we are ACTIVISTS.

Winding Down High Road

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:14:19 -0700

Dear High Road Traveler-

I write the following with a mixture of sadness because of the need to wind down the operations of High Road for Human Rights and tremendous gratitude for the demonstration of your commitment to the protection of human rights through your support of High Road.

When I announced in 2006 that I would not run for re-election as Mayor of Salt Lake City, I discussed what I intended to do in the future:

I have made this decision because I want to spend my remaining days working on grass-roots advocacy and organizing in the areas of human rights and global warming. As our nation - and indeed our world - have proclaimed “Never Again” ever since the Holocaust, we have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear, again and again, toward many millions of people - many millions of our brothers and sisters around the world - as they have been murdered, raped, tortured, and run off from their homes. We have witnessed much of the same with respect to the most urgent problem facing our world - global warming - with elected officials dithering while they rely on fiction rather than science to justify their unconscionable inaction.
So, I plan to “make more noise” - and hope to help others give vent to their humanity and their outrage by “making more noise.” Through grass roots advocacy and organizing, I believe and hope we can make this a better, safer, healthier, more sustainable, and far kinder world.With the inspiring help of many - including generous founders, those who have provided us with free office space (David Ibarra, Henry Brito, and Jonathan Ruga), fantastic staff members, the Advisory Committee, our intrepid Board members, and hundreds of volunteers - we built High Road for Human Rights, an organization with a well-deserved reputation for effectively raising awareness and motivating people to take actions leading to a more compassionate world.

We reached people throughout the country and beyond with our message; garnered the support of several thousands of people for our major climate protection, anti-death penalty, and ban-on-torture campaigns; and empowered several hundred young people to take grassroots actions to protect human rights.

It has been an amazing ride on the High Road. For a tour of much that High Road has done over the years - including my testimony at an unprecedented U.S. House Judiciary Committee hearing on abuses of Executive Branch power; numerous presentations about the power of grassroots organizing to stop genocides and slavery; rallies to push for accountability for torture; presentations throughout the nation about the solutions to climate change; and educating thousands of people about the threats to our republic from the two-tiered system of justice now prevailing - please visit our website to see High Roads Traveled and view the informative videos.

So why wind down High Road now? One major reason: A lack of adequate funding. Although generous funders (Norm and Barbara Tanner and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund) helped get us off the ground initially with seed funding, and although others have stepped up with funding to keep us operating, it simply hasn’t been enough. Far too often during the past three years, we didn’t know if we would make it through to the next month - even when I was uncompensated much of the time.

I will work to start a major new national political party, which will advocate for, among other things, the fulfillment of High Road’s mission. Beyond that, I’m not sure what the future holds for me. But whatever I end up doing, I hope to continue the quest in some way - and hope that we will all stay in touch and that each of us will work in our own ways to bring greater peace and compassion to our world.

I’m extremely grateful for the hard work of past and current High Road staff members, the commitment of our Board members, and the enthusiasm and dedicated efforts of our interns and other volunteers. I have been inspired every day by the terrific work done by so many people, driven by a common goal of ending preventable suffering from human rights abuses sustained by our brothers and sisters around the world.

Thank you for all you’ve done - and please stay in touch.

With gratitude,

Ross C. Anderson

It Took One Woman to Change a Country

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 16:06:17 -0700

Whether it’s Martin Luther King Jr. or Leymah Gbowee, change can start with one person’s dream. In 2002, Leymah had a dream that God told her to gather women and pray. With the help of allies, who believed in her dream, Leymah and others began passing out flyers around religious places, the markets, or wherever they could. These flyers got the message to women that they were tired of not speaking up as their families got killed and raped, so things needed to change. By the time summer had rolled around, Gbowee was known as the leader of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace Movement.

This movement started with the dream of one woman, but through religious and ethnic lines, she was able to pass it to thousands of Christian and Muslim women. With the help of the women’s movement in Liberia, the 14 year old war was stopped after one year of this movement. This also led to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf being elected as President of Liberia, making her the first women to ever be leader in Africa.

