New York Times Carte interactive illustre la lenteur de la US réinstallation des réfugiés syrienne 3NOV15

Je sais que ces personnes fuient des conditions horribles. Guerre, la répression politique, la détresse économique, le manque de toutes les libertés fondamentales, en gros tout garanti par la Déclaration des droits de l'homme. Les États-Unis devrions faire beaucoup plus pour les réfugiés en provenance d'Irak et en Afghanistan, devraient être réinstaller tous ceux qui veulent venir en Amérique, si ils ont travaillé avec l'armée et le gouvernement des États-Unis pendant les guerres. Mais je ne suis pas d'accord que nous devrions prendre plus de réfugiés syriens que le 10000 nous nous sommes engagés. Je préférerais voir l'Europe de continuer à offrir l'asile à ces personnes originaires d'Afrique et du Maghreb et engager à les intégrer dans leurs sociétés. Ils fuient les conflits et les difficultés économiques qui a ses racines dans le colonialisme et l'occupation européenne après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, l'Europe doit assumer plus de responsabilité pour une situation qu'ils ont aidé à créer. Je ne pense que les Etats-Unis devrions faire davantage pour les réfugiés en provenance d'Amérique latine. On estime qu'il ya 11 millions d'immigrés clandestins aux Etats-Unis La majorité de ces personnes sont des conflits et des réfugiés économiques en provenance d'Amérique latine. Tout comme l'Europe a été aux prises avec cette vague de l'humanité cherchent la paix et une vie meilleure, les Etats-Unis, aussi riche que nous sommes, et que la nation chrétienne beaucoup nous proclamer être, devraient avoir en place un système qui se félicite de ces fatigué et pauvres , fournissent l'assistance nécessaire et le statut juridique à tous ceux qui qualifient leur permettant de devenir une partie de notre nation. Nous devons également admettre que l'Amérique est en grande partie responsable de l'instabilité politique et les conflits en Amérique latine en raison de notre ingérence politique, militaire et de l'entreprise dans la région. Les Premières nations du monde sont confrontés à une énorme crise humanitaire à travers le monde, l'histoire et Dieu jugera chaque nation par la façon dont nous réagissons. Ce à partir + Human Rights First

3 novembre 2015

New York Times Carte interactive illustre la lenteur de la US réinstallation des réfugiés syriens

Par Mary Elizabeth Margolis

Depuis 2012 les Etats-Unis ont réinstallé seulement 1854 réfugiés syriens-une petite fraction des quatre millions de personnes qui ont fui la violence horrible en quête de sécurité. Une nouvelle carte interactive de The New York Times  illustre le mince filet de ces réfugiés qui arrivent dans 130 villes américaines. New York Times journaliste Haeyoun Parc note que malgré l'engagement maigre du président de se réinstaller au moins 10.000 réfugiés syriens dans la prochaine année, les réfugiés syriens encore ne représentent qu'une petite part de tous les réfugiés qui sont admis aux États-Unis. En effet, aux États-Unis a fait beaucoup plus dans les précédents grands conflits mondiaux pour protéger les réfugiés. "Les Etats-Unis a également admis beaucoup plus nombreux dans le passé. En 1979, il a fourni sanctuaire à 111.000 réfugiés vietnamiens, et en 1980, il a ajouté un autre 207 000. Vers la même époque, le pays a pris plus de 120.000 réfugiés cubains au cours de l'exode de Mariel, dont environ 80 000 en un seul mois. "Human Rights First continue d'appuyer l'administration Obama à faire preuve de leadership pour aborder la plus grande crise de réfugiés depuis la Seconde Guerre mondiale en menant un effort mondial complet - en partenariat avec les alliés européens -. pour faire progresser la protection des réfugiés syriens Cela doit inclure une initiative majeure de réinstallation par les États-Unis, le leader mondial en matière de réinstallation des réfugiés, à hauteur de la réinstallation au moins 100.000 réfugiés syriens année prochaine. Pour plus d'informations, visitez le page thématique Human Rights First Syrie.

