As a sex trafficking survivor, Lilufa Bibi was hoping that India would enact a new legislation aimed at helping thousands trapped in modern slavery. But lawmakers failed to table the bill in the last session of parliament, which ended this month. Bibi and other campaigners say they feel betrayed by the delay in passing the tough anti-trafficking law, which promises speedy justice and rehabilitation to survivors. "The delay only means that there are traffickers out on bail who continue to threaten victims, many of whom are still waiting for proper rehabilitation," said Bibi, 24, who escaped a brothel seven years ago. Her concerns are echoed by campaigners who point to government data that shows reports of human trafficking increasing by almost 20 percent in 2016 against the previous year, to 8,132 cases. Survivors and activists are demanding that the bill is passed by parliament soon, amid fears it may fall off the radar with political attention expected to turn to general elections set … [Read more...] about Campaigners concerned as India delays tough new anti-trafficking law
Human rights campaign fund
Trump pushes hardline immigration policies even as he urges unity
U.S. President Donald Trump urged lawmakers on Tuesday to work toward bipartisan compromises, but pushed a hard line on immigration, insisting on a border wall and other concessions from Democrats as part of any deal to protect the children of illegal immigrants. Trump, in his first State of the Union speech, gave no ground on the contentious issue of whether to shield young immigrants known as "Dreamers" from deportation. Aiming to keep conservative supporters happy as he looks to November congressional elections, Trump stood by a set of principles opposed by Democrats, including the border wall with Mexico and new restrictions on how many family members that legal immigrants can bring into the United States. "Tonight, I call upon all of us to set aside our differences, to seek out common ground, and to summon the unity we need to deliver for the people we were elected to serve," Trump said in his address. Trump used the hour-and-20-minute speech, given annually by presidents to … [Read more...] about Trump pushes hardline immigration policies even as he urges unity
Philippines’ Duterte asks head of human rights agency: ‘Are you a pedophile?’
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte taunted the head of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Saturday, asking if he was a pedophile because of his focus on the killing of teenagers in the government's bloody war on drugs. Duterte also suggested to lawmakers that the CHR's proposed 678 million Philippine peso ($13.2 million) budget could be used to equip police with body cameras if the legislators preferred not to restore funding for the agency, with which he has repeatedly clashed over his anti-drugs campaign. The CHR requested a budget of 1.72 billion pesos for 2018, but the government proposed 678 million instead. Duterte's allies in the lower house of Congress then voted to allocate it just 1,000 pesos ($20), in what critics of the drugs war said was retaliation for its efforts to investigate thousands of killings in the past 15 months, including those of two teenagers in August. "Why is this guy so pre...suffocated with the issue of young people, especially … [Read more...] about Philippines’ Duterte asks head of human rights agency: ‘Are you a pedophile?’
Strengthened international cooperation helps improve population quality
NDO – For decades, international cooperation has proven to be an important factor in the implementation of population and family planning programmes in countries around the world, especially in developing countries like Vietnam, resulting in positive gains in socio-economic development. Positive achievements In the late 1970s, as a war-torn country, Vietnam faced a range of difficulties regarding socio-economic development with a fragile economy and signs of war aftermath still visible in most parts of the nation. Particularly, the high fertility rates of more than five children per adult female at that time, plus unmet needs for contraceptive and family planning services, added to the growing problems experienced in health care for women and their families, resulting in lower living standards throughout the country. According to deputy head of the Ministry of Health's General Office for Population and Family Planning, Nguyen Van Tan, the … [Read more...] about Strengthened international cooperation helps improve population quality
Trump vs. Xi: U.S. in weak negotiating position with China
Editor's note: Terry F. Buss, PhD, is a fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Public Administration. He wrote this article exclusively for Tuoi Tre News. Editor's note: Terry F. Buss, PhD, is a fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Public Administration. He wrote this article exclusively for Tuoi Tre News. With President Donald Trump’s mercurial approach to his presidency, it’s difficult to predict how the first summit between him and Chinese President Xi Jinping on April 6 in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, will go. Trump and Xi have a lot at stake. Trump, over the past year, has portrayed China as a major threat to the U.S. with respect to trade, jobs, currency manipulation and security; while Xi has worried over U.S. efforts to block China’s illegal expansion in the East Vietnam Sea and to bolster U.S. alliances in South Korea, Japan and South East Asia. Neither Trump nor Xi can afford to fail at the summit. Trump is reeling from sustained attacks on his relations with … [Read more...] about Trump vs. Xi: U.S. in weak negotiating position with China