Published on Jan 31, 2013
Human Rights Watch releases 2012 annual report, warning of the steady decline in human rights in Russia after President Vladimir Putin’s return to the presidency.
Full story:
A representative from Human Rights Watch said on Thursday that 2012 was the worst year for human rights in Russia since the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Human Rights Watch Europe and Central Asia Division Deputy Director Rachel Denber spoke with journalists in Moscow.
She says Russia’s human rights last year was the worst she could remember in her 20 years of work in the former Soviet Union.
[Rachel Denber, Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch Europe and Central Asia Division]:
“After the return of Vladimir Putin to the Kremlin, and I would say even before then, not only was the cautious progress towards liberalization of the ‘Medvedev-era’ liquidated, but in these months, authoritarianism in Russia reached a level unseen in this country’s recent history. The foundation of this authoritarian turn was a package of laws adopted by the State Duma. I don’t think it’s necessary to describe them in detail now, but I will just list them: this is restrictions on the freedom of assembly, restrictions on Internet content, the return of criminal liability for slander—which had been cancelled by Medvedev in the previous months—and this, of course includes the law about so-called foreign agents.”
Last summer, shortly after Putin was sworn into office, Russia passed a series of laws branding many rights and campaign groups as “foreign agents”.
It’s a move opponents say was an attempt to stifle protests against Vladimir Putin.
Denber says the decline in Russia’s human rights situation has been steadily worsening.
[Rachel Denber, Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch Europe and Central Asia Division]:
“For a decade since the so-called ‘colour revolutions’, the Russian authorities have been attempting to marginalize, demonize, and discredit opposition politicians, human rights activists, civil society organizations, and the political opposition.”
Human rights organizations are voicing the rights issues against the fact that Russia is set to hold the Winter Olympics in February 2014.
[Rachel Denber, Deputy Director, Human Rights Watch Europe and Central Asia Division]:
“Soon, in almost one year, the Olympics will take place in Russia, in Sochi, and I want to say that this is, of course, a very joyful occasion. But I want to say that the attack on civil society and this excessive suspicion towards foreigners is simply not compatible with the role of Russia as an Olympic Games host country. This, in my opinion, contradicts the Olympic spirit.”
Human Rights Watch says they have noted abuses such as expropriation of property, linked to Russia’s preparations for the 2014 Olympic Games.
Other issues raised include the harassment of Kremlin critics and human rights activists, and the Russian legislation banning so-called ‘homosexual propaganda’.
Also raised were the failures of the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development to meet World Health Organization standards.
Jewish Artists – The Influence of Exiles | Arts 21
Uploaded on Nov 13, 2011
It’s well known that many Jewish scientists and artists fled Nazi Germany. Less well known is their cultural influence in the countries that took them in. A major study by the Moses Mendelssohn Center in Potsdam focuses on just that. We spoke with the Center’s Director, Julius H. Schoeps.
Published on Nov 23, 2012 by deutschewelleenglish
After the brutal murder of high school student Jonny K. in Berlin, politicians and experts are debating the issue of juvenile crime. Although the number of cases is on the decline, the actual crimes appear to be becoming increasingly violent. Is the law too soft on juvenile offenders? Is it time to get tough?
Published on Dec 2, 2012 by Euronews http://www.euronews.com/ It has been the turn of thousands of disabled Spaniards to rally through the Madrid streets in defiance of the latest round of austerity measures.
More than 300 buses brought in protesters and their families from all over the country.
Campaigners warn that the rights and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable in Spanish society are under threat.
Paralympic athlete Roger Puigbo said “They now want to take away welfare support that took a long time to fight for. So we are here to defend it.”
More than 4 million people in Spain have some sort of disability.
They’ve been first to feel the effects of 60 billion euros in cuts since the centre-right government took office last year.
“We four million need more support to ensure we’re not the last ones. We are willing to endure the cuts but not to the point they are reaching,” said one protester.
As well as a lack of cash to pay for home help, many public facilities for the disabled are under threat of closure.
One campaigner said the cuts were condemning many people to a life of social exclusion.
Published on Nov 29, 2012 by deutschewelleenglish
Affordable housing is becoming increasingly hard to find in Germany’s big cities. The main reason is the euro crisis; those who can afford it are buying – because property is seen as a safe investment. Big cities like Hamburg have a shortage of affordable housing. Students and trainees are hardest hit, as are low-income families. Many of those affected have no choice but to stay with their relatives, and/or are forced to commute long distances. The authorities have pledged to invest in new building projects – but finding vacant plots of land in cities isn’t always easy
Published on Nov 11, 2012 by deutschewelleenglish
It’s tough times in the EU. In the face of stunning austerity, separatist movements are blossoming all across the Union. They believe, they would do better on their own. Is this the end of unity? It’s tough times in the EU. In the face of stunning austerity, separatist movements are blossoming all across the Union. They believe, they would do better on their own. Is this the end of unity?
The Greek economic crisis has inevitably affected the country’s commercial art sales. Yet as Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland reports from Athens, times of social turmoil can also fuel creative industries.
I spotted this food section in a gourmet grocery store in Alexanderplatz, Berlin and thought it was too good to be true! Whoever curated this section has America down, for better or for worse.
(Chorus)
St. Maria, Virgin, become a feminist
Become a feminist, Become a feminist
(end chorus)
Church praises the rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
In school you are going to meet with a teacher-preacher
Go to class – bring him money!
Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, you better believed in God
Belt of the Virgin is no substitute for mass-meetings
In protest of our Ever-Virgin Mary!
Not so long ago, Americans and Japanese tourists were the big spenders in France. No longer. During these summer months, France’s tourism industry is courting new clients with major purchasing power: Chinese. VOA’s Lisa Bryant reports that now the French are heading back to the classroom… to learn Chinese.
For many young people, going to church simply isn’t “hip” enough. They are searching for alternative ways to develop their spirituality. What does the church mean for German youth today? And how do their attitudes reflect the problems of the country’s churches? We join some young catholics on a pilgrimage and ask them what they think.
