If disclosure means a threat to our neighbour, is it worth it?
Some people may believe that they should have the right to know who is actually HIV infected in order to protect themselves from the risk of contracting the disease, so they say. Still the question remains, who is really at risk of danger in their community? The facts are highlighted by the vulnerability of those HIV positive people who are still subject to discrimination to this day.
A few days ago the Offence (Aggravation by Prejudice) Bill which will ensure that for the first time people living with HIV in Scotland are protected from HIV related-hate crime was passed, and it is now awaiting approval.
Deborah Jack, the chief executive of the National AIDS Trust, said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Parliament has taken this important step. Stigma and discrimination remain a distressing and sometimes dangerous reality for many people living with HIV in the UK. This Bill, soon to be Act, sends out the important message that crime motivated by hate and prejudice is not acceptable.”
Although HIV is an incurable disease which has many unpleasant issues associated to it, such as discrimination and stigma, it is no doubt that the law of confidentiality is a solid system initially established to protect those affected by the virus. We are not turning a blind eye to the fact that the law has not yet proven to be totally in control of the disease in the UK. However, is it not sad enough to come across with news that in this modern society there are heartless people who indulge in mistreating and discriminating others simply because they are HIV positive? What a disgrace.
From what scientists and doctors have vainly tried to stress many times, we should know by now that HIV is just a ‘medical condition’ just as any other disease. So what’s all the fuss for? Surely those who are perpetrators of the stigma should be ashamed of themselves as they are causing hundreds of people to refrain from coming forward for either testing or even treatments.
Rebecca Bennett and Charles Erin argued in their book ‘HIV and AIDS: testing, screening and confidentiality’, “If there is to be adherence to the principle of equal protection for all citizens then the State should take all reasonable steps to protect individuals with HIV and AIDS from discrimination and stigmatization.”
So based on all the information and evidences which have been gathered with regards to the current issues related to HIV, is it not clear that the government is only fulfilling a “strong moral obligation” to shield HIV positive people from discrimination?
Monday, 29 June 2009
Wednesday, 6 May 2009
First US Face Transplant Gives Patient ‘Her Life Back’
A woman whose face was horrendously disfigured after her husband shot her five years ago, spoke to the public today to reveal the outcome of the first face transplant performed by top surgeons in US.
Connie Culp, the 46 year-old from Ohio, was a subject of horror to those who crossed her path as her smashed, deformed face with a non-existing nose was said to have been causing children to cry and run away. Despite her staggering change for which we assume she is totally grateful, her speech is still a little impaired. But according to one of the doctors on her case, she can at least now “smell and taste the food” she eats as opposed to the previous tube-feeding she was undergoing before the transplant.
This is indeed plastic surgery to another level. In fact, although it took five months to reconstruct a new face for the patient who helped US to break a world record, for once we stand in awe because a human being is given a chance to smile again especially when it's far easy to be segregated if your look don't fit into our 'quick to judge' society.
In an interview broadcast by the BBC News Ms Culp, who is still in a long process of getting “her life back” with the targeted look surgeons are aiming to produce, said that she understands how important it is to “never judge” someone who looks disfigured because “you never know what happened to them.”
Following this successful first-time major face transplant, it is crucial to mention that if it wasn’t for that dead woman whose tissues, organs and skin was donated to Ms Culp, she would still be carrying a disturbing and monstrous face that makes people shiver at one glance. Consequently, we must learn to appreciate organ donors from all platforms as they surely make a difference in the life of the living, and that alone is enough to make their families proud of them.
It is hard to conceive just what type of husband this poor woman was married to. We’re talking about a man who, in cold blood, pulled a trigger on the one before whom he publicly vowed “for better or worse, till death do us part.” What crime can a wife commit to face a gun-fire in her face as a punishment?
Connie Culp, the 46 year-old from Ohio, was a subject of horror to those who crossed her path as her smashed, deformed face with a non-existing nose was said to have been causing children to cry and run away. Despite her staggering change for which we assume she is totally grateful, her speech is still a little impaired. But according to one of the doctors on her case, she can at least now “smell and taste the food” she eats as opposed to the previous tube-feeding she was undergoing before the transplant.
This is indeed plastic surgery to another level. In fact, although it took five months to reconstruct a new face for the patient who helped US to break a world record, for once we stand in awe because a human being is given a chance to smile again especially when it's far easy to be segregated if your look don't fit into our 'quick to judge' society.
