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Inter Press Service (IPS) Human Rights Feed
One world, one humanity, now one court to defend its rights. Another step towards universal human rights, but not remotely a step far enough. The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights more than half a century ago, but that has done little to stop violations the world over, just as the Geneva Convention has not protected prisoners of war enough. Democracy itself and the freedom it presupposes has not been protective enough. This is the century to move from politicisation of human rights towards humanising political ways. IPS keeps an eye on that difficult path.
Updated: 4 days 45 min ago
UGANDA: Using Community Radio to Heal After Kony's War
Radio Mega FM's transmission tower rises from the centre of
Gulu town,
transmitting talk shows and the latest Ugandan radio hits to
listeners across the
district. But it also serves as something of an informal
memorial to community
radio-driven peace efforts during the Lord's Resistance Army's
destruction of
northern Uganda.
Categories: , Human Rights
Guatemala Heeds the Cries of Femicide Victims
The relentless wave of femicides in Guatemala, which has one
of the highest female murder rates in the world, has prompted
actions by the government, civil society groups, and two Nobel
Peace laureates to try to put a stop to this brutal violence
against women, which has reached horrific proportions.
Categories: , Human Rights
Rights Groups Denounce Duvalier Ruling, U.S. Urges Appeal
International and local human rights groups Tuesday strongly
denounced the ruling by an investigating judge in Haiti that
former dictator Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier should not
face charges for massive human rights abuses committed during
his 15-year reign, from 1971 to 1986.
Categories: , Human Rights
BALKANS-SOCIETY: First Abused, Then Imprisoned
The women languishing in Serbia's Pozarevac Penal Correctional Institution are
victims twice over: survivors of decades of domestic violence, they have been
imprisoned for killing their partners and often spend up to 15 years in jail.
Categories: , Human Rights
ZAMBIA: Chinese Underage Sex Scandal Sparks Emotive Debate
Zhang Daliu, 46, a carpenter from China never imagined himself in the dreadful
confines of a stinking and overcrowded Zambian jail where conditions are so
terrible that they lead to gastronomic disorders and skin diseases within days of
confinement.
Categories: , Human Rights
MIDEAST: And At Last There Was Water
Only days ago, turning on the tap was cause for concern. Would there be
running water? Now, it's reason for celebration.
Categories: , Human Rights
Occupy DC Protesters Stay Put Amid Eviction Threats
Two days after some 400 people were arrested during a protest
organised by Occupy Oakland on the U.S. west coast, members of
Occupy DC say they have no plans to leave despite the threat
of police action.
Categories: , Human Rights
US-BAHRAIN: Rights Groups Oppose Smaller Arms Transfer
The decision by the administration of President Barack Obama
to approve limited transfers of military equipment to Bahrain
is coming under renewed fire by human rights and pro-democracy
groups here.
Categories: , Human Rights
HONDURAS: Support for President Lobo Hits All-Time Low
Last Friday marked two years since the inauguration of
Porfirio Lobo as president of Honduras, amidst accusations of
corruption, an unprecedented crime wave, and his lowest
approval rating yet.
Categories: , Human Rights
Chileans Disillusioned with Pinochet-Era Political System
Chile's political system is "exhausted" and urgently needs
reform to truly represent its citizens, consolidate democracy
and ensure governability, say experts consulted by IPS.
Categories: , Human Rights
U.N. Arms Embargoes Busted by Ships from the West
When the Security Council penalises governments with economic
sanctions and arms embargoes, the world body's 193 member
states are mandated to help implement the wide-ranging
punitive measures imposed on these countries.
Categories: , Human Rights
SYRIA: "Street Fighting Rages" Near Damascus
Fighting is continuing in the eastern suburbs of Damascus,
according to activists, as Syrian security forces appeared to
be reasserting their control over the restive fringes of the
country's capital.
Categories: , Human Rights
CHINA: In Chains, And Writing Out
Liu Xiaobo, the imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, has been placed
at the forefront of the fight for human rights in China once again with a new
collection of works published in translation this January.
Categories: , Human Rights
PAKISTAN-INDIA: Women Expose Secret Genital Cutting Rite
"It was a dark and dingy room, where an elderly woman asked me to take off my panties, made me sit on a low wooden stool with my legs parted and then did something…I screamed out in pain," recalls Alefia Mustansir, 40, of her childhood experience.
Categories: , Human Rights
The Ancient Wither in New Iraq
"I'd say there are around 5,000 of us in the country, but if you ask me next
week we may well be under 3,000. After twenty centuries of history in
Mesopotamia, we Mandaeans, are about to vanish." Anxiety about the future of
his people is more than evident in the figures given by Saad Atiah Majid,
chairman of Basra's Mandaean Council.
Categories: , Human Rights
PAKISTAN: New Rehab Plan Brings Hope for War-Disabled
The prolonged United States-led war against terrorism has left a large number of people disabled in Pakistan, compelling the government to institute a rehabilitation plan that will include imparting vocational skills.
Categories: , Human Rights
THEMATIC SOCIAL FORUM: Working Towards a Never-Ending Democracy
For five centuries, Europe has taken it upon itself to
enlighten the world, teaching it ways to address and overcome
crises, from ideas and wars to missionary work and genocides.
Categories: , Human Rights
GUATEMALA: Ríos Montt to Stand Trial for Genocide
After a hearing that lasted more than 11 hours, a Guatemalan
court ordered the trial of former dictator Efraín Ríos Montt
(1982-1983), who could face up to 30 years in prison if he is
convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Categories: , Human Rights
INDIA: Male Activists Enhance Pre and Postnatal Care
The primitive Juang tribe in remote Nola village on Chandragiri hill experienced its first three institutional childbirths only a month ago.
Categories: , Human Rights
DEVELOPMENT: Uniting Against Extreme Poverty
When Louisamène Joseph Alionat unexpectedly began singing in a packed
hall at the United Nations cultural agency here this week, it was an attempt
to give encouragement to her peers engaged in the uphill battle of trying to
end extreme poverty.
Categories: , Human Rights