I have rarely been quoted in the media, but apparently when I have, it's been decently substantive! So, with much pleasure, I'd like to share some articles where the authors either interviewed me or just asked for general comments.
1) India Currents article on thoughts after attending a Homeland Security roundtable on post-9/11 civil liberties and human rights issues.
2) PBS Newshour feature on thoughts after an Americans for Informed Democracy conference in 2006.
3) CUNY Graduate Center colleague Mr. Marriah Star's article on social entrepreneurship.
4) The Nation contributor and friend/writer/journalist Jayati Vora's piece on the youth-led movement to restore democratic rule in Pakistan.
As always, feedback much appreciated!
Showing posts with label civil liberties. Show all posts
Showing posts with label civil liberties. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Resources on State of Emergency in Pakistan
My email inbox has been overflowing with different resources on the State of Emergency in Pakistan, declared last weekend by General Musharraf. It would be a great travesty if I didnt share them. Please do feel free to leave comments with more resources and I can update later. And also please feel free to give any feedback - constructive and/or destructive! - and it will be accepted with gratitude.
Long live the voice of the people!
=====
From my friend Salman Ahmed Usman:
=====
NYT blog entry comparing Musharraf and Abe Lincoln: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/musharraf-and-lincoln-in-their-own-words/
=====
Petitions being circulated:
http://www.gopetition.com/online/15064.html
http://www.avaaz.org/en/emergency_pakistan
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/legalcourts/
=====
Some anti-Musharraf articles in the Columbia Spectator (Columbia University newspaper):
Pakistan and the U.S.: a Devious Relationship
Some blogs with regular updates:
http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/
http://emergepakistan.blogspot.com/
www.PakistanPolicy.com
======
For those of you based in New York, you can sign on to a google group for regular updates at: http://groups.google.com/group/emergency_newyork?hl=en
Long live the voice of the people!
=====
From my friend Salman Ahmed Usman:
Some internet news sources on Pakistan :
www.pkpolitics.com is updated almost round the clock with latest news and videos of news bulletins and political talk shows. The website is currently also providing full coverage of Emergency Plus in Pakistan in audio format at pkpolitics.com/audio/emergency/ . This includes latest analysis of various hosts from Geo and ARY, including Dr. Shahid Masood and Kashif Abbasi. Also check sister website http://pklatest.com/
Live Geo news (audio only) on www.geo.tv
A number of Pakistani channels at www.jpjc.de. After registering, scroll down to the 'Live TV Channels' section.
Geo TV/ ARY live streaming at www.pakistanvision.com. Click 'Live stream 1' or 'Live stream 2' link on the left hand side.
Geo News live streaming at: http://watchgeotv.info/
Live streaming of Aljazeera English at: http://english.aljazeera.net
DawnNews live streaming link on their website www.dawn.com
=====
NYT blog entry comparing Musharraf and Abe Lincoln: http://thelede.blogs.nytimes
=====
Petitions being circulated:
http://www.gopetition.com
http://www.avaaz.org/en
http://www.ipetitions.com
=====
Some anti-Musharraf articles in the Columbia Spectator (Columbia University newspaper):
Pakistan and the U.S.: a Devious Relationship
Pakistan and the American Dream
=====Some blogs with regular updates:
http://pakistanmartiallaw
http://emergepakistan.blogspot
www.PakistanPolicy.com
======
For those of you based in New York, you can sign on to a google group for regular updates at: http://groups.google.com/group/emergency_newyork?hl=en
Friday, August 10, 2007
I'm scared of wearing this t-shirt
I sometimes wonder how far I should go to fight for civil rights and civil liberties. Notice how I didn't write MY civil rights and civil liberties - alas! - I am not a citizen! So how can I enjoy those same rights? Yet, still, I think it's worth the broader fight and struggle; to stand in solidarity with those who've lost so much and continue to prod on.
