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human rights
Chinese dissident on trial for subversion
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Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo (pictured with his wife Liu Xia in 2002) has gone on trial in Beijing on charges of “inciting subversion of state power”. Liu, a prominent government critic and veteran of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests, could be jailed for 15 years if convicted. He has been in jail since 2008, after being arrested for writing a document calling for political reform in China. The US, EU, and human rights groups say the trial is politically motivated and have called on Beijing to release Liu. China has dismissed criticism of the trial as an “unacceptable” attempt to interfere in its internal affairs. Mary Kay Magistad reports.What became of Romanian neglected orphans?
A BBC investigation has uncovered appalling conditions and abuse in adult institutions in Romania, 20 years after the fall of Nicolai Ceausescu exposed conditions in the country’s orphanages.
Ireland’s abortion law in court
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The Irish Republic’s strict abortion law is being challenged in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Three Irish women, all of whom traveled to Britain to have an abortion, say the effective ban on abortion in Ireland violates the European Convention on Human Rights. A referendum to make Ireland’s abortion laws even more strict failed in 2002 (PA photo). Jane Little reports. Download MP3Fearful Mexicans flee deadly city
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Download MP3Juárez is Mexico’s deadliest city with 2,000 murders so far this year. Some residents are breaking the law to save their lives. They’re fleeing north to Texas on tourist visas and they intend to stay. Correspondent Monica Ortiz Uribe has the story.
Twitter freedom, a zeitgeisty Chinese word, and Lakota immersion
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Question: what happens when a court gags a newspaper? Answer: The gag sags, 140 characters at a time. That’s what happened this month when microbloggers tweeted what The Guardian couldn’t report. Also, a group of Beijing and expat artists discover a Chinese word that seems to convey the state of China today; and the near-death – and possible rebirth – of the native American Lakota language, with an assist from a German rock star.
Gaza conflict
The UN Human Rights Council has backed a report into the Israeli offensive in Gaza that accuses both Israel and Palestinian militants of war crimes. The report by Richard Goldstone calls for credible investigations by Israel and Hamas, and suggests international war crimes prosecutions if they do not. The United States and Israel opposed official endorsement of the report, saying it would set back Middle East peace hopes.
Rape as a weapon of war
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The United Nations Security Council is scheduled to tackle a particularly disturbing tactic of war this week: the use of rape as a weapon. Perhaps the worst recent cases have been in places like eastern Congo, where armed groups have used rape to terrorize communities. Jeb Sharp talks with Anne-Marie Goetz of UNIFEM, the UN’s development agency for women. Download MP3 (Photo: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)Clinton in Congo
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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded an end to widespread sexual abuse in war-ravaged eastern DR Congo, during a visit to the country. Secretary Clinton spoke out during a tour of a crowded refugee camp in the eastern city of Goma. Earlier, following talks with Congolese President Joseph Kabila, she said there should be no impunity for the perpetrators of sexual violence. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports. (photo: AP/Etienne Kokolo) >>>Click here for Jeb’s award winning series on rape in Congo (Jan 2008)
Child maids in Morocco
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In Morocco human rights groups are pointing out the use – and abuse – of children as house maids. They say each year thousands of girls from poor families are sent to work among the wealthy. The World’s Gerry Hadden reports from Casablanca.
Pentagon wants overhaul of Afghan jails
A new Pentagon report calls for a major overhaul of the prison system in Afghanistan. Anchor Lisa Mullins speaks with New York Times correspondent Eric Schmitt about concerns that Afghan jails are churning out a new generation of Taliban militants, even as the US is trying to combat fighters already on the ground.
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Mid-term elections in Mexico
Mexican President Felipe Calderon has a high approval rating in his country, but his party isn’t expected to do well in this weekend’s midterm elections. The World’s Lorne Matalon reports.
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Entire program – June 23, 2009
Today on The World: Iranian authorities stand tough, and pledge to teach opposition protesters a lesson; We’ll have the latest from Tehran; Human rights abuses and civilian deaths on the rise in Mexico’s drug war; And a government bailout is considered by Russia – for makers of wooden ‘nesting dolls.’
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Collateral damage in Mexico’s drug war
The World’s Lorne Matalon reports from Mexico on rising complaints about human rights abuses by the military. Civilians are getting caught in the crossfire as the Mexican army battles drug lords.
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Shell oil settles Nigeria lawsuit
The oil company Royal Dutch Shell has agreed to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of human rights abuses in Nigeria. Shell is paying out 15.5 million dollars to relatives of the Nigerian writer and activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and others executed in 1995. The lawsuit claimed Shell was complicit in their deaths, though Shell did not admit responsibility. Anchor Marco Werman finds out more from Darren Kew, Assistant Professor in the Department of Conflict Resolution at the University of Massachusetts in Boston. Listen
Remembering Tiananmen Square
Ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square protests, one former student leader recounts a particular moment of the violence.
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