Top 10 HR Struggles

1. Paola C.: Somalia  http://paolac7.blogspot.com/

Somalia struggles truly shocked me. The strict laws and the horrible punishemnts violates human rights in an unexplainable way. They seriously need a new government and as soon as possible.

2.Wilson: Afghanistan http://wilsonsmetalblog.blogspot.com/

Afghanistan is always under constant attacks. How can people live like this, plus dealing with many human rights violated.

3.Anluishgie: Indonesia http://allprorights.blogspot.com/

Tunisia’s government isn’t stable and the military soldiers are abusers with the people of their own country. The people need help. They shouldn’t be abused and they should feel secure.

4. Shariemar: India http://together4freedom.blogspot.com/

Women should be respected and educated. They shouldn't be feel inferior to men. Women should be helped!

5. Valeria: Uganda http://lovingourrightsvale.blogspot.com/
Children are abducted and used as soldiers. They are using defend-less kids and brainwashing them to use them. I think this is a serious problem! Someone has to fight for this children. Also the violence there has to stop!


6.Angelica: Mexico http://hisonmexunrep.blogspot.com/

Mexico has serious issues and violation of human rights. Mexicans that try to flee their country to find a better life often get punished. I’m strictly against these acts of injustice. Mexico needs help and no one helps them!

7. Yeleishka: Yemen  http://yeleishkahumanrights.blogspot.com/

I disagree on the act of torturing people. This is a serious issue and violation of human rights. I hate it even more because the tortures are mostly done by the government.

8. Ian: Haiti http://thehaitiinme.blogspot.com/
Haiti has always been a poor country and even more now that they suffered a natural disaster recently. People are dying because of lack of food, violent acts and no medical help. They should have the chance to live longer lives.

9. Natalia S.: China http://thisislifeinchina.blogspot.com/
The Chinese government restrictions violate many human rights. Basically, people have no freedom.

10. Roberto: Brazil http://worldunderstandings.blogspot.com/
I'm against torture and injustice. Brazil needs help in how to treat people and get information from them.

Proposal

           Sudan is Africa’s largest country. For decades, it has been on constant war, chaos, discrimination and struggle. People’s rights have been ignored. People who feel superior think that they have the right to treat other like garbage. But guess what? We are all equal!

In Sudan, Black Africans are abducted and used as slaves in Arab Muslim’s homes. There right to be free has been taken away from them. They are not treated as humans. For me, the worst thing someone can do is take my freedom away. This has happened to thousand Sudanese people. The UN is supposed to take care of this or the government. Guess what? None of them do! The UN, the same group that organized the human rights, they too have ignored Sudanese problems and pain. Because they forget that this people feel pain too! A genocide occurred in Sudan and the UN appeared months later...

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Some UN guards have been caught mistreating Black Africans.

              I bet that if you are reading an article about an unstable country that violates human rights, you would say let the UN deal with it. But does this picture make you think the same way? It doesn't make me feel any safer. People should help others because they want to...because they feel that they need to...because their hearts are telling to do so. This could be you! Living a life where you have no freedom, where you don't feel secure, where you are discriminated, and when death might be in the next corner. Thats no life!

              The whole world should help prevent future wars that only bring death and hunger. Sudan needs a fair government. One that pleases both Arab Muslims and Black Africans. A government that believes in EQUALITY. Money is always also needed because this people need food. No one should die because they don't have money to buy food.  I say that if Sudanese people want peace, the Southern part should be given independence already. If they were independent, they could have a government that the people of that part of Sudan want. That is one of the main reasons of discrimination, death and slavery toward Black Africans in Sudan. The government itself has encouraged Arab Muslims to do so. I belief that the separation of Sudan will stop many of the human right violation going on right now. Other countries should help Sudan take this step. Peacefully! Not bringing any army. Peace won't be acquired by using Violence!

             In conclusion, Sudanese people rights are ignored! They are humans too! They feel the pain! Help is needed. Money, support, medical treatments, and peaceful protests is whats going to help Sudan. Information about the human rights violations in Sudan should be worldly published, so more help can be gathered.

Human Rights Issue

        The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is for everyone! Still, some humans are denied these rights.  People in Sudan are in constant danger because the country has been in war with itself-the north vs. the south and the government hasn't done much. This war has been around for approximately two decades and millions of deaths have been reported. It must be horrible to live in a place, where at any moment, you may be a victim of an attack done by rebels. It isn’t secure for people to be out in the streets. A person shouldn’t live with this fear that another person is going to take their life away. Article 3, which states that everyone has the right to live and feel secure, is violated with this act.

