The authorities in Vienna are wondering how to change his image
Behind two sets of heavy doors and a large steel partition, Monika Sommer, director of the House of Austrian History at Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, looks out at the country’s most controversial building: the so-called Hitler Balcony.
Here on March 15, 1938, Hitler addressed a jubilant crowd of 200,000 to announce his country’s entry into the “German Reich.” It marked the Anschluss or annexation of Austria, and the crowds below are seen today as evidence of Austria’s support for Nazi rule.
Access to the balcony was blocked for many years, but its place in Austrian politics and history was brought back to the fore after the youth wing of the right-wing Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) used it in an election video.
The FPÖ, which was founded in the 1950s by former members of the Nazi party, is best known for the Ibiza affair, a corruption scandal that ousted its leader and forced it out of a coalition government that returned it to opposition. However, it is now leading the polls, winning around 27% of the vote, and has formed coalition governments with the centre-right Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP) in three regions.
Under its leader Herbert Kickle, the FPÖ is believed to have moved further to the right and embraced radical elements. His affinity for Viktor Orbán’s politics in Hungary was dubbed the Hungarian-Austrian Empire by Politico.
In the FPÖ video, a narrator opposes “crime, mass migration, selfishness, globalization, sex madness, Islamization, population exchange.”
The video then shows young members looking up at the balcony. “We want a future,” says the narrator.
Today, the balcony is closed to the public, but Sommer is working to devise a new role for it and prevent groups like the FPÖ from using it in this way.
“It’s really this turning point in the video where they analyze the present and then focus on the future. Then they use the balcony shot. In the video, it means the times are changing. It’s eerie,” she commented.
The video marks a worrying turning point for Austria’s far right, said Stefan Benedik, the museum’s lead curator. He says that until now, Austrian politics has maintained a stable consensus on Holocaust commemoration, and in the past 30 years has taken a harder line, acknowledging its complicity in Nazi atrocities.
“This video is really key because it’s the first hint that the far right is leaving this consensus. They’re ready to implement this symbol, the balcony really replaces the whole theme of National Socialism in Austria.”
In response to the video, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has reportedly filed charges against the group.
In the House of Austrian History, visitors can vote on the future of the balcony. So far, ideas include memorial engravings and even a clothesline to be hung above the balcony, reminding visitors of Austria’s dirty laundry.
Since 1938, the only person to have given a speech from the balcony has been Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. “The balcony is nothing… Purification, change cannot come from the balcony. It must come from below,” he said in 1992. But as fewer and fewer Holocaust survivors remain to tell their stories, the symbolic power, that the balcony holds for the right could grow again, Sommer said.
Photo: Giant crowds gathered on Heldeplatz to cheer Hitler as he delivered his Anschluss speech on March 15, 1938Image: akg-images/picture-alliance
UN Human Rights Office calls for meaningful reforms to guarantee right to peaceful protest, ensure inclusive dialogue in Peru
GENEVA (19 October 2023) – Peruvian authorities must undertake meaningful reforms to ensure the exercise of human rights in the context of demonstrations, continue accountability efforts, and enable a decentralized and inclusive national dialogue, states a UN Human Rights Office report published on Thursday.
The report analyses the conduct of security forces during nationwide protests, focusing on those that took place between December 2022 and March 2023. It concludes that Peruvian authorities unduly restricted demonstrators’ human rights.
Security forces used unnecessary and disproportionate force, including lethal force, outside of the circumstances permitted by international human rights standards, the report states. It also documents the use of less lethal weapons, incompatible with international standards, that resulted in protesters being seriously and, in some cases, fatally injured.
The UN Human Rights Office recorded that 50 people were killed and 821 injured in the context of protests from 7 December 2022 to 31 March 2023, allegedly by security forces. The Office also documented that 208 members of the security forces were injured.
Criminal investigations were opened against 241 people who took part in the demonstrations. Of these, at least 221 have since been closed due to lack of evidence. This includes 192 people who had been arrested in San Marcos University in Lima on 21 January.
“President Boluarte has failed unequivocally to call on security forces to respect protesters’ rights, even in the face of reports of excessive use of force and mass detention. The pervasive lack of accountability for police violence, and successive governments’ failure to reform the police to ensure respect for human rights, amounts to a blank check for abuse.
