SAUDI ARABIA - BEYOND THE THIRD WORLD

The Huam Rights Watch group have issued a report on Saudi women, and the way they are kept in "childhood" by overbearing male relatives.

It's not just Saudi wives either, and I know from experience how foreign servants are treated - I worked in Saudi Arabia for 17 years and saw many incidents of abuse and ill-treatment. Not every Saudi employer is guilty of abuse, and it is not just Saudis either - Sudanese and Syrian incidents too that I know of.

The worst case was a young Malaysian girl who was admitted to the hospital where I worked. She had been beaten by her employers wife, and received severe injuries to her back and arms - the wife having beaten her for laziness. We were asked to examine a sputum sample from the patient because she had a chest infection. She wasn't lazy, she had terminal tuberculosis, and died 2 days later.

Her employer was a senior police officer, and I was so incensed I set out to collect her details in order to foward the case to Amnest International, (the employer was very concerned about his family catching T.B.!).

All records were computerised, and all we had was the slide that had been used to diagnose T.B. I found nothing - she had ceased to exist in the hospital system.

I discussed this with a feamle Sudanese doctor who worked with me in Pathology - a certain Doctor Mona. Her father worked for W.H.O., and her 2 brothers were also doctors. She said it was a terrible case and continued by saying it was OK to slap servants!

A third case was an Indonesian servant who worked for a Syrian doctor in another hospital. The doctor and his wife had been banned from hiring any more maids, although such laws are rarely effective, especially when the doctor concerned was a brother Muslim. This second servant hired jumped from a second floor window rather than put up with the abuse she experienced very day.

These are just 3 of many, and I would never claim that all Middle Eastern people are like this; but there is a mentality that rates the importance of life and human rights based on both your religion and ethnic background.

To make mattters worse, the government and embassies of many third world countries value Saudi trade too highly to do anything when abuse of their nationals happens.

Don't put your daughter on the stage Mrs. Worthington? Don't send your daughter to Saudi to work.

STILL AROUND

I have not abandoned my angry of Nottingham stance - not given up on human rights. it's just this sort of new heart of mine, (well, the old one with a titanium and dacron patch), has been giving me problems with outrageous regularity.
Whether the anaeasthetic made it lose its sense of proportion - who knows; but it's been failing to comply with the rules on when and how to beat.
I was told 1.5% of patients suffer "minor" post-op irregularities - those before the operation were what I call minor - I'd personally call these major, unless you call shooting up to over 100bpm then dropping to 40 bpm minor. I don't.
Anyway, better than it was a week ago when it was uncomfortable to the point of being almost painful. The GP knows and I'm waiting for a 24-hour monitor to be fitted.
That, plus nasty mouth ulcers caused by one of the arthritis drugs I am taking, means my attention has been somewhat more self-centred of late.
But, I'll be back real soon.

BROWN COMES TO HIS SENSES!

Wednesday evening! Gordon Brown announces he WILL NOT attend the opening of the Olympics!!!

OK, typical politician, he claims he neer intended to attend the opening ceremony, although he never did state catergoricallt he woukd attend.

The point is, he is not attending.

GOOD ON YOU GORDON!!!!!!

Whatever his reasons, what ever brought about the decision, it is the right one. Will it change the opinions or outlook of the Chinese authorities? Doubtful, given their unyielding attitude towards human rights. The government of China is a dictatorial, ruthless regime, and one can only hope it succumbs eventually to its own inability to change, just as with the last race of dinosaurs.

Let's hope other world leaders follow Gordon's example.

VIVE LES REVENDICATEURS FRANCAIS

There are reports of the events in London yesterday!
The UK’s top badminton player also pulled out of the torch ceremony in London – Richard Vaughan.
GOOD ON YOU TOO RICHARD!!!

Beijing news reported Cathy Sing, a London resident, and apparently Chinese, she was puzzled by the protesters who said they were supporting the "independence of Tibet."
"Tibet has been part of China for several hundred years," she said, adding that the disruption had been well-planned to tarnish China's image.
China Daily said nothing, although a top article of note said China's top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, top political advisor Jia Qinglin, as well as Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, He Guoqiang, and Zhou Yongkang planted trees at the park next to the national stadium, the main venue of the Beijing Olympic Games.
China News in English was actually in Chinese – so have no idea what they said, if anything, although I did click on the headline – trouble is, there were no pictures only Chinese characters.
ChinaonTV headlines include he significance of tomb cleaning.
The People’s Daily Online said a a few "pro-Tibet independence" activists attempted to sabotage the torch relay in London today, which is a serious violation of the Olympic spirit, as the Olympic flame belongs to the world, the spokesman said. The act will surely arouse the resentment of the peace-loving people, and is bound to fail, he added.
The South China Morning Post also reported on the protests.
The IOC Chairman, (who has obviously had his head stuck up his arse for some time), Jacques Rogge this morning called for "unity" and a rapid resolution to the political unrest that threatens to engulf the global torch relay and overshadow this year’s Beijing Games. I think it’s called trying to close the stable door AFTER the horse has bolted.
The French ceremony has already attracted protesters – the same thing is going to happen in every country – with the exception of China of course.
The Chinese authorities are “scandalised” and spout empty rhetoric about the protests destroying the Olympic ideals – load of bullshit! They’ve done more to destroy those on their own without any help from us!

THE LONDON FLAME - A LONG BLOG TODAY

Smaller print today so I can get more in as it happens!

I have always admired and liked Joanna Lumley - even more proud of her today protesting during the London run.

She has supported FreeTibet for some time, and in many ways.

GOOD ON YOU JOANNA!!

There has been a couple of disruptions, but most protests are peaceful.

Steve Redgrave, who carried the flame for a while, said he jumped at the opportunity to carry the flame, although he had received many e-mails complaining. He did not see that boycotting the games would benefit anyone, least of all the Tibetans. He said that he would not be drawn on the issue of the Tibetan situation - diplomatic guy Steve. He did say that carrying the torch did not endorse in any way what was happening in Tibet =- followed this by saying he was proud to live in a country where such protests were allowed, and he understood the reason for them - diplomatic guy Steve.

Our honourable Prime Minister Gordon Brown, happily accepted the flame at Number 10 Downing Street, (although he did not handle it - diplomacy, or the detour via No. 10 a sop to the Chinese?) - the Chinese authorities should approve of that and will no doubt show it on TV - unlike protest images.

Tessa Jowell, (Sports Minister), said the acceptance of the flame by her and Brown in no way condoned or made acceptable China's brutal regime - so nice being able to compartmentalise things.

More news as I receive it.

Qu Yingpu, spokesperson for the Chinese Olympic gang, said people around the world would see how China was working to improve peoples' lives in Tibet. So, there you go!!!

The police have, in general, handled the protests well when youe take into account past heavy-handed techinques. To be fair, it must have been a nightmare for them to arrange this.

The Sugar Babes have pulled out of the concert in the O2 arena - no indication yet why.

last news was one of the Sugar Babes has laryngitis.

There have been few serious incidents and plenty of peaceful protests in London. The first of many around the world I am sure

RAISED VOICES IN THE WILDERNESS

This is Francesca Martinez, a British comedienne. She has chosen to NOT take part in the Olympic torch ceremony tomorrow, Sunday.

GOOD FOR YOU FRANCESCA!

Downing Street has an e-petition web site. OK, may not work, but the point is, you CAN register your disapproval. There is no point in mouthing off if you are not prepared to make some effort, and there is no excuse for NOT making an effort in this age of instant communication.

You can check out the list of Tibet petitions here:-

http://search.petitions.pm.gov.uk/kbroker/number10/petitions/search.lsim?ha=1157&sc=number10&qt=tibet

Futile? OK, maybe it is; but to do nothing is to condone what is happening.

A BRIGHT LIGHT IN THE DARK CORRIDORS OF BRITISH POLITICS

Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrat party here in England, is one politician, (one outspoken politician), who stands out from the crowd in many ways. For the first time in a long time I reckon the Lib Dem party is a a viable alternative to Labour and Conservative, purely because of him.
Right now he is a shining light in British politics. He had the courage of his convictions and spoke out against Gordon Brown attending the opening ceremony in Beijing and attending the ceremony Sunday.

WELL DONE NICK!

He said in the letter, (some quotes here from his letter published now on the BBC web site), "I understand that on Sunday you will welcome the Olympic torch to London”.
"I urge you to reconsider your participation in this event and indeed any future events to mark the Beijing Games, including the opening ceremony on the 8 August”.
"Recent events in Tibet, broken promises over media freedoms, ongoing human rights abuses and intransigence over the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur demand a response”.
"Serious concerns cannot be swept under the carpet for the sake of ceremonial duties."
GOOD ON YOU NICK!!

In the letter, Mr Clegg said Mr Brown must "take a stand for human rights". He continued by saying the prime minister could not attend the event in Beijing "in good conscience", given the country's crackdown on protests in Tibet.
If only more politicians, more athletes, would take a stand. Are human rights of so little importance? Is the suffering of the Tibetan people such a trivial matter? Doesn’t the persecution and denial of religious freedom count for something? (Tibetan students and government employees are NOT allowed to attend religious festivals and events).
I can only hope Nick Clegg shames others into taking some sort of stance against the Chinese tyranny.

