Thomas Lubanga ICC
Thomas Lubanga ICC
Thomas Lubanga Dyilo is a Congolese rebel militia leader accused of conscripting child soldiers to further the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during 2002 and 2003. If proven, this constitutes a war crime, one of the most serious international crimes.
In the DRC, Lubanga was allegedly the president of the Union of Congolese Patriots from 2000, and from 2002 was alleged to have served as commander-in-chief of its former military wing, the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo. The Union of Congolese Patriots’ goal was to establish dominance of the Hema ethnic group through violence against non-Hema people—especially Lendu militias and civilians.
Because he was suspected of committing war crimes during the conflict, Lubanga was arrested in March 2005 and transferred from the DRC to the ICC a year later, in March 2006. After long delays, his trial started at the ICC on January 26, 2009.
Thomas Lubanga is charged with committing three war crimes between July 2002 and December 2003:
* conscripting children under the age of 15 years into armed groups;
* enlisting children into armed groups, and
* using children to participate actively in armed conflict.
Lubanga is charged with responsibility for these crimes because of his alleged position leading both the political group the Union of Congolese Patriots and its former military wing, the Patriotic Forces for the Liberation of Congo. The prosecutor charges that Lubanga exercised power and authority over these organizations, including the adoption and implementation of their policies (among which were the conscription, enlistment, and use of child soldiers).
A Tale of Two Cities - Kashmir Srinagar - Part Two
A Tale of Two Cities - Kashmir Srinagar - Part Two
In 1989, a widespread armed insurgency started in Kashmir, which continues to this day. India contends that this was largely started by the large number of Afghan mujahideen who entered the Kashmir valley following the end of the Soviet Afghan war
India claims local insurgents are Islamic terrorist groups from Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Afghanistan, fighting to make Jammu and Kashmir part of Pakistan. It believes Pakistan is giving armed help to the terrorists, and training them in Pakistan. It also says the terrorists have been killing many citizens in Kashmir, and committing human rights violations, while denying that its own armed forces are responsible for the human rights abuses.
The Pakistani government calls these insurgents, Kashmiri freedom fighters, and claims that it gives only moral and diplomatic support to these insurgents, though India believes they are Pakistan-supported terrorists from Pakistan Administered Kashmir.
Despite this Kashmir is beautiful and engaging. Srinagar circles Lake Dal and the haunting shadows and light of the city hide the daily struggle for freedom going on at a political level.
A Tale of Two Cities - Kashmir Srinagar - Part One
A Tale of Two Cities - Kashmir Srinagar - Part One
In 1989, a widespread armed insurgency started in Kashmir, which continues to this day. India contends that this was largely started by the large number of Afghan mujahideen who entered the Kashmir valley following the end of the Soviet Afghan war
Yasin Malik, a leader of one faction of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation front, along with Ashfaq Majid Wani and Farooq Ahmad Dar alias Bitta Karatay, was one of the Kashmiris to organize militancy in Kashmir. However since 1995, Malik has renounced the use of violence and calls for strictly peaceful methods to resolve the dispute.
India claims local insurgents are Islamic terrorist groups from Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Afghanistan, fighting to make Jammu and Kashmir part of Pakistan. It believes Pakistan is giving armed help to the terrorists, and training them in Pakistan. It also says the terrorists have been killing many citizens in Kashmir, and committing human rights violations, while denying that its own armed forces are responsible for the human rights abuses.
US Intelligence agencies believe that AlQaeda and Taliban are helping organize a terror campaign in Kashmir to increase conflict between India and Pakistan.
The Pakistani government calls these insurgents, Kashmiri freedom fighters, and claims that it gives only moral and diplomatic support to these insurgents, though India believes they are Pakistan-supported terrorists from Pakistan Administered Kashmir.
During 2009 the killings continued and after two local girls were abducted, raped and murdered by Indian Police the violence started again on the streets of Srinagar.
Albino Killings in Tanzania
Albino Killings in Tanzania
Locally known as the Zeru Zeru, or ghosts, albinos in Tanzania have been stigmatized for centuries. Many are banished by their families who see their condition as a curse on the whole family. Over the past years albinos in east African face a much more deadly threat. They have become the prey of traditional healers or witch doctors, who kill them to harvest their body parts for get-rich-quick concoctions. Foreign Witch Doctors sell their trade to fishermen and miners who hope to benefit in business by wearing GriGri which contains the body parts.
Locally it is thought that the albino organs possess mystical powers that can make a person fabulously rich within a short time. To show how serious the problem is, recently buried albino dead bodies are sometimes exhumed at night in search of the magical organs. Since the mining and fishing industries are currently enjoying an unprecedented boom, the two sectors are attracting people from all walks of life and cultures and this factor has increased the albino risks.
We Made A Promise - Never Again?
We Made A Promise - Never Again?
Fourteen years after the Rwandan genocide, Hutus and Tustsi ethnic tension overflows in neighboring Congo. 250,000 people have been displaced over the past weeks and Hutu militia, government soldiers and Tutsi warlords battle against each other in the hills of Kivu province. The international community watches silently.
A shaky ceasefire between the Congolese army and Nkunda’s troops fell apart in late August and skirmishes between them have continued.
Nkunda, who leads the dissident soldiers, says he is defending the interests of Congolese Tutsi, a minority group of which he is a member. He claims that the Tutsi of North Kivu, where he is based, will lack adequate protection if he permits his troops to be fully integrated into the national army and deployed to posts elsewhere in Congo.
His forces have also fought FDLR combatants, many of whom are Rwandan Hutu or members of Congolese groups related to the Hutu. At times the FDLR have fought against Congolese army troops but on other occasions, they have cooperated with soldiers of the government army. In recent operations, FDLR were said to be fighting with government troops against Nkunda.
In addition to killing and abducting scores of civilians, soldiers have engaged in widespread rape and in the looting and destruction of property. All forces used child soldiers and some commanders tried to prevent international child protection agencies from locating and removing children them from their ranks.
The Price of Oil - Our Love Affair with the Automobile.
The Price of Oil - Our Love Affair with the Automobile.
“Oil dependence is a threat to US national security, its economy and its environment. With a 21-million-barrel-per-day oil habit, the United States consumes a quarter of the world’s annual oil production. Oil imports now account for 40 percent of the national trade deficit, families and businesses alike feel the pinch from rising and uncertain oil prices. U.S. transportation, which is 97 percent reliant on oil, is the driving force behind the rapidly growing oil demand. This is partly because the fuel economy of cars and trucks has been stagnant since the 1988, and partly due to a lack of transportation choices in many communities.
Transportation also spews one-third of the annual emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide pollution. If the USA continues with business as usual, the transportation sector will be responsible for 80 percent of oil demand growth over the next 20 years and more than one-third of our global warming pollution emissions through 2030.”
National Resource Defense Council
The Price of Oil - Venezuela
The Price of Oil - Venezuela
A year after President Chavez seized control of the Oil assets in Venezuela from its foreign owners, the oil wealth is being sown amongst his people. PDVSA generated incomes go to facilitating cheap gasoline for all, a full tank costing $0.75. The monies are also being used for housing, health and education projects. The residents of the slums or 'popular' areas are happier than they have been in years. But, the middle class are less content and neither are the environmentalists. Venezuela being the fifth largest oil producer in the world is facing challenges to source and distribute its wealth effectively and responsibly.