So when I read this article, one can understand the shiver that went down my spine as I recalled the day I wore the same t-shirt - that, too on my flight to Chicago. I think my brother, who was traveling with me that day, balanced us out by trying to look cool thereby neutralizing my not-so-cool attire? You folks decide.
Anyway, I must admit: every time I wear that t-shirt, I am nervous. I am fearful of what may happen to me. But those of you reading this, please know that it was for the masses of nameless, faceless people who died as unsung heroes, fighting for a better future - which many of us enjoy today. I am merely but paying my dues.
Accept this as a small token of my gratitude. I will not remain silent.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
2/10 Film screening - Outlawed: Extraordinary Rendition, Torture, and Disappearances in the ‘War on Terror’
OUTLAWED:
Extraordinary Rendition, Torture, and Disappearances in the ‘War on Terror’
Join other concerned students and citizens for a film screening, discussion, and advocacy campaign.
Refreshments provided.
Saturday, February 10, 3-5 PM
CUNY Graduate Center, Room 5414
The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016-4309
Outlawed tells the stories of Khaled El-Masri and Binyam Mohamed, two men who have survived torture by the U.S. government working with various other governments wo rldwide. It features relevant commentary from Louise Arbour, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, U.S. President George W. Bush, Michael Scheuer, the chief architect of the rendition program and former head of the Osama Bin Laden unit at the CIA, and Condoleezza Rice, the U.S. Secretary of State.
This event is organized by the Americans for Informed Democracy Chapter at CUNY Grad Center and supported thanks to a generous grant from the JEHT Foundation. The film is produced by Witness.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Conference on Guantanamo Bay, human rights and civil liberties - 2/10
Dear friends,
I'm writing to inform you of a conference that will be taking place this Saturday, February 10 at the CUNY Graduate Center (365 Fifth Avenue, between 34th and 35th sts.) from 1-3 P.M. (followed by a video screening of the documentary "Outlawed"). I would appreciate it if you could forward the information to students or anyone else you think may be interested.
The focus of the event is Guantanamo Bay and post-9/11 civil liberties in America. Adem Carroll of the Muslim Consultative Network and Lynne Kates from the Center for Constitutional Rights will be speaking on their work with the Guantanamo issue and civil liberties in general as well as giving advice to students interested in careers in the field. In addition to this specific topic, we want to address the disconnect between expert opinion on these types of issues and actual U.S. policy, in an attempt to learn how to make our careers as influential as possible.
The conference will be open to 20-25 qualified students, giving them a chance to have all of their questions answered and ideas critiqued, as well as offering great networking opportunities.
An invitation is below, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would forward it to students you think may be interested.
Thank you in advance for your support,
Zeeshan Suhail
===========================================
Saturday, February 10, 2007
1 PM
at the CUNY Graduate Center
Guantanamo Bay & Post-9/11 Civil Liberties in America
Who are the most influential figures when it comes to U.S. decisions affecting civil liberties? How do we balance civil liberties with national security concerns after the 9/11 attacks? How can we impact positive, meaningful change when states are listening less and less to their citizenry?
Adem Carroll (Muslim Consultative Network) will speak on infringement on rights and liberties of Muslims after 9/11
Lynn Kates (Center for Constitutional Rights) will speak on the state of affairs of civil liberties and human rights at Guantanamo Bay (and elsewhere) after 9/11
A brief panel discussion will be followed by an open dialogue between the experts and attendees. Come share your views on Guantanamo and civil liberties in America and find out how to have the most impact on U.S. security policy.
Please RSVP with a short bio to clmadden@gmail.com for details.
I'm writing to inform you of a conference that will be taking place this Saturday, February 10 at the CUNY Graduate Center (365 Fifth Avenue, between 34th and 35th sts.) from 1-3 P.M. (followed by a video screening of the documentary "Outlawed"). I would appreciate it if you could forward the information to students or anyone else you think may be interested.
