GLOBAL: Children's rights not yet a reality

GLOBAL: Children's rights not yet a reality

DAKAR, 20 November 2009 (IRIN) - Children's rights advocates are taking 20 November, the 20th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to highlight legal advances, but say when it comes to education, healthcare and protection in conflicts and natural disasters, children are often the first to be deprived of their rights.

"The Convention has revolutionized the way children are viewed in our societies," said Susanna Vilaran with the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child in a 20 November communiqué. "In many countries.governments, individuals and most importantly children, know [children] should be treated with respect."

The CRC is the most widely ratified human rights treaty.

Legal instruments introduced as a result of the CRC include the 2005 UN Security Council Resolution 1612, which established a mechanism to track six violations of children's rights in conflict, including rape, abduction, killing and maiming, and recruitment into armed forces.

The CRC also triggered regional child rights acts and policies, including the 1999 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the European Commission's launch of a child rights strategy.

"The CRC has encouraged politicians to listen to children's views and pushed their rights up the political agenda," said Save the Children's child rights adviser and advocate Jennifer Grant.

She pointed to a 2001 decision by the Indian Supreme Court directing the government to provide free lunches in government primary schools. This has turned into the world's largest mid-day meal programme, reaching over 100 million children, according to Grant.

In another case the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the Czech Republic had practiced racial discrimination in 2007 by wrongly channeling Roma children into remedial schools; the court awarded damages to affected families.

Rights have no meaning if you can't hold people to account when they are broken

National level improvements include the incorporation of children's codes into 70 countries' national legislation, say child rights groups.

Many national poverty reduction strategies are beginning to call for more funding for children's access to healthcare, education and social services, say Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) president Mohammed Ibn Chambas and UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) West Africa director Gianfranco Rotigliano in a joint statement.

"[When] children are better fed, and have access to health facilities...there is a multiplier effect in that the family and community economy is boosted and people may stand a chance of moving beyond the subsistence level," Rotigliano told IRIN.

However 77 million primary-school-age children worldwide are not in school while millions of children are unable to access even basic healthcare, according to the UN.

In West Africa three million children die before age five annually and 25 million are out of school, according to UNICEF.

For Save the Children's Grant more accountability is critical. When children's rights are violated and the national legal system does not protect them, children cannot access an international complaints procedure, she said. "This is a case of age discrimination. Every other UN treaty with reporting obligations has such a mechanism."

An "era of enforcement" is needed to improve the lives of children, said Grant. National governments must make their laws comply with the CRC. "Rights have no meaning if you can't hold people to account when they are broken."

DHANXIIR

DHANXIIR Maansha Allaah, Alleylehe waa kaa ninkii Faysal tooshka ku ifiyey fadhiidnimadda Raayale iyo xertiisa ku hareeraysan, kolhadii uu yidhi caalamkii oo dhami markay ka yaabeen beentoodii iyo balanfurka badan ay albaabadii ka qufusheen, eesha caala nin dheh. Weger; Adeer; guddo iyo dibadba magac kuma laha oo carruurta ayaa ku hadaaqda xukuumad xumadda ina haysatee igadaa warkooda, bal eeg Ina Daa'uudkan difaacaya dhiiga laga jaqayo maatida, Cabdi Haybahan aan weedhiisana u fiirsanayn iyo rag kale oo docda ku jira.

