Ecuadorian foreign policy and Human Rights

Writer: Valentina Jaramillo

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The Ecuadorian government has a humanist vision of international relations, hence the operation of international law and human rights like the basis of peaceful coexistence between states, and multilateral ism.  This means the actions of the international community based on peace and sustainable development.

The current policy of President Rafael Correa has held that there must be a proper planning in the field of international politics, or that it is essential to give coherence to the management in the same area. The new foreign policy, proposes different courses based on human rights issues and democracy. It believes that these actions are based on the values ​​preserved in the Constitution (Articles 1, 4 and 16,). The Constitution indicates the importance and highest duty of the State to respect and ensure respect for human rights. Ecuador's external action should promote the development of international institutions to promote and enforce intellectual property rights. Also, it is important to internally implement mechanisms to punish those who are responsible for rape and other violations.

The Government emphasizes the need to update the National Human Rights Plan adopted ten years ago. Therefore, it proposes to hold a national conference on the subject that harmonizes with Planex Plan 2020 which is the current government's Development Plan. This plan of the National Foreign Policy  2007-2010,  and the Foreign Ministry intends to contribute and reduce the social debt is Ecuador and achieve the goals to induce human development, which has been raised by the Government. Regarding the shortcomings of Ecuador in human rights, Hernan Salgado, a judge of the Supreme Court of Justice, said that while the country has served sentences of international courts, in some cases of human rights violations, for example, missing and extrajudicial executions. This reflects the actions required by the rule of law of repetition and the collection of compensation to those responsible for human rights crimes.  A proper planning will allow us to strengthen bilateral relations with the countries identified as priorities. This will also give us participation at the multilateral level will help by being part of a proactive- international agenda and democratization of multilateral institutions like the United Nations (UN), the OAS, the Council of Human Rights and other international organizations. The Ecumenical Human Rights Commission, probably the most prestigious organization in the country of human rights, argues that it is important to fight against impunity for war crimes and systematic violations of human rights. Therefore, it promotes a renewed action through initiatives for stopping violations and impunity that prevails in the world today.

In conclusion, Chancellery feature has strengthen their vocation in the community service, to serve our national population and to reflect in Ecuador a country that promotes peace, labor and welfare. Our foreign policy is aimed at contribute to an international order more equitable and democratic and to participate actively in the efforts of the Ecuadorian government in order to build a homeland dignified and sovereign that defends human rights.

More information: www.mmrree.gob.ec/ministerio/constituciones/2008.pdf

Yoani Sanchez: her fight for freedom of expression!

Writers: Sofia Guerrero and Paola Carrera

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Yoani Sanchez is a Cuban blogger who has been a great example of how individuals fight for the promotion and respect for human rights around the world, even by being part of a restricted and dictatorial society. Yoani Sanchez is a common woman who has fought for freedom of expression in Cuba by publicizing blogs and tweets so the world can be aware and know her situation, and that of many Cuban citizens who are not allowed to internet access. Yoani find access to an internet connection with a regular phone in order to broadcast information; considering that the Cuban government and monopoly denies and prohibits the use of personal phones and access to the Internet or any kind of mass media (Cuban Constitution Art.53).

Yoani besides having the blog "Generación Y", she also writes for the Spanish newspaper "El País". She also teaches free courses in her living room, for Cubans who want to learn how to get internet access through their normal cell phones. Besides training people in the use of programs such as:

• Mozilla Thunderbird Portable 6.0.2: a very useful tool to manage email through a USB flash.
• TrueCrypt: computer security program to safeguard content.
• HURIDOCS and OpenEvsys: databases with information on human rights.
• WordPress basic, intermediate and advanced: includes Xampp local server installation and installation of WP on computer without web access.

Despite the difficulties, Yoani hasn’t given up her fight for defending the right of people to be informed. Unfortunately, she has had to face some awful consequences, like the recent 30 hour detention she had to confront. Her husband and her were detained on their way to cover the trial in Bayamo of a Spanish politician who was accused of a rebel’s death. The reason of the apprehension was an alleged plan of creating a “provocation” and “media show” to manipulate and spread false news about the trial (The Miami Herald). After she returned home, she couldn't make or receive phone calls, her way of communicating was through text messages. It was not the first time the Cuban government cuts her cell phone line. 

