My Legal Right » rights

Obama can’t shake gay-rights fights

MLR — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 05:52:57 +0000

Read more: National , Politics , Military , Politico , Don’t Ask Don’t Tell , DADT , Gays in the Military , Troop Survey Criticized as Biased , President Barack Obama , Pentagon , Log Cabin Republicans When President Barack Obama agreed to back legislation in May that could eventually repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, the …

Afghanistan: On Eve of London Conference, Amnesty International Says Human Rights Must be Guaranteed during Taliban Talks

MLR — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:41:48 +0000

UN Secretary, Karzai and other leaders to discuss security arrangements including reintegrating moderate elements of the Taliban.

Malaysia: Politics Drive Upcoming Anwar Trial

MLR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:46:29 +0000

(July 13, 2009) – The Malaysian government should immediately drop politically motivated criminal charges against opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, Human Rights Watch said today. On July 15, 2009, the Kuala Lumpur High Court will hear Anwar’s application to strike out a sodomy charge against him, and an ongoing defense request for evidence it says is crucial to properly prepare for trial.

Lithuania: Don’t Revive Censorship Law

MLR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:46:29 +0000

(New York) – The Lithuanian parliament should not revive a proposed law that had been vetoed by the president, to ban references to gay, lesbian, and bisexual relations in public places, Human Rights Watch said in a letter released today to the speaker of Lithuania’s parliament.

Mexico: US Should Withhold Military Aid

MLR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:46:28 +0000

(Washington, DC) – The US State Department should not certify Mexico’s compliance with the Merida Initiative’s human rights requirements so long as Mexican army abuses continue to be tried in military rather than civilian courts, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released today.

Hispanic New Haven Firefighter Called an ‘Uncle Tom’

MLR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:28:56 +0000

The New York Times published a story about Lieutenant Ben Vargas, the lone Hispanic who joined a lawsuit with white firefighters in Ricci v. DeStefano. Vargas says he was knocked unconscious by someone he suspects was a black firefighter for joining the lawsuit. His own brother, also a firefighter, turned against him. Vargas, who received the sixth highest score on the promotions exams, was called a turncoat and an Uncle Tom for standing up for his rights.

Black Americans are all too aware of the epithet “Uncle Tom,” which refers to someone considered subservient to whites, an accommodating token. A black person is branded an Uncle Tom for veering from the group in any way.

When one goes against prevailing opinion, derision is to be expected. In group-think, individuals are not allowed to express opinions different from the group’s. What’s good for the group takes precedence over what’s good for the individual. As black conservatives know, going against the grain takes courage. Standing up for what’s right is difficult but worth the effort.

“I consider myself an American — I was born and raised here,” Vargas said. “I love my people. I love my culture. I love our rice and beans, our salsa music, our language — everything my parents raised us with. But I am so grateful for the opportunity only the United States can give.”

Authorities widen crackdown after Xinjiang riots in China, says Amnesty International

MLR — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:25:16 +0000

Chinese president Hu Jintao’s threats of severe punishment for those who took part in the recent unrest in Xinjiang failed to address the serious human rights violations at the root of Uighur grievances.