reform for their new democratic policies, Prime Minister Habib Essid announced plans to roll back a new tax. Ever since the nation's overthrowing of its autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in a revolt 3 years ago, democratic transition began and Tunisia began to glow. But recent protests have made clear that the economic list of  reforms will not be easy, being a country relying on tourism, with few natural resources and high unemployment. 

With the revolts last week, including one in which police shot a man that had been protesting the same tax that Essid just stated he would bring back, lenders such as the International Monetary Fund have given credit to Tunisia to try and lessen heavy public spending and their deficit by further reform, such as supply chains for food goods and fuel.

One Tunisian policy tried to raise money by imposing a tax of $20 on foreign travelers, but this upset residents of two small gateway towns on the Libyan border. They asked for the tax to be repealed because it hurt daily trade with Libya, of which  responded by imposing a tax on Tunisian travelers. Despite trying to uphold democratic standards, it seems to me that Tunisia is taking two steps forward and one step back; their unemployment is reaching 15.2%, AFTER the revolution that claimed it would change its 2013 standing at 12%. A third of the unemployed are young graduates who are combating the impeding forces of Islamic militant in places like Syria and Iraq. 

No one said democracy was easy, but I think this rough start for Tunisia had been inevitable. They're lucky they didn't get caught up in internal warfare like their once politically-divided Arab Spring counterparts in Yemen and Libya. Tunisia's biggest success, in my opinion, is the PM's duo government including the secular Nidaa Tounes party and Islamist party Ennahda, which both work together using compromise to keep Tunisia from tumbling backwards. A feat like this should be applauded and revered, and I'm sure the rest will fall in place for the country. 

Read the article here at: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/12/us-tunisia-reforms-idUSKBN0LG1J120150212

Salwa Majeed
Thursday, February 2015
11:54 PM

Blog #1: Deteriorating Democracy in Turkey

Over the last few years, the nation of Turkey has seen a clear decline in its democratic state. No one really expected such a failed attempt in establishing this in the country, for only a few years ago it had been churning to join the European Union while looking forward to becoming a well-oiled democratic machine that focused its efforts on human rights, the discrepancies between Kurdish and non-Muslim citizens, and gender equality. 

It's evident to me that the role of media and its ability to aid the voices of the citizens of Turkey has been muddled by the current leaders of the country; Islamic scholar and author Fethullah Gulen argues that the democratic criticism from independent media organizations have made them victims of the sanctions created by the current ruling party in Turkey, the A.K.P. Several editors and executives have been detained and charged with libel and slander, and Gulen foresees that if every critical opinion comes off as an attack on the state, the leaders may begin to move dangerously close to a totalitarianism as they buckle down on media. 

This eroding democratic state has lessened Turkey's influence around the world, more objectively in the Middle East. Once billowing a positive aura into its dismantled neighbors, the country is now facing an identity crisis as A.K.P officials crack down on the Hizmet organization, members of which include Gulen, a movement with millions of Turkish supporters that rally causes for education and relief efforts. But after expressing their concerns at the 2005 opening of accession negotiations with the European Union, Hizmet faces a long-standing fight with the governing party and are subject to legal harassment and corrupted media alienation. 

This is a change for the worse; the suppression of universal human rights and political voice is the exact opposite of the elements a democratic nation should uphold. For Turkey, this breeches even their reputation of wide tolerance, especially if Hizmet sympathizers in government are being questioned without reason. Unfortunately these changes have been aligned with the religious association in Turkey. However as Gulen argues, no political or religious leader has the authority to take away the basic values in Islam: the rule of law, and respect for individual freedoms. This is true, for the country could indeed lead its troubled region in the world out into a stable environment, but there lies theological justifications for the A.K.P's oppression and corruption, and with its "Red Scare" equivalence, Turkey faces a very turbulent path as more citizens grow silent in fear. 

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/opinion/fethullah-gulen-turkeys-eroding-democracy.html?_r=0

Salwa Majeed
Thursday, February 2015
9:17 PM