Women at the Forefront of Human Rights | Human Rights First (Video)

Eleanor Roosevelt was the driving force behind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the United Nations passed in 1948. Since then, women have been at the forefront of human rights movements—pushing for human rights to be truly universal.

Some of the women in the video above are women’s rights activists and others are human rights activists who happen to be women. Whether it’s promoting tolerance in Pakistan, democratizing Egypt and Bahrain, or fighting for LGBT rights in Russia, these women face unique challenges, from sexism to gender-based violence. Yet they refused to be silenced.

Visit Honoring Women Human Rights Defenders| Human Rights First for more information about women human rights defenders.

 

UN Council Adopts Historic Resolution Supporting Equal Rights for Gays –By Lisa Schlein | VOA

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted an historic resolution that seeks to give gays and lesbians rights equal to those enjoyed by heterosexuals.  The resolution passed by a narrow margin and over the vigorous objections of African and Arab countries.

After a long debate,  the critical vote was taken.

The overflow audience burst out into applause before the president of the U.N. Human Rights Council, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, had a chance to announce the results of the vote.  A giant video screen showed the final tally was 23 votes in favor of ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexual and transsexual people, 19 against and three abstentions.

The Obama administration has been a staunch supporter of the resolution, and U.S. Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe said the United States is thrilled by the outcome of what she called this simple but historic resolution.

“Today, we have taken an important step forward in our recognition that human rights are indeed universal,” Donohoe  said. “We recognize that violence against a person because of who they are is wrong.  The right to choose, who we love and to share life with those we love is sacred.  Further, we send the unequivocal message that each human being deserves equal protection from violence and discrimination.  Today, we make history in the fight for basic fairness and equality.”

But not all countries were as upbeat or thrilled with the outcome.  Arab and African states strongly opposed the resolution.  Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, Zamir Akram, speaking on behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, said the OIC was seriously concerned that the Council was discussing controversial notions of sexual orientation.

He added there was no legal basis in any international human rights instruments for dealing with individual sexual interest and behavior at the United Nations.

The Nigerian representative, speaking on behalf of the African group, was particularly scathing and critical of South Africa, which was the main sponsor of the resolution.  Ositadinna Anaedu accused South Africa of breaking ranks with the African region and siding with the West.

He said African countries oppose racism and discrimination, but quoting the Nigerian president he said individual and national rights are not a matter for international concern.

“Strongly rejects any attempts to undermine international human rights system by seeking to impose concepts by turning to social matters including private, individual conduct that fall outside the internationally agreed human rights legal work,” Anaedu said.  “Taking into account that such attempts constitute an expression of disregard for the universality of human rights.”

Despite this criticism, South Africa remained resolute in its conviction that all people are equal and deserve equal rights.

The resolution states “no one should be subject to discrimination or violence due to sexual orientation or gender identity.”

It expresses grave concerns at acts of violence and discrimination, in all regions of the world against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.  The resolution also commissions a study on discriminatory laws and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Reprint: UN Council Adopts Historic Resolution Supporting Equal Rights for Gays –By Lisa Schlein |VOA

 

Independent Lens | Children of Haiti | Trailer | PBS

 

 

 

Follow three, homeless teenagers as they struggle to survive on the streets of Haiti. In the midst of Haiti’s lush mountains and historical relics is an epidemic of over 500,000 orphan children who wander the streets day and night. Known as the “soulless” and forgotten by their own people, they do what they must to survive each day. This film follows three teenage boys who share a common dream of education, government assistance, and social acceptance.

 

A Wall of Silence on Croatia War Crimes

The Croatian authorities should speed up the prosecution of war crimes suspects and make it their top priority, Amnesty International has said in a recent report.

Behind a Wall of Silence: Prosecution of War Crimes in Croatia shows how the country’s justice system is failing to provide many of the victims of the 1991-1995 war with justice amid continued delays, threats against witnesses and concerns over standards.

Related articles:

Croatia War Crimes Suspect Arrested | Amnesty International

Croatia Urged to Speed Up War Crimes Prosecutions | Amnesty International

 

Help the Fight for LGBT Equality in 2011| HRC

In 2010 the movement for equality saw huge victories with the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. But we must continue the fight in 2011. Become a member of Human Rights Watch.

 

Iran’s Grim History of Death by Stoning – by Mike Wooldridge | BBC News

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani

Iran has said Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, 43, will be spared being stoned to death for adultery while leaving it unclear what fate does await her. The mother of two was arrested in 2005 and subsequently convicted of having an “illicit relationship” for which she was given 99 lashes witnessed by her son, then in his late teens. Her case was then reopened and she was convicted of adultery during her marriage, for which she was given the sentence of death by stoning.

Iran’s existing penal code provides for this form of execution for one crime – adultery, an offence “against divine law” – though murder, rape, armed robbery and drug trafficking are also punishable by death. Human rights campaigners say Iran has one of the highest rates of executions in the world.

Death by stoning came into use in Iran after the 1979 revolution. The case has sparked an international outcry Amnesty International says that at least eight people were stoned to death in 1986. The group says some people have linked this to the passing of a law that year which allowed the hiring of judges with minimal experience and that it led to an increase in the number of judges from a traditional religious background. In 1995, Amnesty International received reports that as many as 10 people may have been stoned to death that year. In 2002, the Iranian judiciary placed a moratorium on death by stoning.

But such sentences have continued to be reported. And Amnesty said this week that eight men and three women were awaiting the carrying out of sentences of stoning and since 2006 at least six people had been put to death in this manner. It also said 15 people had been saved from stoning.

The brief statement from the Iranian embassy in London announcing that Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani would not be executed by stoning said that “this kind of punishment has rarely been implemented” in Iran. It also said stoning was not in a draft Islamic penal code currently under consideration in the Iranian parliament.

Excerpt, read entire article: Iran’s Grim History of Death by Stoning – by Mike Wooldridge | BBC News

 

Congress Moves to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”: – By Kerry Eleveld | The Advocate

The U.S. House of Representatives and a Senate panel have both approved measures that would begin the process of dismantling the 17-year-old “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that prohibits gays and lesbians for serving openly in the military.

After a heated Thursday night floor debate, House members voted 234-to-194 to approve a repeal amendment to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act sponsored by Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy.

“Tonight, Congress took a historic step toward repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and toward ensuring that every American has the same opportunity I did to defend our nation,” said Murphy, who served as an Army paratrooper. “Patriotic Americans willing to take a bullet for their country should never be forced to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love.”

Earlier Thursday evening, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved a companion amendment by a 16-12 vote in a closed-door session.

Sen. Susan Collins of Maine was the lone Republican on the committee joining 15 of her Democratic colleagues to approve the measure as an attachment to the 2011 National Defense Authorization Act. Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia was the only Democrat to vote against it.

If signed into law as part of the Defense funding bill, the measure would not immediately repeal the law. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” would continue as the official policy of the military until two events occur: the Pentagon completes an implementation study due in December; and the secretary of Defense, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and President Barack Obama certify that repeal will not weaken military readiness. Once those two requirements are met, a 60-day waiting period will begin before the policy is finally lifted.

Repeal advocates celebrated the historic vote even as they acknowledged that it was one step in what promises to be a multitiered process.

Excerpt, read the entire article here: Congress Moves to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”:  – By Kerry Eleveld | The Advocate