Last week at work I had my first victim of torture. We were to spend a couple of hours documenting his testimony and case for resettlement. We started off gently and after explaining what we were to do, I assured him that I understand that these questions might be very difficult, and we can stop or take a break at any time.
We start the process and the story is builiding. He's captured, beaten, then we reach the first instance of torture. He starts to explain it to me, then starts to point at affected areas of his body-- his mutilated finger in particular. I continue to type the story and...blackout. What the heck was I thinking?! I have a severe phobia of medical things, I can't talk about phyical torture!
The interpreter and my client help me to the bathroom where I work to re-compose myself. I guess I should take my own advice of taking any necessary breaks.
That afternoon I told my boss that I can't do anymore torture cases. So, my next case is a former child solider...
I guess I can't complain that I'm getting such great field work experience right off the bat and can really start to determine my niche-- or areas to avoid- in the field!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
back to school, finally
So the swine flu recess is finally ended and we're back in classes! It was great to have some human discussion again, after 2wks of electronic discussion and it was much appreciated to actually discover what the profs expected and their teaching styles.
My Wed night class is "Intro to Human Rights and Humanitarian Law" and taught by an attorney from the US who is also currently head of the dept. She stresses that the field of law is based on authority. At this point in our careers, we most likely have no original thoughts and everything must be cited/quoted from the original source with a clear structure of argument. It goes something like this: "David Kennedy, on page 18 paragraph 3 of his 2002 article states that....Rosenblum on pg 4 argues that....I, therefore, question the motives of x, y, z." The discussion continues with a directly challenge with equally assertive vocabularly and well-founded examples. Its intense, requires a lot of prep work and a relatively strong sense of security or the ability to B.S.
Thursday night, I have a class that counts toward my diploma program entitled: Systems Approaches in Psychology. The students comprise of people from the MA program in family and children pyschology, Forced Migration and Refugees Studies (CMRS) and me from International Human Rights Law (IHRL). The tables in the classroom form a large square to faciliatate discussion (and I'm sure to discourage the socratic method that the pyschology dept does not embrace). As it happens the 5 pyschologists sat on on one side of the square, the 5 from CMRS sat on the opposite side and I, from IHRL sat at one end. Segregated by depts, we could have played dept Family Feud! My legal training and background became very clear when the prof responded to a student by gently saying, "Well, I don't want to argue you, but I see it a slightly different way...." and my head reared up from my notebook w/ a questioning look. I was stunned that a prof didn't want to challenge or argue!
So, I go from, "I am right. You are wrong. And I can prove it with x, y, q and z." to "I feel that...and we can't neglect the emotional needs of ..." As an new attorney friend put it, "Thats what you get for trying to personify law!" It's gonna be a fun semester!
My Wed night class is "Intro to Human Rights and Humanitarian Law" and taught by an attorney from the US who is also currently head of the dept. She stresses that the field of law is based on authority. At this point in our careers, we most likely have no original thoughts and everything must be cited/quoted from the original source with a clear structure of argument. It goes something like this: "David Kennedy, on page 18 paragraph 3 of his 2002 article states that....Rosenblum on pg 4 argues that....I, therefore, question the motives of x, y, z." The discussion continues with a directly challenge with equally assertive vocabularly and well-founded examples. Its intense, requires a lot of prep work and a relatively strong sense of security or the ability to B.S.
Thursday night, I have a class that counts toward my diploma program entitled: Systems Approaches in Psychology. The students comprise of people from the MA program in family and children pyschology, Forced Migration and Refugees Studies (CMRS) and me from International Human Rights Law (IHRL). The tables in the classroom form a large square to faciliatate discussion (and I'm sure to discourage the socratic method that the pyschology dept does not embrace). As it happens the 5 pyschologists sat on on one side of the square, the 5 from CMRS sat on the opposite side and I, from IHRL sat at one end. Segregated by depts, we could have played dept Family Feud! My legal training and background became very clear when the prof responded to a student by gently saying, "Well, I don't want to argue you, but I see it a slightly different way...." and my head reared up from my notebook w/ a questioning look. I was stunned that a prof didn't want to challenge or argue!
So, I go from, "I am right. You are wrong. And I can prove it with x, y, q and z." to "I feel that...and we can't neglect the emotional needs of ..." As an new attorney friend put it, "Thats what you get for trying to personify law!" It's gonna be a fun semester!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Jim and Amanda...not together, of course.
So, of course, the day after I disclosed my new friendship w/ Jim via this blog, he gets daring and leaves the kitchen. We came home that night and he was chillin on the wall and, of course, Amanda saw him first...
his new- and permanent- home is outside.
Amanda, my roommate, is smiling too!
