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Newsletter, June 2008
Dear Member,
Welcome to the Human Rights Defence’s newsletter; it's objective is to keep you up to date with the organisation, what we are working on, and what is planned for the near future. Our newsletter also contains short extracts of the latest articles and news.
New members, welcome!
In the last month, a lot of new members joined. Along with our old members, I wish you a warm welcome and would like to tell you that we are all very pleased to have you onboard. Human Rights Defence is an open organization where you can start new projects and campaigns or join existing ones, share your experience with other members, and publish your opinions and ideas. Your thoughts and opinions matter!
Essay Competition 2008
Our annual Essay Competition is currently in progress. The competition aims to attract and involve people in the subject of human rights; as a member, you are most welcome to participate (deadline is 15th of June 2008). The competition allows participants to express their thoughts, raise the pen to opine, and criticize what is happening around the world.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150&Itemid=68
Appeal for the freedom of Dr. Sen
Human Rights Defence joins the recent appeal for the freedom of Dr. Sen—for background reading about the case, see our member Tomas Nordlander's short article. The case came to our attention, when our member Susmit Bose—a well known Indian folk singer—wrote and shared his song "Dr. Binayak Sen" with us; a song written as a tribute to Dr. Sen's resistance to anti-people's politics (click here to listen to the song). There is an online petition for Dr. Sen's release that you might like to sign (click here to sign the petitions). We want to continue campaigning for the release of Dr. Sen and continue updating our article, broadcasting this case on the internet. Contact us if you would like to get involved.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?view=article&catid=36%3Ahrd-articles&id=245%3Adr-binayak-sen-a-jailed-human-rights-defender&option=com_content&Itemid=2
Legal Advice
We will continue to provide answers and information to those asking for our help; if you would like to join our legal advice team, let me know. Upon receiving a request, a confirmation notice will be sent within 24 hours. Due to case complexity, the volume of requests, and the availability of assisting members, I set a minimum response time of 20 days.
The near future
During the next couple of months, we plan to highlight human rights violations in Africa and Asia. So, to our new members from India, Nigeria, and Ghana; we particular encourage you to help us monitor any irregularities in your area. Please do not hesitate to send us any information about cases you would like to get international attention.
In the beginning of July, we will announce and publish the winner of the essay competition. We will hand over the prize and the essays will be published on our Front Page. Additionally, a small internet campaign will be initiated to ensure the author's essays receive as many readers as possible; if you would like to help with this campaign then contact me.
The organization's web site relatively new. Therefore, we currently spend a lot of time to planning and improving the site, to increase its value for you (e.g. member forums, chat rooms, etc.) and to enhance the overall user experience. One important section concerns member influence and we are currently investigating what techniques lend themselves best for member influence (polls, suggestion boards, voting etc). Again, if you like to get involved in this, then don't hesitate to contact me.
Last but not least, I inserted extracts and links to our latest articles and news. My parting words are: together we are strong and can make a difference!
Yours sincerely,
Luisa Teresa Salazar de Nordlander
Director at Human Rights Defence
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Our New Articles
Dr Binayak Sen, a jailed Human Rights Defender
Dr Binayak Sen, a 56 year old Indian paediatrician known for his commitments to human rights and health care to the poor was arrested on the 14th of May 2007. He lived and worked in Chhattisgarh, one of India's most deprived states. In his role as the national vice president of People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) he was engaged in highlighting human right violations in Chhattisgarh.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=245:dr-binayak-sen-a-jailed-human-rights-defender&catid=36:hrd-articles&Itemid=54
Global Economic Growth and the 2 billion still living on 2 USD per day
Global Economic Growth and the 2 billion still living on 2 USD per day
The international conference on trade and peace took place on the 15th of May at the Oslo City Hall; our organization, HumanRightsDefence was present at this event. The topics covered included the relationship and interdependence between trade and peace and the effects of world trade and globalisation. Also discussed was how trade can be an important tool in tackling the world famine, with particular focus on Africa.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=163:global-economic-growth-and-the-2-billion-still-living-on-2-usd-per-day&catid=36:hrd-articles&Itemid=54
The UK reservation to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: the passage for Detention of asylum seeking children
The UN Convention on the rights of the child 1989 is the most widely ratified convention except for the USA and Somalia. It states some basic principles such as the best interest of the child and the protection against discrimination.
