A tsunami of tsunamis

I was holidaying in the Blue Mountains outside Sydney, when news of the devastating tsunami broke on Boxing Day 2004.

Conversing with others in the hotel, restaurants and clubs, talk of the sheer horror of the magnitude of the disaster gave way to questions. Especially - 'what's a tsunami?" Most had never heard of it before, and even though I did a pretty good project on earthquakes in school, the name was relatively new to me also. The general opinion was, that it was some sort of whopping big tidal wave. Like a scene straight out of a Hollywood shocky-horror B movie, visions of tidal waves higher than an office block filled the heads of many of those discussing the tragedy,

After 2004 another strange phenomenon happened. There was a tsunami of tsunamis. If someone farts in a bath tub there are warnings of tsunamis adorning the pages of the tabloid newspapers.

I have been around a fairly long time and though I had read about and seen coverage of many natural disasters, including earthquakes, I can not recall the word "tsunami" being so prevalent as it is now.

I agree, there is a need for warning systems to be in place - but has it been overdone? Take Australia for example, hardly anyone took any notice of the widespread warning that followed the recent earthquake off the coast of Chile. For one thing the sheer magnitude of the warning seemed to have the effect of lessening the seriousness of it in people's mind. The list of countries the warning applied to was as long as a Kate and Gerry McCann's "Must Sue" list - well almost, no list is quite that long. It is hard to take seriously a warning that included half the world's nations.

Instead of being scared or taking precautions', it was a case of "Come on Gladys, pack the esky and lets go and look at the tsunami."

The grim forecasts of the so called experts did not help either when their predictions gloom and doom came to nothing.

If warnings are to be given, they need to be realistic and targeted otherwise people will become increasingly wary of such warnings and that is when tragedy will occur.

But wait - there's more.

The word "tsunami" has now entered the English language. Whenever there is a lot of something, it is now a "tsunami". Public speakers love to use the word as they stand behind a never-ending stream of lecterns, spokespersons for NGOs have put it on their "must use" list of wanky words and phrases just below "empower" and "empowerment".

I know I am wrong, but it seems to me tsunamis only came into existence post Boxing Day 2004.

But maybe the use of the word by public figures, politicians, statesmen and executives of organizations with nice fancy initials and nothing else, is appropriate after all. Many lives have been washed away by their empty words, empty promises and ever filling wallets.

Wherever you may be - be safe

Copyright Mike Hitchen Online, Lane Cove, NSW, Australia. All rights reserved

Sri Lanka: "I just want to go back to my village, live like I used to, in peace, with no worries. That is my only dream" A.T. aged 99

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

This time last year, Arulamma Thambiraja, 99, was among tens of thousands of civilians trapped in Sri Lanka's north by fighting between government forces and the since-defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

When the fighting reached her village of Navajeevanam, near the town of Paranthan in Kilinochchi district in January 2009, her family fled deeper into areas controlled by the LTTE. She was carried on a chair by her sons and grandchildren during most of their journey.

In April 2009, she entered a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) with her family and was there until January this year. She now lives with a relative near the capital Colombo, where she told IRIN of the fighting and her dreams to return home:

"Things were deteriorating by the minute, there was shelling from all sides. I never expected to survive. Every second was like a lifetime there.

"My sons were carrying me. We could not stay in one place for long, it was very difficult. Food was hard to find ... going to the toilet was risking death.

"It is with God's grace that I am here, nothing else. I don't know how I made it out, it was terrible, there were people everywhere running scared. I just closed my eyes every time there was a loud sound; I never expected to open them. It was a like a very long, very bad dream.

"So many things have happened in my lifetime. The war began when I was already a grandmother and in my 60s. I have seen things I never thought I would, so much death, so much destruction.

"When the authorities said we could return to our villages, my family did not want to return immediately. We were not sure what we would find in the village. The house was destroyed, there were mines everywhere. And my children felt I needed rest.

"I don't know anyone in my lifetime who has lived to 100 years, no one in my village has lived that long. I want to be the first, I want go there and celebrate.

"I just want to go back to my village, live like I used to, in peace, with no worries. That is my only dream."

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Child Migrants: Between 3,000 and 15,000 Zimbabwean children move into and out of their country monthly

Unaccompanied children at the Musina/ Beit Bridge border in South Africa

Zimbabwe's still-limping economy can provide few essential services, so children living along the border cross into South Africa to attend school during the day or even to see a doctor, often at great risk to their personal safety.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) regional child protection advisor for East and Southern Africa, Cornelius Williams, said the movement of unaccompanied child migrants from Zimbabwe was one of the biggest problems confronting humanitarian agencies in the region. Between 3,000 and 15,000 Zimbabwean children are known to move into and out of their country every month.

