Western Sahara goes to Europe

Not much noticed but a wrong still to be made right – Western Sahara having the opportunity to decide its own fate.

UK Human Rights Blog

wsaharaR (o.t.a. Western Sahara Campaign UK) v. HMRC and DEFRA [2015] EWHC 2898 (Admin) Blake J, 19 October 2015 read judgment

Not primarily about migration, but a case arising out of the long-running conflict between Morocco, as occupying power, and the Western Sahara as occupied territory. For many years, the UN has recognised the Western Sahara as a non-self-governing territory which is entitled to exercise its right of self-determination. Morocco does not agree, and has done what occupying powers do, namely send in Moroccan nationals to flood the existing populations, add troops, and commit human rights abuses, according to evidence filed in the case. 

You may be wondering how this North-West African problem got to London’s Administrative Court. This is because the challenge is to two EU measures concerning Morocco. The first is a preferential tariff (administered by HMRC) applicable to imports from Morocco of goods originating from the Western Sahara. The second…

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The renewed blood pact between Israeli, Palestinian extremists – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

The chief rabbi of the town of Safed, Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, was especially impressive when he told followers at his weekly lesson last week, “I heard that in cases like this, and in other cases, policemen were afraid to shoot the male or female terrorist out of compassion and pity. I don’t understand this. What’s the meaning of not shooting a terrorist? Empty your magazine at her! That’s what needs to be done. … A policeman who kills a terrorist should get a bouquet of flowers, gifts and money.” This public servant, who also serves as the head of the rabbinical council of the national emergency medical service Magen David Adom, claimed that Jewish law permits medical staff to kill wounded terrorists. “If they cannot be killed,” he added, “make it so that in the end they will die. Feed them spoiled food, so that they get a stomach upset and end up dying. That’s what one should learn at MDA.”

Source: The renewed blood pact between Israeli, Palestinian extremists – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East

Young Dalit writer targeted in Davanagere – The Hindu

According to a complaint filed by 23-year-old Huchangi Prasad, a journalism student at Davanagere University who had published a ‘controversial’ book a year ago, an unidentified man came to the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe hostel at the university in the early hours, claiming that Mr. Prasad’s mother had been hospitalised following a heart attack. Apparently in “shock”, the student followed the man who promised to take him to the hospital. Midway, in an isolated corner of APMC Yard, a group of eight to ten people ambushed him.“They surrounded me and started to push me around. They said my writings were anti-Hindu as I talked about the caste system. They even put kumkum all over my face. They pulled out a knife and said they will cut my fingers off so I can never write again,” Mr. Prasad told The Hindu.

Source: Young Dalit writer targeted in Davanagere – The Hindu

Knife

Woodfall Words

Peace, harmony, laughter, love and lust
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust
Life turns death to life reborn
Syria
The wheel spins full circle
We are torn
Iraq
On the rack of our own device
‘twixt the Spirit and the Flesh
We are born we die
Afghanistan
We laugh we cry
Yemen
We engender countless Fantasies
to reap imagined reward
Saudi Qatar Oil and Gas
Alone we die into the dawn
Forever flawed!

Lacklustre brilliance
We remain poor children
Gone insane
Impassive to the Wretched’s
plight as they migrate
Birds without Flight
Wings torn Asunder
Europe
Drones, starvation, hunger
We are born we die
we laugh we cry
America your Freedom lost
we engender countless children
of our mind’s eye
yet still Cruelty prevails
Australasia
among one another and to our own selves
be we untrue blind and lie
Barrel bombs, Lamborghinis too
Luxuries of the select few
Russian intervention

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Palestinian peace-activist asphyxiates on Israeli teargas

PNN/ Hebron/

A Palestinian old man on Wednesday has died of asphyxiating on teargas fired by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) during clashes that erupted in Hebron city.

The clashes erupted at Container checkpoint following the funeral of a Palestinian teen who was earlier shot and killed by Israeli fire, PIC said.

The old man was identified as Hashem al-Azzeh. IOF have repeatedly tried to seize his home in Tel Rumeida neighborhood in the old city, which is surrounded by illegal settlements.

Al-Azzeh was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced died after suffering excessive tear gas inhalation.

 

Afghan Women’s Writing Project | In My Burqa Prison

I am arrested, I am in prisonLike a bird without wingsHomeless, in the prison of my blue burqaWith its small window like an empty cageBut I am used to it, used to its smellWearing it, the sky falls on my shouldersI am bored, tired of looking at the skyI search my way in darknessI can’t feel, I don’t know what life isI am arrested in this prison, I have to stayIn my burqa prisonIt is always cold with stale airI always see the same thingI have dreams in my prisonDon’t limit me!How long do you want me to stay like this?By Balquis

Source: Afghan Women’s Writing Project | In My Burqa Prison