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Tagged: human rights

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May 6, 2013
12:33 • 2 weeks ago
March 2, 2013
18:50 • 2 months ago
fastcompany:

North Korea’s Concentration Camps Are Growing
Does Dennis Rodman even have a clue?
A new publication by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea shows the growth of concentration camps inside the country. Anything between 150,000 and 200,000 citizens (that last figure comes courtesy of Amnesty, via are thought to be detained in one of at least six of the DPRK’s internment facilities. In all but one, inhabitants are there for life.
The report contains recent satellite images of one such institution in the North-East of the country, known as Camp 25. The pictures show that the area of the internment center, which increased in size by 72% between 2009 and 2010, is still growing. Guards, sentry posts and what are thought to be a crematory and gallows are all visible, helpfully pointed out here by the Washington Post.
Find out more here.
[Image via The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea]

Seemed relevant to highlight, as we touched on this earlier this morning in the context of “The Worm’s” trip to North Korea. That the government operates full-scale concentration camps is an aspect of the state that sometimes seems downplayed or overlooked, somehow; you can watch an escapee of one such camp, Shin Dong-hyuk, describe his experiences here. But be warned — his story is extremely horrible, and somewhat graphic.

fastcompany:

North Korea’s Concentration Camps Are Growing

Does Dennis Rodman even have a clue?

A new publication by the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea shows the growth of concentration camps inside the country. Anything between 150,000 and 200,000 citizens (that last figure comes courtesy of Amnesty, via are thought to be detained in one of at least six of the DPRK’s internment facilities. In all but one, inhabitants are there for life.

The report contains recent satellite images of one such institution in the North-East of the country, known as Camp 25. The pictures show that the area of the internment center, which increased in size by 72% between 2009 and 2010, is still growing. Guards, sentry posts and what are thought to be a crematory and gallows are all visible, helpfully pointed out here by the Washington Post.

Find out more here.

[Image via The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea]

Seemed relevant to highlight, as we touched on this earlier this morning in the context of “The Worm’s” trip to North Korea. That the government operates full-scale concentration camps is an aspect of the state that sometimes seems downplayed or overlooked, somehow; you can watch an escapee of one such camp, Shin Dong-hyuk, describe his experiences here. But be warned — his story is extremely horrible, and somewhat graphic.

September 25, 2012
10:18 • 7 months ago
humanrightswatch:

The Islamist armed groups have become increasingly repressive as they have tightened their grip over northern Mali. Stonings, amputations, and floggings have become the order of the day in an apparent attempt to force the local population to accept their world view. In imposing their brand of Sharia law, they have also meted out a tragically cruel parody of justice and recruited and armed children as young as 12.
Read more after the break.

“On July 30, the Islamist authorities in Aguelhoc stoned to death a married man and a woman he was not married to for adultery, reportedly in front of 200 people. They also have punished women for failing to adhere to their dress code – which requires women to cover their heads, wear long skirts, and desist from wearing jewelry or perfume – and for having contact with men other than family members.” Scary stuff.

humanrightswatch:

The Islamist armed groups have become increasingly repressive as they have tightened their grip over northern Mali. Stonings, amputations, and floggings have become the order of the day in an apparent attempt to force the local population to accept their world view. In imposing their brand of Sharia law, they have also meted out a tragically cruel parody of justice and recruited and armed children as young as 12.

Read more after the break.

“On July 30, the Islamist authorities in Aguelhoc stoned to death a married man and a woman he was not married to for adultery, reportedly in front of 200 people. They also have punished women for failing to adhere to their dress code – which requires women to cover their heads, wear long skirts, and desist from wearing jewelry or perfume – and for having contact with men other than family members.” Scary stuff.

August 10, 2012
14:58 • 9 months ago

humanrightswatch:

Civilians in and around the embattled Syrian city of Aleppo are increasingly at risk from aerial attacks, artillery shelling and gunfire. Commanders of Syrian government forces and the opposition Free Syrian Army should ensure that their troops abide by the laws of war and never target civilians or conduct indiscriminate attacks.

Read more after the jump.

Scenes from a quickly-heating-up warzone.

