Modern-Day Slavery

This is a bizarre article about an investigation of what we would call modern day slavery across Asia. Cambodian recruitment agents target naïve girls from villages promising them lucrative jobs abroad. The agency then takes these desperate women to factories in Malaysia where they are forced to labor with very little pay. Women are detained at these factories and their passports are confiscated. They are not allowed to return or have any communication with their families unless families pay ransom money for their release. “In practice, the women are enslaved; debt bonded, far from home with no way to escape.”

When investigated, in a statement, the recruiting agency insisted: "Most workers willingly give their passports to their respective agents for safe-keeping, and they are able to obtain their passports at anytime upon their request.” In theory, the companies are required to hand over the passports upon request, but in practice, the employers are the ones who sign the exit visas, which means the workers can’t leave the country without permission and are stuck. The amazing part is, all of this is legal in Malaysia.

The women are part of a complex chain, recruited by the agency, employed by a middleman, who is owned and operated by a bigger company that sub-contracts the work.

People who own the recruitment agency are also relatives of the deputy prime minister of Cambodia. This is not a problem with just agencies in Cambodia, but a problem that involves higher authorities in the government. Desperate families have no way to seek justice as these women have signed contracts and other documents without knowledge of what they are going into. If they try to run away, they are arrested and returned to the factories by the police because they lack passports and proper documentation, all of which have been confiscated by the agency.

This brings an interesting issue to light. All of us can agree that we are appalled by the situation in Cambodia and Malaysia, but as consumers, do we care about the way the way our products are manufactured? For example, the computer accessories we own may very well be from debt-bonded labor. Will knowing such information stop us from using computers made in Malaysia? Of course not! We’re all talk when it comes to standing up for human rights, but when it comes to taking steps to reduce it, we’re not willing to go out of our comfort zone because it means we have to sacrifice a luxury that we feel we somehow deserve. As humans, we are inherently selfish and our attempts at improving someone else’s life only go so far. You and I are not willing to give up something that is dear to us to make a statement for someone else.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY): choosing to score political points over protecting human rights

A recent Politico article reveals disappointing, but unsurprising news that Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has put an anonymous hold on legislation currently pending in the Senate which would release $36 million in funding for benefits that the US government has promised to provide to 5,600 disabled and elderly refugees currently living in the United States. Paul argues that this benefit program - the costs of which are offset by fee increases for immigrants seeking visas - has in the past and could in the future provide funding to terrorists seeking to do harm to the United States by entering this country under the pretense of refugee status.

Paul cites the fact that two "refugees" who resided in Kentucky, the state he represents, were recently arrested for domestic terrorism activities and that they had been receiving benefits provided through this program. His solution, however, is to deny this program's funding - funding that many legitimate refugees desperately need - rather than to pose practical ways of fixing the program's flaws. Furthermore, the funding itself (a mere $36 million) is minuscule compared to most Congressional appropriations, and the harm done by the hold on its release far outweighs any contribution it would make to this nation's deficit.

This is why Paul's behavior is disappointing, but understandable. He is seeking to maintain a political image of fiscal conservatism and concern for national security, but the reality and consequences of his actions will be nothing more than the escalated poverty of some 5,600 refugees.

There is a time and place for political and ideological battles (even legitimate ones regarding the size, scope, and role of government) to be waged, but this isn't one of them.

Banning Gay Pride Parades

The Serbian government recently decided to ban a gay pride parade that was scheduled for this weekend. They cited security concerns as the reason for the cancellation. There are many organizations who had been planning to counter-protest the parade, and the government decided that these protests were too large of a security threat to allow the parade to proceed. The article that I found, "Gay pride parade ban 'dark day for human rights,'" noted that this ban marks the second time in three years that a gay pride parade has been cancelled due to security threats. These threats are mostly from ultra-nationalists and other right-wing groups who are extremely homophobic.

I think it is completely unacceptable that Serbia banned the pride parade because of its own worries about anti-pride protests. It is the government's responsibility to protect all of its citizens, and to preserve their right to freedom of speech. By banning the parade, Serbia has acquiesced to the demands of homophobic hate groups. I am appalled by the government's treatment of a minority group. This ban sends the exact wrong message to hate organizations, it tells them that their hate is justified, which is absolutely not appropriate. Every person has the right to a pride parade, and to express themselves; you cannot disenfranchise a group of people based on their sexuality. The ban is a blatant violation of human rights, and the government of Serbia should be ashamed. As the organizer of the pride parade, Goran Miletic, said, "This is a defeat for all citizens of Serbia: today, it's the gays, tomorrow, God knows which minority group."