"Unfortunately, governments continue to devote most of their resources to child trafficking, where much smaller numbers of children are involved," Williams told IRIN at a meeting of officials from 15 countries in Pretoria from 23 to 25 February to discuss ways of strengthening cross-border co-operation to protect children at risk.

William Duncan, deputy secretary-general of the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the Netherlands-based world organization for cross-border cooperation in civil and commercial matters, said an even bigger issue was that "There is no central authority in Zimbabwe to contact to help repatriate the child."

The Chief Family Advocate in South Africa's Department of justice and Constitutional Development, Petunia Seabi, said a solution to the problem was being worked out. "We are in talks with the Zimbabwean authorities to set up protocols to protect these children."

She said neither of the governments would prevent children from accessing services across the border, but would rather try addressing the risks the children took while crossing the border unaccompanied.

Duncan pointed out that the numbers of Zimbabwean children moving around the region only underlined the need for close cooperation between child protection agencies and "between judges in different countries, and the Hague Children's conventions make this possible."

Many African countries have yet to ratify the Hague Conventions pertaining to children, which seek to standardize international legislation and provide a comprehensive legal framework to for the cross-border movement of children; more governments have ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Duncan acknowledged that most countries did not have the resources or the capacity to ratify the Hague Conventions, which include treaties on child abduction, inter-country adoption, protection of children and the international recovery of child support. He said the Hague Conference was trying to build capacity.

Delegates at the meeting said the discussion on the need for better cooperation between governments couldn't have come at a better time than on the eve of the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off in South Africa in June.

"We will probably see a flood of child migrants to South Africa, not only attracted by economic benefits but a chance to spot their football hero," said Williams.

The South African government was gearing up for the challenge, he said. They were planning safe areas for unaccompanied child migrants around the various stadia, and an advertising campaign aimed at visitors, which, they hoped, would deter child prostitution.

Disclaimer:This material comes to you via IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations or its Member States.
Photo: Copyright IRIN

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Turkey: Turkey's "Living Library" promotes understanding, battles prejudice

Turkey has a new twist on a conventional library, instead of borrowing books, you borrow individuals who represent stereotypes that often are the target of prejudice or hatred. For VOA, Dorian Jones in Istanbul visited Turkey's Living Library recently and was given a tour by its director, Meri Izrail, who hopes the project helps increase understanding among the country's diverse population.

IZRAIL: "This is the entrance to the Living Library, where the readers will come across the librarians, and they will choose the book that they want to borrow from the catalogue and they will be introduced to the book. They will have half an hour to read the book, so actually it more or less works as a real library, except the fact the books we have are human beings and the people here as books are people who are discriminated for a variety of reasons. People [with] whom we have prejudices."

JONES: "Can you show me what books there are?"

IZRAIL: "Here we have the catalogue. OK we have different book titles available: we have gays; we have Greeks; we will have schizophrenics; bisexual; visually impaired; Arab; NGO worker; headscarf wearing women; transsexual; Armenian; Kurdish; and, Alevi."

The first Living Library opened at a youth festival in Denmark in 2000. Aimed at combating racism, the idea has since spread across the globe.

With hundreds of people lining up to check out a living book, there is an atmosphere of expectation and excitement. One of those waiting in line is 21-year-old Anol Celick.

"We wanted to know about the other people, the people who have a different lifestyle," said Anol Celick. "I choose with my friend, an Armenian, because it is kind of a big problem here. I just wanted to meet one single Armenian person because I have never met one before, because they are a very closed community. Although we have 60,000 people here in Turkey, we never see them. And we have no idea how they live, how they speak and feel about all these problems. So I came here to meet someone from Turkey with an Armenian background."

Armenia and Turkey remain deeply divided over the fate Armenians suffered under Turkish Ottoman rule. Armenia claims Turkey's then Ottoman rulers committed genocide against its Armenian population in 1915, a charge denied by Ankara. As a result of the differences, Armenian minorities often face difficulties living in Turkey.

The most popular living book at the library is a 22-year-old Turkish-Armenian named Bagsi. Over tea, she told me she is amazed that there is such interest in Armenians.

This is a big surprise for me that people coming and telling me that they want to understand me, she says. Because usually people's ideas are formed by media and the education system, which often misrepresent us and is prejudiced. But what is beautiful is that after a short while the conversation evolves into a nice chat, she says. When you talk to people you can see that prejudices are not cast in stone, and after half an hour of conversation we come out having shared so many things, not only the issue of Armenians.

