‘Orphanage city’ helps children in Gaza as the war grinds on

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8 October 2024

‘Orphanage city’ helps children in Gaza as the war grinds on

The latest death toll has surpassed more than 41,000 people, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health – the majority of them women and children – while most of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have been forcibly displaced and trapped in only 10 per cent of the territory, but in this grim situation, new initiatives aim at radiating even the slightest sliver of light amid the darkness of war.

In the Al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, teacher Mahmoud Kallakh set up a camp aimed at providing some relief to families who had lost their men and breadwinners.

The Al-Baraka orphanage camp currently hosts 400 Palestinian families displaced to this area of southern Gaza. In an interview with our correspondent in Gaza, Ziad Taleb, Mr. Kallakh said that the initiative works to provide care to families in what he described as an “orphanage city”, including shelter, food and drink, medical care alongside educational and social services, with help, including from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“We have a dedicated medical centre and a school sponsored by the United Nations, through UNICEF, which thankfully provided the necessary resources for the school, embracing students, providing them with stationery and paying teachers’ salaries,” Mr. Kallakh said. “We want to establish this school completely, to replace these small tents, to create a more comfortable environment for students to receive their education.”

Taleen Al-Hinnawi lost her father as a result of the war in Gaza and now lives at the Al-Baraka orphanage camp.

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More than 17,000 orphans in Gaza

The number of children served here is just a drop in the sea of orphaned children in Gaza who are in need of protection. The number of unprotected orphans in Gaza now ranges between 17,000 and 18,000, many of whom are unaccompanied by any family members.

Taleen Al-Hinnawi lost her father as a result of the war and is trying to adjust to her new life in Al-Baraka orphanage camp. Signs of shock and sadness filled her face as she spoke to UN News, telling us about her father.

“Baba [Arabic for dad] was very affectionate,” she said. “I don’t feel like Baba was martyred.”

The young girl’s outlook on life has completely changed.

The war is trying “to wipe out entire families”, she said.

Taleen said she wished to return to her home in Gaza City “so life can return to normal, study like everyone else and memorise the Quran like everyone else. Before that, we lived in our house. We never bothered anyone, and we kept to ourselves.”

Nada Al-Gharib lost her father and only brother in a strike on the family’s tent, which also injured her and her mother.

‘We lost them’

“This war took away from me my father and my only brother.”

With these words, young Nada Al-Gharib began telling her story. She and her mother were also injured in the strike on the tent where the family was sheltering in Khan Younis. They were trapped inside for three days.

Nada said her family had been displaced from northern Gaza to Khan Younis “because that’s what the occupation demanded of us”.

“We came here, we were trapped. My father and my only brother were martyred, and my mother and I were injured,” she explained.

A large crater caused by an Israeli airstrike hit a makeshift camp for displaced people in Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis in Gaza.

‘We are like siblings here’

After they managed to leave the tent, Nada and her mother went to the industrial area west of Khan Younis, where they received treatment and were trapped again. They passed through Israeli checkpoints, she recalled, as they crossed into Rafah, which they also fled, and finally ended up at the Al-Baraka orphanage camp.

She and her mother found a second home in this camp, she said, “because everyone around us has the same story and pain”.

“We are like siblings here,” she said. “All mothers are like our mothers, and all children are our siblings. We love each other here very much. We love our lives. Even though it’s hard and the loss [of our loved ones] is hard for us, we try to live for them.”

Nada said her father was a great, kind man who loved his family very much.

“He would never let us do anything difficult,” she said. “Now, things are difficult. We have to fetch water and do things that men are supposed to do, but we have no other choice because we lost them.”

As war continues in Gaza, mass displacement is having a devastating impact on women and girls.

Escalating hostilities

UNICEF says the escalation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip is catastrophically affecting children and families, with children dying at an alarming rate. More than 14,000 children have been killed, according to estimates by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, and thousands more have been injured.

An estimated 1.9 million people – about 9 out of 10 Gazans – have been internally displaced, more than half of them children, without adequate water, food, fuel and medicine.

The UN agency is calling for an immediate and lasting humanitarian ceasefire, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all children and families in need inside Gaza, including in the northern Strip, the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all abducted children and an end to any grave violations against children, including killing and maiming.

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OSCE Workshop Enhances Inter-Agency Collaboration for Youth Crime Prevention in Kyrgyzstan

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Newsdesk

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7 October 2024

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woman in black and white crew neck shirt — Photo by James Kovin on Unsplash

Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan – 7 October 2024 – From October 1 to 3, the OSCE’s Transnational Threats Department, in collaboration with the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, hosted a significant multi-stakeholder workshop in Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, aimed at bolstering inter-agency cooperation on youth crime prevention. This initiative brought together 30 representatives from law enforcement and social services, including key participants from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection.

