Human Rights Archives - Page 125 of 376

Europe’s Dilemma: Immigration and the Arab Spring

by Anya Barry | May 25, 2012

Much of the West voiced great support for the Arab Spring. However, the European Union in particular soon curbed its enthusiastic reaction when residents of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) began streaming into Europe after turmoil from the Arab Spring left many MENA civilians unable to remain in the region. Immigration from the Middle East and North Africa to the European Union surged over the past year, causing the leaders of many EU countries to speak out against the growing influx of Arab immigrants seeking refuge within their borders.

Fukushima Team Under Constant Pressure to Protect Interests of Nuclear Power

by Erin Chandler | May 24, 2012

There remains no legislative structure in place to deal with the long-term effects of a nuclear disaster of the scale of Fukushima.

Morocco’s Short-Sighted Politics

by Anna Theofilopoulou | May 21, 2012

April of this year marked the 21^st anniversary since the UN Security Council accepted responsibility for trying to resolve the Western Sahara conflict through a referendum on self-determination. The referendum has never taken place, nor is it likely to ever happen. Nor, for that matter, is it likely that the conflict will be resolved through the mutually acceptable political solution that the Council has been asking for since April 2004.

Honduras: Sovereignty for Sale

by Michael Busch | May 16, 2012

Since taking office, President Porfirio Lobo has opened the door to expanded American military presence in Honduras and auctioned off his country’s right to self-determination.

Lip Service Is All the Bahraini Opposition Will Ever Get From Washington*

by Chris Toensing | May 16, 2012

Despite Bahrain’s authoritarian rule, Washington still sells it military equipment.

Syrian Kurds Fleeing to Iraqi Safe Haven

by Samer Muscati | May 14, 2012

It was a January evening when his Syrian army unit raided a house near the city of Zabadani, not far from Damascus, the former sergeant recalled. A 70-year-old man wearing a hospital gown was brought to the house, and the soldiers, including a colonel, interrogated him. When he wasn’t able to respond to their satisfaction, one of the guards beat him ferociously in the face with a helmet.

Truce Between Salvador’s Maras for Real — for Now

by Michael Busch | May 12, 2012

The government turning its iron fist into an open hand and collaboration on music projects have helped cement a truce between rival gangs in El Salvador.

Elections and Instability in Algeria

by Wided Khadraoui | May 11, 2012

Algeria’s instability claimed another self-immolation victim, Rechak Hamza, on April 29. Hamza set himself on fire in Jijel, in eastern Algeria, suffering third-degree burns. He was airlifted to a hospital in Constantine before succumbing to his injuries. His funeral was held on May 2.

Promoting Democracy in Iran Is Not Only Wishful Thinking, But Belligerent

by Michael Busch | May 11, 2012

Foreign Affairs contributor Patrick Clawson clings to the hoary old myth of democracy promotion as a means to regime change in Iran.

Review: The Islamists Are Coming

by Giorgio Cafiero | May 10, 2012

The Islamists Are Coming: Who They Really Are is a compilation of essays edited by Robin Wright that examines the backgrounds, worldviews, and positions on political, economic and social issues of Islamist political parties across the Middle East and North Africa. The success of Islamists in elections indicates that these parties enjoy support from large sections of the Arab world. Although Islamists did not initiate the “Arab Spring” or participate in the early protests, they are now using this democratic awakening in the region to acquire power.