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"

Amnesty TV Channel On YouTube

Human Rights enthusiast and like minded persons will be pleased to know that Amnesty online has launched Amnesty TV a video magazine show that mixes satirical comedy, campaign stunts, short documentaries, outspoken opinion and real news on YouTube. The show will be produced on fortnightly basis with a 15 minutes programmes.
Amnesty TV at url  http://www.youtube.com/amnestytv is being launched today with  the first of the fortnightly 15 minute programmes being aired.The first program will feature the human rights stories of the day, using big names, mischief and satire. This week, there will be some recreations of the horrendously violent techniques sactioned for security guards to use in removals, a message from Aung San Suu Kyi, a segment on freedom of information from Wikipedia cofounder Jimmy Wales, and an attempt to persuade the ambassadors from countries such as Saudi Arabia, China and North Korea to sign Amnesty Internationals 50th birthday card.

Quite some interesting development , i must say!

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.

Tinkode Hacks Into Royal Navy Website !

I always wonder if hackers would have a field day hacking into African Government websites and Financial institutions.Without doubt we have serious resaons to be worried ,especially after reading this article on SkyNews website about a hacker named "TinKode ".The Hacker managed to hack the British  Royal Navy website on during the Weekend and posted user names and website data on the internet.
Visitors to the Navy website this morning were greeted with the message: "Unfortunately the Royal Navy website is currently undergoing essential maintenance Please visit again shortly."

TinKode alleges that he has hacked  US military and other official sites as well as video-sharing resource YouTube.Now thats a reason to get more worried!

Lou Dobbs Resignation From CNN !

 Long time TV Anchor Lou Dobbs abrupt departure and resignation from CNN  last week left many in shock but on a satirical note CAP News Blog propounds a new career for the man: A reality tv show dubbed" Lou Dobbs Brown Alert" which wold feature mexican immigrants trying to make a run for the border.Succesful immigrants wold be awarded with a green card.

Lou Dobbs according to wikipedia is famously known for his opposition of free trade and support for immigration enforcement.This topics have prominently featured in his shows thereby prompting the publishers of CapNews to engineer the idea of hosting such a show.Without doubt i love the pun intended in the article.On the other hand his extreme views has landed him the title of "white supremacist" in a Huffington post opinion article written by Gary Shapiro President and CEO of the American Consumer Electronics Association who believes that Lou did not merit the weekly one hour  Lou Dobbs Tonight show on CNN due to his exaggerating facts and airing non factual populist opinions.

Amnesty's International Demand Dignity Campaign in Kenya

I personally identify with the latest Amnesty's International Demand Dignity campaign especially in relation to poverty in Kenya .The Amnesty Demand Dignity campaign(official website is demanddignity.amnesty.org) that has began with much gusto aims at highlighting inequalities in society that are given little attention resulting in millions of fellow humans living in squalid conditions that are in dignifying.To indicate that Kenya has a special place in this campaign Mrs Irene Khan Amnesty International's Secretary General personally kicked off the campaign in Kenya by visiting the Kibera & Korogocho slum this week!

Sadly,often the fact that slum dwellers in Kenya's biggest slum Kibera lack sanitary facilities and toilets(flying toilets of Kibera) has been one too many the subject of talk shows and jokes.However the reality is that some of the slum dwellers in Kibera have been forced into this kind of livelihood by society and or by circumstances beyond their control.

The Demand Dignity campaign in Kenya provides as follows:

" Amnesty International’s Demand Dignity campaign aims to end global poverty by working to strengthen recognition and protection of the rights of the poor. The campaign will demand the leadership, accountability and transparency that are essential to end the human rights violations that keep people poor.

This is a campaign about all rights. It is the combined abuse of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that drives and deepens poverty. By demanding dignity we are demanding that all states adopt and implement the laws, policies and practices that will end deprivation, insecurity, exclusion, and voicelessness.

Participation and involvement in the decisions that impact on our lives are essential to human rights. By including all rights holders in policy making governments are at once creating a framework for accountability, transparency, inclusion and empowerment. These are the prerequisites to ending poverty.