The workshop’s central focus was on fostering effective collaboration among different agencies to ensure at-risk youth, regardless of gender, are deterred from criminal pathways. Through a series of interactive sessions, attendees were encouraged to identify, assess, and prioritize real-life cases of youth crime, while collaboratively developing strategies to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior.

“Youth crime prevention is a priority for Kyrgyzstan,” commented Nurzhan Adylova, Head of the Department of the Public Security Service within the Ministry of Interior. “This workshop was an effective platform for us to explore ways to improve cooperation between law enforcement, schools, and social workers, aiming to promote a culture of lawful behavior from an early age.”

The workshop represents a pivotal component of the OSCE-wide multi-year extra-budgetary project titled “Enhancing Youth Crime and Drug Use Prevention through Education on Legality and Awareness Campaigns Addressing Threats of Organized Crime and Corruption.” This project has received primary funding from Germany, along with additional support from countries including Andorra, Finland, Italy, Norway, and Poland.

By fostering collaboration and developing shared strategies, the workshop aimed to establish a more cohesive approach to preventing youth crime in Kyrgyzstan. The engagement of various stakeholders underscores a commitment to tackling the root causes of youth criminality, ultimately seeking to empower young people through education and support systems, while instilling a strong sense of community responsibility.

As the workshop concluded, participants left with renewed commitments to work together, sharing insights and strategies that can pave the way for a safer environment for youth in Kyrgyzstan. The focus on early prevention and inter-agency cooperation is expected to play a crucial role in steering at-risk individuals away from crime, fostering a brighter future for the nation’s youth.

OSCE-ODIHR launched book “Belief, Dialogue, and Security”

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Newsdesk

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5 October 2024

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Illustrations, design and layout by Alex Valy

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A New Guide for Fostering Interfaith Cooperation

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has proudly launched its latest publication, “Belief, Dialogue, and Security: Fostering Dialogue and Joint Action Across Religious and Belief Boundaries.” This guide aims to provide practical advice and resources for states and non-state actors to promote dialogue and cooperation among diverse religious and belief communities, enhancing social trust and security across the OSCE region.

In its website, it says that “ODIHR has developed this guide in response to calls from participating States to give them guidance and practical tools to help them create an environment that enables fruitful dialogue and joint action across religious and belief boundaries. The guide does not push a ‘one‑size‑fits‑all’ model, instead offering guidance about the questions and factors states should consider when approaching the subject. It discusses how to select initiatives and support them in practice. It includes examples of good practice and interviews with actors engaged in dialogue and joint action initiatives across a broad range of contexts.“

The Need for Dialogue

ODIHR book on Faith and Dialogue Download

In a world marked by increasing religious and belief pluralism, the need for constructive dialogue has never been more pressing. The foreword by ODIHR Director Matteo Mecacci emphasizes that while diversity enriches societies, it can also lead to fragmentation if not managed properly. The guide outlines the importance of fostering high levels of tolerance and social trust, which are essential for peaceful coexistence.

The publication is structured into several chapters, each addressing critical aspects of fostering dialogue:

Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion, or Belief (FoRB): The guide discusses the fundamental human right of FoRB, its limitations, and the grounds for these limitations, providing a comprehensive legal framework.
Dialogue and Joint Action: It emphasizes the role of states in enabling, rather than leading, dialogue initiatives. Trust and voluntary participation are highlighted as essential components for successful interfaith dialogue.
The Role of the State: The guide outlines how states can support dialogue initiatives while ensuring respect for human rights, even-handedness, and transparency.
Projects and Funding Calls: Practical advice is provided on designing funding calls and assessing applications to support dialogue initiatives effectively.
Checklist for States: A practical checklist is included to guide states in their efforts to promote dialogue and joint action.

Methodology and Contributions

The guide is the result of extensive consultations with experts from various fields, including civil society representatives, academics, and government officials. Notable contributions came from members of the ODIHR panel of experts on freedom of religion or belief, who provided valuable insights and recommendations.

“Belief, Dialogue, and Security” serves as a vital resource for policymakers, religious leaders, and civil society actors committed to fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation. By promoting respect for FoRB and other human rights, the guide aims to contribute to the creation of peaceful, pluralistic societies across the OSCE region. As the world grapples with the challenges of diversity, this publication stands as a beacon of hope for constructive engagement and mutual understanding.

Lebanon escalation: UN boosts support at border with Syria

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United Nations News

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4 October 2024

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Lebanon escalation: UN boosts support at border with Syria

“Hundreds of vehicles are backed up in queues at the Syrian border; many people are also arriving on foot, carrying what they can,” UNHCR reported. “Large crowds, including women, young children and babies are waiting in line after spending the night outdoors in falling temperatures. Some carry fresh injuries from the recent bombardments.”

UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said that the news was “yet another ordeal for families” who had fled years of civil war in Syria, “only now to be bombed in the country where they sought shelter…The Middle East cannot afford a new displacement crisis. Let us not create one by forcing more people to abandon their homes.”