In April 2023, the authorities set up a dedicated team within the Public Prosecutor’s Office to investigate alleged crimes committed in the context of the protests. The Office is providing technical assistance to the team. The team has opened 45 case files covering all people killed, as well as people injured in the protests.
“Those responsible for human rights violations must be held accountable, through fair judicial proceedings,” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said. “Accountability is paramount if we want to start healing wounds and creating trust in the institutions of the State. Victims should be provided with full reparation.”
The Government has provided economic support to victims and their families – some 266 people to date –identified with the support of the UN Human Rights Office.
From 19 to 31 July 2023, another wave of demonstrations took place across Peru, during which 64 protesters and 12 officers were injured. Indigenous communities were also subjected to multiple acts of discrimination and restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly, the report notes.
The report provides recommendations to promote structural changes and reforms to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and ensure that any use of force must be compatible with international human rights law. The report also recommends strengthening internal accountability mechanisms, ensuring victim-centred, impartial and effective investigations, and addressing the deep-rooted and systemic problems of racism and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples and campesinos, who comprised the majority of the protesters.
“It is paramount that the grievances and concerns across the whole spectrum of the Peruvian society are addressed. An inclusive national dialogue is needed. This is the only way forward. Everyone needs to feel heard and represented in society to stop endless political and social crises,” Türk said. “I look forward to continued cooperation with the Peruvian authorities and society at large for these purposes.
Renowned actress Meryl Streep, winner of the prestigious 2023 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts, recently celebrated a week-long series of events in Asturias, Spain. The award recognized Streep’s significant contributions to the arts and her illustrious career in film.
Meryl Streep’s warned about the perils of suppressing empath
Meryl Streep’s Acceptance Speech of the 2023 Arts Princess of Asturias Award
In a moving and deeply profound speech, Meryl Streep, one of the most celebrated actresses of our time, expressed her gratitude for being recognized for her contributions to the art of acting. During her speech she delves into the transformative power of her craft, emphasizing its ability to bridge gaps between people through shared emotions (See full transcript below).
Meryl Streep speaks about the actor’s ability to inhabit different characters, to live their experiences, and to bring their narratives to life in a manner that resonates with audiences. She discussed the critical role of empathy in acting, describing it as the essential element that connects her to her characters and ultimately to the audience.
Despite facing criticism for portraying characters far removed from her own experiences, Meryl Streep insisted that it’s an actor’s responsibility to depict lives that are different from their own, making them relatable to the audience. She warned about the perils of suppressing empathy in favour of self-preservation or ideology, suggesting that this has contributed to a distressing moment in history.
Referencing a play she worked on in college, The House of Bernard Alba, from Lorca, she underscores the cyclical nature of history and the importance of giving voice to the silenced, so that the living might learn. Meryl Streep concluded by urging everyone to extend the empathy experienced in the theatre into the real world, proposing it could serve as a radical form of diplomacy in our increasingly hostile world; and ended by emphasizing the importance of listening.
A week-long celebration of the Princess of Asturias Awards
The highlight of the week-long celebrations was an open dialogue between Meryl Streep and fellow actor Antonio Banderas, offering a unique insight into her award-winning career. This public meeting, moderated by Sandra Rotondo, a member of the Jury for the Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts, also included a Q&A session, providing attendees with the opportunity to interact with the celebrated actress at the Exhibition and Conference Centre in Oviedo.
As part of the “Awards Week”, Meryl Streep also connected with the local community. She met with teachers and students from secondary, baccalaureate and vocational training schools who had participated in the “Meryl’s Choices” activity, part of the “Taking the Floor” cultural programmes. This meeting was held at La Vega Arms Factory in Oviedo.
In addition, Meryl Streep interacted with students from the School of Dramatic Arts of the Principality of Asturias (ESAD). In her honour, the students performed scenes from Spanish plays at the ESAD centre in Gijón.
The Foundation also organized a series of tributes to Meryl Streep across different locations in Asturias. These included a film cycle showcasing Streep’s iconic films and a live concert by Donna and the Dynamos, a tribute to Meryl Streep’s role in Mamma Mia!
