Plight of refugees discussed by panel

Violations of human rights explored

A group panel discussed various human right violations and the refugee plight on a national and international dimension Wednesday in the University Student Union Multipurpose Rooms.

The conference began with the topic of human rights and female genital mutilation.

"The cultural and religious practice of mutilation has many different justifications," Elizabeth Thompson Ortiz, professor of social work at Cal State Long Beach said.

In some countries it is for purity, chastity, virginity or some make it a chastity belt of tissue.

The topic switched to the troubles refugees and others have while seeking primary care medicine in this country.

"The political persecution, torture, forced immigration, and refugees witnessing atrocities such as separation or loss of family add stress to their lives," Rolando Castillo, professor of medicine at UC Irvine said.

The issue of California's prosperity was discussed by Jose Lopez, Assoc. Professor of Chicano Studies at CSULB.

"California's prosperity was because of cheap labor," Lopez said.

Between 1940-70 the Latino population grew three-fold Lopez said.

Lopez said 71 percent of the Latino population did not complete high school in the 1990s because they're still providing cheap labor rather than getting an education.

The last speaker divided refugees into two categories. "The refugee is forced to move, and the international migrants move to better their lives," Gary Peters, professor of geography said. The rapid demographic growth in poor places and the rapid economic growth in rich places leads to demographic and social consequence Peters said.

The Asian population has grown the most with the Hispanic population following while Italy and Spain have the lowest birth rate Peters said.

The five issues that will force refugees and international migration to continue and increase Peters said are: rich countries have capital with poor countries that have labor, ethnic diversity, strong internal concern with large the Latino population, policy changes, and social and political issues will lag.