Mr. Grandi’s appeal follows heavy Israeli shelling of Lebanon on Monday that has killed at least 558 people – including children and women – and injured 1,835, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.

The strikes followed a weekend of rocket attacks on Israeli communities that came in response to last week’s extraordinary series of explosions of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah members – the latest deadly development linked to the ongoing war in Gaza.

An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the worsening humanitarian situation across Lebanon, requested by France, is due to take place on Wednesday night in New York.

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Leaving ‘by the minute’

More than 27,000 people have been displaced over the past 48 hours and people have been “abandoning their homes by the minute”, UNHCR said.

Latest UN data points to at least 90,530 newly displaced people in Lebanon in addition to the nearly 112,000 uprooted since October 2023.

Together with partners including the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, the UN agency is present at the border crossings with Syria “providing food, water, blankets and mattresses to those arriving, and guiding them towards support available once in Syria”.

Lebanon hosts around 1.5 million Syrian refugees who left their country during the ongoing civil war which has left critical infrastructure in tatters and millions in need of assistance.

Mass displacement linked to war

In a situation update on the Lebanon crisis, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, noted that more than 110,000 people have already been displaced since October last year.

By late Tuesday evening, more than 25,000 people had found shelter in 130 new collective shelters, according to Government figures cited by OCHA. “The situation is fluid and the UN is working with national authorities and partners to track and register newly displaced people,” it said.

Other UN agencies supporting the relief effort include UNICEF, which has delivered 100 tons of emergency medical supplies to hospitals facing severe shortages “and will send more”.

$170 million needed to sustain support

The UN agency is also preparing to deliver food, water and essential supplies such as mattresses and hygiene kits to displaced families.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP), meanwhile, said that it was ready to provide daily hot meals for up to 100,000 people in shelters.

Sustaining these efforts will require funding of $170 million, the humanitarian agencies said.

Vehicles carrying families fleeing Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon arrive at the Syrian border on Tuesday.

Outrage at UN staff members killed

In a related development, the UN refugee agency expressed outrage and deep sadness at the killing of two staff members in the Lebanon strikes.

The first victim, Dina Darwiche, died along with her youngest son after the building where she lived with her family in east Lebanon was hit by an Israeli missile on Monday. Their bodies were recovered on Tuesday, her husband and one of their children sustained serious injuries and are being treated in hospital.

Ali Basma, the second victim, had worked for the UN agency in the city of Tyre for seven years. He was confirmed dead on Monday, UNHCR said, before expressing its outrage at the deaths.

“The protection of civilians is a must, and we reiterate the Secretary-General’s call for urgent de-escalation, and calls on all parties to protect civilians, including aid workers, in line with obligations under international humanitarian law,” the UN agency said.

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Sudan war: ‘Horror’ grows as reports of summary executions emerge

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United Nations News

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3 October 2024

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Sudan war: ‘Horror’ grows as reports of summary executions emerge

The warning on Thursday comes as the SAF launched a major offensive last month to regain control of key areas currently held by the RSF. The two armies led by rival generals have been locked in a brutal power struggle since April 2023.

The fighting has driven more than 11 million people from their homes in Sudan, including around 2.9 million forced into neighbouring countries as refugees. Together with climate shocks and devastating disasters, the fighting has destroyed countless livelihoods, plunging the country into a deep hunger crisis.

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September offensive

According to the UN human rights office, OHCHR, the latest offensive, which started on 25 September, has involved SAF airstrikes and artillery targeting RSF positions, particularly around major entry points to the capital Khartoum, including the strategically important Halfaya Bridge.

These attacks have reportedly resulted in dozens of civilian casualties and severe damage to essential infrastructure.

Radhouane Nouicer, the Expert designated by the UN High Commissioner for Human on the situation in Sudan, said the escalation in greater Khartoum “echoed the horrors” of the initial period of the conflict in April 2023.

It could result in a large number of civilian casualties among people trapped next to strategic locations, serious human rights violations and massive displacement, he warned.

Summary executions

As fighting rages, the UN-designated expert highlighted disturbing reports of the summary execution of dozens of young men, particularly from the Halfaya neighborhood in Khartoum-North (Bahri). Up to 70 young men are believed to have been killed in recent days.

Allegedly, these executions were carried out by SAF forces and the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, a militia that has voiced support for the SAF.

“Videos circulating in media have shown the bodies of young men, purportedly killed based on suspicion of affiliation or collaboration with the RSF. This is beyond despicable and contravenes all human rights norms and standards,” the expert said.

One video reportedly showed armed men in SAF uniforms stating they are from Khartoum-North and that they had killed six men accused of looting.

Wars have rules

Mr. Nouicer called for all parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights laws, emphasizing the need to protect civilians from arbitrary executions and violence.

He also urged a swift, independent investigation into the killings, with those responsible being held accountable under international standards.

