Swap between Libya and Egypt

Five Egyptian diplomats kidnapped in Tripoli following the arrest in Egypt of a former Libyan rebel commander were released Sunday as part of a swap, officials said


The abduction of the five on Saturday and of another member of the Egyptian embassy's staff a day earlier came after Shaaban Hadeia, a prominent commander in the rebellion that ousted  Kadhafi in 2011. 

The kidnappings in Tripoli occurred despite Libya's announcement that security around the embassy had been reinforced.

They also came as fighting in the south and west of the country claimed more than 150 lives, adding to the sense of chaos in Libya more than two years after Kadhafi's demise.

Foreigners have been targeted several times in recent weeks: two Italians were seized last week in east Libya and a South Korean trade representative was released by security forces on Wednesday, three days after being abducted in Tripoli.

http://www.nst.com.my/world/egyptian-diplomats-seized-in-libya-freed-in-swap-1.530259

Moroccan Gender Inequality

Thanks to a real will for reform, slowly but surely progress is being made regarding the expansion of women's rights. Even though the country passed a new constitution three years ago guaranteeing gender inequality, Moroccan women claim that equality has yet to be fully enforced as much of the old laws remain untouched. Claims have been made that changes have not been fully carried out mainly because some judges have been finding ways around the law or remain unfamiliar with the new amendments. Many believe that this kind of change will not possible in Morocco unless the king steps in and lays down the law. If it is possible, studies show that it could take up to 30 years before society begins to be pushed in a different direction.

Some of the most controversial issues have risen from conflicts regarding marriage and household relevance. As  part of the amendments, the minimum age of marriage for women was increased from 15 to 18. Since then, judges have apparently granted permission for the marriage of minors in approximately 90% of cases as many families in rural areas are eager to have their daughters marry much earlier. A decade ago, Morocco adopted a family code which stated that male relatives receive double the inheritance of women. Enforcement of this law brought several consequences because the death of a male "head of the house" caused many families to disintegrate.

Since any women are now becoming the ones who provide for the family (or at least contribute in a significant manner), laws will continue to be altered to expand women's rights in the future.


Website: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/17/world/africa/gender-inequality-in-morocco-continues-despite-amendments-to-family-law.html?_r=0

Iraq child marriage bill sparks outrage

There is a draft law before Iraqi Parliament that will drastically effect girls and women, and is causing outrage among the human rights community. If passed, the bill allows the marriage of girls as young as nine and further restricts women's rights in marriage, divorce, parenting, and inheritance. This bill is causing much disrest just six weeks before the first national poll since US forces have left. Observers say the Shia community is split over the debate. Female parliament members have recognized the proposed bill as being a step backwards for the country. Those supporting the bill claim to not care about those apposing in because they are going against Islam.

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/20/iraq-child-marriage-bill-human-rights

Still more happening in Egyptian Courts

While the hundreds of court cases that are currently happening in Egypt continue, on Sunday the Egyptian courts ordered the release on bail pending trial of one of  a key activist who took part in the 2011 uprising against Hosni Mubarak, Abdel-Fattah. The case that is being drawn up against this activist as well as against the other 24 defendants has been criticized by many rights groups in Egypt. These arrests took place under one of the many crackdowns on Islamic supporters as well as the secular opposition’s activists.

The Egyptian courts are currently overburdened with thousands of defendants arrested in the past eight months, including Morsi and leading members of his Muslim Brotherhood. The fairness of these trials (seeing as how there are so many) is beginning to be brought to attention.

Abdel-Fattah is an interesting case because his was the first case since Morsi’s ouster against secular activists and it was also the first moved against protesters for violating the new law adopted in November, calling for more regulation of street protests.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch has been expressing its concern that Egypt has "demonstrated almost zero tolerance for any form of dissent, arresting and prosecuting journalists, demonstrators, and academics for peacefully expressing their views." This new law even crackdowns on people expressing dissent through Twitter, even though the new constitution grants the freedom of thought and opinion.

There is also still great disagreement over Egypts decision to crack down on the Muslim Brotherhood which they feel is necessary to stop potential terror acts by militants linked to the Brotherhood.

This is also coming at a time where Egypt is calling on the Arab League to also recognize the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization not just a political party. The outcomes of this may affect the trials happening in Egypt, or Egypt’s government may just continue to pursue justice in their overburdened court systems.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/lawyer-egypt-trial-545-set-verdict-23018343?page=2

Tulu Koota Family Picnic

I promise to write a serious blog this week too, but I really wanted to write about something fun!

On March 14 the Tulu Koota Family Picnic was held at Mishreh Garden in Kuwait. The annual day of family fun and celebration began with the traditional lighting of the torch by the Tulu Koota president and passed along to past presidents. Children of all ages participated in field day style games, including a zig zag race, mother and child soccer ball relay, and the sack race. Couples competed in a blind walk relay and musical chairs.

Tulu Koota is an Indian culture organization that provides a community for Indians living in Kuwait. The organization provides opportunities for southern Indian natives to gather and participate in traditional rituals, discuss issues and practice their native language. Typically over 2,000  members of the community participate in the Tulu Koota family games.

Tulu Koota Family Picnic Photos borrowed from: http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=223788

For more information about Tulu Koota Kuwait http://www.tulukootakuwait.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g60iT-n_3Rc

Libya could be headed towards bankruptcy

Revenue Watch, a New York-based think tank, believes Libya is heading towards bankruptcy. With ninth-largest proven oil reserves in the world and a population of 6.5 million should be a wildly prosperous nation but it is not. Two years since Muammar Gaddafi's regime fell, militias have seized control of Libya's oil production facilities.


The big problem is oil output, which has fallen to 230,000 barrels per day; before the revolution, that number was closer to 1.6 million barrels. That is a huge drop when Libya's oil and gas provides 90 percent of state revenue; in 2013, oil income brought in around $48.7bn.


http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/countingthecost/2014/03/libya-heading-towards-bankruptcy-2014313173334276217.html

US Military Assistance to Iraqi Forces

The United States has made a large arms delivery to Iraq as part of the anti-terror campaign. The delivery includes 100 Hellfire missiles, assault riffles and ammunition. Hellfire missiles are the one the United States uses on drones for attacking human targets. They are designed to be precise and deadly. the United States claims that the delivery was made this month in response to escalated violence and violent action by the "Islamic State if Iraq" and "Levant."

It was also reported that Iraqi forces have been receiving large arms shipments since mid January. The military has been reportedly working closely with Sunni militias to combat al Qaida. Despite these arms shipments, violence has continues to escalate in Iraq, making the withdraw of US troops very controversial.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/car-bombs-kill-people-iraqs-capital-baghdad-22925127