Jamhuuriya Online

The people of truth

The people of truth Commentary by Sayyid Qutb

In the name of God, the Lord of Grace, the Ever Merciful Indeed you are bound to die, and they too are bound to die; and then on the Day of Resurrection you all will dispute with one another in the presence of your Lord. Who could be more wrong than one who invents a lie about God and rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is not there in hell a proper abode for the unbelievers? It is the one who brings the truth and the one who accepts it as true that are God-fearing. They will have all that they wish for with their Lord: such is the reward of those who do good. God will expunge the worst of their deeds and will give them their reward in accordance with the best that they did. (The Throngs, Al-Zumar; 39: 31-35) Commenting on the preceding passage, the surah states that the dispute between the Prophet and his opponents is left to God for judgment, which will occur after they have all died. He will requite the liars as they deserve and give generous reward to the people of the truth. "Indeed you are bound to die, and they too are bound to die; and then on the Day of Resurrection you all will dispute with one another in the presence of your Lord." Death is the end of every living thing. Only God remains. In death all people share the same end, including Muhammad (peace be upon him), God's last Messenger. Mention of this fact here comes within the framework of the great truth the surah emphasizes, namely, God's absolute oneness. This is followed by stating what comes after death, because death is not the final end: it is a link in the chain of life that has been so ordained that no part of it passes in vain. On the Day of Judgment people will stand in front of God disputing with one another over what they used to claim, and how they reacted to the guidance God sent them. "Who could be more wrong than one who invents a lie about God and rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is not there in hell a proper abode for the unbelievers?" These are facts stated in the form of questions. None is more wrong than the person who makes false claims about God, alleging that He has daughters and partners, and who then rejects the truth preached by God's Messenger, refusing to believe in God's oneness. This is unbelief, and in hell there is a proper abode for all unbelievers. The interrogative form given to these two statements makes them clearer and more emphatic. This is one party to the dispute. The other party is the one who brings the message of truth given him by God, believes in it and delivers it fully convinced of its truth. That is God's Messenger. Sharing with him in this description are all earlier messengers of God, as well as everyone who advocates this message, fully convinced that it is true. These are indeed God-fearing. The surah speaks further about these people and the reward God has in store for them: "They will have all that they wish for with their Lord: such is the reward of those who do good." This is an all-embracing statement that includes all the desires that a believing soul may entertain. The verse states that this is theirs, ready for them with their Lord. This means that they have a rightful claim to it which will not be lost or denied: "Such is the reward of those who do good." Thus God gives them all that He wishes to give them of honour and blessing, which is in excess of their fair reward. Thus, He bestows on them an abundance of His grace: "God will expunge the worst of their deeds and will give them their reward in accordance with the best that they did." Fairness requires that good deeds are set against bad ones and reward is determined on that basis. God's grace, however, is that which God grants to His servants who feared Him: He writes off the worst of their deeds, so that they are not taken into account when their deeds are reckoned, and then He rewards them on the basis of the best they ever did. Thus their good deeds are made to grow and become preponderant. Such is God's grace which He bestows on whomever He wills. He has committed Himself to do this, giving a promise to this effect. Thus, it is a fact of which the God-fearing are certain.

PALESTINIAN CHILDREN MARK 20TH YEAR OF UN RIGHTS TREATY WITH VIDEO TESTIMONY

PALESTINIAN CHILDREN MARK 20TH YEAR OF UN RIGHTS TREATY WITH VIDEO TESTIMONY

Tens of thousands of Palestinian refugee children in United Nations schools in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria have been clicking away with flip cams to create the region's first ever online video yearbook to mark the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The project, launched yesterday, is organized by the United Kingdom-based non-governmental organization (NGO), Hoping Foundation, together with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the main body caring for some 4 million Palestinian refugees.

The "Hopes and Dreams" project encapsulates the youngsters' aspirations, bringing together on-line a community divided and scattered by decades of statelessness and exile.

Each student is recording a 30-second message. These will form the basis of a living network for the future, to be added to each year. The yearbook has been endorsed by Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, who is marking the Convention's anniversary at an event at UN Headquarters in New York.

The segments show the youngsters outlining their hopes in various situations – in the classroom or library, sitting by the roadside, kicking a soccer ball.

"Twenty years on, what difference has it made in the lives of hundreds of thousands of Palestine refugee children?" UNRWA asked in a news release on the anniversary of the Convention.

ENSURING CHILD RIGHTS STILL A CHALLENGE, 20 YEARS AFTER LANDMARK TREATY – UN OFFICIALS

ENSURING CHILD RIGHTS STILL A CHALLENGE, 20 YEARS AFTER LANDMARK TREATY – UN OFFICIALS

The Convention on the Rights of the Child has become the most widely accepted human rights treaty in history, but 20 years after its adoption, much more remains to be done to turn its promises into reality for millions worldwide, top United Nations officials said today.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the Convention, which has been ratified by 193 States, has inspired new approaches and advances in child survival and education, as well as increased awareness of children's specific problems.

