humanrightsradio

Amnesty International Annual Report

Today Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings talk about the newly released Amnesty International Annual Report.  They talk about some of the many trouble spots in the world including issues here in Canada.  To see the report yourself go to www.amnesty.ca

Democracy in Egypt. The "Arab Spring" continues

Last Wednesday, Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings had a conversation with Mohamed El-darieby, a professor of softwear engineering who was born and lived the first 25 years of his life in Egypt.  We talk about how the "Arab Spring" is unfolding in his native land and how the Egyptian people continue to press for freedom of speech and fairness in government.  Mohamed explains some of the complexities of politics in Egypt.  At the middle of the show we play music from this video by Mohammed Mounir.

Human Rights in Columbia

This week Gord Barnes and Jim Hutchings were talking with Kathy Price from the Amnesty International office in Toronto about the desperate situation indigenous people and other marginalized groups in Columbia find themselves in as a result of natural resources exploitation projects.  We are particularly interested because of the involvement of the Canadian government and Canadian mining companies in these projects.  Kathy brings us up to date with the plight of the people affected by the side effects of the extraction and refining practices employed by these Canadian owned companies.

40th Anniversary of Saskatchewan Ombudsman

On Friday May 3, Holly Holland and Jim Hutchings talked with Saskatchewan Ombudsman, Kevin Fenwick about the history of the Ombudsman (the first Ombudsman was appointed in Sweden around 200 years ago) and how the Saskatchewan Ombudsman has helped resolve differences between the public and government agencies for the last 40 years.  (May 3rd, 2013 is the 40th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Ombudsman Office.)

Heidi McGinnis: "Abolish Slavery"

On Friday April 26, Holly Holland, Gord Barnes, and Jim Hutchings spoke with Heidi McGinnis and her work with Christian Solidarity International to help free slaves in Sudan and reunite them with family in South Sudan.  We discover that thousands remain in slavery in Sudan in the aftermath of years of civil war.  Heidi (an ordained Presbyterian minister from Denver CO) with her associates in Christian Solidarity International are doing everything they can to reunite families and undo some of the damage caused by the past civil war and continuing hostilities from the northern Sudanese government.

World Travelling Community Film Festival

Today Gordon Barnes and Jim Hutchings spoke with Morgan Campbell, a volunteer with the Regina group which  presents the World Travelling Community Film Festival.  She told us how she and her husband got involved with the festival and we discussed some of the many different human rights and environmental themed films that will be shown from April 26 to April 28 in Regina.

Vagina Monologues 2013

Today Human Rights Radio spoke with Chelsa Reil and Lani Elliott about the upcoming performance of the Vagina Monologues.  Chelsa and Lani have been very involved with the Monologues for a number of years.  We find out why the monologues continue and how Chelsa and Lani got involved plus a bit about the global movement of which the Vagina Monologues is a part.

Transgender Awareness Week

On Friday March29, Mona Hill spoke with representatives of TransSask Support Services about Transgender Awareness Week.  Transgender Awareness Week runs from March31 to April 6 and its purpose is to make the public aware of the issues transgender people face and what needs to happen to protect their human rights.

Mining in Guatemala

On Friday March 22, Halena Seiferling and Jim Hutchings spoke with Leonzo Barreno from the University of  Regina School of Journalism about Canadian mining activity in his homeland, Guatemala.  We discuss the impact of mining activities on the indigenous people there including water quality.  Also discussed was the lack of meaningful regulation in developing countries and the failure of our own country to require mining companies to be diligent in the protection of the environment in those counties.

Spring Free From Racism

On Friday March 15, Human Rights Radio spoke with Barb Dedi who is Co-Chair of  Spring Free from Racism in Regina, as well as the president of the Saskatchewan Association on Human Rights.  We talked about the history of the event,  why it was started and who was involved with Spring Free from Racism in the beginning.  We touch on what we can expect for entertainment and food and the fact that admission is free for everyone.  We also discussed her work with Saskatchewan Association on Human Rights.