The last days, Yoani has been focused on informing about the new Migratory Law that was modified in the Cuban government. In some way, Yoani is trying to confront and test the government on this law’s limits, by planning to travel in January 2013. During 5 years the government had denied 20 times the permission to leave the country, she has hope that the reform will allow her to travel but at the same time is aware that her situation is complicated because of the activities she carries out. According to her tweets, she had a quick interview with CNN news until the line connection was off. 

Yoani is a great example of a human rights defender who has challenged political barriers imposed by the Cuban government. She is not afraid to speak her mind despite the risks of being detained, tortured, murder or any other physical abuse. She has found ways to expose her thinking and the real internal situations in her country. Yoani’s individual case has motivated international community and human rights organizations to be aware of her situation and thing going on in Cuba. As a result, international media help her to spread out tweets, blogs, news and articles.

For more information about Yoani’s critics and opinions, follow her on tweeter @yoanisanchez.

STEVE BIKO: Human Rights Fight in South Africa

 Writer: Paola Carrera H.

"It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realize that the only vehicle for change are these people who have lost their personality. The first step therefore is to make the black man come to himself; to pump back life into his empty shell; to infuse him with pride and dignity, to remind him of his complicity in the crime of allowing himself to be misused and therefore letting evil reign supreme in the country of his birth."

Steve Biko

How many people in the world are crying for freedom? How many people are suffering because liberty, their liberty, has seemed to be vanished? How many people are victim of our “perfect” system? And how many keep silent because they are afraid to speak? They are afraid because they don't know their rights. 

This copy from
The Daily Dispatch archives

Steve Biko was a black political leader, banned, who fought for black freedom in South Africa. He believed on a non violence fight in order to achieve a better life for his people, equal races and white men helping black ones; a fight against the government of South Africa. Media played an important role during these events. The newspaper "Daily Dispatch" published a news regarding mistreating to black people, and the newspaper editor hired two black reporters. Unfortunately all the articles, supporting black people, published on the ‘Daily Dispatch’ and written by black reporters, led into a battle with the government and the security police. The newspaper was closed, its editor was banned  and the government committed even more abuses and injustices against South African people. Media can play an important role in social fights, as they are able to spread information all over and has a convening power. Even though Bikos words could not be published in media, his ideas were transmitted orally. His speeches were heard by hundreds of people, he promoted ideas of equality, justice, freedom, rights for South Africans. 

Biko's family at his funeral

On more than one occasion he was arrested, interrogated and subjected to physical violence, but he never gave up. Finally, the 11th of September 1977, an unforgettable day for South Africans, Steve Biko was murdered. This black politician left a legacy and his life was not in vain. The power and sincerity of his words encouraged many people to continue with his fight. The movement founded by him in 1968, "Black Consciousness Movement", achieved many positive and significant changes in South Africa. Currently "Steve Biko Foundation" was created in honor of this great man, and is responsible of promoting the reinforcement of identity, culture and values, intensifying its efforts to strengthen democracy. 

He returned faith and hope to his people. Steve Biko is a hero, who gave his live fighting for his dreams, dreams of justice, liberty and equal conditions for black people.  Oppressive and violent regimes might frighten their citizens and keep them silent, but when people speak their voices out there able to accomplish big things in society. It is thank to people like Steve Biko that human rights have developed through time.

For Steve Bikos Videos Click Here

"Cry Freedom"; John Briley, Oxford University Press 2006.

Role of media and Human Rights

Writers: Maria Dolores Banda, Lucy Coronel and Sofia Guerrero

The media and its elements have turned out to be a useful and efficient tool to broadcast and emphasize human rights issues in the world. Since the 1990s, the projection of human rights issues became more public which developed as an initiative for all the media. Media resources like internet networks, television, newspapers and other online services have created an impact in the world on the basis of human rights, in order to be heard and to support these universal standards. The point of the media is to promote human rights and to give suggestions about the coverage and treatment of these standards. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), their purpose is to prevent corruption in societies and public life and to abolish illicit acts around the world, by publishing and exposing violations of rights. The actual Syrian conflict and the presence of the media is a clear example of how media works to make violations of human rights public, in order to inform the world about conflicts and to support the idea that human rights should be treated seriously.

“Awareness is key to the promotion of rights. Citizens must be able to celebrate achievements and successes. Media have a role to play in reporting good examples of tolerance, peace and respect for human rights. It is not all bad-news dominated by conflict and strife.” (IFJ)

Another example of this is the case fo Yoani Sanchez. She is a young woman who works for the Internet portal of “El País” newspaper. Yoani was a victim of human rights violation and abuse of power by the Cuban authorities. She was arrested in Bayamo, in southeastern Cuba. As she was completing her work as a correspondent, she had to cover the trial of a Spanish politician, who was judge to crash a car accident where a person died.

She was unconcerned about the punishments she had to confront. She simply described that three uniformed women took her to a room and tried to undress her. Yoani admitted that she resisted to these acts, so the Cuban authorities took custody for nearly 30 hours on charges applied by authorities and she said that one of the officers tried to talk to her, to make an argument against her. But she fought demanding her right to make a phone call.

Due to her personal experience, she was totally grateful with the media since they were present by investigating and trying to find out what were the reasons of these unlawful acts. In this case, the media became a useful tool that helped Yoani to publicize her rights and how they were violated. It is important to consider that Yoani represents one of the most important newspapers in Spain, and by using her phone to publish on twitter she had to face several consequences. This determines the intervention of the Cuban government to restrict the use of technology in society and the access to media sources like the Internet, however Yoani had access to the Internet to publicize her work on twitter. This implies that Cuba has a controlling system to regulate and control social media as it happen with Yoani. The same Cuban Communist Party controls and finances all kinds of media sources (Amnesty International).  Their system is characterized as a monopoly over any social media in society and their Constitution clearly says that: it recognizes of freedom of the press but expressly prohibits private ownership of the mass media (Article 53).

We have to say that the influence of media in human rights is really important. We can search for on Internet and we’ll be automatically connected with all the information we need. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don’t have an immediate and easy access to the Internet or media sources. Because of this issue, there are a lot of programs that help people to connect and get involved with human rights.

As human beings we have the right to know our basic human rights, therefore governments and States have been conscious about this and have implemented some kind of programs who can be seen by almost everyone.

One example of this is the programs that the Ecuadorian government is implementing in the national TV. For example, the “Ecohuellas” and “Ojos que no ven”, are both programs that have won a prize in Premios Iberoamericanos de TV in Spain. Now days we can watch educational programs that are helpful to understand human rights. As a fact, we think that this is really important for the future generations. Children have to know that diversity is part of our culture, and none of them should be discriminated, no matter the race. When kids and all human beings are aware of their rights, it’s easier for them to respect each other. We all have rights, and it’s really important that the government implements this kind of politics into states polices to make them public, so that no one can violated human rights.

Therefore, media has a crucial role regarding human rights. They have focused on the protection of these rights internationally in order to show their importance in different societies. The media and its components have become a useful tool to inform how human rights are being violated in the world and how people sometimes are not concern about this universal topic.

Declaration of Women’s Human Rights vs. Islamic Laws for Women

Writer: Juan Fernando Larco

The following article will present two different perspectives. Besides a confrontation, we want to analyze the basic principles of the Declaration of Women’s Human Rights and those of the Islamic Laws for women. The point is to determine which principles have been respected in the legislature of a country. 

We have many declarations on human rights that support and defend women. First of all, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone is entitled to all rights and freedoms without distinction (Article 2). Also, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, states that any kind of gender-based violence that reflect any harm in a physical, sexual or psychological way is considered as an act of violence (Article 1), and this has to be prevented and managed by the counntry in accordance with the national legislation. These acts of violence have to be punished, no matter if a person or State committed them (Article 4-c). The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), is clear when it uses the word discrimination: " a distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on the basis of equality between men and women, of human rights or fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." (Article 1)

Zohreh Arshadi

Miss Arshadi was a practising lawyer in Iran after being exiled to Europe. She is currently an advocate in France and is active in human rights, especially women’s rights. She has focused on the defence of the rights of women in Iran.

