Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Terrorism and human rights abuses in the Balkans Essay Example for Free
Terrorism and human rights abuses in the Balkans Essay Abstract This essay aims to explain the history of and the reasons for the existence of terrorism in the Balkans. It also compared the similarity between human rights abuses in Persian gulf nations and Islamic fundamentalist-themed terrorist attacks on the United States. Lastly, this essay will also answer why the fall of the Soviet Union will lead to an increase in terrorism in Eastern Europe. Terrorism and Human Rights Abuses in the Balkans, Eastern Europe and the Persian Gulf The Balkans, despite being a relatively small area, is home to an expansive assortment of nationalities, cultures and religions (Popescu, 2008). Hence, it is inevitable that any changes in the balance between them will have important political, social and economic consequences that will affect the entire region (Popescu, 2008). Terrorist groups took advantage of the instability brought about by the distrust of Balkan societies in their respective governments (Popescu, 2008). As a result, they easily turned the region into a breeding ground for extremist and fundamentalist groups, as well as a â€Å"transit corridor†for missions in third countries (Popescu, 2008). The war in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the 1990s, for instance, originated from the desire of the Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) to establish an Islamic state (Popescu, 2008). They used Islam as a â€Å"nationalistic rhetoric,†equating the survival of their country with the restoration of Muslim national identity (Popescu, 2008). The Bosniaks were supported by Islamic countries such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Libya and Iran, providing them with weapons and soldiers (Popescu, 2008). From 1992 to 1995, 6,000 â€Å"Arab-Afghan†rebels came to the country to fight in the hostility (Popescu, 2008). After 9/11, majority of the charitable institutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina were investigated and closed down due to their alleged ties with terrorist organizations like the Al-Qaeda (Popescu, 2008). In March 2002, police raided the Bosanska Idealna Futura-BIF, a Sarajevo-based humanitarian organization (Popescu, 2008). They found military manuals, forged passports, weapons and personal correspondence between Osama bin Laden and BIF founder Enaam Mahmud Arnaout (Popescu, 2008). Human rights abuses by Persian Gulf nations (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, etc. ) and terrorist attacks against US interests were both intended to supress political opposition. Despite publicly denouncing â€Å"American imperialism,†the aforementioned countries are notorious for grossly violating the human rights of their citizens (Simbulan, 2002). Majority of political prisoners in the Persian gulf nations were detained for speaking out against corruption and totalitarianism in their respective countries (Simbulan, 2002). Prominent Omani playwright and human rights activist Abdullah Ryami was imprisoned on July 2005 for vocally criticizing the Omani governments arrest and trial of 31 Omanis belonging to the Ibadi sect for allegedly plotting a coup (Human Rights Watch, 2005). At the time of his incarceration, he had no contact with his family or a legal counsel (Human Rights Watch, 2005). He was also banned from writing in newspapers and producing plays for television (Human Rights Watch, 2005). On December 2007, activists in Bahrain staged a series of demonstrations to â€Å"mark abuses by security forces during political unrest in the 1990s†(Human Rights Watch, 2008). Dozens of people were arrested in the violent dispersals that ensued, including opposition political activists who protested the Bahraini governments repression of civil liberties (Human Rights Watch, 2008). In January 2008, detainees complained of being subjected to physical and sexual abuse by interrogators and jailers (Human Rights Watch, 2008). The prisoners request for independent physicians to examine the extent of their injuries was also denied (Human Rights Watch, 2008). The collapse of the Soviet Union contributed to terrorist activities in Eastern Europe by making its newly-formed republics more vulnerable to American military intervention (Howstuffworks, 2008). After the Soviet bloc fell, the US emerged as the worlds remaining superpower (Howstuffworks, 2008). The breakup of the Soviet Union granted the US easy access to its natural resources, particularly oil (Howstuffworks, 2008). The paragraph below summarized the regions potential: Afghanistan occupies the central position in the U. S. strategy for the economic control of the oil and gas resources in the entire Middle East. The U. S. currently imports 51 per cent of its crude oil 19. 5 million barrels daily. The Energy Information Administration estimates that by 2020, the U. S. will import 64 per cent of its crude 25. 