UNITED E-News – September/October 2016

[UNITED logo]
Contents of this E-News:

* Introduction
* News from UNITED
* News from the Network
* Highlights from the UNITED website
* What’s Next?


Dear Colleagues,

A lot has happened since our last E-News in the summer. There have been some disturbing developments across Europe, including a number of acts of violent extremism in the summer, and continuing success for populist politicians and positions. Additionally, we have seen yet more signs of increasing hostility towards civil society representatives. In Slovakia, our longtime colleague Alena Krempaská was attacked while leaving her Bratislava office after populist politicians had, earlier in the day, appeared to call for violence against her and her fellow human rights activists. Meanwhile in Finland, a young man died a week after being brutally attacked by a group of far-right activists whose politics he had dared to challenge during one of their street actions.

Such incidents illustrate that we must work harder to protect civil society space in Europe. This was a key issue at the recent OSCE Human Dimension Implementation Meeting in Warsaw, where UNITED, as part of the Civic Solidarity Platform, called for the defence of civil space to be a priority for the OSCE in the coming years – a recommendation that was accepted and will form part of the programme for the OSCE’s upcoming Austrian chairmanship.

The next month will be a busy one for UNITED, with our conference in Republic of Macedonia focusing on national reconcilliation, and methods for healing the divides we see in our societies. This will be followed by our Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism campaign, which this year will focus on the topic of Human Rights Superheroes, celebrating those individuals who made the extra step and great sacrifices to protect and defend the rights of others. In the current atmosphere in Europe, such events and campaigns are needed more than ever.

Best greetings and stay UNITED!


News from UNITED

 

[List of Deaths]UNITED List of Deaths presented at MoMA exhibition
The List of Deaths, which includes details of over 22,000 refugees and migrants who died due to the fatal policies of Fortress Europe, was included in the exhibition “Insecurities: Tracing Displacement and Shelter” at the Museum of Mordern Art in New York. Read more …
[9 November]Human Rights Superheroes – 9 November 2016
UNITED announces the 2016 edition of our annual 9 November International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism campaign. This year’s campaign will focus on the topic of the “Human Rights Superheroes” who show us that we don’t have to hate. Read more …
[LifeSeekers]UNITED presents #LifeSeekers campaign at OSCE side event
At the meeting chaired by UNITED spokesperson Ralph du Long, UNITED programme coordinator Balint Josa spoke about the growing polarisation in European societies regarding attitudes to refugees and the impact of the negative narrative around refugees that is routinely spread by populist media and politicians, as well as giving an introduction to UNITED’s #LifeSeekers campaign. Read more …
[Alena Krempaska]
UNITED statement on attack against Alena Krempaská
UNITED would like to express solidarity with our friend and colleague Alena Krempaska of Human Rights Institute, who was brutally attacked on Monday evening. Read more …


News from the Network

 

[ECRI]ECRI releases country reports on Armenia, Turkey and the United Kingdom
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) has released its latest country reports on Armenia, Turkey and the United Kingdom, analysing recent developments and outstanding issues and providing recommendations to the authorities. Despite certain positive developments, ECRI notes, there are challenges ahead. Read more …
[Juergen Micksch]
“We wanted to give refugees a voice.” Pro Asyl celebrates 30th anniversary
The German refugee support organisation Pro Asyl is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. The organisation was founded in 1986 by a coalition of asylum centre advisors, church representatives, trade unionists, humanitarians and human rights campaigners. Through means of analysis, legal reports, surveys, lobbying and European networking, Pro Asyl takes part in public and political discussions, as well as helping refugees individually in situations in which they need practical support. Read more …
[ENAR]ENAR releases shadow report on racism in Europe
20 country briefings on Afrophobia published by the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) are now available on ENAR’s website, alongside their Shadow Report on Afrophobia in Europe, which was launched earlier this year. Read more …
[MANUAL]SALTO publishes manual on cooperation between formal and non-formal education fields
The full manual is available for free online.  Read more … [pdf]


Does your organisation have news for UNITED to publish on the website/ announce in the monthly UNITED E-News? Let us know by writing to info@unitedagainstracism.org (note: we will prioritise news from partners and registered supporters of the UNITED network – click here to find out how to become a supporter).

Any events or activities focusing on topics relevant to the UNITED network can be announced via the online form for publication in UNITED’s online Calendar of Internationalism.


Highlights from the UNITED Website

[Cable Street]“If we’re cut, we all bleed the same.” – London commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Cable Street
René Cassin’s James Masters looks back at the Battle of Cable Street, when a coalition of Jews, Irish dockworkers, socialists and trade union activists prevented Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists from marching through the East End of London. Read more …
[Lampedusa]Migrant and refugee suffering on the central Mediterranean route: too much, too long
Despite the world’s media focus on the eastern Mediterranean route in the past year due to the high number of arrivals, the central Mediterranean remains the deadliest route into Europe. By Eliza Galos via OpenDemocracy. Read more …

 

Do you have an article you would like to contribute to the UNITED website? Write to info@unitedagainstracism.org

What’s Next?

 

[UNITED logo]Next week sees the beginning of UNITED’s autumn conference “Living Together: Transform a divided past into our common future”, which will take place near Ohrid, MK from 26-31 October. Make sure you LIKE the UNITED Conference Facebook page to stay up-to-date with all the news from the venue!

This will be followed by our annual 9 November – International Day Against Fascism and Antisemitism campaign! Make sure that you LIKE the campaign on Facebook and check out the campaign website to stay up-to-date!