Salem-News.com Human Rights articles Page 51

London Review of Books: Rajapaksa`s Rule

The problem is that Rajapaksa, for all his eagerness to seize the Commonwealth’s helm, has spent years undermining those values and principles.

(LONDON) - Sri Lanka’s authorities are in buoyant mood. As Prince Charles prepares to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo, the Defence Ministry is helping to organise celebrations. But it isn’t the queen they are honouring.

The CHOGM is gathering to acknowledge the Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, as chairman of the Commonwealth, a position he will occupy for the next two years. His allies at home are delighted.

ISRAEL: The Real Problem With the Prisoner Release

The problem is not that Israel releases Palestinian prisoners, but how few it releases.

(TEL AVIV) - Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth gives its readers a daily question, argued by two competing op-eds.

On Monday, the question had to do with the coming release of Palestinian prisoners as part of the government’s commitment to Secretary of State John Kerry. Journalist Merav Batito wrote in favor, while Hagai Segal was against freeing terrorists; readers were asked to vote on Facebook.

PRESS TV: Sri Lanka: Making a Mockery of HRs at CHOGM 2013

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is held every two years to enable leaders of Commonwealth countries to come together to discuss global and Commonwealth issues, and to decide on collective policies and initiatives, the CHOGM Website states.

(SACRAMENTO) - This year, the CHOGM is taking place in Sri Lanka, a nation that stands accused of some of the most bold and revolting war crimes in history.

The charges stem from acts committed against the minority Tamils just four years ago. A large number of people, governments and human rights organizations are waging efforts to increase a boycott of the event.

Investigation Into Atrocities in Sri Lanka (WARNING - Contains Disturbing Video Images)

Tamils 'raped and tortured' by Sri Lankan security forces - Newsnight looks at Atrocities in Sri Lanka since the war ended

(LONDON BBC Newsnight) - As David Cameron and other world leaders prepare to meet in Sri Lanka for the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting, allegations of rape and torture by the country's security forces have emerged - some of which date from earlier this year.

Four years ago the Tamil Tiger rebels were crushed by the Sri Lankan army and allegations emerged of abuses against Tamil civilians in the closing days of the war.

Historic Nordic Agreement Opposes Circumcision

"This resolution tells the world that questioning circumcision has growing international support and brings needed attention to a practice that causes unrecognized physical, sexual, and psychological harm." - Ronald Goldman, Ph.D., executive director of the Circumcision Resource Center in Boston

(BOSTON) - Yesterday at a meeting in Oslo, Norway, Nordic ombudsmen for children representing six countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Greenland) and Nordic pediatrician and pediatric surgeon organizations agreed on a resolution urging their national governments to work to prevent non-therapeutic circumcision of boys.

According to the resolution, circumcision is irreversible, painful, and subject to serious complications.

Syria - Living Under al Qaeda`s Reign of Fear (VIDEO)

"They are closing hair salons, women can't go out at certain times. They spat on one girl for disobedience. It's like Afghanistan. Now people call Raqqa Tora Bora." - female activist in Syria

(AL-RAQQA, Syria LiveLeak) - Raqqa was, a matter of months ago, one of Syria's most liberal cities. Now locals call it Tora Bora. They say it's as if the Taliban of Afghanistan have taken over.

After months of bombardment by the government and a chaotic lack of control by weak and divided moderate rebels, al Qaeda have found a broken society, made it their home, and imposed on it hardline Islamist law.

ERC Appeals World Bodies to immediately demand Burmese Regime Accountability for 70 Rohingya Drowned in Sea

Genocidal Burmese authorities are are sending the Rohingya populous into uncertain destinations.

(AMSTERDAM) - The Rohingya ethnic minority of western Burma have been suffering long discrimination since 1978.

The Burmese predominantly Buddhist genocidal rulers have been imposing double standard policies against the Rohingya to eradicate them from the soil of Arakan.

Boycott CHOGM 2013: Walking into Genocidal Sri Lanka - At what Cost to the Commonwealth? TGTE

A Booklet by Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE)

(LONDON) - The objective of this Booklet is to underline the obligation of Commonwealth member states to boycott CHOGM 2013 and suspend Sri Lanka from the Commonwealth.

A state that has been accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide is not representative of the ideals and values held by such a distinguished organization like the Commonwealth.

Genocidaire on Yale`s campus

It is clear that Sri Lankan Ambassador Palitha Kohona unabashedly supports the Sri Lankan government's illegal war against Tamils.

(NEW HAVEN, CT) - In May 2009, after a carefully negotiated surrender, a ragged group of Tamil fighters and their wives and children attempted to surrender to the Sri Lankan government.

They were told to raise a white flag as they walked slowly to the government, then summarily executed within minutes.

Myanmar Human Rights Panel Members Meet Rakhine Residents

Clashes between the two groups last year in the northwestern Myanmar state left more than 200 dead and 140,000 displaced, mostly Rohingya Muslims...

(SITTWE RFA) - Myanmar government human rights officials met community leaders and other residents of riot-torn Rakhine state on Wednesday.

They want them to help contain communal violence in a bid to uphold human rights following deadly clashes last year.