http://physiciansforhumanrights.org The latest posts from PHR's blog. Convio Content Management System Module en-us physiciansforhumanrights.org-432738019 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/closure-of-guantanamo-a-gordian-knot.html If the Obama administration wants to successfully resolve the 'Gordian Knot' that is the Guantánamo Bay detention centre, it has to untangle it carefully with a comprehensive approach proving that indefinite detention is not needed. Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500 physiciansforhumanrights.org-432011387 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/visit-by-burmese-leader-offers-key-opportunity.html Burmese President Thein Sein is scheduled to meet with President Obama today, marking the first visit to the United States by a Burmese head of state in 47 years. Since that visit in 1966, the people of Burma have endured governmental mismanagement, brutal military rule, and serious human rights violations. Burma became a pariah state, synonymous with its infamous imprisonment of political activists and militarized attacks on civilians. Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500 physiciansforhumanrights.org-427269945 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/ongoing-politicization-of-medical-affairs-in-bahrain-requires-vigorous-response.html The cancellation of an international medical ethics conference that had been scheduled for April 10-12 in Bahrain is another sign that the country’s rulers continue a systematic pattern of politicizing medical affairs. Fri, 03 May 2013 00:00:00 -0500 physiciansforhumanrights.org-426380747 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/failing-to-heal.html In a recently released bipartisan report on detainee treatment at the detention facility in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, the Constitution Project’s Expert Task Force devotes a whole chapter to the spectacular failure of medical professionals in GTMO to protect detainees from harm or injustice. Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 physiciansforhumanrights.org-424948218 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/a-dark-day-for-human-rights-in-burma.html On April 22, the European Union lifted all sanctions against the Burmese government except for an arms embargo. The international community’s rush to applaud the Burmese government’s nascent reforms will ultimately hamper further improvements. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 physiciansforhumanrights.org-424973986 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/stained-glass-transparency.html Bahrain has again indefinitely postponed a visit by the UN’s special rapporteur on torture, the latest in a series of attempts to deter human rights observers from scrutinizing the kingdom’s dismal human records record. The government told the rapporteur, Juan Méndez, that his visit could be “immensely damaging” to the Bahrain National Dialogue, an initiative that should welcome such a visit if it truly seeks to promote reform. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 -0500 physiciansforhumanrights.org-414964137 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/un-commission-on-the-status-of-women-affirms-dedication-to-ending-all-forms-of-violence-against-women.html United Nations member states ended the 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) by adopting agreed conclusions that affirmed international dedication to ending all forms of violence against women. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 physiciansforhumanrights.org-411600709 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/phr-joins-coalition-to-arrest-sudans-bashir.html Four years ago today, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan, on seven counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity including killings, rape, and torture. On July 12, 2010, Bashir was also charged with three counts of genocide. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0600 physiciansforhumanrights.org-411561508 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/hopes-at-un-for-galvanizing-the-world-to-eliminate-violence-against-women-and-girls.html PHR is hoping that the 57th session of the United Nation's Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), an international forum that has dedicated this session to the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, will galvanize efforts around the world to achieve that goal. Wed, 06 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0600 physiciansforhumanrights.org-395352917 http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/blog/a-congolese-hero-is-welcomed-home.html In October, 2012, Dr. Denis Mukwege, founder and medical director of Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and renowned gynecological surgeon who has treated thousands of victims of sexual assault and brutal rape, was the target of an assassination attempt in his home in Bukavu. His family was terrorized, and his trusted aide and guard, Joseph Bizimana, was murdered while defending Dr. Mukwege. After the attack, the Mukwege family left the DRC and took refuge in Belgium, and then in the US for several weeks. His absence from Panzi was keenly felt, and his return the cause of much joy. PHR’s DRC Coordinator, Caroline Dauber, describes his homecoming. Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0600