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> Thur., Apr. 1, 2004
FSRN
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Today's lead stories:
Fullujah Killings Overshadow Iraqi Deaths
Another Controversial Judicial Nomination
Welfare Reauthorization Filibuster Stands
Welfare From the Front Lines
India Deporting Nepalese Despite Human Rights Concerns
FSRN Headlines
A leading Colombian human rights group reported this morning
that the country's war displaced fewer civilians from their
homes last year but that conditions for the nation's 3 million
internal refugees have worsened. Chip Mitchell reports from
Bogotá.
Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Europe according to yet another
human rights reprot. Naomi Fowler has more from London.
Troops have been dispersed throughout Sri Lanka today in
preparation for tomorrow’s elections. Ponniah Manikavassagam
reports from Sri Lanka.
The US House of Representatives voted to deny federal funds
to colleges and universities that ban military recruitment
on campus. From D.C. Steven Lacey reports.
Amnesty International says nothing called a “roadmap
to democracy” in Burma can take place without activists
like Aung San Suu Kyi or her organization the National League
for Democracy. The ruling military government officials said
they will convene a constitutional convention on May 17th.
But, Amnesty International and other human rights groups say
the conference will be meaningless without the now jailed
Suu Kyi. 14-hundred other political dissidents were released
from prison yesterday in Burma, many of whom were later put
on house arrest and denied outside communications.
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Fullujah Killings Overshadow Iraqi Deaths
In the aftermath of the graphic and brutal deaths of American
mercenaries in Fallujah, today US Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt
sent a cold threat to the people of Fallujah saying that American
troops will seek out those responsible for the attacks, “It's
going to be deliberate. It will be precise and it will be
overwhelming”. Yet as our correspondent in Iraq, Aaron
Glantz reports, no one seems to be counting the many Iraqi
civilians who, since the start of the occupation, are dying
on a daily basis. (For more reports from Aaron Glantz, visit
Pacifica Radio’s website where Aaron is posting regular
dispatches: www.pacifica.org)
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Another Controversial Judicial Nomination
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee approved another controversial
Bush judicial nomination. By a strict party line vote the
nomination of William Meyers, a former lawyer and lobbyist
for the mining and beef industry, was approved for the 9th
Circuit Court of Appeals. Now the nomination moves to the
Senate floor where another contentious debate is expected,
especially in light of President Bush's recent recess appointments
of two other controversial nominees. Mitch Jeserich has more
from Capitol Hill.
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Welfare Reauthorization Filibuster Stands
Today Republicans in the US Senate were unsuccessful in
their attempt to break a Democratic filibuster on the reauthorization
of welfare reform. Ingrid Drake reports from Washington, DC.
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Welfare From the Front Lines
With the congressional debate about the reauthorization
of Temporary Aid to Needy Families, or TANF, taking place
on Capitol Hill welfare advocates and recipients around the
country are bracing for what they see as potentially damaging
legislation. The array of issues on the table, from child
care and work hours, to lifetime limits and marriage promotion,
deeply effect the every day lives of the mostly women and
children receiving welfare today. Sarah Olson has more from
Oakland, California
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India Deporting Nepalese Despite Human Rights Concerns
For the past 30 months, Nepal has been under a state of
National Emergency. The ruling monarchy dissolved the constitution
and the military has been on the streets fighting the Maoist
revolutionaries. The Nepali military is accused of human rights
violation such as abductions, disappearances, and brutal rapes.
In light of these open abuses many in Nepal question the substantial
financial and military assistance that is coming to Nepal
from the United States, the United Kingdom and India. Before
Sept 11 the US military support to Nepal was just half a million
dollars, but last year that amount shot up to $29.5 million--an
increase of 150 percent! India meanwhile, deports Nepalese
refugees back to their country, the cases often ending in
custodial deaths and disappearances. Now, a movement is spreading
across South Asia against the unconstitutional deportations.
Our correspondent Vinod K. Jose files this story.
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