In an interview broadcast by the BBC News Ms Culp, who is still in a long process of getting “her life back” with the targeted look surgeons are aiming to produce, said that she understands how important it is to “never judge” someone who looks disfigured because “you never know what happened to them.”
Following this successful first-time major face transplant, it is crucial to mention that if it wasn’t for that dead woman whose tissues, organs and skin was donated to Ms Culp, she would still be carrying a disturbing and monstrous face that makes people shiver at one glance. Consequently, we must learn to appreciate organ donors from all platforms as they surely make a difference in the life of the living, and that alone is enough to make their families proud of them.
It is hard to conceive just what type of husband this poor woman was married to. We’re talking about a man who, in cold blood, pulled a trigger on the one before whom he publicly vowed “for better or worse, till death do us part.” What crime can a wife commit to face a gun-fire in her face as a punishment?
Monday, 16 March 2009
A father’s incest shames Austria
This is unspeakable and unbelievable, yet it is true. A man managed to lock up his daughter for more than twenty years in the basement of his home, and fathered his own grandchildren in Austria.
Josef Fitzl, aged 73, is a total disgrace not only to Austria, his country, but also to the entire face of the earth. Appearing in court earlier today, he pleaded guilty for incest and raping his child, Elizabeth, who had seven kids as a result. However, he denied murdering one of his children and enslavement.
Although the press is doing as always, the best it can to expose demoralizing news such as this, one has to admit that we certainly live in a sick world. Day after day, people even those who look fairly decent, are capable of causing pain which could make others shake their heads in shock. Sadly even as we speak it is just a matter of time before another scandal gets uncovered.
Strangely enough, just last November, it was unveiled in Britain that a 56-year-old businessman from Sheffield kept his two daughters captives for 25 years and fathered nine of his own grandchildren. It is believed that he was moving them around houses in South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in order to avoid any detection. That explains why this news incited the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to warn that there was “a lesson to be learned” due to the fact that the police and social services had failed to monitor that case.
Still amidst such chaotic and despicable stories, witnessing nations are usually ready to raise their fingers and judge the failed government. Nevertheless, we remember the bad guy easily, but when it comes to the poor victim, our memory of them and their pain often evaporate as swiftly as we turn the page of a newspaper.
According to experts, a father is supposed to be the first portrait of ‘real love’ in a girl’s life. As incest robs the pure bond between two relatives, one can only wonder what it would take to recover from such horrific damage.
Josef Fitzl, aged 73, is a total disgrace not only to Austria, his country, but also to the entire face of the earth. Appearing in court earlier today, he pleaded guilty for incest and raping his child, Elizabeth, who had seven kids as a result. However, he denied murdering one of his children and enslavement.
Although the press is doing as always, the best it can to expose demoralizing news such as this, one has to admit that we certainly live in a sick world. Day after day, people even those who look fairly decent, are capable of causing pain which could make others shake their heads in shock. Sadly even as we speak it is just a matter of time before another scandal gets uncovered.
Strangely enough, just last November, it was unveiled in Britain that a 56-year-old businessman from Sheffield kept his two daughters captives for 25 years and fathered nine of his own grandchildren. It is believed that he was moving them around houses in South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire in order to avoid any detection. That explains why this news incited the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to warn that there was “a lesson to be learned” due to the fact that the police and social services had failed to monitor that case.
Still amidst such chaotic and despicable stories, witnessing nations are usually ready to raise their fingers and judge the failed government. Nevertheless, we remember the bad guy easily, but when it comes to the poor victim, our memory of them and their pain often evaporate as swiftly as we turn the page of a newspaper.
According to experts, a father is supposed to be the first portrait of ‘real love’ in a girl’s life. As incest robs the pure bond between two relatives, one can only wonder what it would take to recover from such horrific damage.
Thursday, 19 February 2009
Russia: a murder goes unpunished
How long will Russia go on with letting its journalists suffer fear of being killed as freedom of the press is still proven to be suffocated within its shores? It has just been reported that the three men who were charged of the murder of the Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya in October 2006, have been exonerated.
MS Politkovskaya who was shot dead, was determined to showcase human rights abuses while her journalistic work was a living campaign of her accusations on the Russian government’s corruption.
How can anyone believe that some people could walk away without having to face a proper sentence after someone’s blood was spilled without retribution? It is no wonder that Alex Rossi, a Sky News correspondent in Russia reported that “the verdict was an embarrassing defeat for prosecutors.”