The Demand Dignity Campaign will put rights at the centre of poverty eradication, and make rights protection efforts work for all people. The stories and solutions that people living in poverty have to tell will be the centrepiece of this worldwide mobilisation. Together we will amplify their voices and demand effective responses from political leaders. More than half of Nairobi’s population – some two million people – live in slums and informal settlements. Crammed into makeshift shacks on just one per cent of the city’s usable land, people live without adequate access to water, hospitals, schools and other essential public services.

Up to a million people live in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum, crowded onto just 550 acres of sodden land that straddles the main railway line. Most earn barely enough to rent a mud-floored, tin-roofed wooden shack with no toilet or running water.

Slum Dwellers are under the constant threat of forced evictions, which are illegal under international human rights law. These evictions are often carried out with brutality and victims are not compensated despite losing their homes, businesses and possessions.

Sometimes private developers are behind forced evictions and sometimes it’s the government. Residents of the Deep Sea settlement have suffered waves of forced eviction by government authorities. Other forced evictions have been carried out in preparation for government infrastructure projects such as the construction of roads.

The Kenyan government’s slum upgrading programme, while a positive step, is doing little or nothing to address the immediate and desperate needs of slum dwellers in Nairobi.

Despite government promises to provide affordable housing outside the slums, its housing policies have not prioritized people living in slums and settlements, or others who may face the greatest difficulties in accessing their right to adequate housing.

During her June visit to Nairobi, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, Irene Khan, urged the Kenyan authorities to immediately stop all forced evictions and to ensure that Kenya fulfils its obligations in relation to the right to adequate housing for the most vulnerable. "

You can participate in this campaign to demand Dignity for Nairobi slum dwellers from the authorities by registering at Amnesty Online Demand Dignity Site and or adding your voice

State Witchhunting in The Gambia !

Kenya has had its fair share of literal witch hunts especially in Nyanza Province, Kisii area but Gambia ha taken ift further! According to a Reuters News Item:

DAKAR (Reuters) - Witch doctors and security forces in Gambia have detained up to 1,000 people on suspicion of being witches, Amnesty International said on Wednesday. Police in the African country dismissed the reports as lies.

Victims have been held in secret detention camps for up to five days and forced to drink hallucinogenic substances which have killed at least two people through kidney failure, the London-based human rights organization said in a statement.

I believe that this action coming from a Government in this day and age is un warranted, quite ashaming and ridiculous.Whilst this post is not about the existence/belief or otherwise in witchcraft. I believe that Governments ought to treat this issue with a bit of Civility. In Kenya the problem is worse in that perpetrators and or suspects of withcraft are often lynched by public mobs.The fact that this is based on suspicion therefore makes the practice a lethal tool to be used to discipline or settle scores with enemies whether real or perceived.But atleast no state interference is employed here! Witch craft and other forms of spiritistic practices are social problems that ought to be addresed on a socio-religious setting!

Guantanamo Military Prison -The Remaining Bit !

On November 13th 2001 following the twin towers USA bombing the then American President George Bush signed an executive order that would among other things result in the establishment of the Guantanmmo Military Prison where detainees of the alleged"war against Terror" would be held without any formal trial.The age old adage you are innocent till proven guilty was put to shame and disregarded!

This step led to various Human Rights abuses that need to be addressed at the present moment. Whereas the Current USA President Baarck H Obama has signed an executive order towards he closure of this facilities ! It is prudent that this matter receive his further attention. The USA oplays a big brother role and if it is seen that the USA can tolerate and or encourage impunity, then other countries may be tempted to follow suit including African Countries which have a known tendency and habit to abuse human rights.

Amnesty international seeks to engage you in acampaign to ensure that those who forment, encourage and perpetuate impunity should be held to account no matter their creed,race, stature or colour!

Since January 11 2009 Amnesty international began an Obama 100 Days e-action campaign with a globalpetition calling for international solidarity behind 17 concrete steps to change US policy( list of which can be obtained at the site).

The Kenyan debate at the moment revolves around agenda three of the campaign which involves"Ensure that an independent commission of inquiry is established to investigate and look into all aspects of the USA’s detention and interrogation practices in the “war on terror” !

What you can do? this campaign calls upon you to sign the petition at http://www.obama100days.org which will be used to marshall suport for the stablishment of an independent commision that will ensure the whole world knows there can be no toleration of impunity in a modern and just society.