       Sudan is divided into two major groups-The Arab Muslims and the Black-Africans. The reason for constant fights within the country is because Arab Muslims are treated better than Black Africans and the country favors the Islamic religion. They are being discriminated because of their religion! Some Sudanese laws are based on writings in the Quran( holy Islam book). These are some of the reasons why Southern Sudan, where the majority of the Black Africans live, wants to separate from the northern part, where the majority of the Arab Muslims live. Even people who are not Muslims were asked to follow these laws. If this laws were not followed, Islamic They were forced to follow a religion that is not the one they chose. These problems violate Article 1, which states that everyone is equal, and Article 2, which states that everyone has the right of freedom of religion.

        You thought slavery didn't exist anymore? This is not correct. Slavery still exists in Sudan, but of course illegaly. This is a huge violation! Men, children, but especially women are abducted and use for forced labor  and sexual exploitation. In other words, they are slaves! This act violates most articles, but especially Article 4, which states that everyone has the right to be free.

         Human rights can not be ignored. Sudan's government doesn't care about any of this violation of human rights or at least they don't do much about it. We should not ignore this. This could happen to you. They are human too and no human is better than another one. We are all equal! Still, there are people who treat others as if they were not humans. That is totally unacceptable. We can not just ignore the problems of the world! For me, the worst thing that someone can do to me is take away my freedom. All of the human rights violations of Sudan, in one another way or the other, involve taking someone's freedom. Their freedom to speak, practice their religion, travel, eat, have a job and even to be equal to others. 

Slavery in Sudan

Sudan's History

Every country has had its problems and this had influence the current state that the country is in. Sudan has had conflicts in past years due to fights for independence and disagreement between the two major groups of people-Arab Muslims and Black Africans. A brief history of Sudan will now be presented.

                Sudan was controlled by Egypt and the United Kingdom. The Southern part of Sudan was not ever very united with the rest of Sudan. In 1953, the UK and Egypt decided to let Sudan become independent. In January 1, 1956, Sudan achieved complete independence and had a provisional constitution. This provisional constitution favored the Arabians. Arabians promised the south part of Sudan that a federal system would be created, but they didn't fulfill their promise. The southerners formed a rebellion that led to 17 years of civil war. This civil war began in 1955 and ended in 1972. Differences in culture and religion (Northerners are Muslim and the southerners have indigenous cultural beliefs) have created this fights within the country and no progress in the economy or government. Sudan shelters refugees that flee from other countries and this too was affected by the civil wars. One of the first leaders after Sudan's independence was General Ibrahim Abboud. He tried to strengthen Sudan by forcing people to follow an Arabization and Islamicization policy. He was later overthrown and a civilian caretaker government assumed control. Southern Sudan was divided between the ones that wanted a strict well-formed government and the ones that said they could rule themselves. They were allowed to vote whether they wanted to be independent or not.

The country was controlled by Arab Muslims. They didn't want independence for the southern part. Later in 1969, Colonel Gaafar Muhammad Nimeiri came and took over. He changed Islamism for socialism and he did try to give independence to the southern part. For this, he didn't have any support from Muslims. So, he tried to sign peace treaties with Sudan's neighbors. Since this didn't work out and he planned, he tried to gain the support of the Muslims. The traditional punishments of the Islamic Law would now be used in Sudan, but even Muslim groups didn't agree. Nimeiri was overthrown and so was the other man that came to power after him. In 1989, an Islamic army led by General Umar al-Bashir mounted a coup and installed the National Islamic Front. The new government’s commitment to the Islamic cause intensified the North-South conflict. This group didn't want any independence for the south. Bashir's army caused problems to Sudan. The UN didn't want to help Sudan because of things like the attempt of President Mubarack's death that Bashir had been related to. During this time, a second civil war had started.

       During the 1990s, Sudanese groups continue to separate even more. This caused many groups(Muslim and Non-Musilm) to become sympathetic with the southern rebels led by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). Neighboring countries also supported this group. In 2005, with the help of neighboring countries, Sudan was able to present a peace treaty called "Peace from Within" to the government. This treaty decreased conflict between the north and the south. Millions died in this civil war. Today, the president is Omar al-Bashir. His opinion is that South Sudan won't be stable after they acquire independence. Still, Southern Sudan is still fighting for it. On January of this year (2011), the people of the South were allowed to vote if they wanted independence or not, but late in the afternoon the voting polls were closed because of an attack done by rebels. Violence levels have increased and deaths have been reported, but Southern Sudan is prepared to become independent in July 2011. They only want peace and equality.
  
               
            As you may know, history affects the present. This constant violence and discrimination is what influences the current state of Sudan. Like other countries, because of the troubled past human rights are forgotten. On my next blog, I’ll be explaining some human rights issues occurring in Sudan.

Sudan History
Sudan Recent History
Recent Sudan News

Celebration of Culture

 Sudanese Culture

Language. In Sudan, people speak Arabic and English and other dialects like Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, and Sudanic.

Religion. Most people are Sunni Muslim. 5% of the population are Christians. 25 % follow indigenous beliefs.