The “Awards Week” cultural programme, designed by the Foundation, included participation from the Princess of Asturias Laureates in activities leading up to the Awards Ceremony at the Campoamor Theatre.
Meryl Streep’s Ongoing Achievements of a Lifetime
Renowned actress Meryl Streep wins Princess of Asturias Arts Laureate 2023 2
Born in Summit (USA) on 22 June 1949, Mary Louise Streep, known as Meryl Streep, began her artistic studies at the age of twelve with singing lessons and added acting classes in high school. A graduate of Vassar College (1971) and the Yale School of Drama (1975), Meryl Streep began her career in New York theatres and performed in several Broadway productions, including the 1977 revival of Anton Chekhov’s drama The Cherry Orchard.
With three Oscars, eight Golden Globes, two BAFTAs and three Emmys, Meryl Streep is considered one of the greatest contemporary actresses of our time. Best known for her film roles, she has stood out for her characteristic versatility, which critics say is based on her extraordinary ability to play a wide variety of characters and to reproduce different accents.
Meryl Streep holds the all-time record for Oscar nominations (21) and Golden Globe nominations (32) and is one of only two living actresses to have won the Academy Award three times. The first time she won Best Supporting Actress for Kramer vs Kramer (1979), which also won her a Golden Globe in the same category.
In the early 1980s, she had her first leading roles, for which she was particularly well known: The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), for which she received a BAFTA and a Golden Globe, an award she repeated with Sophie’s Choice (1982), for which she also won her second Oscar. Films such as S. Pollack’s Out of Africa (1985), Ironweed (1987) and Evil Angels (1988), for which she received an award at Cannes, are some of her best performances of the decade.
Her filmography with some of her most iconic characters includes The Bridges of Madison County (1995), Marvin’s Room (1996), The Hours (2002), The Devil Wears Prada (2006), The Doubt (2008) (an American Screen Actors Guild award-winning performance), the musical Mamma mia! (2008) and The Iron Lady (2011), in the role of Margaret Thatcher, which won her a Golden Globe and a BAFTA, as well as her third Oscar. Florence Foster Jenkins (2016), The Post (2017), Little Women (2019), Let Them All Talk (2020) and Don’t Look Up (2021) are some of her latest works.
Meryl Streep, a philanthropist and committed to the defence of women’s rights and gender equality, has been a member of the advisory board of the organisation Equality Now and in 2018 she participated in the documentary This Changes Everything, about gender discrimination in Hollywood.
A member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and Commandeur de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres de France, Meryl Streep has received numerous honorary awards including the César (France, 2003), the Donostia Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival (Spain, 2008), the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival (Germany, 2012), the Stanley Kubrick Britannia (UK, 2015) and the Cecil B. DeMille Award (USA, 2015). DeMille (USA, 2017), among others, and was awarded the 2010 National Medal of Arts and the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Meryl Streep’s Acceptance’s Speech Transcript
Your Majesties, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished members of the Princess of Asturias Award Foundation. My esteemed colleagues. Ladies and gentlemen, amigos. I am so honoured to be here this evening to be included among these accomplished, generous talents in this beautiful hall which I feel if we listen, we can hear the echoes of the voices of many of our heroes of the 20th and this very young century.
It’s hard for me to imagine that I am here because I think sometimes that I have pretended to be an extraordinary woman all my life, that sometimes I’m mistaken for one.
But I am truly, truly grateful for this recognition of the art of acting, which is the work of my life and the essence of which remains very mysterious even to me. What is it that actors do, really? The actor’s shapeshifting, substanceless gift is what makes it hard to assess and measure what is worth to us, its value.
I know for me when I see a performance that speaks to me, particularly, I keep it in my heart for days or even decades. You know, when I feel that other person’s pain or their joy or or I laugh at their foolishness, I feel as if I’ve discovered something true and I feel more alive.
And I feel connected. But connected to what? To people. Other people. To have the experience of being someone else. So what does this magic connection? We know that empathy is the heart of the actor’s gift.
It’s the current that connects me and my actual pulse to a fictional character. And I can make her heart race, or I can quiet it in as a scene requires. And my nervous system, sympathetically wired to hers, carries that current out to you and to the woman sitting next to you and to her friend.
