Protection of Human Rights from Tyranny of the Ballot Box
As we here in the US know, Proposition 8 in California has been, rightfully, struck down. The challenge by opponents and action to affirm the rights of Gay minorities indicates the strength of American courts to challenge and defeat discriminatory measures, especially referendums. This is something that is lacking in Europe, in the European Union, where there are plenty of human rights conventions, but weak and ineffective courts and legal institutions.As a result political animals like Nicloas Sarkozy are taking advantage of the situation by proposing burka bans and actions against the Roma people in France - even as the Council of Europe states these measures are illegal. In Europe - as we know about the Netherlands - the safety, security and human rights of Dutch Muslims are held hostage to election outcomes. This is about the same in much of Europe, as Europeans place more value on "free elections" than freedom and absolute human rights for ALL!
Categories: American politics, Freedom and Liberty, Netherlands, Religious freedom, Western society Tags: Burka and headscarf, elections, European values, Freedom in Europe, Gay rights, Human rights, threats to freedom
The EU and the US in confronting Iran
When the European Union appears to line its policy up with the United States, we should take notice and examine the policy for yet another instance of "Please America First."This article weighs the Security Council Resolution 1929 aimed at Iran- and the further steps taken by the US and the EU's "package." The "package" of EU sanctions is found wanting from the standpoint of European values, especially in light of the past, deadly sanctions against Iraq in the 1990s. More Please America First from Lady Ashton? Is the EU once again following the US with regard to Iran?
Categories: American hegemony over EU, American world order, ESDP/CSFP, EU Member States, European Union, European values, International system, Security, United Nations Tags: American hegemony, CSFP/ESDP, European Union, European values, Lukid Party, Middle East, Peace and cooperation, Russia
ECtHR shuts down UK extradition to US – questions conditions in US Supermax Prisons! OH YEAH!
This Author's long-awaited day when the cruelty and inhumanity of America's prisons and jails comes under much needed international and European scrutiny has arrived! The ECtHR has put a stop on the extradition of four "terror suspects" until the question into their conditions of confinement in the ADX Florence "supermax" prison is examined. The question is if America's Eighth Amendment and the current case law with it meet the same conditions as Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights. It is my view that American law falls far short of the higher European standards with emphasis on human rights and human dignity. It is also time to tear down the supermaxes!Well - OHHHH YEAH!
Categories: American world order, Anglo-American system, European values, Human rights in America, Security, Terrorism Tags: American criminal injustice, American hegemony, ECtHR, European values, Freedom and Liberty, Human rights, prisons and jails, threats to freedom, torture and ill-treatment
The EU should help hold Israel accountable!
The brutal attacks on “activists” on-board an aid ship by Israeli stormtroopers. . Now that 15 or more “protesters” or “activists” of various nationalities on-board an aid ship have been killed by Israeli stormtroopers – will we finally see some actions against the bad behavior of some bad nations, like Likud-controlled Israel?Well - the radicals in Likud Israel need to be given the message that this type of violence is unacceptable.
Categories: ESDP/CSFP, European Union, European values, International system, Middle East, United Nations Tags: CSFP/ESDP, European values, Lukid Party, Middle East
Joe Biden and Terrorism in the EU
When I take my trip back to the Netherlands next year, will I, too, be profiled? Travel freedom depends on saying "no" to more efforts to profile people...and saying "no"for more data intrusions to Mr. Biden is also in order.
Categories: American world order, European values, International system, Security Tags: 911-excuse, European values, Freedom and Liberty, Freedom of expression, Human rights, threats to freedom, Travel freedom
Voting for Hate in Hungary
Jobbik is the founder of the jack-booted paramilitary Magyar Garda, whose members take their oaths under banners of the old fascists responsible for sending Jews to Auschwitz. The party would like to bring back the murderous Gendarmes, with a past ruthlessness that even shocked the Nazi Germans.These dangerous radicals are back - and they are not only have elections gains recently, but they are in the schools and universities radicalizing more people to their hateful cause.
