RSS Feed for Human RightsCategory: Human Rights

The Sorry State of Pakistan »

Osama bin Laden: killed and al Qaeda: on the run. That’s the balance sheet — more or less — that the U.S. has to share with the world. Meanwhile, its biggest ally in the War on Terror — Pakistan — has nothing to present except that its own people have been terrorized by militants, with [...]

Where Have All The Girls Gone? »

Debra Saunders had a disturbing piece up at the San Francisco Chronicle recently. In the midst of all of the haggling, blaming, and name calling going on at the Hill, this may not seem like an exciting, gotcha kind of story, but it is an important one, and highlights a situation that will have a [...]

The Saudi Hollywood Makeover »

The tense relationship between Pakistan and the United States has often been described as a bad marriage. Like a couple teetering on divorce but frozen in mutually dependent inertia, the U.S. wants one thing while Pakistan wants another, at least most of the time. This love-hate relationship long precedes the September 11th attacks. The last [...]

Happy Fortieth Anniversary, And We Still Have A Ways To Go Yet »

On Monday, June 6th, while Congressman Weiner finally admitted he is a big fat lying pervert with no morals or sense of decency, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Title IX. To celebrate Women in Sports, especially with the Women’s World Cup (soccer) coming up this summer, Secretary Clinton delivered [...]

The Reality Of The Egyptian Military Control (I Told You So) **OPEN THREAD** »

This headline caught my eye, and disgusted me, all at the same time, “Egyptian General Admits ‘Virginity Checks’ Performed On Some Protesters.” As one would deduce, the headline means WOMEN protesters. This is disturbing on so many levels, not the least of which how women continue to be treated. At first there were denials that [...]

How Dare She?! »

You are never going to believe this. A woman in Saudi Arabia had the AUDACITY to get behind the wheel of a car. The nerve of her! Who does she think she is, wanting to drive herself. Good grief, what IS the world coming to, I ask you?! Ahem. I wish I could tell you [...]

Is The MSM Hiding Attacks On Women Journalists? »

* Bumped Up * Again? So it would seem. This time, it is in Palestine by Hamas Security officers. But I bet you haven’t heard a word about it, have you? Had it not been for Phyllis Chesler, I wouldn’t have known, either. In Chesler’s excellent post, “Arab Spring: Male-on-Female Atrocities In Gaza Disappeared By [...]

On This Sad Anniversary »

Today is the anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., gunned down at a hotel in Memphis, by James Earl Ray, in 1968. Robert Kennedy announced this tragedy in one of the most eloquent, moving statements I have ever heard from anyone, politician or poet, minister or teacher. Here is his announcement of [...]

An Unexpected Ripple From Egypt »

I freely admit, I did not see this one coming. My friend and fellow NQ writer, Linda Anselmi, shared the following article with me, most appropos for bringing to an end Women’s History Month. And that would be this Bloomberg article, Saudi Women Inspired by Fall of Mubarak Step Up Equality Demand. Wow, right? Honestly, [...]

Fears About Early Voting In Egypt Confirmed »

After forcing out Mubarak as leader of Egypt, Egyptians held a vote on Sunday on a number of different amendments and changes. One of the issues on which the people voted was whether or not to have speedy elections. The people have spoken, and the answer is: yes. Yes, they do want speedy elections. Here’s [...]

Hillary, Chelsea, And “Pet Rocks” »

(March 10, 2011 – Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images North America) The above photograph was taken at the Diller-von Furstenberg 2nd Annual Awards, as Chelsea presented her mother, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, with the first Inspiration Award. Some of the most poignant moments for me of the 2008 Campaign were to see Chelsea Clinton [...]

Some Celebration *Reprised* »

I wrote this two years ago after International Women’s Day (which was Tuesday, the 100th such celebration). I have written about women in Afghanistan recently, and this one also looks at women there, and other countries, as well. We are all connected, each and every one of us. As long as women and girls are [...]

“This One’s For The Girls” Reprise »

Recently, faithful NQ Reader, Cindy, asked that I reprint this post from last year. Since it is Women’s History Month, this seems like an appropriate time to do so. I have not seen recent poll numbers for Secretary Clinton, but other than that, the numbers remain in the same ballpark, sadly. One day, I hope [...]

Let’s Talk Taliban »

Particularly, about the Taliban in Afghanistan and how it treats women. Now, I realize this might just seem like an “out of the clear blue sky” kinda thing, but trust me when I tell you it is not. (Photo by Steve Evans) First, I should say that before the rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan, [...]

What Really Happened to Lara Logan, Who Wasn’t The Only One… »

More and more information is coming out about the treatment women reporters in Egypt have been enduring for some time now. The horrendous attack on Lara Logan seems to have opened the floodgates for other women journalists to acknowledge with what they have been dealing for years now. That many of them felt they had [...]