|
Nigeria By Owens Wiwa, MD Rapid globalization exposes indigenous communities like the Ogoni in the Niger Delta of Nigeria to social, economic and health risks. Many of the health risks, though avoidable, are overlooked by the government, corporate agents and, until recently, health activists. These risks are associated with the activities of transnational corporations (TCs), the engines of the globalization train. These engines could be seen as vectors of diseases. I believe that as public health activists, we have a responsibility to analyze the processes of these engines, sanitize them, or suggest ways they can be cleaned. We can also assist the communities in getting well by making sure that the TCs put part of their profit into cleaning up the environment. In many cases, we must insist that they leave the area. |
Colombia By Harry Kelber Since 1986, when the Colombian Labor Federation (CUT) was formed, 3,800 union activists have been murdered. None of their assassins has ever been prosecuted, a delegation of Steelworkers from the United States learned during a fact-finding visit in March, 2001. Yet the Colombian government, which tolerates these and other murders by right-wing paramilitary groups, is receiving $1 billion in financial and military aid from the United States-ostensibly to cut cocaine production and drug trafficking. In fact, the Colombians are using much of the money to carry on their civil war against "leftist rebels" that began half a century ago. |
Bangladesh By Kohinoor Yeasmin The following are case histories of sex workers in the Goalondo Brothel. Mitu. Mitu was born in a very poor family of a rural village of Kushtia District. Mitu was the firstborn of four children. Her father could not afford adequate food. As a result they often went hungry. Mitu's father died suddenly when she was 10 years old. Her mother was left with severe economic problems and her four children to feed. One day a female relative of her neighbor approached Mitu's mother and assured her she could arrange a good job for Mitu in Dhaka. Mitu's trusting mother agreed to hand over her daughter to the lady, who took Mitu with her. |
United States By Amnesty International In the two months following the September 11 attacks, more than 1,200 non-US nationals were taken into custody in the USA, in nationwide sweeps for possible suspects. Partial data released by the government last November revealed that most were men of Arab or South Asian origin detained for immigration violations. Another 100 or so were charged with criminal offenses, none directly relating to the events of 11 September. |
