The Fall 2015 Global Awareness Forum Roundtable on Human Rights featured four members of the College faculty: Dr. Nancy Nenno, Dr. Edward Chauca, Dr. Malte Pehl, and Dr. Chris Day. Each of faculty member has a specialty in a certain area of the world, and knowledge of the human rights issues within that area.
Dr. Edward Chauca spoke primarily about Mexico and Central America, especially on the case of the 43 missing students in Mexico in 2014. These students, protesting the state government, vanished and their bodies were never found. In the wake of the search for these students, many mass graves were uncovered, none of which contained the students. This, however, raises the questions: “Who are these people?” and “How does this happen?”. Criminals are either sentenced for human rights violations and set free, or they are only suspect of human rights violations but jailed for corruption. Unfortunately, there is a lack in a political movement that goes beyond activism; the change needs to be within the political sphere as well as in the public circle.
Dr. Chris Day focused on the Central African Republic and human rights within the framework that the civil warring creates. Civil war creates breaks between intercommunal bonds. Because of the split, both armed officials and rebels control human rights and resources. Government control extends no farther than the capital because of rebel factions. But without a unified ceasefire, there cannot be elections. Of all the rights, the right to life and security fall above others. The problem lies with the path to reach those rights.
Dr. Nancy Nenno’s main point is that it is harder to identify human rights violations in Europe than in other areas of the world because, like violations within the United States, we don’t want to see it. There are a large number of refugees right now, both economic and political refugees. One of the largest human rights issues in Europe right now is the freedom and safety of religion. Panic continues to spread as more refugees cross into Europe, and those rights should not be tampered with.
Dr. Malte Pehl is well versed in topics regarding India, particularly human rights and the rights of women and children. Within India, it is too often the case that the state is the cause of human rights violations. Unfortunately, the police infrastructure is corrupt to the point that women who are seeking help from abuse or rape are either pushed away or taken advantage of. There are also still cases of caste discrimination and dowry murders. Bonded labor and child labor are still used to pay off debts which are passed down from generation to generation and while this labor is technically illegal, the citizens do not know their rights. India does have open elections, but the problem lies with enforcing the laws and protecting people from the enforcers.
Each of the four faculty members urged the necessity for awareness of these issues in the global sphere as well as at a local level. Give your time to movements with a cause to help and support people in these conditions. Make sure that you are looking at multiple sources, gathering information from widespread viewpoints. The freedom of press is an important factor in making sure a change can come. Use it.