Why human rights are important

Rights groups reacted in horror Wednesday to the latest hardline move from the resource-rich nation on Borneo, which practises a stricter brand of Islam than its neighbours Malaysia and Indonesia. The tiny sultanate will implement the harsh new penal code -- which also prescribes amputation of a hand and foot for theft -- next Wednesday. Homosexuality is already illegal in Brunei but it will now become a capital offence. The law only applies to Muslims. The new penalty for theft is amputation of the right hand for a first offence, and the left foot for a second offence. Amnesty International Wednesday urged Brunei to "immediately halt" implementing the new penalties. "To legalise such cruel and inhuman penalties is appalling of itself," Brunei researcher Rachel Chhoa-Howard said in a statement. "Some of the potential 'offences' should not even be deemed crimes at all, including consensual sex between adults of the same gender." A notice on Brunei's Attorney General's Chambers dated … [Read more...] about Brunei to impose death by stoning for gay sex and adultery

"Casting Light in the Shadows: Child and youth migration, exploitation and trafficking in Vietnam," released on Tuesday at a conference in Hanoi, said they were either trafficking victims or exposed to trafficking risks. Vietnamese girls and boys are equally at risk of trafficking, while less than one in 10 victims of trafficking or labor exploitation received any form of support. The report, surveyed 3,885 people aged 12 to 24 in 36 Vietnam localities from 2017. "This study provides important evidence of the prevalence of child trafficking and the experiences of exploited or trafficked children," Lesley Miller, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Vietnam, said. "It also reveals that both boys and girls are impacted, reinforcing the need for gender-responsive prevention and responses." Kara Apland, senior researcher at research institute Coram International, said: "The majority of trafficking survivors never access support services. Furthermore, services were found to be focused on a … [Read more...] about Over 5 pct of Vietnamese children have trafficking-related experiences: report

Attending the meeting were representatives from the Ministry of National Defense, and the Embassy of India in Vietnam. At the meeting. Photo: mod.gov.vn This year marks the 55th founding anniversary of the ITEC program, a bilateral assistance program run by the Government of India. Vietnam and India started its partnership in the framework of the ITEC program in the 1970s. Annually, the Indian Ministry of Defense grants around 50 full scholarships to Vietnamese military trainees to study at its major institutes and schools. This program plays an important role in promoting the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and helps develop human resources for different fields in Vietnam. Addressing the meeting, a representative from the Ministry of National Defense thanked the Government and Ministry of Defense of India and emphasized that the human resource training cooperation is one of the most effective ways to help the two countries get closer. He also … [Read more...] about Gathering for Vietnamese troops who studied in India

Thousands of workers at the Vissan Joint Stock Company in HCM City will receive an additional month’s salary and an additional bonus as a reward for business performance to celebrate Tết (Lunar New Year). — Photo nld.com.vnViet Nam News HCM CITY — Trade unions in HCM City are offering their labourers Tết bonuses, gifts, year-end parties and tickets for buses and trains for the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tết) holiday. At the Saigon 3 Garment Joint Stock Company, workers are busy this season but they are happy about working there. In October the company announced that employees would receive a Tết bonus equal to three months of salary. Phạm Văn Có, chairman of the Saigon 3 Garment Joint Stock Company’s trade union, said the company’s board of directors and trade union were determined to please their workers during Tết. “Their hard work throughout the year contributed to our business performance, so they … [Read more...] about City trade unions ensure happy Tết for labourers

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Soc Trang (VNA) - The co-management model for mangrove forest protection in Soc Trang province has improved livelihoods in local communities and efficiently protects forests. Located south of the Hau River, the southern-most tributary of the Mekong River, Soc Trang has faced the impacts of climate change, including coastal erosion. Human activities like over-exploitation of aquatic resources in mangrove forests have caused the degradation of those forests which act as shields preventing erosion of coasts. To grow mangrove forests, the province launched the co-management model in Au Tho B hamlet in Vinh Chau town’s Vinh Hai commune in 2007. Under it, local people together with authorities protect the forests and exploit aquatic resources and wood. Thach Soal, head of the Au Tho B hamlet co-management group, said: “Previously local people who came into mangrove forests to exploit aquatic resources were not aware of the need to protect … [Read more...] about Soc Trang’s forest co-management model helps improve locals’ incomes