“Even in war, there are rules,” Mr. Nouicer said, stressing that impunity for such acts must end immediately.

UN-designated expert

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights appointed Mr. Nouicer, a Tunisian national, as his Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Sudan in December 2022, succeeding Adama Dieng.

This followed a Human Rights Council resolution that requested the UN rights chief “designate without delay” an expert to monitor the situation in Sudan since the military takeover of 25 October 2021 until the restoration of its civilian-led Government, in cooperation and engagement with UN offices, civil society and national stakeholders.

The UN-designated experts are different from Special Rapporteurs and independent working groups, who are mandated and appointed directly by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council.

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GHRD’s UN Side Event: Human Rights in Pakistan

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Newsroom

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3 October 2024

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On October 2, 2024, GHRD hosted a side event at the 57^th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. The event was chaired by GHRD’s Mariana Mayor Lima and featured three key speakers: Professor Nicolas Levrat, the UN Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, Ammarah Balouch, Sindhi lawyer, activist and UN Women UK delegate, and Jamal Baloch, a political activist from Balochistan and previous victim of an enforced disappearance orchestrated by the Pakistani State.

Professor Levrat highlighted that, while human rights are formally universal, they are not de facto enjoyed equally in all countries, which is also the case in Pakistan. He emphasized that it is first and foremost the responsibility of States who are signatories to human rights treaties to implement their obligations and thereby guarantee human rights. Each treaty has its own treaty body which reports to the Human Rights Council. Additionally, there is the Universal Periodic Review, which allows the Human Rights Council to go beyond human rights as specifically stipulated in the treaties, and the special procedures, most prominently the UN Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts who can conduct country-specific or thematic investigations. Professor Levrat’s mandate derives from Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which lays down States’ obligation to respect and protect minorities in their country. In his function, he has recently met the permanent mission of Pakistan in Geneva and requested access for a country visit. Beyond this, Professor Levrat highlighted that NGOs play a pivotal role in protecting human rights through awareness raising, alerting and documenting, but also through the exchange of best practices.

Ammarah Balouch presented the alarming reality of forced conversions and marriages of Sindhi girls in Pakistan. In the year 2018 alone, there have been at least 1,000 cases of abducted Sindhi girls who were forced to convert to Islam and subsequently married. Generally, an estimated 40% of Pakistani girls are married below the age of 18. On top of being members of religious minorities, the victims often come from economically marginalized backgrounds. The cases show gender, class and socio-economic status are deeply entangled with religion when it comes to violations of human rights of Sindhis. Furthermore, girls and their families face serious obstacles in accessing justice due to biases in the police and judiciary. To end the practice of forced conversion and marriage, Ammarah Balouch emphasized that the Sindh Criminal Law Protection of Minorities Bill needs finally to be passed into law and wide-spread education is needed to reform cultural and societal attitudes.

The last presentation was given by Jamal Baloch who delivered a strong testimony on the practice of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. Enforced disappearances are prominently used to silence political dissent and those speaking out in favor of human rights. Like his father before him, at the age of 17 Jamal Baloch was arbitrarily arrest, detained and tortured for his work as a human rights defender, which has left him with a significant trauma. He described enforced disappearances as an inhuman practice, mostly targeting young activists and students of the Baloch community who speak up for their people’s right to self-determination in order to make them withdraw their beliefs. Apart from the dehumanization in detention, the families of disappeared persons are often humiliated. Just yesterday, a group of five students as young as 13 was forcibly disappeared. According to Jamal Baloch, the situation is especially dire because the voices of victims cannot be heard due to the recent media blackout.

The panel concluded that there is an urgent need for cooperation between different minorities in Pakistan who find their human rights violated. In addition to urging States parties to human rights treaties to uphold their obligations, it is of vital importance for human rights defenders and NGOs to promote the universality of human rights. Lastly, accountability for perpetrators needs to be ensured by the international community, to the extent of which an independent UN fact-finding mission should be established and the request of the Special Rapporteur answered in the positive.

A heartfelt appeal for peace in the Holy Land and all the Middle East

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COMECE

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3 October 2024

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A heartfelt appeal for peace in the Holy Land and all the Middle East

COMECE // In light of the tragic anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks on the Israeli people, and in the face of the exceptionally grave humanitarian crisis in the region, alongside the dangerous Middle Eastern political dynamics involving an increasing number of actors, COMECE issues the following statement from its President, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, on Thursday, 3 October 2024.

“On behalf of the Bishops of COMECE, I wish to express our deepest concern about the vortex of violence that has engulfed the Holy Land, Lebanon and other parts of the Middle East in recent months. Each day brings the risk of further escalation, intensification and expansion of the conflict across the region, threatening the dignity, lives and livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people.

