Human rights groups and Iran experts say that Iran is using the death penalty to intimidate the political opposition and to quell unrest. In Iran, executions tend to surge during a crisis, and this pattern seems to be in effect in the aftermath of the disputed June elections. This month, a fifth person connected to the protests was sentenced to death. In the period of time between the election in June and the inauguration of President Ahmadinejad in August, 115 people were executed (according to statistics compiled by human rights groups and Iranian news agencies -- Iran does not release official statistics on executions). Amnesty International reported that between the June elections and the inauguration in August, executions surged to an average of two a day. Experts argue the executions are intended to frighten those who protest against the government. "Though the executions mostly involved violent criminals and drug dealers, the number and pace of the killings appeared to be sending a message to the opposition, said human rights groups and Iran experts."
Iran has one of the highest rates of execution; only China has a higher rate. Once Ahmadinejad became president, the number of executions quadrupled. According to Amnesty International, in 2005 (the year Ahmadinejad took office) there were 86 executions; in 2008 there were 346. Last week the United Nations passed a draft resolution criticizing Iran for numerous human rights abuses. It is expected that the final resolution will pass the General Assembly. (Full Story)
A Canadian woman that was on long-term sick leave for depression (she was diagnosed with major depression) says she lost her benefits because of pictures of her on Facebook. Manulife discontinued her monthly sick-leave benefits because they found pictures of her on Facebook having a good time at a Chippendales bar show, her birthday party, and on a vacation. She says that Manulife told her that these pictures are evidence that she is no longer depressed. She is fighting to get her benefits reinstated. She says her doctor advised her to try to have fun, to hang out with friends more, and to go on short vacations where she can get sunlight -- to help with her depression. (Full Story)
It is crazy how often companies are looking on people's Facebook pages to get information. Including information to be used against the individual. Furthermore, what does Manulife expect, that if you're depressed you aren't allowed to have a birthday party or see friends? That if you're depressed you better be sitting at home 24/7 in sweatpants with a carton of ice cream, crying constantly, and always an arms-length away from a bottle of pills or razorblades? Someone obviously doesn't understand mental health too well.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment