Archive for category: Human Rights

Information and stories about human rights.

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The Fight for Equal Human Rights in Latvia

Human Rights in LatviaLatvia – a former member of the USSR – is nestled in northeast Europe. It boasts a free market economy and has joined both the EU and NATO. However, with a long history of oppression of human rights, Latvia has struggled to acknowledge and enforce equal rights for all people. Stemming from violence suffered while under the Soviet Union, there are a few key concerns regarding the status of human rights in Latvia.

Latvia has a large number of stateless individuals – over 250,000 of the population. These people, many of whom are children, are not recognized as citizens of Latvia and do not enjoy many of the benefits that come with being a citizen. A lot of these stateless people are ethnic Russians who have difficulty becoming citizens of Latvia due to discrimination.

Discrimination against Russians carries over to many aspects of daily life. People who are not citizens of Latvia endure heavy restrictions in the professional world and are also limited regarding land ownership. Several people have been fired from positions due to possessing an unsatisfactory mastery of the Latvian language. Recently, the mayor of the capital of Latvia was fined for using Russian in a media post. This discriminatory behavior creates a barrier to achieving equal human rights in Latvia.

The U.N. has also raised concern about human rights in Latvia for the disabled. These concerns are specifically regarding the mentally disabled, and representatives for human rights have insisted the Latvian government prioritize the education of disabled children.

Latvia has the EU and the U.N. to hold them accountable for the preservation of human rights, and these organizations have certainly being doing so. While many issues create barriers to attaining the equal treatment of all people, Latvia continues to create reform to try to combat these issues – though there are definitely some areas still needing work. As long as the country is held accountable for its treatment of people, surely progress will be made.

– Julia Mccartney

Photo: Flickr

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Human Rights in Sweden: A Model for the Rest of the World

Human Rights in SwedenAs the first country to legislate freedom of the press in 1766, Sweden has had a history of being a vanguard for human rights for hundreds of years. Human rights in Sweden are a top priority for both its citizens and its government. With its seat on the U.N. Security Council and the establishment of the Human Rights Watch offices within its borders, Sweden sets a remarkable example for other developed countries to follow for upholding human rights.

The strong human rights record in Sweden is due to its governmental determination in uplifting its humanitarian tenets, include fighting discrimination, protecting the rule of law, building democracy and strengthening freedom of expression. Government officials fervently believe in protecting human rights in Sweden because it promotes global development and national security. In 2008, the Swedish government took detailed measures towards eradicating discrimination as much as possible by mandating that human rights must be incorporated into all realms of foreign policy.

Sweden’s international leadership in human rights is a defining characteristic of the country’s view on foreign policy. Given that extensive laws protect Sweden’s citizens within its borders, the country’s current agenda is to protect these rights abroad and to introduce laws that protect those whose rights are not as guaranteed. Sweden assists various international organizations such as the United Nations in extending human rights to those living in developing countries.

In order to combat domestic discrimination, the Swedish government introduced the Swedish Discrimination Act of 2009. It counters discrimination in professional and educational sectors by allowing compensation to be given to those who have experienced discrimination. Although Sweden exerts significant effort to protect human rights, there are still certain demographics that its legislation is not protecting completely. Specific groups that have been targeted include Roma, African, and Muslim Swedes. However, the Swedish government is aware of these reports and strives to assist those who encounter discrimination. According to Sweden’s official website, “Human rights largely begin at home. As Sweden strives to walk its talk, it is important to ensure that the values promoted abroad are upheld at home.”

– Kaitlin Hocker

Photo: Flickr

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Human Rights in Slovakia

Human Rights in SlovakiaThe state of human rights in Slovakia, an EU member state located in central Europe, is in need of major reform. The discrimination against the Romani people – also known as Gypsies – has been carried out in various forms, such as restrictions on the right to education and ill treatment by police forces.

The Roma population, which constitutes approximately two to four percent of the Slovakian population, is the second largest minority group in Slovakia. The most prevalent type of discrimination against the Romani people in Slovakia has occurred in the education system, in the form of segregating Romani children. A joint report by the Amnesty International and the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC), published on March 1, 2017, revealed that Romani children are regularly assessed as having “mild mental disabilities” and are sent to special schools that provide an inferior education. Although Slovakia had already received a threat of fines from the European Commission two years ago for breaching EU discrimination laws, racial segregation in schools is still rampant across the country.

