International Human Rights Day 2012 ; "My Voice Counts"

On Monday 10th December, 2012 Human Rights enthusiasts worldwide will be observing the annual International Human Rights Day held each year on December 10 since 10 December 1948 when the United Nations(UN) General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which sets out the international standard for promotion and protection of enjoyment of human rights.This years theme is: "My Voice Counts".

This theme focuses on an individuals right to inclusion and participation in public life, emphasizing the right of every individual to voice their opinion and take part in public discourse and decision-making processes.

This right has especially been amplified with the rise and emergence of the internet as a platform for communication and expression across the global divide.

According to a press release of the Internet Society Organization "This year's theme offers a great opportunity to reflect on the open and global Internet as a tool which has the potential to shape a society in a way that is more tuned to the needs and aspirations of its constituents"As part of their engagement on Human Rights Day, they are inviting you to make your voice heard and join them on several of the following initiatives:

•   Join the Thunderclap campaign to send out a single message to the world on Twitter and Facebook on Monday 10 December by using the hash tag Make your #VoiceCount on Twitter
   
•  Visit the website:     www.internetsociety.org/humanrightsday
• On 10 December at 2:30pm UTC, the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) will host a Google+ Hangout for #VoiceCount Human Rights Day. Together with other participants, High Commissioner Navi Pillay will discuss issues related to inclusion and the right to participate in public  life. We invite you to participate and raise Internet related issues during the discussion. You can also send questions to the OHCHR in advance to #AskRights. 

The Right and freedom to express oneself is an invaluable right, indicate your appreciation for this Right by making "Your Voice Count" .Participate in whichever way possible for you in this years "International Human Rights Day"

"Free the Press”: Leadership for the Future

(Editorial by D. Bruce Wharton, Deputy Assistant Secretary, AF)

Information is life. People cannot make a living, hold their governments accountable, or educate their children without a healthy supply of free- flowing information. Citizens need accurate, timely, independent news they can trust. So do businesses and markets…and governments.

Media freedom keeps societies and economies vibrant, energetic, and healthy. When the free flow of news and information is cut off, individuals suffer. Societies and economies suffer. Media freedom is enshrined in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

Leadership of the media – whether for print, broadcast, internet or social media – is critical to the development of a free press. It provides the vision and ethical framework for reporting and journalism that earns and maintains public trust. The true leaders of the media industry in Africa are those who mentor and inspire the next generation of journalists to overcome the challenges they face – lack of access to information, censorship, personal threats, and even attacks in some places. They serve as the moral compass that leads by example to enable the media to play its role in the consolidation of democratic governance.

We’re watching enormous changes taking place on the African continent, and the United States is proud to work with African partners to support those changes. Through democratic elections and new constitutions, economic growth led by innovation and entrepreneurship, renewed focus on education, and the inclusion of women and young people in decision-making, the progress is tremendous. The implementation of a Freedom of Information Act in Nigeria is a great example of how access to information is strengthening democratic governance.

There are many examples of emerging best practices that demonstrate how the media is changing, too, to keep up with political and economic developments. Collaborating with local organizations, the U.S. Embassy in Harare created a mentoring program for women journalists, giving them the tools and resources to contribute to the public conversation in that country. The African Media Initiative, with its African and international partners, launched the African News Innovation Challenge, a comprehensive and long-term program to support professional development and leadership in journalism, expanding networks across the continent and internationally.

The media's continued develop of leadership and professional standards will help safeguard and advance progress in other spheres. Transparency, accountability, and integrity are fundamental concepts that apply to all sectors, including journalism, and media leaders should model that behavior and mentor it in others. Too many challenges remain in Africa - in human rights, hunger, disease, war and conflict. As in business, media entrepreneurship requires thinking big and taking risks to address those problems. Owners and directors must be prepared to take risks, supporting journalists who are taking them day in and out.

As World Press Freedom Day approaches, the United States calls on all governments to take the steps necessary to create space for independent journalists to do their work without fear of violence or persecution. We pay special tribute to those courageous journalists, bloggers, and citizens who have sacrificed their lives, health, or freedom so that others could know the truth. And we honor the role of free and independent media in creating sustainable democracies and open, healthy societies.

Finally, we recognize that, as agents of change, media leaders serve good governance and economic development by raising their voices and building the platform for open societies to grow. Strong leadership that values and supports ethics in reporting and journalism will help shape this new conversation across Africa.

Zimbabwean Vikas Mavhudzi Arrested over Facebook Comment !

The next war on freedom of expression seems will be fought over on the internet.39 Year Old Zimbabwean Vivas Mavhudzi just realised that "Big Ben is watching" after a comment he posted a comment on a Facebook  page allegedly belonging to Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai the following comment:

“I am overwhelmed, I don’t want to say Mr. or PM what happened in Egypt is sending shockwaves to dictators around the world. No weapon but unity of purpose worth emulating, hey.”

According to the NewZimbabwe website Mr Mahvudzi was charged with “subverting a constitutional government”.That well illustrates that Governments especially the repressive ones have become more keen on what their Citizens are doing online.But on the other hand what Mr Mahvudzi stated was a personal opinion and i believe to the best of my understanding does not meet any known legal threshold of subversive conduct or activities.But obviously that is Zimbabwe where fundamental human rights and freedoms long went through the window but that does not mean that it is acceptable to deny anyone the right to express a contrary opinion !