The Chinese Ambassador has had a change of mind too, (I refuse to use the phrase "a change of heart" because she is a representative, and by definition, a supporter, of government politics back home), and WILL attend the flame ceremony on Sunday. Hope ir pours with rain.

SOULS ARE CHEAP TODAY

So the Chinese Ambassador, Madam Fu Ying, to Britain will not be involved in carrying the flame through London. Maybe ashamed?
Highly unlikely!
It is a shame, though, that important U.K. athletes will be involved – a personal decision, I know; maybe I have failed to see the importance of this event.
Right now, though, Hu Jia, the 34-year old Chinese rights campaigner, has been sentenced to three and a half years for, “inciting subversion of state power and the socialist system”.
Socialist system? China is a brutal, dictatorial regime, and bares little resemblance to any socialist system as I understand the phrase.
UK address – send an e-mail to:-
culturaloffice@chinese-embassy.org.uk
subject attention either of these names Madam Fu Ying, Ambassador OR Mr. Zhang Lirong, Minister Counsellor.

For other countries search here:-
http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjb/zwjg/2490/2496/default.htm

The U.S. and the EU have made official complaints to China.
Hu Jia follows Yang Chulin to jail – Yang was sentenced for the same crime of demanding human rights.

HU JIA

YANG CHULIN WITH SON

I am sure Bush, Brown, (and all those like them, including athletes competing in the games), sleep well at night. They speak fine words about the Olympics and ideals – what price do you pay for selling your soul to the devil in the name of political and commercial expedience?

THE TWO FACES OF POWER

The Olympics may have brought Tibet to the world-wide public conscience, (or attention anyway), and, sad to say, it is highly unlikely there will be dramatic changes in China’s policies.
Most people know of the recent riots and protests by monks. How many know about the forced sterilisation of Tibetan women? How many have heard about the falling birth rate amongst Tibetans? How many care about the “China-isation” of Tibet with Hang Chinese moving in, especially into the capital, Lhasa? Who cares about the nomads having their livestock taken from them, and hence their living? Know how they are forced to live in concrete jungles far from anywhere? “Improved living conditions according to the Chinese!
Anyone know or care about the torture used against Tibetan protestors? Or the claim by some that it is the Cultural Revolution all over again – complete with all the human suffering and abuse of human rights that entailed. “Re-education” is another buzz word you don’t hear much about either. None so deaf as those that will not hear.
And who can honestly claim that politics and sport should be kept apart and then sleep well at night? Who can cast aside the human suffering in pursuit of contracts and “international relationships”? Governments, sure, because their interest lies in business and profit, leaving human rights bleeding by life’s road side. NGO’s sure because they sit aloof in their ivory towers – far removed from the sordid real world as they prepare reports and battle for position, (what action did the U.N. take to prevent or halt the slaughter of 800,000 Tutsis in 2004? Back at U.N headquarters in New York, the killings were initially categorized as a breakdown in the cease-fire between the Tutsi and Hutu. Throughout the massacre, both the U.N. and the U.S. carefully refrained from labeling the killings as genocide, which would have necessitated some kind of emergency intervention.
Sports bodies like the IOC fail to take any action because to do so would mean admitting that they were morally wrong to agree to this in the first place.
Yet there are people who care – individuals, human rights organisations such as Amnesty, Human Rights watch, Everyone group, to name but a few.
And how many remember the outpouring of many individuals that finally brought about some sort of positive result with the young gay Iranian Mehdi? Where are their voices now? Silenced many of them – as though that was the only human rights problem that existed.
There is an old saying – many hands make light work”. Then, how come, those many hands, (voices too), are silent now, hoping someone else will do something.
Sarkozy is now considering his options on attending the opening, although he is holding the current EU presidency.
I know, I am just a dumb man in the street, while politicians are ….. well, more dumb “men”, only they’re not in the street – they’re in power.
Power corrupts – absolute power corrupts absolutely, (quotation by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton,1834–1902). They don’t come much more corrupt than China’s leadership. And they don’t come much more heartless than all those political leaders, officials and U.N. personnel – personal opinion, of course.

It wouldn't be the first time countries have boycotted the games - Netherlands, Spain an Switzerland in 1956. 65 nations refused to compete in the Moscow Olympics of 1980 becase of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan.

Hope whichever god you choose to worship forgives Gordon Brown and all those like him who choose to trivialise the events in Tibet and talk about "continuing dialogue bringing about change".

Continuing dialogue? A polite term for VERBAL DIARRHOEA.