www.PeaceWorldwide.org

Violence Against Women is a Global Disgrace

2011-11-30T20:57:00.005-06:00

By Michael Alavi, Board Member

Throughout the world, women are deprived of their human rights. A subject that is very touching and disturbing, yet does not get enough attention is violence against women. As reported at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 2000, globally, approximately 1 in 3 women and girls has been beaten or sexually abused in her lifetime. This is astonishingly high and is quite disgusting. It is appalling that it has become socially acceptable in many cultures and societies around the world.

In the United States, violence against women is clearly represented and supported through advertisements --- cosmetic ads are the most prevalent type and tend to depict a woman with a bruised eye or facial extremity and stating that the bruise can be covered up by makeup. Not only do these representations in the media promote violence against women, they also tend to objectify and depict women as a resource of man that can be exploited. In Pakistan, “honor killings” of women were reported to have increased by 25 percent in 2002 (Pakistan Human Rights Commission, 2002). In Canada, 19 percent of all women reported have been beaten within a five year span (Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006).

As one can see, violence against women is not just prevalent in a single country, but it is rather a global phenomenon. It is vital that we do not just ignore these atrocities, but rather find an effective way to address the issue head on. Fortunately, there have been slight improvements in legislation to help protect women. On December 14, 2010, the International Violence Against Women Act was passed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee- this act will establish an inclusive five-year strategy to end violence against women and girls around the world. It is only through a group effort that we will be able to protect these women’s rights and one day reach our goal of having a world free from the scourges of violence, oppression, and war.

Human Trafficking: Awareness is the First Step by Ambassador Melody Duarte

2011-11-05T23:38:00.004-05:00

Human trafficking has been going on in our world for centuries, but in recent years it has been receiving more attention as it continues to grow as one of the leading forms of organized crime. Human Trafficking, has been described by some as modern day slavery. As an ambassador for Peace Worldwide Organization I hope that we can as an organization and as a part of humanity focus our attention on how we can create awareness on this unfortunate issue. I believe that awareness is the first step in creating change.

In Eastern Europe, where economic instability continues to trouble its people, young women have a hard time finding employment, this gives traffickers the incentive to lure women with promises of employment and a better future in a foreign country. Taking them far from what is familiar, away from family and friends, and their own culture; traffickers take advantage of a vulnerable young girl and force her into sexual slavery. According to the United Nations Organization on Drugs and Crime’s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, sex trafficking alone generates 27.8 billion USD a year. Eastern Europe is one of the largest traffickers of women to other countries such as those in Western Europe and the United States of America. Bloomberg reported that “the number of countries failing to comply with international standards to prevent human trafficking almost doubled to 23, according to U.S. State Department’s 2011 Trafficking in Persons report.” This problem is far from limited to countries in Eastern Europe, it may start in one country but is contin ued in the recipient countries such as the U.S. This problem must be stopped not just by having laws but by enforcing the law.

Here is an example of human trafficking close to home, from the U.S. State Department’s 2011 Trafficking in Persons report:

Alissa, 16, met an older man at a convenience store in Dallas and after a few dates accepted his invitation to move in with him. But soon Alissa’s new boyfriend convinced her to be an escort for him, accompanying men on dates and having sex with them for money. He took her to an area known for street prostitution and forced her to hand over all of her earnings. He made Alissa get a tattoo of his nicknames, branding her as his property, and he posted prostitution advertisements with her picture on an Internet site. He rented hotel rooms around Dallas and forced Alissa to have sex with men who responded to the ads. The man, who kept an assault rifle in the closet of his apartment, threatened Alissa and physically assaulted her on multiple occasions. The man later pled guilty to trafficking Alissa.

This is just an example of what human trafficking looks like in our world today. My hope is to continue creating awareness for those victims of sex trafficking. In recent years government has been focusing their attention to how laws can be implemented in the protection of trafficking victims and the prevention of continued trafficking. The more we know, the more we can do to help. The Executive Director of the UNODC Antonio Maria Costa said, "we have a big picture, but it is impressionistic and lacks depth. We fear the problem is getting worse, but we cannot prove it for lack of data, and many governments are obstructing...If we do not overcome this knowledge crisis we will be fighting the problem blindfolded." There are non-profit organizations today that are involved in the fight against sex trafficking of women, not only are they involved in helping the persons involved but also in creating awareness of this growing tragedy. I applaud them for their efforts, as I also applaud the governments that are increasing their efforts in ending modern day slavery, by not just creating laws but also implementing these.