If this lady from a country in war could do it then so could any one of us Americas. Sometimes we may feel like the matter is too big for one person to change, but it isn’t. It only takes one person’s idea to get thousands, even millions, of people on board if the cause involves protecting our human rights. If you have something you stand for and want to help make a difference to the human rights of people everywhere then start/join a High Road Team today!

Sources: http://www.gruberprizes.org/GruberPrizes/WomensRights_LaureateBio.php?id=86&awardid=53 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leymah_Gbowee#Leading_mass_women.27s_movement

Learn More About High Road Teams: http://www.highroadforhumanrights.info/node/15

Zoey Bridges

Viktor Bout Receives Life in Prison

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:26:46 -0600

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout has been sentenced to life in federal prison for conspiring to kill Americans. Mr. Bout’s life was made popular by Nicolas Cage’s portrayal of his life in the 2005 film Lord of War. His capture stems from a sting operation of US officials clandestinely acting as Colombian rebels of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. FARC is recognized as a terrorist group by both the US and its EU partners.

According to the United Nations people annually killed by illegal small arms “greatly exceeds the toll of the atomic bombs that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki.” This may sound surprising. Yet, when incidences are small and decentralized we can tend to forget their significance when added together. Many of us face an analogous mathematical paradox in our fear of relatively safe use of airlines verse our nonexistence fear of dangerous car riding. The U.N. notes the devastation by small arms could rightly be labeled as “weapons of mass destruction.” Millions of Cold War AK-47’s flood the market of war torn regions. In some African regions of conflict, such as Somalia, a Cold War automatic AK-47 can be purchased for less than 20 dollars.

Mr. Bout’s willingness to sell thousands of AK-47’s and missiles to the FARC is a reminder of the scourge of humanity that wishes to profit from terrorism. The UN notes the issue of illegal sale of small arms is a human rights issue, one which lacks measures of tracking. Mr. Bout’s sentence to federal prison certainly makes a victory to human rights.

By Ryan Carrier

Modern-Day Slavery in Peru

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:17:33 -0600

Believe it or not, the women of Peru are legally allowed to prostitute themselves when they are the age of 18. If these types of laws are in affect then what kind of message is being shown to the younger girls raised in this country? Recently there were over 200 women, who were rescued from a mining camp where they were forced to prostitute. Out of the 200 women, there were at least 10 girls who were under the age of 18. Now according to the U.S. State Department, a person caught on child prostitution charges can be given five to twelve years in prison.

These men will probably be put away for forcing these girls into prostitution, but what’s going to happen to the women and girls? Who’s going to help them get back on their feet? How do we know they won’t be forced right back into slavery again?

As the strong activists that we are, we should help fight to get laws passed so these young girls and thousands of women like them won’t get put into modern-day slavery camps. We may not be in Peru, but we can still help fight by getting our local Senators and Representatives to sign the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA). Action is not going to occur unless we, citizens of a free country, stand up for the people, who can’t express a voice in the matter.

-Zoey Bridges, HRHR Intern

Source: http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/10/05/underage-prostitutes-rescued-in-peru/

Learn more and get involved: http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/