As we approach the tragic anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks on the Israeli people, we cannot fail to reiterate our great sorrow over the devastating waves of violence that the Holy Land and the Middle East region have witnessed in these past twelve months. This has not only resulted in an exceptionally grave humanitarian crisis and inconceivable human suffering in all communities, but also generated dangerous regional political dynamics involving an increasing number of actors.

This situation is source of grave concern to us also for its repercussions in Europe and in the world. The resurgence of anti-Semitism, radicalisation and xenophobia not only threatens social cohesion, but also leads to deplorable acts of violent extremism and terrorism.

Echoing the repeated peace appeals of Pope Francis, we urge all conflict parties, as well as all persons and groups inciting violence, to refrain from any actions that could lead to further escalation and polarisation.

We call for an immediate ceasefire on all fronts and for respect of international and humanitarian law. We appeal for the necessary protection of civilians, hospitals, schools and places of worship, as well as the release of all hostages and safe, unhindered humanitarian access.

The European Union, together with other regional and international actors, is called to pursue with determination the dialogue with all conflict parties in view of a just and lasting peace. This should include renewed diplomatic efforts towards a two-state solution, one Israeli and one Palestinian, as well as an internationally guaranteed special status for the City of Jerusalem, so that all Israelis and Palestinians may finally live in dignity, security and peace.”

We invite all people of good will to join the appeal of Pope Francis to observe a day of prayer and fasting for peace in the world on Monday, 7 October 2024. In view of this occasion, on which the Catholic Church prays in a particular way to Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, we wish to share the following prayer for peace proposed by H.Em. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem:

Prayer for peace

Lord our God,
Father of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and Father of all mankind,
Who in the cross of Your Son
and through the gift of His own life,
at great cost You wished to destroy
the wall of enmity and hostility
that separates peoples and makes us enemies:
Send into our hearts
the gift of the Holy Spirit,
that He may purify us from every feeling
of violence, hatred and revenge,
enlighten us to understand
the irrepressible dignity
of every human person,
and inflame us to the point of consumption
for a peaceful and reconciled world
in truth and justice,
in love and freedom.
Almighty and eternal God,
in Your hands are the hopes of men
and the rights of every people:
Assist with Your wisdom those who govern us,
so that, with Your help,
they will become sensitive to the sufferings of the poor
and of those who suffer the consequences
of violence and war;
may they promote the common good and lasting peace
in our region
and throughout the earth.
Virgin Mary, Mother of Hope,
obtain the gift of peace
for the Holy Land that gave birth to you
and for the whole world. Amen.

OSCE Workshop Tackles Rising Drug Crisis Among Youth in Central Asia

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Newsdesk

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3 October 2024

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girl in pink hair doll — Photo by Matteo Badini on Unsplash

Dushanbe, Tajikistan – 3 October 2024 – In an urgent response to the escalating drug crisis impacting youth across Central Asia, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) convened a regional workshop focusing on the prevention of drug use and the supply of new psychoactive substances (NPS). The two-day event, held on 2 and 3 October, brought together over 40 experts, policymakers, and law enforcement professionals from various Central Asian nations, alongside representatives from several international organizations, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the European Union.

During the workshop’s opening session, Maksudjon Duliyev, the head of the UNODC office in Tajikistan, expressed grave concerns regarding the global drug crisis, citing the latest World Drug Report, which revealed that 292 million people worldwide engage in drug use, yet only one in eleven individuals with drug use disorders receives adequate treatment. “Behind these numbers are real lives—families forever changed by this crisis,” Duliyev stated, underscoring the human toll of the epidemic.

Duliyev further highlighted the rising threat from NPS, reporting that 566 new substances were identified globally in 2022, with 44 classified as new, underscoring the urgent need for effective prevention strategies targeting vulnerable youth populations.

Ambassador Willy Kempel, head of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe, reiterated the gravity of the situation, linking it to established drug production and smuggling routes originating from neighboring Afghanistan. “The critical need for regional collaboration cannot be overstated,” Kempel remarked, emphasizing the necessity of cultivating ongoing cooperation efforts to combat the drug crisis effectively.

Addressing the same issues, Miguel de Domingo, Head of Unit for Security, Peace, and Development at the Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP), pointed to the rapid proliferation of NPS as a new challenge for public health. “The role of digital platforms in the distribution of NPS is particularly concerning,” de Domingo noted, calling for increased monitoring and regulation to curb the growing influence of these substances among young people.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in discussions surrounding various pertinent topics, including emerging trends in drug trafficking, risk and protective factors influencing NPS use, and the critical role of international cooperation in establishing early warning systems and rapid response strategies. The emphasis on evidence-based prevention programs tailored specifically for young people was a focal point of many discussions, illustrating a commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by this demographic.

The event concluded with a call for joint efforts and sustained cooperation across countries to effectively mitigate the threats posed by NPS and other illicit drugs. As Central Asia grapples with this pressing issue, the urgency for collaborative action and innovative prevention strategies has never been clearer, promising a more cautious future for the region’s youth.