And in the live theatre, we can all feel as if we’re feeling it together. And it is easier to be emotionally connected to people who are like us. You know, it’s. But I’ve always been interested and pulled to understand that other counterintuitive instinct that we have to.
Understand strangers, people that are not like us, and the imaginative ability we have to follow the stories of people outside our tribe as if they were our own.
In my own work, I’ve been criticized, you know, for going too far afield from my own lived experience, from veering too far away from my own truth or my identity, all the accents, you know, the nationalities.
And I played a man once. But is it just a stunt to want to wrap my arms around the world, to want to wander and wonder and try to see through so many different coloured eyes and experiences?
I’m just a nice middle-class girl from New Jersey, so who am I to presume to wear the shoes of the first female Prime Minister of the UK? Or to imagine being a Polish Holocaust survivor, or an Italian housewife, or a rabbi, or the arbiter of the final arbiter of the fashion world? Because that’s not my.
Area of expertise. Honestly. A great Spanish artist, Pablo Picasso, said to imitate others is necessary. To imitate oneself is pathetic. And another great Spanish artist, Penelope Cruz, said, you cannot live your life looking at yourself from someone else’s point of view. That’s my bad Penelope imitation.
So, I persevere in spite of the critics because I think it is an actor’s job to trespass, to appropriate another’s life, to embody lives that are not like ours. The most important part of our job is to make each life accessible and felt to an audience, whether that audience is in a small theatre in Malaga or whether they’re watching via streaming media from all around the globe.
One rule that actors are taught in drama school is that you must never judge your character. The character you’re playing judging makes you sit outside. Her experience and the bargain you make when you climb into her shoes is to try to see the world through her eyes.
Let the audience judge you. Make your own best case on her behalf. We are all born with fellow feelings empathy, a porous, shared humanity.
Babies will cry just on seeing the tears of another. But as we grow up, we set about to tamp down those feelings, to suppress them, and to supplant them in favour of self-preservation or ideology. And we mistrust and we suspect the motives of other people that are not like us.
And so we arrive at this unhappy moment in history. When I was in college, I designed the costumes for Lorca’s great, timeless play The House of Bernarda Alba, and in it, one of the sisters, Martirio, says, history repeats itself. I can see that everything is a terrible repetition.
And Lorca wrote this impassioned play two months before his own murder, on the eve of another cataclysm that he could see from so high above that he had such a distance on events so close to his own throat, his extraordinary that he could express through martirio a wisdom that could not save him but serves as a warning to us. It is a gift to the world.
To act in such a play is to give a voice to the dead that the living can hear. It’s an actor’s privilege. The gift of empathy is something we all share. This mysterious ability to sit in a darkened theatre, strangers next to each other, and to feel the feelings of people that don’t look like us, don’t sound like us.
It’s one that we could all do well to take outside into the daylight. Empathy. Empathy may be a radical form of outreach and diplomacy in other theatres of endeavour. In our world, in our increasingly hostile and volatile world.
I hope we take to heart another lesson that every actor is taught. And that is it’s it’s all about listening. Thank you for listening. Thank you. And thank you for this. Thank you.
Photo credit: Casa Real (Spain) Princess of Asturias Awards 2023
Princess of Asturias delivered an inspiring speech at the Awards, emphasizing unity, collaboration, and service to others.
On October 20th, in the city of Oviedo inside the Campoamor Theatre, Princess Leonor of Asturias representing Spain gave an inspiring speech that deeply moved everyone. Her words expressed a sense of responsibility, modesty and unwavering dedication to serving others. Amidst the event known as the Princess of Asturias Awards 2023, her message shone brightly as a symbol of hope and urged people to take action highlighting the tremendous impact that both individuals and communities can make when working together.
“I understand very well and am aware of what my duty is and what my responsibilities entail,” the Princess of Asturias said, reflecting on her recent oath of service to Spain and her forthcoming commitment to the Constitution as she turns 18. Her words echoed the weight of her role, yet radiated an earnest understanding of the responsibility she carries.
Princess Leonor, the Honorary President of the Foundation, emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the contributions of the award winners, individuals who dedicate their lives to improving society. “We can only achieve this with common goals and individual and collective effort,” she asserted, underscoring the imperative of unity and collaboration.
