Russia's Crackdown on Free Media

Russia has initiated a crackdown on free media. This includes blocking websites, television stations, and print media. These new measures taken by the Russian government are meant to silence dissent relating to the referendum that was held in Crimea. Crimea voted today to secede from the Ukraine and become a part of Russia.

For more information read this article by Amnesty International: http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/russia-media-black-out-ahead-of-disputed-crimea-referendum

Education

It is common in the U.S. for children to complain about having to go to school, but millions of children around the world are unable to receive an education. Yet without an education many of them become trapped in a web of poverty. Young girls are especially affected. Many countries that allow boys to go to school refuse to educate girls. When denied schooling, however, they become vulnerable and dependent on men. In countries like India, Thailand, and Cambodia they are sold into sex trafficking. Even when given a choice, many cannot earn a living elsewhere without an education.

Those who try to affirm their right to education are often brutally punished. Malala Yousafzai stood up for girl's education in Pakistan and was shot by the Taliban as a result. She survived her ordeal and continues to speak out in favor of education for all children. For more information I highly recommend reading her book I Am Malala.

Schooling is at the heart of many poverty centered issues. When people are educated they not only can get better jobs, but are also less likely to be manipulated.

To support this cause you can donate to the Malala Fund.

Sochi Winter Olympics

With the commencement of the 2014 Winter Olympics, Russia has been arresting civil society activists for protesting environmental violations that occurred during the building of the Olympic stadium. They are arrested on trumped up charges like "petty hooliganism."

For more information read these articles from amnesty international:

•  http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/russia-civil-society-activist-arrested-ahead-start-sochi-olympics-2014-02-03
• http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/news-item/sochi-olympics-countdown-sees-russia-jailing-second-prisoner-of-conscience-this-week

The Rohingya Boat Children

The Rohingya are a minority Muslim group from Burma. They have been migrating to Thailand, often in small boats since Burma continues to deny them citizenship. Once in Thailand, however, many of them end up in trafficking camps and are then sold into slavery. The Thai government is doing nothing to protect them. Many of the migrants are children.

To find out more visit: http://www.hrw.org/news/2014/01/06/thailand-protect-rohingya-boat-children

Child Soldiers

A child soldier is defined as a person under the age of 18 either forcibly or willingly participating in armed conflicts. Some children are abducted and forced to join military groups, while others volunteer in order to have a sense of stability and protection in a war-torn region. While many are used in combat roles, others occupy support positions such as porters, messengers, or in the case of girls, sex slaves. Regardless of their role in these military groups, children often witness and are forced to do horrible things to survive. Accounts from former child soldiers describe a brutal kill or be killed mentality.

According to War Child UK there is an estimated 250,000 child soldiers worldwide. These children are invariably  located in unstable regions. Amnesty International recently reported that child soldiers are involved in the conflict in the Central African Republic (For more information on this conflict see my last post).

The issue of child soldiers is not an easy one to solve. Many organizations including the United Nations negotiate their release from military groups, but this is not a sustainable solution. More children will take the places of those freed as long as there is conflict within the region in question. Other organizations like War Child and the International Rescue Committee rehabilitate and provide support for former child soldiers. Their work is invaluable. They give these children a chance to have a better life. The problem, however, persists. I believe that the issue of child soldiers can only truly be solved with peace and stability. These things, however, are slow to come. Until they do, we must do what we can to help because no child deserves to suffer or participate in the horrors of war.

For more information visit: http://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/effects-of-conflict/six-grave-violations/child-soldiers/

To help visit: http://www.warchild.org/

Conflict in the Central African Republic

In early September a group of armed Christians attacked an Islamic neighborhood, burning homes and killing several people. In retaliation, a coalition of armed Islamic groups called the Seleka attacked a Christian community. The conflict has continued to escalate. Many civilians have been displaced within the country or have been forced to take refuge in neighboring nations.

For more information read this article: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/new-satellite-images-reveal-shocking-aftermath-abuses-central-african-republic-2013-11-08

Syrian Refugee Crisis

In 2011 protests against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime were put down violently. Soon afterwards the country erupted into civil war. The violence created by fighting between the government and the Free Syrian Army has forced millions of people to seek refuge in neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. The influx of refugees, however, has stretched the resources of these countries and prompted them to start turning people away. This has left many Syrians trapped between the borders of Syria and its neighboring countries. For those that are lucky enough to make it past the border, refugee camp conditions are far from ideal. Often times there is not enough clean water or medical supplies.

For more information about the Syrian Civil War visit http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/syria-dashboard/

For more information about the Syrian Refugee Crisis visit http://www.amnestyusa.org/news/press-releases/syrians-fleeing-violence-are-turned-back-at-jordanian-border