“Sharia law dictates the treatment and expectations of Muslim women in legal procedures. Zohreh Arshadi… wrote an article detailing Muslim laws on iran-bulletin.org. Arshadi states that Muslim women accused of adultery face lashing or stoning to death. Sharia law dictates that a woman is subject to this punishment after it is "proven by the witness of four just men or three just men and two just women," A woman who has witnessed a crime such as rape or robbery has no right to bear witness in court. If she does testify, she can face the punishment for accusation, which is 80 lashes.” [1]

It is necessary to clarify that Muslim life is guided and based on rules or laws which are known as the “Sharia.” This code was developed after the death of Prophet Mohammed in A.D. 632, according to the council of Foreign Relations. This law regulates the rights and treatment of women in Muslim countries like Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, etc. This code also gives some limitations on their freedom, interaction with men and dress codes. It’s important to understand that the violation of Sharia laws can cause several punishments, even death. Furthermore, the Qur´an and in the Islamic Penal code of Iran, base their standards on the following norms regarding women’s rights in Muslim society.

• Men are superior to women
• Men are commanded to beat their disobedient wives
• Men can have sexual relations with wives and concubines
• Men can have sexual relations with wives and concubines
• Legal testimony
• Men are the managers of women

“The Islamic Penal Codes are based on violence in its most primitive forms. These not only authorize organized state violence, but encourage male violence against women within the family and in society.” [2]

As a conclusion, these actions are committed in and society that culturally thinks that it’s ok to do so. The problem is that not only the national law allows these kinds of actions against women, but   religion has also several parts were it indicates that the punishment to a disobedient woman is acceptable in a society. 

If y are interested in reading more, visit http://www.light-of-life.com/eng/reveal/ , it has an interesting view regarding women’s rights in Islamic cultures.

“Now that we have reached the end of the book we can say that women in Islam do not enjoy a status which the "European woman would like for herself."(1) Despite the fact that Muhammad introduced many reforms to the position of Arab women in the Arabian Peninsula and despite the fact that Islam does not deny at all that the female has a soul and a mind, she still remains half a human being in the Qur´an, the Hadith, the sources of jurisprudence, and even in the works of modern Muslims. The reason for her existence is to serve her husband and obey his commands unconditionally and unreservedly. She also has to bear him children and hide herself from the public, as though her very existence were a shame.”

[1] Ehow Website:  http://www.ehow.com/list_6875689_sharia-laws-women.ht ml#ixzz28pbB6C8W

[2] http://www.iran-bulletin.org/political_islam/punishmnt.html

Civil and Political Rights vs. Economic-Social-Cultural Rights

Writers: Sofia Guerrero and Lucy Coronel

As humans rights have developed throughout history, a controversy and argument has shown up in between civil and political rights versus economic, social and cultural rights. The main differences between this set of rights began during the cold war when each side claimed a set of rights built on their political ideologies. As the west argued on the prevalence of civil and political rights, the soviets claimed the importance of guarantying the economic and social rights. In consequence, there is a perception that some of these rights are considered to be more important than others.  First of all, according to the Universal Declaration Human Rights (UDHR) all rights are equally applied to every human being and derive from the fact and standard that every individual owns these rights to have a life of dignity and respect. However, several authorities and States ( United States, Cuba, South Africa, Somalia- haven’t ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights)  consider that economic, social and cultural rights should not be considered as “human rights,” meanwhile other states give more importance to civil and political rights.  (UDHR, Available at http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/ index.shtml)

These differences in the perception of the importance of economic, social and cultural rights versus civil and political rights have led to discussions. Some argue that these differences are based in the fact that civil and political rights do not require much resource in order to be enforced. Whereas economics, social and cultural rights do require resources and investment from States in order for them to be achieved. (“International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.” Office of the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights). 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) clearly states that there is a full recognition and equal importance of every right. This means that every right is inalienable and fundamental for the life of an individual. [1]