Dzhabrail, Ibragim Makhmudov and Sergei Khadzhikurbanov, who were allegedly accused of participating in the “contract-style killing” two years ago, walked free of charge after today’s verdict.
It is believed that MS Politkovskaya’ severe reports on the Kremlin’s policy treatment in Chechnya, was a possible set off of her death. MS Politkovskaya was also known to be one of the most radical critics of Vladamir Putin, the former Russian President who was the leader of the Kremlin government at the time.
Although we heard so many times of several mysterious deaths of key critics of the President Putin in and outside Russia, there seems to be no justice nor has anyone been able to put their finger on dirty Russian murders. Especially when this is regarding individuals who died just when they were striving to release vital information. The sad thing is that their truth revealed could have exposed the face of the man operating from the dark.
One could suddenly look back and remember that in November 2006 Alexander Litvinenko, who was a former KGB officer died of poisoning in a London’s hospital. But could anyone tell us whether of not there is any difference between dying from being shot dead in front of one’s apartment or dying from a slow and painful death after being poisoned? The answer is pretty much clear. A murder is a murder, isn’t it?
MS Politkovskaya who was shot dead, was determined to showcase human rights abuses while her journalistic work was a living campaign of her accusations on the Russian government’s corruption.
How can anyone believe that some people could walk away without having to face a proper sentence after someone’s blood was spilled without retribution? It is no wonder that Alex Rossi, a Sky News correspondent in Russia reported that “the verdict was an embarrassing defeat for prosecutors.”
Dzhabrail, Ibragim Makhmudov and Sergei Khadzhikurbanov, who were allegedly accused of participating in the “contract-style killing” two years ago, walked free of charge after today’s verdict.
It is believed that MS Politkovskaya’ severe reports on the Kremlin’s policy treatment in Chechnya, was a possible set off of her death. MS Politkovskaya was also known to be one of the most radical critics of Vladamir Putin, the former Russian President who was the leader of the Kremlin government at the time.
Although we heard so many times of several mysterious deaths of key critics of the President Putin in and outside Russia, there seems to be no justice nor has anyone been able to put their finger on dirty Russian murders. Especially when this is regarding individuals who died just when they were striving to release vital information. The sad thing is that their truth revealed could have exposed the face of the man operating from the dark.
One could suddenly look back and remember that in November 2006 Alexander Litvinenko, who was a former KGB officer died of poisoning in a London’s hospital. But could anyone tell us whether of not there is any difference between dying from being shot dead in front of one’s apartment or dying from a slow and painful death after being poisoned? The answer is pretty much clear. A murder is a murder, isn’t it?
Sunday, 8 February 2009
More than Hundred People Killed in Australia Bush Fire
It is not just the number of people who died in the bush fire in South East Australia that comes as shocking news. Rather it is hard to believe that there are still on earth people with hearts in stone.
It is believed that the blaze which started on Saturday February 7 was triggered by some so-called ‘alleged arsonists’ who reignited the fire after it was turned down by fire-fighters in the first round. Earlier this morning death toll reached 108 people. The wreckage this destructive fire has left behind is massive. There are completely burnt out houses and mostly family in agony some due to the loss of their loved ones and others are simply going through excruciating pain while lying in hospital.
It is no wonder Julia Gillard, Australia Deputy Prime Minister told the BBC News Channel that this is ‘a national disaster’. The Queen of England, Elizabeth II has sent her ‘deep condolences’ to Australia and she has expressed her sympathy to victims stressing out that this incident is a ‘terrible distress ever in the wildlife history.’
Meanwhile, it can only feel appropriate to take off our hat to brave fire-fighters as they keep on working under severe pressure to bring the fire under control. In fact, isn’t it amazing that we often take for granted that fire-fighters constantly risk their very lives in order to save others who are trapped in deadly furnace such as that of the Australian Bush fire?
It is believed that the blaze which started on Saturday February 7 was triggered by some so-called ‘alleged arsonists’ who reignited the fire after it was turned down by fire-fighters in the first round. Earlier this morning death toll reached 108 people. The wreckage this destructive fire has left behind is massive. There are completely burnt out houses and mostly family in agony some due to the loss of their loved ones and others are simply going through excruciating pain while lying in hospital.
