International Human Rights Day....

It is terrible that I did not blog on such an occasion - after all the purpose of this blog is supposed to outline this sort of thing, as well as the rest of the stuff you've seen on here. Tsk tsk to me. I have an excuse but it is not a good enough excuse to post here so I will spare you.

Instead, let me turn to International Human Rights Day which was on December 10th. This is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and although the day itself has passed, events will continue to unfold for the coming year as part of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Here's the UN website on Human Rights Day 2007. Here you'll find various information about this day as well as a calendar of events. You will also find a link to the actual Universal Declaration of Human Rights, should you want to peruse it.

Here's an article by a journalist in Africa, reflecting on International Human Rights Day and the actual progress being seen particularly in Uganda related to human rights....a sobering view that makes you think twice about policy versus implementation.

There are several human rights watch organizations doing work around the globe to procure these rights for every individual under the sun; I hope that at least this month, amidst the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, you can remember that there is a larger world out there than just that around our Christmas tree....

Saudi Arabian Rape Victim is Punished

A young woman in Saudi Arabia was gang-raped and pressed charges against her attackers. Here we expect that a rape victim, when facing her attackers and pressing charges, will find justice. In this young woman's case, she did find justice, but she also found something further - punishment for herself and the lawyer who represented her. She was jailed and ordered to be lashed; her lawyer was banned from practicing. True justice? I don't think so. Who ever heard of punishing the victim as justice? Doesn't make any sense to me; does it to you? The circumstances surrounding the story can be found at these sites:

Al Jazeera.net
BBC
CNN
Human Rights Watch report

Burma Protests Crackdown

New information about the September demonstrations in Burma has just been released. Human Rights Watch has a new report out stating that the crackdown by the military in September was bloodier than the government was admitting. There were more beatings, shootings, and arrests than reported by the government at that point in time. The Human Rights Watch report was put together with information from eyewitnesses. And Human Rights Watch state that the crackdown is far from over.

To see the Human Rights Watch article and link to the report, click here.

Even if the situation is no longer in our news, remember: 1) Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest, and 2) the country is still under the control of the military government. Check out this website(and there are many others if you just google Burma): DontForgetBurma.org.

Cyclone in Bangladesh

Friday, a cyclone hit the coast of Bangladesh, killing more than 1000 people and leaving thousands homeless. Villages have been devastated and thousands of people are being evacuated as the downpour of rain and high winds created a storm surge that left many low-lying areas and some offshore islands under water. Relief workers are delivering aid to the devastated areas.

See NPR's story here.

To see World Vision's coverage of this recent disaster, click here.

Child Soldiers in Burma

In the news recently, we have seen the Burmese people's fight for independence and the brutal reaction by the opposition - the government. But there is more. Today the Human Rights Watch organization released a report indicating that the Burmese government is one of the biggest "recruiters" of child soldiers. According to the report, the Burmese military target children unrelentingly due to the need to fill their ranks because of high desertion rates, lack of willing volunteers, and army expansion. There is a cash payment either to the military recruiter or civilian broker for each member recruited, regardless of the fact that it is a child they recruit.

To read the article and access the report, click here for the Human Rights Watch website article. The fight for democracy in Burma not only means the freedom of its people, its monks, but also the freedom of its children from continued forced recruitment. Follow the news in Burma through the following sites:

Democratic Voice of Burma: News Page
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Pages
BBC News Asia-Pacific Page

Fires in SoCal

I may have been away from my blog for a while, but the fires in SoCal have never been far from my mind, particularly as that area has been my home for 16 years or so and as most of my family and friends still live there. While the fires have not been close to my parents or family, the devastation that they have caused in the southern California area is certainly tragic and horrible. My heart goes out to those who lost their homes in the fires, and those who lost their lives as well. And I hope that if arson indeed is the cause of some of those fires those people will be brought to justice for the devastation they've caused in other people's lives. . . .

African Union Peacekeepers Attacked in Darfur

Darfur continues to be in the news, although who knows how close it is to people's minds. It is taking place on a continent far from us here in the U.S. yet it is part of our world, our global community, and we must be aware of events and do what we can to stand up for each other - in whatever small or big way possible.

