Wednesday, December 25

Author: Spencer Hayes

Spencer Brooke Hayes writes about the intersection of economics and human rights for the Global Economic Report. Spencer earned a Masters Degree International Affairs with a concentration in Global and Homeland Security from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany. She earned her Bachelors's Degree in Political Science and Philosophy in 2019 from the University of Connecticut. Spencer has been accepted into a doctoral program this Fall at the University of Connecticut. She will study international relations and comparative politics.
What Is The BDS Movement?
30Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Middle East, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Infographic

What Is The BDS Movement?

Covering the business side of human rights wouldn't be complete without mentioning the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement. It's hard to know how large the movement is or account for its impact. One way to understand it is to look at how it started. The Movement Modeled after the boycott movement against apartheid in South Africa, the BDS Movement started in 2005. According to the movement's website, its goal is to "end international support for Israel's oppression of Palestinians and pressure Israel to comply with international law." In short, it stands for Palestinian freedom from the Israeli government. The movement protests for the boycotting of Israel entirely in response to the country's repressive actions towards Palestinians. The Launch A group called the Pa...
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Global Economy Rebounds to 6 Percent Growth
29Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Global Economics, Types of News: Brief

Global Economy Rebounds to 6 Percent Growth

IMF projections, July 2021 Trade Expected to Grow by 9.7 Percent July 29, 2021--The global economy is returning to strong growth this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Trade, travel and economic activity are resuming following the global pandemic. In the United States, growth is projected at 7 percent. The Euro area is expected to have a 4.6 percent increase. And emerging markets and developing economies are rebounding from the recession with 6.3 percent growth this year. Prices & Inflation Consumer prices are increasing by 2.4 percent on a global basis. Commodity prices are rising, with oil jumping by 56.6 percent. Trade Trade is expected to pick up by nearly 10 percent this year and then to 7 percent in 2022. According to the IMF, "The merchan...
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Arab Spring’s Sole Democracy Erupts in Crisis
27Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Democracy, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

Arab Spring’s Sole Democracy Erupts in Crisis

Tunisian President Fires Prime Minister, Raids Media And Takes Control July 27, 2021-- Tunisia, while seen as the Arab Spring’s “success model” has entered into its largest political crisis since 2011. Tunisia is one of many countries hit especially hard by the global pandemic. Its economy shrank by 8 percent in 2020. People are expressing anger and demanding changes. As the country faces an economic crisis and mass protests, Tunisian President Kais Saied is intensifying efforts to control the crisis. On Monday, he removed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi from office. Saied has since imposed a curfew through August 27 and banned gatherings of more than three people. "The most dangerous thing faced by countries and societies is an internal explosion, internal fighting," Saied sa...
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International Responses to Cuban Protests: From Sanctions To Aid
26Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Foreign Aid, International Development, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

International Responses to Cuban Protests: From Sanctions To Aid

July 26, 2021--Since mass protests erupted in Cuba earlier this month, the Cuban government has arrested hundreds of protesters and prosecuted many of them on charges of contempt, public disorder, vandalism and marching without face masks. The country is facing a grave economic crisis as the population deals with food and medical shortages. The United States responded by imposing sanctions against government officials. Meanwhile, Russia and Mexico are sending supplies of food and medicine. Thousands of citizens protested in fifty-eight locations throughout Cuba. They rallied for access to food as well as changes to their government's one-party rule. Many were met by Cuban police who the government ordered to arrest demonstrators.  Mass Arrests, Whereabouts Unknown The governm...
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Afghanistan Is At the Center Of Attention This Month As The Taliban Raises Havoc
20Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Types of News: Brief

Afghanistan Is At the Center Of Attention This Month As The Taliban Raises Havoc

July 20, 2021--As foreign troops pull out of Afghanistan, neighboring countries are buttressing up their borders and extending ties with one another to protect themselves against instability. Meanwhile, the Taliban grow increasingly violent.  Growth in Terror Today, the Taliban attacked the presidential palace in Kabul by a rocket attack. Financial Times reported that the rocket attack is the consequence of increased Taliban control. Furthermore, the Taliban most recently seized the Spin Boldak border. Fighting between the Afghan military and Taliban members have placed civilians in the line of fire. On July 16th, Danish Siddiqui, a Reuters’ journalist and photographer, and a senior Afghan officer were killed in what Afghan officials a "Taliban crossfire". Siddiqui was covering the fi...
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Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe
20Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Geopolitics, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

