Recent Human Rights Headlines
Nothing But Nets
Rick Reilly
In his latest Sports Illustrated column Rick Reilly reports on his trip to Nigeria to distribute the first round of anti-malaria bed nets, bought from money raised by the Nothing But Nets campaign.According to Reilly, the nets have had an immediate impact on the health and well being of some communities. "One hospital in Nigeria," writes Reilly, "is saying that since the nets went up, outpatient cases of malaria have dropped from 80 a month to 50." Sports Illustrated- Life of Reilly Column (11/29)
When war and children collide:
If the US will not lead in protecting the most vulnerable in the world from violence, who will?
By Donald Steinberg
NEW YORK – The tragic impact of war on children has taken center stage this month in international forums. First, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has just issued a report, based on insights from Radhika Coomaraswamy, special representative on children and armed conflict, that underscores the effect of war on millions of children world-wide. Second, the UN Security Council will debate this topic Tuesday under the leadership of Council president Jorge Voto-Bernales. Third, pretrial hearings have begun for the International Criminal Court case against Congolese warlord Thomas Lubanga, who is charged with forcing children, some as young as 10 years old, into his militia. Christian Science Monitor (11/27)
Olmert vows 'restraint' as truce begins
Israeli PM says next step in keeping peace in Gaza should be release of kidnapped soldier
MITCH POTTER- MIDDLE EAST BUREAU
JERUSALEM—Hoping to expand the first day of a fragile ceasefire into something more tangible, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert last night promised a return to "serious, genuine, open and direct" peace talks with Palestinians if the truce holds firm. Vowing that Israeli forces would show "the necessary patience and restraint" in the coming days to give Palestinians an opportunity to rein in rogue elements, Olmert said the next test towards stabilization would be the release of Israeli soldier Gilid Shalit, whose capture in a cross-border raid last June triggered a crushing Israeli military offensive. Toronto Star (11/27)
Thousands of kids struggle on the streets of Buenos Aires
story by Alejandra LaBaca
BUENOS AIRES -- A slim, red burn crosses the left side of Víctor's face from cheekbone to forehead. His eyelid is burnt. His lower eyelashes are gone, charred to the rim of his eye. Only 3 ½ months old, Víctor faces a tough life. ''He got burnt with a pipe,'' says his 16-year-old mother, Marta, referring matter of factly to the pipe she uses to smoke paco, a cheap, highly toxic byproduct of cocaine refining. Miami Herald (11/27)
Lebanese government approves Hariri tribunal
The Lebanese government approved on Saturday plans for a special tribunal to try those accused of assassinating former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, Information Minister Ghazi Aridi said. Aridi made the remarks after an extraordinary cabinet session without six resigned pro-Syrian ministers. The approval, though widely expected, was bound to deepen the country's political crisis and spark mass street demonstrations by Hezbollah and its allies to topple the government led by Prime Minister Fouad Seniora. Six pro-Syrian ministers resigned earlier this month after the country's leaders failed to reach an agreement on formation of a national unity government. People's Daily Online/Xinhua (China) (11/26)
UN launches campaign to end violence against women
New York, Nov. 25 (PTI): The United Nations today launched a major campaign aimed to raise awareness about violence against women worldwide and seek vigorous steps to end it. The 16-day campaign will focus on bride burning, sexual violence as a weapon of war, genital mutilation, date rape, child marriage, gender-based violence and honour killing, among other abuses. The launching of the campaign coincides with the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women. The Hindu (11/25)
Budding African entrepreneurs provide proud face of microfinance revolution
By Alexander Panetta
BAMAKO, Mali (CP) - In a humble cement building with an unfinished second storey lives an idea just big enough that it might change the world. The proud smiles on the faces of those whose lives it has already touched put a human face to the potential of the microfinance revolution. The concept has already inspired a Nobel Peace Prize along with new hope for millions, which in poverty-stricken Africa is as fresh as the new coat of paint on these walls. CANOE (11/25)
Bangladesh launches polio vaccination to reach 24 million children under 5
The Associated Press
DHAKA, Bangladesh: Hundreds of thousands of volunteers and health workers fanned out across Bangladesh Saturday to vaccinate some 24 million children under the age of 5 against polio, following an outbreak of new cases earlier this year, an official statement said. Parents with their children queued in about 120,000 immunization centers, many at bus and railway stations, airports, slums, schools, community centers and in remote villages, to eradicate the deadly disease that resurfaced after an absence of about five years, the Health and Family Planning Ministry said. International Herald Tribune (11/25)
Fiji marches down old coup road
Ian McPhedran
FIJI is facing another military coup, possibly next week, when renegade military chief Frank Bainamarama returns home from New Zealand. Three Australian warships, as well as more than 100 troops, are standing by just outside Fijian waters ready to evacuate thousands of Australians if violence breaks out. The naval task group includes the amphibious transport ship HMAS Kanimbla , frigate HMAS Newcastle and replenishment ship HMAS Success. Herald Sun (Australia) (11/25)
Eradicating polio
TODAY'S COLUMNIST
By Paula J. Dobriansky and Timothy E. Wirth
Many Americans vividly remember the polio epidemics of the 1950s, when fear of the crippling virus closed schools and swimming pools across the country. The last case caused by a wild polio virus in the United States occurred in the late 1970s, however, and the disease that once alarmed Americans no longer causes much concern in this or most other countries, thanks to advances in medicine and concerted global efforts to eradicate it. Yet, polio remains endemic in four countries -- Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan. Washington Times (11/23)
United Nations must find freedom to act
By Douglas Hurd
We do not know much about Ban Ki-moon, the new secretary-general of the United Nations, but we know that the organisation is weak, divided, bureaucratic – and indispensable. In a world of nearly 200 nation states it provides a meeting place, resources and a unique form of authority, based on international law. None of these resources works perfectly but they are in demand because they cannot be provided elsewhere. This year the Security Council has passed resolutions on Lebanon, Iran, North Korea, Darfur and Palestine. None of these is assured of success but they represent the nearest approach the world has seen to action by an international community. Financial Times (United Kingdom) (11/23) (Registration Required)
HIV epidemic 'is getting worse'
Sub-Saharan Africa is still bearing the brunt of the HIV/Aids epidemic, a UNAids report has revealed. Almost three-quarters of deaths from Aids in 2006 occurred there and two-thirds of those living with HIV are in that area. UNAids says there are an estimated 39.5 million people now living with HIV. The number living with the virus has increased everywhere, with the most striking increases in East Asia and Central Asia/Eastern Europe. BBC (11/21)
posted by Dave Carroll @ 11/29/2006 06:18:00 PM
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