kimpossible48 (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} kimpossible48) wrote,@ 2006-02-19 18:19:00 |
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Human Rights Update -- Week of January 23rd
I realize this is for the week of January 23rd, but I will continue to add stuff until it's all up to date!
January 23, 2006
Warnings of New Violence in Sri Lanka
United Nations officials have recently begun to show somewhat increased concern for safety issues in Sri Lanka. A small number of Sri Lankan refugees have left their homes in the last few days and headed into India by boat. This movement may be a sign that security has decreased in Sri Lanka and violence may start to rise in the region in the future. According to William Spindler (spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees), “Although [the number of fleeing refugees is] small, this is the first arrival of refugees to Rameswaram [in India] reported since January 2003, and points to a worrisome deterioration of the security situation in the north and east of Sri Lanka ("UN January 20, 2004")."
Sri Lankan refugees began fleeing to India in the early 1980’s when violent problems arose between the Sri Lankan government and a minority militant group (the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE). Since a ceasefire agreement was signed in 2002, thousands of Sri Lankan refugees have made their way back home from India. Repatriation has been difficult, however, due to many Sri Lankans’ fears that the safety situation really has not improved and fears that children will be forcibly recruited to the LTTE ("Refugees International"). The UN plans to keep an eye on the situation and help refugees and internally displaced persons as much as possible. One hopes that the fleeing of refugees into India is not a sign of security deterioration, but rather just that India offers these Sri Lankans better opportunities than their recovering homeland. It’s most unfortunate that these refugees must leave their own homes in order to remain safe.
I realize this is for the week of January 23rd, but I will continue to add stuff until it's all up to date!
January 23, 2006
Warnings of New Violence in Sri Lanka
United Nations officials have recently begun to show somewhat increased concern for safety issues in Sri Lanka. A small number of Sri Lankan refugees have left their homes in the last few days and headed into India by boat. This movement may be a sign that security has decreased in Sri Lanka and violence may start to rise in the region in the future. According to William Spindler (spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees), “Although [the number of fleeing refugees is] small, this is the first arrival of refugees to Rameswaram [in India] reported since January 2003, and points to a worrisome deterioration of the security situation in the north and east of Sri Lanka ("UN January 20, 2004")."
Sri Lankan refugees began fleeing to India in the early 1980’s when violent problems arose between the Sri Lankan government and a minority militant group (the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE). Since a ceasefire agreement was signed in 2002, thousands of Sri Lankan refugees have made their way back home from India. Repatriation has been difficult, however, due to many Sri Lankans’ fears that the safety situation really has not improved and fears that children will be forcibly recruited to the LTTE ("Refugees International"). The UN plans to keep an eye on the situation and help refugees and internally displaced persons as much as possible. One hopes that the fleeing of refugees into India is not a sign of security deterioration, but rather just that India offers these Sri Lankans better opportunities than their recovering homeland. It’s most unfortunate that these refugees must leave their own homes in order to remain safe.
January 24, 2006
Current Situation in Darfur
The situation in Sudan remains fragile and continues to deteriorate “as violence and impunity – never completely in check – are again everyday occurrences in Darfur ("UN Article 1, 1/24/06"),” said Antonia Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Violence has entered into Chad, where there are already 200,000 Sudanese refugees being helped by UN humanitarian workers. About 800 Sudanese refugees have fled into Chad in the past few weeks alone. Although a peace agreement mission was deployed in 2004 and one was signed about a year ago, tension and violence still exist throughout southern and eastern Sudan. Security in west Darfur has continued to deteriorate as Janjaweed militiamen continue to increase tension and violence between Sudan and Chad ("UN Article 2, 1/24/06").
Due to increases in violence and deteriorations in security, the amount of aid and the number of humanitarian workers employed in Chad continues to decrease for safety reasons. The UNHCR has stressed the importance though of “massive economic and political support” for the region. It is warned that as the violence continues to increase and security deteriorates in Darfur, an even bigger humanitarian catastrophe lies ahead. While the UN is working to restore peace to Darfur, it is imperative that large-scale economic and political help is implemented before certain “rules of conditionality” are met, because there may not be enough time to wait (“UN Article 1, 1/24/06”). The situation in Darfur is a priority for the UN as it is one of the most difficult situations at this time; it is necessary that we do all we can do bring about political support from our own nation before it is too late.
January 25, 2006
Refugee Smuggling Deaths
Despite the United Nation’s efforts to inform Somali and Ethiopian refugees about the dangers of using smuggling boats to flee across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen, large numbers of these refugees continue to resort to this method of transportation in order to get out of their home countries. The number of refugees registered in Yemen in just the past week is about 1300 Somalis and about 75 Ethiopians. However, at least 70 refugees (both Somali and Ethiopian) have been confirmed dead after attempting to make the trip to Yemen by smuggling boats. There are even more missing refugees who have not yet been confirmed, but are assumed also to be dead.
While Yemen is very welcoming to Somali refugees who flee into its borders, Somali refugees still risk their lives by using smuggling boats because of “drought, recent clashes in parts of Somalia and general instability,” said spokesman for the UNHCR Ron Redmond ("UN, 1/24/06"). The majority of deaths in these smuggling cases result from dehydration and the fact that refugees can often be stranded on smuggling boats for days with hardly any food or water.