Learn more about the TVPRA: http://www.ijm.org/justice-campaigns/tvpra

Keystone Gulf Coast Expansion Project

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:57:29 -0600

Keystone Gulf Coast Expansion Project

The Keystone Gulf Coast Expansions Project, commonly referred to Keystone XL, has been brought up in the national conversation once again. TransCanada Corporation, the company that would construct and operate the pipeline is still waiting on a final decision regarding permit approval, which is expected to come by the end of the year. At an appearance in Denver on October 26, 2011, President Obama told an opponent that, “We’re looking at it right now, all right? No decision’s been made and I know your deep concern about it, so we will address it.” Only one day prior to that comment, on October 25, 2011, three environmental groups expanded their lawsuit regarding the development of the pipeline. In their lawsuit they mentioned the U.S. State Department, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as several other federal agencies and officials as defendants. The final say in this matter is in the hands of the State Department due to the international border involved; however opponents argue that President Obama has the power to effectively make the final decision. In August, the State Department ruled that the pipeline posed a little risk to the environment, this infuriated opponents who cited the dozen or so times the existing Keystone line has already leaked. The Keystone XL pipeline would cross 70 rivers and streams as well as the Ogallala Aquifer which provides close to one-third of the groundwater used in America’s agriculture industry. Environmentalists argue that the pipeline threatens underground water supplies, and poses a significant threat to air quality and animal safety. Protesters plan to continue their fight again this pipeline on November 6^th, exactly one year before the next presidential election, outside of the White House in an effort to convince the president to take a stand against the pipeline.

Source: http://www.procon.org/headline.php?headlineID=005036

Learn more and get involved: http://www.tarsandsaction.org/

Sign a Petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-the-tar-sands-oil-keystone-xl-pipeline

High Road’s Climate Declaration: http://highroadforhumanrights.info/node/31

Writing For Change

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 13:35:05 -0600

If you have feelings about a human rights issue and are passionate about it, then pick up a pen and write to your elected-officials. Let your voice be heard on matters effecting the rights of all humans. Here is a letter written by one of our very own to Senator Orrin Hatch:

Orrin Hatch

8402 Federal Building

125 South State Street

Salt Lake City, UT 84138

Dear Senator Orrin Hatch,

I would like to thank you for your service to the people of Utah. I love living here and want to help make the best place that it can possible be. I am writing to express my support for the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (S. 1301/ HR 2830).

As you may already know, there are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today. With this being said, the TVPRA would help keep and improve the life-saving U.S. programs that fight the slavery going on within our own borders and around the rest of the world. I realize this problem is not only in Utah, but I would like to hear your stand point on the issue and understand why our elected policy-maker’s name is currently not on the list of officials who have demonstrate a commitment to slavery abolition.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act will help our government’s greatest assets in fighting the modern-day slavery going on internationally. The State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP) has many people monitoring slavery, and they help press the governments, from all around the world, on confronting this issue. A number of provisions are being made by the Senate bill, which will strengthen global and domestic anti-trafficking programs and services. One of the ways is by instructing the State Department regional bureaus to designate anti-trafficking specialists in our Embassies abroad. If this happens, then they can collect information on the trafficking and be able to communicate the United States concerns to foreign countries. The only way this provision and many others like it is if President Obama can pass and sign the bill on time, which is only going to happen if we get the maximum amount of political support for this bill, this is where you come in.

Many people who agree with this act do not have the authority to voice their opinion, so it is up to you and other Utah elected officials to let our voices be heard. I know that if my future generations ever ended up in any type of modern-day slavery then I would hope that this act would already been in effect. This was I know that they could have a chance to get out of the situation before it is too late.

Thank you for giving me the time to express my opinions on the matter, and I hope to hear back from you about the issue on hand.

Sincerely,

Zoey Bridges

Keystone XL Pipeline Arrests Not Bringing About Attention or Change, yet.

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:00:23 -0600

During the two weeks between August 20^th through September 3rd, various environmentalists, laborers, religious groups, along with several notable people such as Bill Kibben, and actress Daryl Hannah gathered in front of the White House to protest the plans to build the Keystone XL Pipeline. The construction of this pipeline would transport crude oil or tar sands from Alberta, Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast, which would then be exported to other countries. The main concern with building this pipeline is the chance of spillage and the generation of millions of metric tons of CO2 emissions.

An estimated 1,253 people were arrested after the two week long protest. I had the opportunity of interviewing Kathy Albury, a dedicated environmental activist, who bravely wore handcuffs after participating in a week filled of civil disobedience.

I first asked Kathy if her arrest had made her satisfied. She said she was very frustrated and unsatisfied because it seemed as if no one was listening to such an important issue that will affect our future generations. She described her arrest to be “a slap on the hand” as compared to others who had been arrested for blocking an intersection and were fined and sentenced community service.