8 million barrels a day. Caspian region oil reserves might be the third largest in the world (after Western Siberia and the Persian Gulf) and, within the next 15 to 20 years, may be large enough to offset Persian Gulf oil. Caspian Sea oil and gas are not the only hydrocarbon deposits in the region. Turkmenistans Karakum Desert holds the worlds third largest gas reserves three trillion cubic meters and has six billion barrels of estimated oil reserves. Current estimates indicate that, in addition to huge gas deposits, the Caspian basin may hold as much as 200 billion barrels of oil 33 times the estimated holdings of Alaskas North Slope and a current value of $4 trillion. It is enough to meet the U. S. energy needs for 30 years or more (Yechury, 2001). Hence, it was no longer surprising if the US declared war against the Taliban regime of Afghanistan. But majority of the extremist and terrorist groups in the former Soviet Bloc and in Eastern Europe are allied with the Taliban, as the Taliban provided them with weapons, training and manpower (Godoy, 2001). Therefore, the US will have to face a bigger threat of terrorism in Eastern Europe. References __________. (2002, October). The Oil Equation in the US Bid against Iraq. Education for Development, 1, 15-16. Capdevila, G. (2002, October). Outgoing UN Human Rights Chief Repeats Criticisms against US. Education for Development, 1, 30-31. Deen, T. (2002, October). UN Credibility at Stake over Iraq, Warn Diplomats. Education for Development, 1, 10-11. Godoy, J. (2001, November 15). US Policy Towards Taliban Influenced by Oil – Authors. Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www. commondreams. org/headlines01/1115-06. htm. Howstuffworks. (2008). The Fall of the Soviet Union and the Rise of Terrorism. Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://history. howstuffworks. com/cold-war/the-cold-war-timeline4.htm. Human Rights Watch. (2005, July 18). Oman: Critics Subjected to Injustices They Had Exposed. Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://hrw. org/english/docs/2005/07/18/oman11343. htm. Human Rights Watch. (2008, January 21). Bahrain: Investigate Alleged Torture of Activists. Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://hrw. org/english/docs/2008/01/21/bahrai17838. htm. Human Rights Watch. (2008, February 16). Bahrain: New Allegations of Detainee Abuse. Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://hrw. org/english/docs/2008/02/16/bahrai18083.htm. Lobe, J. (2002, October). US Vision of Might and Right. Education for Development, 1, 3-5. Popescu, Teodora. (2008). Tackling Terrorism in the Balkans. PDF File. Retrieved February 28, 2008 from sparky. harvard. edu/kokkalis/GSW9/Popescu_paper. pdf. Simbulan, R. (2002, October). Why the UN Must Defend Iraq against the US War of Aggression. Education for Development, 1, 48-50. Yechury, Sitram. (2001). America, Oil and Afghanistan. Retrieved February 28, 2008 from http://www. hinduonnet. com/2001/10/13/stories/05132524. htm.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Random Drug Testing is a Waste of Time Essay -- Essays on Drug Testing
Her grades fell. She was always tired. She never seemed to be able to focus at school. Classes she used to be interested in became utterly mundane. Friends she used to care about became replaceable. She stopped spending time with her family. She sat on the bench at every soccer game instead of becoming the star player her coaches thought she could. This is what addiction to drugs can do to a young person’s life. Addiction can take away everything that once made that young person happy. The only thing that matters anymore is the drug, getting high, and getting higher. It is a horrible and tragic thing that destroys so many young lives. Some people think that in order to prevent these situations, the best solution is random drug testing. But this is not a reasonable solution whatsoever. Many more students are using and selling drugs as they roam around the campus, but will never be â€Å"caught†with such a fickle and illusive process. Random student drug testing is not a plausible solution for the drug problem in public schools; it is unreliable and it infringes on the lives of those students involved.      Those who support random drug testing argue that the growing trend of drug testing a small population of students in a school is effective at attacking the drug abuse problem, because fewer students will use when there is an obvious consequence (Drug Testing in School Activities 2). They believe if a drug problem is identified early enough, there is a better chance for rehabilitation. This is true, and with this approach, maybe one life can be saved (Legal Issues of Dwiggins 2 School Drug Testing 1). Of course it is worth all the trouble of drug testing many innocent students if one drug addict can be identified and helped, but would it not be much better if that same student’s drug problem, and hundreds more, could have been prevented altogether? (Student Drug Testing News 1)      We cannot identify a drug problem in a significant number of students if only a small percentage is tested; a solid drug education program would be much more effective. It takes something a lot more earth shattering than the DARE program to steer young people away from experimenting with drugs. Sure, DARE does a great job at teaching kids different ways to say no, but do they ever really learn why they are saying no? Does DARE ... ... Joan. â€Å"Drug-testing case generates sparks; Lawsuit over school policy hotly debated.†     USA Today 20 March 2002, A02. â€Å"Drug Testing In Schools Should Be Sensibly Restricted.†Tampa Tribune 22 March 2002, 18. Franz MD, Joseph C. â€Å"Drug Testing in School Activities.†Fall 1997.      (14 April 2002) Greenberger, Robert S. â€Å"Court to Hear Arguments on Case Pitting Drug Tests Against Privacy.†     The Wall Street Journal 15 March 2002, B5. Lane, Charles. â€Å"Court to Weigh Drug Testing by Schools; Justices to Decide if Choir, Club      Members’ Privacy, Like Athletes’, May Be Breached.