Thursday, May 2

Author: Spencer Hayes

Spencer Brooke Hayes writes about the intersection of economics and human rights for the Global Economic Report. Spencer earned a Masters Degree International Affairs with a concentration in Global and Homeland Security from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany. She earned her Bachelors's Degree in Political Science and Philosophy in 2019 from the University of Connecticut. Spencer has been accepted into a doctoral program this Fall at the University of Connecticut. She will study international relations and comparative politics.
The Hidden Heroes of the Afghan Refugee Crisis
25Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Human rights, Migration, Immigration, Borders, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Brief

The Hidden Heroes of the Afghan Refugee Crisis

August 25, 2021--As observers around the world watch in horror the collapse of human rights in a Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, humanitarians are stepping up to the plate to assist vulnerable members of Afghan society. Governments Relocating Refugees In a press briefing this week, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Ned Price discussed successful relocations from Afghanistan. He credited a number of contributions by countries in the relocation efforts. Specifically, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Italy, Bahrain, and Germany. These governments have assisted in the transit of at-risk Afghans, US citizens, and other Afghan evacuees. Alongside those efforts, Germany, Spain, and Italy have deployed armed troops to Afghanistan to assist in the evacuation. These force...
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Afghanistan’s Fall Creates The Worst Humanitarian Crisis of the Year
19Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Migration, Immigration, Borders, Types of News: Brief

Afghanistan’s Fall Creates The Worst Humanitarian Crisis of the Year

Scenes of chaos at the Kabul airport. August 19, 2021-- The jaws of Hell opened this week as Kabul, Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, parting the gates for the worst humanitarian crisis of the year. Images from around Afghanistan emulate the disruption and chaos that has come from this growth in Taliban power: Taliban members smiled at the media cameras in their conquered territories. Afghan civilians clung to US Air Force planes departing from Kabul, pleading for a way out of the country. As The New York Times put it, this week's events are "a symbol of America's military might, flying out of the country even as Afghans hung on against all hope." https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1427292291320975360?s=20 'Cannot Abandon The People of Afghanistan' Half of the coun...
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China’s Belt And Road Projects Involved With 679 Human Rights Violations, Researchers Say
12Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Foreign Aid, International Development, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Human rights, Types of News: Brief

China’s Belt And Road Projects Involved With 679 Human Rights Violations, Researchers Say

Report Takes A Critical Look At China's Development Projects Abroad And Calls for Greater Transparency August 12, 2021-A report released yesterday links China's Belt and Road Initiative with 679 allegations of human rights abuse between 2013 and 2020. "China’s aspiration to become a ‘responsible great power’ is set to be undermined by high rates of human rights abuse linked to its overseas business operations," according to the report publisher, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre. Worst-Case Scenarios in Places With Weak Governments Counties with the highest number of abuse allegations include Myanmar, Peru, Ecuador, Laos, Cambodia, and Indonesia. The authors discovered that the highest rates of alleged abuse were prevalent in countries with weaker govern...
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Biden Schedules ‘Summit for Democracy’ in December 2021
11Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Democracy, Types of News: Brief

Biden Schedules ‘Summit for Democracy’ in December 2021

August 11, 2021--President Joe Biden announced plans today to gather world leaders this coming December to discuss the future of Democracy. The commitment to addressing authoritarianism, promoting human rights, and combatting corruption will be the principal themes of the "Summit for Democracy," according to the White House release. Democracy Promotion Is A Priority for Biden The Biden Administration has long emphasized the benefits of democratic values in its foreign policy approach. According to the White House, the administration has understood the challenge of convincing the global population that democratic principles can rectify current issues and improve human rights. Therefore, the summit invites world leaders to demonstrate the progress of their democratic commitments. ...
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US, Canada And UK Mark One-Year Anniversary Of Belarus Election With More Sanctions
10Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

US, Canada And UK Mark One-Year Anniversary Of Belarus Election With More Sanctions

Lukashenko Defiant In Face Of Sanctions On One-Year Anniversary Of Disputed Election August 10, 2021 --A year after Belarus's contested presidential election, several Western governments added more names to their sanctions program against Belarusian officials and entities. The United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom launched a coordinated action on Monday to demonstrate resolve against the government of Belarus President Lukashenko. "The Lukashenko regime continues to crush democracy and violate human rights in Belarus," said UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. "These sanctions demonstrate that the UK will not accept Lukashenko’s actions since the fraudulent election. The products of Lukashenko’s state-owned industries will not be sold in the UK, and our aerospace companies wil...
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Troika To Meet Again In Effort To Get Afghan Peace Talks Moving
9Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Types of News: Brief

