Daily Archives: July 30, 2015

Gender

Armenia News | Women

1 Comment
Armenian ministry proposes ban on sex-selective abortion along with additional restrictions
  • The Ministry of Health submitted the bill to parliament at the beginning of July, hoping to become the first country to enact the protective measure in the South Caucasus.
  • The ban would require doctor’s consent for all abortions between the 12th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy and would require counseling and a three-day waiting period.
  • One estimate puts the number of sex-selective abortions at 2,000 per year, producing a male-to-female birth ratio of 114 to 100, the third highest in the world.

“Having a son is one of the most important issues for many Armenian families, and I highly doubt that it will be possible to get results [and end selective abortions] by using prohibitions.”

Read the full story at EurasiaNet.

(Image Credit: Anahit Hayrapetyan/EurasiaNet)

Nationality + Migration

New Zealand News | Indian Immigrants

Indian nationals receive extortionate phone calls in New Zealand
  • Individuals posing as immigration officials have been targeting immigrants over the phone, threatening deportation unless payment is received.
  • The scams involve using phone numbers similar to the Immigration Contact Centre and demands for money transfers through Western Union.
  • Immigration New Zealand issued a reminder that they would never ask for payment over the phone and that such illegal activity should be reported to the police.

Read the full story at The Times of India.

Race + Color + Ethnicity

U.S. News | African Americans

Cincinnati community speaks out on ongoing police harassment following killing of unarmed black man
  • A University of Cincinnati police officer was indicted on murder charges following a traffic stop involving a missing front-end license plate.
  • Residents decried targeting by campus police at the University of Cincinnati, where only 7% of students are black compared to 45% in the city population.
  • Off-campus patrols were increased in 2013 following a statement by the UC president that community residents and student activists believe inflamed town-gown relations.

“Instead of inclusion, there’s this culture of class that UC has created. … It’s like the people in the outside communities are voiceless to the administration and the administration just wants them to stay out of the way.”

Read the full story at BuzzFeed News.

(Image Credit: William Philpott/Reuters, via BuzzFeed News)

Sexual + Gender Minorities

Israel News | LGBT

Assailant stabs six at Jerusalem Pride
  • Yishai Schlissel, an ultra-Orthodox Jew, had been released from prison three weeks earlier for good behavior after having been imprisoned for stabbing three at 2005’s Jerusalem Pride.
  • Schlissel had released a threatening letter and railed against the celebration in an interview prior to the event, which is attended by thousands.
  • While politicians denounced the attack, attendees sharply criticized the police for the lack of security precautions given Schlissel’s release.

“We won’t allow a single excuse for violence of any kind. Jerusalem is a place for all, and we will continue to fight together with the Israel Police against all who attempt violence to harm another. … We will continue to support all groups and communities in Jerusalem and won’t be deterred by those who try perverse ways to prevent this.”

Read the full story at The Times of Israel.

(Image Credit: Screen capture/Channel 2, via The Times of Israel)