In The News

Human Rights Climate 'Worst in 50 Years'

Simon Jeffery May 26, 2004
Amnesty International has pronounced 2003 as the worst year for humanitarian law and human rights in 50 years. AI noted that the war in Iraq and actions across the globe stemming from the American anti-terror policy have led to unrest worldwide, especially in the Middle East. Long-standing international conflicts, as in Chechnya, Northern Ireland, or the Sudan, figured into the picture, but the...

The Dark Side of Globalization

Richard Gunde May 26, 2004
Along with increased cross-border trade and transnational migration, globalization has also contributed to the internationalization of social woes such as forced prostitution. In this article, UCLA professor Richard Gunde reviews key sessions from a recent forum on transborder crime in Southeastern Europe. Sociology professor Gail Kligman attributes the region’s high incidence of sex...

State Department Rights Report Released After Delay

Salamander Davoudi May 18, 2004
The US State Department's annual report on human rights and democracy comes in the wake of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal. The controversial episode, in which Iraqi prisoners were abused by U.S. soldiers, has sparked a worldwide debate about the U.S.'s own human rights record. In fact, says Lorne Craner, assistant secretary for democracy, human rights and labor, the Abu Ghraib prison...

Berg's death augurs ill for Arab societies

May 12, 2004
In the past few weeks, the world has been stunned by the evidence of US and coalition troops abusing Iraqi prisoners in their custody. Now, the world is shocked once again with a video of the beheading of an American civilian by anti-US Iraqi insurgents. As the editorial in one of the Middle East's most respected papers, the Daily Star of Lebanon puts it, "the barbaric and ultimately...

Language Schools Fight Image War

May 5, 2004
Japan's language schools for foreigners are experiencing a reputation crisis. While trying to help their foreign students, many of whom are from China, to get through the college entrance exam in Japan, these schools have found that not all of the students are serious about learning and getting ready for college. Recent unpleasant events have included illegal jobs held by foreign students...

Iraqi Prison Scandal Hits US in a Big Way

Ilnur Cevic May 5, 2004
The recent uproar in the US over the torture and abuse of Iraqi prisoners in US custody is really not big 'news' in the Arab world, says this editorial in the Turkish Daily News. Although the humiliating photos circulating the globe may have "devastating consequences" for the US, writes Ilnur Cevic, the problems are seen by many in Iraq and the Middle East as just another...

Iraq Prisoner Abuse Draws Global Media Outrage

May 5, 2004
Revelations of Iraqi prisoner abuse and torture at the hands of Americans have shocked the world. A survey of 128 editorials in 44 countries compiled by the US Department of State's Office of Research finds great revulsion and contempt for the American actions. Some papers demand the US be charged with war crimes, while others see the torture as a "major defeat" for the US and...