Here is another opportunity to take some action, and it is a simple as clicking the link below and signing a petition for President Bush and UN Secretary-General Ban to not delay the deployment of international peace-keepers to Darfur. No amount of money will replace the security and safety of the people there. People are frightened for their safety; people are still suffering deaths and other tragic events. Last weekend 10 African Union Peacekeepers were attacked and killed while stationed in Darfur. They were attacked on their base!

So sign this petition to ensure that the deployment of international peacekeepers to this region is not delayed.

For your further interest, former President Jimmy Carter visited Darfur with Richard Branson - here's the link to the story on Reuters.com.

Here's another version from CBS News.

Heard on BBC News - Africa last night (or maybe it was this morning) was an emphasis on the concern about the safety of the people in Darfur. Yes, there have been pledges from the Sudanese President to rebuild the region of Darfur, and some others, but the interviewee's point was a legitimate concern: What use is all the money in the world if the safety and security of the people are not guaranteed? This is a very valid point and you cannot deny that it makes perfect sense. The violence still continues, regardless of what pledges are being made - and if you read the stories above you will see that although people were afraid to talk directly to the delegation, notes were slipped into their pockets about how the violence still continues.

So, sign the petition above and urge leaders to take action now.

Pedro the Dishwasher.....and his American Nightmare.....

I caught this on CNN the other day and thought I would post it. While I consider it a privilege to live in the United States, I also understand that it is not always the land of promise or where dreams can come true, because I have seen too many times that it is where money, status, and bureaucracy can speak louder at times than humanity can.

Pedro the Dishwasher - a man who has spent 11 years washing dishes in Florida: he left his home in Latin America and came to make some money so that he could eventually return to his home village to buy some land and build a house for his mother and his sisters. He saved $59,000 and finally decided to return home. Not knowing that he had to declare that he was carrying more than $10,000, he was stopped at Ft. Lauderdale airport and all his savings were confiscated. That's not all. Not only does he face deportation if he doesn't leave on his own by the end of January but the IRS is on his back because he received nearly $10,000 in donations from generous people around the country; thus the IRS wants to take that money (the $10,000) as tax for all the money he made while working as a dishwasher. The link is for the CNN video on this piece of news. Incredible, but true.


CNN Video on Pedro the Dishwasher

Myanmar's Monks Demonstrations

Buddhist monks in Myanmar are on the march, protesting against the government. These protests originated when fuel prices in Myanmar were doubled to extremely high costs and impacting other areas of the economy, but of course that was the culmination of deep-seated dissatisfaction with the government for the past few decades. Pro-democracy demonstrators protested and were arrested; but then the monks decided to take over and continue the demonstrations.

Protests have been going on for a while now, escalating in numbers and in intensity. These have been the largest demonstrations since 1988. Today riot police in Myanmar killed one demonstrator and arrested 300 monks, according to CNN's reports. President Bush has announced increased UN sanctions against the military junta government of Myanmar and Nobel Laureates such as the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu (of South Africa) are speaking out against the current situation in Myanmar. The European Union is also threatening to strengthen their sanctions against Myanmar should the government choose to put down the demonstrations using violence.

See NPR's coverage of this story.

See CNN's coverage on these demonstrations.

While the UN Secretary-General has commended the peaceful protests of these monks, we must remember that it is with great courage these monks are marching. The military has placed monks under arrest, and have attempted to disperse the crowds with tear gas; but this may not be the only actions they take against the protests. As an international community, we must support the monks in their protest for a free government, and for the release of Mrs. Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner who has been under house arrest for the last 18 years). We must also pray for the safety of the thousands of monks who are marching in peaceful protest.

The Jena Six Case

Equal justice in the United States - one would think that this is an obvious thing, here in America. But the reality appears to be quite different, as gathered from the allegations of racism surrounding the case of six African-American teenagers living in Jena, Louisiana. If you haven't followed the Jena Six case as it is now being called, take a look at the following links:

NPR's Coverage of the case
CNN Coverage of the case
CNN's time line of events gives you the background of the events leading up to the hearings and protests of late.

Human Rights Watch urges Louisiana's Governor Kathleen Blanco to further investigate this case and the allegations of racism that surround it. Read their letter here.

Let's hope that true justice will be served here, without a reflection of any sort of bias - racial or not.

Massive Earthquake in Peru

On Wednesday, August 15th, there was a massive earthquake in Peru - a magnitude of 8.0 on the Richter scale. There continue to be aftershocks rocking the country, and rescuers still search for people trapped under the rubble. The death toll, currently at 500, is predicted to rise as rescuers comb through the rubble looking for missing family members, friends, and guests.

