* Any views expressed in this opinion piece are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.
A sneak peak at some of the stories Thomson Reuters Foundation journalists are working on during the week of Feb. 25?
Here are nine questions our correspondents will do their darnedest to answer this week as they cover humanitarian issues, climate change, women’s rights and corruption for our AlertNet and TrustLaw news services.
Q: What next for “climate finance”?
Climate finance is all the money being channelled by governments and institutions into programmes to mitigate the effects of climate change and help communities adapt. What’s the latest state of climate finance – and how can we make it work for the poorest nations and groups? Find out by joining our live online debate on AlertNet Climate on Tuesday Feb. 26 at 1300 GMT. Submit your own comments or questions on our liveblog or use via Twitter using #climatefinance.
Q: Has the human rights situation improved in Colombia?
The U.N. Colombia office on human rights released its annual report in Bogota last week, which will be presented officially to the United Nations in New York next month. The report highlighted the ongoing plight of displaced families, sexual violence against women, growing violence against human rights defenders and the slow pace of state investigations involving extrajudicial killings. It also noted the growing role of organised crime groups in human rights violations. Anastasia Moloney will unpack the latest human rights situation for AlertNet and TrustLaw.
Q: Have Sri Lankan security forces been using rape to torture suspected Tiger supporters?
While widespread rape in custody occurred during Sri Lanka’s armed conflict that ended in May 2009, is there evidence that politically motivated sexual violence against men and women by the military and police continues? Nita Bhalla will have the story for AlertNet and TrustLaw.
Q: Is Brazil backtracking on bribery?
Changes and delays to Brazil's anti-bribery bill are casting doubt over whether lawmakers are willing to move ahead with an anti-corruption measure after all. Some lawmakers are suspicious of the Supreme Court's political motives in a vote-buying scandal. Stella Dawson is covering for TrustLaw.
Q: What will India’s budget mean for women’s rights?
The biggest day in the Indian parliamentary calendar occurs on Thursday with the 2013-14 national budget announced by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram. Given last year’s high profile Delhi gang rape case, which has thrust to the forefront India's appalling treatment of women and the lack of empowerment and opportunities given them, many women's rights groups will be looking to see if Sonia Gandhi's Congress party will be putting its money where its mouth is. They are running up to elections next year, after all. What are the expectations from civil rights groups and U.N. agencies from this year's budget and why is it so important? Nita Bhalla will have ongoing coverage for TrustLaw, including as-it-happens Tweeting, in-depth analysis and reactions.
Q: Why are rape survivors suing the Kenyan government?
The Coalition on Violence Against Women and eight male and female rape survivors from the 2007/08 post-election violence have taken the government to court for failing to protect them or investigate the crimes committed against them. Katy Migiro will be interviewing two of the women for AlertNet and TrustLaw.
Q: How many war child orphans does Colombia have?
That’s a question Colombia’s child protection agency is trying to find out. Thousands of children have lost one or both parents because of Colombia’s nearly 50-year conflict. The government is trying to identify the country’s orphans and give them financial compensation and ensure they have access to health and education. Anastasia Moloney is on the case for TrustLaw.
Q: Why are Thai rape victims reluctant to come forward?
A culture of silence and blame means rape victims in Thailand are very reluctant to come forward to report cases, let alone seek adequate justice. And when they actually find the courage to report rape, they face numerous obstacles, from the attitudes of the police, judiciary and society to loopholes in the law that regard certain types of rape as “compoundable offences” and therefore allow settlement between the perpetrator and the victim. There are no rape shelters in Bangkok and no baseline data. Most academics and rights groups have to rely on police figures to understand how bad the situation is but they say police reports represent only 5 percent of the actual cases. Thin Lei Win investigates for TrustLaw.
Q: Is poverty in our genes?!
We’re checking on a controversy between anthropologists and economists, centring on a University of Chicago paper that argues there is biological explanation for higher levels of development in Europe, Asia and North America - a claim uncomfortably similar to eugenics claims a century ago. Stella Dawson will be treating this story gingerly for AlertNet.
Stay tuned for these stories and plenty more besides. In the meantime, here’s a snapshot of how we got on with last week’s questions:
Q: Why are there so few women politicians in Kenya?
A: It’s all about cash, sexism and violence, says Katy Migiro.
Q: Is Haiti destined to be a “permanent failed state”?
A: Anastasia Moloney’s blog concludes there’s little cause for optimism.
Q: Are aid workers in Myanmar being threatened for helping Rohingyas?
A: Thin Lei Win got confirmation that they are.
Q: Is Britain about to U-turn on extractive industry transparency?
A: Transparency activists fully expect it, but nobody in the government we spoke to would go on the record to confirm or deny the swirling rumours. Luke Balleny is still on the case, and his investigations have uncovered other interesting EITI angles that he’ll be following up this week.
Q: Why hasn’t Britain’s Disasters Emergency Committee launched an appeal for Syria?
A: Katy Nguyen has the juicy story later today…
Q: How can “sand dams” tackle water shortages?
A: Kenyan stringer Isaiah Esipisu explains all – just one of a crop of interesting innovation stories on AlertNet Climate last week.
Q: How can telephone hotlines stop backstreet abortions?
A: Anastasia Moloney’s colourful feature will go live any minute now.
Q: Why are mothers in the Asia-Pacific region giving up breastfeeding?
A: Because aggressive marketing of infant formulas by big companies, Thin Lei Win reports.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
