Countdown Time! The 5 Worst Countries to Be Gay

Hello, blogosphere! I'm back with another countdown on this chilly Friday afternoon! Today I'm going to explore international gay rights, a completely new topic for me. As a pro-gay rights East Tennessean, I'm pretty in tune with gay rights within the United States. I love where I live but we are one of the least progressive areas in the nation when it comes to sexual equality; our state senator Stacey Campfield's recent hateful remarks about the gay community have set us back even further.

That being said, gay rights have been on my mind a lot lately.Through my reflection, I came to the realization that I am completely uninformed about sexual equlality in other nations. The way I see it, the right to love anyone you want is a fundamental human right. And as a professed human rights junkie, I decided that its time to read up on global pro and anti gay legislation and sentiment. So without any further ado...

The 5 Worst Countries to Be Gay:

1- Uganda: A 2007 Global Attitudes Poll revealed that 96% of Ugandans believe that homosexuality should be rejected by society; that's the highest rate of homophobia in the world. In 2010, strict anti-homophobia legislature was intensified, adding the death penalty as a punishment for "repeat offender" homosexuals. In 2005, President Yoweri Museveni added a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriage; Uganda is one of two nations with such legislation. Gay activists are shunned, harassed, and beaten to death in their own homes. Talk shows have been fined for having gay commenters on air. This blatant violence and discrimination gives Uganda the title as the worst country to be gay.

2- Iran: It is illegal to be an open homosexual or cross-dresser in Iran. In the past year multiple men and women have been beaten and killed for homosexual behavior. Men are specifically targeted for harsh corporal punishment. This violence is enforced and encouraged by the Iranian authorities. Meanwhile, people claim that gay Iranians do not exist. The UN Human Rights Commission has taken a stand by issuing a report about LGBT intolerance in Iran and strongly recommending that the government take action. The report carries international legal significance and represents an act of desperation to stop alarming injustice.

3- Cameroon: Any gay and lesbian behavior is outlawed in Cameroon. "Same-sex acts" have a penalty of 5 years in prison and a ludicrous fine. Cameroon authorities are also infamous for their mass arrests of gay men. In May 2005, 11 gay men were arrested and the government proceeded to threaten them with medical experimentation designed to "prove" their homosexual activities. In 2006, a number of tabloids published the names of at least 50 very prominent people they claimed were homosexual. A 2010 poll revealed that only 2% of the population favored the passage of progressive legislation regarding gay rights.

4- Sudan: The Shari'a law system in Sudan threatens capital punishment for any man or woman partaking in homosexual acts. Gays and lesbians are given thousands of lashes or buried up to their neck and stoned in the face. Harsh reactions to homosexuality conflict with several highly homoerotic tribes within the Sudanese tribal system. Transvestitic and homosexual figures are common within the traditions of several such tribes. This has clashed with Sudan's anti-gay policies over the past several years and several Sudanese religious institutions have become heavily divided.

5- Burma: Although the authoritarian nature of Burma makes it difficult to obtain data pertaining to LGBT life, existing evidence paints a grim and disturbing picture. Ten sections of Burma's penal code deal with the punishments for various sexual acts. Harsh measures are in place to prevent homosexuality and all other percieved sexual indecency. It is illegal to spread a sexually transmitted disease, distibute or make "obscene" material, engaging in homosexual activity, or doing anything that may affect the morality of an individual or society as a whole. This sexually restrictive legislation and attitude has resulted in intense fear and violence throughout Burma.

Playing the Culture Card

When I research any human rights issue in the world today, I usually run into the issue of culture. Proponents of a controversial behavior or practice use culture as an excuse for their actions. The first example that comes to mind is female genital mutilation (FGM). Millions of terrified girls and women are forced to undergo this process every year to "purify" their genitals. It is a woman's right to do to her body as she wishes; therefore, she is within her rights to mutilate herself in the name of culture. The trouble comes when cultural purification is forced upon girls too young and terrified to make the choice for themsleves. Culture is not an adequate excuse for permanently maiming an unwilling child.

Why do we treat culture as if it's infallible? Cultures of the world, just as the humans who create them, are flawed. Whether it be sloth, greediness, extreme materialism, persecution or abuse, culture breeds some of the worst parts of society. Therefore, the "culture-made-me-do-it" defense isn't really viable.

Don't get me wrong: I love exploring mine and other cultures. It is through culture that we discover some of the most beautiful creations that society has to offer (art, music and literature among them). However, no culture is perfect; that's part of what makes it genuine.

Note- I've just scratched the surface on culture. Expect more on this note soon!

The 5 Greenest Nations & Environmental Policy's Link to Human Rights

This week, I've chosen to count down the 5 most eco-friendly nations! This list is based on the prevalence of water/air pollution and environmental burden of disease, as well as forestry practices, chemical emmissions, and agricultural practices. So, without further ado, THE 5 GREENEST NATIONS!

1- Iceland: This is a nation that has carefully preserved its volcanoes, glaciers, and waterfalls.

