Explainer: What is international humanitarian law?

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United Nations News

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20 October 2023

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Explainer: What is international humanitarian law?

But, what exactly are the rules of war and what happens when they are broken?

To find out more about international humanitarian law, known by its acronym IHL, UN News spoke with Eric Mongelard at the UN human rights office, OHCHR.

Here’s what you need to know:

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Rules of war

International humanitarian law is as old as war. From passages in the Bible and Quran to medieval European codes of chivalry, this ever-growing set of rules of engagement aims to limit a conflict’s effects on civilians or non-combatants.

The laws represent “the very minimum rules to preserve humanity in some of the worst situations known to mankind,” Mr. Mongelard said, noting that the rules of war apply the moment an armed conflict has begun.

A UN interpreter works during a debate on international humanitarian law.

The laws in place today are primarily based on the Geneva Conventions, the first of which predates the UN by almost 200 years.

What are the Geneva Conventions?

Following Switzerland’s declaration of “perpetual” international neutrality in 1815, a neighbouring Austrian-French war in 1859 prompted Henri Dunant, a Swiss national tending to battlefield casualties, to propose what became the International Committee for Aid to the Wounded.

That group shortly thereafter transformed into the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) followed by the First Geneva Convention, signed in 1864 by 16 European nations. Since then, a growing number of nations have adopted subsequent other Geneva Conventions.

More than 180 states have become parties to the 1949 conventions. They include 150 states party to Protocol I, which extended protection under the Geneva and Hague conventions to persons involved in wars of “self-determination” which were henceforth redefined as international conflicts and also enabled the establishment of fact-finding commissions in cases of alleged breaches of the convention.

More than 145 states are party to Protocol II, which extended human rights protections to persons involved in severe civil armed conflict that had not been covered by the 1949 accords.

A young British Red Cross worker assists drought victims at a camp in Bati, Ethiopia in 1984.

New rules of war and protocols to the Geneva Conventions have developed as battlefield weaponry and warfare have become more sophisticated and sinister.

International treaties have also emerged to ban a range of weapons triggered by 20th century conflicts, from the use of mustard gas in First World War trenches to airdropping napalm across Viet Nam. These binding conventions also oblige signatories to respect international humanitarian law.

Who is protected?

Hospitals, schools, civilians, aid workers, and safe routes to deliver emergency assistance are among people and places protected by international humanitarian law.

A protocol to the Geneva Conventions adopted in 1977 contains the “most rules” on civilian protection, Mr. Mongelard said. In general, key principles are divided into two sets of rules, with the first centred on respect for the dignity and life of a person and humane treatment. That includes prohibitions on summary executions and torture.

A boy stands inside the remains of his school in Novohryhorivka, Ukraine.

The second applies to distinction, proportionality, and precaution, he said, binding every warring party.

They cannot target civilians, must ensure operations and the weapons they choose to use would minimize or avoid civilian casualties, and must provide sufficient warning to civilian populations of an impending attack.

“Evaluating the effectiveness of a body of law is always a difficult exercise,” he said. “Anecdotal evidence shows that IHL is more often respected than not.”

Even with these laws in place, 116 aid workers died while doing their jobs in some of the world’s most dangerous places in 2022.

Since the start of the year, 62 aid workers have already been killed, 84 wounded, and 34 kidnapped, according to the UN, which cited provisional data in August from the independent research organization Humanitarian Outcomes. Since 7 October, a total of 15 UN workers have been killed in Gaza.

However, without international humanitarian law and related rules, the situation in battlefields across the world “would be far worse”, Mr. Mongelard said.

“Parties to the conflict, when they’re faced with allegations of, for example, strikes against civilians or civilian infrastructure, will always either seek to deny or seek to explain, thereby really reinforcing that they do recognize that these rules are important,” he said.

Ending impunity

“Serious violations of international humanitarian law are war crimes”, he continued. As such, all States have an obligation to criminalize those behaviours, investigate, and prosecute perpetrators.

International humanitarian law can also be violated outside of an actual war. Meanwhile, crimes against humanity have never been agreed on in a dedicated treaty of international law. At the same time, the Rome Statute provides the latest consensus of the international community on what falls within the scope. It is also the treaty that offers the most extensive list of specific acts that may constitute the crime.

The first Session of International Tribunal on War Crimes in Former Yugoslavia Opens in the Hague in 1993.

When violations occur, mechanisms have been set up, from UN tribunals for Cambodia, Rwanda, and the former Yugoslavia to such national efforts as was seen in 2020 in the DR Congo when a military court brought a war criminal to justice.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), established in 2002 by the Rome Statute, has also had jurisdiction over allegations of violations of international humanitarian law.

Global courtroom

The first permanent global criminal court established to help end impunity for perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the global international community, the ICC is an independent international organization, and is not part of the UN system.

But, the UN has a direct link. The ICC Prosecutor can open cases or investigations referred by the UN Security Council referral, by States parties to the Rome Statute, or based on information from reliable sources.

While not all 193 UN Member States recognize the ICC, the court can launch investigations and open cases related to allegations from anywhere in the world. Cases have been heard and decisions rendered on a range of violations, from using rape as a weapon of war to conscripting children as combatants.