Another form of discrimination that is representative of the current state of human rights in Slovakia is the ill treatment of Roma by the police. According to the Slovakia 2016 Human Rights Report published by the U.S. Department of State, a number of NGOs and members of the Romani community have reported incidents of police officers abusing suspects both while being arrested and after being imprisoned. For instance, in 2010 a Romani minor who was arrested for robbery claimed that police officers committed acts of violence against him in order to force him into giving a confession. In July 2016, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the state failed to carry out an adequate investigation into this incident and ordered the Slovakian government to pay €1,500 to the minor, in addition to legal costs.

The aforementioned cases of discrimination illustrate that human rights in Slovakia are in need of substantial improvement. While numerous members of the Romani community are already fighting for social inclusion and equal opportunities, efforts from the civil society and government will be crucial in eliminating such deep-rooted human rights issues.

– Minh Joo Yi

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Five Areas of Human Rights in Benin

Human Rights in BeninBenin is a small West African nation located just west of Nigeria. The first African nation to successfully transfer power from a dictatorship to a democracy, Benin continues to be one of Africa’s most solid democracies. This democratic stability has contributed to constitutional and legal rights and protection of human rights in Benin.

Despite the various protections afforded under the law, there are still some challenges regarding human rights in Benin.

  1. Major issues with prison conditions plague Benin. The most notable issue is overcrowding. A 2015 report from the NGO Watchdog on the Justice System in Benin found inhumane conditions in 10 civil prisons, including significant overcrowding, malnutrition and disease. A delegation from the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture found similar congestion issues during inspections conducted in January 2016. Legislative attempts have been made to address overcrowding. A new community service law was adopted in June 2016 to reduce congestion through non-detention sentences. New penal code regulations requiring a person to be presented to judicial authority within 48 hours of their arrest have also contributed to improved prison conditions.
  2. Issues with police have also been widespread in Benin. Police in the country is under-equipped and poorly trained, despite efforts to expand infrastructure and equipment. Corruption is an issue in the police force, with police extorting money from people at roadblocks. There have also been issues with impunity following police violations and abuses. While citizens can file complaints, their immunity often simply leads to direct presidential involvement to solve problems.
  3. Problems with corruption extend into the government. While there are criminal penalties for corruption, the law is often applied ineffectively, allowing some officials to engage in corruption without penalty. The court system is also highly susceptible to corruption. Transparency International reported that the judiciary in Benin is the weakest of 13 different Beninese institutions with regards to corruption. Inability to enforce corruption laws due to lack of independence of the judiciary plays a significant role in the presence of corruption in Benin.
  4. Violation of women’s rights persists in Benin. Despite the constitutional assurance of the equality of women, discrimination in political, economic and social spheres continues due to societal attitudes. Specific practices include discrimination in hiring, credit, equal pay and business ownership or management. Domestic abuse is present, often going unpunished. Additionally, female genital mutilation is widespread in Benin, occurring on girls and women from infancy to age 30, with a majority of instances occurring before age 13. While the practice of female genital mutilation is mostly happening in northern rural areas and carries harsh legal penalties, the continuation of the practice is a major violation of human rights.
  5. Children’s rights have seen some growth in Benin, with legislation implemented to fight trafficking, abuse, child labor and discrimination. Growth has also been seen in health and education. However, numerous concerns are still present in these areas so much improvement is still needed. Despite NGO campaigns, infanticide is still a major issue in Benin, forced early marriages occur in the country and female genital mutilation is also a problem affecting girls and young women. Even with laws present to protect against these issues, impunity for perpetrators is widespread.

The Takeaway

Active steps are being taken, especially in the form of legislation, to protect human rights in Benin. However, a major theme that can be seen in the country is the failure to effectively implement many of these laws, leading to impunity in the face of violations. Proper implementation and follow-through of appropriate punishments for violations will be a major step to protecting human rights in Benin.

– Erik Beck

Photo: Flickr

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Human Rights in Andorra

Human Rights in AndorraAndorra is a country with a population of around 85,000 and currently has a constitutional parliamentary democracy as its form of government. In recent years, the migrant population in Andorra has dramatically increased. This increase has caused many in the nation to consider the current state of human rights in the country, as in the past they were not ideal for women and religious minorities.

Arrest Procedures
In many countries that suffer from continual human rights violations, one symptom of this suffering takes the form of its citizens being unlawfully arrested. Andorra has laws that require police to have a warrant for an arrest. Also, Andorra police must release detainees after 48 hours if they are not charged with a crime.