Many would agree that the Asylum process in the United States is flawed in some ways or another. With such an emphasis on keeping people “out,” events happen daily in the life of each asylum seeker – making it more difficult for them to plead their case. Take for example – the middle of the night change of location of one refugee from one prison to the next – ultimately making it even more difficult for their probonal lawyer to work and communicate with them. Dozens of other road blocks are in place to only allow asylum to individuals who are most deserving, whatever “most deserving” could mean.  With a huge emphasis on facts and proof of testimony, it’s a wonder how any false accusations could make it through.

In this article this past summer, the New York Times – pointed to some fraudulent cases. Fraudulent cases exist in all courts in the United States. The articles negative attitude towards the overall process - just because of the few that slip the cracks - was extremely ill-found. 

These few cases do not negate the fact that there is genital mutilation, slaughter, ethnic cleansing, and conflict around the globe. Individuals escape their hell only to find themselves handcuffed and placed in another one - miles away from their home in York County Prison. A few fraudulent cases should not tarnish the already dreadful process of receiving refugee status for thousands of individuals that flee here. 

Human Rights advocacy - when they try to take away your voice

Human Rights advocacy comes in all shapes, sizes, and ways. In America, we have the ability to write or speak about issues that exist and even reach out to policy makers demanding change. Halfway across the world in India, individuals do not have the same abilities to express - as seen with Chanu Sharmila, who continues to live on a hunger strike in order to bring attention to human injustices that occur in her community (Read the full article). Though the government continues to push back (by keeping her in solitary confident and force-feeding her), she continues to live each day suffering with the idea that her actions could impact change for others. She says:  

I cannot get the advantage of exercising my nonviolent protest for justice against my concerned authority as a democratic citizen of a democratic country.

Common Sense in Immigration Law?

"Nadia Habib and her mother, Nazmin, had appeared before immigration officials Thursday with their passports and luggage ready to go after Nazmin Habib's illegal status caught up with them. Nadia, who has lived in the United States since she was 20 months old, had not realized that she was an illegal immigrant until she qualified for financial aid for college and was asked to produce identity papers."

-LA Times

Nadia Habib has lived as productive citizen in this country for almost twenty years. She does not remember being brought to this country, and knows almost nothing of her native Bangladesh, where she is to be sent. The only reason this is happening to Nadia at all is because she got into college. She learned of her illegal status when the financial aid office asked for identity papers.

We often see cases where illegals or legal permanent residents are deported because they have committed a crime. For better or worse we have decided that coming to America is a privilege and if you break the law you are no longer welcome. But Nadia broke no law, by all accounts she was doing exactly what we wish more of our young people were doing: succeeding and going to college.

Now luckily this is not an entirely tragic story. Their case is being reviewed, and there is a chance they will be allowed to stay. Also, this story is garnering national attention, which could be helpful for their case. But knowing how fickle Immigration courts are this is far from certain. By deporting Nadia and her mother we are breaking up a family and severely hampering a young student.

When will we come together and reform immigration law to include some common sense. Nadia played no part in bringing herself to this country illegally, she probably doesn't even remember the trip. She has lived as a law abiding citizen and is succeeding, isn't this exactly the type of person we want in this country? I only hope that some good can come out of this case in the form of attention and hopefully future legal status for Nadia and her mother.

"Well-Founded Fear"....the musical?

"Take Me America" is a rock musical hailing from the Village Theater that follows the story of 7 refugees seeking asylum in the U.S and the immigration officials assigned to their cases.

Many modern musicals are known for their attempts at tackling challenging and controversial issues. It's why plays such as "Rent" and "The Producers" are so well-known. But who would have thought that a documentary on asylum law would be the inspiration for one of these pieces?

In case you don't know, "Well-Founded Fear" is a documentary that gives insight into the process of seeking asylum in the U.S. While I'm sure the directors/producers Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini expected that this piece would yield mixed reactions, I'm sure they never anticipated that its content would be used in musical theatre.

