Family Separation Crisis
Last week, the Trump administration made the decision to separate immigrant families at the border by detaining children from their parents. More than 2,300 children were taken from their parents at the border between May 5 and June 9, with leaked videos showing that some were being held in cages. Additionally, some of these children were forcibly drugged by authorities with psychotropic drugs in order to manage their trauma, turning into a lawsuit. Many have condemned these separations, viewing them as politically and morally-wrong, and the White House has been struggling to quiet public outcry. All four living former first ladies have described these separations as cruel, inhumane, and un-American.
Trump’s New Stance on Illegal Immigrants
On Sunday, Trump reversed his policy of separating migrant children from their parents at the border. After this reversal, he stated that people who enter the United States illegally should be deported without acknowledgement of their due-process rights or trial. Trump did not differentiate between those entering to seek asylum and illegal immigrants. Lawmakers now struggle to reach consensus on immigration legislation and federal agencies are trying to reunite the migrant children with their parents. These children are now spread out throughout the country, both in foster homes and institutional settings.
Rohingya Girls Living in Bangladesh
A report released by Plan International describes the living conditions of adolescent Rohingya girls, who are living in stifling conditions in Bangladeshi refugee camps. The girls are unable to go out, deprived of education, and face mandatory early marriage. Confined to tiny huts measuring just a few square feet, temperatures soar to 100 degrees Fahrenheit every day. Many of these girls have witnessed horrific violence and are in urgent need of assistance, but they cannot access any of the services that will help them. This new report is based on interviews with 300 refugee girls between the ages of 10 and 19. Most of the girls interviewed said they still do not have enough to eat.
Yazidi Refugees Settle in Australia
A group of Yazidi refugee families fleeing Iraq have settled in the Australian Queensland city of Toowoomba. Up to 100 families have arrived, and are planning to establish a Yazidi community group now that they are free to speak their Kurdish dialect and practice their religion. In 2013, the Toowoomba local government declared itself a refugee welcome zone, and have since seen a significant rise in arrivals.
Grenade Attack Hits Rally in Ethiopia
A deadly grenade attack hit tens of thousands Ethiopians at a rally for Prime Minister Ahmed Abiy in the capital of Addis Ababa. At least one person died and 150 more were severely wounded. Eight remain in critical condition as of Saturday. Abiy was unharmed in the attack. Authorities have not revealed who they believe are the perpetrators, but Abiy referred to them as “anti-peace forces.” Abiy has not been in power long, but has represented a change in Ethiopian politics by releasing political prisoners, lifting a state of emergency, and accepting a peace agreement with Eritrea.
Walgreens Pharmacist Refuses to Give Woman Prescription to Induce Miscarriage
A woman in Arizona has criticized Walgreens on social media after a pharmacist refused to fill her prescription for medication to induce a miscarriage. The woman, Nicole Arteaga, was prescribed the medication after being told her 9-week-old fetus had stopped developing. Walgreens allows its pharmacists to step away from filling a prescription “for which they have a moral objection”. Arteaga was able to pick up her prescription from another Walgreens store, but left a one star Yelp Review of the Walgreens branch which denied her prescription. Since then, the story has attracted social media attention and Walgreens has issued a public apology.
Two Arrested for Gang Rape in India
Six men have been accused of gang raping five female anti-trafficking workers in a village in eastern India. Two of the six men have been arrested and charged, while police are looking for the other four. The women have been discharged from the hospital and are being kept in a safe house, according to police reports. These women have been given police protection and trauma counseling. The five women were performing a street play on the issue of human trafficking when armed men on bikes disrupted the performance and assaulted them in a nearby forest. This attack is the latest high-profile case of sexual violence in India.
Photo Credit: Charles Edward Miller / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain