HUMAN RIGHTS

While there is currently an official cease fire as the Tamil appear ready to sue for peace, major human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as well as the United States Department of State and the European Union, have expressed concern about the state of human rights in Sri Lanka. Both the government of Sri Lanka and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) stand accused of violating human rights. Amnesty International stated that there are continued "political killings, child recruitment and abductions". Also outlined were concerns with violence against women, the death penalty and "numerous reports of torture in police custody". Although Sri Lanka has not officially practiced the death penalty since 1976, well-documented cases of state-sponsored 'disappearances' and murders by non-partisan humanitarian organizations, notably Human Rights Watch, contradict official statements.

JOIN POP’S “BREAK THE CHAIN” GROUP

LET CHILDREN BE CHILDREN

There is no greater crime on this earth than child abuse. Childhood is a time of innocence, discovery and growth. When we steal that we destroy a life and its potential before it begins. Across the globe - particularly in  developing nations and in certain traditional Muslim countries and regions - there are two forms of child abuse that have become institutionalized through both culture and law; Child Brides and Child Soldiers.

POWER IT FORWARD

Do a favor, give someone a break, offer help before it's asked for. Move the world around you and it will continue to move. Paying it forward is good work, personal work. Pass it on. Tell others to do the same.

JOIN POP’S “POWER IT FORWARD” GROUP

PRESS FREEDOM

As Sri Lanka appears to be nearing the end of a vicious civil war with Tamil rebels, the International Press Institute is appealing to the international community to pressure the government for increased transparency in the embattled region, and justice for journalists killed during years of conflict.

Journalists have not been allowed free access to the north of Sri Lanka, where government soldiers and rebel fighters have entered a final stand-off. More than 50,000 civilians are reportedly trapped in the war zone. Sri Lanka holds one of the world’s worst records when it comes to prosecuting killers of journalists. Sixteen journalists have been killed in Sri Lanka since 2004. In a January 2009 report, press freedom organizations pinpointed impunity as a major problem, noting that there are few serious investigations of attacks on journalists by the authorities and none of the killers are brought to trial.

JOIN POP’S “SAY IT LOUD” GROUP