Bagsi left me for her next session with Celick and his friend.

After the session finishes, I ask Celick how it went.

"We had just a really nice chat for 20 minutes," said Celick. "I learned that she is feeling same way as I do for Turkey. So it is quite good. She is almost feeling as like a Turkish person."

Listening to Celick is library director Meri Izrail. She says this is what the Living Library is all about.

But she is keeping her feet firmly on the ground about what it can achieve.

"Most people would like to present the project as a project that will actually erase prejudices," said Meri Izrail. "Of course it is not possible to erase prejudices in half an hour. But I think it is a very good sign if we can bring back readers. There were some readers who were, for example, at a book fair who are coming back to this Living Library with their friends. So this is the sign of achievement on our side."

Breaking down stereotypes, fears, and prejudices is the aim of the Living Library. With observers saying Turkish society remaining deeply polarized, it seems it has a lot of work to do. But with people lining up to enter the library, there appears to be at least a willingness among many to open their minds.

Dorian Jones
Published with the permission of Voice of America

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Greece- Macedonia: Next step in name dispute?

FOCUS Information Agency - What will be the next step in the name dispute between Macedonia and Greece? This is the question posted by Macedonian A1 television. UN Mediator in the dispute Mattew Nimetz paid a visit to both countries over the last week.

Answering to journalists question Macedonian Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski (photo) said he cannot tell anything new until Nimetz does not share his impression from the meeting in Greece. Gruevski expects to receive more information about the talks between Nimetz and Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou in the next days.

“Now the key moment is what happened in Athens, how the talks passed, what were the signals,” Gruevski said and added this can be announced this week “if Nimetz decides”.

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Environment: Top companies cause $2.2 trillion in enviro damage

The Global Report - A major unpublished study for the United Nations has found that the cost of pollution and other damage to the natural environment caused by the world's biggest companies would wipe out more than one-third of their profits if they were held financially accountable.

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Racial Issues: FBI and the Ku Klux Klan - Part One

FBI - Ninety-five years ago last month—in February 1915—the D.W. Griffith movie later titled The Birth of a Nation premiered in a Los Angeles theater. Though considered progressive in its technique and style, the film had a decidedly backwards plot that glorified a short-lived, post-Civil War white supremacist group called the Ku Klux Klan. The movie’s broad release in March provoked riots and even bloodshed nationwide.

It also revived interest in the KKK, leading to the birth of several new local groups that summer and fall. Many more followed, mostly in southern states at first. Some of these groups focused on supporting the U.S. effort in World War I, but most wallowed in a toxic mix of secrecy, racism, and violence.

As the Klan grew, it attracted the attention of the young Bureau. Created just a few years earlier—in July 1908—the Bureau of Investigation (as the organization was known then) had few federal laws to combat the KKK in these formative days. Cross burnings and lynchings, for example, were local issues. But under its general domestic security responsibilities, the Bureau was able to start gathering information and intelligence on the Klan and its activities. And wherever possible, we looked for federal violations and shared information with state and local law enforcement for its cases.

Our early files show that Bureau cases and intelligence efforts were already beginning to mount in the years before 1920. A few examples:

*
In Birmingham, a middle-aged African-American—who fled north to avoid serving in the war—was arrested for draft dodging in May 1918 when he returned to persuade his white teenage girlfriend to marry him. A Bureau agent looking into the matter discovered that the local KKK had gotten wind of the interracial affair and was organizing to lynch the man. The agent came up with a novel solution to resolve the draft-dodging issue and to protect the man from harm: he escorted the evader to a military camp and ensured that he was quickly inducted.
*
In June 1918, a Mobile agent named G.C. Outlaw learned that Ed Rhone—the leader of an African-American group called the Knights of Labor—was worried by the abduction of another labor leader by reputed Klansmen. “This uneasiness of the Knights of Labor,” our agent noted, “is the first direct result of the Ku Klux activities.” Agent Outlaw investigated and assured Rhone we would protect him from any possible harm.
*
At the request of a Bureau agent in Tampa, a representative of the American Protective League—a group of citizen volunteers who helped investigate domestic issues like draft evasion during World War I—convinced an area Klan group to disband in August 1918.

World War I effectively came to an end with the signing of a ceasefire in November 1918, but the KKK was just getting started. Pro-war oriented Klan groups either folded or began to coalesce around a focus on racial and religious prejudice. Teaming up with advertising executive Edward Clarke Young, the head of the Atlanta Klan—William Simmons—would oversee a rapid rise in KKK membership in the 1920s.

That’s another story, and one that we will tell as part of this new history series detailing the work of the FBI to protect the American people—especially minorities and other groups—from the evils of the modern-day Klan.