“If we do not stop this now, we have no future, it’s game over.” She described the keystone pipeline as only a small portion of the bigger issue of our nation‘s inability to reduce CO2 emissions. “We need to conserve and be more efficient.”

She suggested some other viable long-term sources of energy such as geothermal, hydroelectric, wind energy, and urban solar farms.

Despite her unsatisfied attempt at getting the public’s attention, she will continue to give statements, write to government officials, and educate the public about this “dirty oil.” Kathy’s dedication to the environment and civil disobedience is inspiring; it is a reflection of how action is the first step to bring about change.

-Merissa Nakamura

High Road for Human Rights Volunteer

Join a High Road for Human Rights team today!

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:04:40 -0600

Join a High Road for Human Rights team today!

Learn More about Occupy Together on Facebook

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:16:27 -0600

Learn More about Occupy Together on Facebook

Occupy Together in Salt Lake City

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 14:14:11 -0600

Occupy Together in Salt Lake City

Omar Al-Bashir, First Sitting Head of State Indicted by the International Criminal Court

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 09:44:37 -0600

Omar Al-Bashir, First Sitting Head of State Indicted by the International Criminal Court

By ‘Eseta Schaaf

What if gross immoral human rights abuses carried out on a mass scale could be prosecuted by an international and impartial court of law? What if individuals, no matter how high ranking, even heads of state could be held accountable for misuse of power, and violations of international human rights? Well, it is possible, thanks to the International Criminal Court.

Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the International Criminal Court. Al-Bashir is charged with ten counts as an indirect perpetrator of the Darfur conflict: two counts of war crimes; five counts of crimes against humanity; and three counts of genocide. Sudan, which is not an ICC member state, was referred to the court under Security Council Resolution 1593, thus obligating it to cooperate. Headquartered in The Hague, the International Criminal Court was established on July 1^st 2002 after the founding of the Rome Statute. The ICC can only prosecute crimes committed on or after its founding date.

ICC Prosecutor Jose Luis Moreno Ocampo made the case for al-Bashir’s arrest warrant after the Darfur crisis sparked worldwide attention and outrage. In 2003, the villages of the ethnic groups Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa were targeted and attacked by the Sudanese government after a rebellion by indigenous groups. The SPLM and JEM accused Khartoum of oppressing non-Arab Sudanese in favor of Sudanese Arabs. According to the charge sheet, Mr. al-Bashir “masterminded and implemented a plan to destroy in substantial part the Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa groups” in a brutal retaliation campaign of ethnic cleansing which claimed at least 400,000 lives and displaced over 2.5 million Darfuris. The Sudanese government along with the Janjaweed Militia carried out gross human rights violations, inflicted deaths by direct combat, indirectly killed thousands by starvation and disease, and utilized rape and sexual violence as weapons of war.

On July 14^th, 2008, the prosecution application was filed for President Omar al-Bashir’s warrant of arrest. The first warrant was issued on March 4^th 2009, and charged al-Bashir with five counts of crimes against humanity, and two counts of war crimes. In it, the ICC pre-trial chamber declined to include genocide charges, but after an appeal based on inappropriate standard of proof al-Bashir was served a second arrest warrant on July 12^th 2010: a charge of three counts of genocide.

Refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the ICC, and its jurisdiction in Sudan, Mr. al-Bashir has dismissed the charges as lies. Also in opposition to the indictment is the African Union which maintains that the charges could destabilize Sudan. Immediately after the announcement of his indictment, Sudan staged demonstrations in Khartoum denouncing the ICC and showing support for al-Bashir. International humanitarian organizations were expelled and the UN withdrew its non-essential staff for safety concerns. Intimidation and posturing were rampant in vulnerable areas with a high flux of internally displaced persons. Besides Africa’s harboring of al-Bashir, the Arab League, Non-Aligned Movement, Russia and China also condemn the ICC charges.

