Cesar Chelala

Cesar Chelala, MD, PhD, is an international public health consultant for several UN agencies, and a writer on human rights, medical and foreign policy issues. He is a winner of an Overseas Press Club of America Award. His articles have been published in more than 70 countries worldwide.

For Cesar Chelala's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

Commentary / Japan May 12, 2021

When a WWII bombardier found his humanity

When we talked that day, I learned much about my friend’s actions during the war — conduct that made me admire him even more than I did before.

Commentary / World Apr 14, 2021

Yemen faces public health catastrophe from war and pandemic

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs noted that the conflict in the country has claimed some 233,000 lives over a six year period.

Commentary / World Mar 3, 2021

The Guantanamo nightmare has to end

U.S. President Joe Biden’s avowed intention to close the Guantanamo detention camp offers hope to end an embarrassing episode in the most recent history of the United States.

Commentary / World Dec 27, 2020

With Biden, an opportunity to normalize relations with Cuba again

The certification by the Electoral College of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election is the final nail in the coffin of President Donald Trump and his supporters’ attempt to reverse the results of the vote. It is now time ...

Commentary / World Nov 26, 2020

The god of soccer has departed this world

Maradona is often grouped with Pele and Messi as one of the three best soccer players of all time.

Commentary / World Nov 9, 2020

Trump loses immunity from persecution after leaving office

Those consequences of a Trump defeat could lead him, if not to jail, at least to years of persecution by justice.

Commentary / World Oct 21, 2020

Rape is only a symptom of India's many problems

Repeated incidents of gang rape in India reflect widespread gender and caste discrimination. Today, rape is the fourth most common crime against women in India.

Commentary / World Sep 9, 2020

Domestic violence amid a pandemic

One of the most neglected consequences of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 is the increasing violence against women of all ages. U.N. Women has called it “the shadow pandemic,” and António Guterres, the U.N. Secretary-General has said, “Peace is not just the absence of war. ...