It relies on sustainable geothermal energy and hydrogen energy (which it hopes to use exclusively). All citizens have access to clean water, large quantities of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems are protected. Most importantly, Iceland has a low reliance on coal and oil (and soon it will no longer use any coal or oil). This scale of clean energy and responsible stewardship makes Iceland the MOST eco-friendly nation in the world.

2- Costa Rica: Another nation that plans to become carbon neutral in the near future, Costa Rica is second on the countdown. This nation has done a fabulous job of maintaining its

beautiful ecosystems. Costa Rica knows the vitality of its rainforest as a resource and it has gone to great lengths to preserve its national treasure. The result? Stunning biodiversity, a successful tourism industry, and a glowing example of sustainability that Costa Ricans can take pride in.

3- Switzerland: Since the beginning of the 1900's, Switzerland has been taking the preservation

initiative. They created the Alps' first Alpine park. To cut down on carbon emission, a few Swiss towns have completely banned the use of cars. Other carbon reduction efforts include hydrolic energy heating systems in hotels, homes, and schools. There are fees to dispose of trash, encouraging citizens to cut down on waste and recycle.

4- Sweden: This is a nation dedicated to environmental responsibility in both word and action. The Swedish government has made plans to become fossil-fuel dependent, and has acted on this plan. Their fossil fuel use has declined by 30 percent. Furthermore, Sweden's cars are powered

by methane from cow dung, which is a cheap and sustainable

substitution for gasoline. Finally, Sweden recognizes the importance of productive use of resources-industries use

sawdust from logging to create wood pellets that can heat homes. This nation's focus on clean energy use is a signal of hope in an increasingly alarming energy situation.

5- Mauritius: This tiny African island nation has been working towards groundbreaking

environmental policies. Its remote location and position as an island presents challenges to environmental stewardship, but the government is committed to treating their resources and ecosystems in a responsible, sustainable manner. Their innovative waste management system includes the clean burning of solid matter, a cleaner alternative to dumping garbage. Mauritius uses its bounty of water for energy, as well as utilizing wind power and sugar cane plants for renewable energy. This African nation's determination to respect the Earth is a fantastic attitude that will hopefully be mirrored by surrounding areas.

What about the link to human rights?

The green rating of a nation is not usually thought to reflect human rights, but there is a tie-in. Consideration for the beauty and sustainability of a society often reflects a respect for the rights of that society's citizens. Environmental sustainability also shows that a nation is willing to spend a considerable amount of time and money to create a more beautiful, long-lasting society that citizens and members of the international community are free to enjoy. This shows that the government is willing to fund projects that make peoples' lives easier and more enjoyable, often indicating a nation in which citizens enjoy rights and liberties.

Microfinance: A World of Opportunity

One of my favorite books, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, introduced me to the concept of microfinance and its potential to absolve poverty while elevating the status of women. Before discussing microfinancing's implications in poor communities, however, an introduction is necessary.

In essence, microfinance consists of the provision of loans to low-income individuals that lack access to traditional banking. These loans can be used to expand pre-existing family business (like a farm) or establish independent small businesses. Well-organized micro-financing operations have been extremely successful in breaking clients out of poverty. Muhammad Yunus, Microfinancing guru and founder of Grameen Bank, claims that about 15% of clients break free of poverty every year have paid back all loans and broken free of poverty each year. The success of this economic empowerment is an incredibly exciting prospect in a developing world. As banking develops microcredit could easily expand at a relatively low cost yielding economic and societal progress.

As a delegate at East Tennessee's annual Model United Nations Conference, I proposed a microcredit pilot program for the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago. I started my research with the sole intention of economic opportunities for the impoverished; however, I soon discovered that microfinance can be a vehicle for sexual empowerment as well. By restricting membership to only poor women, you are giving females the chance to be financially independent. They no longer rely on spouses and gain more respect and power in their households. This gives women the freedom to demand rights, leave abusive relationships and raise their children the way they see fit.

The United Nations, MIT's Jameel Poverty Action Lab, BBC Business Weekly Program and countless professors and sociologists have conducted research on the implications of microcredit. Their findings have fueled the movement's growing momentum. Each year microfinance expands to new cities and nations, casting a wider net of opportunity. Thankfully, the days of controlling the needy by handing out rations are beginning to fade. Instead aid is becoming focused upon empowerment and economic independence and I couldn't be more excited.

Countdown of the Week!

I'm starting a weekly countdown that I think will inspire me to blog more consistently and give me human rights issues to write and research about. So without further ado, this week's countdown...

The 5 Most Oppressive Governments in the World Today

5- Somalia

Human rights abuses abound because of the complete lack of a legitimate central government since President Mohamed Siad Barre's flight from the country in 1991. Since then, transitional governments have existed, guaranteeing civil liberties that they did not provide. The most pressing human rights concerns include corruption within the judiciary system (causing horrific police brutality), restrictions on basic freedoms (including the detainment of journalists by the transitional government), and a nation-wide disregard for gender equality (which results in the routine genital mutilation and gang rape of Somalian women).