New York Times Interactivo mapa ilustra la lentitud de los Estados Unidos de Reasentamiento de Refugiados sirios 3NOV15

Sé que estas personas están huyendo de condiciones horribles. La guerra, la represión política, las dificultades económicas, la falta de todas las libertades básicas, básicamente todo lo garantizado en la Declaración de los Derechos Humanos. Los EE.UU. debemos hacer mucho más por los refugiados de Irak y Afganistán, debe ser el reasentamiento de todos los que quieran venir a Estados Unidos si trabajaban con los militares y el gobierno de Estados Unidos durante las guerras. Pero no estoy de acuerdo que debemos tomar en más refugiados sirios que el 10000 que hemos cometido a. Prefiero ver a Europa continuar ofreciendo asilo a estas personas de África y en todo el Magreb y comprometerse a integrarlos en sus sociedades. Huyen de los conflictos y las dificultades económicas que tiene sus raíces en el colonialismo y la ocupación europea después de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, Europa debe asumir la mayor parte de la responsabilidad de una situación que ayudaron a crear. Siento que los EE.UU. debemos hacer más para los refugiados de América Latina. Se estima que hay 11 millones de inmigrantes indocumentados en los EE.UU. La mayoría de estas personas son los conflictos y refugiados económicos de América Latina. Del mismo modo que Europa ha estado luchando con esta ola de la humanidad en busca de la paz y una vida mejor, los EE.UU., tan rico como somos, y como la nación cristiana muchos nos proclaman ser, debe contar con un sistema que da la bienvenida a estos cansados ​​y pobres , la prestación de asistencia como necesidad y condición jurídica a todos los que reúnen los requisitos que les permite formar parte de nuestra nación. También tenemos que admitir América es responsable de gran parte de la inestabilidad política y los conflictos en América Latina debido a nuestra interferencia política, militar y empresarial de la región. Las naciones del Primer Mundo se enfrentan a una enorme crisis humanitaria en todo el mundo, la historia y Dios juzgará a cada país por la forma en que respondemos. Esto de + Human Rights First

03 de noviembre 2015

New York Times Interactivo mapa ilustra la lentitud de los Estados Unidos de Reasentamiento de Refugiados sirios

Por Mary Elizabeth Margolis

Desde 2012 Estados Unidos ha reasentado sólo 1.854 refugiados sirios-una pequeña fracción de los cuatro millones de personas que han huido de la violencia horrible en busca de seguridad. Un nuevo mapa interactivo de The New York Times  ilustra el lento goteo de estos refugiados que llegan a 130 ciudades de Estados Unidos. New York Times reportero Haeyoun Parque señala que a pesar de escasa compromiso del presidente de reasentar al menos 10.000 refugiados sirios en el próximo año, los refugiados sirios todavía representan sólo una pequeña parte de todos los refugiados que ingresan a los Estados Unidos. De hecho, los Estados Unidos ha hecho mucho más en los principales conflictos mundiales anteriores para proteger a los refugiados. "Los Estados Unidos también ha admitido números mucho más grandes en el pasado. En 1979, proporcionó refugio a 111.000 refugiados vietnamitas, y en 1980, se añadió otra 207.000. Por la misma época, el país acogió a más de 120.000 refugiados cubanos durante el éxodo del Mariel, incluyendo alrededor de 80.000 en sólo un mes. "Human Rights First sigue presionando a la Administración Obama para demostrar un liderazgo fuerte para hacer frente a la mayor crisis de refugiados desde Segunda Guerra Mundial por liderar un esfuerzo mundial amplio - en colaboración con los aliados europeos -. para avanzar en la protección de los refugiados sirios Esto debe incluir una importante iniciativa de reasentamiento de los Estados Unidos, el líder mundial en el reasentamiento de refugiados, por una suma de reasentar al menos 100.000 refugiados sirios próximo año. Para obtener más información, visite la página del tema Human Rights First Siria.