CNN reports that the most serious damage occurred on the Pacific coast of the country, south of the capital city of Lima. The cities of Pisco, Chincha, Ica, and Canete are among the hardest hit. Houses, churches, schools, and other buildings have collapsed and people - including children - have been scattered. Click here to read CNN's report on the earthquake.

Pray for the comfort and aid of the Peruvian people in this great time of need, especially for children who may have lost family members in the earthquake. Click here to read World Vision's news regarding the earthquake and its aftermath. You can also find links to donate to World Vision's relief effort in Peru.

Other organizations also working to provide relief in Peru for the victims of the earthquake include:

• The American Red Cross
  
• CARE.org
  
• The United Nations, specifically UN agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme, among others.
  

Prayer for hostages and their families

2 are no longer with us, and 21 are still being held by the Taliban. While these are not the first hostages captured in these past months, their situation - much like those hostages that have been captured previously - is indeed one for which I cannot find any words to describe. It is tragic to see civilians who have gone under the umbrella of volunteering and aid be captured and killed one by one. A hostage situation is always a delicate one where things seem to be complicated by the perspectives of the respective countries involved. Nonetheless, lives hang in the balance and the families of these hostages must be in extremely anxious and distressed states. So as the world watches, let us pray and remember these families and the individuals who are currently alive and being held captive by the Taliban - pray for strength, for hope, and for things to be resolved as peacefully as possible.

Sign the Petition for Darfur by July 20th!!

Sign the petition to urge China to take action and stop the violence in Darfur!

Sign the Petition Now!

As I've blogged before, China plays a significant role in Sudan's politics. Take a look at my previous blog on this subject. The above link connects you directly to the petition to urge China to take action. Read it and sign the petition by July 20th. And urge your friends to sign it too.

Ad for Darfur - Watch it and Pass it On

World Refugee Day - June 20th, 2007

There are millions of refugees in the world today. Refugees are not simply those who are living in countries not their homes or asylum-seekers but also include internally displaced persons (like those in Darfur and Sudan). June 20th, 2007 is World Refugee Day. Spend a moment visiting the following sites and at least become aware of the conditions of refugees all over the world:

• Human Rights Watch on Refugees
  
• World Vision takes action on child refugee crisis in Iraq.
  
• The UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency. UNHCR stands for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
  

World Day Against Child Labor - June 12, 2007

It's coming - World Day Against Child Labor. It will be here on June 12th. What can we do? Be aware that there are various events going on around the world to push for elimination of child labor, particularly the worst forms of child labor. If you do nothing at all, at least raise your own personal awareness of child labor and exploitation.

This year, the focus is on the elimination of child labor in agriculture. Child labor in agriculture can be one of the most dangerous forms of labor for children and it accounts for a large percentage of child labor around the world. Click here for more info from the ILO regarding child labor and this year's World Day Against Child Labor. It even has a link to materials on World Day 2007.

You can also check out another organization that works with children and eliminating the worst forms of child labor by clicking here. This will take you to the website for CARE International - a nonprofit organization that works to tackle poverty in various places all over the globe. Take a look.

Child Labor - Child Miners

This is another post regarding child labor. Today I want to focus on child miners. In many areas around the world, particularly where poverty is prevalent, children are exploited to work in mines because of their size. These children are exposed to injuries, health hazards, and dangerous conditions in these mines. This, among other worst forms of child labor, must be eliminated. Children work in mines all over the world, from the Cote D'Ivoire to Niger to Peru to the Philippines, from gold mines to other gem and mineral mines. In mines, risks to children include collapsing tunnels, falling ore, exposure to poor or dangerous air quality, physical strain, and asphyxiation in gold mines.

Follow this link to papers presented by the ILO (International Labour Organization) regarding child labor in small-scale mining - an example from three countries.