The Jewish Question and the Bulgarian Cinematography

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Guest Author

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2 October 2024

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By Biserka Gramatikova

The year is 1943 and Bulgaria has just told Hitler that he will not receive the Bulgarian Jews. The untold but true tale of how nearly 50,000 Jewish Bulgarians were saved from deportation and death – true story from a forgotten chapter of European history. Europe’s major powers are at war and King Boris III of Bulgaria must choose a side or be swept away. How the power of the civil society in Bulgaria outwitted the Nazis and save nearly 50,000 Jewish lives!

The subject of the Holocaust is still difficult to comprehend, but art and, in particular, cinema does not stop with attempts. As a result, we have films that have become timeless classics: Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful, Alan Pacula’s Sophie’s Choice, Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, Roman Polanski’s The Pianist, and many others.

In the second half of the 1950s, Bulgarian cinematography, nationalized in 1947 by the new communist government, began to feel a slight improvement. New forces and ideas flow into creative life due to the death of Stalin, which changes the course of social development in the countries oriented towards the USSR. One of the most important new trends in art is the desire to recreate more complex, ambiguous characters in acute life situations.

This new creative breath, albeit with a slight delay, reaches the Bulgarian cinema, which allows itself to imitate the more developed world cinematography.

In the 50s, some of the most notable Bulgarian directors made their debut, including Rangel Valchanov. Already in his debut film “On the small island” Valchanov worked with the screenwriter Valery Petrov. The film is aimed at those born after the victory of fascism, who have forgotten the horror and high cost of that historical time. The characters are prisoners on an island in the Black Sea who plot an escape.

The Central Committee of the Bulgarian Communist Party accuses the film of pessimism and a lost sense of historical perspective. The authorities are watching the film industry, ready to cut off all attempts at “ideological deviations” from the generally accepted official historical-political line. Nevertheless, the film remains in history as one of the best productions in our latitudes for its time.

“Stars” (German: Sterne) is a 1959 feature film (war, drama) directed by Konrad Wolff and Rangel Valchanov. The screenwriter of the co-production between Bulgaria and the DDR is Angel Wagenstein.

The plot tells about the events of 1943, when a group of Nazi soldiers escorting Greek Jews to the Auschwitz death camp stopped in a small Bulgarian town.

Walter (Jürgen Frorip), a non-commissioned officer from the German army, skeptical and intellectually insecure, most unexpectedly even for himself, falls in love with the Jewish girl Ruth (Sasha Krusharska). This new feeling makes him rethink what is happening around him and brings him face to face with the inhumane nature of fascism.

In its essence, the film “Stars” is anti-fascist. It is almost an independent genre in Soviet cinema. Usually in these plots the heroism of the mass and the collective is emphasized. However, due to its sincere attitude towards the Jewish question, the film managed to earn a special prize of the Cannes jury and the following definition from a prestigious French publication:

“It is certainly one of the most human films dealing with the Jewish question. Its greatness is that it is devoid of all propaganda.”

"Stars" is considered to be the first German film to deal with the subject of the Holocaust and the responsibility of the Germans for the tragic historical events. In Bulgaria, the tape was stopped from distribution because of "abstract humanism". A particular controversy is the lack of distinction between the Jewish bourgeoisie and the Jewish proletariat.

When we talk about the era and say that Bulgarian cinema looks outside to get a charge. Such a charge was made for the first time in Europe with Wanda Jakubowska’s film The Last Stage (1947), one of the striking productions of the Polish School. This is the first film about the Holocaust, and its plot is based on autobiographical motifs from Jakubovska’s life. The tape was shot in Auschwitz, where the director ended up in 1942.

November 10, 1989 the Bulgarian cinematography changed radically. Hopes of a boom as soon as the funding was in private hands proved to be more than delusional. On the contrary, nobody seems to have a clear idea of how to make cinema outside the familiar structure, and the network of movie theaters has been destroyed.

Аt the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st did worthwhile film productions appear, subject to analysis and evaluation.

Ivan Nichev is one of the few Bulgarian directors who manage to fit into the chaotic creative environment in our country and create films that are significant in a European context.

Nichev created the Jewish trilogy “After the End of the World” (1998), “Journey to Jerusalem” (2003) and “The Road to the Costa del Maresme” / “Bulgarian Rhapsody” (2014). The last of the three films is the first Israeli-Bulgarian film co-production, shot on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the rescue of the Bulgarian Jews.

"This topic is both familiar and unfamiliar," says the director. "In the very beginning, when I was showing After the End of the World in America, it struck me that a lot of people weren't quite aware of the story. I was invited there eight or nine times in various cities and festivals, I traveled almost all over America. Many people had a hard time guessing where our small, wonderful country was located. And this makes me ambitious to make the second film - "Journey to Jerusalem", because it is worth it for these people to know about the glorious pages of ethnic tolerance and good neighborliness, especially in a region such as the Balkans.

