My heart is breaking. Hearing, reading, and watching what is happening in Syria would break my heart if it were anywhere else in the world, but it is especially heart wrenching for me because of my personal connection with Syria (involving my studies). I don't have many words to express the despondency I feel over the pain and suffering throughout Syria.
This week, Human Rights Watch released a report on the overwhelming number of torture centers operating throughout Syria--a total of 27 known facilities. One report by CNN states that an activist group in Syria has "collected names of 25,000 people in detention," which means that as many as that may be undergoing torture. That number, of course, does not include the thousands that have been killed by military violence or executed by the Syrian government in the last 15 months.
Below is a report by Ole Solvang, a Human Rights Watch researcher, on the torture centers. Below that is a map that will link you to the summary of the Human Rights Watch report. If you wish to donate to humanitarian aid efforts to Syrians who have fled to the local countries of Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan, CLICK HERE!
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I rarely write about U.S. politics, but as this pertains to the entire world, I felt it was appropriate. Last night I lay in bed writing in my journal. I have posted my entry below (with some added media, of course).
May 1, 2011:
Osama bin Laden is dead. U.S. and Pakistani government intelligence agencies tracked him down to a mansion outside of Islamabad and shot him in the head several hours ago.
President Barack Obama spoke to the nation tonight to make the official announcement. He was somber and pensive, yet resolute and somewhat relieved. The radical Muslim leader who planned the attacks on September 11, 2001 is finally dead--a decade and knee deep in two wars later. Of course, the Iraq war is officially over, but we still have troops there...
Am I happy? No. Osama bin Laden's death will only fuel more jihadists and it isn't as if his death is practical--just symbolic.
Regardless of his death being more symbolic than anything, people across the U.S. are celebrating. A crowd of young people gathered in front of the White House late last night to chant "USA, USA!" over and over again. Many of my friends and family crowded the Facebook news feed with triumphant comments (some could be considered rather "in your face" and distasteful), many praising God for bin Laden's death and a U.S. victory. When I saw the cheering crowds in front of the White House and viewed many of the comments on Facebook, I could not help immediately drawing a paralleled to the similar energy and attitude of anti-American demonstrations across the Middle East within the past decade. When we celebrate an enemy's death and demise, are we not reacting just like our "enemies?"
Perhaps Americans should take a cue from our president. President Obama was nothing near celebratory in his speech. He was relieved at the death of a man who greatly threatened our country and [other countries]. If he felt joy over bin Laden's death, he was certainly reticent. The president did not portray any other emotion than alleviation, solemness, resolve, and rumination. For the president knows that, while this may relieve the American people and others around the world, that this can be used to strengthen jihad and that, because of this, the conflict is far from over. There will be plenty more bloodshed.
Hate begets hate. Death births only death. In the end, only love can conquer, but (sarcasm) where is the glory in that?
Don't get me wrong. I am relieved at his death. I just dread what is to come...
It has been over a year since I wrote in this blog and for that I am truly sorry. It is clear to me now that it is long past time for me to "pick up my pen" (in the electronic sense, of course) and do my part to illuminate my fellow Americans on the events happening around the world out of the U.S. media's spotlight.
The world has kept a keen eye on Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, Iran, Jordan, and Libya the last month. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of all those who have laid down their lives for freedom within the last month, particularly in Libya. Today Iraq joined the brave men and women across the Middle East to protest peacefully for two fundamental human rights: freedom and representation in government. There has been little media coverage here in the U.S. on Iraq's protests, though CNN , Al-Jazeera, and Human Rights Watch have reported on the unrest there in online articles. I do not believe that this is intentional, but rather that the mass scale of the atrocities in Libya has over-shadowed the protests in several countries within the last week, Iraq now included.
Friday, Iraqis all over their nation came out to protest against their government. Their demands were for corruption to end in the government, for consistent availability of amenities (such as electricity and clean water), for government aid for widows and orphans, for jobs to become available for young people, and for the infrastructure of Iraq to be rebuilt. According to Hayfa Ahmed, an Iraqi refugee in Germany who had to flee in 2006 for her participation in politics and the women's rights movement in Iraq, the Iraqi people view their government as illegitimate because it was set up by the United States and not by the Iraqi people.