Ever heard of the gem tanzanite? It's pictured above. Isn't it pretty? It can only be found in one place - one place in all the world. You might have already guessed....that place is Tanzania, specifically in the town of Mererani. While the stone is beautiful, only recently have I discovered the sad story that lies behind this beautiful gem. Mererani is home to a 300 million dollar Tanzanite industry and yet, according to IRIN (the humanitarian news and analysis published by the UN), 30% of the 200,000 people who live there survive on less than a dollar a day; and even so, people from all over Tanzania move here in hopes of improving their lives by finding that rare gem. And of course, those who suffer the most are the children and their mothers who have to watch their children suffer. Even if the government is working to eliminate this form of child labor in the Tanzanite mining industry, they face obstacles - not enough schools for children to go to and the poverty that still remains, so the children inevitably turn to the mines.

Read the IRIN article on this story. The article was published last September, but is still relevant today. I don't know if any of you own Tanzanite jewelry, but I hope that no one will until the mining conditions have improved for this gem which includes the elimination of all children from the mines.

Wal-Mart Abusing Weak Labor Laws?

As college students, my roommates and I thrived on going to Wal-Mart. 24-hour Wal-Marts were even better as we could go late at night when there would be no crowds; so we'd find ourselves shopping there at midnight or something close to that. Since then I've not gone as there are very few Wal-Marts in the Los Angeles area. Most Wal-Marts are about 45 minutes away from where I live, so I've found other places to shop. But in recent years I've heard some questionnable things about how Wal-Mart goes about doing business and it has not been positive. And...it continues.

Human Rights Watch published an article on 5/1/07 regarding the labor practices of Wal-Mart and their abuses of weak US labor laws. For more specifics and to watch the media presentations, click here. The primary concern was the anti-union stance this retail giant continues to present. Workers are discouraged to organize into unions and many fear loss of jobs and/or benefits if any attempts are made to organize. The company prohibits any distribution of union flyers or talks about unions while other non-union related materials are allowed to circulate.

For those of you who shop regularly at Wal-Mart, this may come as a shock; it did for me years ago. But I think we must be informed consumers and shoppers. I for one refuse to spend my money shopping somewhere that continually violates workers' rights. What do you think? Read the article from Human Rights Watch, or at least see the videos the article has a link to, and decide for yourself.

Global Days for Darfur - April 23 to April 30

And so it continues....action is needed for Darfur. This week is Global Days for Darfur and many events are being organized and held around the country. To see what events are going on, visit the Save Darfur website. There have been a lot of talks but a resolution has not yet been reached. It is imperative that a resolution be reached soon. Find an event near you and participate; or visit the Amnesty International website to find ways you can call or write to your representatives in Congress to press forward on this issue.

Prayer for those killed at Virginia Tech, and for their loved ones....

What a tragedy....Promising lives ended in a moment of darkness, by a fellow student and community member.... I do not know you but your lives will be missed by those who are left behind.... Amidst chaos and great hurt, I pray that your loved ones find peace and comfort. I pray that the community bonds together and overcomes this moment of horror, inspired by the lives that the 32 victims led....

Today's NPR coverage

Tsunami aftermath in the Solomon Islands

Recently, a tsunami hit the Solomon Islands along with an earthquake (8.1 magnitude with numerous aftershocks). In the aftermath, thousands were left homeless and at least 28 people dead. The United Nations reports a death toll of 35. While aid has been arriving, there is still a lot of need. Homes, towns, roads, and bridges have been destroyed and people, including children, are living in camps and shelters. These camps have poor sanitation and cases of diarrhea are becoming prevalent. Organizations like World Vision and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are working to provide relief; however, the situation continues to need aid.

View a media clip from World Vision regarding the tsunami and its effects in the Solomon Islands by clicking here.

For more information on relief aid and updates, visit the World Vision website and the IFRC website.

Big Sunday '07 in Los Angeles

Big Sunday (well Saturday too) is an upcoming event in Los Angeles, on April 28th and 29th. It is a city-wide event where thousands sign up to volunteer for various projects all over the city, from painting to beautifying schools and neighborhoods to handing out sandwiches to the homeless. It is an opportunity to help those in need, including those nonprofit organizations who work daily to improve the conditions of others. It is a great opportunity to get involved, even if just for a day, with your whole family. A lot of projects have tasks for all ages - from kids to adults. If you live in the Los Angeles area, or surrounding counties, check out the website by clicking here and consider signing up for a project. They still need lots of volunteers!

Attacks in Somalia

Last December, a war began between the Ethiopian government and the forces of the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The Ethiopian government provided forces to support the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) who were engaged in fighting with the ICU in the coastal areas of southern Somalia, areas under ICU control. Since then, the fighting has raged on in the city of Mogadishu - the capital of Somalia.