4- Syria
Syria's government is one of the most brutally oppressive in the world today. At a recent civil protest, President Bashar al-Assad ordered the death of hundreds of protestors. Shockingly, this death toll is not uncommon at such an event. Every month, at least 100 political activists are detained. The government is notorious for unwarranted arrests with ridiculous jail times. Police brutality has led to at least 20 prisoners' deaths.

3- Equatorial Guinea
The leader of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, is considered by some to be Africa's most corrupt dictator. The nation is a major oil exporter, and the abundance of oil causes government corruption and a vast, unbridgable gap between the super-rich and the direly poor. One of the most pressing concerns is the international community's refusal to recognize the corruption of the government. As a matter of fact, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Committee (UNESCO) named a highly sought-after prize after President Mbasogo.

2- Burma (Myanmar)
Burma is ruled by a highly authoritarian military state. Military officers hold unlimited rule at every level of government, and elections that have been conducted since 1990 have gone largely ignored by the existing Burmese government. The regime committed severe human rights abuses. Government security forces were responsible for extrajudicial killings, disappearances, rape, and torture. The government detained civic activists indefinitely and without charges. The government held detainees in life-threatening conditions. The army continued its attacks on ethnic minority villagers, resulting in deaths and forced relocation. Violence and societal discrimination against women continued, as did recruitment of child soldiers, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and trafficking in persons, particularly of women and girls.

1- North Korea

The government of North Korea is the most secretive in the world. The country is basically closed to all aid workers. North Koreans are also trapped inside their own country, and their daily lives are completely dictated by the government. The United Nations Human Rights Resolution on North Korea cites the country's "Torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, public executions, extra judicial and arbitrary detention, the absence of due process and the rule of law, imposition of the death penalty for political reasons, the existence of a large number of prison camps and the extensive use of forced labour". "Supreme Leader", Kim Jong-il leads the world's most oppressive cult of personality.

Sources:
http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=70&release=503

http://www.csmonitor.com/CSM/Lists/World-s-worst-human-rights-violators

http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2003/edition_02-16-2003/Dictators

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/eap/154380.htm

When Does Protest Cross the Line?

At the base of many historical conflicts between the people of a nation and its government is peaceful protest. When dissatisfied citizens compose the courage to speak out, tensions often run high and violence ensues. The London riots, for example, started as peaceful protest over a cop shooting and escalated to destruction for destruction's sake. On the other hand, the United States never would have been gained sovereignty if not for organized opposition. These contradictions seem to beg the question of exactly when protest crosses the line between productive and destructive.

It seems that the effectiveness of most protests can ultimately be traced back to the motives and discipline of said protest's architects. The key players in the London riots, for example, were young men with no clear motive but to set fire to a city that they were unhappy with. Additionally, many nobly intentioned protests (take, for example, the 2007 Burmese anti-government protests) fail to enact meaningful change because they do not have the willpower, strategy, or resources to topple societal order. The 18th century American Revolutionaries, on the other hand, had a distinct plan and governmental/military tools at their disposal because of their elite status in the preexisting society.

It is therefore (after much deliberation) my conclusion that certain conditions absolutely must exist before any kind of successful revolt can take place. The architects of protest must be informed and disciplined, the citizenry must be willing and able to call for change, and the movement must have certain resources at its disposal (whether they be financial, political, military, or cultural). If these conditions do not exist, odds are that the movement will fail loudly and violently, often causing the deaths of innocent people.

Human Rights for the Mentally Ill

I wanted to discuss an aspect of human rights that is not commonly discussed, and that is the extent to which mentally handicapped citizens have human rights in our society. Unfortunately, there are many mentally ill adults who are horribly mistreated by the mental health system, but don't have any other options. Furthermore, misconceptions about mental illness breed prejudice in the hearts of many, making it difficult for the disabled to get jobs or relationships that they deserve.

This is an issue that is affecting millions of families and individuals, and it therefore needs to be discussed. Although the mental health system is not perfect, it is designed to help those in its care. So instead of going on a crusade against this system, the mentally ill and their families, friends, and advocates should work with the system to make improvements. Then, patients would be more amenable to treatment options, and quite possibly take the steps to make huge improvements.

This would open up many doors for these patients, including living independently, having meaningful relationships, and possibly holding jobs. After all, it has been proven that having a schedule and a duty to society (according to UPenn's Martin Seligman) leads to a more fulfilling life. Additionally, these civically engaged citizens would be playing their part to make society function properly. I find these successful efforts at contributing to the world to be incredibly inspiring. In my hometown, there is a man with disabilities who has been working at the movie theatre for as long as I can remember. His hard work and kind attitude always brightens my day, and inspires me to dedicate myself to excellence as he does.

It is stories like these that reaffirm my belief that a mental handicap does not rule you out of achieving job opportunities and success. It is the right of these many citizens to have the chance to contribute. After all, a person is a person, even if they have problems (I mean, don't we all?). I believe that the mental health system must make the success and happiness of patients a huge priority so that they can live functional lives with loving relationships and a duty to society.