"But realizing the rights in the Convention remains a huge challenge," he <"http://www.un.org/apps/news/infocus/sgspeeches/statments_full.asp?statID=651">told a special event in New York, just one of over 160 events taking place worldwide to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the landmark treaty by the UN General Assembly.

The Convention articulates a set of universal children's rights, such as the right to an identity, a name and a nationality, the right to an education, and rights to the highest possible standards of health and protection from abuse and exploitation.

The Secretary-General noted that millions of children still die before their fifth birthday from largely preventable causes. Millions more lack access to clean food, water and education, and are victims of violence and exploitation.

"That is why children should always have the first claim on our attention and resources," stated Mr. Ban, who met earlier in the day with youth activists, including from Brazil, Kenya and Pakistan.

However, this is especially true now, at a time when multiple crises threaten the poorest people, particularly in developing countries, he added. "Children must be at the heart of our thinking on climate change, on the food crisis, and on the other challenges we are addressing on a daily basis."

The head of the UN Children's Fund (<"http://www.unicef.org/index2.php">UNICEF) also stressed that much more remains to be done, despite all that has been achieved during the past 20 years. "That an estimated 8.8 million children continue to die before they celebrate their fifth birthday is simply unacceptable," Executive Director Ann M. Veneman <"http://www.unicef.org/media/media_51843.html">declared.

She also shared the stories of some of the children she has met during her travels, such as the girls in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who have been subject to sexual violence, the boys who were abandoned by their families as witches in central Africa, and children abducted from their families and forced to serve as child soldiers or sex slaves.

"As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Convention, let us remember the unspeakable violations of rights that occur almost daily to the most innocent of innocents, children," she told the event, which was emceed by UNICEF's Advocate for Children Affected by War, Ishmael Beah, a best-selling author and former child soldier from Sierra Leone.

"The world must build on the progress achieved to ensure that stories such as theirs become part of the past."

Earlier this week, as part of its commemoration of the Convention's anniversary, UNICEF launched a special edition of its flagship <i>The State of the World's Children</i> report, tracking the impact of the treaty and the challenges that remain.

Among other things, the report stressed that the rights of girls still require special attention, noting that the majority of children not attending primary school are girls, and girls are more likely to suffer sexual violence, be trafficked or forced into child marriage. In many regions they are also less likely to receive essential healthcare.

AS EUROPEAN POPULATION AGES, UN BODY SUGGESTS WAYS TO ENHANCE SENIOR LIVES

AS EUROPEAN POPULATION AGES, UN BODY SUGGESTS WAYS TO ENHANCE SENIOR LIVES

The number of elderly people in Europe is on the rise and responding to their changing needs is one of the biggest challenges that governments have to face this century, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (<"http://www.unece.org/press/pr2009/09pau_p02e.htm">UNECE) said today.

In Europe, there are now 4.4 people of working age for every person aged 65 years or older, UNECE said. By 2025, there will 3 working-age people for every elderly person, and by 2050 it will be 2 working-age people for every elderly person.

To help prepare policymakers for the population change, UNECE is launching a series of four policy briefs on aging: mainstreaming ageing; gender equality, work and old age; older persons as consumers; participation and integration of older persons.

Among the recommendations is a plan to realize a "society for all ages," for which countries will need to enhance older persons' participation in social, political and economic life and improve their access to transport, appropriate housing and cultural activities.

Another brief recommends differences when drafting pension laws given that elderly women in UNECE countries live longer than men and have little income after their partners' deaths.

"Guinea: The Junta Must Leave",

African Peace-building Agenda: "Guinea: The Junta Must Leave",
François Grignon

back to "On the African Peace-building Agenda"

The situation in Guinea remains alarming. Despite the negotiations in Ouagadougou and the build up of regional and international pressures, the junta seems like it would rather lead the country into a civil war than give up power. . The Ouagadougou negotiations enter a critical phase today; their agenda should be limited to the departure of the junta. A "National Unity Government" that allows the current military regime to stay in power would only increase the risks for the region. To prevent a catastrophe, ECOWAS and the United Nations should start preparing for an eventual military intervention.

Since Dadis Camara took power in December 2008, political tensions have constantly increased. They reached the point of no return on 28 September, when security forces executed demonstrators, killing 160 people and injuring 1700. Testimonies about the organization of the killings point towards a premeditated massacre: the military units that carried it out  were already in position  while officers issued  orders at the stadium Since that day, security forces have led a terror campaign, using rape and torture as tools of repression.

Popular resentment grew against a junta that showed its determination to stay in power. In response, the junta's leaders have paralyzed the democratic transition and blocked the creation of a National Transitional Council (Consiel national de transition CNT) an inclusive consultative body meant to over see the transition process. Opposition leaders became the target of harassment and arrests, and political discussions were banned in the national media. Given the situation, the union of opposition parties and civil society leaders, the "Forces Vives", decided to suspend its dialogue with the junta.

Prior to that, the African Union had announced its intention to declare sanctions against the junta if Dadis Camara did not confirm that neither he nor any member of the CNDD (Conseil national pour la démocratie et le développemen) would run for the January 2010 presidential election. On 17 October, ECOWAS imposed an arms embargo on the military junta. Ten days later, the European Union and the United Nations declared targeted sanctions against some members of the junta. Following the killings, the international community demanded the creation of an independent commission of investigation. ECOWAS has named president Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso to mediate the crisis.

Notwithstanding the international pressure, Dadis Camara's behavior remains unequivocal. The military junta has denied  any responsibility in the massacre and has refused to release those who were  arrested during the September demonstration. Dadis remains the Head of State despite calls for him to step down and the public administration has been militarized. All but three of 33 prefects have been replaced by military officers since 2008. Pro-junta support groups and youth organizations have been created throughout the country. The situation is particularly worrying in Guinea Forestière, where Camara's supporters play on the resentment of local communities against Malinkés, Fulanis or Sousou, three ethnic groups that are seen as beneficiaries of previous regimes. Now idle, former militias are ready to take up arms to fight again, adding to the general tension.

In 2001, when Charles Taylor's army attacked Guinea Forestière, Lansana Conté had recruited, trained and armed around 6000 young men from the Macenta region. After fighting for their country, many of them joined the anti-Taylor combatants in Libéria. Only few of them have been disarmed and reintegrated into their community. These trained combatants have difficulty  adjusting to civilian life and have become a major source of trouble in the region. The recruitment of militias trained outside Conakry may be the result of ethnic or personal divisions, or  the accumulation of power by individuals. They are of great concern since any violent breakdown within the military could mean civil war for Guinea or an increase in massacres against groups perceived as opponents to the junta.

Moreover, a conflict in Guinea could destabilize the entire region. Cross-border movements of combatants and refugees along the Liberian, Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leonean frontiers could reanimate the conflict in these still vulnerable countries.

ECOWAS' leaders and Burkina Faso's President, Blaise Compaoré, must not be deluded. The negotiations with the junta will be difficult, even more so because for most Guineans the only acceptable outcome is the replacement of the junta by a transitional civilian administration. They will accept no other high-ranking military official other than the Defense Minister, responsible for re-establishing order in the barracks and disarming the militias. The transitional administration should lead the electoral process, which can only be credible if it is free of any military control. Dadis Camara and all officials that have taken control of the civil administration and functions of the state must leave. Only then will Guinea's democratic transition resume.

The Forces Vives also have a role in the transition. Their internal conflict over leadership must stop: their concern should be the interest of all Guineans rather than personal ambitions. Members of the transitional administration in charge of organizing the elections should not be allowed to run for presidency. Nor should they be allowed to place one of their allies in the State apparatus in order to finance and support their campaign.

The price for the junta's departure could  be high. Dadis and his followers might demand a golden exile, and impunity for the crimes that were committed on 28 September. However, it is still too early to address this issue: the conclusion of the international commission of investigation must be known first. It is essential that the commission establishes the responsibility of high ranking state officials, including Dadis Camara, and draws the necessary judicial conclusions.

