The 2022 World Cup has gotten underway with an atmosphere unlike any tournament which has come before it. While this sentence would usually indicate an electric atmosphere and unrivaled enthusiasm, this time things are different: for many, the appalling human rights record of the host nation, Qatar, is the only thing on their minds…
Category Archives: Opinion
Fast Fashion, Slow Commitment: Fashion Brands and Human Rights in the Garment Industry
Image by Rio Lecatompessy on Unsplash By Katie McMillan In a society wherein overconsumption and influencers’ fast fashion ‘hauls’ perpetually receive critique from climate activists (and rightfully so), it is hard to be ignorant of the negative environmental effects of fast fashion. It does seem, however, rather easy to forget that this is only oneContinue reading “Fast Fashion, Slow Commitment: Fashion Brands and Human Rights in the Garment Industry”
The Ethics of Summit: the Commodification of the Sherpa People
Mountaineers seeking to summit Everest have always relied on Sherpa guides and porters to lead the way. Despite their critical role in ensuring the success of a summit, Sherpas have historically been regarded as subordinate to the very foreign climbers they help. More than just an issue of representation, the proliferation of mountaineering in theContinue reading “The Ethics of Summit: the Commodification of the Sherpa People”
Confronting the UK’s Human Trafficking Crisis
Photo by Hermes Rivera on Unspash By Anna Videbaek Smith Bilkisu was only 15 when she left her homeland of Nigeria behind. She had read of England, of course, but had never dared believe that she could one day trek the hilly fields of Hertfordshire like an Austenian heroine. Then a phone call from herContinue reading “Confronting the UK’s Human Trafficking Crisis”
Polite protest: fundamental rights, the British way
Image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash By Maya Zealey “Democracy is not something that you believe in, or something that you hang your hat on. It’s something that you do, you participate. Without participation, democracy crumbles and fails.” This is a quote from Abbie Hoffman, a controversial activist who rose to prominence protesting America’s involvementContinue reading “Polite protest: fundamental rights, the British way”
Waiting to Drown: The Living Crisis
Photography by Tom Parsons on Unsplash. By Jack McGrath Despite apparently infinite sleaze and deceit, the ‘Great’ British government somehow slouches on, its thin veneer of shame sufficient to stave off collapse. (Each week that veneer takes a slightly different form – one-week complete disregard, another week half-hearted apology, and, in yet another, it nearlyContinue reading “Waiting to Drown: The Living Crisis”
Tackling violence against women and girls in the UK: is a misogyny hate crime bill part of the solution?
Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash By Louise Palmer Content warning: Violence against Women and Girls/ Sexual Assult When asked to think about Human Rights, it is common for people to picture places and situations that are distant or far removed from their everyday lives. However, this perception is deeply misleading as Human RightsContinue reading “Tackling violence against women and girls in the UK: is a misogyny hate crime bill part of the solution? “
Locating the Anthropocene: Man’s Devastating Impact Upon Earth
Image by Matt Palmer on Unsplash By Matt Goodey Humans have had a devastating impact upon the planet. There is no doubt to be had about this. CO2 levels have risen at an unprecedented rate in the last 100 years. And that does not look to be changing in any significant manner in the nearContinue reading “Locating the Anthropocene: Man’s Devastating Impact Upon Earth”
Not Even the ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero Can Get Kagame in Trouble
The international community’s golden child at the 2018 Munich Security Conference. Photo by MSC / Hildenbrand By Anna Videbaek Smith Not even the late-night hours of August 27th 2020 could tame the scorching Dubai heat, as 66-year old Paul Rusesabagina boarded a private jet. While slightly jaded from ill health and the passing of time,Continue reading “Not Even the ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero Can Get Kagame in Trouble”
Filipino Healthcare Workers, Forgotten Martyrs of the Pandemic
Photo by SJ Objio on Unsplash By Kathy Dimaya When I was in hospital in New York City in 2015, I noticed a handful of Filipino nurses taking turns monitoring the patients in the emergency room. Each time a nurse carted me to another test, I counted even more Filipinos in the other practice areas,Continue reading “Filipino Healthcare Workers, Forgotten Martyrs of the Pandemic”
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