There seems to be a relationship between Bashir al-Assad's public statements on the desire of his government to cooperate with international conflict mediators and the escalation of violence and death reported in Syria. That was certainly the case yesterday, as the Arab League announced a deal with Assad's government to allow international human rights observers into Syria at least 100 deaths were reported. These events also coincided with the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to condemn the violence in Syria.

The deal between the Arab League and Syria was signed Monday in Cairo by Faisal Mekdad, Syria's deputy Foreign Minister. If implemented, it will allow impartial observers into Syria to monitor its compliance with an agreement to stop violence between security forces and anti-government protestors. Previous refusal by Syria to comply with the deal led to the suspension of their Arab League membership and the imposition of diplomatic and economic sanctions. League officials have stated that observers could be deployed to Syria as early as Thursday.

The last U.S. convoy rode out of Iraq yesterday in the early morning hours, marking the final moment of the Iraq War. The war was officially declared over last Thursday during a ceremony attended by U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta at a terminal in the Baghdad airport. The statement and withdrawal were more than two weeks ahead of the end of year deadline for ending U.S. combat in Iraq. Panetta told troops, "You will leave with great pride, lasting pride, secure in knowing that your sacrifice has helped the Iraqi people begin a new chapter in history free from tyranny and full of hope for prosperity and peace."

More than 1 million U.S. troops have served in the almost 9 year war, of which 4,474 were killed and roughly 30,000 were wounded. The U.S. spent more than $800 billion on the war that cost more than 100,000 Iraqis their lives. The war does little to change day-to-day life of the Iraqis, as U.S. troops withdrew from most cities last year to focus on training Iraqi military forces.

By Tiffany Irene- Citizens for Global Solutions- Field Organizer of TN

Last week, Nashville residents commemorated International Human Rights Day, celebrating the anniversary of the United Nation’s ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by honoring community members who dedicate their lives to humanitarian causes and reflecting on engagement activities of local human rights groups in the past year.

Fifteen of Nashville’s international advocacy organizations, including the My Global Voice program spearheaded by Citizens for Global Solutions, provided educational materials to the over 150 attendees at the Downtown Nashville’s Library Auditorium, which included prominent community members and elected officials from all over Tennessee.

The celebration of Human Rights Day was built around an awards ceremony, which acknowledged the work of long-time human rights advocates in Nashville.  Some of those recognized included Dr. Sheila Peters, a Fisk University professor who has spent decades in human rights advocacy and Mr. Jerry Lee, one of the original planners of Human Rights Day in Tennessee and a former AFL-CIO president. The event also honored "Rising Advocates," recognizing influential young adults in the community for their efforts in raising awareness of humanitarian issues. Attendees were also treated to a lively performance from the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Today, I attended the opening session of the Tenth Assembly of States Parties meeting of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in New York City.  As I walked into the United Nations building this morning to collect my badge, I was excited to see what the day would bring at my first ASP meeting.  It turned out to be quite an interesting and eventful morning.  Some highlights:

--Ambassador Tiina Intelmann of Estonia was elected as President of the Assembly of States Parties, and presided over the day's session;

--The President of Botswana gave an outstanding speech urging African state parties to cooperate with the ICC, for the mutual benefit of the Court and Africa, and called out UN Security Council members who have vetoed important resolutions due to "politics;"

--UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay spoke about how the ICC has helped to deter tyrants, and that the Libya trials--wherever they are ultimately held--will be a victory for the Rome Statute;

--ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo spoke about the Court's work since its inception in 2002, and how the "shadow of the Court" has served as a deterrent to those who would commit heinous crimes;