An example of this controversy is that the United Stated only accepted and compromised to civil and political rights and did not recognize economic, social and cultural rights back in the 50s and 60s when human rights just started to be considered universal standards. 
Contradictions are evident when one starts to analyze the practice of different rights; for example the right to work. Although critics don’t recognize some economic, social and cultural rights as important human rights, there is agreement on defending the right to work (Art. 23 UDHR) and the right to property (Art. 17 UDHR) which belong to the economic rights. Also, the right to food is considered as an economic right, nevertheless it’s also a fundamental right for the protection of an individual’s life. This is also reflected in the right to special protection to children, since to enforce this right, the State has to provide and assure health, food, education and property.   This indicates that there might be differences between these rights, but there is not difference when it comes to importance or status.    [2] (Donnelly, 1998: 24,28).

In both cases, the State is responsible for the implementation of these rights, providing the necessary guarantees for the achievement of human rights. Regardless of the nature and categorization that human rights have been given, all of them pursue the same goal: human dignity. Despite political interests, human rights are universally recognized and have been accepted in the international law. The protection and promotion of these minimum standards are closely related with the development of nations and their societies. Therefore, due to this controversy, States and critics have forgotten the principle that all human rights are important and have an equal status.
Extra Information: The economic, social and cultural rights are mentioned and promoted by the Millennium Development Goals. 

Bibliography:

• Donnelly Jack, International Human Rights, Theories of Human Rights, 1996. 
• “Human Rights Principles.” UNFPA. < http://www.unfpa.org /rights/ principles.htm>.
• “International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.” Office of the United Nation High Commissioner for Human Rights. OHCRH, 1996. < http://www2.ohchr.org/ english/law/cescr.htm>.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, available at: <http://www.un.org/en/documents /udhr/index.shtml>.

[1] UNFPA “Human Rights.” http://www.unfpa.org/rights/principles.htm.
[2] UDHR- Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml.

WOMEN RIGHTS THROUGH TIME: London 2012

Writers: Maria Dolores Banda and Paola Carrera

The case of the Olympic Games in London 2012 has been helpful to understand how much the acceptance for women’s rights have grown through years. For the first time in the history of the Olympic Games some Muslim women, considered as heroines, participated in this event. When the Olympic Games began, and even in the modern era, there were no female delegates at all. It was back in 1900, during the Olympic Games held in Paris were delegations had female members. Nowadays, we can see the importance of the participation of women in this event that takes place every four years. In London 2012, half of the participants from the delegations of the world were women, including a Saudi and Afghanistan women who were criticized and offended by some Muslim people.

Tahmina Kohistani is one of the women who participated as a delegate of her country for the first time in history. She said: "I faced many challenges in my training for the London Games. One day I was at the stadium and the taxi driver asked me where I was going. I said: 'I'm training, I'm going to the Olympics', and he said: 'salt of the taxi, I will not take you there. "

http://www.sugarrolls.com/tag/tahmina-kohistani

As it has been demonstrated, women have the same conditions and opportunities as men, and both have equal rights. Therefore, governments around the world should defend women’s rights as a way to help and encourage women’s participation in society. In this Olympic Games, Government supported their female delegates but under the condition that they wear their "hiyab", which means they have to cover their body. Thus, they were not supported by some Muslim people, who think that they shouldn't be representing their countries. These women are heroines simply because they stand for their right as women to take part in world events like the Olympics. They broke a wall by showing that women are capable of everything. Everyone should be proud of them for demonstrating that sports, as well as religion, can be practiced by men and women.

This example is a demonstration of the progress and evolution of human rights all over the world, specifically the rights of women. Several decades have passed since the conception of human rights began to be a concern in the international community as an issue of fundamental importance. The example above is a grain of sand in the development of human rights, hopefully a few years away from now we could be able to tell thousands of examples regarding human rights progress.

http://www.noticias24.com/londres2012/noticia/4524/