Sunday, December 10, 2006

International Human Rights Day

As the international human rights community observes this day, the news of Pinochet's death arrived.

The Mercury News noted

Hounded by human rights groups until the end and defended with equal zeal by the armed forces, Chile's controversial former dictator Augusto Pinochet Ugarte died Sunday from complications after suffering a heart attack last week. He was 91.


History likely will remember Pinochet as a figure with twin legacies: His bloody right-wing rule and defense against Soviet and Cuban communism changed the fate of not only Chile but also its neighbors in the southern cone of South America.


Decades later, attempts to prosecute Pinochet at home and abroad in the final years of his life set a precedent likely to be felt across the globe: that there is no statute of limitations on human rights abuses. Thousands filled the streets of Santiago on Sunday after the announcement of his death, both weeping supporters and some critics, most peacefully marking his passing, though a few scuffles were reported.

Click here to read more of the coverage.

Friday, December 01, 2006

The Most Fundamental of Human Rights

Following the most essential human right, the right to life, the most fundamental of human rights is the right to health. Without health, it is difficult to enjoy many of the other basic human rights.

Today is World AIDS Day, a day that draws our collective consciousness to the global HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The United States Department of Health and Human Services notes

December 1st is World AIDS Day. Established by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day serves to focus global attention on the devastating impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Observance of this day provides an opportunity for governments, national AIDS programs, churches, community organizations and individuals to demonstrate the importance of the fight against HIV/AIDS.

With an estimated 38.6 million people worldwide living with HIV at the end of 2005, and more than 25 million people having died of AIDS since 1981, December 1st serves to remind everyone that action makes a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Americans should be reminded that HIV/AIDS does not discriminate. With an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 HIV- positive individuals living in the U.S., and approximately 40,000 new infections occurring every year, the U.S. like other nations around the world is deeply affected by HIV/AIDS.

Human Rights Around the World

After having spent over a year developing a general blog, I have decided to expand and add on to my blog world with this blog, Human Rights Around the World.

My intent, through this blog, is to draw particular attention to human rights generally and the seriousness and urgency of human rights issues particularly.

I welcome you here and look forward to your return visits and comments.