Social & Economic Rights

Addressing a Threat to the Future of Children: Climate Change
27 Feb

Addressing a Threat to the Future of Children: Climate Change

Ghislaine Fandel2019 – 2020, Newspaper, Social & Economic Rights

According to the World Health Organization, approximately eighty percent of the injuries, illnesses, and deaths resulting from climate change are in children. This stems from the increased presence of extreme weather events resulting from human-induced climate change such as droughts, floods, storms, and heatwaves that children are significantly more vulnerable too. These events directly affect people across the globe but it is the most blameless and innocent members of our communities who will suffer the greatest. For the first time in human history, we are in a state of climate emergency, requiring us to defend first and foremost those on the front line who are likely to suffer most from the effects of climate change: children.

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The Standstill Between Indigenous Groups and a Multi-Million-Dollar Pipeline
20 Feb

The Standstill Between Indigenous Groups and a Multi-Million-Dollar Pipeline

Taylor Robinson2019 – 2020, Collective & Developmental Rights, Newspaper, Social & Economic Rights, The Americas

Canada is currently experiencing nationwide protests from Indigenous groups in opposition of the Coastal Gaslink pipeline. The pipeline is roughly 670 kilometers, spanning across British Columbia; it was designed to ease the export of natural gas in the province. Although it may seem like a good idea to some, it is creating issues with Indigenous communities as the pipeline would cut directly through their land. The Wet’suwet’en Indigenous group is directly affected by this pipeline; however, Indigenous groups across the country, specifically in Ontario, have taken action to show their support.

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13 Feb

Sexual Violence in India: The Unnao Rape Case

Adyant Jaiswal2019 – 2020, Asia, Civil & Political Rights, Newspaper, Social & Economic Rights

Over the past decade, reports of rape in rural and urban areas of India have been consistently increasing. In 2012, the infamous “Nirbhaya case” – in which 23-year-old Jyoti Singh, while traveling in Delhi, was gang-raped, beaten, and killed – garnered global attention. Under public scrutiny, certain “amendments” were made by the government to laws relating to rape. Chief Justice S.A. Bobde made the promise of “effective and speedy investigation and trial.” In the following years, however, those changes proved to be inconsequential as more rape cases were being reported in 2017 than in 2012.

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Climate Change and the Syrian Refugee Crisis
05 Nov

Climate Change and the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Ghislaine Fandel2019 – 2020, Middle East, Newspaper, Social & Economic Rights

The political and economic situation in Syria as well as the ongoing civil war due to dissatisfaction with the Assad government has resulted in and perpetuated the current refugee crisis. As of October 2019, the total number of Syrian refugees and displaced peoples has risen to 12.9 million. Since 2011, the Middle East has witnessed a proliferation in popular mobilization against their respective autocratic governments triggered by political reform, a variety of religious and sociopolitical factors, and the deterioration of the economy[i]. However, the international community has up until recently largely overlooked a major underlying issue. As of recent years, studies have linked the current state of climate emergency to the continuous aggravation of the refugee crisis in this region.

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