U.S Immigration Crisis

The debate over illegal immigration was once again brought to national attention by the recent influx of children illegally crossing into the United States from Central America. Illegal immigration in the U.S and elsewhere has long been the cause of much discussion. Those in favor of it state that illegal immigrants help the economy by providing cheap labor. Others attack it, claiming immigrants steal jobs away from actual citizens. The economical effects, however, should not take away from what these immigrants suffer through in the hopes of finding a better life. Many leave their home country to escape violence or poverty. The journey to the U.S itself is often very dangerous. Some are smuggled in by trucks, shipping containers, or make the journey on foot through the Arizona desert. The latter method often results in the migrant dying of dehydration. If they do make it to the U.S, they are vulnerable to an array of abuses including poor pay and living conditions. They must also live with the fear of being detained and deported. Now imagine a child, unaccompanied by an adult, going through all this.

Last Friday, President Obama met with presidents from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala to discuss a solution. In addition, President Obama wants congress to dedicate nearly 4 billion dollars to the immigration problem.The 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act is currently slowing down the deportation process. The act requires that each child be given a court hearing to determine whether or not they will be allowed to remain in the U.S. Due to a back log of cases, this can take years. Obama therefore wants the money to go towards improving the border patrol and detention facilities, as well as increasing the amount of judges trying these cases. In a press release, Amnesty International reminded leaders of the four countries that they have an obligation to protect the human rights of migrant children.

For more information on how U.S immigration policies effect migrants see: "Torn Apart", a multimedia feature created by Human Rights Watch in partnership with artist Platon.

For more information on the recent immigration crisis read this article by NPR: http://www.npr.org/2014/07/09/329848538/whats-causing-the-latest-immigration-crisis-a-brief-explainer

For more information on illegal immigration read this article by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: http://www.unodc.org/toc/en/crimes/migrant-smuggling.html

Israeli Palestinian Conflict

The Israeli Palestinian Conflict began with the formation of Israel. After World War II, the United Nations divided the region into an Arab and a Jewish state. Both sides refused to recognize each other as legitimate states and have been fighting intermittently ever since. The conflict recently escalated when three Israeli teens were abducted in the West Bank and murdered. Israel blames Hamas, a terrorist organization who controls the Palestinian territories, for their deaths. Israeli troops were sent into Gaza to arrest the suspected murderers. Hamas has been using this, along with the death of a Palestinian teen who was murdered in retribution by an orthodox Jewish extremist group, as an excuse to launch long range missiles into Israel. In turn, Israel has been launching airstrikes into Gaza to destroy Hamas missile cashes. Casualties on the Israeli side have been limited due to their Iron Dome defense system. Civilians of Gaza, however, have not been so lucky. This is further complicated by Hamas asking Palestinians not to evacuate despite Israeli warnings that there will be an airstrike.

For more information about the history of the Israel Palestine Conflict read this article by Global Issues:
http://www.globalissues.org/article/119/the-middle-east-conflict-a-brief-background

For more information on the recent escalation of the conflict read this article by NPR:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/07/14/331321398/israel-shoots-down-drone-as-clash-with-hamas-continues

The World Bank and Human Rights

The World Bank is an organization that gives loans and advice to developing countries. Their stated goal is to reduce world poverty. They have, however, been inadvertently funding human rights abuses. In Honduras, they funded a project that led to violence and killings. While in some cases they have fought against discrimination in the developing world, in others they seem to ignore it. The World Bank delayed funding to countries like Uganda after anti-gay laws were passed, but continued to give loans to Burma where the government discriminates against the Rohingya, a minority Muslim group. The bank has a huge influence over the developing world, and they should use that influence and do their due diligence to ensure that there are fewer human rights violations.

For more information read this article by Human Rights Watch:
http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/01/world-bank-falling-short-rights

Freedom of Expression

Lack of freedom of expression is one of the biggest violation of human rights worldwide. Every human being has the right to express their beliefs and thoughts; yet in most of the world this right is constantly denied. Governments, hoping to suppress dissent, imprison, torture, and murder individuals who speak out against them. 

For more information on freedom of expression read this article by Amnesty International: http://www.amnesty.org/en/freedom-of-expression

Coup in Thailand

On May 22 a military coup was announced in Thailand. The new military government has committed numerous human rights abuses including arresting supporters of the previous government, censoring media, and enforcing a curfew.

For more information read this article by Human Rights Watch: http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/05/24/thailand-rights-free-fall-after-coup

Child Marriage

Child marriage is a world-wide problem. It affects both boys and girls, although it more commonly impacts the later. In many developing countries parents will marry off their daughters (or sons) before they are 18 years of age. In some cases this is because of traditional gender roles or poverty. In most developing countries women are seen as less valuable than men and a burden that should be discarded with as soon as possible. By marrying off their children early, families can also reduce their expenses. No matter the reason, the result is the same. Child brides are often subject to sexual assault and are more susceptible to having complications during childbirth. They also typically do not receive an education; this in turn contributes to trapping them in this horrible situation. 

Currently Yemen is considering passing a law to end child marriage in their country.

For more information on child marriage visit these websites:

• http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/
• http://www.unicef.org/protection/57929_58008.html

For More information on child marriage in Yemen read this article by Human Rights Watch:

http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/04/27/yemen-end-child-marriage

Somalis In Kenya

Kenya has been detaining and deporting Somalis in the country who do not have proper identification papers as part of an anti-terrorism measure. The Kenyan government, however, makes it nearly impossible for the Somalis to get identification papers. Many of Somalis are in the country as refugees seeking asylum.

For more information read this article by amnesty international: http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/kenya-somalis-trapped-in-%E2%80%98catch-22-amid-crackdown-on-refugees