By Nikki Niehues (General public)

I am wanting to get attention to this story, so that these people can get the help that they need.  If this was anywhere else in the state of South Dakota they would have been helped long ago.


PINE RIDGE, S.D. - Like the Northern Panhandle, the blizzard that hit the area late last Wednesday and Thursday knocked out the power to many on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Unfortunately, due to 10 and 20 foot drifts power has not been restored to many areas and people have not been able to get out of their homes to purchase food.

According to Jeri Baker, with One Spirit a non-profit working on several reservations, many people are reported to be burning their furniture to stay warm.

Baker said that because much of the reservation is very remote there are literally thousands of people they cannot reach who are freezing or starving right now.

"This morning I talked with people out in Allen, just as one example, they still had 34 families that were without electricity and they had not gotten to."

Even worse news is that it could still be several days before the power is restored.

"A lot of places do have power now, but there are still those areas that do not," she said. "The last we heard, which was this morning (Wednesday), they were predicting that it could still be three to seven days before they get all the service back up."

She said they have been able to get some of the supplies needed on the reservation to the people and Red Cross has helped, but more supplies - such as, blankets, firewood, food, water, kerosene lamps and oil, and propane - are needed.

Baker said that swift and immediate action by other governmental agencies is needed in order to avert further disaster. She said that ONE Spirit has called on the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management to move into the area quickly and provide whatever services they can, but so far, their response appears to have been minimal.

If anyone in the KCSR listening area can help with the situation on the reservation or make a donation, they can get in touch with Baker through the organization's website at nativeprogress.org or call John Dubray directly on the reservation at 605-441-5477

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By sonda globalweb (Volunteer, Board Member, Client Served, Professional in the field, General public, Foundation Donor, Former Employee)

just love that pro jet

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By ZB BALOCH

The Baloch are victims of pakistan & Iran human rights violations and they used unnatural means for genocide of Baloch Nation, but still no action was taken by any civilized states of this world( only nature supports Baloch for not exinguishing as a perishable thing), we talk and agitate a lot that so and so countries, people are more vicitimitized but a peep over Baloch plight is like a taboo, It is my request to all civilized people and countries  plus UNO to ponder over Baloch Nation,s genocide and ethnic cleansing by Pakistan and Iran and support us for our natural, legal, legitimate and birth rights..

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By David Lafleche

   Yes, let's start with the worst violators: Muslims, Hindus, and Red China.  There's a lot of talk about America "torturing" people; yet those other countries are expert, habitual torturers, and nobody says a peep. 

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By Meredith Rollo

As a believer in Human Rights worldwide, since first becoming aware of these important issues brought forth in music by Mr. Peter Gabriel while I was in High School, I have always considered myself to be blessed by being born in Canada. It is the important work of individuals and groups like Human Rights Watch, that show the privileged of the world how easy it is to forget the endless suffering of many of the world's population at the hands of their governments. People who commit heinous crimes are entitled to receiving fair treatment under the law. Political Prisoners and victims of oppressive political regimes with respect to equality and freedom rarely receive any, if at all, fair treatment. I am proud to be a member of Human Rights Watch, as they present the information in a manner which explores the reality of the situation from the concerned individuals' perspective. Meredith Rollo Guitarist & Vocalist Civilian Death Machine, advocates and proponents of Worldwide Human Rights!!!

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By Umi Umar

The conflict in Kashmir is posing a disastrous threat to peace and stability in the Asian subcontinent. Over the last 18 years, when the popular mass uprising took place in Kashmir owing to the alleged rigging of local elections in1988. India and Pakistan have initiated various diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. Diplomacy has failed and nothing concrete has emerged to subside the flames of violence in Kashmir.The valley of Kashmir was an independent State ruled by Dogras when Britain left Indian Sub continent. Both India and Pakistan grabbed a share when the two countries separated. From the time of division, popular resistance movement have grown and persisted in Indian administered Kashmir due to alleged discrimination by Indian rulers. The events took a violent turn in 1989 when the leaders of Jamat-E- Islamia took arms after the alleged rigging of local elections under the banner of Hizb Ul Mujahidin (HM). Many others joined in; with the result more troops were deployed in the valley, which increased the dissent amongst the people of Kashmir, for India. Protests were held against the occupation of Kashmir which culminated in violent clashes between 'Security forces' and people of Kashmir which paved way for India to identify its part of Kashmir as a disturbed area. Many laws were formulated by both Indian parliament and State legislature to give special Powers to the 'Security forces' operating in the valley. Besides many security agencies in the form of SOG, STF, RR, Indian army J&K police and surrendered militants emerged on the scene to fight against uprising. As the conflict in Kashmir enters its 18th year, Central and State authorities have done little to stop the widespread practice of fake and innocent killings of common people by Indian security forces and police in Kashmir. Indeed, when confronted with the evidence of fake encounters and custodial killings, time and again the authorities have attempted to impugn the integrity of the witnesses, discredit the testimony of reports or simply deny the charges everything except order a full inquiry and prosecute those responsible for ruthless killings in the land where law is the unknown commodity. In this study researcher has made an attempt to provide information related to the disappearances, custodial killings, fake encounters and those laws which make an easy way for the paramilitary forces to kill civilian with any rhyme or reason. Numbers of such laws are implemented in J&K, the only reason which proves it right is that J&K is a disturbed place and need for such laws is very much here to curb terrorism. These so called 'security' forces take huge advantage of these draconian laws and make the life of common people very much difficult. Number of such incidents are documented in this project report, data of various non governmental organizations and other related committees is also used to show how Kashmiris are butchered by Indian forces in the valley.

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