The court is currently investigating 17 cases. Part of its work includes issuing arrest warrants for suspected perpetrators. This includes an outstanding warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin related to his country’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Everyone can contribute

While international humanitarian law governs warring parties to a conflict, the general public has an important role to play, Mr. Mongelard said.

He warned that dehumanizing a group of people can send a message to armed forces in the vicinity that “some violations would be okay”.

“One thing that is important is avoiding the dehumanization of the other or the dehumanization of the enemy, avoiding hate speech, and avoiding incitement to violence,” he said. “That’s where the general public can contribute.”

A five-year-old boy holds up his cat amidst the wreckage of his home in Gaza.

As for international organizations, shortly after the Israel-Gaza conflict erupted on 7 October, the ICC opened an ongoing investigation, operating a link to provide submissions of allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and aggression – which violate international humanitarian law.

A reminder of the warring parties’ obligations regarding the Israel-Gaza crisis was issued by the UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths who told the UN Security Council: “There are simple rules of war,” adding “parties to armed conflict must protect civilians.”

In the same vein, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Ahmed Al Mandhari talked with UN News following the strike on a Gazan hospital.

“Health care is not a target, and it should not be a target,” “WHO is calling all conflicting parties to adhere to international humanitarian law” and “protect civilians” alongside “those health care professionals who are in the field and the ambulances”.

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Madonna Gives Impassioned Call for Social Action During London Concert

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Newsdesk

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20 October 2023

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During a recent concert in London, pop icon Madonna gave an impassioned speech touching on heavy current events and appealing to her fans’ sense of humanity. (READ AND LISTEN PART OF HER SPEECH BELOW)

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What the f*** is going on in the world?

Speaking bluntly and from the heart, Madonna expressed horror at ongoing violence against children in conflicts like the Israel-Palestine crisis. “What the fuck is going on in the world?” she asked, citing graphic examples of decapitated babies and other atrocities.

The iconic singer asserted forcefully that “children belong to all of us” regardless of background, referencing author James Baldwin as inspiration for this belief in universal human bonds. She also condemned the recent stabbing death of a 6-year-old Muslim boy in Chicago as a hate crime, evidence of the growing darkness she hopes to combat.

Madonna’s speech stressed that despite surface differences dividing societies, we cannot “lose our humanity” or allow our spirits to be broken by tragedy. She insisted that each person has power to “turn light on in the world” through acts of generosity, unity and consciousness.

Listen to Madonna herself delivering the speech.

Asking the London crowd “are you with me?” throughout her address, Madonna underscored her belief in collective action unconstrained by politicians or laws to drive positive change. The uplifting speech ended with Madonna rejecting helplessness in favour of lighting “enough candles” to bring light and transform consciousness.

Madonna’s frank tone and skilful blend of harsh facts, rhetorical questions, and inspirational exhortations compelled her fans to see themselves as partners in creating a more just and peaceful world. The speech exemplified Madonna’s lifelong willingness to use her global platform to promote human welfare and social progress.

Transcribed Madonna’s speech:

Madonna in her instagram account — Madonna in her Instagram account

I need to talk about children and all the things that are going on in the world right now. It would be irresponsible of me not to say something. What’s happening right now between Israel and Palestine, obviously is heartbreaking, and nobody wants to see what’s happening. I turn on social media and I, I wanna vomit. I see children being kidnapped, pulled off motorcycles, babies being decapitated, in peace raves being shot and killed.

What the fuck is going on in the world? How can human beings be so cruel to one another?

And it’s just getting worse and it frightens me and I wanna paraphrase James Baldwin who’s been a great inspiration for me all my life, and that is, the children of the world belong to all of us, each and every one of them, I don’t care where they’re from, what their headdress is, what the colour of their skin is, what their religion is.

The children belong to us, and we are responsible for them.

A six-year-old boy was stabbed to death in Chicago yesterday, it was a hate crime because he was Muslim.

Now, we have to remember that we are human beings here, we cannot lose our humanity. So, our hearts can be broken but our spirit cannot. No one can break our spirit, and you might look at what’s going on in the world and say: what the fuck? What can I do? I’m just one person, I’m helpless… No, you are not!

Each and everyone of you have the power and the ability to turn light on in the world. We are all candles. We can bring light to the world. Are you with me London? And if we turn enough light on, if we light enough candles, the collective consciousness of generosity and unity will change. No politicians, no laws, no sanctions, no land given or taken.

We with our consciousness can change the fucking world. Are you with me London? And thank you for turning your lights on! that means everything to me, that means you are listening, this is not for me, this is for all of you…

UN independent experts ‘unequivocally condemn’ violence against civilians in Israel, Gaza

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United Nations News

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20 October 2023

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UN independent experts ‘unequivocally condemn’ violence against civilians in Israel, Gaza

In a news release, the experts denounced the ruthless attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians starting 7 October. They also stressed their concern for the victims of subsequent counter-terrorism measures by Israeli forces.

“We decry the scale of the brutal assault on mothers, children, babies, the elderly and ordinary citizens going about their daily lives on the Jewish Shabbat and on a Jewish religious holiday (Sukkot),” said Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Special Rapporteur on protection of human rights while countering terrorism, and Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

Acts of terrorism, no matter how horrific, absolutely do not justify the commission of serious violations of international law including war crimes, or crimes against humanity, the Human Rights Council-appointed experts noted.