“The Bulgarian is capable of selfless acts of dedication to the other person, even when it is very difficult. It is something we must remember that we possess. Of course, in difficult times like ours, such feelings begin to dull. But we should not think that our people are not capable of magnanimous gestures towards the neighbor. History shows it and it is national pride,” says the director in another interview.

Note: A presentation “The Jewish Question and Bulgarian Cinema” was given by youth facilitator Biserka Gramatikova at the interfaith weekend “Seeding the Peace.BG” (26-29.09.2024)– a continuation of URI Europe‘s interfaith camp held in August in The Hague, resonating with this year’s UN Day of Peace theme: Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The session presented a film retrospective dedicated to one of the darkest pages in human history, which for a number of reasons brings us Bulgarians one of the brightest examples of tolerance and unity around a humane cause.

Photo: Screenshot from the film “Stars” (German: Sterne), Bulgaria-Deutsche Demokratische Republik, a 1959 feature film (war, drama) directed by Konrad Wolff and Rangel Valchanov.

Seeding the peace and friendship in Yakoruda – a journey beyond cultures and religions

By

Angelina Vladikova

-

2 October 2024

0

26-29.09.2024 – interfaith weekend in Yakoruda, Bulgaria

On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Peace on 21 September, the association “Bridges – Eastern European Forum for Dialogue” held a three-day interfaith weekend in Yakoruda.

From 26 to 29 September 2024, Hotel Helier was home to a group of 42 participants from 16 different places, belonging to 4 religious traditions – Orthodox Christians, Catholics, Muslims and Protestants.

“Seeding the Peace.BG” was a continuation of United Religions Initiative Europe‘s interfaith camp held in August in The Hague, resonating with this year’s UN Day of Peace theme: Cultivating a Culture of Peace. The format was fully funded by the Bridges Association, thanks to winning the first Prize of King Abdullah II of Jordan Award for Interfaith Harmony, in competition with 1186 events from around the world held in the framework of the UN Week of Tolerance (WIHW).

“Nestos Youth Initiatives” Association were our partners and hosts in Yakoruda.

Day 1 – Opening, weekend objectives and ice breaking

During the first day of the interreligious weekend, the official guests of the opening ceremony were the Archpriest of the Razlog Diocese, Fr. Danail from Yakoruda, Pastor Traycho Stefanov from the Evangelical Church of St. John in Sofia. The Regional Mufti of Blagoevgrad Osman Kutrev and the Secretary of the Muftiate were not only among the dignitaries, but they themselves participated in the youth forum. Among the guests were also representatives of the local authorities in Yakoruda and Belitsa – dep. Mrs. Osman and Mrs. Tabakova, as well as principals of schools in the region.

Chair of BRIDGES opened the forum and welcomed the guests and participants “to this different event, which is extremely significant for us and we believe that with it we will open a new chapter in the interreligious and intercultural dialogue in Bulgaria, with the help and active participation of all of you. It is an honour to be together, to walk on the bridge of friendship, despite our differences and in fact because of them. Thank you for your willingness not to let our differences stand in the way of living and working together for a better world.”

The goals of the interfaith weekend were outlined, as well as the organizers’ idea of creating a sustainable structure, strengthening partnerships and planning future initiatives on a national scale. Yakoruda was chosen to be the home of Seeding the Peace.BG for a reason, it marked our long-standing partnership and friendship with Hatidje Djurina, the President of the “Youth Initiatives Nestos” Association.

She said that the local community is welcoming, ready for such initiatives and happy to host us.

After the official opening, youth leaders Silvia Trifonova and Ahmed Gorelski took the baton. With ice-breaking games the participants got to know each other and learnt their names. Then they divided into 3 working groups to work on specific topics for the next three days.

In the evening, the group was joined by special guest HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha the guardian of the Bulgarian crown.

Day 2 – Eco-justice and meeting with religious leaders in Yakoruda

The second day of the interfaith weekend “Seeding the Peace” offered colourful activities in which participants gave their bid for a better future – one in which man lives in peace with his neighbour as well as in peace with his earthly home.

The 6 young participants from Bulgaria at the URI Europe camp in The Hague gave an exciting presentation about their summer experience, which generated valuable friendships and unforgettable emotions. Each of them shared what they had learned and experienced with the other participants from the Netherlands, Belgium and Albania.

With a school bus from the municipality, the group headed to the city for meetings with the leaders of the two religious communities in the community – Muslims and Orthodox Christians. At the mosque in Yakoruda, the guests were warmly welcomed by the Regional Mufti of Blagoevgrad, Osman Kutrev, as well as by his deputy in the town and the Imam of the local mosque.

Immediately afterwards Fr. Danail welcomed the group at the St. St. Cyril and Methodius” and shared highlights from the centuries-old history of interreligious coexistence in the community.