Belarus, Still The Last Dictatorship In Europe

Increasing Human Rights Violations Since 2020 Draw Attention July 21, 2021-- Belarus' reputation as a repressive nation has gotten even worse. Here's why. On a trip to Lithuanian in 2005, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice referred to the former Soviet republic of Belarus as “the last remaining true dictatorship in the heart of Europe.” It angered officials in Belarus at the time. The administration of President Alexander Lukashenko asserted that the country's future is “determined by the nation’s people.”  Sixteen years later, the country is still ruled by Lukashenko. And he rules it with an iron fist. East Or West? Five years ago, Lukashenko faced a difficult decision: Partner with Russia, his closest ally, or apply to join the European Union. Belarus decided not to choose ...
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China Issues Paper On Human Rights, Xinjiang
14Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Human rights, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

China Issues Paper On Human Rights, Xinjiang

July 14, 2021--A day after the U.S. government warned against doing business in Xinjiang, China issued a White Paper today defending its human rights record and asserting that the elimination of poverty supports equal rights. Fighting Poverty And Terrorism "Poverty is a major problem that plagues humanity, and poverty eradication is the most arduous global human rights cause in the contemporary era," the white paper said. It reported that "From 1955 to 2020, Xinjiang’s GDP rose from RMB1.2 billion in 1955 to RMB1.4 trillion in 2020. On a per capita GDP basis, that is RMB241 in 1955 to RMB53,593 in 2020. According to the paper, extremists and terrorists from East Turkistan have incited hatred, discrimination, and violence inside Xinjiang, "taking advantage of people's ethnic and r...
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UN Security Council Unanimously Backs US-Russian Deal on Syrian Aid
14Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Diplomacy, Foreign Aid, International Development, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Brief

UN Security Council Unanimously Backs US-Russian Deal on Syrian Aid

UN Security Council Unanimously Supports Compromise Plan On Aid Route. July 9, 2021 'Catastrophe Averted' For Syrian Refugees With One-Year Extension July 14, 2021—In a sign that diplomacy can work, the United Nations Security Council voted 15-0 late last week on a plan to keep a key transportation route open for humanitarian aid for Syrians impacted by the 10-year civil war. The action extends for one year a cross-border route along the Syrian-Turkish border for another 12 months. The high-level decision on the Bab al-Hawa border crossing impacts millions of Syrians. “Parents can sleep tonight knowing that their children will be fed for the next 12 months. The humanitarian agreement we have reached here will literally save lives,” said Amb. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ...
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State Department Tells Businesses: Stay Away From Xinjiang, China
13Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Communism, Dictatorship, Diplomacy, Global Trade, Human rights, Sanctions, Types of News: Analysis

State Department Tells Businesses: Stay Away From Xinjiang, China

July 14, 2021—The U.S. State Department and six other Cabinet departments warned Americans against doing business with any person or entity connected to China's Xinjiang Province. It comes a day after the State Department formally accused China along with four other countries and a terrorist network of committing genocide. In China, the reputed human rights abuse is taking place against the primarily Muslim Uyghur population as well as other minorities. A Warning On Business Relations U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken - By U.S. Department of State The departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security, Justice, Labor, Treasury, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative warned Americans of the risks of breaking U.S. law for doing business with anyone connected ...
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U.S. Bans Solar-Industry Product Made in Xinjiang, China Over Concerns of ‘Modern-Day Slavery’
5Jul By Spencer HayesNo Comments
Global Trade, Globalization, Global Disintegration, Human rights, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Bans Solar-Industry Product Made in Xinjiang, China Over Concerns of ‘Modern-Day Slavery’

July 5, 2021-- In the latest move to identify and prohibit products produced by "state-sponsored forced labor," the U.S. government banned imports of a material made in Xinjiang, China. The product, polysilicon, is a key component in the supply chain of solar panels. As a result of the ban, U.S. Customs officials must intercept imports of the product at U.S. ports. The decision is likely to have an impact not only on consumer and manufacture prices but also on foreign relations between the two countries. 'Modern-Day Slavery' Alejandro N. Mayorkas, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary, announced the order against Hoshine Silicon Industry in late June. The decision followed discussions among leaders from G7 countries about the use of forced labor global supply chains. It also comes on t...
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