Survivors ‘irreparably damaged’

The UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts – who are independent of any nation or the UN Secretariat – stressed that the “essence of terrorism” is the targeting of civilians, and terrorist attacks leave the victims’ families and survivors “irreparably damaged.”

In addition to the brutal attacks, an estimated 200 people including older persons, mothers, children and babies, and those seriously wounded, were kidnapped and taken hostage.

While recognizing the deep and decades long grievances and violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people under occupation, nothing justifies the targeting of civilians in this way, the release noted.

“Hostage taking is absolutely prohibited under international law and constitutes a war crime,” the experts said, highlighting that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) must be provided access to those taken hostage and they must receive medical care.

“No harm must come to the hostages taken and held incommunicado by Hamas. They must be released,” the experts said.

Families flee their shattered neighbourhood, Tal al-Hawa, to seek refuge in the southern Gaza strip.

No justification for violations against civilians

The UN experts also stressed their equal concern for victims of counter-terrorism measures. Acts of terrorism, no matter how horrific, absolutely do not justify carrying out serious violations of international law including war crimes, or crimes against humanity, the experts said.

Echoing the UN Secretary-General’s view, they said the evacuation order to Gazans which amounted to around 1.1. million people, the majority of them children, will have devastating consequences.

They condemned the complete siege of the enclave including the cutting off of water and electricity which “may constitute the war crime of starvation of civilians”, the news release noted.

“Schools and hospitals filled with civilians – primarily women and children – cannot constitute a legitimate military target for either State or non-State armed groups,” the experts said.

“The grievous destruction of Al-Ahli hospital underscores the humanitarian consequence of non-compliance with international humanitarian law,” they added.

International plea

The experts called on all States to fulfil their obligation to ensure respect for international humanitarian law by all parties, including those countries in a position to exercise influence over them and ensure accountability for all violations.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and form part of what is known as its Special Procedures. The experts are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic issues or country situations.

They serve in their individual capacity, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.

Women’s sexual and reproductive rights an ‘unfinished agenda’

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United Nations News

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19 October 2023

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Women’s sexual and reproductive rights an ‘unfinished agenda’ — UNFPA - Gambian schoolgirls learn about reproductive and menstrual health

UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Thursday called for progress on the ‘unfinished agenda’ of women’s sexual and reproductive health rights at an event in Geneva to mark the 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Countries attending the landmark Conference, held in Cairo, agreed a Programme of Action which promised that women and girls must have the power to make decisions about their own lives, their bodies and their futures.

Mr. Türk commended the “leaps” made during the past three decades which include a reduction in deaths during pregnancy, and “substantial investments” in healthcare, education and social services. Many people are also living longer, healthier lives.

“But this is an unfinished agenda,” he said. “Alongside the progress, we have seen regression.”

Backlash and toxic masculinity

Mr. Türk pointed to “patchy implementation” of the principles laid out in the Programme of Action in many parts of the world.

“Gender equality backlash is spreading, denying women and girls autonomy, the capacity to choose their futures or their roles within families and households, and silencing their voices,” he said. “Toxic masculinity – and misogyny – have inflamed and normalised hate.”

Additionally, COVID-19, conflict and economic downturns have also disproportionately affected women and girls. Meanwhile, “babies don’t stop being born during conflict or disaster, and people still get pregnant.”

WHO/Occupied Palestinian Territory – Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. WHO warns that hospitals in the Gaza Strip are at a breaking point.

Pregnancy under fire

Today, roughly 50,000 women are pregnant in Gaza, where health services are currently under attack.

The earthquake in western Afghanistan this month has rendered pregnant women there even more vulnerable, while women and girls in Ukraine still need access to life-saving sexual and reproductive health services.

Furthermore, in 68 countries, an estimated 44 per cent of women who are married or partnered do not have the ability to make their own decisions on sexual relations, use of contraceptives, and healthcare.

“Women’s right to decide – free of discrimination, coercion and violence – if and when to have children, how many and with whom, needs to be guaranteed,” he said.

“This is all the more the case as progress on maternal mortality has stagnated in the last decade. Every two minutes, a woman will die due to complications in pregnancy and childbirth.”

Against unsafe abortion

He remarked that “perhaps nowhere is a woman’s autonomy and ability to make her own choices about her body and life more hotly contested than when she seeks to access safe abortion services.”

Roughly 33 million unsafe abortions are conducted globally each year, he said, and it is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. He welcomed action by many countries in the last five years to liberalize legislation, whether through decriminalization, expanding legal grounds for it, or removing access barriers.

Keep Cairo promise

Mr. Türk said human rights reversals of all kinds are accelerating around the globe, putting countries offtrack to achieve sustainable development and the ICPD Programme of Action, but it is not too late to course correct.

His Office is working with States to bolster their efforts towards “a human rights economy”, which puts people and the planet at the heart of all policies, plans and programmes.

“To change lives, and to save lives, we need to ensure the fundamentals promised in Cairo thirty years ago are upheld – for all women and girls, no matter their age, their migration status, or any other factor,” he said.

He outlined what they need, namely comprehensive sexuality education; access to modern forms of contraception, including emergency contraception; access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, including safe and timely abortion services and maternal and newborn care, and the freedom to make their own choices.