This instrument makes a potentially powerful protection for the refugee child and even the child whose asylum claim has been rejected. However the power of that protection is diluted in the UK context because of the UK reservation to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989. The UK does not agree to follow article 22 and 9 of the Convention and retains the right to apply its own National Immigration legislation. This would not be a concern if national law protected children more than the convention but this is not the case in the UK, on the contrary the reservation has severely limited children’s rights particularly for asylum seeking children.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64:marianela-gamboa-de-clayton&catid=36:hrd-articles&Itemid=54
Un minuto en nuestro pensamiento para Irena Sendler
El 12 de mayo de 2008, falleció en Polonia su país de origen, Irena Sendler. Ella fué una heroína de la historia de la segunda guerra mundial, quien salvó a más de 2500 niños judíos. Se valió de diferentes métodos para sacar a los niños del gueto en Varsovia y salvarles de lo que sería una muerte segura si permanecían allí. De tal forma que creó una falsa identidad para cada uno de ellos, conservando en escrito sus verdaderos nombres dentro de dos frascos de vidrio. Irena enterró los frascos en el jardín de una vecina en caso de que ella muriese.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=152:un-minuto-en-nuestro-pensamiento-para-irena-sendler&catid=36:hrd-articles&Itemid=54
The New Venezuelan Constitution and the Reconfiguration of Relations Between the State and Indigenous
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has a total population of: 22,803,409 people (1998) and the indigenous population represents 1.5% of this figure [1] This statistic means that the 32 indigenous communities that exist in Venezuela are also a numerical minority [2] and therefore, two times vulnerable.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=95:the-new-venezuelan-constitution-and-the-reconfiguration-of-relations-between-the-state-and-indigenou&catid=36:hrd-articles&Itemid=54
The Origin of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Up until the Second World War several countries had proclaimed declarations concerning human rights (e.g. Bill of Rights, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, etc.) but no universal one existed. The reflections of the Second World War atrocities highlighted the need for a universal declaration.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=45:the-origin-of-the-universal-declaration-of-human-rights&catid=36:hrd-articles&Itemid=54
Enfermos Terminales
El llamado de la Iglesia Católica para la introducción de permisos laborales en beneficio de los trabajadores que cuidan enfermos terminales, merece la consideración seria de todos los legisladores y de los gobiernos y es que como bien ha señalado el sumo Pontífice tan importante es estar cerca de nuestra familia en momentos felices como el nacimiento de un hijo, como en las últimas horas de vida de nuestros seres queridos.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=44:enfermos-terminales&catid=36:hrd-articles&Itemid=54
Physical and Psychological Torture versus FARC and their False Ideals
I believe many will agree with me when I say that committing crimes it is not the way to pronounce that you are in favour of a specific ideology. In Colombia, the role that the FARC plays in name of an ideological revolution, the only thing that they have demonstrated is that they do not have any respect towards the people. Good treatment towards their captives is not in their interest; it has barely passed through their minds.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?view=article&catid=36%3Ahrd-articles&id=91%3Aphysical-and-psychological-torture-versus-farc-and-their-false-ideals-&option=com_content&Itemid=2
El origen de la Declaración Universal de Derechos Humanos
Hasta la segunda guerra mundial, muchos países habían proclamado declaraciones sobre derechos humanos (por ejemplo la Carta de Derechos, Declaración de los Derechos del Hombre y del Ciudadano, etc) pero ninguno de estos documentos tenía un carácter universal. Reflexiones sobre las atrocidades de la segunda guerra mundial resaltaron la necesidad de una Declaración Universal.
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?view=article&catid=36%3Ahrd-articles&id=92%3Ael-origen-de-la-declaracion-universal-de-derechos-humanos&option=com_content&Itemid=2
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Last weeks handpicked news
La UE lima la ley de inmigración y dará ayuda legal gratis a los detenidos
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=243:la-ue-lima-la-ley-de-inmigracion-y-dara-ayuda-legal-gratis-a-los-detenidos&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Doble "celebración" en la OIT
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=213:doble-qcelebracionq-en-la-oit&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Nearly 12,000 Are Arrested in Bangladesh
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=211:nearly-12000-are-arrested-in-bangladesh&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Zimbabwe opposition leader freed
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=210:zimbabwe-opposition-leader-freed&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Berlusconi rectifica y renuncia a criminalizar a los 'sin papeles'
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=209:berlusconi-rectifica-y-renuncia-a-criminalizar-a-los-sin-papeles&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Condenados cuatro argelinos por rezar en una casa particular
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=208:condenados-cuatro-argelinos-por-rezar-en-una-casa-particular&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
In a Crackdown, Zimbabwe Curbs Many Aid Groups
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=207:in-a-crackdown-zimbabwe-curbs-many-aid-groups&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Beijing Suspends Licenses of 2 Lawyers Who Offered to Defend Tibetans in Court
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=206:beijing-suspends-licenses-of-2-lawyers-who-offered-to-defend-tibetans-in-court&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
La ONU encara en Roma la crisis alimentaria mundial
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=205:la-onu-encara-en-roma-la-crisis-alimentaria-mundial&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Chávez Decree Tightens Hold on Intelligence
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=204:chavez-decree-tightens-hold-on-intelligence&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50
Afghan children paying family debts
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?view=article&id=203%3Aafghan-children-paying-family-debts&option=com_content&Itemid=50
Burundi: Release Civilians Detained Without Charge
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?view=article&id=202%3Aburundi-release-civilians-detained-without-charge&option=com_content&Itemid=50
Food crisis talks set to begin
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?view=article&id=200%3Afood-crisis-talks-set-to-begin&option=com_content&Itemid=50
El debate sobre la inmigración
http://www.humanrightsdefence.org/index.php?view=article&id=199%3Ael-debate-sobre-la-inmigracion&option=com_content&Itemid=50
For more, see www.humanrightsdefence.org
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