New York Times Interactive Map Illustrates the Slow Pace of U.S. Resettlement of Syrian Refugees 3NOV15

I know these people are fleeing horrible conditions. War, political repression, economic distress, lack of all basic freedoms, basically everything guaranteed in the Declaration of Human Rights. The U.S. should be doing a lot more for the refugees from Iraq and Afghanistan, should be resettling everyone who wants to come to America if they worked with the military and the U.S. government during the wars. But I do not agree that we should be taking in more Syrian refugees than the 10,000 we have committed to. I would rather see Europe continue to offer asylum to these people from Africa and across the Maghreb and commit to integrating them into their societies. They are fleeing conflict and economic hardship that has it's roots in European colonialism and occupation after WW II, Europe should shoulder most of the responsibility for a situation they helped create. I do feel that the U.S. should be doing more for refugees from Latin America. It is estimated there are 11 MILLION undocumented immigrants in the U.S. The majority of these people are conflict and economic refugees from Latin America. Just as Europe has been struggling with this wave of humanity seeking peace and a better life, the U.S., as wealthy as we are, and as the Christian nation many proclaim us to be, should have in place a system that welcomes these tired and poor, providing assistance as need and legal status to all who qualify allowing them to become part of our nation. We also have to admit America is responsible for much of the political instability and conflict in Latin America due to our political, military and corporate interference in the region. The First World nations are facing a huge humanitarian crisis across the globe, history and God will judge each nation by how we respond. This from +Human Rights First

November 03, 2015

New York Times Interactive Map Illustrates the Slow Pace of U.S. Resettlement of Syrian Refugees

By Mary Elizabeth Margolis

Since 2012 the United States has resettled only 1,854 Syrian refugees—a small fraction of the four million people who have fled horrific violence in search of safety. A new interactive map from The New York Times illustrates the slow trickle of these refugees arriving in 130 American cities.
New York Times reporter Haeyoun Park notes that despite the president’s meager commitment to resettle at least 10,000 Syrian refugees in the next year, Syrian refugees still account for only a small share of all refugees who are admitted to the United States. Indeed, the United States has done much more in previous major world conflicts to protect refugees.
"The United States has also admitted far larger numbers in the past. In 1979, it provided sanctuary to 111,000 Vietnamese refugees, and in 1980, it added another 207,000. Around the same time, the country took in more than 120,000 Cuban refugees during the Mariel boatlift, including around 80,000 in one month alone.”


Human Rights First continues to press the Obama Administration to demonstrate strong leadership to address the largest refugee crisis since World War II by leading a comprehensive global effort – in partnership with European allies – to advance the protection of Syrian refugees. This must include a major resettlement initiative by the United States, the world leader in refugee resettlement, to the tune of resettling at least 100,000 Syrian refugees next year. For more information, visit the Human Rights First Syria topic page.

BULLYING

Libyan official: 50 Egyptians accused of spreading Christianity to be deported 2MAR13

LIBYA claims the Christians that are being held by the government are being deported for entering the country illegally. Considering they were proselytizing there is reason to suspect that is in fact the reason for their detention and deportation. It is worth noting that in Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's speech to the UN Conference of Civilizations he mentioned islamophobia in western countries but did not mention the persecution of and discrimination against Christians in Muslin nations. That is a sad omission in a speech addressing intolerance. One also has to wonder if Sec of State Kerry will address the plight of the Christian community in any of the countries of the the Middle East he will visit, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, or if the profit margins of corporate America and the US military-industrial complex will trump human rights and freedom of religion as guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? Stupid question, eh? By the by, Israel is also guilty of persecution of and discrimination against Christians in Israel and the occupied territories, see the latest report from the US State Depthttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,USDOS,,ISR,,502105b15f,0.html 
Will this ever be addressed by any American politician? Doubtful.....  From the Washington Post.....