According to a Human Rights Watch article last week, fighting still continues in Mogadishu, Somalia, even though a cease fire is supposed to be in effect. The fighting continues between the Ethiopian military, the Somalian government and ICU groups in Mogadishu. Shelling and mortar attacks on heavily populated areas have killed and injured hundreds of civilians. The United Nations reports that nearly 400 people have died in the recent fighting and thousands are fleeing. The UN reports that more than 100,000 people have fled the areas where attacks continue to occur and are living under trees or whatever shelter they can find. Although there appears to be a temporary cease fire, people anticipate that fighting will continue. Most airstrips around Mogadishu have been closed down, making it difficult for humanitarian aid to reach those who are displaced, and with the long rains approaching, shelter is a major concern for these displaced people. The most vulnerable among these displaced and fleeing people are women and children.

Click here to view the most recent Human Rights Watch article on Somalia. Click here to view the most recent UN news report on Somalia.

Child Labor

Although there are some forms of work that may be acceptable for children and within legal restrictions, child labor is often exploitative in many parts of the world. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child outlines that a child must be protected from any economic exploitation and forms of work that interfere or are harmful to a child's education, health, and development. The International Labor Organization Convention 182 addresses what are called the "worst forms of child labor" emerging out of the general convention held in 1999, and the contents of this convention call for a prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labor.

Even with these regulations and laws, in 2007, child labor still exists in many exploitative forms. In my recent postings I have already covered one of them, namely children exploited in armed conflict (child soldiers). But there are more. As the weeks progress, I will continue to blog about child labor, among other things, more specifically.

Today I turn to the significant child labor problem in Ethiopia. About 60% of the children in Ethiopia work to supplement their family's income, according to the IRC, working in domestics, farm work, and mining. While child labor in Africa, particularly rural Africa, is viewed as a normal occurence, there is often a lack of distinction between moderate, excessive, and exploitative forms of work. Children are driven to labor by circumstances - poverty, death of family members, illness of family members, and ultimately to survive. The problem of child labor is a significant one but it is important to note that the solution is not simply to deal with the child labor issue alone. There must be more support given to these areas in order to decrease the circumstances that cannot help but push children into labor. Of course, the solution and support given to one area or country cannot be the same as another - they are each unique in their own ways.

For more information consult the following websites:

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child
  
• ILO Convention 182
  
• From the Bureau of International Affairs, on Ethiopia
  
• IRC News on Child Labor in Ethiopia
  

Orange County Rescue Mission

At a recent conference called Children at Risk, I attended a workshop given by someone from the Orange County Rescue Mission. The title of the workshop talked about a model of mobile outreach rather than something specific to Orange County so needless to say, I was surprised and my eyes were opened to new information. I thought that I would blog about this because this is something closer to home, as a resident of Los Angeles, and because it indicates that there are opportunities to help everywhere. When I think of Orange County (aside from the fact that it's the "OC" and we seldom venture there except out of necessity since it's quite a drive - particularly in traffic), I hardly ever think of homeless. But apparently there are a large number of homeless in the OC and most of them are families (70% in fact according to their website) - families that cannot afford the rent, that are not good with money management, end up living in motels with their children, and then finally end up on the streets or a shelter. There are over 30,000 homeless in OC! The Orange County Rescue Mission has implemented programs to assist these homeless families and work with them to empower them and bring them out of the homeless situation utilizing mobile outreach as well as numerous other services. For more information, visit their website by clicking here.

Sri Lanka: Child Abduction & Child Soldiers

According to a Human Rights Watch article last week, children continue to be abducted in Sri Lanka by the pro-government Karuna group. Not only that but the recruitment of children is also conducted by another group called the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Elam (LTTE) who turn the children into armed soldiers. As much as 200 cases of abduction have been reported by UNICEF but these numbers are the minimum; the actual numbers could easily be more because parents are afraid to report their missing children. About a dozen children were released by the Karuna group in December, according to the article, but UNICEF reported that at least three of these children were re-recruited.

The children are being abducted from camps for the internally displaced as well as in broad daylight in the city. The abducted children are being trained to carry arms, to fight, to be soldiers. Children are being used in the frontlines, even girls. The government is doing little to acknowledge this as a human rights violation and has not taken any effective action to put a stop to these abductions. Government patrols do nothing even when they pass by children with arms guarding various Karuna offices.