Women’s Rights
One way to evaluate human rights in a country is to examine the treatment of women. Andorra was the tenth country to ratify the Istanbul Convention, which targets violence against women and created a plan to fight against domestic abuse. The treaty defines the various methods of violence used against women and prohibits them by law. Thus, human rights in Andorra are on the rise because of its support for women’s rights described in the Istanbul Convention.

Freedom of Speech and Press
The constitution of Andorra states that the country’s citizens have the right to freedom of speech and the press. The restriction of these human rights in Andorra is punishable by law. The Andorran government recognizes how important the collaboration of the press and the government is to ensure the human rights of its citizens.

The Takeaway
The primary markers of human rights are how people are treated in court, how women are treated in society and if the citizens of a country are allowed to practice freedom of speech. The people of Andorra are fortunate to live in a country that guarantees these fundamental rights in their constitution. The continued effort to enforce these laws ensuring human rights in Andorra proves that it is a leader in human rights and an example to other nations.

– Nicholas Beauchamp

Photo: Flickr

The Current State of Human Rights in Finland

Human Rights in FinlandFinland has a population of about 5.5 million, and is seated next to Sweden and Norway. Human rights in Finland are ultimately made a priority by the country’s government, and this country is considered more progressive than most, although there are still a few areas that could be improved.

According to a report from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, the Nordic country strives to dedicate time and attention to minorities in the country, including the Roma, linguistic or religious minorities and other ethnic minorities. On the other hand, the report also states that residents who belong to multiple of these minority groups are typically “the most vulnerable to human rights violations.” Finland promotes openness in respect to human rights policy and works toward “effective empowerment of the civil society,” according to the same report.

Human rights in Finland are also supported by nongovernment organizations in the region. In addition, human rights defenders work with minority groups. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs states that, “the key message is to encourage and urge the Ministry’s entire staff to collaborate actively with human rights defenders.”

Finland prioritizes areas including women’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, the rights of sexual and gender minorities, the rights of indigenous peoples and economic, social and cultural rights, according to the report. Regarding the rights of sexual minorities, in March of this year, Finland became the 13th country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage, according to the Human Rights Watch.

While human rights in Finland are heavily prioritized, there are still areas in need of improvement.

The U.S. Department of the State reports that human rights problems in Finland include the failure of police to provide detainees with timely access to legal council, “questionable” donations and contributions to political campaigns and violence against women and members of the LGBT community.

The report also included information on issues surrounding the treatment of survivors of sexual abuse and domestic violence. It stated that survivors seeking justice have encountered many obstacles with respect to their interactions with police and judicial officials. However, it also stated that police and government officials strongly encourage victims to report rapes through “various public awareness campaigns.”

While human rights in Finland have a few shortcomings, they are one of the more progressive nations in Europe, meaning that further progress is certainly possible.

– Leah Potter

Photo: Flickr

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4 Concerns About Human Rights in Lithuania

Human Rights in LithuaniaThe Republic of Lithuania is located west of Russia along the Baltic Sea. 3.3 million people live in this 65,300 square km country. Historic changes have taken place in just one generation.

Lithuania had been occupied by Russia since 1940, but regained its independence in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Thirteen years later, in 2004, Lithuania joined NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the EU (European Union).

This country has seen a lot of political change in the past 25 years. A new constitution in 1992 presented a new form of government for Lithuania, including a presidency.

However, despite advancements, there are still problems with human rights in Lithuania. The government and people of this Baltic country are working hard to improve human rights, but there are still four notable areas of concern.

1. Children’s welfare
The 2016 Human Rights Report on Lithuania stated that “despite a multi-year effort to combat violence against children, many problems continued.” The Council of Europe Commissioner of Human Services, Nils Muižnieks, plans on reducing child abuse and harm in Lithuania by “implementing the law banning all forms of violence against children through a coordinated strategy and effective and independent monitoring.”

One area that can be improved is the country’s child hotline. It was reported that in the first eight months of 2015, the hotline received over 421,000 calls but was only able to respond to 192. This lack of resources and funding is a serious issue that results in injuries to and sometimes deaths of children.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is the number of institutionalized and displaced children in Lithuania. There are close to 100 orphanages in the country, which house about 4,000 orphans as of 2015. It is an important goal for Lithuanian government officials and NGOs to improve the orphanage system, because many institutionalized children’s issues stem from their time without a family in these temporary homes.

