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Human Rights Watch
Director of the Refugee Program at Human Rights Watch
PROFILE
Bill Frelick
Guest
FROM Bill Frelick
To the Point
A Migration Deal…a Compromise in Values? Countries of Europe are desperate to end the flood of immigration from Syria and other war zones, which last year exceeded a million people. They're making a deal with Turkey worth €6 billion. Tens of thousands of people would be shipped back and forth between Greece, Turkey and other countries to separate refugees from unwanted migrants. But the UN warns the plan might violate individual rights established by the Geneva Conventions in the aftermath World War II. Supporters say it's worth the risk to end the chaos -- and to prevent fascist parties from taking advantage of growing panic in Europe's democracies.
To the Point
Is the US Breaking a Promise to Children at Risk? Tens of thousands of children face murderous street gangs, extortion and sexual violence in Central America. For those whose parents are legally in this country, President Obama pledged " an orderly alternative " to the terrifying journey through Mexico. But until they pass laborious screening, including DNA testing, they have to stay where they are — whatever the dangers might be. It's been a year since the President promised escape. Some 5400 kids have applied, but only 90 kids have even been interviewed. None has been admitted to the United States.
To the Point
Europe's Migrant Crisis: The EU's Greatest Test Yet Last week's discovery of 71 bodies in an abandoned truck in Austria is just the latest tragic proof that Europe's migration crisis has broadened from the Mediterranean to human trafficking over land through Greece and the Balkan states. Tens of thousands of migrants and refugees are putting their lives in the hands of smugglers, taking advantage of the EU's open borders. With record numbers of people fleeing war and poverty in North Africa and the Middle East, Europe is facing its largest immigration wave since World War II. The EU plans to meet next month to address the mounting crisis and its scattered policy towards asylum seekers. Will it be able to agree on a unified course of action on how to treat migrants and asylum seekers? What to do about a growing backlash against them?
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To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.