Back Online

I've been without internet access for a few days, and I'm still hopping around in terms of places to live, so things might be a little bit hectic here on the RRB. Of course, you read the great websites to your left, right?

In any case, here's what I've been seeing:

Women who perform FGM in Sierra Leone are stopping

Malaysia outlaws unsuitable names. Malaysia is not unique among states in determining that there are appropriate and inappropriate names parents can bestow upon their children. Sometimes the rule is with regards to the child's last name or the neceessity of having a name at all. Some countries require that the name be gender specific, or that they be from a government approved list.

WaPo reports that the ABC program (Abstinence, Be Faithful, Use Condoms) isn't working so hot in Africa.

Abstinence until marriage -- the A of ABC -- appears to be well understood by young people. Being faithful -- the B -- is less clear to many. The usefulness of condoms -- C -- varies widely, with some African teenagers aware that they protect against HIV infection most of the time, while others have heard mostly about their rare failures.
ABC is a centerpiece of the Bush administration's $15 billion, five-year plan to fight AIDS in 15 target countries, most of them in Africa.
Closer to home, a study from Philadelphia found that an "abstinence only" sex-education curriculum was more likely to persuade black junior high school students to put off initiating sex than a more comprehensive curriculum.

And the Chinese activist who reported forced sterilizations in China has been tried in closed door proceedings (without his choice of counsel) for crimes of public distrubances. From what I know of the Chinese legal system...oh boy. There is a lot of work to do, and I know from personal experience that there are many committed people, including those in the Ministry of Justice, in working on Chinese criminal procedural law. If you are specifically interested in Chinese crim pro law, check out this (which I had a hand in) to learn more.

And for a little humor (I think courtesy of Neil), check out The Onion's take on Plan B.

From the other blogs: NY pharmacists called out for refusing to fill prescriptions, Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, and Worst "Pro-Life" argument ever. Because, really, I have WORK to do...

Comments

[Last]

Great site. Keep doing.

[cara]

The activist has been sentenced to 4 years, 3 months imprisonment (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5281440.stm)