From Cairo, Guterres appeals for ‘sustained’ humanitarian access to Gaza

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United Nations News

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19 October 2023

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From Cairo, Guterres appeals for ‘sustained’ humanitarian access to Gaza

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UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday appealed for humanitarian access to Gaza as essential supplies running out in the besieged enclave,.

“For nearly two weeks the people of Gaza have gone without any shipments of fuel, food, water, medicine, and other essentials. Disease is spreading. Supplies are dwindling. People are dying,” he said at a press conference in Cairo alongside Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

Mr. Guterres is in the Middle East to witness UN preparations to be able to deliver massive support to Gaza.

‘A moment of profound crisis’

He is there at what he described as “a moment of profound crisis…unlike any the region has seen in decades”, triggered by the “atrocious” Hamas attacks against Israel on 7 October, resulting in Israel’s siege and relentless bombing of Gaza.

The UN chief called for two immediate humanitarian actions in the face of the humanitarian catastrophe.

“To Hamas, for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. To Israel, for immediate unrestricted access of humanitarian aid to respond to the most basic needs of the people of Gaza.”

He also called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to help realize them.

Safe aid delivery

Mr. Guterres underlined the need for rapid, unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.

“We need food, water, medicine and fuel now. We need it at scale, and we need it to be sustained,” he said.

“It is not one small operation that is required. It is a sustained effort to deliver humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. In plain terms, that means humanitarians need to be able to get the aid in and they need to be able to distribute it safely.”

In this regard, he said Egypt’s El Arish airport and the Rafah crossing, the sole one open into Gaza, “are not only critical, they are our only hope” and “the lifelines” to the people there.

He also warned of the risk of the violence spilling over, the longer the situation persists.

The Secretary-General praised Egypt for being “a pillar of multilateral cooperation and the linchpin in helping to defuse tensions and to ease colossal human pain and suffering.”

Mr. Guterres is scheduled to participate in an international summit on Gaza convened by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for this Saturday.

Ukraine war: Long-range missiles hit Russian army airfields for the 1st time

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EuropeanTimes

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19 October 2023

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Ukraine war: Long-range missiles hit Russian army airfields for the 1st time — An ATACMS missile being launched from an M270 MLRS - Wikipedia © Public Domain

Long-range missiles hit airfields in areas occupied by Russia, a mistake according to Putin

On Tuesday, October 17, Ukrainian special forces claimed to have carried out destructive strikes against two Russian army airfields in Lugansk and Berdyansk, in areas occupied by Russia in eastern and southern Ukraine.

🇷🇺🇺🇦 Missile attack on Berdyansk

According to clarified information, the AFU used not only ATACMS (photos of the wreckage of the M74 cluster submunition have appeared online), but also a cheaper version of the Ground-Launched Small Diameter Bomb, or simply GLSDB, to strike the… pic.twitter.com/6lS2Kx0jZd
— Rybar Force (@rybar_force) October 17, 2023

The operation enabled the destruction of takeoff runways, nine helicopters, an anti-aircraft system and an ammunition warehouse, according to a statement published on Telegram by Ukrainian special forces.

The Russian army has made no comments; Moscow very rarely discusses its own losses. But the Telegram channels Rybar and WarGonzo, close to the Russian army, reported an attack using long-range tactical missiles (ATACM) on an airfield in Berdiansk, without being able to specify the extent of the damage.

According to Rybar, followed by more than 1.2 million people, six long-range missiles were fired at Berdyansk, three of which were shot down by Russian air defense. The three remaining missiles “hit their target” by hitting an ammunition depot and damaging several helicopters “to varying degrees,” according to this source.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, without mentioning this specific case, welcomed the fact that his forces managed to strike Russian supply lines, at a time when they are engaged in a very difficult counter-offensive to liberate the occupied territories.

The same day Washington announced that it had delivered ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) with a range of 165 km to the Ukrainian forces in great secrecy so that they could shell Russian rear bases.

The next day Vladimir Putin assured that the long-range missiles delivered by the United States to Ukraine will only “prolong the agony” of the country, Kiev for its part hoping that these weapons will help it accelerate its difficult counter-attack. offensive in progress.

The Ukrainian president thanked his Western allies who delivered effective weapons as well as “every Ukrainian fighter”, saying they managed to hold their positions around Avdiivka and Kupiansk in eastern Ukraine where the Russian army attempted offensives in recent weeks.

Ukraine has been insisting for months that Europeans and Americans increase deliveries of longer-range missiles to be able to strike the Russians far behind the front and thus disrupt their logistics chain.

But so far, the West has only given a limited number of its munitions, fearing that Ukraine could use them to attack Russian territory directly as it already does with its own drones.

EU Scientology Representative Joins Project SHRINEs for Interfaith Protection of Places of Worship

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Newsdesk

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19 October 2023

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PYRZOWICE, POLAND, October 19, 2023. The European Union’s ISF-funded project “SHRINEs“ has revolutionized the protection of places of worship. This groundbreaking initiative, spanning 24 months, aims to enhance security and safety in sacred spaces while fostering an interfaith and multidisciplinary network to address contemporary risks and threats.

