HRW wish list for Barack Obama

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/10/29/usdom20099.htm

"We Are Like Clouds"

A story about families from former USSR countries living in Italy, some for several generations, who are not eligible for Italian citizenship.  This is a problem throughout most of Europe, from Turks in Germany, to Arabs in France, to Pakistanis in the UK.  Many of these people are hunted by immigration authorities and detained indefinitely when captured.  Unfortunately, these types of practices have recently been codified into EU law.

More on Mugabe

After negotiations, Tsvangirai's opposition will receive more positions in Mugabe's cabinet than Mugabe's Party.  That's at least something to be happy about.  Also, while Mugabe will continue to be president. Tsvagirai will serve as his prime minister.  This situation has the potential to be very good--compromises, progress, democratic recognition and accountability.  Or very bad--purges, corruption, political violence and instability.  I imagine it will take a little from both columns.  

My Ongoing Love Affair with Philip Gourevitch

One of the brightest guys around, I first became enamored with Philip Gourevitch after reading his poignant book on Rwanda, We Wish To Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families.  Gourevitch has now co-written a new book, Standard Operating Procedure, about Abu Ghraib and the state-sanctioned policies which made that national disgrace not only possible, but inevitable (to go along with Charlie's quote of William Carlos Williams).  He appeared on Charlie Rose a few days ago to talk about his book and the policy of torture in the United States.  This is a great great resource for understanding where our government has taken our laws, our civil liberties, and our safety in the "War on Terror."

The interview is about 30 minutes long.  

Bashir to ICC: I'll tell you where you can put your genocide allegations

In defiance of the International Criminal Court, Sudan's President Omar el-Bashir is in Istanbul, attending a Turkey-Africa economic cooperation summit.  This is important for two reasons:  one, the ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, recently asked the court to issue an arrest warrant for Bashir on charges of genocide.  Once that warrant is issued, should Bashir travel outside Sudan, he is liable to be arrested.

Two, Turkey is not a signatory to the ICC, but several western countries are pressuring Turkey to sign on in order to enter the European Union.  Turkey's decision to host Bashir may further influence its relations with Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

The ICC only came into being a few years ago.  It's credibility hinges on its cooperation with the international community.  This trip may show us that not only is Sudan defying the authority of the international institution, but Turkey has rejected it at as well.  Which makes me have to ask, what authority does the ICC actually have, anyway?

Fractured Spine? The DHS Will Deny You a Wheelchair, Then Let You Die from Cancer

One year ago, Hiu Lui Ng was detained by US immigration 

authorities for an expired visa.  For a year, he was shuffled among detention centers in three New England states, a system run by the Department of Homeland Security.  In April of this year, he started complaining about back pain, but was refused treatment on several occasions.  As his condition deteriorated, he lost the ability to walk.  The detention center authorities denied him the use of a wheelchair.  Immobile, Mr. Ng was not only in excruciating pain, but also unable to stand in line to receive medication from the detention center's doctors.  

Finally, in late July of this year, after several attempts by detention center authorities to "expose" Mr. Ng's deception about back pain, he was taken to the hospital, where he was found to have cancer in the liver, lungs, and bones, as well as a fractured spine.  Mr. Ng died on August 5, 2008.

Georgia

Georgia insists that Russia is still bombing even after Medvedev called a halt to military action. It seems clear that this attack on Georgia is about Russian control in the region.  And in light of Georgia's recent steps to joining NATO, this attack on Georgia is really an attack on NATO.  Should NATO, then, be the one defending Georgia?  What, practically, can the international community do to stop such rampant aggression?