Monday, April 18, 2011

Blog Nominations

When reading the blogs about many others countries, I learned about the people rights as civilians. I think these top ten countries need the most help and support from the UN and other countries:

Tibet by Adraiana
By reading this blog, I can see that Tibet is a country with few rights, and under the rule of China. Though, it has a strong culture, we need to help them preserve it.
http://whumanrights.blogspot.com/

Sudan by Angelica
This country is currently facing many problems with human rights. I learned that they are being discriminated for their race and being abused. The government needs to pass laws to defend human rights and provide peace.
http://sudanhumanrights-hw.blogspot.com/

Egypt by Desiree
I believe this country needs help in becoming a democracy, because it is extremely important for people to have the right to vote and chose their leader.
http://desivegareyes.blogspot.com/

Iraq by Frankie
I think this situation needs to be paid attention because an important fact of a county's growth is its economy, and Iraq needs to improve it.
http://franko528.blogspot.com/

Italy by Gustavo
This is a beautiful country, but like Gustavo said it is important for it to be beautiful inside and outside. The racism needs to end and people should be accepted as they are no matter their religion, race and believes.
http://italy-italia-buongiornoprincipessa.blogspot.com/

India by John
I think this country needs urgent help, becase many people are suffering, especially women. Like John said women should be treated equally.

Indonesia by Lizbedy
We should provide aid to Indonesia, because it suffers from fairness nor there is freedom to chose religion.
http://lizlinviolet.blogspot.com/

Syria by Natalia
Like other Arab countries Syria is also fighting for their rights as civilians. They want a democracy and as Natalia said they also deserve to be heard.
http://mailyn12.blogspot.com/

Ivory Coast by Karolina
This country's current situation requires a lot of help from us and other nations. They need our support  to stop the violence against the civilians, who most of them are innocent.
http://karosweet.blogspot.com/

China by Alberto
Even though China is known to be as a well developed and strong country, it also has its faults according to human rights. I think we can help the people of this country to create conscience about everyone's right to be treated fairly and not be tortured.
http://mysoulinanotherplace.blogspot.com/2011/04/human-rights-issues-of-china.html

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Proposal For A Change...

Libya is a magnificent country not only itself, but its people. Its history is reflected on today's traditions and customs. This country became wealthy by the oil and petroleum industry. Now, though, most of the population is not very well economically under th rule of Muamar Gadaffi. The civilians are angered by his dictatorship of almost four decades.

People are being treated unfairly, not able to speak and express themselves nor to have freedom. These people need to be heard; the are fighting for their rights, all human rights. They are acting against the government, but standing for themselves and fighting for the rights every human deserves. Hundreds of civilians have united to protest against this harsh rule.

A new revolt began early this year 2011, meaning the people's dsires for a change. I believe the UN should intervene with  the attacks against the people. Many people have been killed, because of this protests. Not only rebels and military officers are being killed but also innocent people  and tourists. This needs to be stopped, and reach an agreement.

I believe a democracy in Libya should be established. The voice of civilians should be taken in considerstion, and end this dictatorship. When a democratic government is built, there will be a possible stop to this revolts. People would have the freedom to vote for their leader and have participation as part of a country. Even though the government is going to be strongly affected especially the county's leader, a change is needed to be made. A change that benefits more people, unite them as a country and protect the rights of Libyans. 

It's time for change.

Libyan Rights



All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)


Civilians:

Libya has been governed by a dictator,  Mu`ammar al-Qadhafi, since 1969. People don't have the rights to express themselves nor freedom of speech. Now, many Libyans want to step him down. The country's leader believe in the Jamahiriya political system,which means "state of the masses"; it is a term comparable to the term  People's Republic. Laws such as the Law 71 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, prohibits the formation of political groups and those that are opposed to al-Qadafi's rule. These people who protest against his rule are sentenced to death. This year prostests in the streets began, and civilians were attacked by the Libyan authorities with ammunitions, even at public places. All this violence against civilians and their rights have caused Libya's possible suspension as a member of the Human Rights Council.






Education, Associations and Women:

Academic freedom was hugely restricted by he Libyan governmment. In schools, teachers and professor who were caught discussing political topics were reprised by the government. Political parties were strongly prohibited and any cultural event have to be accepted by the government; even musical preformances! Even though the law banned any discrimination against race, religion,sex, social status or disablity, it seldom reenforced this prohibitions in regard to women and minorities.