This is her "traditional" niqaab (veil), abaya (robe). She doesn't really wear it out...at least not yet!
who's asking questions now...
Today my first appointment at the refugee clinic started as normal.
Me: "So, did you ever work directly or indirectly w/ American forces/comapanies in Iraq?"
Iraqi: "Yes."
Me: "Under what circumstances?"
Iraqi: "I was part of the Iraqi Police special forces, Anti-Terrorist dept in Baghad..."
Holymoly, what I am doing asking questions to him?! Half way through I did have to humble myself and verbalize my nerves by asking him please not to judge my interrogation style. Luckily, he was a smiley guy and said, "No prob. I know what you want and where you're going..."
phew.
Me: "So, did you ever work directly or indirectly w/ American forces/comapanies in Iraq?"
Iraqi: "Yes."
Me: "Under what circumstances?"
Iraqi: "I was part of the Iraqi Police special forces, Anti-Terrorist dept in Baghad..."
Holymoly, what I am doing asking questions to him?! Half way through I did have to humble myself and verbalize my nerves by asking him please not to judge my interrogation style. Luckily, he was a smiley guy and said, "No prob. I know what you want and where you're going..."
phew.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
reflections on lecture 1
Tonight I attended a lecture given by an Egyptian Human Rights lawyer who has worked with refugees and Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) from Darfur for the past 9 years. (In case you care, in super simple terms: a refugee is a person seeking refugee who has crossed an international border whereas an IDP is someone who has been forced to relocate but within the same country (i.e.: people from New Orleans that relocated to Chicago after Hurricane Katrina are IDPs)).
It’s situations like these that make me feel truly naïve to what is currently, in the very moment that I’m writing, happening to human beings in the world and more so, to what atrocities “human beings” are capable of committing.
Genocide is happening today- in Darfur, Sudan. (And in case you didn’t know, Sudan is the country south of Egypt.) But it’s more than genocide. For example, women in supposedly protected camps are getting raped as they go to the bathroom. They started asking for a brother/husband/son to accompany them, but that just led to a killed brother/husband/son and a raped women. Not worth it, to some. If they desire to prosecute 1) there are unreasonable court fees, which no one has and 2) if the accused is not convicted then the woman risks flogging for infidelity. That’s ONE injustice besides genocide.
March of this year, 13 International Aid agencies were kicked out of Darfur…thus IDPs are grossly increasing and aid is grossly decreasing…
I’ll stop here but if you want to read more the International Refugee Committee, (www.irc.org) in particular has done some great work on the ‘situation.’
The stories he told were almost incredible, but what really struck me was to be able to listen to a man who has dedicated (conscientiously or not) to getting on the inside and serving these people. He has learned and continues to learn how to maneuver systems based in corruption and vile hatred. He risks his life for justice because as he said, “peace does not exist without justice.”
I must say it really re-affirmed what I am doing in Cairo, it adds a lot of fuel to my fire to learn and be able to fight and simultaneously intimidates me about how much I have to learn…
It’s situations like these that make me feel truly naïve to what is currently, in the very moment that I’m writing, happening to human beings in the world and more so, to what atrocities “human beings” are capable of committing.
Genocide is happening today- in Darfur, Sudan. (And in case you didn’t know, Sudan is the country south of Egypt.) But it’s more than genocide. For example, women in supposedly protected camps are getting raped as they go to the bathroom. They started asking for a brother/husband/son to accompany them, but that just led to a killed brother/husband/son and a raped women. Not worth it, to some. If they desire to prosecute 1) there are unreasonable court fees, which no one has and 2) if the accused is not convicted then the woman risks flogging for infidelity. That’s ONE injustice besides genocide.
March of this year, 13 International Aid agencies were kicked out of Darfur…thus IDPs are grossly increasing and aid is grossly decreasing…
I’ll stop here but if you want to read more the International Refugee Committee, (www.irc.org) in particular has done some great work on the ‘situation.’
The stories he told were almost incredible, but what really struck me was to be able to listen to a man who has dedicated (conscientiously or not) to getting on the inside and serving these people. He has learned and continues to learn how to maneuver systems based in corruption and vile hatred. He risks his life for justice because as he said, “peace does not exist without justice.”
I must say it really re-affirmed what I am doing in Cairo, it adds a lot of fuel to my fire to learn and be able to fight and simultaneously intimidates me about how much I have to learn…
wines about swine...
Today I arrived to library on a wave of rumors that class is to be cancelled until Oct 3 due to H1N1 (aka: Swine Flu.) In about 15 minutes the rumor was confirmed by an official email from the VP of some important position that upon mandate by the Egyptian government all classes are cancelled until Oct 3rd.