Moreover, the sub-region should send a military mission to Conakry without further delay. This would give the junta a clear sign that a repetition of Sierra Leone and Liberia's civil wars will not be accepted in Guinea. The mission should start an open but firm dialogue on the dismantling of militias and the recruitment of Liberian combatants. It should be conducted in agreement with the mediation of Burkina Faso's President. A high ranking official of the Nigerian army would likely  be best suited to lead it. The creation of a reduced protection force should be discussed and planned with the Guinean army: a force equipped with air power would be enough to protect the members of Forces Vives and the international commission. In the long term, the region will have to assure the security of the civilians and the organization of the elections.

However, the international community should be prepared for the worst. A regional military mission should be planned. The mission's aim should be to confront militias and protect civilians. Western countries should be ready to provide rapid air transportation and other resources needed to prevent an escalation of violence in Conakry or in the country's other major cities. This plan is not only a necessary measure to prevent the outbreak of a conflict, it also signals to the junta that its departure from power is non-negotiable.

During the last months, ECOWAS and the African Union have reacted to the deterioration in Guinea with  impressive resolution. Dadis Camara and the officers behind him are counting on the negotiations stalling: they hope that this will allow them to stay in power and buy  time until the storm of international condemnation is behind them. Recently, the military have returned to power through fraudulent elections or military coups throughout the African continent. Guinea must be the starting point to halt this trend once and for all. The status quo can only lead to chaos. There is still time to avoid it.

François Grignon is Crisis Group's Africa Program Director.

Haj boost Muslim unity’

Haj boost Muslim unity' Hamid Al-Sulami | Arab News

SEEKING BLESSINGS OF ALLAH: Faithful attend Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. (AN photo by Ahmad Hashad)   MAKKAH: Millions of pilgrims, who have come from different parts of the world for this year's Haj, attended Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. The Makkah imam reminded the faithful of the annual pilgrimage's role in strengthening Muslim unity. "We can see here people praying to God in different languages, who have come from different corners of the world. They try to know each other and understand the meaning of unity and solidarity," Sheikh Saud Al-Shuraim said at his Friday sermon. He urged the Muslim faithful to stand united under the banner of Islam, following the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. At the Prophet's Mosque, Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al-Qassim led the Friday prayer. "The Haj will cleanse the faithful of sins they committed in the past," the imam said in the Friday sermon, quoting a Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). "Paradise is the reward for a blessed Haj," he pointed out. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who have been in Madinah since the beginning of the Haj season are arriving in Makkah now. "A bus departs for Makkah every five minutes," said Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Bijawi, director of the Madinah branch of the Haj Ministry. Almost 800,000 pilgrims have visited Madinah to pay homage to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and pray at his mosque. They have also visited the historic sites, including the Quba Mosque, the Qiblatain Mosque and Al-Baqeea graveyard. Of these pilgrims, half arrived by land and the rest by plane. Faisal bin Abdul Rahman Usra, director of the office for pilgrim bus guidance, said 28,656 buses carried 1.24 million pilgrims to Makkah as of Friday. Meanwhile, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah arrived in Jeddah on Friday en route to Makkah to closely supervise this year's Haj operation. Senior officials including Intelligence Chief Prince Muqrin and Education Minister Prince Faisal bin Abdullah accompanied him. Nearly three million pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year, which begins on Nov. 25. According to a Haj official, there was a 13 percent increase in the number of pilgrims who have come from abroad this year compared to last year. — Input from Yousuf Muhammad and Muhammad Humaidan

Mohamed Ali Farah oo maanta ku geeriyooday magaalada London

Mohamed Ali Farah oo maanta ku geeriyooday magaalada London

Gudoomiyihii gudida dhexe UK ee ururkii xaq u dirirka SNM Mujaahid Mohamed Ali Farah oo maanta ku geeriyooday magaalada London.