By Associated Press
TRIPOLI, Libya — A Libyan security official says 50 Egyptians, who were arrested in Benghazi last week for allegedly spreading Christianity, are being charged with illegally entering and working in the country and will be deported.
A video circulated this week on social networking sites purportedly showing a group of Christian Egyptians with shaved heads and a bearded young man in a military jacket who said nearly 100 Coptic Egyptians were being held for allegedly spreading Christianity. The video showed bibles and Christian books next to the detainees.
The Libyan security official, speaking Saturday on condition of anonymity according to rules, said the detainees would soon be deported.
The Egyptian government says Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr Kamel resolved the issue over the detainees on Saturday with his Libyan counterpart.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/libyan-official-50-egyptians-accused-of-spreading-christianity-to-be-deported/2013/03/02/68debbf8-834c-11e2-a671-0307392de8de_story.html

Report: These 54 Foreign Governments Helped the CIA Torture, Detain, and Transport Suspects After 9/11 & Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition 5FEB13

THIS is the kind of activity by our government that we should all be ashamed of. It is morally disgusting and shows the rest of the world we have lost our way and that our government is no longer qualified to pass judgement on the human rights record of any other nation. It is especially disturbing that Pres Obama's administration is committed to continue these policies when he campaigned against them. From Mother Jones and Open Society Foundation.....

—By Asawin Suebsaeng

| Tue Feb. 5, 2013 3:01 PM PST

36

Alexander Smulskiy/Shutterstock

On Tuesday, the Open Society Justice Initiative released a 212-page report that details international assistance to US covert action related to controversial Bush-era anti-terror policy. The report (PDF), titled "Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition," identifies 136 people who were captured or transferred by the Central Intelligence Agency, and lists available information about the detainees—both the Islamist operatives and the completely innocent.

"Globalizing Torture" also provides an annotated list of the dozens of foreign governments that played roles in the CIA's secret program in the years following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. These governments provided crucial support in facilitating the CIA and Bush administration's war on Al Qaeda by, according to the report:

[H]osting CIA prisons on their territories; detaining, interrogating, torturing, and abusing individuals; assisting in the capture and transport of detainees; permitting the use of domestic airspace and airports for secret flights transporting detainees; providing intelligence leading to the secret detention and extraordinary rendition of individuals; and interrogating individuals who were secretly being held in the custody of other governments. Foreign governments also failed to protect detainees from secret detention and extraordinary rendition on their territories and to conduct effective investigations into agencies and officials who participated in these operations.

Here are the 54 listed, in alphabetical order:

• Afghanistan
• Albania
• Algeria
• Australia
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Belgium
• Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Canada
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• The Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Finland
• Gambia
• Georgia
• Germany
• Greece
• Hong Kong
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Ireland
• Italy
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Libya
• Lithuania
• Macedonia
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Mauritania
• Morocco
• Pakistan
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• Sweden
• Syria
• Thailand
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• Uzbekistan
• Yemen
• Zimbabwe
• http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/reports/globalizing-torture-cia-secret-detention-and-extraordinary-rendition

Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition

February 2013   Open Society Justice Initiative

Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition

Download Files

Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition

Download the 216-page report.

1.08 MB PDF

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Central Intelligence Agency embarked on a highly classified program of secret detention and extraordinary rendition of terrorist suspects. The program was designed to place detainee interrogations beyond the reach of law. Suspected terrorists were seized and secretly flown across national borders to be interrogated by foreign governments that used torture, or by the CIA itself in clandestine “black sites” using torture techniques.

Globalizing Torture is the most comprehensive account yet assembled of the human rights abuses associated with CIA secret detention and extraordinary rendition operations. It details for the first time what was done to the 136 known victims, and lists the 54 foreign governments that participated in these operations. It shows that responsibility for the abuses lies not only with the United States but with dozens of foreign governments that were complicit.

More than 10 years after the 2001 attacks, Globalizing Torture makes it unequivocally clear that the time has come for the United States and its partners to definitively repudiate these illegal practices and secure accountability for the associated human rights abuses.