I have yet to see "Take Me America", so I'm afraid I can't really say whether the play is tasteful or offensive. That being said, I can't help but feel conflicted in my reaction to merely knowing this musical is out there. It is possible that this may be an effective means of bringing asylum troubles to the American public and making more people aware of the struggle for asylum and asylum law. However, this musical also has the potential to be insensitive, offensive, and highly accurate. Is it acceptable to find humor in someone else's persecution? And the fact is that many, if not the majority, of asylum seekers have been persecuted in some sense.

But we do need to bring the issue to the attention of the American public. And musical theater has worked in promoting other issues. Could it do the same for the issue of asylum as well?

February 6th is International Day of Zero Toleration to Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is possibly one of the worst practices and I am just appalled at the statistics of women who undergo the procedure every year. According to an article on Population Reference Bureau, 100 million to 140 million women worldwide undergo FGM/C and more than 3 million girls are at risk for cutting each year on the African continent alone. I really cannot wrap my mind around these numbers. I spend my day to day worrying about completing my assignments, but women across the world are fleeing from FGM. Below are two pictures of the tools that are used for FGM. I saw some frightening, explicit, traumatic pictures of women undergoing the surgery but I won't post those. While I read Fauziya Kasinga's experience in 'Do they hear you when you cry,' her descriptions of FGM and the tools used remained in my mind for a very long time. Seeing these pictures provides more perspective-can you imagine how dirty and unsterile these instruments are?  

    

FGM is classified into four types: clitoridectomy (partial of total removal of the clitoris), excision (partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora), infibulation (a covering seal narrows the vaginal opening), and other (including any harmful procedures such as pricking, piercing, incising, etc). Despite its negative and harmful effects, ranging from infection to death, this practice is still taking place. Why? Because it is a tradition. Because it guarantees and maintains a girls' innocence and it prevents promiscuity. There is a lot of international response to this issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there has been increased advocacy and increased international involvement. In Mauritania, a country located in West Africa, 72% of their women have been cut and there is a consensus amongst doctors to stop this practice. 34 Muslim clerics and scholars in Mauritania declared a religious decree against FGM/C and that it is clearly against Islam and should be discontinued. The government also agrees with this decision. In 2010, Ugandan's parliament passed a bill that outlawed FGM/C and convicted offenders to have 10 years in prison and if a girl dies during the act, then those involved will receive a life sentence. Although this law a huge step, FGM/C is still being performed in rural areas in Uganda. Obviously, there are many challenges. In Sierra Leone, 94% of their women have been cut. Four female reporters were abducted by FGM/C supporters and accused the reporters of insulting their practices and traditions. Again, these statistics are scary. This practice must come to a stop. More countries in Africa and the Middle East have to outlaw such procedure.  

ICE AGENT ARRESTED

As if I am not already fed up with US Immigration Law. This article is mind blowing. I read the headline and was in complete disbelief. I actually read it and about 3 times to make sure that I was reading it correctly. I believe the most shocking part of this story is "Mangione, a 27-year law enforcement veteran, wore a gray jumpsuit with 'federal prisoner' on the back in court Wednesday, and his hands and feet were shackled..." He was a 27 year law enforcer, keywords LAW ENFORCER. In my mind law enforcers should apply all areas of the law not just in the area they specialize in or work in, I mean that is just my opinion. I also think it is ironic that immigrant detainees walk around with "prisoner" on their backs and in some cases none of them have committed crimes aside from illegally entering the US.

That's just my take on the situation. What do you guys think?

Housing, a Human Right?

There have been many cases of Roma families in Serbia who are being forced to leave their homes. They are being evicted by the Serbian government, but the government is not doing anything in return to help resettle these families. The families are told simply to go look for jobs, but there is no help from government agencies to send them in the right direction. Due to recent problems with the economy, there just aren’t enough jobs around, and families are being told to leave their property and remove all of their possessions. Serbian authorities have failed to seek out adequate housing solutions for these families. Recent evictions have caused many families to start living on the streets, collecting trash to sell, and often, starve.

This video is a campaign from Amnesty International to help take action against this injustice. Their main premise centers around the idea that ‘housing is a human right.” When thinking about universal declaration of human rights and learning about protecting people from persecution, the idea of housing seems rather interesting. Should it be considered a human right or are we pushing the limit?