Troika To Meet Again In Effort To Get Afghan Peace Talks Moving

The photo is of a past Trioka meeting. August 9, 2021--Representatives from the United States, Russia, China, and Pakistan are meeting this week in an effort to breathe life into intra-Afghan peace talks. The members say there's "no military solution" to the conflict in Afghanistan. Even so, the Taliban continued to make military advances over the weekend. The Troika is scheduled for Wednesday in Doha, Qatar. This comes after a special representative briefed the UN Security Council on Friday about the mounting violence and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. What is the Troika The August 11th meeting will be the third Extended Troika gathering of the four countries this year. Similarly, the representatives of the Troika also met on March 18th and April 30 of this year. ...
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EU Sanctions Eight More Individuals Over Nicaraguan Political Situation
6Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Domestic Politics, Sanctions, Types of News: Brief

EU Sanctions Eight More Individuals Over Nicaraguan Political Situation

August 6, 2021—In reaction to more political arrests in Nicaragua, the European Union sanctioned an additional eight individuals. As the GER previously reported, the Nicaraguan government has been arresting political opponents and people who have criticized the government ahead of elections scheduled for November. The EU references the continued deterioration of Nicaragua's political situation, "The political use of the judicial system, the exclusion of candidates from the elections and the arbitrary delisting of opposition parties are contrary to basic democratic principles and constitutes a serious violation to the rights of the Nicaraguan people." More Arrests Last week, the Nicaraguan police arrested José Antonio Peraza, a political science professor and the leader of th...
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Even In The Olympics, There’s A Political Side
3Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Organizations, IMF, WTO, G7, Types of News: Analysis

Even In The Olympics, There’s A Political Side

August 3, 2021-- For the past week, people across the globe have gathered in front of their TVs to watch the momentous events of the Olympics. The Olympics emulate an image of peace through their recognition of cultures in the events and ceremonies. "The athletes show us that, despite all our differences, it is possible for humankind to live together in peace.," said IOC President Thomas Bach. "This is our Olympic message: yes, it is possible to compete with each other, even for the highest prize, but at the same time to live together peacefully under one roof in the Olympic Village.” Facing the option of a jump-off to decide who will win the gold medal for the high jump, Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi -- who both cleared 2.37m -- decided to share the vict...
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European Convention on Human Rights Gives More Say to National Governments
2Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Europe, EU, Eurozone, Types of News: Brief

European Convention on Human Rights Gives More Say to National Governments

August 2, 2021 -- An amended framework for human rights decisions in a 47-member convention came into force yesterday after all members ratified an update called Protocol No. 15. Aside from administrative changes, the addition is meant to strengthen the role of state governments in international treaties. Stronger National Roles in Human Rights According to the explanation, the Court gives greater leeway to national governments to decide how to apply and implement the Convention. "This reflects that the Convention system is subsidiary to the safeguarding of human rights at the national level and that national authorities are in principle better placed than an international court to evaluate local needs and conditions," the explanatory report says. Background The decision to re...
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Corruption Comes Into Focus After Special Prosecutor Flees Guatemala
2Aug By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Corruption, Bribes, Illicit Finance & Money Laundering, Types of News: Brief, Types of News: Infographic

Corruption Comes Into Focus After Special Prosecutor Flees Guatemala

August 2, 2021--Corruption has long plagued Guatemala, as well as the broader Central American region. It's one of the root causes of mass migration from the region to the United States. Moreover, it has a corrosive effect on the political and economic systems in Northern Triangle. Occasionally, we come across one incident or event that illustrates the larger problem. That happened this Summer as a special prosecutor fighting corruption in Guatemala fled for his life after getting sacked from his position. Who Is Juan Francisco Sandoval? And Why Does He Matter? Juan Francisco Sandoval worked as a special prosecutor fighting corruption in Guatemala. On July 23, he fled Guatemala for his safety after losing his job. Photo credit: La Hora Juan Francisco Sandoval is a respected G...
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