Learn More:

Rights & Justice, Africa, Europe, Latin America & the Caribbean, Middle East, United States,National Security & Counterterrorism

http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/reports/globalizing-torture-cia-secret-detention-and-extraordinary-rendition

Interactive Writing Fellow

Asawin Suebsaeng is an interactive writing fellow at the Washington, DC, bureau of Mother Jones. For more of his stories, click here. You can also follow him on Twitter. Email tips, insights, and anger to asuebsaeng [at] motherjones [dot] com. RSS | TWITTER

• Obama's CIA Pick to Face Questions on Torture

  Two top senators—one Republican and one Dem—have promised to question John Brennan on CIA detention and interrogation practices.

• Gitmo Judge Says 9/11 Defendants Can't Discuss Torture in Court

  Torture is a secret, unless Hollywood is making a movie about it.

• WATCH: MoJo Reporter Nick Baumann Explains American Rendition on Democracy Now

• CIA Black Site in Romania: Hidden in Plain Sight

  From the outside, the former top-secret prison in Bucharest looks like a rundown DMV.

UN Panel: Israeli Settlements Are Illegal 31JAN13

ISRAEL'S West Bank settlement policy is no different than nazi Germany's policy of lebensraum, it is a violation of the human rights of the Palestinian residents of the West Bank and a violation of the Geneva Convention and International law. Many are appalled that such a comparison is made, but the egregious adoption of some fascist nazi policies that were used against European Jews by the Israeli government is disturbing and disappointing. Israel is entitled to exist in peace within secure borders and to defend itself. Israel is also obligated to uphold the Geneva Convention and International law and the human rights as established in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of all under it's control. The illegal West Bank settlements will continue to deny peace, security and human rights to Israelis and Palestinians as long as they exist. We can only hope that the recent election in Israel will force the government to reconsider it's policies. This from HuffPost....

GENEVA -- The United Nations' first report on the broad policy of Israeli settlements concluded Thursday that the government's practice of "creeping annexation" clearly violates the human rights of Palestinians, and called for an immediate halt.

In its report to the 47-nation Human Rights Council, a panel of investigators said Israel is violating international humanitarian law under the Fourth Geneva Convention, one of the treaties that establish the ground rules for what is considered humane during wartime.

The Israeli government has persisted in settling Palestinian-occupied territories, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank, "despite all the pertinent United Nations resolutions declaring that the existence of the settlements is illegal and calling for their cessation," the report said.

The settlements are "a mesh of construction and infrastructure leading to a creeping annexation that prevents the establishment of a contiguous and viable Palestinian State and undermines the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination," it concludes.

French judge Christine Chanet, who led the panel, said Israel never cooperated with the probe, which the council ordered last March. At a news conference, she called the report "a kind of weapon for the Palestinians" if they want to take up their grievances before The Hague-based International Criminal Court.

In December, after winning de facto U.N. recognition of statehood, the Palestinians accused Israel of planning more "war crimes" by expanding Jewish settlements.

Because it was not authorized to investigate within Israel, Chanet said, the panel had to travel to Jordan to interview more than 50 people who spoke of the impact of the settlements, such as violence by Jewish settlers, confiscated land and damage to their olive trees that help support them.

Another panel member, Pakistani lawyer Asma Janangir, said the settlements "seriously impinge on the self-determination of the Palestinian people," an offense under international humanitarian law.

The panel's report to the U.N.'s top human rights body immediately drew the condemnation of Israel, whose foreign ministry accused the council of taking a systematically one-sided and biased approach towards Israel, with the report being merely "another unfortunate reminder" of that bias.

"The only way to resolve all pending issues between Israel and the Palestinians, including the settlements issue, is through direct negotiations without pre-conditions," the ministry said. "Counterproductive measures – such as the report before us – will only hamper efforts to find a sustainable solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict."

The Geneva-based U.N. council was set up in 2006 to replace a 60-year-old commission that was widely discredited as a forum dominated by nations with poor human rights records.

Earlier this week, Israel became the first nation to skip a review of its human rights record by the council without giving a reason. Diplomats agreed to postpone their review until later this year based on Israel's request for a deferral.