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2009, Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns, Available: http://www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Global_Report_on_TIP.pdf

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-27/fight-against-human-trafficking-loses-ground-in-11-nations.html

http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2011/index.htm

www.thea21campaign.org

Peace Worldwide Organization Message from Founder Dr. Alavi on Great Steps by Nobel Committee

2011-10-25T16:21:00.003-05:00

I am Dr. Mehdi Alavi, the founder of Peace Worldwide Organization. According to Alfred Nobel's will, the Nobel Peace Prize shall be awarded to the person who has “done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has come a long way! Just a century ago, the Committee bypassed Bertha von Suttner -- Europe’s great pacifist, who had immense influence on Alfred Nobel’s decision on the Peace Prize -- for about five years before awarding her the Peace Prize 1905, which was the first ever awarded to a woman. In the entire 20th century, the Committee recognized only ten women for the Peace Prize. Now in the 21st century, it has already recognized five women in the last ten years. Congratulations to the Committee for finally fulfilling Nobel’s will by recognizing the best regardless of gender.
On October 7, 2011, the Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2011 jointly to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee from Liberia and Tawakkul Karman from Yemen "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women’s rights to full participation in peace-building work. We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society.”
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is Liberia’s first democratically elected female President. Throughout her life, she has struggled to influence political movements in Liberia, a country often plagued with civil wars and conflicts.
Leymah Gbowee, also a Liberian, has mobilized women across ethnic and religious sectors throughout the country to bring an end to the bloody conflicts in Liberia as well as secure women’s rights.
In the most difficult circumstances, Tawakkul Karman has assumed leadership in the struggle for women’s rights, freedom, and peace in Yemen.
At Peace Worldwide Organization, we are encouraged to see that women are increasingly being acknowledged for their contributions to world peace.

May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW

Peace Worldwide Ambassador on Rights in Saudi Arabia

2011-10-01T23:59:00.003-05:00

I am Sara Alavi, Peace Worldwide Ambassador. I am encouraged by the recent political decision in Saudi Arabia.
“We refuse to marginalize the role of women in Saudi society,” Saudi King Abdullah said on Sunday, September 25, 2011. His Majesty deserves recognition for his long overdue courageous decision in a country that historically yields to a very narrow interpretation of Islam. Saudi women will be able to participate in municipal elections starting in 2015.
Saudis, men and women, are subjected to the most strict interpretation. Until a few years ago, even men did not have many political rights. This extremism has produced terrorists like Bin Laden.
"Muslim women in our Islamic history have demonstrated positions that expressed correct opinions and advice," King Abdulla acknowledged. In a land that its Prophet worked for a woman and has produced some of the world’s greatest women in history, it is time for permitting, recognizing, and acknowledging their contributions.
The Arab Spring is rapidly progressing in the Middle East. The 2015 token of rights may be too limited and too late in a region that is moving forward fast! We ask His Majesty King Abdullah to PROMPTLY restore FULL political rights to ALL Saudis, regardless of gender, and set all political prisoners free. We think by taking such a moral action, His Majesty will bring honor to the Kingdom.

Salaam Alaikum. May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW

Somali refugees need your help now !

2011-08-28T20:30:00.002-05:00

Somalia Famine Crisis: Somalia, a country at the horn of Africa, is facing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Tens of thousands have fled their homes, walked for weeks in search of food. Many young children have died along the way. And all of the Somali refugees arriving in Kenya and Ethiopia are exhausted. Between 40 percent and 50 percent of the children are acutely malnourished given the Somali famine crisis. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is already scaling up work on the ground. Please provide whatever you can afford for this tragedy. You will save lives and give protection. You will offer hope to people who are in extremely desperate situations.

***Please contribute below to help make a difference for these Somali refugees:

Peace Worldwide Organization Message from Founder Dr. Alavi on Costa Rica

2011-08-28T20:08:00.002-05:00

Costa Rica has not had a standing army since 1945. It is a country in Central America in a region infamous for discrimination against indigenous people and blacks, harassment of oppositions, child labor, violence, drug cartel, and destination and transit points for trafficking in women and children. Also, the country has notoriety for sex tourism.
Nevertheless, Costa Rica is a constitutional democracy with a population of about 4.5 million. It has accomplished great steps in democracy. An example is that over 38% of the Legislators are women comparing to 17% in the United States. In February 2011, Laura Chinchilla Miranda was elected the country's first female president.
In the recent years, the country has become a theater of the drug cartel. Unlike other countries that deal with such problems by resorting to their armed forces, Costa Rica has been determined to remain free of a standing army despite having serious problem with the cartel. In response to such pressure, President Chinchilla said: “… the absence of an army has been a guarantee of security in the country."
The courage to be free of military has handsomely paid off. Costa Rica has become the envy of the world. The Happy Planet Index global ranking for well-being and environmental impact shows Costa Rica is top in the world. Costa Ricans are reportedly among the happiest in the world. They have one of the highest levels of life expectancy in the Western World. They enjoy better living standards than many people in the other countries in Americas.
Costa Ricans are a good example for the rest of us to follow. We can realize that standing military is not a solution to conflicts but a part of the problem. The money wasted on military can best be spent to enhance our wellbeing. To have a world free of military, each of us must be committed to peaceful coexistence through dialogue, and not confrontation. President Chinchilla said: “Dialogue has to become a permanent instrument for the exercise of power.”