In her address, the Princess drew upon the remarkable contributions of the award recipients. She expressed admiration for Nuccio Ordine’s efforts to humanize humanity and defended the crucial role of education. She praised Meryl Streep’s transformative performances, highlighting the artist’s courage, freedom, and sensitivity. She lauded Hélène Carrère’s insightful analysis of contemporary history and Mary’s Meal’s tireless efforts to feed children in schools.
Photo credit: Casa Real (Spain) Princess of Asturias Awards 2023
The Princess’s speech was not just an acknowledgement of these achievements, but a reflection of how they inspired her own path. “On this stage today are people with whom I aspire to identify,” she confessed, expressing her admiration for the award winners’ commitment to their respective fields. She spoke highly of Murakami’s literary prowess, Kipchoge’s athletic determination, and the groundbreaking biological research of Gordon, Greenberg, and Bassler. She also recognized the critical work of the Medicines for Neglected Diseases Initiative.
She expressed her admiration for those who dedicate themselves to improving the world and promised to follow in their footsteps. “I would like to thank all our award winners, including those who have left us, for the light they shed on the challenges and the complexity of the world in which we live,” she said. She was thankful not to the award winners but also, to all those who inspire optimism and promote accountability.
Princess Leonor’s speech went beyond being a ceremonial address; it was a sincere testament to her dedication to serving others. It reflected her maturity. Served as an inspiration not only for her own generation but also for those yet to come. As she enters adulthood she carries an understanding of her responsibilities, a profound respect for those in service and an unwavering hope for a brighter future. Her words serve as a reminder that each one of us plays a part in shaping our world and act as a call, to service that resonates beyond the walls of the Campoamor Theatre.
Royal House
the Princess of Asturias presents the awards # Princess of Asturias Awards 2023
The first lorries entered the Gaza Strip from Egypt through the huge gate at the Rafah border crossing on Saturday. Tons of aid had been piling up for days waiting for passage to the Palestinian enclave, where the population lacks everything.
Humanitarian aid has finally entered the Gaza Strip after a fortnight of total siege. At mid-morning local time on Saturday 21 October, Egyptian television began broadcasting images of lorries coming from Egypt through the Rafah crossing, the only opening into the Palestinian enclave that is not in Israeli hands.
Twenty trucks convoy that passed through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt includes life-saving supplies provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent and the UN. 36 empty semi-trailers enter the terminal in the direction of Egypt from Palestinan side, in preparation for loading aid. Hamas confirmed also on Saturday morning the entry of a convoy of twenty vehicles carrying medical aid and food from Egypt.
“I am confident that this delivery will be the start of a sustainable effort to provide essential supplies – including food, water, medicine and fuel – to the people of Gaza, in a safe, dependable, unconditional and unimpeded manner,” Mr. Griffiths said in a statement published on his official account on X, formerly Twitter.
Tonnes of aid have been piling up for days waiting for a crossing into the Hamas-controlled Palestinian enclave. Some 175 full lorries are massed at Rafah awaiting the opening of the crossing point. The 2.4 million Gazans, half of them children, have been surviving without water, electricity or fuel since Israel imposed a “total siege” following the Hamas attack on 7 October and the outbreak of war.
Technically, the aid is first inventoried by the Egyptian Red Crescent, which then hands over its papers to UNRWA, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, which is responsible for distributing aid in the Gaza Strip.
This “first convoy must not be the last”, was the UN’s immediate response, calling for a “sustained effort to provide essential goods”, and in particular “fuel” to the people of Gaza, “in a secure, unconditional and unimpeded manner”. From Cairo, where he is taking part in an international “peace” summit without a senior American leader, UN boss Antonio Guterres followed up by calling for a “humanitarian ceasefire” to “put an end to the nightmare”. “The people of Gaza need much more, a massive delivery of aid is necessary”, he added. The United Nations estimates that the Gazans need at least 100 lorries a day. Even before the war, 60% of Gazans were dependent on international food aid.