The focus of the event is Guantanamo Bay and post-9/11 civil liberties in America. Adem Carroll of the Muslim Consultative Network and Lynne Kates from the Center for Constitutional Rights will be speaking on their work with the Guantanamo issue and civil liberties in general as well as giving advice to students interested in careers in the field. In addition to this specific topic, we want to address the disconnect between expert opinion on these types of issues and actual U.S. policy, in an attempt to learn how to make our careers as influential as possible.
The conference will be open to 20-25 qualified students, giving them a chance to have all of their questions answered and ideas critiqued, as well as offering great networking opportunities.
An invitation is below, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would forward it to students you think may be interested.
Thank you in advance for your support,
Zeeshan Suhail
==============================
Saturday, February 10, 2007
1 PM
at the CUNY Graduate Center
Guantanamo Bay & Post-9/11 Civil Liberties in America
Who are the most influential figures when it comes to U.S. decisions affecting civil liberties? How do we balance civil liberties with national security concerns after the 9/11 attacks? How can we impact positive, meaningful change when states are listening less and less to their citizenry?
Adem Carroll (Muslim Consultative Network) will speak on infringement on rights and liberties of Muslims after 9/11
Lynn Kates (Center for Constitutional Rights) will speak on the state of affairs of civil liberties and human rights at Guantanamo Bay (and elsewhere) after 9/11
A brief panel discussion will be followed by an open dialogue between the experts and attendees. Come share your views on Guantanamo and civil liberties in America and find out how to have the most impact on U.S. security policy.
Please RSVP with a short bio to clmadden@gmail.com for details.
Friday, January 12, 2007
U.S. Has Lost Credibility On Rights: HRW; Ban echoes Annan on Gitmo closure
Gitmo has gotten next to no media coverage this week, even though there was really no other international crisis to report on; it was essentially business as usual for the media monster, yet they still didn't jump on the opportunity to cover such an important anniversary/commemoration.
After yesterday's column and numerous blog postings on the topic of Guantanamo Bay, I was heartened to see Human Rights Watch come out with a scathing report on human rights violations by countries the world over. But the criticism directed at the US had me in raptures because, along with it, came a recommendation that the EU take a lead in the promotion of human rights and civil liberties - since the US obviously has veered off the track on this point.
I've said enough, and can say more, but instead, will direct your attention to two articles. One on HRW's report in today's Washington Post, and the other in the Washington Times regarding the United Nations' new Secretary-General's call to close the camp. He's not saying anything new; his reiteration of his predecessors call for the closure of the camp is honorable and appropriate at this time, but what I found interesting was that the author of the article was present at the SG's press conference where he made those statements, and of all the things she could have covered in the article (at least 15 issues), she chose Ban's call for the closure of the camp (a 2 minute segment of the press conference). The Washington Times is a conservative newspaper that doesn't always report on the good stuff the UN does and so this came as a pleasant surprise in some ways. Then again, they could be implicitly pitching Ban against the US. With the media, you never know!
Happy reading!
After yesterday's column and numerous blog postings on the topic of Guantanamo Bay, I was heartened to see Human Rights Watch come out with a scathing report on human rights violations by countries the world over. But the criticism directed at the US had me in raptures because, along with it, came a recommendation that the EU take a lead in the promotion of human rights and civil liberties - since the US obviously has veered off the track on this point.
I've said enough, and can say more, but instead, will direct your attention to two articles. One on HRW's report in today's Washington Post, and the other in the Washington Times regarding the United Nations' new Secretary-General's call to close the camp. He's not saying anything new; his reiteration of his predecessors call for the closure of the camp is honorable and appropriate at this time, but what I found interesting was that the author of the article was present at the SG's press conference where he made those statements, and of all the things she could have covered in the article (at least 15 issues), she chose Ban's call for the closure of the camp (a 2 minute segment of the press conference). The Washington Times is a conservative newspaper that doesn't always report on the good stuff the UN does and so this came as a pleasant surprise in some ways. Then again, they could be implicitly pitching Ban against the US. With the media, you never know!
Happy reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)