The first person to face a US war crimes tribunal since WWII was formally sentenced at Gauntanamo Bay. David Hicks, and Australian captured in Afghanistan after fleeing al-Qa'ida frontlines in Kandahar, was originally sentenced to seven years, but his plea agreement allows him to only serve nine months. …
In what has to be among the most disappointing news from southern Africa in a long time, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has chosen to acquiesce to Robert Mugabe's rule. A meeting that beforehand was hailed as preparing to take a stance against a regional …
As I've noted before, there is a lot going on! What follows is another smattering of items like my "Smorgasbord" post below.
Politics – There is much to be discussed regarding the politics of climate change, internationally, between various stakeholders, and, of course, within countries. Two pieces from "The Economist," …
At the end of every week we will offer a regular look at the 'top stories’ on migration, integration, fundamental rights and the movement of people in general.
In news from Europe, a riot at the Parisian Gare du Nord crystalizes the debate over immigration and national identity …
David M. Hicks, the 31 year old Australian national being held at Gauntanamo Bay, will be returned to his home country within two months. Hicks plead guilty to charges of providing material support to al-Qa'ida on Monday. He is the first person to face the new tribunal system …
The poet Rumi, who is celebrated now in American poetry circles for his poems of love, would be 800 this year. Jalal ad-Din Rumi was born in the year B.C.E. 1207 (that's a politically-correct A.D., more or less) in what is now Afghanistan; his family moved from Afghanistan during the Mongol invasions, …
Canadian courts have begun to hear testaments in their first trial for genocide and war crimes. The trials focus on the Rwandan genocides. The Canadian courts are calling on witnesses from five countries, as well as sending Justices to Rwanda to hear testimonials. A …
One of the mandates of the New South Africa was to try to Africanize many of the names of places and institutions. After all, in that predominantly African country, why would the new, non-racial democracy want to perpetuate the names of the heroes of the white regime, the very people who …
The New York Times has a feature on the Democratic Republic of the Congo's adjustment to its election six months ago. Not surprisingly, a half a year has not done much to overcome decades of misrule. Congo has long stood as the emblematic example of African chaos. It …
The Washington Post's travel section recently emphasized Africa. Among the countries featured were Zambia, Namibia, and Angola.
Human slavery, child trafficking, its all something that happens in a country far away, maybe someplace you've never even heard of, right? Well yes it does and the problem is huge, but it's also right here at home. Yes, child trafficking …
In my post from March 19 on some international polling results, one of the salient findings was that Americans' consciousness and concern regarding climate change has risen dramatically in the past few years. Two new polls confirm that.
The first, released March 12 from the …
First off, I want to apologize if any of you feel as if I have allowed the crisis in Zimbabwe to hijack the South Africa blog. But all along I have cinceived of this as a blog about Southern Africa, with South Africa at the center. Right now the events …
Just a six-month partial review of media and human rights issues in Uzbekistan:
March 26, 2007: Ferghana.ru reports that yet another journalist with international ties is being prosecuted in Uzbekistan. Die Deutsche Welle journalist Natalya Bushuyeva has had criminal charges pressed for income tax evasion over the …
Almost 500 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico this year, including more than 50 in the past week. Of the nearly 500 victims this year, 58 have been police officers, according to Mexico City's Police Formation Institute.
President Calderon targeted drug trafficking upon taking office in December 2006 …