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Project Objectives and Partnerships

SHRINEs is a consortium consisting of 10 partners, including 4 religious organizations representing the Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, and Protestant faiths. It also includes public and private entities, academic institutions, and Law Enforcement Agencies. This collaboration aims to identify innovative technological solutions and effective mitigation measures to safeguard places of worship from criminal activities, man-made attacks, and natural disasters.

Religious communities, law enforcement agencies, and public authorities are collaborating to assess risks, threats, and cooperation opportunities for the effective protection of places of worship. Technology developers are also working on innovative solutions to enhance the safety and security of these sacred spaces.

Hackathon Event: “Tech for SHRINEs”

A Hackathon event named “Tech for SHRINEs” was held in Assisi, Italy to determine the most efficient solutions for countering threats and raising awareness. A Committee of Experts assessed different technological solutions to improve the security of places of worship and their visitors using advanced technology.

Key Workshop in Poland

The SHRINEs project took a significant step with its 2nd Workshop in Poland on October 17th-18th, 2023. The workshop aimed to evaluate threats and vulnerabilities to places of worship. It featured expert-led discussions on security and safety.

On 17th October 2023, the conference room at Katowice Airport hosted a gathering of experts, scholars, and practitioners focused on protecting places of worship. This event marked the start of the 2nd Workshop of the SHRINEs project, an initiative leading the way in ensuring the safety and security of these sacred sites.

The day started with anticipation as participants gathered for registration. Among those present were representatives from religious organizations, law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders. The event began with a welcoming introduction, setting the tone for an engaging and productive session.

Led by Professor Adrian Siadkowski from the University of Łódź, a series of discussions unfolded. Conclusions from the 1st workshop in Nice, presented by Dr. Marco Dugato of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy, shed light on the threats faced by places of worship. These findings were complemented by the experiences shared by Ana Guillem Sanchez from the Elche Local Police in Spain, illustrating successful cooperation between local law enforcement and religious site managers.

Dr. Łukasz Szymankiewicz from WSB University in Poland introduced the concept of “Security by Design” in the European Union framework. This approach emphasizes the importance of proactive measures in security planning.

Robin Edwards from ONIS, UK, elucidated the impact of heritage crime on places of worship and its mitigation through effective partnerships and best practices. Additionally, Dr. Fabio Giulio Tonolo and Dr. Lorenzo Teppati Lose from Politecnico di Torino, Italy, presented a white paper outlining innovative technologies to safeguard cultural heritage from diverse risks.

Catholicism, Islam, Judaism, Scientology, Christian Orthodox

A unique aspect of this workshop was the active involvement of all participants. Open discussions took place, allowing voices from all backgrounds to be heard, be it from academia, law enforcement, and even the different religious communities like the Catholic Church, Jewish Community, Greek Orthodox Church, the Church of Scientology and others. This created a rich tapestry of perspectives and insights, contributing to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing places of worship.

The event moved to a study session at “Katowice” Airport, where participants explored the implementation of security measures commonly used to protect critical infrastructure and public spaces for safeguarding religious sites.

Ivan Arjona, in representation of the Scientologists, said after the workshop “I am happy to have been invited to participate in such a team task joining academia and representatives from different religions. This goes along with what our founder L. Ron Hubbard intended from the beginning of our religion, which is to work hand in hand with other denominations to create a safer place and a better world”.

Coal Mine Guido and Jasna Gora Sanctuary

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== EU Scientology Representative Joins Project SHRINEs for Interfaith Protection of Places of Worship — Photo credit: SHRINEs Project

The evening ended with a lively networking cocktail event, held in the distinctive setting of the historic Coal Mine “Guido” in Zabrze, situated 320 meters underground. It provided an opportunity to establish connections, carry on conversations, and contemplate the substantial progress achieved throughout the day.

On the 2nd day of the SHRINEs project workshop, participants embarked on a meaningful journey to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Jasna Gora. This sacred place is a testament to Poland’s spiritual and historical heritage, holding great significance for pilgrims and visitors from all over.

Before the visit, the workshop participants were welcomed by the Prior of the Shrine, embracing all religions and academia. Exploring this revered sanctuary allowed the participants to immerse themselves in its captivating history and gain a deeper understanding of its influence on Polish culture and identity. A particular highlight was the exploration of the shrine’s security measures, safeguarding valuable cultural treasures for centuries.

The workshop was a crucial component of the SHRINEs project, bringing together experts and stakeholders to discuss threats, vulnerabilities, and innovative solutions for safeguarding places of worship. It emphasized the importance of collaboration in establishing a secure environment for worshippers and visitors.

The SHRINEs project demonstrates the impact of collaboration and innovation in protecting places of worship. By engaging in interfaith dialogue and employing advanced technologies, the project aims to establish a safer and more secure setting for worshippers and visitors.

Media Accountability Triumph, Jehovah’s Witnesses in Spain achieve condemnation of “El Mundo”

By

Juan Sanchez Gil

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19 October 2023

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magnifying glass near gray laptop computer — Photo by Agence Olloweb on Unsplash

On October 16, 2023, in a report by Massimo Introvigne for BitterWinter.org, an important legal case involving the Spanish Jehovah’s Witnesses and the newspaper “El Mundo” is highlighted.

The lawsuit centers on an article that was published by “El Mundo” on November 21, 2022. The article relied on information provided by the Association of Victims of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, an organization opposed to the group.