The council, which could have proceeded with the review or canceled it, said its agreement to defer would set precedent for how to deal with any future cases of "non-cooperation." All 193 U.N.-member nations are required to submit to such a review every four years, and council diplomats said they worried that if nation were let off the hook that could undermine the process.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/un-panel-israeli-settlements-illegal_n_2589394.html?utm_source=DailyBrief&utm_campaign=013113&utm_medium=email&utm_content=FeaturePhoto&utm_term=Daily%20Brief

PRES OBAMA, DON'T BLOW IT ON HUMAN RIGHTS 9NOV12

PRESIDENT OBAMA has the mandate to live up to his campaign promise to make human rights a priority in his administration. He must close Gitmo, end indefinite detention, end unlawful killings with drones, guarantee a comprehensive arms trade treaty and make sure the policy of the American government is to honor and uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Click the link to join Amnesty International's call to action and send a message to Pres Obama.....




"Don't blow it." That's what I want to say to President Obama.

This is the moment that will define the future of the United States' commitment on human rights. President Obama's second term will determine whether the post 9/11 stains on the United States' human rights record are an anomaly or the "new normal."

President Obama promised to support and advance human rights. Let's hold him to it.

When he was first elected in 2008, President Obama promised a new dawn of American leadership. As a new president, he acknowledged that the protection of human rights cannot rest on exhortation alone.

He offered the promise of an administration that would respect human rights -- closing the Guantánamo prison, bringing detention practices in line with international law, repudiating secrecy and ensuring that human rights weren't traded away in the name of national security.

It really isn't a choice for the President to make. Under international law, the U.S. government is obligated to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and ensure accountability for violations of those rights.

Tell President Obama to live up to his promises and uphold human rights.

The prison at Guantánamo, indefinite detention, unfair trials, unlawful killings with drones and other human rights violations committed by the U.S government undermine the rule of law in the U.S. and around the world. These abuses also create a climate in which other countries can point to a double-standard to justify their own human rights abuses with the refrain, 'if the U.S. government does that, why shouldn't we?'

By taking bold steps to restore respect for human rights President Obama can help ensure justice, security and accountability here in the U.S. and around the world. That's why he must take three bold actions immediately:

• Close the prison at Guantánamo
• Stop unlawful killing with drones
• Ensure the UN adopts a strong Arms Trade Treaty

President Obama has been given a second chance to keep his promises on human rights. Please stand with us today and call on the president to live up to those promises.

Thank you for everything you do to protect and advance human rights.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Nossel Executive Director Amnesty International USA

President Obama Meets with Aung San Suu Kyi 19SEP12

AUNG SAN SUU KYI has to be one of the most honorable people to visit the White House. She is quite a lady, having suffered through years of house arrest, being separated from her husband at his death, separated from her children for much of their lives, all for freedom and human rights for her country, Burma. She offers her country hope for peace and prosperity as well as democracy and respect for life as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. God speed to her and her partner in the Burmese government, Pres Thein Sein, the man who took the brave step of freeing Aung San Suu Kyi and starting Burma on the road back to freedom. 

President Barack Obama meets with Burmese Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the Oval Office, Sept. 19, 2012 (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Yesterday, President Obama met with Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese Nobel Laureate and leader of the National League for Democracy Party. The President expressed his admiration for her courage, determination and personal sacrifice in championing democracy and human rights over the years.

Readout of the President’s Meeting with Burmese Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi

President Obama met today with Burmese Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and expressed his admiration for her courage, determination and personal sacrifice in championing democracy and human rights over the years.  The President welcomed Burma’s democratic transition and the recent progress made by Aung San Suu Kyi, as leader of the National League for Democracy Party, working together with President Thein Sein.  The President reaffirmed the determination of the United States to support their sustained efforts to promote political and economic reforms and to ensure full protection of the fundamental rights of the Burmese people.  The President expressed his conviction that the ongoing process of reconciliation and reform offers the people of that nation the opportunity to take charge of their destiny and to shape a more peaceful, free, and prosperous future.