Since his indictment, the ICC has called on the international community and individual states to support international criminal justice by arresting President Omar al-Bashir upon arrival in their respective territories; however, this hasn’t been the case. Al-Bashir has since visited Egypt, Qatar, Chad, Nigeria, Kenya, Djibouti, and China without being arrested, but has steered clear of most ICC member states.

Although President Omar al-Bashir has not surrendered, the ICC should not be discouraged, and neither should lovers of international criminal justice worldwide. NATO and human rights organizations such as Amnesty International among others back the ICC indictment. The ICC’s first indictment of a sitting head of state serves as an important precedence for future cases; it is a deterrent and warning to brutal regimes that violate human rights and international law with impunity.

Child prostitution-past cultural norm still remains a problem.

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:17:44 -0600

Child prostitution-past cultural norm still remains a problem.

There is lively debate on the influences of rich countries providing economic support to poor countries through globalization. Do large corporations positively boost the socioeconomic status of the poor when they locate in underdeveloped regions? Or are large multinational corporations taking advantage of the dispositions of those unfortunate enough to have lost the ovarian lottery? Either position one takes it is generally agreed that poor countries have abysmal personal incomes to sustain life even in the meanest fashion. India is a well known country that this conversation always draws as an example.

But what about those internal exploitations found in these countries, even in a child’s own family? It is far too easy to pass an ethnocentric judgment of other cultures, especially when viewed by those of us whose own country does not witness daily poverty at such a scale as India. India’s citizen is in such dire situation it must give pause to assessing any verdict on those parents looking for enough money to provide nutrition for their children. Yet the situation of the poor causes further wrenching heartbreak when it becomes known there is a market for child prostitution in areas of such desperation. There are those who hold the cultural belief that child prostitution is a viable option within a family to provide income to their family. This must stop.

I would encourage anyone to read a story recently posted by CNN that sheds light on the desperation of those in the country of India and highlights this horrible cultural norm of child sex slavery (link below). In addition, this weekend CNN will have a two day televised special on this issue.

http://thecnnfreedomproject.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/21/tradition-forces-daughters-into-prostitution/

-Ryan Carrier

Keystone XL Pipeline

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 16:35:11 -0600

By Henrik Burns

9/15/11

TransCanada has asked the US State Department for permission to build a pipeline that would transport heavy crude oil from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to refineries along the Gulf Coast in Texas. At full capacity the Keystone XL Pipeline will pump 700,000 barrels of oil a day.[1] Proponents of the project argue that an influx of cheap Canadian crude oil into the United States would decrease our dependence on oil from politically unstable countries and reduce the price of gasoline. Both of these claims are false. Oil companies are struggling to keep gasoline prices high because of an oversupply in the United States.[2] The oversupply is caused by a decrease in domestic demand for oil in part because of the economic downturn and stricter fuel standards put in place by the Obama administration and also an increase in the overall supply because of the release of the National Strategic Petroleum Reserve.[3] This means that oil from the pipeline would not be sold in the United States. Once the crude is refined in Texas it will be exported abroad to markets in Europe and Latin America.[4] Gas prices will likely rise because the pipeline can facilitate the exportation of the current oversupply of oil in the American heartland.

The construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline will provide an enormous boost to the tar sands industry and decelerate our path to a sustainable energy future. Mining and processing tar sand is extremely environmentally harmful. Wildlife habitat is destroyed when boreal forests are cut down and the area excavated to mine the sands. The tar sands are then heated and washed to separate the oil from the sand. This process requires the equivalent in natural gas to heat 3 million Canadian homes[5]. 25 barrels of freshwater are needed to produce one barrel of oil.[6] The polluted water is then discharged into toxic tailing ponds that span 50 square kilometers.[7] To produce one barrel of oil two tons of tar sands must be mined.[8] This industry negatively affects wildlife and water and air quality in its area of operation.