It is no wonder Julia Gillard, Australia Deputy Prime Minister told the BBC News Channel that this is ‘a national disaster’. The Queen of England, Elizabeth II has sent her ‘deep condolences’ to Australia and she has expressed her sympathy to victims stressing out that this incident is a ‘terrible distress ever in the wildlife history.’
Meanwhile, it can only feel appropriate to take off our hat to brave fire-fighters as they keep on working under severe pressure to bring the fire under control. In fact, isn’t it amazing that we often take for granted that fire-fighters constantly risk their very lives in order to save others who are trapped in deadly furnace such as that of the Australian Bush fire?
Friday, 23 January 2009
Israel Ceasefire: What A Relief, At Least For Now
We all know that this is not the first time Israel and Palestine engage into a fierce fighting. And it’s certainly not the first time that civilians find themselves victims of the bombings in both camps. Whether or not somebody can certify that this is the very last time the world has to witness such horrifying and irrepressible conflicts between the two sides, none can tell.
According the Al Jazeerah report, the recent conflict which started on December 27, 2008 and got carried all the way through to mid January 2009, birthed more than 750 dead and 3200 injured in Gaza, including women and children. With the actual official ceasefire, Israeli military has finally backed off, but God only knows how long this temporary peace will last for.
The Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni Islamic military organization, were the key opponents to Israel’s mega force. According to Wikipedia, Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by many countries including the United States and the European Union.
Earlier, during the boiling opposition, the UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon spoke of his alarm for the Israel and Hamas’s “acts of violence.” In fact, the UN chief called for an immediate ceasefire as he expressed his “concern” about the disaster caused by the relentless rocketing in Gaza saying that it was “unacceptable.” Still, despite every possible authoritative figure’s call for an immediate ceasefire, it was shocking to note how these messages were falling on Israeli’s death ear. No respond whatsoever. For what seemed like an endless season, we saw with horror how the number of casualties and dead were multiplying day after day after day.
At one stage on January 7 this year, in a special interview with Sky News, the Israeli President, Shimon Peres, defended their merciless bombing actions. Mr Peres was blaming the Palestinians’ so-called ‘terrorists supported by Iran’ who according to him, have been “warned many times” claiming that they attacked Israel using innocent masquerades such as appearing in hospital as sick people and so on. Although the Israeli President argued that his country wasn’t aiming at conquering a territory in Gaza, his cold face could say a lot on how Israel feels about its enemy.
It is true that every time we saw news reports on our screens or heard that more civilians were being caught up in the political conflicts between Israel and Palestine, our hearts went out to the victims. But isn’t it sad enough to note that in all cases there’s hardly any sign that the perpetrators give a damn about innocent people?
According the Al Jazeerah report, the recent conflict which started on December 27, 2008 and got carried all the way through to mid January 2009, birthed more than 750 dead and 3200 injured in Gaza, including women and children. With the actual official ceasefire, Israeli military has finally backed off, but God only knows how long this temporary peace will last for.
The Hamas, a Palestinian Sunni Islamic military organization, were the key opponents to Israel’s mega force. According to Wikipedia, Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by many countries including the United States and the European Union.
Earlier, during the boiling opposition, the UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon spoke of his alarm for the Israel and Hamas’s “acts of violence.” In fact, the UN chief called for an immediate ceasefire as he expressed his “concern” about the disaster caused by the relentless rocketing in Gaza saying that it was “unacceptable.” Still, despite every possible authoritative figure’s call for an immediate ceasefire, it was shocking to note how these messages were falling on Israeli’s death ear. No respond whatsoever. For what seemed like an endless season, we saw with horror how the number of casualties and dead were multiplying day after day after day.
At one stage on January 7 this year, in a special interview with Sky News, the Israeli President, Shimon Peres, defended their merciless bombing actions. Mr Peres was blaming the Palestinians’ so-called ‘terrorists supported by Iran’ who according to him, have been “warned many times” claiming that they attacked Israel using innocent masquerades such as appearing in hospital as sick people and so on. Although the Israeli President argued that his country wasn’t aiming at conquering a territory in Gaza, his cold face could say a lot on how Israel feels about its enemy.
It is true that every time we saw news reports on our screens or heard that more civilians were being caught up in the political conflicts between Israel and Palestine, our hearts went out to the victims. But isn’t it sad enough to note that in all cases there’s hardly any sign that the perpetrators give a damn about innocent people?
