China's threatening One-Child Slogans

China comunist state has enforced a law of one child per couple. This law has been enforced with sterilisation and abortions, and encouraged by threatening slogans. Government officials are beginning to wonder if this is the best approach and are encouraging a milder tone. However, whether or not the tone is mild, China plans to continue to enforce its one-child laws. Whether or not the slogans are non-threatening, the message seems to remain the same: one child, no more, no less and make sure it stays that way. While I definitely agree that threatening slogans are not the best approach, I think the law in and of itself is wrong and should be changed. I loved Margaret Peterson Haddix's "The Shadow Children" series, which addresses these issues. While this is simply a popular children's novel, the message is the same: it is wrong to limit a family. Every possible child is special and deserves the same rights.

Gunmen attack Schools

In Nigeria, gunmen have been raiding schools, burning them to the ground. The chief instigator's name seems to be Boko Haram, meaning "Western education is sacrilege".  A man using the name Abul-Qaqa told reporters he was representing Boko Haram. This happened two days before they attacked Gamboru Primary School. The government is deploying soldiers across hot spots and giving its policemen license to search without a warrant. So far, this has brought no results and the government is trying to protect its people by having them go to numerous checkpoints. There was recently another attack in the central state Kaduna, which sits just on the dividing line between Christian south, and Muslim north. These attacks need to stop. The people are scared, and currently the government's methods are not producing results. They need to try something new to protect its people from radicals. Hopefully, this situation will get cleaned up soon, but it seems Nigeria is not the only country in need.

EU Overlooking the Denial of Rights in China

The EU recently had their annual speech, and it barely mentioned human rights. It certainly did not bring to notice the deteriorating standards for human rights in China. There have been several individual cases  made known in this particular article. It shows people who are asking for a political change or criticizing their governments being abducted and held prisoner without proper charges or evidence. People include Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo. Why has the EU not spoken out against China? I agree with this writer; if the EU ever plans to have peaceful relations with all countries, then they must enforce all international laws. These laws are being broken by the Chinese government, and the people need help. We see them speaking out for the people of Syria and other places like it, why not China?

Cease Fire in Syria

Civilians are still being killed in Syria and the UN is requesting a cease-fire. Russia and China are still protecting Syria, although the UN hopes that they will soon stop their support. The people of Syria are attempting to instate their own president and are asking their current president to step down. If the people win, which they should, Russia and China will probably lose the support of the people. The current president is attempting to beat down the people and remain in power. We have seen the situation in Syria before, and the people need help. Those who are giving weapons to the government are being requested to stop. This situation needs to change and the people need a voice. The government is meant to protect the people and these people should be able to have some power over their own government. Hopefully this will all smooth out soon.

Freedom of Speech under Threat in Hungary

The media in Hungary recently came under supervision of the government with the installation of a new constitution this new year. A newspaper critiquing the government was recently fined for someone posting a negative comment about the previous president. The television news stations are laying off many of their workers, and some believe it is for political reasons. Those who stay are being dictated on what they can or cannot write. Lastly, a radio station recently had its license to air taken away and is required to air music at least sixty percent of the time if they want their license back. The European Union is requiring Hungary to either allow media freedom or face punishment under Article 7. Hopefully, this situation will be settled without any blood spilled. However, I hope that the EU officials are not afraid to act if the case requires. If they do not act to allow freedom of speech in one country, I think there is a good chance other nations will start ignoring our rights also.

Human Rights Campaign for Homosexuals

Human Rights Campaign is working to bring equality to all people in America, including gay and lesbians. They are spreading the word and trying to bring equality to all people. They believe homosexuality is a right each person has. I am a marriage traditionalist, meaning I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. However, I don't think I have any right to tell people they can not do differently. Not everyone considers this a human rights issue. I don't think I have the answer. While I think this may not be a human rights issue, this is an issue.