May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW

Peace Worldwide Organization Message from Founder Dr. Alavi on the Riots in England

2011-08-28T20:07:00.001-05:00

The English Riots of August resulted in the deaths of three young men, Haroon, Shazad Ali, and Abdul Musavir on August 10 who had stood against the mobs to protect their neighborhood.
People have the right to assemble in order to demonstrate peacefully their satisfaction or dissatisfaction with any of their government policies or programs, without interference or molestation by any local, national, or international entity. However, no individual, regardless of his or her grievances, has the right to attack anyone’s person or properties in expression of such rights.
Therefore, the English were within their rights to demonstrate and the government’s duty was to address the root causes of their grievances without interfering in their peaceful demonstrations. Like other large movements, there were a few who took advantage of the riots to rob and attack others. Those thugs must face justice as usual.
However, the British response has been harsh. Two youngsters are jailed for four years for encouraging riots using Facebook. Many are charged on mere suspicion of minor offenses. Over 20% of the suspects are under 18 years of age. According to British news, 70% of the offenders are jailed, compared to the normal 2% for the same offenses. Sentencing a teenager who acted in the spur of the moment to months of incarceration for a few stolen pounds would condemn the kid to a life of poverty in which no government agency or private enterprise would hire him or her due to the applicant’s criminal records. Deprived from economic opportunities, chances are that the person may become a hardcore criminal. The English judicial reaction is more in line with the authoritarian regimes than with a representative government.
How about addressing the root causes! The English Riots apparently stemmed from economic deprivation. Any one, when desperate, may resort to the unthinkable! Over 40% of the over 1000 suspects come from the poorest sectors in England. The British government could improve opportunities in these economically deprived sectors.
The best justice is compassion and considering the long term public interest before rendering a decision. I ask the English judges to decide on each case with empathy, to allow those charged with petty offenses to apologize and repay the victims without staining their records for life, and then set them free! And for the others, factor in the lack of economic opportunities.
Tariq Jahan, the father of Haroon, said: "Our three boys have died. Another 68-year-old man has died in London. Let their deaths be the last as a result of this madness."

May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW

Peace Worldwide Organization Message from Founder Dr. Alavi on a Peaceful Solution for Afghanistan

2011-08-28T20:05:00.001-05:00

As of August 2011, the United States has spent $438 billion on the Afghan War. That translates to over $3.6 billion a month or about $120 million a day. The United States military fatalities have continuously increased from 12 in 2001 to 499 in 2010. Just last weekend, Afghan militants shot a United States helicopter, killing 30 US troops, mostly elite Navy Seals, from the same unit that executed the covert raid killing Osama ben Laden.
Apparently, the Talibans and Al-Qaedas are becoming more daring. By some estimates, over 100,000 Afghans have been killed due to the United States military attacks. What have we accomplished? Very little, if any.
Afghans are known for courage, kindness, and hospitality. Today, the nation is uninformed. Less than 30% can read and write. Nearly all women are illiterate. Freedom cannot take root in anyone who is ignorant. Thomas Jefferson advised us over 200 years ago when he said: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be."
In 1980s, the proxy war between the United States and the Soviet Union in Afghanistan reduced the country to rubbles, becoming one of the world’s poorest and most illiterate nations. Afghans are easily manipulated by anyone who promises utopia.
How about we stop the killings! If we truly desire freedom for Afghans, the way to do it is not to drop bombs over their homes and kill their loved ones but to help them to read and write. We can spend a part of that $120 million that we daily spend on the war to build schools in every village, town, and city in Afghanistan. How about hiring the local Afghans to build their own schools? A Taliban who dares to destroy any of those schools will have to face the local community.
Whatever is left from $120 million, we can use it to train the Afghan’s security forces and build the Afghan’s infrastructure. If we still have some extra money left, we can expand literacy rates in countries like Chad, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
Please listen to what President Dwight D. Eisenhower said: “Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and not clothed.”
I believe that only through caring for others we shall achieve peace!