According to the Egyptian media, the food and medical aid delivered does not include fuel. Antonio Guterres said on Friday that it was “essential to have fuel” on the Palestinian side to be able to distribute aid to Gazans. It is these fuel shipments that are of greatest concern to Israel, which has imposed a strict blockade on the Gaza Strip for 16 years, particularly on goods that could be used to manufacture weapons or explosives. For the UN boss, the aid trucks “are a lifeline, the difference between life and death for many Gazans”.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) also announced that medical supplies from the agency had crossed the border “but the needs are far higher.”
Posting on X, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed the need for safe passage of additional convoys, protection of all humanitarian workers, and sustained access for health aid.
In a statement, WHO said that hospitals inside Gaza have already reached breaking point due to shortages and depletion of medicines and medical supplies, which are a “lifeline” for injured persons or those battling chronic and other illnesses.
Photo ONU/Eskinder DebebeL’aide humanitaire est bloquée près du poste frontière de Rafah, en Égypte, depuis le 14 octobre 2023.
Their Majesties The King and Queen of Spain, accompanied by Their Royal Highnesses The Princess of Asturias and Infanta Sofía, presided over the Princess of Asturias Foundation 2023 Awards Ceremony, held at the Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Sofía.
The ceremony is considered one of the most important cultural events on the international agenda, and it is designed to distinguish the scientific, technical, cultural, social, and humanitarian work carried out by individuals, institutions, groups of individuals, or institutions in the international arena.
The awards are given in eight categories: Arts, Literature, Social Sciences, Communication and Humanities, Scientific and Technical Research, International Cooperation, Concord, and Sports.
The Princess of Asturias Awards Ceremony is the main activity carried out by the Princess of Asturias Foundation, a private non-profit institution whose objectives are to contribute to the exaltation and promotion of all scientific, cultural, and humanistic values that are universal heritage and to consolidate the links between the Principality of Asturias and the title traditionally held by the heirs to the Crown of Spain.
His Majesty the King has been Honorary President of the Foundation since its creation in 1980, and following his proclamation as King of Spain on 19 June 2014, Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias holds the Honorary Presidency of this institution.
The 2023 edition of the Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including the President of the Congress of Deputies, Meritxell Batet; the President of the Senate, Pedro Rollán; the President of the Constitutional Court, Cándido Conde-Pumpido; the President of the General Council of the Judiciary, Vicente Guilarte; the First Vice-President of the Government and Acting Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño; the Acting Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas; the Acting Minister for Culture and Sport, Miquel Iceta; and the Director of the Princess of Asturias Foundation, Teresa Sanjurjo.
Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities: Nuccio Ordine.
Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation: Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.
Princess of Asturias Award for Sports: Eliud Kipchoge.
Princess of Asturias Award for Scientific Research: Jeffrey Gordon, E. Peter Greenberg, and Bonnie L. Bassler.
Princess of Asturias Award for Social Sciences: Hélène Carrére d’Encausse.
Princess of Asturias Award for Concord: Mary’s Meals.
Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts: Meryl Streep.
Princess of Asturias Award for Literature: Haruki Murakami.
The winners were presented with their awards by His Majesty the King and Her Royal Highness the Princess of Asturias. The ceremony was concluded with a speech by His Majesty the King, who praised the laureates for their constant and fruitful work to improve the lives of others, to help and protect the weakest, to elevate culture, and to be a guiding light. He stressed the importance of strengthening what unites us and learning from the laureates’ voices.
The Princess of Asturias Awards Ceremony is an important cultural event that recognizes the achievements of individuals and institutions in various fields. The winners of the 2023 edition of the awards have made significant contributions to their respective fields, and their work serves as an inspiration to others.
Commission of Inquiry finds further evidence of war crimes in Ukraine, including rape, torture and deportation of children
A new UN report has found continued evidence of war crimes and human rights violations committed by Russian authorities in Ukraine, including torture, rape and the deportation of children.
It documents additional indiscriminate attacks with explosive weapons, resulting in deaths, injuries and the destruction and damage of civilian objects.
For example, 24 people, mostly women and children, were killed in an attack on a multistorey block of residential apartments in Uman, a city in the Cherkasy region, in April, and part of the building became uninhabitable. Commissioners spoke with residents during their recent visit to the country.
