Mexico: War on Drugs and Human Rights. A crave for justice.

 On November 9th  Human Rights Watch issued an extensive 212-page report, Neither rights nor security, on the human rights consequences of the War on Drugs in Mexico, officially (greater involvement of the Mexican Army) in its sixth year. In the wake of the death of Mr. Francisco Blake Mora, Mexico's Interior Minister   in an apparent helicopter accident and the widening of the ATF gun running  sting operation (Fast and Furious)scandal in US Congress. The report examines the rising numbers of  enforced disappearances, arbitrary killings and torture cases attributed to State  forces (both Police and Military), also noting violence exerted by Non-State actors against civilian population. 

While HRW officials were able to meet Mr.Felipe Calderon, Mexico's president, to voice their concerns, Mexican NGO and social movements, who have been systematically  denouncing the high price that Mexican Society (latest example, asking the ICC to look into President Calderon's responsibility) is paying in the current climate of violence have not been heard. Additionally it shall be noted that the extent and depth of US involvement in the Mexican situation (notably through DEA, CIA and DOD) is essentially kept away from the public. We reproduce the report´s  executive summary adding underlining, highlights, hyperlinks, video, graphics and  pictures.Related and updated background material at the end.

Killing on the name of...The so-called war on drugs being waged by Mexican military and police forces has translated into thousands of civilian deaths. US authorities have yet to publicly reprimand or express concern about the  widespread  human rights violations happening right now south of their border.  Picture 823,925 Kgs of seized cocaine are incinerated at a naval base in 2009 Getty Images.

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Informe en Castellano 

Neither Rights Nor Security 

Killings, Torture, and Disappearances in Mexico’s “War on Drugs”

It has been nearly five years since President Felipe Calderón declared “war” organized crime in Mexico. In the time since, the country has experienced a staggering rise in violence. After declining steadily for nearly two decades, the overall homicide rate grew by over 260% percent from 2007 to 2010. 

Libye, Côte d’Ivoire: des interventions qui se ressemblent

On reprend un article de Colette Braeckman apparu sur son blog chez le journal belge Le soir. Nous avons  ajouté des liens, photos et quelques matériaux de contexte.

Le Crl. Kadhafi et Laurent Gagbo, lors d´une visite officielle du dirigeant Libyen à Abdijan, Cote d´Ivoire  en Juin 2007. C´étaient d´autres temps

Libye, Côte d’Ivoire: des interventions qui se ressemblent

Abidjan en avril, Tripoli en août…Certes, la Côte d’Ivoire de Gagbo n’est pas la Libye de Kadhafi. Cependant, d’un renversement de régime à l’autre, comment ne pas être frappé par les similitudes entre les deux situations, dans lesquelles des  forces spéciales européennes,  françaises d’un côté, franco-britanniques de l’autre,  ont joué un rôle déterminant ?

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Five Myths about Africa

Departing words by Christian Science Monitor Africa's  chief correspondent Scott Baldauf after five years covering the continent. Interesting reading most specially when the Horn of Africa is  again  in the agenda of corporate media. 

Africa´s political map from Nationsonline

With the insight of five years on the ground and a summary of his travels around the continent; Mr. Baldauf proceeds to debunk five myths about Africa which shape international coverage of what happens in a 54-countries and 2,000 languages continent: "Africa is poor; Africa is violent;  Africa is technologically backward; Africa needs "our" help; and my favorite,  Africa is a country. " An interesting piece to improve our understanding of a huge continent of extreme contrasts.

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