Caribbean

A Drug Free World - Could we do it? - Beyond 2008 Series #3.

HCLU — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:18:00 -0800

Not long before the delegates of member states gathered in New York at the UNGASS on drugs in 1998, outstanding professionals and politicians from all around the world addressed Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General in an open letter. They warned the UN not to chase rainbows but to stay down to earth, because in the name of pursuing a drug free society member states often violate human rights, assault the environment and fill prisons with non-violent offenders.

Poverty in Haiti spawns child slavery

aljazeeraenglish — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 09:17:19 -0700

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere and the poverty has fuelled restavek, a system of domestic servitude of hundreds of thousands of children that is tantamount to modern-day slavery.

The country's government acknowledges that child slaves exist but says it is part of the culture.

Al Jazeera's Teresa Bo reports. (October 13, 2008)

Peacekeepers accused of 'abusing children' in Haiti

aljazeeraenglish — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:12:06 -0700

Children as young as six are being sexually abused by United Nations peacekeepers and aid workers in return for food and money, says a report by Save the Children, a non-profit organisation.

Children in post-conflict areas are being abused by the very people drafted into such zones to help look after them, says Save the Children.

Haitian children are particularly at risk, says Save the Children.

Al Jazeeras Teresa Bo reports from Port Au Prince. (September 27, 2008)

Cuba: Ratifican acusación contra activista de derechos humanos

Freeforall — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:31:51 -0700

En horas de la mañana del martes, 2 de septiembre de 2008, se celebró el juicio de apelación del caso de la activista de derechos humanos Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, quien fue acusada bajo cargos de "desacato y resistencia" en la Causa no. 61 de 2008 por hechos acontecidos el 3 de agosto de 2008.

Cuba: Sebastian Arcos Bergnes - Death by Medical Neglect

Freeforall — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:24:11 -0700

Sebastian Arcos Cazabon speaks about his father's death due to the systematic denial of medical treatment by Cuban government authorities. His father Sebastian Arcos Bergnes was one of the founders of the Cuban Committee for Human Rights and an important figure in the July 26 Movement who fought with the Castro brothers to overthrow the Batista Dictatorship.

Cuba: Sebastian Arcos Bergnes, una muerte premeditada

Freeforall — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:16:10 -0700

Amnistía Internacional recibio informes según los cuales el preso de conciencia Sebastián Arcos Bergnes estaba recibiendo presiones por parte de las autoridades cubanas para que acepte el exilio a cambio de que le liberen en una fecha temprana. Al parecer, su estado de salud es bastante precario, y según los informes no está recibiendo asistencia médica.

Iris Tamara needs your help - Iris Tamara necesita su ayuda

Freeforall — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 01:01:12 -0700

En horas de la mañana del martes, 2 de septiembre de 2008, se celebró el juicio de apelación del caso de la activista de derechos humanos Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, quien fue acusada bajo cargos de “desacato y resistencia” en la Causa no. 61 de 2008 por hechos acontecidos el 3 de agosto de 2008.

An appeals trial was held Tuesday morning, September 2, 2008 against human rights activist Iris Tamara Pérez Aguilera, who was charged with "resistance" and "contempt" under Case no. 61 of 2008 concerning an incident occurred on August 3 this year.

Human Rights Violations in Cuba

Freeforall — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:22:33 -0700

Recording testimony from past and ongoing human rights abuses that have taken and are taking place in Cuba with the aim of breaking the cycle of impunity and pursuing accountability with the aim of getting at the truth and with that to national reconciliation and healing after 56 years under two dictatorships.

Cuba: Ricardo Bofill's testimony on the Sebastian Arcos Bergnes case

Freeforall — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:56:11 -0700

Dr. Ricardo Bofill offers his testimony on the life and death of Sebastian Arcos Bergnes who along with his brother Gustavo Arcos were key leaders in the Cuban Committee for Human Rights.

Sebastian was arrested in 1992 for his human rights reporting and denied medical assistance, and the medications that his family took to the prison were denied him.

He was offered release from prison in exchange for going into exile which he rejected despite becoming increasingly ill.

International outcry finally led to his release but it was too late and he died in 1997.

Positive Outlook

Pulitzer Center — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:56:12 -0700

Once a poster child for living HIV+ in Jamaica, Annesha Taylor knows firsthand that life after a positive diagnosis is not an easy one. The campaigns showing that there is life after a positive diagnosis are right — HIV is not a death sentence. But strong stigma and the difficulties of juggling family life, the batteries of medication and bouts of depression have left Annesha fighting to survive.

A synthesis of video, photographs, poetry and music, all inspired by Kwame's reporting in Jamaica, can be found on the interactive site: www.livehopelove.com