Human Rights

Human Rights is connected to the environment, since so often political and economic power is used to suppress the desire to live in a clean and safe place. In addition, war often causes famine and disrupts human and ecological communities. See also Environmental Justice

See also Africa on blood diamonds and rape minerals.

Friends of the Earth Links

Overviews and News

Civilians attacked in Sudan 12/12

Death Threats Against A Human Rights Defender: Vidulfo Rosales In Mexico 6.12

YouTube announced the launch of a new Human Rights channel in partnership with advocacy nonprofit WITNESS, and social news-gathering service Storyful. 5/12

Stop Kony video by Invisible Children also analysis.

Living under the constant threat of assassination, Francisco Pineda courageously led a citizens' movement that stopped a gold mine from destroying El Salvador's dwindling water resources and the livelihoods of rural communities throughout the country. Learn more at goldmanprize.org.

Ka Hsaw Wa co-founder and executive director of EarthRights International (ERI) and a member of the Karen ethnic nationality, was one of the student leaders in the 1988 Burmese student democracy uprising and has been a human rights activist ever since, working to document and resist human rights and environmental abuses within Burma (and around the world). Ka Hsaw Wa has been awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize, Reebok Human Rights Award, Whitley Fund for Nature/Sting and Trudie Styler Award for Human Rights and the Environment, and the Conde Nast Environmental Award.

The Price of Sugar In the Dominican Republic, a tropical island-nation, tourists flock to pristine beaches unaware that a few miles away thousands of dispossessed Haitians have toiled under armed-guard on plantations harvesting sugarcane, much of which ends up in U.S. kitchens.

Two more Tibetan women die in self-immolation protests against Chinese rule 3/12

In Memoriam: Lest we forget eco-heroes who gave their lives for us and the planet

See also eco-heroes Chico Mendez and Ken Saro Wiwa.

Chico Mendes was killed protecting the Brazilian Rain Forest. Sadly, activists there are still in danger. Recently two Mexican eco-journalists were also killed audio text.

David "Gypsy" Chain was killed defending old growth forest.

Ken Saro-Wiwa (1941-95) was executed by the Nigerian government during his fight to prevent the further exploitation of his Ogoni people by the Shell Oil Company. book devoted to him and his writings

Mexico: Environmentalist Who Challenged Drug Gangs Murdered in Ambush Despite Police Escort 11/12 In the latest violence out of Mexico, an environmental activist who took a stand against drug gangs has been murdered along with her 10-year-old son in the southern state of Guerrero. Juventina Villa was under police protection after receiving death threats when she withdrew to make a phone call and was ambushed by at least 30 attackers. Her seven-year-old daughter survived. Villa had challenged efforts by drug gangs to destroy forests in order to plant their crops. More than 20 members of her extended family, including her husband and two children, had already been murdered.

Take Actions to Protect

Amnesty International is the foremost defender of people who are being imprisoned and even killed for their ideas; they have an excellent track-record and need your participation. Just by letting dictators know we are watching, it keeps activists alive and gets them released; they offer San Francisco internships.

Human Rights Watch

Committee for the Protection of Journalists. Sadly, 2012 is record year for journalists killed. You can help keep them safe with an email.

Bay Area organizations