May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW

Peace Worldwide Organization Message from Founder Dr. Alavi on the Arab Spring in the Middle East

2011-08-28T20:03:00.001-05:00

Hi, I am Dr. Mehdi Alavi, the founder of Peace Worldwide Organization. The Arab Spring in the Middle East energized the world. Many of us watched as the Tunisian men and women, both young and old, stood side-by-side, and demanded their unalienable rights. The spillover into Egypt was just icing on the cake. We congratulate the people of Tunisia and Egypt for their courage and bravery.
The Arab Spring also reminded us in the West to appreciate our rights and privileges. And, it gave hope to those who live under oppressive regimes, dreaming that someday they may also be privileged to emulate it in their own countries.
Today, I am deeply concerned that the powerful masses that led to the removal of the old regimes are now being distracted, crying for revenge and some others are stirring up sectarian conflicts. In Tunisia, some are shouting to punish Ben Ali and his collaborators. In Egypt, some are screaming to punish Hosni Mubarak and his associates.
Vengeance is a cancer in the soul that destroys all virtues. No family or organization can flourish through vengeance. No nation can survive long if her people are divided and revengeful. Much of Africa is doomed in misery for giving lip service to freedom but competing in retaliation.
My friends in Tunisia and Egypt, if you truly want a representative government that listens to your grievances with compassion, then you must give it first. You could forgive those who have done you wrong and put your focus on building a compassionate nation. I truly believe that you have a historical opportunity to build a nation that every other nation in the region will look up to with high esteem. You have the power to become the vehicle of change in the region.
As for the sectarian squabbling in Egypt, it is scandalous. How can a people whose salutation is peace get drawn into such disgraceful conduct! It takes all kinds of people to make a country work. How about putting aside your ethnic bickering and uniting to build a nation that you deserve to have.
Listen to how Ali, one of history’s most just and compassionate rulers, advised his Egyptian Governor Malik; he said: “You must know that the people over whom you rule are divided into classes and grades, and the prosperity or welfare of each class of the society individually or collectively is so interdependent upon the well-being of the other classes that the whole set up represents a closely woven net and a reciprocal aspect, one class cannot exist peacefully, cannot live happily and cannot work without the support and good wishes of the others.”

Salaam Alaikum
May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW

Peace Worldwide Organization Message from Founder Dr. Alavi on the Realm of Responsibility

2011-08-28T20:01:00.002-05:00

The Srebrenica Genocide, the largest mass murder committed in Europe since World War II, occurred in July 1995 around the town of Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Serbs during the Bosnian War. More than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys were rounded and massacred while the Dutch soldiers operating under the auspices of the United Nations were assigned to protect the town.
In July 2011 the Court of Appeal in Netherlands ruled that the Dutch state was responsible for some Bosnian men during the Srebrenica Genocide and ordered the Dutch government to compensate the relatives for the deaths. We applaud the Dutch Court ruling for being consistent with the Law of Nature and the Dictate of Reason, which clearly holds us responsible not only for our own actions but also those of others to the extent that we can control them.
We disagree with the United Nations claim of immunity from legal action related to the Srebrenica Genocide for any family, town, city, state or institution endowed by the Law of Nature and the Dictate of Reason to protect its members. No entity, including the United Nations, has power to evade that responsibility. We expect the United Nations to reverse its judgment and live up to its full responsibilities.

May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW

Peace Worldwide Organization (P.W.O) - Founder's July 4th 2011 Video Message

2011-08-28T20:00:00.001-05:00

I am Dr. Mehdi Alavi, the founder of Peace Worldwide Organization. Air travel, satellite, and internet, especially social media such as Facebook and Twitter have given us a unique opportunity to strive towards Peace Worldwide. Together, we can do it! We CAN have a world free from the scourges of war, oppression, and persecution.
The Arab Spring in the Middle East reminds us to appreciate the life of liberty we enjoy in the West, for that which we have inherited the fruit of foresight, hard work, dedication, and perseverance from many many generations before us. It is now our turn to share this gift with the rest of the world.
On this July 4, 2011, I would like to remind my fellow Americans that the United States Declaration of Independence addresses not only the people of the colonies but also the human race at large in the following passage: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
I know that Peace Worldwide will eventually encompass the world. I am certain of that. I would like to invite you to join me in this noble initiative that inspires the best in each of us to strive in the quest for freedom and peace for all humanity.

May peace be with you!
*ALL COMMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO EDITORIAL REVIEW