Washington Post (September 8)
The Islamic State has already “seized far more of Iraq and Syria than is compatible with the safety and human rights of the people living there, and its sights are set on further destabilization in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Kurdistan, as well as terror attacks in Europe and, if it’s capable of them, the United States.” It is delusional to think this “murderous terrorist army” can simply be “contained” or “managed.”
Tags: Contained, Destabilization, Europe, Human rights, Iraq, Islamic State, Jordan, Kurdistan, Managed, Safety, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Terror attacks, Terrorist army, U.S.
Wall Street Journal (March 17)
“Unlike most U.N. documents,” the report on human rights abuse in North Korea “demands action.” Much credit is due retired Australian judge Michael Kirby, who chaired the commission that wrote the report. By chronicling widespread abuse with “evidentiary rigor,” they created a report with “striking emotional power.”
Tags: Abuse, Australia, Human rights, Michael Kirby, North Korea, Report, U.N.
New York Times (September 8)
“For the International Olympic Committee, environmental concerns in Japan appeared less urgent than the Syrian war on Turkey’s border, a harsh crackdown against antigovernment protesters recently in Istanbul and Spain’s economic recession and high unemployment…. Amid such economic, political and human rights maelstroms, Tokyo was seen as a calm harbor. It won handily over Istanbul in the second round of voting, 60-36, in a secret ballot of Olympic delegates.”
Tags: Environmental concerns, Human rights, IOC, Istanbul, Japan, Olympics, Recession, Spain, Syria, Tokyo, Turkey, Unemployment
Washington Post (August 15)
The “refusal to take a firm stand against massive violations of human rights is as self-defeating for the United States as it is unconscionable. Continued U.S. support for the Egyptian military is helping to push the country toward a new dictatorship rather than a restored democracy.” The U.S. should suspend all aid until “the generals end their campaign of repression and take tangible steps to restore democracy.”
Tags: Aid, Democracy, Dictatorship, Egypt, Human rights, Military, Repression, U.S., Violations
The Economist (March 30)
“India is often spoken of in the same breath as China because of its billion-plus population, economic promise, value as a trading partner and growing military capabilities.” Yet, in the common view, India remains a near power, rather than a great power. Despite shortcomings, India has much to offer and deserves a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. “Although poorer and less economically dynamic than China, India has soft power in abundance. It is committed to democratic institutions, the rule of law and human rights. As a victim of jihadist violence, it is in the front rank of the fight against terrorism.” India would be “a force for stability and an upholder of the rules-based international system.”
Tags: China, Democracy, Human rights, India, Permanent seat, Security Council, Terrorism, UN
New York Times (October 3)
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case with implications for overseas companies. “The issue is whether American courts can hear cases brought by noncitizens against multinational corporations that do business in the United States for committing extreme human rights abuses abroad — and, if so, under what rules.” The Times believes that in general these cases should be allowed.The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing a case with implications for overseas companies. “The issue is whether American courts can hear cases brought by noncitizens against multinational corporations that do business in the United States for committing extreme human rights abuses abroad — and, if so, under what rules.” The Times believes that in general these cases should be allowed.
Wall Street Journal (May 18)
“South Korean President Lee Myung-bak deserves praise for one accomplishment above all others: He has put human rights in North Korea on the world’s agenda.” North Korea’s network of labor camps has been exposed. The suffering of the approximately 200,000 political prisoners should convince other nations against trying to improve North Korea through engagement. “Sustaining Pyongyang with aid only extends the misery of those imprisoned in the North’s gulag.”
“South Korean President Lee Myung-bak deserves praise for one accomplishment above all others: He has put human rights in North Korea on the world’s agenda.” North Korea’s network of labor camps has been exposed. The suffering of the approximately 200,000 political prisoners should convince other nations against trying to improve North Korea through engagement. “Sustaining Pyongyang with aid only extends the misery of those imprisoned in the North’s gulag.”
Los Angeles Times (April 4)
Where is the outrage? “In North Korea, children are bred like livestock in labor camps. They are taught to betray their parents. They are worked to death.” Three generations of the Kim dynasty have now “presided over this human rights catastrophe.” Six labor camps house 200,000 inmates who “do hard labor while subsisting on a starvation diet…. They usually die of hunger-related illness before turning 50.” Still America takes little notice.
Where is the outrage? “In North Korea, children are bred like livestock in labor camps. They are taught to betray their parents. They are worked to death.” Three generations of the Kim dynasty have now “presided over this human rights catastrophe.” Six labor camps house 200,000 inmates who “do hard labor while subsisting on a starvation diet…. They usually die of hunger-related illness before turning 50.” Still America takes little notice.
Tags: Human rights, Hunger, Kim, Labor camps, North Korea, U.S.
New York Times (November 2)
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met with China’s President Hu Jintao to discuss several issues including climate change. The New York Time’s criticizes Mr. Ban for being “shamefully silent on one critical issue: China’s poor human rights record and its unjustified imprisonment of Liu Xiaobo,” who won a Nobel Peace Prize this year. Mr. Ban should hold China to its responsibilities as a signatory of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Tags: Ban Ki-moon, China, Hu Jintao, Human rights, Liu Xiaobo, U.N.