Food. Most people like to start there day with a cup of tea or coffee. Their breakfast consists of beans, salad, liver, and bread. Millet is the most common and basic dish. Another common dish is called Ful. Ful is a dish of beans cooked in oil. In the north, people rely on dairy products and meat from camels. Meat is expensive and not often consumed.

Food for Sudanese Ramadan

                                         

Traditions involving food. Sheep are killed for feasts or to honor a special guest. The intestines, lungs, and liver of the animal are prepared with chili pepper in a special dish called marara. The Feast of the Great Sacrifice, or as people of Sudan call it Eid al-Adha. A sheep is killed and part of the meat is given to people who cannot afford to buy one. The Eid al-Fitr, or Breaking of the Ramadan Fast, is a large family meal. Prophet Muhammad's birthday is another holiday but it's more for children'sbecause it involves preparating special desserts like pink sugar dolls and sticky sweets made from nuts and sesame seeds.

Marriages. Marriages are traditionally arranged by the parents. This tradition is still done by poor and wealthy Sudanese. Marriages are often between cousins,other family member or between members of the same tribe and social class. The bride and groom usually have not seen each other before the wedding. The woman is expected to be a virgin. A man must be economically self-sufficient and able to provide for a family before he can marry. Middle class women usually get married after they finish school. For people of lower social classes the age is even younger. Divorce is more common now but its still considered shameful. The legal age for marriage is 18, but many Sudanese don't follow this law. Homosexuality is illegal in Sudan.

Sudanese wedding! Observe all the pretty jewelry the woman is wearing. 

Etiquette. Any kind of greeting involves the use of their religion. Some common greetings are "Insha Allah", which means it's Allah will and "alhamdu lillah", which means may Allah be praised.In Sudan, instead of using utensils the common thing is to use your right hand (hands are washed before eating!) or to use a piece of bread for dipping.

Music and Dance. Sudanese enjoy listening and dancing to music. Music and dance are also an important part in religion. Signing, dancing, and the use of drums are always done in any kind of celebration. Through dance Sudanese sometimes act out verses from the Quran. Sudan has many Arabic influences, so belly dances are performed too.

                            

                            

   In this video, Sudanese people sing and dance to God about their problems,but still with a positive attitude.

Art. Sudanese art is very colorful. Some artists express their dual African and Islamic identities throughout their art. Calligraphy is an important part of their art too.

Clothes. Men wear trousers and a shirt for professional workplaces. Sudanese men preferably like to wear the traditional  jalabiya or long pastel-colored robes and the tagia or like a small hat. Out-door working men wear baggy pants.Woman have to be covered from head to toe by common  Islamic dresses. Cross dressing is illegal and if someone does it they are publicly beaten.

Sports. Sudanese people LOVE soccer! It is the most common sport played because it is played both by the upper and lower social classes.

Additional Sudanese Culture
More Sudan Culture
Sudan Culture

Country Overview

Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Red Sea, between Egypt and Eritrea

Geography: Large mountains, hills, plains, and plateau

Population: 45,047,502 people

Current Government Type: National Congress Party and Sudan's People's Liberation Movement share power.

Literacy Rates: 61.1%

Education Rate: about only 4 years of education

Languages: Arabic and English are the official languages; dialects: Nilotic, Nilo-Hamitic, Sudanic

Religions: Sunni Muslim 70%, Christian 5%, indigenous beliefs 25%

Birth Rate: 36.12 births/ 1,000 population

Death Rate: 11 deaths/1,000 population

Life Expectancy: The average age people reach is 18 years.
                           (0-14years: 42.1%, 15-64years: 52.2%, 65 or more: 2.7%)

Ethnic Groups: black: 52%, Arab 39%, Beja 6%, foreigners 2%, other 1%

                                                                      Beja Woman

Legal System: The southern legal system is still developing under the CPA following the civil war; the now defunct Revolutionary Command Council imposed Islamic law in the northern states. Islamic law will not apply to the southern states

Suffrage: Both men and woman have the right to vote when they reach the age of 17.

Unemployment Rate: 18.7%

Population Below Poverty Line: 40%

                                    

Industries: oil, cotton ginning, textiles, cement, edible oils, sugar, soap distilling, shoes, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, armaments, automobile/light truck assembly

Communications: Internet Users: 4.2 million, Mobile Phone: 15.341 million,
*TV and Radio are controlled by the government

Military Service: Men and women between the ages of 18 and 33 are obligated to serve the army 12 to 24 months.

National Anthem: We are the Army of God and Our Land

National Holiday: January 1 (Independence Day)

Capital:  Khartoum

Natural Hazards: Dust Storms and droughts

Transnational Issues: Sudan's issues are constant ethnic and rebel militia fighting. Another huge problem and violation of human rights its the abduction and use of men, children, but in most cases women for forced labor and sexual exploitation. In other words, they are slaves.

                                              

                                            

CIA- The World Factbook