New evidence, same torture pattern
Their investigations also confirmed previous findings that Russian authorities used torture in a widespread and systematic way in various types of detention facilities.
New evidence collected in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions found Russian authorities used the same pattern of torture in areas under their control, mainly against men suspected of passing information to the Ukrainian authorities or supporting the Ukrainian armed forces.
The commissioners said their interviews with victims and witnesses revealed “a profound disregard towards human dignity by Russian authorities”. Witnesses reported situations in which torture had been committed so brutally that the victim died.
Lasting traumatic impacts
Recent investigations in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions showed that rape and other sexual violence were often committed together with additional acts of violence, including severe beatings, strangling, suffocating, slashing, shooting next to the head of the victim, and wilful killing.
In one instance, a 75-year-old woman who stayed alone to protect her property, was raped and tortured by a Russian soldier who hit her on the face, chest, and ribs, and strangled her, while interrogating her.
The soldier ordered the woman to undress and when she refused, he ripped off her clothes, cut her abdomen with a small sharp object and raped her several times. The woman also suffered several broken ribs and teeth.
Such traumatic experiences have severe and long-term consequences for the physical and mental health of the victims, the report said.
Unlawful child deportations
The Commissioners investigated further accounts of Ukrainian children being transferred to Russia or to Russian-occupied areas in Ukraine. They concluded that the transfer of 31 children to Russia in May 2022 was an unlawful deportation, thus a war crime.
Their report also contains three cases where investigations showed that Ukrainian authorities committed violations of human rights against persons accused of collaboration with Russia.
They underlined the importance of accountability “with full respect and care for the rights of the victims.”
The UN Human Rights Council established the Independent Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine in March 2022, shortly after the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. The mandate was extended in April for an additional year.
The three Commissioners are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.
In a statement at the end of her 10-day visit to Sweden, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Nazila Ghanea, called on the country to strengthen its engagement and dialogue with faith communities to combat religious or belief intolerance. Ghanea highlighted the numerous challenges faced by Sweden both nationally and globally, particularly in light of the burning of the Holy Qur’an.
Ghanea emphasized the need for vigilance regarding religious or belief intolerance and discrimination within society, stating that societal harassment, discrimination, and threats must not go unnoticed. She acknowledged that Sweden’s historical homogeneity and secular model have shaped the understanding of religion as an individual and private matter. However, with significant changes in societal structures, including recent migration, religiosity has become more diverse within Swedish society.
The UN expert stressed the importance of not underestimating the dynamism and range of issues that arise from this diversity. She warned that complacency by authorities at different levels could lead to oversight, delays in access to justice, blind spots, and distrust. Ghanea called for disaggregated and regular data collection to gain insight into the actual enjoyment of rights, emphasizing that this should be voluntary and based on self-definition.
During her visit, Nazila Ghanea held meetings with government officials, agencies, members of parliament, the Supreme Administrative Court, prosecutors, police authorities, civil society organizations, representatives of religious or belief communities, faith-based actors, and academics. She also met with representatives of local authorities, the judiciary, and the police in Malmö, as well as the Swedish Institute for Human Rights in Lund.
Ghanea highlighted that recent challenges have prompted authorities to recognize that faith communities can be part of the solution. She emphasized the importance of ongoing outreach and dialogue as channels for exchange, learning, and trust-building, stating that these efforts should not be set up episodically after crises. The UN expert suggested that the legitimacy and representation of these fora can be enhanced when they are rooted in the community and established by faith communities and civil society themselves.
Dr. Nazila Ghanea, a professor of International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford, will present a full report on her visit to the Human Rights Council in Geneva in March 2024. She took up the mandate as the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief on August 1, 2022. Dr. Ghanea has extensive research and publication experience in international human rights law, including freedom of religion or belief, and has served as a consultant to numerous agencies.
The Special Rapporteurs, part of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, are independent experts who address specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. They work on a voluntary basis and are not UN staff members. Independent from any government or organization, they serve in their individual capacity.
Photo credit: BIC - Sina Varaei Baha'i International Community at the OSCE
At the 2023 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, the Baha’i International Community (BIC) emphasized the importance of freedom of conscience, religion, or belief, interreligious collaboration, and education in fostering a flourishing society. The conference, organized by the 2023 OSCE Chairpersonship and supported by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), focused on human rights and fundamental freedoms within the OSCE region.
