Cases of violence against women are increasing rapidly in Afghanistan; a frightening reminder of pre-war life under the Taliban. This shocking report investigates how much has actually changed in the country.
6 months ago, 22-year-old Najiba was mercilessly killed by the Taliban, just one hour's drive from Kabul. The Taliban created a fake court and once they decided she was guilty, executed her within an hour. "It was tyrannical and barbaric - it is impossible that the law would allow what they did", says Mullah Badam, who witnessed the killing. Cases of violence against women in Afghanistan have surged in recent months, with many living in abject fear of attack for minor "crimes". Yet there are some women in Afghanistan who are fighting back, including MP Fawzia Koofi, who plans to take on Hamid Karzai for the presidency. An outspoken champion of women's rights, she has faced assassination attempts and numerous death threats. She argues that for her male political opposition, "women's rights are a matter of sacrifice".
SBS
(Ref: 5645)
USA - Rise of the Machines
- 26' min 39" sec [15 October 2012]
Most people see drones as a controversial weapon prowling over foreign battlegrounds. But as America's military campaigns wind down, these machines are coming home and set to change civilian lives forever. "This is a powerful technology. No amount of hand-wringing is going to stop it", says drone expert, Peter Singer. Whether it's a floating TV station streaming live to the web, the prying lens of the paparazzi, the police chasing a criminal or a government agency spying, small domestic drones are experiencing an exponential growth. At the world's largest drone convention in Las Vegas a salesman tells the crowd, "this can be used in law enforcement, disaster relief and industrial applications. It's also very good at dusting floors. Every home owner should have one". And as the technology advances at a frightening speed, anyone with a few hundred dollars can buy one over the counter. These hobby drones can fly for miles and provide sharp video feedback to the pilot. "I wouldn't cheat on your wife!", laughs columnist Charles Krauthammer. But jokes aside, there are real fears over the "political, legal and ethical issues that play out with this", argues Singer. In 3 years time an order from the US congress will see tens of thousands of drones legally occupy an already crowded sky, raising numerous questions about basic safety, terrorism and civil liberty. As companies rush to cash in on this new billion dollar industry, experts warn, "we're not ready for this".
ABC Australia
(Ref: 5629)
Greece - Backlash
- 8 min 33 sec [15 October 2012]
As the crisis deepens in Greece immigrants have been facing a harsh crackdown by the government. And with chaos across the country, the far right party Golden Dawn are implementing their own violent backlash. "Get out! This is my country!", one angry local shouts. For immigrants, Greece is no longer the land of hope and opportunity it once was. In Athens they're being rounded up by police and thrown into overcrowded detention centres. The system is chaotic and the European Court of Human Rights has recently condemned the centres for their appalling conditions. Meanwhile, the far right group Golden Dawn has sought to capitalise on Greeks' growing discontent with violent attacks, which many Greek police seemingly turn a blind eye to. "They will kill me. I've become afraid for myself", says a terrified business owner from Cameroon. In the push to round up illegal immigrants genuine asylum seekers are also suffering. One such group of refugees fled the fighting in Syria only to be firebombed by local thugs. "If we knew we would have stayed in Syria", they say from the flat they don't dare to leave. With Greece in the grip of increasingly violent conflicts, is the country on the brink of disaster?
Inigo Gilmore
(Ref: 5657)
Zimbabwe - Sekai's Journey
- 12 min 03 sec [15 October 2012]
ZEC suggests further delays to Zim election results
As a member of the MDC party, Sekai Holland was nearly beaten to death in 2007 by Mugabe's thugs. Now she's a senator in Zimbabwe's unity government, overseeing a program of national reconciliation.
"Violence is part of Zimbabwe's second nature. Everybody who has come here for the past 1,000 years used violence to take over the country," states Sekai Holland. As Minister for Healing and Reconciliation she is striving to unite the country, but many want justice, not reconciliation. "Of over 200 deaths that occurred in 2008, there has been only one prosecution resulting in a conviction of those responsible," explains Dewa Mavhinga of human rights group, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition. With elections on the horizon there are concerns that old divisions could reopen among the volatile coalition. "Tsvangirai has always said Mugabe is part of the problem. He has got to be part of the solution."
SBS
(Ref: 5651)
Tibet - Miss Tibet (HD)
- 28' min 00'' sec [10 October 2012]
The popular Miss Tibet beauty pageant claims to give women a platform to highlight Tibetan issues, drawing attention to the plight of its people as well as the brilliance of the lifestyle and culture.
For Director Lobsang Wangyal, the event is not just a beauty pageant, but a political act, "celebrating our identity, our culture and our proud tradition", whilst "implicitly asserting" Tibet as a nation and Tibetans as a people. But does the pageant really empower its women, or simply exploit them further?