2. Domestic violence
According to the 2016 Human Rights report, in Lithuania, “rape and domestic violence are criminal offenses” and are dealt with according to the degree of harm done to the victim.

Domestic violence is one of the biggest human rights issues in Lithuania. Although there have been efforts to stop it, violence still continues. “In the first eight months of the year, police received 33,453 domestic violence calls and started 6,718 pretrial investigations, including 24 for murder.”

Compared to the United States’ 20,000 calls a day for rape or domestic violence, Lithuania’s numbers may not seem substantial. However, when people are being harmed, any number is significant and needs to be addressed.

3. Discrimination against minorities
Human rights in Lithuania in regard to discrimination against minorities are a very prevalent issue. Whether it is a mentally disabled person or a Jewish person, discrimination occurs against various minority groups in Lithuania.

People with disabilities are among the groups that face the worst discrimination in Lithuania. Some rights that have been known to be unequal for disabled people include “inaccessibility, forced hospitalization, human rights violations in closed institutions and psychiatric wards, restrictions on the right to vote and an inadequate mental health system, which remained among the least reformed areas in the health sector.”

Jews also have a history of discrimination in Lithuania. Recent research has shown that between January and April of 2016, 90 Jewish people who applied for passports were rejected, compared to only 20 non-Jewish applicants rejected.

However, like most human rights issues in Lithuania, the government is working to improve the situation. About $14.3 million was put aside between 2013 and 2019 to be spent by the Department of Affairs of the Disabled.

4. Inhumane treatment of prisoners
Conditions in some prisons and detention facilities remain sub-standard. There have been credible allegations of inadequate access to hygiene products, poor sanitary conditions such as filthy blankets and mattresses, poor food and inferior medical care.

Some improvements have been made, though. “Between January and September, the government spent approximately 364,000 euros ($400,000) on the renovation of seven prison facilities.” With more aid and support, these prisons and detention centers can become healthy and safe places.

– Sydney Missigman

Photo: Flickr

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Human Rights in Guinea

Human Rights in GuineaStill in the early stages of transitioning into a constitutional democracy after decades of authoritarian rule, Guinea still has significant room for improvement regarding its human rights. Guinea struggles with issues such as state-sponsored violence against dissidents, violence against women and restrictions on freedom of the press. Despite the implementation of the modified Criminal Code in 2016 – which criminalized torture and abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes – the defamation and insulting of public figures remain punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment. With a score of 41 out of 100 in Freedom House’s Freedom in the World 2017 report, Guinea continues to be classified as a Partly Free nation.

According to the United States Department of State’s 2016 Human Rights Report on Guinea, the country’s second democratic presidential campaign in 2015 was more peaceful than the previous one in 2010 or the 2013 legislative elections. Incumbent president Alpha Condé won re-election with 58 percent of the vote. The report does mention, however, that a few deaths still occurred during confrontations between demonstrators and state security forces.

Human Rights Watch has reported that the election was flawed, though Condé’s government took steps in 2016 to consolidate the rule of law and address the excessive use of force employed by security forces. Human rights violations by these security forces have reportedly decreased, but the Guinean judiciary appears to have done little to investigate past instances of state-sponsored violence – except the 2009 massacre of unarmed protesters. The massacre occurred under the military rule of Moussa Dadis Camara and resulted in the death of over 100 protesters. According to Human Rights Watch, while the investigation received political and financial support from the government, there was significant failure to suspend high-ranking government suspects from their positions.

In addition to the use of force against dissidents, the freedoms of speech, press and assembly are also restricted in order to decrease public criticism of the government. Since 2016, there have been multiple cases of citizens being imprisoned or fined for defamation or being in “contempt of the President.” In June 2016, journalist Malick Bouya Kébé of a private radio station was fined one million Guinean francs (approximately $112) for complicity in contempt of the President; he failed to interrupt a listener who criticized the president during a phone-in segment. His listener, another journalist, was sentenced to a year in prison and fined 1.5 million Guinean francs (approximately $168). To put this in perspective, the average annual income in Guinea is approximately $446. Both were tried without access to a lawyer.

Discrimination and violence against women and girls have also been human rights issues needing improvement in Guinea. In accordance with Guinean law, violence against women causing injury is punishable by up to five years in prison and a maximum fine of 30,000 Guinean francs (approximately $3.30). Though the law does not specifically address domestic violence, a charge of general assault carries a sentence of two to five years and a fine of up to 300,000 Guinean francs (approximately $33). Though grounds for divorce, the U.S. State Department has found that police rarely intervene in instances of domestic violence. It has also been reported that approximately 96 percent of Guinean women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation or cutting.

