What government must do…

“…civil society has not lost the possibility to influence the government and force them to change their policy. That is why we believe in your voice and your help.“

~ Lida Yusupova, Chechnyan Human Rights Activist

Governments respond to varying degrees to the will of the people however that is expressed in a given society. In democratic nations that is usually through free elections and legislative bodies that represent and are responsive to their constituents.

But governments frequently operate at different levels of action. There are deliberative bodies that pass laws, but the most well intentioned and carefully crafted legislation will have little effect unless adequately funded, implemented, and enforced. This is often a case of “the squeaky wheel gets the grease”. It is therefore vital that, as voters, we communicate to our representatives those concerns which we consider most important. In an era of shrinking resources and tight budgets this is imperative. Currently the Trafficking Victims Protection Act provides many remedies in law, but resources have not been made available to fund investigations, to adequately train those charged with carrying out its provisions, and to provide the full support to victims that the act contemplates.

There is more that governments can do in acting on the international stage. An economic giant like the United States has a huge say in crafting trade agreements and in setting the agenda for international aid agencies like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. These bodies can and do profoundly influence the social, economic, and agricultural policies of client nations. At present a great many of these policies favor multi-national corporations, while working to the detriment of the most vulnerable populations.

What Governments must do…

Conflict Minerals Trade Act

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