Child Soldiers in Somalia

It seems Somalia is among the countries using child soldiers to protect their troops. The Al-Shabab have been abducting children everywhere to use in battle. The boys are used to protect the adult soldiers, and the girls are given as wives to Al-Shabab fighters. Many people are fleeing from the area and tons of children have died. It seems this is just one of the countries using children to protect their troops or to use as pawns. These children need a voice and protection. The government in Somalia needs to govern its people and stop the Al-Shabab from abducting children and using them. This is just one place of many that needs help.

Forced Evictions for Eurovision

As Eurovison music contest is coming out, Azerbaijani authorities have been evicting families from their homes. The families have been forced from their home without proper recompensation One man served in ht military for half of his life, yet was forced to leave his home because of falling debris. The families ho have stayed have lost telephone service, plumbing and any water. The people who stayed have even resorted to melting snow to get water. While the area may be necessary for the competition,they should at least be offering proper compensation. Also, the families who stay should not be forced to such extremes. These people need more than they have been offered.

Tweeter Faces Apostasy Trial

A man who escaped to Malaysia deported him back to Saudi Arabia. The man, Kashgari, look as though he will be put to death fro some religious ideas that he tweeted. The tweets have now been deleted and he will be facing a trial. Another man was sentenced to death for saying two words they considered apostasy. He was instead sentenced to eighteen years in jail  when he apologized. This is a gross injustice of the freedom of speech. It looks like certain areas of the world suffer more from human rights violations than others. The leaders of theses countries need to change their policies. Each person has certain rights and these rights should be honored.

Human Rights Watch Interview

In Syria, the government is violating human rights and torturing their detainees. Many people are tortured with cattle prods and will often hear the scream of other people being tortured. The Human Rights Watch is working to change this. I hope this this situation is corrected soon. It is not right to torture people and they need help. The situation in Syria will hopefully change soon, but right now, just stay aware.

Sports are Banned for Women

In Saudi Arabia, women and girls are banned from playing sports. Public schools do not offer any physical education for girls and in private schools they are lacking. Women are not allowed to join any sports club and competitive sports are not allowed. Saudi Arabia has never allowed women to participate and the Olympics have not done anything about. It is really sad to think that governments are taking time to prevent women from playing something as simple as soccer. Also, the sense of equality is disrupted in the Olympics because women are not allowed to participate, though their men are encouraged. This situation should change and I now realize how much i take for granted the freedoms I have in America.

Turkmenistan Elections

Saparmurat Niyazov was declared president for life and has repressed his people, given himself absolute power, and erected golden statues of himself. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov replaced Saparumrat Niyazov when he died in 2006. Now, there is another election for a new president, however, it does not look like the country will change too much. Of the candidates, only the current president is a well-known candidate. Although he has promised reforms, so far, he has followed the rule of his predecessor. Hopefully, the situation for the people of Turkmenistan will change and the reforms will be coming. Although hoping doesn't do too much, it would not be good for us to interfere. We can encourage the president to help his people and to bring liberty to his country, yet, there is only so much we can do.

Child Soldiers

The UN encouraged and drafted a global law to protect children under 18 from being drafted. Despite the law, some countries continue to use child soldiers. Some children are drafted at ages as young as seven and young children are especially popular for suicide bombings. Conflicts in Yemen, Libya, and Afghanistan have inspired the use of child soldiers. The use of children in war is terrible. War is a dark and difficult thing for any person, no matter their age. The use of children is horrible and it is sad that people are willing to use them to achieve their own ends. Hopefully, this situation will end soon.

Human Rights Council Cartoon

This cartoon depicts the Human Rights Council. While the other members are debating, a Syrian representative is killing people. The representative actually seems to be the president. I guess the cartoon is not targeting Syria, but the man ruling them. The image is quite amusing and not hard to understand, but the situation is serious. The people in Syria need help, and activists should work to help the people. We should work to support those making a difference. Hopefully, the situation will change soon.

