Let's have some peace... come on we can do it.

Burundi rivals observe truce
3 hours ago

BUJUMBURA (AFP) — The government of the African state of Burundi and the last active rebels on Tuesday enforced an armistice seeking an end to 15 years of civil unrest, an army spokesman said.

The deal between the government and the rebel National Liberation Forces (FNL) was reached Monday after a six-week round of fresh fighting that left more than 100 people dead and thousands displaced.

"There is a total halt to hostilities between the army and the FNL since yesterday," the spokesman Adolphe Manirakiza told AFP.

"No fighting was reported and the small incidents that occurred were resolved through dialogue," he added.

Manirakiza said that a group of rebel fighters sought to set up a new position some 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of the capital Bujumbura, but mediators intervened and they retreated to a nearby forest hideout.

The rebels are required to remain in their current positions, the official explained.

Last week, the two sides resumed talks on the implementation of a ceasefire signed in 2006 which they have since repeatedly violated.

The conflict in Burundi has left at least 300,000 people dead in 15 years, and fears had mounted of another protracted period of bloodletting when combat resumed on April 17.

Facts about Refugees

In the world today there are:

13.9 million refugees
80 percent children
17 years is the average length of time a refugee spends in a refugee camp
48 thousand were brought to America this last year

Refugees

A refugee is recognised under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as a person who is outside their country of origin, and; having a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion, is unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country".
This definition was expanded in the Conventions' 1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa to those who have fled war or other violence in their home country.
In 2006 there were approximately 10 million people around the world recognized as refugees under the 1951 UN Convention/1967 Protocol and the 1969 OAU Convention.
However, references to "refugees" and other Refugee Realities communications are including all people who are of concern to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), including refugees, internally displaced peoples, returnees, asylum seekers and stateless people. There were approximately 34 million persons of concern to the UNHCR in 2006.

Internally Displaced Persons

An Internally Displaced Person (IDP) is someone who has been displaced by war, conflict or persecution but is still located within their country of origin. IDPs are therefore not able to claim refugee status or be considered for permanent resettlement in another country. However they the UNHCR extends protection and/or assistance to IDPs. There were more than 14 million IDPs around the world in 2006.

Returnees

Returnees are refugees or internally displaced peoples who have returned to their place of origin during the calendar year. There were approximately 2.6 million returnees around the world in 2006.

Asylum seekers

An asylum seeker is someone who has applied for refugee status but whose decision is pending, or who is otherwise registered with the UNHCR as an asylum seeker. In 2006 there were approximately 750,000 registered asylum seekers globally.
There are more than 12,000 asylum seekers in Australia living on a bridging visa, many of whom are denied the right to work.

Stateless people

A stateless person is not considered to be a national by any State under the operation of its laws. There were over 5 million stateless people in 2006.
Protection
"Protection" is all activities aimed at ensuring full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the relevant bodies of law, i.e. human rights law, international humanitarian law, and refugee law.

Non-derogable rights

Non-derogable rights are human rights that cannot, under any circumstances, be lawfully denied to any human being. An example of a non-derogable right is the right to life.

Derogable Rights

Derogable rights are human rights that may be curtailed in extreme circumstances such as war or conflict. An example of a derogable right is the right to freedom of movement.

Taste and See Micro-finance in Burundi

Watch this video to see our microfinance program in Burundi. Taste and see some our the benificiaries of the programs, our friends and co-workers, mars hill's fantastic involvement. Sam Sanchez's killer editing, and soundtrack work, Clint's posting effects, and the great production that comes from their synergy.

Video 7

Video 7 is the first place I ever exchanged money in Burundi. East Indian owned and operated, it’s on of the few places in Burundi you can get almost… almost, any battery you need. You can buy ipods, digital cameras, and other electronic appliances, but not for a good price. Mainly it’s a video store, they rent and sell videos. I’m assuming that all the videos are procured illegally, and I feel safe in that assumption, but I know for a fact that no less than 75% are brought in and sold illegally. These dvd’s have no less than 10 films on each dvd. Very bad quality, but hey, there are 10 films on each dvd. Those dvd’s sell for 8 dollars each, and they used to sell for 6. But all these dvd’s with 10 films on them, have what I think are very entertaining creative titles. Here’s my current favorite titles, in no specific order:

-Hollywood science fiction movie NO. 2
-Century Breathtaking Air Disaster films
-This Years Newest Large Film NO. 2
-Hot Decisive Battle
-The impetuosity air war film series (embarrassingly I had to look up impetuosity, I didn’t know what it meant, and I thought they were making up a word)
-Newest and Europe Alien collection movie
-Hollywood newest terrible film NO.1
-Terrorist vampire classic film. (I didn’t know vampires were terrorists as well, but it makes sense, they do instill fear and terror when they attack)

So those are my current favorite titles, and my current favorite movie news is related to Mr. Pete Jackson. As a massive fan of J.R. Tolkien, I simply new they were going to make the Hobbit into a flick, it was just a matter of time. I knew that no major studio would give up on the idea simply because everyone knows it will be a cash cow. Probably bringing in more money than starwars, especially years after the success of LOR trilogy. I figured Pete would eventually cave as soon as he saw a script he liked. Monthly has been my inquiry into the news, and just two nights ago, I see Pete Jackson not just as the producer for the Hobbit, but in an move I didn’t predict, they’re dividing the Hobbit into two flicks (marketing wise, this will bring in twice the cash, and Pete has the power now to divide it into however many films he wants, plus the hobbit can easily be divided into two flicks for sheer storytelling power). Hobbit 1 slated for 2010, and Hobbit 2 slated for 2011. I scroll quickly down the page and no, Pete isn’t directing… so I become a bit skeptical. Who can pull it of besides Pete. Spielburg could, but nobody else was popping into my mind. Then I find the director, and I wanted to flash forward to 2010. A fantastically talented director, and I think the Hobbit will be darker than I imagined. This guy will pull it off flawlessly: Guillermo del Toro. Fantastic.

Need I mention: M. Night Shyamalan, The Happening, Mark Wahlberg, 2008. Sweetness.