The words of each of the religious leaders overlapped as a testimony to the sincere spirit of good neighborliness and tolerance of the people in the area.

A constant companion in the walk was HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, whose ancestors, it became clear, had left their spiritual and material mark on the community. We found out that even the main street of Yakoruda bears the name “Tsar Boris III”.

After lunch HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha told us about his deep family connection with Jordan, as well as about the project marking the locations of the Holy Scriptures in the country, the cradle of Christianity. A temporal, spatial and cultural bridge.

Seen from above, the world has no borders. The bird’s-eye view removes distinctions – between countries, cultures, people, religions… This is what one might think as the Prince steers a drone high in the clouds above Yakoruda in the way he captured the landscape of the holy sites in Jordan a year earlier.

The second half of the day was dedicated to the ecological values that underpin our existence. Eco-justice and our footprint on the environment, the conservation of water resources and the responsibility we each have. Youth leaders Silvia Trifonova and Ahmed Gorelski illustrated the idea of natural balance with a series of fun games, culminating in the planting of a tree (acacia) of peace and hope. Each participant “planted” symbolically around the tree a wooden heart with wild flower seeds, on which they wrote their message of peace.

The BRIDGES team and partners from Tervel and Aytos outlined short-term goals and future plans, building clubs in the country and national meetings.

Day 3 – Partnerships, trip to Razlog, cultural evening

On the third day of “Seeding the Peace”, the Holocaust and the “Jewish Question and Bulgarian Cinema” found a place in the morning sessions. Dr. Peter Gramatikov, Bridges board member and former URI Europe Global Trustee, shared briefly about the Holocaust and the projects implemented during the last few years with the support of Olga Lenguel Institute (TOLI). An interesting presentation on “The Jewish Question and Bulgarian Cinema” was given by youth facilitator Biserka Gramatikova. The session presented a film retrospective dedicated to one of the darkest pages in human history, which for a number of reasons brings us Bulgarians one of the brightest examples of tolerance and unity around a humane cause.

Immediately afterwards, each of the three groups set to work actively on their themes and creating conceptual projects.

At noon, the entire group of 42 boarded the attraction’s narrow gauge train to Razlog. During the trip, everyone enjoyed the incredibly picturesque mountain landscapes.

In Razlog we were welcomed at the train station by Kostadinka Todorova and the coordinating team of the Anna Lindh Foundation for Bulgaria and Association “International Cooperation Initiatives”. They showed us the sights of the town and treated us with typical regional dishes.

Even more remarkable was the experience in the office of the organization, where, according to an old Bulgarian custom, we were welcomed with geraniums and homemade banitsa – zelnik. We were surprised with a rich cultural program presented by the folklore group “Dobarskite babi” , which is included in the national list of living human treasures. They greeted the group with several folk songs from the region. Especially for HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha a unique wedding ceremony was presented.

Along with this surprise, we had the opportunity to hear from Kostadinka about Anna Lindh’s mission and work globally and nationally. They devoted time to introduce mission and philosophy of the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Bulgarian Anna Lindh Network of which Association “International Initiatives for Cooperation” is the coordinator, and Bridges – Eastern European Forum for Dialogue is one of our active members. We had a chance also to discuss next steps in our partnership and specifically in the realization of a conceptual project, the “Peace Pallete” Assembly which aims to promote intercultural cooperation in the Mediterranean and sow peace and understanding between different nations, religions, ethnicities… This project can bring together the potential and competencies of BRIDGES, Anna Lindh and URI networks.

We took the narrow-gauge back to Yakoruda, where the cultural programme prepared by our talented participants was the highlight of the day. Music, poetry and theatrical interpretations beautifully interwoven in the program. Undoubtedly the icing on the cake were Agleya Kaneva and Boris Petkov, who ended the concert with jazz interpretations and songwriting.

Day 4 – Presentation of results, future plans, certificates.

Day 4 of the Interfaith Weekend “Seeding the Peace” was a time for reflection, a closing session and an emotional farewell between the youth and the organizers.

HRH Prince Boris Saxe-Coburg-Gotha presented all the young participants with certificates for their active contribution to the realisation of the event and to the establishment of a religious and cultural dialogue with the local communities. He himself received a certificate of appreciation from the Bridges Association for his contribution and support to the cause and the format.

The three youth teams presented the thematic projects they had been developing over the three previous days. United by the motto “Seeding the Peace”, the participants developed in detail three concepts: a youth camp, a concert and an international peace assembly with the working title “Palette of Peace”. During the presentation we saw many fun surprises, creative ideas, large-scale programmes, which we started to dream about together.

The weekend ended with an exciting exchange of symbolic gifts during which everyone revealed their “secret friend”. As expected, the game only confirmed the true friendship between the participants.

Before leaving, each attendee left their mark on the colorful peace tree painted by Dilek and Eileen and received a seed bracelet to plant in their home.

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