†The Washington Post 17 March      2002, A10. â€Å"Legal Issues of School Drug Testing.†(25      February 2002). â€Å"Student Drug Testing News.†(25      February 2002). â€Å"Urban75 Drug Infoâ€Å" (5 March 2002) Random Drug Testing is a Waste of Time Essay -- Essays on Drug Testing Her grades fell. She was always tired. She never seemed to be able to focus at school. Classes she used to be interested in became utterly mundane. Friends she used to care about became replaceable. She stopped spending time with her family. She sat on the bench at every soccer game instead of becoming the star player her coaches thought she could. This is what addiction to drugs can do to a young person’s life. Addiction can take away everything that once made that young person happy. The only thing that matters anymore is the drug, getting high, and getting higher. It is a horrible and tragic thing that destroys so many young lives. Some people think that in order to prevent these situations, the best solution is random drug testing. But this is not a reasonable solution whatsoever. Many more students are using and selling drugs as they roam around the campus, but will never be â€Å"caught†with such a fickle and illusive process. Random student drug testing is not a plausible solution for the drug problem in public schools; it is unreliable and it infringes on the lives of those students involved.      Those who support random drug testing argue that the growing trend of drug testing a small population of students in a school is effective at attacking the drug abuse problem, because fewer students will use when there is an obvious consequence (Drug Testing in School Activities 2). They believe if a drug problem is identified early enough, there is a better chance for rehabilitation. This is true, and with this approach, maybe one life can be saved (Legal Issues of Dwiggins 2 School Drug Testing 1). Of course it is worth all the trouble of drug testing many innocent students if one drug addict can be identified and helped, but would it not be much better if that same student’s drug problem, and hundreds more, could have been prevented altogether? (Student Drug Testing News 1)      We cannot identify a drug problem in a significant number of students if only a small percentage is tested; a solid drug education program would be much more effective. It takes something a lot more earth shattering than the DARE program to steer young people away from experimenting with drugs. Sure, DARE does a great job at teaching kids different ways to say no, but do they ever really learn why they are saying no? Does DARE ... ... Joan. â€Å"Drug-testing case generates sparks; Lawsuit over school policy hotly debated.†     USA Today 20 March 2002, A02. â€Å"Drug Testing In Schools Should Be Sensibly Restricted.†Tampa Tribune 22 March 2002, 18. Franz MD, Joseph C. â€Å"Drug Testing in School Activities.†Fall 1997.      (14 April 2002) Greenberger, Robert S. â€Å"Court to Hear Arguments on Case Pitting Drug Tests Against Privacy.†     The Wall Street Journal 15 March 2002, B5. Lane, Charles. â€Å"Court to Weigh Drug Testing by Schools; Justices to Decide if Choir, Club      Members’ Privacy, Like Athletes’, May Be Breached.†The Washington Post 17 March      2002, A10. â€Å"Legal Issues of School Drug Testing.†(25      February 2002). â€Å"Student Drug Testing News.†(25      February 2002). â€Å"Urban75 Drug Infoâ€Å" (5 March 2002)
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Belonging: Indigenous Australians and White Society Essay
â€Å"A sense of belonging can emerge from the connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. †The quote is clearly represented in the play â€Å"Rainbows End†by Jane Harrison and the musical _____________________________________. Belonging is subjective and so there is no correct way of what it means but what I think belonging means is to feel apart or connected with the rest of the group. In my first text â€Å"Rainbows End†by Jane Harrison it supports and reveals connections made with people, places, groups, communities and the larger world. This will become evident throughout the language, and symbols used in the play. Rainbows End is fiction but Harrison tried to capture the indigenous experience that was set in the 1950s. Harrison also draws historical events in the play such as the Queens visit, the Rumbalara housing development and the Assimilation Policy. The play is focused on three indigenous Australians; Nan Dear who is against whites and uses this to form her identity as an Aboriginal. â€Å"Refuses to say that the Queen is not her Queen as Nan thinks that it is a part of the white society†. Gladys is an enthusiastic and idealistic person who desperately wants to be in the white society â€Å"She believes that she will meet the Queen†. Dolly is the youngest and she is proud to be Aboriginal but is ashamed of the status that comes with it. She is also dutiful and hard working â€Å"serious about her homework†. Gladys and Dolly constantly listen to the radio this is a symbol for the woman connecting to the rest of society. The radio gets the woman to listen and become more involved in society even though they are perceived outcasts. The radio keeps them connected to society and in turns gives them a sense of belonging. The encyclopedias that Gladys brought from Errol are another symbol used in the play. Gladys brought these encyclopedias for Dolly as Gladys believes that it may represent an opportunity for Dolly to be a part of the white society.
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)