Sina Varaei, a representative from the Brussels Office of the BIC, delivered a compelling statement highlighting key elements and lines of action. The BIC EU Office represents the worldwide Baha’i community to the European Institutions.
“The first point relates to freedom of conscience, religion or belief, and its importance to the flourishing of a society. Human beings are not only economic and social creatures, they are endowed with free will and it is through ensuring freedom of religion or belief that they can express their innate capacity to search for meaning and truth,” Varaei said.
He underscored the significance of interreligious endeavors, stating that it is crucial to go beyond merely coexisting and engaging in occasional dialogue. He asked, “How can we nurture deep bonds of friendship and cordial collaboration between religious communities?” Varaei stressed that these aspirations for more peaceful surroundings cannot be realized unless they are pursued jointly by faith communities.
Varaei also highlighted the power of narratives and the need to avoid “othering” parts of the population or specific religious groups. This “othering” can subtly affect language, tone, and attitudes adopted in policy-making. He pointed out that religious leaders have a powerful role but merely making condemnations or appeals for mutual tolerance is not enough.
“We need to think: what narratives are helpful, and which ones do not foster true friendship among different religious group? How can we move from repeatedly highlighting differences in doctrines, rituals or legal codes to gaining a deeper understanding of what unites different religions and aspirations?” he asked.
Finally, Varaei emphasized the role of education in promoting freedom of conscience. He called for efforts at the educational level to appreciate religious diversity as a wealth, engage with members of other beliefs with humility, and eradicate conceptions that can give the impression of superiority over other believers.
“In brief, educational systems must foster recognition that different religious communities have valuable insights to gain from each other,” he concluded.
Varaei’s presentation at the conference underscores the Baha’i International Community’s commitment to promoting interreligious dialogue, collaboration, and education as vital steps towards fostering a more peaceful and inclusive society.
A perfect day in Mechelen: itinerary and recommended activities
Mechelen, located in Belgium, is a charming medieval town brimming with history and culture. If you are looking to spend a perfect day in this city, here is an itinerary and recommended activities that will allow you to experience the best of Mechelen.
In the morning, start your day by going to the Grand Place of Mechelen, also called Grote Markt. This square is the heart of the city and is surrounded by magnificent historic buildings. Take the time to admire the Town Hall, a superb Gothic building dating from the 14th century. You can also visit the Tour Saint-Rombaut, which offers a panoramic view of the city from its top.
Next, head to Saint-Rombaut Cathedral, another architectural gem of Mechelen. This Gothic cathedral is famous for its imposing spire and houses many artistic treasures inside. Be sure to visit the Chapel of Saint-Rombaut, where you can see the tomb of Margaret of Austria, an important figure in Belgian history.
After exploring the historic center of Mechelen, take a lunch break at one of the town’s many restaurants. You can taste traditional Belgian dishes such as mussels and fries, stoemp (mashed potatoes and vegetables) or even waffles.
In the afternoon, continue your discovery of Mechelen by going to the Hof van Busleyden Museum. This museum is housed in a Renaissance building and houses a collection of works of art and historical objects related to the history of the city. You can learn more about the history of Mechelen and its role in Flemish culture.
Next, take a stroll along the canals of Mechelen. The city is crossed by several picturesque canals which offer magnificent views of historic buildings. You can also take a boat cruise to discover Mechelen in a different way.
At the end of the afternoon, go to the Botanical Garden of Mechelen. This garden is a true haven of peace in the heart of the city. You can stroll among the flowers and exotic plants, as well as enjoy a moment of relaxation in one of the many shaded corners of the garden.
To end this perfect day in Mechelen, don’t miss a visit to the Toy Museum. This museum traces the history of toys through the centuries and presents an impressive collection of old toys. Whether you are nostalgic or simply curious, this museum will amaze you.
In conclusion, Mechelen is a city that deserves to be discovered during a day visit. Its rich historical heritage, fascinating museums and charming canals make it an ideal destination for history and culture lovers. Follow this route and enjoy a perfect day in Mechelen.
