International organizations must denounce the horrifying human rights violations taking place in Venezuela following the July 28 presidential election. According to Human Rights Watch, Venezuelan authorities are perpetrating severe abuses against protesters, opposition leaders, and critics, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 23 protesters and bystanders. The re-election of Nicolás Maduro, announced by Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE), has triggered peaceful protests demanding a re-count of the vote, which has been heavily disputed. Reports confirm that Venezuelan authorities, alongside pro-government armed groups known as “colectivos,” are engaging in killings, arbitrary detentions, and harassment. Juanita Goebertus, Americas Director at Human Rights Watch, describes the situation as “shockingly brutal.” The international community must act decisively to demand independent verification of the electoral results and support international efforts to hold those responsible accountable.
#Venezuela #Protests #FreeSpeech #Democracy #Maduro #HumanRights
It is outrageous and obscene that largely Republican lawmakers do nothing but offer up empty prayers for those who have lost a loved one to guns. While America drowns in a sea of gun violence, their sinister solution is to pray. Much more is needed now than prayers.
#UnitedStates #GunViolence #NeverAgain
Leave it to Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu to deny the Palestinians the right to statehood based on the biblical assertion that if any ethnic or religious people lived in a certain land 3,000 years ago, they would have the right to return to the same land and dispossess its inhabitants. Imagine if every ethnic group or even nation sought to reclaim and repossess their land from 3,000 years, or even a few hundred years ago; the world map would be unrecognizable compared to the map of today, where over 200 independent countries exist.
#Israel #Netanyahu #IsraelHamasWar #IsraeliPalestinianConflict
Today’s podcast guest is Agather Atuhaire, a Ugandan lawyer, journalist, and digital activist. She is the host of Agora Discourse, a digital public square, and has been involved in social media campaigns that have sparked national conversations and policy changes on the poor state of roads, healthcare, and security. Agather is the 2023 recipient of the EU Human Rights Defenders Award and a 2024 recipient of the US State Department’s International Women of Courage Award.
In this episode, we discuss freedom of the press and the situation for journalists in Uganda, including intimidation of journalists, the current political situation in the country, and what steps can be taken, both within the country and by foreign powers, to improve the political and human rights situation for Ugandans.
Listen to the full episode now; link in bio
Full bio
Agather Atuhaire is a Ugandan lawyer, journalist and digital activist. Her investigations have exposed high-profile public corruption scandals, such as the Ugandan parliament’s overspending of public funds in the purchase of luxury cars. She is the host of Agora Discourse, a digital public square, and has been involved in social media campaigns that have sparked national conversations and policy changes on the poor state of roads, healthcare, and security. Her work has appeared in news outlets such as the BBC and National Geographic Magazine, and she has worked as a television news commentator and host. She is the 2023 laureate of the EU Human Rights Defenders Award and the 2024 laureate of the International Women of Courage Award.
#Uganda #Journalism #Journalists #FreeSpeech #PressFreedom #HumanRights
New figures from UNICEF and the World Health Organization reveal that 14.5 million children have not received a single immunization, over half of whom reside in countries plagued by armed conflicts or humanitarian crises. These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need for coordinated global efforts to address the barriers to vaccination in conflict zones and ensure that all children have access to life-saving immunizations.
#childrensrights #Vaccines #vaccination #immunization #UNICEF #healthcare #health
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Kosovo Prime Minister Kurti’s decision to close five parallel institutions for the predominantly ethnic Serbians in northern Kosovo can be justified based on three counts. First, the action is in accordance with the dialogue agreements of 2013 and 2015 that stipulated the closure of parallel institutions. Second, it is consistent with Kosovo’s constitution, and third, it asserts Kosovo’s sovereign rights to all of Kosovo, including the ethnic Serb-majority municipalities. That said, the closure raises several questions that Kurt’s government should have carefully considered before taking such an action. Click here for more: alonben-meir.com/writing/the-closure-of-parallel-institutions-and-its-ramifications/
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In a flagrant disregard for a 2021 court ruling, the Ecuadorian government continues to allow gas flares in the Amazon despite a legal mandate to end them. According to Amnesty International, these flares, which emit 500 million tons of CO2 annually and massive quantities of methane, are not only fueling climate change but are also poisoning local communities with toxic gases. Despite the ruling on behalf of Guerreras por la Amazonía and Unión de Afectados por Texaco (UDAPT) demanding the removal of these harmful flares, their number has surged from 394 in August 2021 to 486 in June 2023. This negligence creates "sacrifice zones" where people suffer daily from severe environmental and health impacts. It’s time to demand action from the Ecuadorian government! The ongoing operation of these gas flares, particularly those dangerously close to population centers, violates human rights and exacerbates the climate crisis. The President of Ecuador must take immediate steps to eliminate these burns and protect the rights of the affected communities and the planet. The future of the Amazon and its people is at stake, we must hold the government accountable and push for climate justice now.
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US financial support of many UN organizations must remain unabated. Those who can exert any influence on Trump should point out to him, should he be reelected, how critical US support is for the functioning of these organizations, as well as for the US’s self-interest, which is consistent with Trump’s notion of “America First.” Given, however, what we know about Trump, the likelihood is that he will not change his ways and may well pursue the same shortsighted policies. Thus, by preparing and adopting the above strategic measures, the UN and its agencies will be in a much stronger position to survive potential shifts in the US treatment of these organizations and its foreign policy in general under Trump and proceed with their important missions efficiently. Click here for more: alonben-meir.com/writing/us-support-of-un-organizations-must-remain-unabated/
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