Blog Project 1 - South America (Chile)

1. Chile moves closer to decriminalizing abortion

 Chile is one of just 5 Latin America countries where there is a completely forbid abortion. Although the processes that decriminalize abortion have been refused by the Chilean Congress over and over again, Chile is planning to decriminalize abortion, in order to protect Chilean women and girl’s rights.

 I was surprised when I knew that existence of countries where there is total prohibits abortion such as Chile. I think it violates woman rights clearly. The country should decriminalize abortion because the unwanted pregnancy such as the result of rape makes the woman’s life danger and hellish.

<Source : “Chile moves closer to decriminalizing abortion”, © Amnesty International. June 19, 2014>

<For more details, visit http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/chile-moves-closer-decriminalizing-abortion-2014-06-19>

2. Students face down tear gas and water cannons in Chile protests

 The protest organized by Chilean students for education reform put forth to the national congress by President Michelle Bachelet, but riot police in Santiago threw tear gas and water cannons against protesters during a march. The use of tear gas and water cannons causes a violent response from students.

 I think that the governments should listen carefully to their subjects’ sound. Before listening, armed repression like throwing tear gas and water cannons is irrational and inhuman because subjects are weak compared to the government. If the government listen carefully to their subjects’ opinion and resolve differences among the branches, the protest could diminish.

<Source :  Max, Ocean. “Students face down tear gas and water cannons in Chile protests”, Daily Digest. June 12, 2014>

<For more details, visit http://www.mintpressnews.com/students-face-tear-gas-water-cannons-chile-protests/192342/>

3. Chilean miner and rescue team head blame safety measures for Soma disaster

 4 years ago, there was mine accident in Copiapo that 301 workers were killed in a mining disaster. 2 Chileans who survived this accident have asked the Turkish authorities to responsibility. They said that if all safety measures were raised to international standards, much more people could survive and blamed poor safety precautions taken by the authorities.

 I can know that there is widespread public apathy in Turkey like Korea by this article. In Korea, Insensitivity towards safety that is prevalent in our society has caused this tragic accident, “Sewol ferry disaster”. After accidents, the governments should change the safety rule and make people observe the rule to prevent the recurrence of accidents.

<Source : ISTANBUL – Dogan News Agency. “Chilean miner and rescue team head blame safety measures for Soma disaster”, Hurriyet Daily News. June 23,2014>

<For more details, visit http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chilean-miner-and-rescue-team-head-blame-safety-measures-for-soma-disaster.aspx?pageID=238&nID=68178&NewsCatID=341>

4. Destruction left in wake of Chile’s historic sporting triumph

 After the World Cup that Spain won over, the Chile’s capital turned to turmoil. Fans filed to the streets, damage property, hijack buses, assault drivers and clash with uniformed police. Chilean fans in Brazil also made disturbance that they broke fences and enter Maracana stadium where the match was taking place.

 I appreciate the passions of Chilean fan about Word Cup, but I can’t understand their action on the harms caused to communities. Enjoying World Cup is good attitude by fan, but too much is as bad as too little. Chilean fan should learn stop concentrating on victory.

<Source : Paul, Carlsen. “Destruction left in wake of Chile’s historic sporting triumph”, the Santiago Times. June 19, 2014>

<For more details, visit http://santiagotimes.cl/destruction-left-wake-chiles-historic-sporting-triumph/>