December 2008 Issue

• Marriage Bans Protested Across Nation

  Selected Source: The Washington Times
  Gay rights advocates have protested across the nation since the passing of California's Proposition 8. Protests have ranged from peaceful demonstrations urging discussion to violent, angry displays aimed at religious groups. Two states, Connecticut and Massachusetts, allow same-sex marriage. Thirty states have actively banned same-sex marriage through state constitutional amendments.

• Veterans File Disability Suits

  Selected Source: OneWorld.net
  Two veterans groups filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Bureaucracy at the VA prevents veterans from receiving timely decisions on their disability claims. Many veterans are left with limited financial and medical resources as they wait, on average, six months for a decision on their claim.

• Australian Peak Mount Niggerhead Renamed

  Selected Source: News.com.au From All Angles
  An aboriginal group will sue the government of Victoria over the renaming of a mountain in the Alpine National Park in Australia. The State Environment Minister proposed naming Mount Niggerhead after one of the traditional languages of the region, Jaithmathangs. Aboriginal opponents say the name is arbitrarily offensive.

• China-Tibet Talks Break Down

  Selected Source: International Herald Tribune
  The Dalai Lama has called a summit of Tibetan leaders in Dharamsala, India following the break down of talks between Chinese and Tibetan leaders. Following last years violence in Tibet, the Dalai Lama renewed his pleas for true Tibetan autonomy from China. Younger Tibetan leaders continue to push for more radical tactics to advance the cause of Tibetan independence.

• Nicaragua Demands Review for Elections

  Selected Source: iStock Analyst
  International review of local elections is demanded for by Nicaragua's main opposition party, who claim the November elections were fraudulent. Daniel Ortega won the election by a landslide and has dismissed fraud allegations and apparently would not permit outside observers. Insiders state that observance from the United Nations or European Union would have been helpful.

• Uruguays Congress Debate Abortion

  Selected Source: Latin American Press
  A bill to decriminalize abortion was narrowly approved for pregnancies within the first twelve weeks in cases of extreme poverty, incest, age and health concerns of the fetus and the mother. The bill is subject to further debate because one of its provisions, declaring that sexual and reproductive rights are universal human rights, was rejected.

• Ceasefire Declared in Sudan

  Selected Source: BBC News
  Sudan President Bashir announced immediate ceasefire in Darfur, so long as a monitoring mechanism is effectuated and observed by all parties. A key rebel group, however, stated that it could not agree to the ceasefire. Since 2003, approximately 300,000 people have died and more than two million have fled their homes due to the violence.

• Humanitarian Efforts in DRC

  Selected Source: Mail & Guardian Online
  A United Nations aid convey provided food and medical supplies to tens of thousands of displaced persons in the rebel-held city of Rutshuru in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Security issues, however, have prevented aid agencies from engaging in humanitarian efforts. At least 300,000 people have been displaced in the DRC since August 2008.

• Rights Activists Banned from France

  Selected Source: The Tocqueville Connection
  Syrian security services recently banned a Syrian researcher and a filmmaker from traveling to France for work. Various other human rights activists and academics were placed on a travel ban list on September 19th. The National Organisation of Human Rights in Syria (NOHRS) criticized the unexplained bans as illegal and unconstitutional.

• Sweden Increases Aid to Afghanistan

  Selected Source: International Herald Tribune
  The Swedish government approved a $25 million increase in aid to Afghanistan for programs in areas such as human rights and democracy development. The government also plans to increase its troops in the region from 390 to 500. Despite these efforts, however, the Swedish Foreign Minister emphasized the need for more U.N. involvement in Afghanistan.

• HRW Report Harshly Criticizes Egypt

  Selected Source: Los Angeles Times
  Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a report harshly criticizing the Egyptian shoot-to-stop border policy in the Sinai region that has left over thirty African migrants dead. Amid speculation that Israel encouraged the policy, the report also blames Israel for returning asylum-seekers to Egypt, where they face military courts and deportation to conflict zones.

• Israel Makes Goodwill Gestures

  Selected Source: Jerusalem Post
  Israel briefly reopened border crossings to Gaza this month to allow a humanitarian aid delivery, including food, medicine, and fuel. Israeli PM Olmert also declared that Israel will free 250 Palestinian detainees before an upcoming Muslim holiday; a move meant to support PA President Abbas in his dispute with rival political movement Hamas.