There were 3 confirmed cases in a dorm over the summer, which of course caused a lot of hype. Additionally, earlier in the spring, Egypt killed all of its pigs which apparently resulted in a nasty, stinky garbage problem. All other universities and most schools have been closed, buts that has largely been accepted as an excuse to not go back to school until after Ramadan. There are no current, confirmed cases of H1N1.
I have noticed, more than once, when I enter a metro car women quickly gather their children to create as much distance as possible between them and I. The children proceed to cover their mouth and nose until I leave the car. It is generally the more traditional women, who don the full black robe and veil, thus I had tossed it up to a possibilities of many fears of the unknown. Just recently I began to fully understand the true basis of their fears. I have definitely felt discrimination and the feelings of being the minority but this is my first experience with stigmatization.
On the other hand, I have had many rebellious urges to use the “fear” in my favor. Men on the streets of Cairo could be amusing if they weren’t so annoying (a blog completely devoted to these frustrations is in the works!) A couple times in passing their rude/uneducated/appalling comments I have so greatly desired to give a hacking cough while clutching my chest. Then quickly turn w/ an innocent smile and extended hand to say, “hola, me llamo Maria. I come from Mexico (one of the countries w/ highest concentration of H1N1). Will you pleeeaase marry me?” Oh my, I can’t imagine what they would do!….but not yet fully understanding what it means to live in a police state where with a population of 18mil and 3+mil are employed by the Secret Police and still no grasp of any useful Arabic, my urges turn to a smart smirk hidden as I tuck my head and quietly pass them.
So you know you’re in grad school when people are upset that classes are cancelled. But have no fear! Time will not be completely wasted because the library, where the majority of the student body hangs out to use the computer lab is still open. The food court, where I’m sure the food and cleanliness standards are completely standardized, is still open. The gym, where there are no towels, sanitary wipes or soap for the patrons or the machines, is still open. And me, in the meantime, will continue to read. This week’s article, the Roles of International Organizations: WHO!
There were 3 confirmed cases in a dorm over the summer, which of course caused a lot of hype. Additionally, earlier in the spring, Egypt killed all of its pigs which apparently resulted in a nasty, stinky garbage problem. All other universities and most schools have been closed, buts that has largely been accepted as an excuse to not go back to school until after Ramadan. There are no current, confirmed cases of H1N1.
I have noticed, more than once, when I enter a metro car women quickly gather their children to create as much distance as possible between them and I. The children proceed to cover their mouth and nose until I leave the car. It is generally the more traditional women, who don the full black robe and veil, thus I had tossed it up to a possibilities of many fears of the unknown. Just recently I began to fully understand the true basis of their fears. I have definitely felt discrimination and the feelings of being the minority but this is my first experience with stigmatization.
On the other hand, I have had many rebellious urges to use the “fear” in my favor. Men on the streets of Cairo could be amusing if they weren’t so annoying (a blog completely devoted to these frustrations is in the works!) A couple times in passing their rude/uneducated/appalling comments I have so greatly desired to give a hacking cough while clutching my chest. Then quickly turn w/ an innocent smile and extended hand to say, “hola, me llamo Maria. I come from Mexico (one of the countries w/ highest concentration of H1N1). Will you pleeeaase marry me?” Oh my, I can’t imagine what they would do!….but not yet fully understanding what it means to live in a police state where with a population of 18mil and 3+mil are employed by the Secret Police and still no grasp of any useful Arabic, my urges turn to a smart smirk hidden as I tuck my head and quietly pass them.
So you know you’re in grad school when people are upset that classes are cancelled. But have no fear! Time will not be completely wasted because the library, where the majority of the student body hangs out to use the computer lab is still open. The food court, where I’m sure the food and cleanliness standards are completely standardized, is still open. The gym, where there are no towels, sanitary wipes or soap for the patrons or the machines, is still open. And me, in the meantime, will continue to read. This week’s article, the Roles of International Organizations: WHO!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
my new place...
The kitchen w/ gas stove and fridge and a li'l geko that lives in the sink! Amanda, my roommate, saw him the first day and freaked! Luckly, she doesn't cook much, so she doesn't know that I still see him....I kinda like him. His name is now Jim.I met my roommate, Amanda, at grad orientation. She is studying Mid-Eastern Studies, Islamic History stuff. We have a lot of similar quirks but most importantly similar study habits. She hails from Tucson, AZ and is lovely!
This weekend, Eid, we are traveling to Dahab, in the Sinai Penninsula to go snorkling for her b-day! And take a camel ride!
My room.
The window overlooks a mechanics shop (I think). I love the breeze but am quickly finding that an open window means I have to dust and sweep almost everyday!
More pics to come...we are slowly decorating, putting things together. Once its picture worthy, they'll be up!
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