Allaha ha u naxariistee waxaa saaka ku geeriyooday magaalada London ee dalka UK, Marxuum Mohamed Cali Farah, oo ka mid ahaa asaaseyaashii ururkii SNM, isla markaana Xubin ka ahaan jiray barlamankii Soomaaliyeed ee lixadankii, wakhtigaa oo uu ka mid ahaa dhalinyaradii  firfircooneyd ee xoriyadii lixadankii dhalisay.
Mohamed Cali Farah waxaan Ilaahey uga baryaya in u ka waraabsho  Jannadii, isaga iyo muslimiinta kale oo dhan. Ehelkii, qaraabadii iyo dhamaan Ummada Somaliland na samir iyo iimaan ka siiyo.
Aamiin

Warg Degdeg ah: Wasiir ka tirsan Xukuumadda Somaliland oo geeriyooday

Warg Degdeg ah: Wasiir ka tirsan Xukuumadda Somaliland oo geeriyooday

Hargeysa (Somaliland.Org)- Wasiirkii Macdanta iyo Biyaha Somaliland Qaasim Sh. Yuusuf, ayaa maanta ku geeriyooday Magaalada Makka ee Sucuudiga.

Allaha u naxariistee sida uu sheegay Agaasimaha Wasaaradda Warfaafintu, Marxuum Qaasim Sheekh Yuusuf oo dalka Sucuudiga u tegay gudashada waajibaadka Xajka, ayaa halkaa ku geeriyooday.

Ma jirto wax War ah oo intaa dheer oo ka soo baxay geerida Marxuumka. Somaliland.Org kala soco wixii ka soo kordha.

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423 Palestinian kids suffering in Israeli jails

423 Palestinian kids suffering in Israeli jails Mohammed Mar'i | Arab News

RAMALLAH: Palestinian Minister of Social Affairs Majidah Al-Masri said on Thursday that 423 Palestinian children are currently living in what she described as "difficult and painful circumstances" in Israeli prisons. Accusing Israeli jailers of committing acts of psychological abuse and molestation, Al-Masri said that in addition to the strife of the children of Gaza, "the children in the West Bank are deprived from having a safe life due to the Israeli policy of uprooting and Judaization." Her remarks came during a press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child that prohibits the kind of punitive treatment Israelis have been accused of by human rights groups. The convention states that imprisoning children is a measure of "last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time." According to the Defense for Children International, Israel detained or imprisoned an average of 375 Palestinian minors (under 18) per month, including children as young as 12. This marks an increase from 319 children per month the previous year. Many of these children are arrested, blindfolded, interrogated, jailed and fined for rock-throwing incidents. In violation of the Geneva Convention, these detainees are held outside of the territory of occupation by a foreign force. Families of detained minors generally have difficulties entering Israel in order to visit their relatives. "The children in Palestine are witnessing a dangerous situation due to Israeli violations in Palestinian society, which has 1.9 million children," said Save the Children Foundation-Palestine spokesman Iyad Al-Aaraj. Al-Aaraj pointed out that Israel considers Palestinian children adults if they're over the age of 16, so they can be tried as adults in Israeli courts. During security sweeps, the Israeli Defense Forces regularly target, detain or interrogate Palestinian males between the ages of 15 and 45. In September, Israel began releasing 20 Palestinian women as young as 16 in exchange for a video of Israeli hostage Gilad Shalit proving he is still alive. Two of these young women – Barah and Samah – showed up at an Israeli checkpoint last year with kitchen knives in their backpacks. They showed the knives to the soldiers and were quickly arrested. When questioned they said they wanted to be arrested to get out of Ramallah and their oppressive parents; Samah was going to be forcefully married to a much older man. They were both charged and found guilty of attempted murder.

Arab News Editorial: Sport and violence

Editorial: Sport and violence 20 November 2009

Algeria's 1-0 football win over Egypt in Wednesday's World Cup qualifying play-off in Khartoum, was no doubt all the sweeter for the victorious team after the violence mounted against them on and off the pitch last week, when they were defeated 2-0 in Cairo. However, neither country can feel proud of its fans. In both Marseilles and Algiers after the Egyptian team successfully leveled the aggregate score and forced the deciding match, Algerians rioted, attacking Egyptians and Egyptian-owned businesses. Indeed Algerian hooligans have been in evidence throughout the country's World Cup qualification campaign. Some 71 people including three policemen were injured, some with serious stab wounds in riots that followed the October defeat of Rwanda in Blida. Such behavior is completely unacceptable. Disturbingly, however, neither the Algerian nor the Egyptian authorities have taken much in the way of action against their country's thugs. In Cairo football officials contradicted claims by media and the Algerian team that the players and management had been bombarded with lumps of concrete, claiming the missiles were in fact oranges. Well it certainly wasn't a salvo of oranges that had shattered the windows of the Algerian team coach taking the players from the airport to their hotel two days earlier. Why are the authorities in both countries apparently prepared to tolerate such lawlessness by so-called supporters of football? Even more to the point, why has not the sport's governing body FIFA acted decisively against this hooliganism? It has a range of punishments that can be mounted against national football authorities, including ultimate disqualifying the national team from an international competition. One senior sports journalist yesterday made the cogent comment that if it had been a French or an English team bus that had been attacked by thugs or an international star such as David Beckham or Thierry Henry who had been injured by missiles hurled from the stands, the uproar from FIFA would have been immediate and immense. Instead because these were "just" Algerian and Egyptian players, the violence did not matter to anything like the same degree. Inherent in this approach is the deplorable view that such behavior is only to be expected of countries such as Algeria and Egypt. The failure of the police and football authorities in both places to act decisively only lends support to this objectionable analysis. It's time this nonsense was stopped. Football is just a game. Whether at national or club level, like all other sports, it is to be enjoyed as a spectacle of skill and daring. Supporting your country or local team is fine, if it is recognized that the only contest is out there on the pitch. There is no place for the thuggery of fans. Violence does not in any way support the team, does not support football and most seriously causes serious damage to the whole concept of sport. The arrival of big money may indeed have distorted football but has nothing to do with the crimes of loutish supporters. FIFA and football authorities everywhere, not just in Egypt and Algeria, must crack down on these morons.

20 swine flu cases reported among pilgrims: Al-Rabeeah

20 swine flu cases reported among pilgrims: Al-Rabeeah Muhammad Humaidan | Arab News

JEDDAH/RIYADH: Twenty swine flu cases have been reported among foreign Haj pilgrims since they started arriving for this year's pilgrimage, Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah said at a press conference in Jeddah on Thursday. "Twelve of them have been treated and the remaining cases are under observation. We hope they will recover within two days," he said. Al-Rabeeah said no other cases of contagious diseases have been reported among pilgrims, claiming the ministry's early health preparations for this Haj season were bearing fruit. "Our focus this year has been on swine flu and the Department for Preventive Medicine and Haj agencies have appointed 80 consultants for the intensive care centers during the current season," he said. These consultants include specialists from contagious disease control centers in Saudi Arabia, other Arab countries and the United States. Al-Rabeeah said the ministry has ensured adequate supplies of medicine to treat the disease, and this includes 1.5 million doses of the H1N1 vaccine for pilgrims. On Thursday he held a meeting with top officials to review the ministry's preparations to meet pilgrims' health needs. He said the ministry had taken every precaution to protect pilgrims against swine flu and other contagious diseases. "We have also installed the Biomimetic and Cognitive Robotics laboratory to detect swine flu," he said. He said BCR tests are available at Mina Hospital, in addition to the three high-tech labs in Makkah. He stressed that the ministry is able to contain the flu because of its intensive effort in coordination with the World Health Organization. The Ministry of Health has set up 14 hospitals in Makkah with 2,782 beds. Besides these facilities, these hospitals are equipped with 244 beds in intensive care units and 287 emergency beds. There are 35 permanent health centers in Makkah, nine seasonal health centers along the Makkah-Madinah Expressway and four centers inside the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Twenty-eight health centers will operate in Mina, 46 in Arafat and six in Muzdalifah. The ministry has deployed 10,000 health workers including 100 doctors, 60 of them foreign specialists in infectious diseases, and 147 foreign nurses for intensive care units and emergency centers. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has ordered all pilgrims coming for Haj this year to show evidence of having been vaccinated against swine flu. "We made the vaccination mandatory for all pilgrims to protect them, their families, and all those who come into contact with them," executive director of health policy at the UAE Ministry of Health Dr. Mahmoud Fikri said. The UAE made the stipulation after it secured the first batch of the swine flu vaccine, and last week launched its national campaign to vaccinate all citizens and expatriate residents for free. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, was the first in the country to have the vaccine. The UAE Ministry of Health has designated four locations in Dubai and another 30 across the country for vaccinating pilgrims and complete other medical checkups needed for Haj. All UAE pilgrims will obtain the yellow health international vaccination certificate once they have received the swine flu vaccination. The certificate also proves all other vaccinations required for Haj have been administered, in accordance with Saudi requirements. The head of the UAE Haj medical mission Dr. Abdulkareem Al-Zar'ouni, said that a number of clinics for these pilgrims have been set up in the mission headquarters and in pilgrims camps in the holy sites. He pointed out that these clinics provided physicians and medical personnel, along with all necessary drugs and medical supplies to offer pilgrims the best possible health services during Haj. — With input from Md Rasooldeen and Saeed Al-Khotani

XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS IN SOUTH AFRICA DRAW CONDEMNATION FROM UN AGENCY

XENOPHOBIC ATTACKS IN SOUTH AFRICA DRAW CONDEMNATION FROM UN AGENCY

The United Nations refugee agency today condemned the latest xenophobic attacks that have driven some 3,000 foreigners, including refugees and asylum-seekers from Zimbabwe, from a community in South Africa.

The incident is the first large-scale xenophobic attack affecting refugees and asylum-seekers in South Africa since May 2008, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (<"http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home">UNHCR), which is sending staff to De Dooms, a farming community 140 kilometres northeast of Cape Town, to work with local authorities to make it safe for foreigners to return there.

"We have moved quickly to help the displaced," <"http://www.unhcr.org/4b06744f9.html">said UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic. "They are now awaiting the outcome of negotiations with local farmers who attacked their homes on Tuesday, accusing them of stealing their jobs by accepting cheaper wages in vineyards."

Mr. Mahecic told a news conference in Geneva that documented refugees and asylum-seekers have the legal right to work in South Africa, but tensions often erupt over competition for jobs.

Those evicted are now staying in a sports field and a community centre in De Doorns, sleeping under three communal tents – each sheltering 1,000 people – supplied by the Government, and receiving meals from the South African Red Cross. UNHCR has donated smaller family tents to help ensure privacy for the families.

The agency welcomed the rapid humanitarian response of the local authorities and the fact that water, portable toilets and a mobile health clinic were provided within hours.

UNHCR has been supporting efforts to combat xenophobia in the country, where some 45,000 people were uprooted and 62 killed, according to Government estimates, after tensions between South Africans and foreigners erupted into violence in May 2008.

Ogaden: Seven Ethiopian towns taken

Ogaden: Seven Ethiopian towns taken

Somali Ogaden fighters formed the ONLF in 1984 and have attacked government forces regularly Ethnic Ogaden fighters in Ethiopia have launched an offensive in the southeastern Somali region and claim to have recaptured seven towns from government forces. In a statement released early on Saturday, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said its attacks were launched across a broad front and had begun on November 10. "The operation involved thousands of ONLF troops and resulted in  two days of heavy fighting. A significant number of Ethiopian troops  have been killed and their military hardware captured or destroyed,"  it said. The ONLF said its forces entered the towns of Obolka, Hamaro, Higlaaley, Yucub, Galadiid, Boodhaano and Gunogabo - where government forces had deployed troops and positioned military hardware. "ONLF forces were warmly welcomed by the population in these  areas and are administering medical care to those civilians killed  by retreating Ethiopian occupation forces," the statement claimed. The Ethiopian government has not responded to the statement. Formed in 1984, the ONLF is fighting for the independence of ethnic Somalis in Ethiopia's oil-rich Ogaden region - which they say has been marginalised by the government in Addis Ababa. The Ethiopian military launched a counter-offensive against ONLF rebels after they attacked a Chinese-run oil venture in Ogaden in April  2007, killing 74 people. In April, Ethiopia said it had significantly weakened the the anti-government force, a claim ONLF rejects.

Source: AFP