Syrian Gov. Aims to Crush Rebels

The Syrian Government is working to crush the rebellion blossoming in Homs. 105 people were killed Thursday, 95 of them in Homs. The UN drafted a resolution, but Russia and China blocked it. Many members of the army are defecting and joining the rebellion, while government troops are guarding borders to make sure no weapons are given to the rebels. This seems to be a culmination of the government beating back all protests brutally, no matter how peaceful. This seems to be a situation in which the people are finally taking a stand and fighting for their rights. While war is ugly and one should never wish for it, these people need a change in government if they are being abused by the people who are supposed to protect their rights. Hopefully, this will find a more peaceful end and the situation in Syria will drastically improve.

Iran Targets Arab Minority

Iran seems to be targeting Arabs in their arrests. It has been confirmed that two people died while being detained by the government's intelligence. One family, when informed that their son was dead, was told that his remains had already been buried and were not allowed to hold a public funeral. Many of the arab arrests have been in response to graffiti and anti-government protests. The Human Rights Watch was not allowed to investigate. The situation in Iran needs to change. No government should target any race or religion. It is sad for the Irani people. They are being denied the right to freedom of speech, the government is targeting a minority, and their prisoners are being brutally tortured and killed. This situation has to change.

Global War on Christians in the Muslim World

While we are very afraid of offending any religions in America, it has caused us to ignore the persecution christians undergo in the muslim world. Many christians in such places lose their churches, homes, and  their lives, while many governments ignore and do nothing. In places like Sudan and Nigeria, christians live in fear of mutilation, bombing, and gangs. While I am all for religious freedom, and I really don't believe all muslims are so radical, this is a threat to people around the world that cannot be ignored. I hope, someday, we'll be able to report truthfully about all pieces of news. While the news is factual, we are ignoring many crimes around the world, and people that really need our help.

Human Trafficking at the Super Bowl

Governor Mitch Daniels of Indianapolis is seeking to strengthen human trafficking laws in time for the Super Bowl. In large events such as this, hundreds of prostitutes come to the city in search of clients. Many people will walk into a club or casino, and come out with a prostitute, yet not all do this voluntarily. Human trafficking seems to be one of the largest crimes world wide, and events like this include sex-slaves. It is sad to think that in America, we still have victims of human trafficking during something as popular and seemingly innocent as the Super Bowl. What I am curious about, is why none of this was mentioned in Pres. Obama's Human Rights Speech. He talked about getting booed, or afraid to walk down the street. All of these are nowhere near as bad as becoming a sex slave. Why did he not even mention we still have human trafficking in America? This issue needs more attention.

Pres. Obama Human Rights Campaign Speech

President Obama makes a speech of Human Rights in America at the Human Rights Campaign. He talks about standing up for a soldier, or how people are still being discriminated and rejected. President Obama says he will take the time to help America become a more united nation. While what Obama is talking about sounds great, I think there are bigger problems in the world. There is still slavery and illegal torture, people who are denied by their governments the basic necessities. While we should watch America and make sure we work to make a better country, I think we need to worry about more than just ourselves. There are bigger problems than getting booed.

Iraqi Executions

Iraqi executions for this year alone have been estimated at over 50; January 19 alone had 34 executions. Human Rights activists are questioning the due process and fairness of the trials. The prisoners are not allowed to choose their own lawyers and are kept incommunicado. There have even been concerns about forced confessions as no one on the death row has been pardoned. People who commit crimes should have punishment for them. However, this level of punishment seems unreasonable as it is hard to believe so many people have committed crimes worthy of death in the past month or so. I hope the situation changes and each prisoner is given fair trial. Not every person is an enemy and killer, and not every prisoner deserves to be killed. Death is irrevocable; you can't change it.

Torture in India

The Indian Border Security Force has been caught torturing and sexually abusing their victims. Soni Sori, a women from Chhattisgarh State and schoolteacher, is one victim of their abuse. While the BSF is charged with protecting India's borders from smugglers and the like, it has also been detaining its prisoners and torturing them. The government even presented a medal of gallantry to one such policeman. I believe that this must end. There shouldn't be illegal abuse of prisoners, no matter where they are from or what crimes they have committed. There is a protocol, and, as a security force of the government, they should honor such laws. Better that criminals stand before a judge for their crimes where they will be fairly prosecuted, rather than be tortured behind the scenes. This abuse and lack of humanity must end.