Is it enough for the UN to simply call “for international action to stem the flow of desperate people across the Gulf of Aden?” Is it enough to just inform refugees of the dangers of traveling by smugglers’ boats or should they be prevented from even attempting to use this form of escape? It appears that no matter how much some of these refugees might be informed of the dangers, they are still willing to risk their lives in order to flee to a safer and more welcoming country than their own.
January 26, 2006
Refugees in Côte d’Ivoire Without UN Aid
The 10,000 Liberian refugees who have sought shelter in Côte d’Ivoire find themselves in a very precarious and saddening position this week. After fleeing violence in their own country, Liberian refugees found assistance, food, relief items, etc. at the United Nations relief headquarters in Guiglo, Côte d’Ivoire. Sadly, last week, the offices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees were attacked by protesters and looted (food, vehicles, and more were stolen). Hardly any supplies remain and the entire staff was evacuated; without food, staff, or other UN assistance, the 10,000 refugees have basically been left high and dry. In upcoming days, the situation will be measured and officials will try to figure out how soon operations can be started back up again in Côte d’Ivoire.
It is incredibly saddening that people like these protestors would be so violent about interrupting global efforts by others to help refugees, internally displaced persons, and others seeking refuge from the UN. To think that anyone would want to stand in the way of UN relief efforts to begin with disturbs me greatly, but the fact that this incidence in Côte d’Ivoire (and in places where other UN headquarters are located as well) happened is something I feel extremely saddened about. “UNHCR is shocked at the level of the violence and saddened that its staff and other UN and humanitarian workers were targeted,” [Ron] Redmond said. “UNHCR has been in Guiglo for more than 10 years, working on behalf of refugees and the local host population ("UN January 24, 2006").” I am shocked as well at the kind of violence being committed toward those involved in humanitarian efforts; I suppose every good deed does not go unpunished.
Due to increases in violence and deteriorations in security, the amount of aid and the number of humanitarian workers employed in Chad continues to decrease for safety reasons. The UNHCR has stressed the importance though of “massive economic and political support” for the region. It is warned that as the violence continues to increase and security deteriorates in Darfur, an even bigger humanitarian catastrophe lies ahead. While the UN is working to restore peace to Darfur, it is imperative that large-scale economic and political help is implemented before certain “rules of conditionality” are met, because there may not be enough time to wait (“UN Article 1, 1/24/06”). The situation in Darfur is a priority for the UN as it is one of the most difficult situations at this time; it is necessary that we do all we can do bring about political support from our own nation before it is too late.
January 25, 2006
Refugee Smuggling Deaths
Despite the United Nation’s efforts to inform Somali and Ethiopian refugees about the dangers of using smuggling boats to flee across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen, large numbers of these refugees continue to resort to this method of transportation in order to get out of their home countries. The number of refugees registered in Yemen in just the past week is about 1300 Somalis and about 75 Ethiopians. However, at least 70 refugees (both Somali and Ethiopian) have been confirmed dead after attempting to make the trip to Yemen by smuggling boats. There are even more missing refugees who have not yet been confirmed, but are assumed also to be dead.
While Yemen is very welcoming to Somali refugees who flee into its borders, Somali refugees still risk their lives by using smuggling boats because of “drought, recent clashes in parts of Somalia and general instability,” said spokesman for the UNHCR Ron Redmond ("UN, 1/24/06"). The majority of deaths in these smuggling cases result from dehydration and the fact that refugees can often be stranded on smuggling boats for days with hardly any food or water.
Is it enough for the UN to simply call “for international action to stem the flow of desperate people across the Gulf of Aden?” Is it enough to just inform refugees of the dangers of traveling by smugglers’ boats or should they be prevented from even attempting to use this form of escape? It appears that no matter how much some of these refugees might be informed of the dangers, they are still willing to risk their lives in order to flee to a safer and more welcoming country than their own.
January 26, 2006
Refugees in Côte d’Ivoire Without UN Aid
The 10,000 Liberian refugees who have sought shelter in Côte d’Ivoire find themselves in a very precarious and saddening position this week. After fleeing violence in their own country, Liberian refugees found assistance, food, relief items, etc. at the United Nations relief headquarters in Guiglo, Côte d’Ivoire. Sadly, last week, the offices of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees were attacked by protesters and looted (food, vehicles, and more were stolen). Hardly any supplies remain and the entire staff was evacuated; without food, staff, or other UN assistance, the 10,000 refugees have basically been left high and dry. In upcoming days, the situation will be measured and officials will try to figure out how soon operations can be started back up again in Côte d’Ivoire.
It is incredibly saddening that people like these protestors would be so violent about interrupting global efforts by others to help refugees, internally displaced persons, and others seeking refuge from the UN. To think that anyone would want to stand in the way of UN relief efforts to begin with disturbs me greatly, but the fact that this incidence in Côte d’Ivoire (and in places where other UN headquarters are located as well) happened is something I feel extremely saddened about. “UNHCR is shocked at the level of the violence and saddened that its staff and other UN and humanitarian workers were targeted,” [Ron] Redmond said. “UNHCR has been in Guiglo for more than 10 years, working on behalf of refugees and the local host population ("UN January 24, 2006").” I am shocked as well at the kind of violence being committed toward those involved in humanitarian efforts; I suppose every good deed does not go unpunished.