The production of tar sands generates three times the green house gas (GHG) emissions of conventional oil.[9] Building the pipeline will allow tar sand production to double by giving the industry access to markets where demand is high.[10] If the US were to facilitate this it would be a moral outrage and against the national interest and the interest of the international community. The Department of Defense and the Central Intelligence Agency have stated that global climate change threatens the security of the nation.[11] Therefore, if we value our future we should not help bring this GHG intensive fuel to market.

[1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/08/23/keystone-xl-frustrated-environmental-activists-obama_n_933648.html

[2] http://dirtyoilsands.org/files/OCIKeystoneXLExport-Fin.pdf

[3] http://dirtyoilsands.org/files/OCIKeystoneXLExport-Fin.pdf

[4] http://dirtyoilsands.org/files/OCIKeystoneXLExport-Fin.pdf

[5] http://www.desmogblog.com/top-10-facts-canada-alberta-oil-sands-information

[6] http://www.desmogblog.com/top-10-facts-canada-alberta-oil-sands-information

[7] http://www.desmogblog.com/top-10-facts-canada-alberta-oil-sands-information

[8] http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/factsheets/tarsands.asp

[9] http://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Global%20Warming/Policy-Solutions/Keystone%20XL%20Fact%20Sheet_2.ashx

[10] http://digitaljournal.com/article/311241

[11] http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121352495

Trafficking Victims Protection Act: Reauthorize it.

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 12:47:17 -0600

Reauthorization of the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 is set to expire at the end of September. Fortunately in the past this piece of legislation has received unanimous bipartisan support for reauthorization every 3 years. This has provided new funding and new advanced tools in ending trafficking. The bill is currently in both Senate (with 13 cosponsors) and House (with 3 cosponsors) but only at the first steps required before it reaches the signature of the President’s pen.

The United States has had a slow and often reluctant history of combating its own and global human trafficking. The TVPA has been a welcomed start in the right direction for the legal combating of this horrible trade. If this legislation is not resigned into law protections will come to an end on October 1 endangering the groundwork and large advancements currently being made.

Unfortunately the media has placed a low priority on providing information to the public about the state of trafficking and has been virtually silent on the current situation of the TVPA. Though it has enjoyed previous support in congress there are never political certainties. We do have the ability to secure a higher probability of passage:

1. Join a social group such as a team from High Road for Human rights to meet and discuss human right issues with those in your community.

2. Keep abreast on issues of trafficking through the Department of Health and Human Services, the Trafficking in Persons Report, and the many books available.

3. Call your representatives in both House and Senate to let them know your support of reauthorization. Remember, a written letter is a rarity today that still has considerable power of persuasion.

4. Stay tuned as we update you on the progress and celebrate with us when passage is assured.

By Ryan Carrier

U of U High Road Team 2011! Ready to take action!

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:23:36 -0600

U of U High Road Team 2011! Ready to take action!

High Road for Human Rights Executive Director receives the BORDC "Patriot" Award!

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:56:55 -0600

High Road for Human Rights Executive Director receives the BORDC "Patriot" Award!

China uncovers brick slaves sold for 45-85 dollars

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:38:00 -0600

In 1860 an average male slave was valued well over a 1,000 dollars.

This article brings to light people stolen from society at knife point were sold for 45-80 dollars. This story underscores the needed resolve of humanity to address slavery. Today there are more slaves in the world and selling orders of magnitude less than the 1800’s.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/07/officials-trying-to-identify-enslaved-disabled-workers-rescued-from-brick-kiln/?hpt=hp_t2

Ryan Carrier

Stories of labor entrapment...

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:51:00 -0600

Information can be the most devastating weapon against slavery. Those preyed upon become empowered with means of prevention and discover lines of help post entrapment. It also enlightens the public about issues they may not have known existed. An estimated 40 million people are in the bonds of slavery today.