On October 2, the Court of First Instance no. 1 of Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain, made a decision in favor of the Jehovah’s Witnesses (Ruling 287/2023). It has ordered “El Mundo” to publish a right of response, from the religious group. The court recognized that the newspaper had uncritically accepted and spread information from a dissatisfied former association of Witnesses.

Additionally, the court dismissed the newspaper’s argument that the Association of Victims of Jehovah’s Witnesses held sole responsibility for the content of the article and mandated that “El Mundo” cover the litigation expenses.

Importantly the court’s ruling extended beyond granting the Jehovah’s Witnesses the right to respond. It also carefully examined the accuracy of the allegations made by the Association of Victims of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The court determined that these allegations had the potential to damage the reputation of the organization and found that, in many cases, they were not entirely accurate.

The court emphasized that the article’s title, which included the term ‘cult’ (‘secta’ in Spanish), carried negative connotations for any religion. The court found that the claims originating from the Association of Victims of Jehovah’s Witnesses, such as labeling the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a ‘cult’ with ‘cultic practices,’ alleging that it leads to ‘social death,’ and asserting that it ‘compels’ members not to report crimes, all caused undeniable harm to the religious association.

Furthermore, the court examined the accuracy of the allegations in the article. It pointed out that referring to the Jehovah’s Christian Witnesses as a ‘cult’ was legally erroneous, as the organization was a registered religious denomination in Spain, like many others. The court also found inaccuracies in the article’s references to alleged sexual abuse within the religious group.

The court expressed that there was no definitive record of any conviction against the religious entity as a whole in connection with sexual abuse allegations, making such claims inaccurate. Additionally, the court noted that the article inappropriately assigned collective responsibility to the religious denomination for alleged sexual abuses rather than focusing on individual cases.

The court also addressed allegations concerning the practice of ostracism or shunning by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It found that the description of these practices by the Association of Victims of Jehovah’s Witnesses was not convincingly substantiated. The court ruled that the claim that members are forced to associate only with other faithful members was inaccurate.

The court also dismissed the assertions made in the article regarding the Jehovah’s Witnesses having ‘double standards and a significant number of their elders being ‘adulterers or pedophiles.’ It found these allegations to be without any foundation and deemed them as highly detrimental, to the reputation of the religious organization.

In conclusion, the court’s decision exposed the dissemination of false information by the Association of Victims of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the uncritical reporting of these claims by “El Mundo.” The court emphasized the importance of legally sanctioning erroneous or false facts supporting opinions, rather than merely refuting or censoring opinions.

Moreover, the court emphasized that media outlets have a responsibility for the content they share even if it is based on allegations from parties. This ruling reinforces the importance for media organizations to verify the accuracy of information before publishing it and to distinguish between reporting and personal opinions.

This case is a warning to media organizations regarding the dissemination of information from self-proclaimed “cult experts” (in this instance, Carlos Bardavio (RedUNE-FECRIS), who is often presented as “the greatest expert on cults in Spain” for propagandistic purposes) and former members who have distanced themselves from their faith. It also emphasizes the importance of respecting a community’s right to respond to defamatory articles.

This legal victory stands as a reminder to media outlets to uphold their responsibility to ensure accuracy and fairness in their reporting.

As Introvigne wrote himself:

“It is not the first time that media fall into the trap of publishing slander fed to them by anti-cult organizations, “experts” on “cults” (in this case, the “expert” interviewed was Carlos Bardavío, i.e., the lawyer representing the Association of Victims of Jehovah’s Witnesses in another case), and “apostate” ex-members. It is also not the first time that a media outlet—even one that is a member of The Trust Project—refuses to publish a religious community’s reply to an insulting article. The decision should teach these media a lesson. However, it is unlikely this will happen. Some journalists are like the crow in Aesop’s fable, which kept being deceived by the fox and swearing that it had happened for the last time, only to be duped again at the next opportunity.”

How Hamas weaponised Palestinians’ despair

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Guest Author

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19 October 2023

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How Hamas weaponised Palestinians’ despair — Huwwara Checkpoint Palestine

The Hamas used the palestinian despair to legitimise itself and win the support of a section of Palestinian public opinion. This is the context in which Hamas carried out its attack.

The scale of Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 and 8 October is unprecedented and the failure of the Israeli army and secret services, astonishing. Yet for observers such as former Israeli ambassador to France, Elie Barnavi, the events that have unfolded in the region over the past days were “surprising but predictable”.

On the ground, from which I have just returned, there is a clear sense of growing despair and latent violence among the Palestinian population. No one is talking about “peace” any more, but rather “the end of the occupation”, as young people evoke “resistance, by all means”.

The Hamas used the palestinian despair to legitimise itself and win the support of a section of Palestinian public opinion. This is the context in which Hamas carried out its attack.

Gaza, an open-air prison

In Gaza, where Hamas operates, 2.3 million Palestinians are crammed into 365 km², making the Gaza Strip one of the world’s most densely populated territories. More than two thirds of the population live below the poverty line and, according to the Israeli NGO B’Tselem, the unemployment rate is 75% among people under 29.

Since 2007, this territory has also been subject to an Israeli blockade by sea, air and land, which almost entirely deprives it of contact with the outside world.

Gazans are regularly cut off from water and electricity, and depend mainly on international aid. Entry into and exit from Gaza depend on permits given by Israeli forces and are extremely rare, earning it the nickname of “open-air prison”.