Monday, 22 December 2008
Zimbabwe and many nations are crying
There’s a silent cry of suffering which has been going on and on in some African countries such as Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Sudan and Middle East countries such Afghanistan and Pakistan. We’ve seen it all on TV haven’t we? So we think. Some are dying in the midst of blasting bombs and devastating gun shootings, some of hunger and others of sicknesses. Could that cry be possibly ignored or unheard?
Yet when that sound gets on our screens through television news, we simply see it as in a flash. We sure are proud of reporters and journalists who work hard to unveil to us things and events happening around the world. It’s good to be thrilled about the news brought into our living rooms every day. Some of us attend to evening services as regular and faithful followers. Watching the news on time, from the headlines’ announcement to the last word of the anchor man or woman.
However, the moment the evening news is over, we turn around, switch the TV off or change channels in order to find entertainment to wash away the horrific scene we’ve just seen. As to so say to ourselves “O my God, that’s sad. Unbelievable!” Then we simply perceive that news as happening in a distant world, and so since we need to move on with our life there isn’t much we can do about it anyway. Of course, one can only say that it is only normal to cross our arms and turn a blind eye to these matters for a couple of reasons: We are powerless. Just what can we do as individuals to stop human right abusers from freely operating in a nation far away? Plus, no matter how bad the situation gets, we are not affected neither directly nor indirectly.
The suffering of Zimbabweans has been portrayed in the news for months now. The last time we checked, President Mugabe is still in power. There’re lots of ways viewers can understand the sound of pain. Anyone who has ever lost their beloved ones in a way or another would know how bitter life can turn to be when one has to say goodbye to someone close to them. Tragic or peaceful death, the person is gone forever. Never to be seen again from the face of the earth. So how can one figure out the type of pain Zimbabweans are going through at the moment as many of them are losing precious lives by thousands?
It has been reported that the outbreak of Cholera which is a fatal disease has caused and is still causing a significant number of dead in Zimbabwe. In this country where it is believed that human rights are continuously being abused without any intervention, its corrupted government is no place to turn eyes to for help. How horrendous.
Strangely while in some corners of the earth many people are dying of diverse calamities, somewhere else others are starving of being powerless. This is because on this other side of the world, though watching from a distance, some people are wishing they could do something about justice where it is needed.
Nevertheless, let’s hope someday these sufferings will end one way or another. But in the meantime, has anyone heard that silent cry yet?
Yet when that sound gets on our screens through television news, we simply see it as in a flash. We sure are proud of reporters and journalists who work hard to unveil to us things and events happening around the world. It’s good to be thrilled about the news brought into our living rooms every day. Some of us attend to evening services as regular and faithful followers. Watching the news on time, from the headlines’ announcement to the last word of the anchor man or woman.
However, the moment the evening news is over, we turn around, switch the TV off or change channels in order to find entertainment to wash away the horrific scene we’ve just seen. As to so say to ourselves “O my God, that’s sad. Unbelievable!” Then we simply perceive that news as happening in a distant world, and so since we need to move on with our life there isn’t much we can do about it anyway. Of course, one can only say that it is only normal to cross our arms and turn a blind eye to these matters for a couple of reasons: We are powerless. Just what can we do as individuals to stop human right abusers from freely operating in a nation far away? Plus, no matter how bad the situation gets, we are not affected neither directly nor indirectly.
The suffering of Zimbabweans has been portrayed in the news for months now. The last time we checked, President Mugabe is still in power. There’re lots of ways viewers can understand the sound of pain. Anyone who has ever lost their beloved ones in a way or another would know how bitter life can turn to be when one has to say goodbye to someone close to them. Tragic or peaceful death, the person is gone forever. Never to be seen again from the face of the earth. So how can one figure out the type of pain Zimbabweans are going through at the moment as many of them are losing precious lives by thousands?
It has been reported that the outbreak of Cholera which is a fatal disease has caused and is still causing a significant number of dead in Zimbabwe. In this country where it is believed that human rights are continuously being abused without any intervention, its corrupted government is no place to turn eyes to for help. How horrendous.
Strangely while in some corners of the earth many people are dying of diverse calamities, somewhere else others are starving of being powerless. This is because on this other side of the world, though watching from a distance, some people are wishing they could do something about justice where it is needed.
Nevertheless, let’s hope someday these sufferings will end one way or another. But in the meantime, has anyone heard that silent cry yet?
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