In The News

After the Crossing, Danger to Migrants Isn't Over

Charlie LeDuff November 11, 2003
A wave of violence has hit the Southwest US that is reminiscent of the drug wars of years past. But the victims now are illegal immigrants, caught in the crossfire of competing gangs, not members of rival drug cartels. Because of increased security after September 11, the price demanded for human smuggling across the US-Mexico border has increased drastically, rendering such operations almost...

Draft Law Would Expand Rights

Ko Shu-ling November 5, 2003
Taiwan's cabinet is considering a human rights bill that would enact sweeping changes in its official treatment of a variety of issues. The version of the bill now before the Cabinet would establish the right to vote through referendums on issues of public policy and constitutional reform. The right to hold a referendum has been contentious since Taiwan began its push to democratization,...

US Court System is Big Opening for Immigrants

Jesse Bogan October 14, 2003
Non-Mexican undocumented immigrants crossing the southern US border have a pretty easy out if they're apprehended by immigration authorities. By claiming to be from Honduras, Guatemala, or somewhere else, undocumented migrants from Central and South America are processed through the court system, not immediately turned back at the US-Mexico border. Short on money and space to house them,...

Iranian Lawyer Awarded Nobel Peace Prize

Christopher Brown-Humes October 10, 2003
Amidst international tension over Iran's nuclear program and debates on the role of Islamic extremists in promoting international terrorism, the Nobel Committee chose an Iranian lawyer as the recipient of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize. Citing Shirin Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer, for her brave advocacy of human rights and democracy, the Committee said it hoped her example would inspire democratic...

Sportswear Boycott Over Burma Links

Vivek Chaudhary October 6, 2003
A British-based campaign for democracy in Burma urged soccer fans to boycott goods produced by Kappa, a popular sportswear supplier with stores all over Europe. The campaign claims that Kappa indirectly supports the brutal Burma military regime by continuing to stock its stores with products made in the country. Although Kappa says it has already severed its links to Burmese manufacturers, goods...

A Missing Statistic: U.S. Jobs That Went Overseas

Louis Uchitelle October 5, 2003
As US politicians blame each other for the country's high unemployment rate, a key question remains unanswered: how much of the recent job loss can be blamed on cheap overseas labor? Although estimates vary, most economists agree that of the 2.81 million jobs lost since the US economic slump began, at least fifteen percent have gone overseas. American companies can save as much as fifty...

Chinese Girls’ Toil Brings Pain, Not Riches

Joseph Kahn October 2, 2003
China’s shift to capitalism has brought huge rewards to many Chinese, but for 150 million unemployed peasants, poverty is still a harsh reality. Job prospects are limited, and a lucky few find jobs with multinational corporations, which offer good pay and high labor standards. In China’s export sector, however, sweatshops and low pay are much more common. Lured by promises of good pay, two...