Human rights in Iran at all time low
The Guardian highlights that human rights in Iran are as poor as 20 years ago on the same day which marks the 61st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This time last year, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, was acknowledging that the declaration is needed now as much as it first was in 1948,  “…as ever, the most vulnerable continue to be on the frontlines of hardship and abuse.” And not much seems to have moved on since.

“Patterns of abuse” by the Basij militia, and guards before and after the elections in June, when Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was re-elected have been highlighted in a report which also refers to multiple cases of rape, beatings, forced confessions, intimidations and official cover-ups.

Many detainees have been subjected to public trials broadcast to the nation and five have been sentenced to death. “The authorities have resorted to exceptionally high levels of violence to stifle protest and dissent”. Since the re-election, many have died and more arrested. This week alone, 200 people were arrested during protests around university campuses on national students’ day. Public trials have made clear the severe consequences of opposing the authorities but have got nothing to do with bringing justice; proving that there is still far to go.

Britain claims no additional money for climate funds
Developing countries in Copenhagen were less than pleased to hear that Britain has very little additional money for a “climate fund” and will therefore be raiding its national aid budgets to compensate countries which are already being hit by the consequences of climate change.

The budget is intended to be used to help countries adapt to the new found pressures associated with drought and freak weather patterns. Poor nations had hoped that the climate fund would be entirely new money and that it would be in addition to the 0.7% of income that developed countries have pledged to give as overseas aid.

Money earmarked for education or health would be diverted into projects such as solar panels and wind farms and it is estimated that 8.6 million fewer people will have access to HIV treatment. No saving for a rainy day here then.

Follow Yumna’s insights from Copenhagen.
 

A shopkeeper in Bethlehem sues Sacha Baren Cohen
A shopkeeper from Bethlehem who was branded a terrorist in Sacha Baron Cohen’s film Bruno is seeking £67.5m in damages. Ayman Abu Aita is suing Baron Cohen, for libel and slander. Released in the UK in July, the film shows Bruno travelling to the Middle East, and, in a short interview with Abu Aita, asks to be kidnapped in an attempt to become famous. A caption labels Abu Aita as a member of the militant al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, the armed wing of the Fatah movement.

Cohen was interviewed on David Letterman’s talk show in the US and claimed that finding a “terrorist” to interview for the move took several months. Abu Aita’s lawyer writes that any accusation or insinuations that Abu Aita is or ever was associated with the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade is “utterly false and untrue”. Baron Cohen made millions “on the back of my client” who didn’t even sign to appear in the film.

Girl power in Strasbourg
Three women launch landmark case in Strasbourg which could make history for Ireland’s abortion law which dates back to 1861. Ireland’s almost complete ban on abortion was challenged yesterday before 17 European judges as a violation of fundamental human rights. The outcome of the case could potentially force Ireland to weaken its strict laws on abortion for the first time in 17 years.

The three women – two Irish women and a Lithuanian – say that their own rights to health were threatened by pregnancies which they could not terminate legally in Ireland. An estimated 7,000 Irish women a year have to travel to the UK to obtain legal abortions. Ironically, on the same day, the sale of the abortion pill RU486 has been given final approval in Italy. The tablet allows the patient to have a chemically induced abortion instead of a surgical procedure within the first seven weeks.

Corruption and Poverty walk hand in hand
On October 31, 2003, the United Nations Convention signed Resolution (58/4). It declared that December 9 every year would be World Anti-Corruption Day. The countries that signed up agreed to fight injustice within their own countries. This year, the campaign is aimed at highlighting the impact corruption has on education, health, justice, democracy and development.

A group of development charities is calling on political parties to ensure that the Bribery Bill is enacted before the general election. In a joint statement, they said, “Corruption, including bribery, impedes the delivery of vital public services, denying millions of people access to water, health and education across the developing world”. Failure to implement the bill undermines efforts to promote development and good governance in countries that receive UK aid.

Top photo: flikr user rodrigo_bravo_d