In these conditions, the Gazan population, and in particular the youth, who are isolated from the world, are becoming increasingly radical. Most feel they have nothing left to lose and no longer believe in political solutions or peace. The idea that the occupation of the Jewish state must be resisted through violence, as advocated by Islamist groups, is gradually spreading. This is playing into the hands of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who are gathering more and more fighters.

The West Bank, a dismembered territory

In the West Bank, the Hamas attack was not condemned, some Palestinians even showed their support in demonstrations.

The rest of the world is astonished that anyone could support such cruelty, which is unequivocally unacceptable. But we must also look at the roots of this support.

The Palestinian territory is completely dismembered. More than 280 settlements and 710,000 Israeli settlers have been counted by the United Nations. Palestinian homes are regularly destroyed.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== How Hamas weaponised Palestinians’ despair — Evolution of Palestine since 1946. M.Durrieu

Since 2002, more than 700km of wall have been built between the Palestinian territories and Israel. This security wall was supposed to follow the 315km green line outlined in the 1947 UN partition plan, but the past years have seen it snake on and on, gradually encroaching on Palestinian territory and isolating certain Palestinian towns.

One Palestinian MP told me “It’s the Arab Wailing Wall”, while others referred to it as the “Wall of Shame”. Even East Jerusalem is increasingly occupied, including the Esplanade of the Mosques, home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third-holiest site. In fact, the name that the Hamas gave to its attack, “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”, shows just how the Islamist group has managed to act as a soundboard to the population’s grievances.

Daily despair

The freedom of movement of the inhabitants of the West Bank is extremely limited – they depend entirely on permits obtained from the Israeli authorities. Every day, Palestinians have to laboriously cross through checkpoints.

Some children explain to me that they cross the checkpoint between Abu Dis in the West Bank and Jerusalem to go to school; they go alone because their parents don’t have the necessary permits and spend at least an hour there every day. Older students tell me that they used to be able to walk to their university, but now there’s the wall and a checkpoint. The UN estimates that there are around 593 checkpoints, mostly designed to protect Israeli settlers.

The economic situation in the West Bank is also deplorable. Israeli restrictions on the movement of people and goods – such as bans on the importation of certain technologies and inputs, bureaucratic controls, checkpoints, gates, earth mounds, roadblocks and trenches – are choking development. The poverty rate stands at 36% and the unemployment rate at 26%.

The Israeli army, especially since the arrival of the most recent Netanyahu government, has stepped up its interventions and preventive raids. Before the Hamas attack, 200 Palestinians had been killed since the beginning of the year. The UN counts 4,900 Palestinian political prisoners and notes the deplorable conditions in Israeli prisons and the ill-treatment inflicted.

Political deadlock, latent violence

Added to all this is the political impasse. There have been no elections in Palestine since 2006. The Palestinian Authority, recognised as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, has become an empty shell with no real power. Power is concentrated in the hands of 87-year-old Mahmoud Abbas, who has lost the support of his people. After the repeated failure of negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel, some even consider Mahmoud Abbas to be an accomplice to the Israeli occupation. Corruption is paralysing all Palestinian institutions.

The population no longer expects anything from politics and even less from negotiations. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a resurgence of “lone wolf” attacks driven by despair. Like the Palestinian driver who, at the end of August, ploughed into a group of Israeli soldiers as he was about to cross a checkpoint.

It is this same despair that drives a section of the Palestinian population to rally around Hamas’s cruel attacks today. As Elie Barnavi points out, we could even fear the outbreak of a new intifada.

Hamas’ rise

Over the years, Hamas has been able to weaponise these sentiments and so affirm itself as the “true defender” of the Palestinian cause.

In 2006, the militant group won the Palestinian legislative elections. Despite the democratic nature of these elections, the result was not recognised by the international community, which refused to allow a terrorist organisation to take power. Hamas therefore fell back onto the Gaza Strip, of which it took control. From Gaza, it continued to radicalise and delegitimise the Palestinian Authority, and waited for momentum to build before putting its words into action. In the eyes of the organisation, this moment has arrived. The leaders no doubt felt that the context was favourable for a large-scale attack.

On the one hand, the internal destabilisation in Israel offered a breach of which Hamas could take advantage. Never has Israel been as divided as it has been since the arrival of Netanyahu’s coalition of ultra-Orthodox and national-religious parties. Large-scale demonstrations against the reform of the justice system shook the country for several months. In an unprecedented move, Israeli reservists, essential to Israeli defence, refused to serve for weeks in protest against the reforms.

Shifting geopolitics

Hamas likely also had an eye on geopolitics, sensing that the balance of power in the region is shifting. Witness the agreement between Tehran and Riyadh, and the Abraham Accords which normalised Israel’s relations with the Gulf states. Today, global tectonic plates continue to wobble, the status quo in Nagorno-Karabakh has been shattered and Africa is experiencing one coup after another. The time was ripe for the group to strike.

Fifty years after the Yom Kippur War and 30 years after the Oslo Accords, the past days’ tragic events ought to be viewed through the prism of a complex conflict that has pitted two peoples against each other since 1948. Hamas has instrumentalised the anger and despair of Palestinians to commit unprecedented violence, thereby delegitimising a legitimate cause.