This is a serious violation of children's rights. See the Human Rights Watch website for more details and other related articles.

March 30th Action for Darfur

Tomorrow is the rally for Darfur in front of Chinese Embassies and Consulates at select cities around the country. Even if you cannot be there, you can take action by signing a petition - online, or on paper. Click here to visit Amnesty International's website to view the petition or download it. The atrocities in Darfur must stop.

Stop Violence Against Women and Girls

March is winding down and so is International Women's Month. But, there is still time to act and sign a petition on the International Rescue Committee's website to stop the sexual violence against women and girls all over the world. Women and girls are being raped as conflict increases in Africa and the fear of the HIV/AIDS pandemic increases as well. Some believe that having sex with a virgin will cure them of AIDS and thus countless girls in Africa, even babies, are being raped. Women and girls are among the most vulnerable in areas of conflict and war. But sexual exploitation and child prostitution is everywhere. I don't know if any of you were able to watch Anderson Cooper 360 last week, but he did some reporting on sexual exploitation of women and girls - the sex slave market, among other things from Thailand and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) as well as Cambodia. This is only one of the areas of the world where this occurs. There are numerous others and we, the public, must be aware and informed.

For more information on the situation of women around the world visit either the Human Rights Watch website, the International Rescue Committee, or the Women's Commission for Refugee and Children. Don't forget to sign the petition on IRC's website and email the petition to others to sign as well.

Take Action on Darfur Today

The crisis in Darfur continues where violations of human rights occur day after day. The international governments can do more to influence the Sudanese government and bring an end to this tragedy, and so can we. We cannot continue to ignore the cries that arise from that part of our global community. We must do our part as global citizens.

Next week is National Week of Student Action, sponsored by Amnesty International USA. Nationwide rallies have been scheduled and organized for March 30th in D.C., New York, Houston, and Los Angeles. For more information, click on NWSA Home 2007. These rallies are targeted at the Chinese embassies and consulates around the nation because China is the leading foreign investor in Sudan with an annual trade of roughly $1 billion. Not only that but China has developed oil fields in Sudan and Sudan is one of China's oil suppliers. Beyond that, China has also been a supplier of arms and equipment to the government of Sudan and the Janjawid - documented by Amnesty International. These arms and equipment have been used in the operations in Darfur. The Chinese government is in a unique position to influence the Sudanese government, not just as arms supplier but also as a key trading partner. China also abstained from voting for the UN Security Council Resolution 1706 which deployed UN Peacekeepers to the area to replace the African Union Mission. This has sent a mixed message to the Sudanese government as to the international community's commitment to find a viable security arrangement for the people of Darfur and eastern Chad. Thus China cannot be exempt from the responsibility, along with the Sudanese government and the Janjawid, of continued atrocities targeting the civilians of Sudan. More information can be found on Amnesty International's website.

The Save Darfur Coalition also has information and background on this crisis as well as actions you can take. We must act and be a voice for those who are crying out in Darfur and the surrounding countries.

Northern Uganda

For 21 years now atrocities rage on in Northern Uganda. Did you know about it? A whole culture, a whole people - the Acholi - are close to being wiped out, and not just by the LRA or the government army either. Death tolls are staggering in the camps that are supposed to be "refugee camps" to protect those Acholi that are "escaping" the atrocities committed by the LRA. Children are being kidnapped to be child soldiers, brutally traumatized by what they see. But children are also being traumatized by the lack of adequate health care and other basic needs in these camps. Suicide is taboo in the Acholi culture, but in the camps, conditions are so dire that many are contemplating it while others have carried through with it. Where is the international community in all of this? Where is the call to hold the Ugandan government accountable for the protection of their people?

Peace talks are resuming and while people are returning to their villages in northern Uganda, it is still a long way from over. There are still estimated to be about 1.2 million people in the camps and the conditions continue to be terrible. And peace is tentative for the time being. The peace needs to be sustainable and permanent.

So write to your representatives, your senators regarding these issues. There are samples of letters on the Human Rights Watch site and Amnesty International. And sign the "No Child Soldiers" Declaration on World Vision's website at:

https://www.worldvision.org/Worldvision/guest.nsf/nochild_soldiers?OpenForm&campaign=1256080&cmp=KNC-1256080