Comparatively, CNN has been doing a great job of bringing issues to the forefront by placing stories of tragedy, hope, and information on their front page.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/08/31/lisa.williams.living.water.girls/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Ryan Carrier

Alleged “ethnic cleansing” in South Kordofan and Nuba Mountains

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 10:23:00 -0600

Alleged “ethnic cleansing” in South Kordofan and Nuba Mountains

Northern Sudan

Timeline: June 2011-Present

Perpetrators: SAF (Sudanese Armed Forces), President Omar al-Bahir

By ‘Eseta Schaaf

High Road for Human Rights Volunteer Contributor

On July 9th 2011, Sudan split into two countries forming the new South Sudan. This was the culmination of five decades of war that claimed the lives of over two million people. Centered in the Nuba Hills, South Kordofan is a northern region near the border with South Sudan. South Kordofan covers an area of over 98,000 square miles with a populatin of 1.1 million. Many of its people, particularly the Nuba identify with and fought alongside the South during the long civil war.

Though the Sudanese government continues to back its claims of demanding disarmament from rebel fighters, local leaders call it “ethnic cleansing” and a campaign targeting the indigenous Nuba people.

A month before secession, in June, President Omar al-Bashir initiated a vicious campaign to rid the South Kordofan state of rebel SPLA forces. The SAF (Sudan Armed Forces) were reportedly ordered to “clean out the rubbish” referring to civilians who had sided with the opposition during the recent elections in South Kordofan. Since June 5th, the Nuba Mountains have been relentlessly bombed; women and children retreat to the mountain caves upon hearing planes, antonovs and MIGs in the sky. By early July, hundreds of civilians had been killed and thousands uprooted and taken up camps near Lewere. Utilizing its military advantage over the SPLA, there had been enormous build-ups of troops, artillery, tanks , and machine gun carriers. Activists and civilian sources reported ground attacks with door to door executions. All international access was cut off, no foreign journalists allowed, official statements that any United Nations planes will be shot down, no commodities going in or out, no humanitarian access, and roads were mined. Mass graves had been found in the South Kordofan capital of Kadugli, with compelling evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Via fellow activist Samuel Totten, I’ve seen many graphic pictures of dead children, women, men, soldiers and animals sent by civilian sources in the Nuba Mountains. I’ve also read first hand accounts of villages, and main towns being bombed, leaving large holes on major roads in Kadugli to prevent outside humanitarian access and aid.

Still, in the political and international human rights arena, activists, scholars and politicians are hesitant to use to “G” word (genocide) or call it “ethnic cleansing” for fear of being politically incorrect. But with such compelling evidence provided by satellite photography, eyewitness accounts, and a report by the UN High Commission for Human Rights; there leaves little doubt that Sudan is indeed committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in South Kordofan.

The international community has a moral responsibility to act. And we need to act now; send in an impartial international investigation team and bring perpetrators to be tried at the International Criminal Court. As Rwanda and Darfur has shown, history tends to repeat itself when we fail to learn from the past and act.

June 26th, 2011: Two dead children at borehole at the market, Kauchi

June 26th, 2011: An injured child, hit at borehole at the market, Kauchi

June 26th, 2011: Dead woman at borehole at the market, Kauchi

July 6^th, 2011: Children flee to the Nuba Mountain caves from antonov bombers in the sky

Please call your members of Congress and ask them to stand against President Omar al-Bashir’s madness in South Kordofan and encourage the UN Security Council to support the ICC’s indictment of Bashir for previous war crimes and crimes against humanity and charge him for current war crimes in South Kordofan.

For more information on the South Kordofan human rights crisis, you can visit:

http://www.sudanreeves.org/

http://www.sudantribune.com/-News,001-

http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/crisis-in-sudan-allegations-of-ethnic-cleansing-in-the-nuba-mountains/

American J-1 Visa study work abuse?

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 12:48:00 -0600

Hershey’s may not be the sole alleged abuser of the J-1 program study work visa the US gives out. However, the company certainly gained unwanted attention with over 300 J-1 workers holding signs and walking out the plant in Pennsylvania last week.

New York Times op-ed contributor Jennifer Gordon points out there may be a culture of labor bondage abuse through the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/25/opinion/americas-sweatshop-diplomacy.html?_r=1

- Ryan Carrier

High Road for Human Rights Volunteer