Key international actors such as the European Union, the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission and the International Criminal Court have undertaken efforts to strengthen judicial reforms, support security sector reform and engage national authorities on progress in investigations into state-sponsored violence. In its 2017 World Report, Human Rights Watch asserts that there must be more international pressure put on the Guinean government from these international actors in order for there to be lasting improvements made on human rights in Guinea.

– Amanda Quinn

Photo: Flickr

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Human Rights in Angola

Human Rights in AngolaAngola is a country in Southern Africa which borders the South Atlantic Ocean and is between Namibia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite its massive oil reserves, the country scores low on the human development index – an index that measures the quality of life in a country. Angola suffered from a civil war lasting 27 years, which ended in 2002. In recent years, the country has adopted a republic-based government which is led by President Dos Santos.

Human rights in Angola suffered during 2016 due to government repression and the largest economic crisis since the civil war ended. The drop in oil prices was a primary factor in the crisis, which slowed growth for a decade, alongside exposing government corruption that had been present for years. Here are a few of the most prevalent human rights issues needing attention in Angora.

Freedom Of Media

Human rights in Angola continue to suffer due to the government’s control of the media. The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) is the ruling party in Angola, and the state run-media has proved itself to be highly biased toward portraying this party in a favorable way.

In 2016, a state television channel named TPA attempted to cover a story on civil society groups and opposition parties. However, government intervention switched the new tone of TPA back to a pro-MPLA bias. Blogs, social media and privately owned websites continue to be the central space for any ideas which oppose those of the ruling party.

The Justice System

Human rights in Angola continue to be held back due to an inadequate justice system. Often there are politically-influenced trials, new national security laws and slander charges which suppress human rights defenders in Angola. The Constitution of Angola states that these actions are illegal; however, due to the corruption of the MPLA, many fighting for human rights in Angola often become imprisoned.

Abuses By Security Forces

Human rights in Angola remain unimproved, in part because of abuses by the nation’s security forces. Use of excessive force is commonplace for citizens who oppose the government. On top of this, the corrupt justice system makes bringing these security forces to trial nearly impossible.

In April of 2016, police in the Huíla Province fired at a student demonstration taking place at Caluquembe. Due to the actions of these officers, three people were wounded and many others threatened with further violence. The police initially denied these actions, but when later pushed to confess, they still did not get charged with any crimes.

The Takeaway

Human rights in Angola are in an unfortunate state of affairs and have been ever since the 2016 economic crisis. This economic crisis exposes the government corruption taking place, further making the situation in the nation more volatile. However, continued action from human rights defenders and online groups may improve the situation for human rights in Angola.

– Nicholas Beauchamp

Photo: Flickr

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How Human Rights in Namibia Impact Schools and Children

Human Rights in NamibiaNamibia is a country on the coast of the southern tip of Africa, and since 1990, has gained independence from South Africa and established a representative democratic republic. Human rights in Namibia continue to be an issue for children seeking a safe education, as the nation has yet to commit to the Safe Schools Declaration.

While one in four children in conflict zones around the world get denied the right to an education, much of the problem is due to the use of schools by government security forces and non-state armed groups.

These armed groups have used schools and other educational institutions as military bases, shelters, weapons caches and outposts. While takeover time can vary from weeks to years, military usage of schools disrupts students’ learning. Additionally, it makes them more vulnerable to attacks from opposing forces or sexual violence caused by the very soldiers who inhabit the school.

In addition to these violations of human rights in Namibia, the use of schools for military purposes also diminishes student attendance and transition to higher levels, as well as permanent school closures.

To protect these children, 64 countries have given their allegiance to the Safe Schools Declaration. An international agreement started in 2015 to provide for the safety and continuation of education throughout times of war. Countries who have joined the declaration have committed to avoiding military usage of educational buildings during periods of conflict, as well as collecting data to investigate and potentially prosecute those in violation.

While Namibia’s neighboring countries, including Angola, South Africa, and Zambia, have all already committed to the Safe Schools Declaration, the nation’s avoidance of the treaty is a cause of major concern for the future of human rights in Namibia.

As children and teachers continue to suffer the consequences of armed forces use of schools in Namibia, a commitment to ending the practice is in immediate need on the part of the nation’s government.

– Kendra Richardson

Photo: Google