Salem-News.com Civil Rights articles Page 55

At UN, Weakness on Rights Enabled by HRW & Scribes, Sri Lanka`s Silva Push

Sri Lanka responded with a letter of complaint to UN Correspondents, who made no reaction...

(UNITED NATIONS) - How can it be that Sri Lanka thought that the UN of Ban Ki-moon would accept Shavendra Silva as a member of the UN "Senior Advisory Group on Peacekeeping Operations"?

His role in Division 58 is repeatedly named in connection with war crimes in Ban's own Panel of Experts report on Sri Lanka.

Israel`s Administrative Torture and Lawless Captivity of Vanunu Mordechai

Another example of Israel’s administrative torture, lawless captivity and terror tactics occurred on 11 November 2004 when Israeli forces invaded St. George's Cathedral and again arrested Vanunu.

(CLERMONT, FL) - In an interview Wednesday with Israeli Channel 2 TV News, Israel's foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman rebuffed suggestions that American and Russian warnings against striking Iran would affect Israeli decision making, stating the decision...

"is not their business. The security of the citizens of Israel, the future of the state of Israel, this is the Israeli government's responsibility."

21st Century UN Human Rights Mechanisms And The Tamils In Ceylon (Island of Sri Lanka)

The birth of the 21st century has changed the human rights mechanisms within the UN.

(COLOMBO, Sri Lanka) - During my University time, I supported the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, which was an important issue during the 70s and 80s.

My involvement on human rights in Sri Lanka started during the time of widespread disappearances in the South, of Singhalese youth summarily executed in their tens of thousands in the late 80s.

UN `Deplores` Israeli Approval of More Settlements in West Bank

Land taken without permission is being seen for what it is: wrong.

(WEST BANK, Occupied Palestine) - The top United Nations envoy for the Middle East peace process today described as “deplorable” Israel’s announcement that is has given approval to a large number of new settlement units deep inside the occupied Palestinian territory.

“The Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations’ well known position that settlement activity is illegal, contrary to Israel’s obligations under the Road Map [to peace] and will not be recognized by the international community.”

Sri Lanka`s Shavendra Silva Removed from UN Group

Silva was a top military commander.

(GENEVA) - Sri Lanka’s deputy U.N. ambassador has been dropped from a group advising the Secretary-General on payment to troops participating in peacekeeping operations.

According to the report, Louise Frechette, said she had advised Major General Shavendra Silva “that his participation is not appropriate or helpful.”

G.L. Peiris Dropped from UNHRC Speakers` List

Sri Lanka Daily Mirror's Asoka Jayawardena, reports from Geneva.

(GENEVA) - Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof. Gamini Lakshman Peiris, who arrived in Geneva two days ago, has been dropped from the speakers' list at the high level segment of 19th session of the UNHRC.

A week ago UNHRC extranet published Mr. Peiris as the speaker from Sri Lanka at the high level segment. By yesterday (Feb. 21), however, Minister of Plantation Industries, Mahinda Samarasinghe has replaced Minister G.L. Peiris.

Why Peace?: Biology of Peace

I believe the main reason this world functions (and the main reason we remain optimistic) is that good people are everywhere, endeavoring toward inner peace and extending it by deeds to achieve peace in our societies

(BETHLEHEM) - My chapter in the Book "Why Peace", edited by Mark Guttman, is titled Biology of Peace

This book is an exploration of aggression, and of the evolutionary (and revolutionary) process to peace.

In Sri Lanka, Marie Colvin Mediating Role in White Flag Killings Recalled as Suspects Surge at UN

The outrage of Silva's nomination, which Sri Lanka got through the Asia Group not by election but by getting Nepal and Saudi Arabia to withdraw, has spread to other regional groups and major member states.

(UNITED NATIONS) - The death of journalist Marie Colvin in Homs in Syria calls to mind her work in another war zone: Sri Lanka.

Based on her reporting in 2001 forward, she became an well meaning humanitarian intermediary in attempted surrenders that ended in the murder of those surrendering.

MYANMAR: Demand Open Trial, Retrial and Dropping of Contempt Proceedings Against Phyo Wai Aung

Salem-News.com Eye on the World Report.

(SAYDABAD, Bangladesh) - Myanmar police falsely accuse a young man named Phyo Wai Aung of conducting a bombing at the traditional New Year festival during 2010.

The case has seen multitudinous miscarriages of justice throughout the investigation and trial proceedings.

Peace Chaplain - From the Book RADICAL PEACE: People Refusing War

RADICAL PEACE is a collection of reports from peace activists in the USA, Europe, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

(OLDENBURG, Germany) - To celebrate Armed Forces Day the military base near my seminary held an open house, to improve their image and boost recruiting.

They invited the public in for a marching band parade, a precision flying show, and sky divers, even free lemonade and cookies.