Last week i attended a webinar/teleconversation with Amnesty international officials in the UK and some Kenyan bloggers alot of ideas came forth including the question whether Guantanamo is purely an American Affair(i would appreciate your thoughts on this) .A number of the said bloggers have posted insightful articles that you can read:
1. marvintumbo on Guantanamo
2.odeglenyanginv-Human rights and home truths
3. truemindz on Obama to announce closure of guantanamo

Need business leads?

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!

Amnesty International's Global Campaign For Human Dignity

Last week on Friday i had the rare opportunity to interview two members of Staff from Amnesty International(.i.e Jennifer Sullivan and Natasha )- London international secretariat office.The meeting was quite fruitful as they detailed me the increased focus and interest of AI on African Human Rights Issues especially in the African Continent .The two representatives were specifically in Kenya to give added gusto to the "Obama 100 Days Change Campaign" which aimed at petitioning President Obama to:

• Close Guantanamo ,Abu Ghraib and other illegal detention centers and also to end illegal detention
• Ban torture and ill treatment as defined under international law
• Appoint an independent commision to investigate abuses commited under the guiseof "war on terror"

Fliers were passed around in Kenya, there were radio interviews and a free sms campaign whereby Kenyans were encouraged(and still are encouraged) to send a text message with the words "CHANGE " to the number 8830 no matter their mmobile service provider i.e saafricom, Zain,Orange mobile or YU.

I was helped to know that actually the Amnesy innternational counter terror campaign was commenced in 2001 and that they have been sending emails, letters etc of solidarity to some f the Guantanamo detainees most of whom have not been accorded the Right to a fair trial but were arrested merely based on suspicion,tortured, abused ...etc.For example Abdel Malik Abdel Wahab was a Yemeni National in his early Twenties who was allegedly sold by Pakistani Officials to US authorities and hads suffered immensely in the course of his stay at Guantanamo!

Amnesty international intends to increase its presrnce in Africa and so far they have opened a Facebook Group for Africa's online community, they are also in partnership with African bloggers with intent to not only build an online presence but educate the masses on the need to uphold and protect fundamental human Rights and Duties.AI is global movement with over 2.2 million members in more than 150 Countries.

AI's campaign on Human Dignity particurlarly aims at voicing and marshalling concern and action against gross violation of human dignity endure by millions of people worldwide living in extreme poverty. Often poverty is a precipice for blatant abuse of human Rights: To find out more on this campaign please visit: http://webamnesty.org/pages/poverty-index-eng

Perhaps what was most impressive for me was to learn that AI will soon have a fully operational office in Kenya which for the moment will be funded and suported by international partners .This keen watchdog will add voice and complement the activities of existing Human Rights Organization's in Kenya .

Amnesty Internationals Challenge To Obama

Honeymoon is about to end for America's Presidential Elect Barack Obama-with his inaguration on January 20, 2009 the world's eyes will start to focus on his delivery of campaign promises, key being the revamping of the American economy and revitalising America's foreign policy and relations. Amnesty International however has began an Obama 100 days campaign to get him to move the American legislature to disband the infamous Guantanamo prison for detainees in the "war against terror" campaign.Amnesty interntaional 100 days campaign hopes to get President Obama to disclose and announce " a plan and date to close Guantánamo; ban torture and other ill-treatment as defined under international law; and ensure that an independent commission on US “war on terror abuses is set up."

These demands are part of a Counter Terror with Justice “checklist” of actions Amnesty International is asking Obama to take in his first 100 days in office."- according to their website and they are inviting you to share in this campaign by signing a petition!

On another front Amnesty international is begining an African campaign to lobby USA President Obama to support the Respect and Enforcement of Human Rights in Africa and they are getting African bloggers to participate. I am scheduled to meet one of Amnesty Internationals staff from U.K for her to shade more light on the campaign. I will publish the interview in in good time! Im sure the interview will be a learning experience but i hope to lobby more African bloggers to get Amnesty International to develop a steady presence in Africa. For now i can only see a South African Office but i stand to be corrected.I hope that a local Kenyan office or secretariat will soon follow!

There's also an opportunity for readers of this blog to receive freebies including blog badges, t-shirts etc in support of the campaign...details to follow shortly !For now everyone can participate by signing the petition at http://obama100days.amnesty.org/petition.html
So keep it locked here!