In a couple northern cities, such as Mosul, the protesters were reported to have destroyed government buildings and thrown stones at police and soldiers, according to CNN. These protesters, however, were met with live ammunition. In what world are rocks and bullets equivalent? In most other cities, such as Baghdad, the protests were completely peaceful and yet were still greeted with violence and bullets. The above mentioned news organizations have estimated between 2 and 5 people were killed in Baghdad alone. According to my source (who will remain unnamed for his safety), the number is closer to 7 and included a nine-year-old child. Many of the protesters were rounded up and taken into custody as well. According to both my sources, Al-Maliki has shut down all media attempts to cover the protests. Several journalists were taken into custody, beaten, and threatened with execution, according to the Washington Post today. Violence and a media black out? Again, one must ask, if his government was just and a true democracy, what would he have to worry about if the media were to cover the protests? Parallels to the first actions of Middle East dictators are easily made in people's minds.
My unnamed source in Baghdad has shared several YouTube videos of the violence there yesterday. First, a helicopter flew over Tahrir Square in Baghdad (yes, there is one there too) to scare off the protesters. When that did not work, violence ensued.
Video 1: Helicopter over Tahrir Square, Baghdad.
Video 2: Peaceful protesting, gun shots begin.
Video 3: Gun shots and wounded.
The response to this by Americans (and people all over the world) is simple. If we as Americans believe that we went into Iraq to allow them to create a government for themselves where they are represented and heard, then we will stand with them and support them! For these atrocities to occur in a country that is still (technically) occupied by the United States is absolutely unacceptable! Peaceful protests for freedom should be supported by all who value democracy and human rights.
The 7.0 earthquake and it's aftershocks that shook the capitol of Haiti Tuesday has injured thousands of Haitians and left many homeless without food, water, and electricity. The Red Cross estimates more than 50,000 lives were claimed by the disaster and that estimate is considered to be on the conservative side. Local authorities expect numbers of over 100,000. While food and aid were quickly pledged by countries all over the world, it has been slow to trickle in due to the damage to the sea port and the roads. While Haitians are enduring, many are growing desperate and have turned to looting to get the things they need to survive.
Anderson Cooper covers a huge amount of the disaster on CNN. I was struck by this one segment he reported on the mass graves. There is video and a written article on the issue as well.
Below is a slide show of photos I chose from Yahoo News and CNN that most clearly depict the situation in Haiti. Please be advised that there are some disturbing images and I would not encourage children to watch it.
Haitians need our help badly! Aside from prayers, there are many things we can do to contribute to their survival and recovery.
1. Donate to the Red Cross. You can go to their website or you can donate via text message by texting the word "haiti" to 90999. $10 will be added to your next month's phone bill should you choose the texting method and can be repeated twice for a maximum total of $30 donation. This is perfect for those (like me!) who are low on cash or in between paychecks!
2. Donate to UNICEF. UNICEF is the United Nations' disaster relief and they specifically are helping the children in Haiti. If you do not wish to donate online, you can call 1-800-FOR-KIDS.
3. Give to the World Food Programme. Also a UN organization, the World Food Programme is working against the clock to provide much needed sustenance for the thousands of Haitians left homeless by the quake. Donations are accepted online.
4. Donate to Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontieres) is opening emergency hospitals and sending out emergency response teams throughout Port au Prince to help during this disaster. Doctors Without Borders is accepting donations online.
5. Give to Mercy Corps! Mercy Corps is focusing on getting clean water to Haiti. Clean, safe drinking water is very difficult to come by in natural disasters such as this, so getting potable water to people is crucial! Mercy Corps not only takes donations online, but also over the telephone 1-888-256-1900 or by mailing (see website for details)!
There are many other great foundations and organizations that are helping in Haiti as well that you may wish to donate to. Just be sure to check into the details on how much of the money you donate actually goes to Haiti. You can also check your local food banks or place of worship to see about food and clothing donations!
This is not my first blog to involve social justice and politics. I had forgotten that my freshman year of college I began a blog on my angelfire site. I'm posting it here. Obviously, I was a little rash back then (particularly in the post about the pope, I think! hahaha!) and certainly very passionate! haha... My opinions have changed a bit. I have definitely learned to curb my words and make sure I dig deeper for my research these days, but thought it might be interesting for you to be able to read my posts from 5 years ago... :)
