For September, we have selected
Selling Olga: Stories of Human Trafficking
by Louisa Waugh,
It’s seems inconceivable in the 21st century, but human trafficking is now the world’s fastest-growing illegal industry: according to U.S. government estimates, between 700,000 and two million people have become victims. Following three years of in-depth research, award-winning author and journalist Louisa Waugh has produced a vivid, unflinching account of how this immoral commerce operates and why it thrives. Throughout Eastern Europe, a combination of war and poverty has led to women being sold in bars, confined, and coerced into sex work. And while Waugh focuses especially on one woman, Olga, who tells her own story in angry, heartbreaking detail, she also introduces us to many others across Europe including Nigerian women in Italy and migrants trapped in other forms of forced labor. She helps us understand why, in spite of global awareness, relentless anti-trafficking campaigns, and increasing numbers of imprisonments, this type of crime hasn’t disappeared…and why, in spite of everything, there is hope for change.
For September, we have selected Selling Olga: Stories of Human Trafficking
In this recent video interview, ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo talks about the genocide in Darfur, youth activism, and what young people can do about it!
ReplyDeletehttp://campusprogress.org/5mw/3078/persecuting-genocide
This is a breaking news story in Pakistan after US FBI finally admit they hold Dr.Afia a women and her minor children as terrorists(after denying this for over 5 years).
ReplyDeleteCould you please publish this somewhere on your site.Thank you.
You may edit the comments where neccessary.
A Glorious Dawn…And A Better Day
To Dr.Afia Siddiqui - prisoner # 650 in American custody
Another dawn …another day,
Disgrace; insult is thrown our way;
Yet shamelessly on their golden perch
The spineless look - Oh how they sway!
As if there is no Lord above,
They with the devil-hand in glove;
Selling our dearest values and souls,
For gold and power – push and shove!
This crime you saw they so denied,
To filthy scum they sold the bride;
Yet the mighty Creator seeing it all
Unveils the gruesome act they hide!
Amongst ravenous wolves the fair one lies,
As from brutish hands she helplessly flies;
A suffering sister sane no more,
Her anguished screams - they rent the skies.
And this is all the pride you boast,
Our tormentors you daily host !
But yesterday we shared the cup,
- And today so far apart we coast ?
When comes a ‘Qasim’ to stem this rot?
Of Almighty Allah and His Messenger forgot!
Of cheaply selling our heritage which -
With submission and sacrifice was dearly bought.
And yet the strong will go their way,
As an ‘Iftikhar’ keep the monsters at bay;
Afia! Our elders pray, while the braver fight -
For a glorious dawn…….. and a better day!
Authors Comments: I was motivated to write this poem after reading the shockingly monstrous, inhuman and criminally illegal way the US forces in Afghanistan have treated a Pakistani married women and her small children for the past 5 years.You can see the details of this at the Pakistani blog http://www.teeth.com.pk ; After repeatedly denying any knowledge of her whereabouts for the past 5 years the Americans have finally been forced to admit to their evil act because of the efforts of Mr.Moazzam Begg who recounted his experiences as a US prisoner in a book ; British Lord Nazeer; a British journalist Yvonne Ridley; and a number of human rights organizations (here is one press release you can read http://www.ahrchk.net/ua/mainfile.php/2008/2947/ ;)who have presented evidence of a certain prisoner-of-war known as Prisoner 650 who was in terrible medical condition within an American prison located in Afghanistan - and that they had reason to suspect that Prisoner 650 is Dr. Afia Siddiqui.
I ask readers of this poem to please join the cause to get her release by signing this petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/af258633/petition.html ……..and doing anything else to protest this American monstrosity- if you so wish.
May I request you to please give this appeal the widest circulation. We may yet save the US forces in Afghanistan from disgracing themselves and the American people even further .