June 27, 2012
17:43 • 10 months ago

  • cause A judge in the western German city of Cologne ruled that involuntary religious circumcision should be banned, saying it unfairly impacts the child’s right to ”decide later in life on his religious beliefs.
  • reaction Religious groups say the ruling attacks their religious freedom. The Central Council of Muslims in Germany said the judge’s ruling ”consolidates existing prejudices and stereotypes.”  source

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June 12, 2012
10:08 • 11 months ago
Russian protests draw tens of thousands: A day after anti-Putin opposition leaders complained of police searches, protesters took to the streets of Moscow to protest on Russia Day, in honor of the day, 22 years ago, when leaders chose to make Russian laws take precedence over Soviet Union laws. Many of those targeted Monday by police couldn’t take part, but at least one, leftist party leader Sergei Udaltsov, shunned his police summons to join the protests. (Photo: Protesters carry the Russian Imperial flag through the streets of Moscow. Mikhail Metzel/AP)

Russian protests draw tens of thousands: A day after anti-Putin opposition leaders complained of police searches, protesters took to the streets of Moscow to protest on Russia Day, in honor of the day, 22 years ago, when leaders chose to make Russian laws take precedence over Soviet Union laws. Many of those targeted Monday by police couldn’t take part, but at least one, leftist party leader Sergei Udaltsov, shunned his police summons to join the protests. (Photo: Protesters carry the Russian Imperial flag through the streets of Moscow. Mikhail Metzel/AP)

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June 11, 2012
10:18 • 11 months ago
They rifled through everything, every wardrobe, in the toilet, in the refrigerator. They searched under the beds. Were they looking for our secrets?
Russian Left Front party leader Sergei Udaltsov • Discussing the searches that Russian police did on both his home, and those of other opposition figures, on Monday morning. Political foes of Vladimir Putin, who protested heavily ahead of his election as president, are now finding themselves the subject of major crackdowns. Putin recently signed a law increasing fines for public street demonstrations, among other things. ”What we are witnessing today is in essence the year 1937,” said activist Yevgenia Chirikova. “It is an absolutely clear scenario in which the authorities scare the people.”
May 4, 2012
20:41 • 1 year ago

  • for Many media outlets have referred to Chen’s blindness as a key crux of his story — which came to light as the result of a daring escape from house arrest, made even more daring because of his lack of vision. The Economist’s current cover headline goes so far as to call his story “Blind Justice.”
  • against Some media outlets, most notably NPR, have avoided the term, saying it’s not key to his story. “His blindness did not give him any particular bravery or insight,” says author Stephen Kuusisto, who has written memoirs about being blind. “It is just a factor in a much larger life.” What do you guys think? source

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May 2, 2012
11:17 • 1 year ago

  • what Last week, after months of house arrest, Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng went to the U.S. embassy in Beijing after escaping. He posted a dramatic video after the escape. However, this week, he ended up leaving the embassy as part of a deal between the United States and China.
  • why While not confirmed, a friend of Chen’s, activist Zeng Jinyan, suggested on Twitter that the Chinese government threatened his family with harm. While Chen wanted to leave China over the while affair, if he did so, he would likely never see his family again, according to Zeng. source

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10:42 • 1 year ago
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April 29, 2012
09:16 • 1 year ago
Chinese dissident’s escape could endanger his supporters
The blind lawyer had help with his escape: The story of Chen Guangcheng, the self-taught Chinese lawyer who escaped 19 months of home imprisonment, could prove dangerous for the people who supported his escape, with American and Chinese activists concerned that the Chinese government will strike back. Chen is reportedly being held at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, though U.S. officials have not confirmed this. (A top U.S. official showed up Sunday, however,  suggesting they had a crisis on hand.) Most at risk? Hu Jia, an AIDS activist who was put into police custody Saturday; Nanjing-based activist He Peirong, who was arrested Friday; and Guo Yushan, a scholar who hasn’t been heard from since Saturday. “At this point, I’m more worried about Hu, He and Guo than Chen Guangcheng,” said Human Rights Watch’s Nicholas Bequelin. source
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The blind lawyer had help with his escape: The story of Chen Guangcheng, the self-taught Chinese lawyer who escaped 19 months of home imprisonment, could prove dangerous for the people who supported his escape, with American and Chinese activists concerned that the Chinese government will strike back. Chen is reportedly being held at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, though U.S. officials have not confirmed this. (A top U.S. official showed up Sunday, however,  suggesting they had a crisis on hand.) Most at risk? Hu Jia, an AIDS activist who was put into police custody Saturday; Nanjing-based activist He Peirong, who was arrested Friday; and Guo Yushan, a scholar who hasn’t been heard from since Saturday. “At this point, I’m more worried about Hu, He and Guo than Chen Guangcheng,” said Human Rights Watch’s Nicholas Bequelin. source

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April 27, 2012
20:38 • 1 year ago

Blind Chinese dissident pulls off daring escape, posts this YouTube video

For 19 months, the blind activist and self-taught lawyer Chen Guangcheng was under house arrest for his strong words against the Chinese government — particularly their policies of forced abortions and sterilization. Somehow, he got out, got to the U.S. Embassy, and posted this video, detailing the abuses he and his wife faced. Raise your hand if you think, despite the trouble it took for him to get to this point, this story is amazing.

April 25, 2012
21:44 • 1 year ago

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