 
 

http://teachkidsnews.com/2011/03/07/protests-in-libya-turn-violent/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/23/us-libya-east-rebellion-idUSTRE71M6RM20110223

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Historical Events


Introduction:
    For many decades Libya has encountered the rule of many different foreign countries.  They have been under the control of Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Vandals, and Byzantines.


http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5425.htm


Historical events:
     In the 17th century the Arabs conquered Libya. Over the years people have adapted Arabic culture, language, customs and even the religion of Islam. Then Libya was conquered be the Ottoman Turks, and were part of their empire for many years. In 1911, Italians came to Tripoli and the land around it. The Italian culture had a great influence in this country. Still today, there are foods and traditions based on Italians. This cultural impact was due to their rule of almost thirty years when their were defeated in World War II in 1943. Finally, after being part of the UN administration, Libya became independent in 1951.


Health Issues:
    Two major disease are typhoid and gastroenteritis.Not only private but publi services provide health care for the country. Many medicines and hospitals are free, and there are also clinic facilities for the godd heallth of people. Though, many people prefer to be treated outside Libya for major health problems.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/339574/Libya/279573/Health-and-welfare

Natural Disasters:
     Most of Libya's land is desert with dry ground and hot climate. In this area there are many dust storms and sandstorms, which cause damage to people traveling across the desert and also respiratory problems. In spring and fall, the dust-laden Ghibli, southern winds, last up to four days.




Conclusion:
    Officially, Libya is known as the Great Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. By its history, it can be understood that Libya hasn't be such a powerful centre. This country hasn't been heavily populated, either and currently it has a developing economy. The government doesn't have a legal document, nor definite political parties. Libya has experineced many up and downs in its history, but what was once a poor country has become in one of the wealthiest, because of the oil industry.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Culture, Traditions and More

Libya's culture consist of many traditions, which are mainly influenced by the Italian culture as Libyan was once colonized by Italy. These include literature, its cuisine, and arts.


Popular Dishes:
The Sharba Libiya, a greatly-spiced soup, is a well-known dish. Another traditional food is Cuscous. Libya also has a variety of delicious desserts like Asida and the Groodha which is a crispy-textured biscuit.





 Music:
Ethnic groups have their own music. Andalusi music and arab classical music are the most heard by Arabs, which is the largest ethnic group in Libya. Other ethnic group like Tuareg have a unique folk music played by women. Some music instruments played are the buzuq, the jawsah, lotar and qanun

The Buzuq is a string instrument.
 http://www.al-bab.com/arab/music/instruments.htm

Festivals and Traditions:
An important celebration of Libya is the Ghat festival. In this festival heritage is celebrated, and there are exhibitions of handicrafts created by people. Libyan tradition is influenced by the religion of Islam and it mostly invloves folk art.


Arts:
Libyan art is famous for its dominant geometric and arasbesque designs. This country is well-known for its unique architectural desisigns, like the one in the photo below.







  • A traditional sport in Libya is horse racing and recently automobile racing, too. Soccer is the most popular sport, though.

As you know Libyan official language is Arab, so here is the arabic alphabet.
 Fun Fact: The words are written from right to left, and numbers from left to right.
 


 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g293806-c79959/Libya:Events.And.Festivals.html


http://www.everyculture.com/Ja-Ma/Libya.html

Monday, April 4, 2011

Marhaban Libya!

      17th largest country in the world by size!


  • Capital city: Tripoli
  • Flag description: Plain green
  • Location: Northern Africa between Egypt and Tunisia, bordering the Mediterranean Sea in the north.
  • Geography: Mostly (90%) desert and semi-desert land
  • Population: 6,310,434 rising at 2.17 per cent a year
  • Libya's current government type: Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils.
  • Political state: Authoritarian state, in practice.
  • Religion: Islam is the sate religion.
  • Language(s): Official is Arabic; Italian and English are understood in major cities.
  • Literacy rate: 76.2%
  • Birth rates: 24.04/ 1000
  • Death rates: 3.4/ 1000
  • Life expectancy: About 78 years
  • Ethnic groups: 97% consist of Berber and Arab, the 3% are other ethnic groups
  • Legal system: It's based on two constitutional documents: the Constitutional Proclamation of December 1969 and the Declaration of the Establishment of the People’s Authority. It consists of the judicial branch, legislative branch, and executive branch.
  •  Suffrage: People are allowed to vote from 18 years of age.
  •  Unemployment rate: 30%
  •  Industries: The major manufacturing industries include oil and gas.
  • Communications: Generally the telephone system is state-owned, but the service is poor.
  • Military service: The military consist of Armed Peoples on Duty (APOD, Army), Libyan Arab Navy, Libyan Arab Air Force, Libyan Coast Guard. The service age is from 17 years of age.
  • Transnational issues: One of the biggest conflicts is the trafficking of people for forced labor and commercial sexual exploitation.