One also wonders who "befriended" the Government of Zimbabwe so as to allow them access to Mahvudzi's comment...i thought facebook was all about communities of friends and like minds.

Youth For Human Rights International Global Campaign

Youth For Human Rights International(YHRI) is a global youth organization seeking to educate young people everywhere on their human human rights as enshrined in the United Nations 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights through grassroots campaigns.The organization operates several chapters and youth clubs worldwide. The Term 'human rights' is pretty vague for many youths , and actually only a few who probably have had some legal training ,do know the range and depth of rights that the term encompasses. Hence it is especially essential that youths in Africa acquaint themselves with the activities of the Youth for Human Rights International in order to guard and protect their most basic human rights from abuse from any quarters.



The YHRI campaign "What Human Rights Are" has received quite an impressive global response.Another particularly successful campaign orchestrated by YHRI was the audio visual tool UNITED which featured a five minute music video which according to their website

won a number of awards for its portrayal of how human rights and cooperative action can curb violent confrontation and intolerance. UNITED,inspired the production of a series of 30 public service announcements (PSAs), each depicting one of the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Harnessing modern audio-visual technology to articulate every right the .UDHR grants brought praise from educators, media industry executives and human rights advocates. The first three PSAs have already aired to more than 130 million people in over 60 countries.

After viewing the ad on CNN recently i decided to visit the YHRI website @ http://www.youthforhumanrights.org/ and was pleasantly surprised at their activities seeing that the group is little known in Kenya .For more information ,you can actually sign up and volunteer and or initiate a local chapter down at their site.I however believe their $40 Dollar Registration fee actually cuts of the vast majority of poor youths from developing Countries especially in Asia and Africa from being truly part of such a global phenomena

Mau Mau Case Against the British Government

British lawyer Martyn Day recently informed the press that the Kenyans alleging torture claims against British colonial soldiers during the Mau Mau Emergency period of the 1950's has a high chance of success. This is indeed good news though coming so late in time but it serves as a moral lesson that impunity by those in authority may be punished even much later in time and that Governments have a moral responsibility to control their officers and to make good for damages caused by them.

Mr Day's firm, Leigh Day & Co, has filed five test cases that could pave the way for the British Government to make wider reparations to those who claim they were mistreated under the British reprisals of the 1950's in the Kenyan colony.The Times Online has an amazing historical background on the Mau Mau Period and case written by Caroline Elkins a Harvard Professor & Pulitzer price winner .The compensation claim by the five Kenyans to wit: Wambugu Nyingi,Jane Muthoni Mara,Susan Ciongombe,Paul Nzili and Ndiku Mutwiwa is readily welcome.

On the side whats all the online huff about Bill Mays autopsy and his Dual Saw infomercial, i thought by now everyone would be interested in Michael Jackson's will(Papa Joe got nothing-kids don't forget that easy) and grand funeral arrangements .

Amnesty Internationals Gaza Conflict Report

The culture of impunity seems to be so deeply entrenched in international State practise.Almost sixty years after the adoption of the International Bill of Rights and the Second World War it seems many nations are yet to fully realize, enforce and commit themselves to the respect of Human Rights especially where armed conflict is involved.Amnesty International is a global movement of volunteers with the specific aim of promoting and campaigning for the respect and enforcement of fundamental human rights and the elimination of poverty.

Amnesty's researchers have hence detailed a report(heres a pdf copy) on the excesses and abuses being witnessed in the current Israeli- Palestinia Gaza Conflict and the obligations of Israel ! Something needs to be urgently done to ensure that many innocent children, women and men dont continue to suffer or lose their lives in wanton slaughter in the name of armed conflict. You too can participate in a campaign to alleviate the sufffering of those who cannot protect themselves by joining Amnesty International as an international member at :http://www.amnesty.org/en/join and capaigning against impunity!

Amnesty supporters exert influence on governments, political bodies, companies and intergovernmental groups. Their Activists take up human rights issues by mobilizing public pressure through mass demonstrations, vigils and direct lobbying as well as online and offline campaigning.You too can be a part of it!

Hmong Tribe-Crimes Against Humanity!

The Hmong tribe of Southern Vietnam are increasingly catching the eye of international media and humanitarian organizations.Their story is saddening .The Laotian Vietnamese Government is guilty of forcing the members of these tribe to live in the dense jungle of Laos like animals or as refugees outside their Country.A recent exclusive video by Al Jazeera Correspondent Tony Birtley link here exposes the inhumane and dispeakable conditions the Hmong tribe have had to suffer for almost four decades since the American Vietnam wars of mid seventies.The Hmong fled Saigon after the US Army left Vietnam in the mid seventies.

The Government of the day has been persecuting members of the Hmong tribe(including young children,old men and women) as traitors for having assisted the CIA in the Vietnam wars.The atrocities have continued to date with no intervention or apparent concern from the international community.The Hmong tribe served the Americans fought for the Americans and died in the Hundreds for the Americans but after the Americans left they were left to fend for themselves.Many fled to the USA as refugees where they are scorned upon as unwanted immigrants.That notwithstanding as if to add insult to the injury, thousands were forcefully repatriated back to Laos from Thai Refugee camps under a USA funded and supported program.

The Hmong tribe are begging for intervention as their lives have lost meaning and purpose in the absence of freedom And the right to life.To see humans subjecting each other to such atrocities(to the extent that some have to live in fear and exposed to the elements like animals) and be constantly on the move is definately saddening and an affront to human dignity everywhere!