Category Archives: human rights

European Official Calls for Continent to Take In 160,000 Migrants – The New York Times

The European Union’s top executive proposed a plan on Wednesday to distribute 160,000 people throughout the member nations, even while acknowledging that the plan was inadequate to the depth of the crisis.Citing history, morality and economics, the official, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, urged the bloc to put aside deep divisions over welcoming refugees from war-torn and poverty-stricken nations in the Middle East and Africa and forge a stronger and more unified response.

Source: European Official Calls for Continent to Take In 160,000 Migrants – The New York Times

(This is some sort of bad joke? Little Lebanon has taken in more refugees. They are not migrants – they are refugees. More people than this move back and forth within Europe Union each year. Spin, bad spin.)

Gaza sandstorm compounds Palestinian boy’s housing woes

A Palestinian boy lies on a mattress in what is left of his family’s home, which witnesses told Reuters was destroyed by Israeli shelling during the 50-day war in 2014.His housing problems have been compounded by a sandstorm that has swept Gaza and parts of the Middle East, killing two people and hospitalising hundreds.

Source: Gaza sandstorm compounds Palestinian boy’s housing woes

Turkish military crosses into northern Iraq, launches ground assault on PKK | {Deja vu new Turk Genocide – this time Kurds not Armenians}| DW.COM | 08.09.2015

Turkish special soldiers crossed the Iraqi frontier Tuesday as part of a “hot pursuit” of PKK rebels who were involved in a roadside bomb attack that killed 16 soldiers on Sunday, according to an unnamed Turkish government official.”This is a short-term measure intended to prevent the terrorists’ escape,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Source: Turkish military crosses into northern Iraq, launches ground assault on PKK | News | DW.COM | 08.09.2015

Denmark sends refugees back to Germany – The Local

Swedish officials on Tuesday encouraged Denmark to properly register arriving refugees. “Denmark is a rich country and is able to take care of the refugees. According to the existing rules there is also the opportunity for family reunification if the refugee has family in either Denmark or Sweden. How Denmark chooses to interpet the rules is up to Denmark,” Sweden’s justice ministry told public broadcaster DR.  If the refugees and migrants have not been registered by another EU country before they arrive in Denmark, Danish officials are obligated to register them, even if they would rather seek asylum in Sweden.  While Sweden has become a top EU destination for refugees by issuing permanent residency to all Syrian asylum seekers, Denmark has sought to reduce the influx by issuing temporary residence permits, delaying family reunifications and slashing benefits for newly arrived immigrants.

Source: Denmark sends refugees back to Germany – The Local

Infographic: Planned Parenthood is sole safety-net provider of birth control for many

Our analysis shows unequivocally that Planned Parenthood plays a major role in delivering publicly supported contraceptive services and supplies to women who are in need of such care nationwide. In two-thirds of the 491 counties in which they are located, Planned Parenthood health centers serve at least half of all women obtaining contraceptive care from safety-net health centers. In one-fifth of the counties in which they are located, Planned Parenthood sites are the sole safety-net family planning center.Of course, many so-called “abortion opponents” actually oppose the work Planned Parenthood does providing contraception too. Take, for example, the arson attack on a Planned Parenthood in Washington state this past weekend. The fire was bad enough that the clinic will remain closed for at least a month. It doesn’t provide any abortions at all.

Source: Infographic: Planned Parenthood is sole safety-net provider of birth control for many

Humans of New York

“My dad gave me up to the boys’ home when I was four. He told me that he was taking me fishing. He got the poles, the bait, everything. I was excited. He said he knew about a new spot. We pulled up to this huge building. He told me to wait in the car while he ran inside and got permission from his friend. Then he came back with two men. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, ‘but you have to stay here.’ I kept screaming: ‘I’ll be good! I’ll be good! I’ll be good!’ And he kept saying, ‘It ain’t you. It ain’t you. It ain’t you.’ I ripped his shirt off his back trying to keep him from leaving, and he drove off without a shirt.”

Source: Humans of New York

Robert Redford Denies Endorsing Donald Trump for President – Hollywood Reporter – Trump spins and lies!

The quote Trump pulled is from a recent Larry King interview. The entire quote paints a slightly different picture than what Trump presented: “He’s got such a big foot in his mouth, I’m not sure you could get it out,” Redford told King. “But on the other hand, I’m glad he’s in there.”Redford then went on to call the presidential race “Looney Tunes” and “crazy stuff.””It’s like, come on, you guys,” said Redford. “You’re making us feel foolish, just having to watch you.”

Source: Robert Redford Denies Endorsing Donald Trump for President – Hollywood Reporter

Syrian migrant crisis: Christians to get priority as Abbott faces pressure to take in more refugees – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

{Religious bigotry is bigotry, no matter how you try to spin it!}

The Abbott Government wants to restrict any intake of Syrian refugees to minorities which are largely Christian.

Source: Syrian migrant crisis: Christians to get priority as Abbott faces pressure to take in more refugees – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Poverty & Privilege: A Divine Lesson In Humility. | Rebelle Society

To my sorrow — a mark of my failings — I no longer always engage with people on the street: homeless or not. I used to: I used to smile and say Hello to everyone, meeting their eyes and offering out my heart, hoping it would be some small gesture, that, maybe, a token of my love would brighten their day.As is often the case with naiveté and innocence (of which I both have a shocking abundance and disturbing lack of, depending on the situation), mine bit me in the ass a few too many times to continue to so openly offer myself. I was followed, harassed. Screamed at.Straight up challenged to a fight on a busy New York street, all 120 pounds of me slack-jawed in bewilderment.Because, when you’re in pain, who really wants someone smiling and making eye contact all the time? Who did I think I was? A rainbow fairy?So now, I often nod. Avert my eyes. Give the tight-lipped smile that is a fan favorite at funerals and cancer wards.But this girl.She was my sister’s age — about 25 — and earnestly pretty through her sunburned, tear and dirt-streaked face. Her freckles were fresh as new milk, and her eyes were hollow and old. She was holding a sign that said Just hungry.Hunched over, she counted pennies on the sidewalk and I counted blessings that I don’t deserve, circumstances and coincidences that put me in Yoga pants and her in rags.Both counting.All I could bring her was dinner and my own shame. I placed the bag at her feet, head bowed, and cautioned a glimpse into her face.She looked like Christmas morning. I felt like last night’s party.I wanted to thank her: for humility, for humanity.For the struggle she carries and the mirror she gave me.All I could do was nod.

Source: Poverty & Privilege: A Divine Lesson In Humility. | Rebelle Society