Author: Marie Durrieu

Associate doctoral student at the Strategic Research Institute of the Military School in political science and international relations (CMH EA 4232-UCA), Sciences Po

Explainer: What’s inside aid convoy at Gaza crossing

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Newsdesk

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18 October 2023

0

Explainer: What’s inside aid convoy at Gaza crossing

As humanitarian workers echoed the urgent calls of the UN Secretary-General, urging Israel to open a secure corridor for delivering aid, Gaza will soon run out of basic supplies, according to UN agencies on the ground, who raised alarms about a looming unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.

Following the outbreak of violence on October 7th, Israel closed all borders with Gaza, resulting in the UN’s inability to restock its lifesaving aid supplies. As a result, supplies in the region have dwindled due to the daily bombardment, prompting UN agencies, partners, and nations to quickly send aid to the area.

The Gaza Strip prior to the current escalation.

Here’s what’s in the convoy:

Table of Contents

Bare essentials

Egypt’s El Arish International Airport, usually catering to Palestinians journeying to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the yearly Hajj pilgrimage, bustled with humanitarian efforts over the weekend.

Hundreds of tonnes of vital goods, including ready-to-eat food and emergency surgical latex gloves, were delivered by UN agencies, partners, and nations such as Jordan, Türkiye, and the United Arab Emirates to the airport situated 45 km (28 miles) from Gaza’s border.

The essential donations were unloaded and transferred into trucks bound for the border. Egypt also added 100 trucks to the convoy, carrying 1,000 tonnes of aid.

They include UN agency deliveries of pallets of tents, blankets, and a range of medicines.

In addition, the UN humanitarian affairs agency, OCHA, reported plans to provide 300,000 people with emergency kits containing essential items, and the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, had at the ready supplies to promote women’s hygiene, including 3,000 dignity kits.

Media reports observed ambulances and emergency health workers near the aid convoy, ready to tend to injured Gazans.

Medical supplies

The World Health Organization (WHO) dispatched a plane carrying medical supplies to replenish its depleted stocks in Gaza. Recently, the UN health agency sent two shipments from its logistics hub in Dubai.

Every hour these supplies remain on the Egyptian side of the border, more girls and boys, women and men, especially those vulnerable or disabled, will die – WHO Director-General

A plane arrived in Beirut, Lebanon, carrying surgical and trauma medicines and supplies to tend to 800 to 1,000 injured patients, addressing the increasing demands due to escalating clashes along its border with Israel.

Following the weekend delivery of 78 cubic metres of emergency aid to El Arish Airport, enough supplies were provided to assist over 300,000 Palestinians. In order to ensure access through the Rafah border area, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi last week, who granted the request.

The ready-to-be-delivered shipment contains basic health essentials alongside emergency supplies. These include enough trauma medicines and health supplies to treat 1,200 wounded patients and 1,500 patients suffering from heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory problems as well as trauma “pouches” ready to treat 235 wounded people.

© UNICEF/Mohammad Ajjour – Medical supplies which were already in Gaza are being distributed by UNICEF.

Food

Also grappling with shortages, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has sent supplies to replenish its almost exhausted stocks.

Early Monday morning, a WFP-chartered aircraft landed at El Arish Airport, delivering 22 tonnes of humanitarian relief, including 15 tonnes of fortified biscuits and two mobile storage units to address the shortages in Gaza, according to the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS).

The UN food agency launched an emergency operation to get food, water, and other essential supplies to Gaza and the West Bank, and is also awaiting five trucks carrying, among other things,100 tonnes of food parcels.

Water and fuel

For the fifth consecutive day, the enclave had no electricity and residents have “severely limited access to clean drinking water”, according to the UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, which operates in Gaza and the West Bank.

What is really key is to lift the siege; the UN should be allowed to bring in much-needed supplies. – UNRWA spokesperson

According to the latest UNRWA situation report, an advance team has been dispatched to Egypt in anticipation of a potential humanitarian corridor opening to provide aid supplies to the Strip.

UNRWA emphasizes the crucial importance of fuel for the desalination plant and water pumping stations. Additionally, fuel deliveries are urgently needed to replenish rapidly depleting supplies that have been utilized to operate emergency generators, including those in hospitals, across Gaza.

Meanwhile, OCHA is progressing plans at its service hub in Rafah with a supply chain sourced from local markets and agency stocks. This includes fuel, bottled water, hygiene kits, and water storage bladder tanks. Additionally, the agency is evaluating and verifying the viability of water trucking operations.

© UNICEF/Mohammad Ajjour- Water is in short supply across the Gaza Strip.

The siege has prevented UNRWA from receiving supplies since 7 October, according to agency spokesperson Juliette Touma. In response to Israel’s evacuation order, UNRWA has moved its operations centre closer to the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza.

“What is really key is to lift the siege,” she said. “The UN should be allowed to bring in much-needed supplies.”

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The Hamas used the palestinian despair to legitimise itself and win the support of a section of Palestinian public opinion. This is the context in which Hamas carried out its attack.

Gaza, an open-air prison

The West Bank, a dismembered territory

Daily despair

Political deadlock, latent violence

Hamas’ rise

Shifting geopolitics

Bare essentials

Medical supplies

Food

Water and fuel

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