Civil and Human Rights Looking Deeper into the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Israel is portrayed as a democracy that shares American values. Is this true? Do all its citizens enjoy the same civil rights before the law? What about the human rights of those under occupation?
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Powell Scraps Plan to Attend Olympics Ceremony: visit had triggered angry protests from anti-war groups
Excite - News: "Powell Scraps Plan to Attend Olympics Ceremony | Aug 28, 7:39 am ET | By Michele Kambas
ATHENS (Reuters) - Secretary of State Colin Powell abruptly canceled plans to attend the Olympics closing ceremony in Athens on Sunday, a visit that had triggered angry protests from anti-war groups.
The State Department said the cancellation was forced in part because of events in Iraq and Sudan.
U.S. and Greek officials denied Powell changed plans because of protests against U.S. foreign policy that were dispersed when police hurled tear gas on Friday at about 1,000 demonstrators headed in the direction of the U.S. Embassy in Athens.
But Greek activists, who said the threat of street protests also forced Powell to cancel a trip in 2003, were crowing with victory.
'Of course, the cancellation was linked to our protests,' activist Yiannis Sifakakis told Reuters. 'This is a huge victory for the anti-war movement which protested by the thousands in the streets of Athens last night.'"
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
UN agent: Apartheid regime in territories worse than S. Africa
Haaretz - Israel News: "UN agent: Apartheid regime in territories worse than S. Africa | By Aluf Benn | Tue August 24, 2004
South African law professor Prof. John Dugard, the special rapporteur for the United Nations on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories, has written in a report to the UN General Assembly that there is "an apartheid regime" in the territories "worse than the one that existed in South Africa."
As an example, Dugard points to the roads only open to settlers, from which Palestinians are banned.
In his report presented early this month, Dugard is highly critical of Israel for its "continuing violations of human rights in the territories." He said Israel is blatantly violating the International Court of Justice's ruling on the separation fence, and has declared it will not obey it.
