With the help of Blog Catalog and Amnesty International, bloggers worldwide are uniting today, may 15th 2008, to raise awareness of human rights issues.
Human rights are recognised under law as any basic right or freedom that all human beings are entitled to. They are set out clearly in the universal declaration of human rights.
For my part, I would like to bring your attention to an ethnic minority rarely featured in world media, or in active human rights campaigns. The Hmong of Laos. Their recent history has been one of brutal persecution and betrayal. Forgotten by the western powers they once fought for, they are in the devastating circumstance of not being welcome anywhere. For those former anti-communist groups still in Laos, there is no mercy. Men, women, children and the elderly, all are being gradually exterminated. For those in refugee camps in neighbouring nations, repatriation to a country that despises them is their fate. I implore you all to inform yourselves about these human rights violations that occur out of sight. If you are not already aware that this kind of persecution still exists in this part of the world, I guarantee that you will be shocked.
Be aware that although life is extremely difficult for the average person in countries like Burma, some ethnic minorities' daily lives are worse than your most frightening nightmares. To most of us, horrors like the Jewish Holocaust in WWII are in the past, yet for some they remain a daily reality. Both are extremely important, yet it is vital we do not focus only upon what is in the media at the time, or what is "fashionable".
There are various ways to take action against human-rights violations that you know of, including simply spreading the word, writing letters, donating to well-researched organisations as well as supporting the initiatives of these organisations by signing petitions or writing emails. I urge you to review my past human rights articles, especially concerning the elders and the human rights anniversary campaign (please consider signing the pledge if you have not already).
Do some research, discuss issues in your social circle, and make a difference TODAY!
Take care,
Jetsam.
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