President Barack Obama and Burmese Opposition Leader Aung San Suu Kyi pet Bo, the Obama family dog, at the conclusion of their meeting in the Oval Office, Sept. 19, 2012. Attendees included Danny Russel, Senior Director for Asian Affairs, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

iPhone 5, APPLE, FOXCONN & WORKER ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION 12SEP12

IF you are one of those apple fans that doesn't give a damn about the abuse and exploitation of foxconn employees (they make the iphone and other apple products) in the prc don't ready any further. If you have a conscience read on...
Apple says it makes its products ethically. It says that even the new iPhone that will be unveiled today will meet it's commitment to the "highest standards of social responsibility".
But then how does Apple explain this report we got just last month from a worker in a factory in its Chinese supply chain? Share this image on Facebook so everyone knows the truth about the new iPhone:

Today there's going to be a lot of buzz about Apple's shiny new gadget. But if we can create a different kind of buzz -- about the terrible working conditions faced by factory workers in Apple's Chinese factories -- then Apple will feel the pressure to finally keep its pledge to treat its workers ethically and pay them fairly.
So today we need your help to get the word out about the real cost of the newly announced iPhone 5.

If you're on Facebook, click here to share to share this graphic with friends.

If you’re not on Facebook, simply forward this email to your friends and ask them to go to  http://sumofus.org/post/iphone-5/?t=6&akid=802.216835.mWsHW2

Back in January, in response to reports of repeated worker suicides, toxic working conditions and rampant illegal overtime, SumOfUs.org launched a campaign to push Apple to address reports of horrendous working conditions in its Chinese supply chain. Over 200,000 of us raised our voices to demand that Apple make the iPhone 5 ethically. That phone is being released today. In a few weeks, it will be on the shelves. But the iPhone 5 is not an ethical iPhone -- not even close.
In response to the massive public outcry, Apple promised to improve working conditions, raise wages, and put an end to involuntary labor. The Fair Labor Association -- which is paid by Apple to investigate Apple -- quickly announced that there was rapid progress at Apple’s suppliers. But independent reports from as recently as last month tell a very different story.
Apple claims that it’s ending forced illegal overtime, but workers are simply required to meet the same quotas within a regular shift -- meaning many have to work extra hours without any pay at all. “Apple claims wages are rising, but deductions for room and board have also increased, as has unpaid overtime, so take-home pay has actually declined.” Meanwhile bosses are still abusive, unions are still overwhelmingly populated by management, students are still forced to work in factories as part of phony “internship” programs, and workers still lack any collective bargaining rights.
Suppliers like Foxconn abuse their workers because Apple demands that iPhones and other gadgets be produced as cheaply as possible. But Apple makes huge profits, and it can easily afford to treat its workers ethically. And as the world’s largest company, Apple has the cash, the centralized supply chain, and organizational heft to drive improvements throughout the Chinese manufacturing sector by raising its own standards.
Together, SumOfUs.org members have already driven Apple to respond to reports on working conditions in its supply chains. Apple clearly wants to look like an ethical company, even though it isn’t acting like one yet. So we need to keep up the pressure until Apple finally follows through on its promises.

If you're on Facebook, click here to share to share the worker's quote with friends.

If you’re not on Facebook, simply forward this email to your friends and ask them to go to  http://sumofus.org/post/iphone-5/?t=10&akid=802.216835.mWsHW2

Thanks,
Kaytee, Rob, Paul and the rest of us

********************************
Further reading:
Sweatshops are good for Apple and Foxconn, but not for workers. Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior, May 2012
Beyond Foxconn: Deplorable Working Conditions Characterize Apple's Entire Suplly Chain. China Labor Watch, June 2012
China Contractor Again Faces Labor Issues on iPhones. The New York Times, September 2012.
SumOfUs is a world-wide movement of people like you, working together to hold corporations accountable for their actions and forge a new, sustainable path for our global economy. You can follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.