Category Archives: Global Politics

′I feel ashamed′ – Danes react to refugee crisis | Europe | DW.COM | 14.09.2015

Anti-immigrant sentiment has long pervaded Denmark’s political discourse. Human rights and strong social-democratic values are widely seen as part of the national DNA. But the Nordic country’s small size also makes it a natural underdog on the European stage, which, time and again, has led it to bare its teeth at anyone perceived as posing a threat to its close-knit culture. In some corners – mainly the more culturally homogenous, rural areas – this has given rise to Gaulish opposition to any outsider challenging their idolized idiosyncrasies.For decades, this has landed Brussels on the receiving end. Voters reluctantly agreed to sign the Maastricht Treaty in 1993, but only after securing significant concessions on several issues, including immigration and asylum policies. The kingdom does not like to be lectured.But in recent years, much of this antagonism has been directed at Denmark’s Muslim population, which make up less than 5 percent of the country’s of 5.6 million people. Integration has long been a political buzzword, though many really mean assimilation. In just a little over a decade, the right-wing Danish People’s Party has gone from a fringe movement to second-most popular. As a result, the historically dominant parties – mainly, the center-left Social Democrats and center-right Liberal Party – have moved ever further to the right on immigration issues to prevent an electoral exodus.

Source: ′I feel ashamed′ – Danes react to refugee crisis | Europe | DW.COM | 14.09.2015

German ethics and empathy in full reverse!

Berlin has closed its southern borders to refugees, preventing other victims of civil wars from entering, and has begun deportations of rejected asylum applicants back to Southeast Europe. Inconsistencies among government officials over how to approach the refugee problem have ultimately led to an unexpected influx of tens of thousands of refugees. Thousands in the German population have made a unique display of helpfulness toward refugees, helpfulness, the government will now render futile. At today’s EU Interior and Justice Ministers Meeting, measures will be promoted to once again seal the EU borders and establish camps to hold refugees immediately upon their arrivals in Greece, Italy, and possibly Hungary. One such camp has been opened in Germany to separate Southeast European refugees for their rapid deportation. Last week, one hundred eleven refugees were deported by plane to Kosovo. Half of the 250,000 refugees, who entered Germany this year, between January and August, are threatened with immediate deportation. At the same time, demands are being raised to drastically reduce state support for refugees and to abolish the fundamental individual right of asylum.

Source: www.german-foreign-policy.com

European Official Calls for Continent to Take In 160,000 Migrants – The New York Times

The European Union’s top executive proposed a plan on Wednesday to distribute 160,000 people throughout the member nations, even while acknowledging that the plan was inadequate to the depth of the crisis.Citing history, morality and economics, the official, Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, urged the bloc to put aside deep divisions over welcoming refugees from war-torn and poverty-stricken nations in the Middle East and Africa and forge a stronger and more unified response.

Source: European Official Calls for Continent to Take In 160,000 Migrants – The New York Times

(This is some sort of bad joke? Little Lebanon has taken in more refugees. They are not migrants – they are refugees. More people than this move back and forth within Europe Union each year. Spin, bad spin.)

Gaza sandstorm compounds Palestinian boy’s housing woes

A Palestinian boy lies on a mattress in what is left of his family’s home, which witnesses told Reuters was destroyed by Israeli shelling during the 50-day war in 2014.His housing problems have been compounded by a sandstorm that has swept Gaza and parts of the Middle East, killing two people and hospitalising hundreds.

Source: Gaza sandstorm compounds Palestinian boy’s housing woes

Turkish military crosses into northern Iraq, launches ground assault on PKK | {Deja vu new Turk Genocide – this time Kurds not Armenians}| DW.COM | 08.09.2015

Turkish special soldiers crossed the Iraqi frontier Tuesday as part of a “hot pursuit” of PKK rebels who were involved in a roadside bomb attack that killed 16 soldiers on Sunday, according to an unnamed Turkish government official.”This is a short-term measure intended to prevent the terrorists’ escape,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Source: Turkish military crosses into northern Iraq, launches ground assault on PKK | News | DW.COM | 08.09.2015

Denmark sends refugees back to Germany – The Local

Swedish officials on Tuesday encouraged Denmark to properly register arriving refugees. “Denmark is a rich country and is able to take care of the refugees. According to the existing rules there is also the opportunity for family reunification if the refugee has family in either Denmark or Sweden. How Denmark chooses to interpet the rules is up to Denmark,” Sweden’s justice ministry told public broadcaster DR.  If the refugees and migrants have not been registered by another EU country before they arrive in Denmark, Danish officials are obligated to register them, even if they would rather seek asylum in Sweden.  While Sweden has become a top EU destination for refugees by issuing permanent residency to all Syrian asylum seekers, Denmark has sought to reduce the influx by issuing temporary residence permits, delaying family reunifications and slashing benefits for newly arrived immigrants.

Source: Denmark sends refugees back to Germany – The Local

Robert Redford Denies Endorsing Donald Trump for President – Hollywood Reporter – Trump spins and lies!

The quote Trump pulled is from a recent Larry King interview. The entire quote paints a slightly different picture than what Trump presented: “He’s got such a big foot in his mouth, I’m not sure you could get it out,” Redford told King. “But on the other hand, I’m glad he’s in there.”Redford then went on to call the presidential race “Looney Tunes” and “crazy stuff.””It’s like, come on, you guys,” said Redford. “You’re making us feel foolish, just having to watch you.”

Source: Robert Redford Denies Endorsing Donald Trump for President – Hollywood Reporter

Dutch reporter detained in continuing harassment of foreign journalists – Reporters Without Borders

Reporters Without Borders calls for the immediate release of Dutch reporter Frederike Geerdink, who was arrested in southeastern Turkey yesterday, and urges the government to stop harassing foreign journalists operating in that part of the country.Foreign reporters are clearly no longer welcome in the southeast, where clashes between government forces and Kurdish rebels led by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are growing in intensity by the day.Geerdink was arrested in Yüksekova, a town near the Iranian border in Hakkaria province, while covering a group of Kurdish activists who were also arrested for trying to act as human shields in an attempt to prevent attacks by government forces.She was reportedly detained for “traveling in a forbidden area.” An official even told Reuters that she had been arrested “for her own safety” because of the fighting in the area.“Coming just days after the arrests of three VICE News journalists, Frederike Geerdink’s arrest constitutes yet another intimidatory message for the foreign news media, one that is equally unacceptable,” said Johann Bihr, the head of the Reporters Without Borders Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk.

Source: Dutch reporter detained in continuing harassment of foreign journalists – Reporters Without Borders

Muslims to be banned from Ibrahimi mosque for six days due to Jewish celebrations | PNN

Israeli Occupation Authorities on Tuesday have announced that they will close the Ibrahimi mosque in Hebron’s old city for the Muslim worshipers, for six days during September, under the pretext of Jewish occasions.Head of the mosque, Munther Abul-Feelat in a press release said that Israeli authorities decided to close down the mosque for 14, 15, 17, 23, 29 and 30 September, for Jewish celebrations, where only settlers will be allowed to enter it.Abul-Feelat added that IOF prevented calling the Adaan (call for prayers) for 51 times during August.The mosque is regularly closed down by Israeli forces under the same pretext, but Jewish settlers are given full privilege to break into the mosque whenever desired.IOF set checkpoints on the entrances of the mosque and worshipers are fully inspected on the gates.

Source: Muslims to be banned from Ibrahimi mosque for six days due to Jewish celebrations | PNN