Read Part Two

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Olympic Games: Ticket scams aided by dubious ticketing practices by the IOC

A two-year investigation of online Olympics ticket scams has identified defrauded consumers throughout the world and dubious ticketing practices by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), according to the Moriarty Leyendecker law firm.

Hundreds of consumers – including families and friends of Olympic athletes – have been defrauded by official-looking ticketing web sites or failed to receive tickets from "gray market" resellers during the past two Olympics, said attorney Jim Moriarty who was defrauded by an online site before the Beijing Games in 2008.

"IOC officials appear to be ignoring two serious problems," Moriarty said. "First, they have not curbed ticket reselling abuses that enrich profiteers connected to the IOC and national Olympic committees. Second, they are inconsistently policing the use of Olympic trademarks that often are used on fraudulent ticketing web sites."

Moriarty said he and other defrauded consumers intend to urge law enforcement and Congressional investigation of Olympic ticketing policies and practices.

The Seattle Times reported on the plight of ticket wholesaler Gene Hammett, of Suwannee, Ga. Hammett said he wired about $2.9 million to David Bunevacz, the son of a former Hungarian Olympian, and related business entities which then failed to deliver thousands of Vancouver Games tickets. The Canadian Press reported that hundreds of ticket buyers, including the grandmother of a U.S. snowboarder, paid for but did not receive tickets when Hammett could not deliver tickets to other resellers.

Moriarty said his law firm investigated Hammett's claims. "Like his clients, Gene Hammett is a victim of a ticketing 'gray market' the IOC is unwilling to control," Moriarty said. "Mr. Hammett had enforceable contracts with high-level suppliers of tickets for the Vancouver Games. His records – from wire transfer records and contracts to e-mails to and from his well-connected suppliers – are consistent with his statements."

Hammett said, "I am desperately trying to recover the missing funds and refund our customers. I especially regret that families of Olympic athletes may have been affected by this situation. With my business, personal finances and reputation at stake, I will cooperate with any investigations. The fact is, I worked with these suppliers in China in 2008 and had acquired from them hundreds, if not thousands, of Beijing Olympics tickets for our clients. Until recently, there was no indication of trouble."

Moriarty said the problems Hammett and his customers face evolve from a lack of transparency on IOC ticketing and resale policies and its inconsistent protection of Olympic trademarks and other intellectual property. Moriarty said he has identified dozens of questionable Internet address registrations with language that appears to be related to the 2012 London Games.

"The tragic consequence of the IOC's failure to completely address the ticketing and online fraud issues is that the people the Olympic athletes most want to be at the Games – their families and friends – end up being among the most vulnerable to the ticketing scams and other abuses," Moriarty said.

In 2008, the IOC and the U.S. Olympic Committee filed lawsuits in U.S. federal courts against operators of two web sites, alleging that they used committee trademarks to deceive and defraud the public. The lawsuits did not seek to recover losses for defrauded consumers.

That year, consumers, including Moriarty, reported a London-based ticketing syndicate to British law enforcement authorities after millions of dollars of tickets purchased for the Beijing Games were not delivered. Six people were later charged by the Serious Fraud Office in London and are awaiting trial. The leading technology firm Cisco described the alleged fraud as "one of the most elaborate social engineering Internet scams of 2008."

Moriarty Leyendecker maintains a web site to support its investigation of Olympic ticketing issues and provide resources to defrauded consumers.

Source Moriarty Leyendecker

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Armenia: Congressman McMahon "bankrolled" to deny Armenian Genocide

PanARMENIAN.Net - Congressman Michael McMahon has become bankrolled by the Turkish Coalition of America.

In 2009, Congressman Michael McMahon became a member of the Subcommittee on Europe in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. On May 10, 2009, Congressman McMahon joined the Turkish Caucus. He joined the Hellenic Caucus pledging support for Cyprus and the Patriarchate. To the dismay of Armenian Americans and Greek Americans, he took the Turkish side to deny the Armenian Genocide. He took the Azeri Turkish side to condemn the freedom of Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijan Turkish persecution. How trustworthy is this man to Greek Americans when he supports the Turkish side’s denial of the Armenian Genocide which means he probably denies the Genocide of Greeks and Assyrians of Asia Minor, 1915-1923.

Congressman McMahon pledged not to vote ‘Yes’ for the Armenian Genocide Resolution in an upcoming March 4, 2010 vote in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Turkish Lobby is using Michael McMahon, after Robert Wexler’s resignation from Congress on Jan 10, 2010, to be the next strong Turkey supporter in the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe. Wexler was Co-chair of the Turkish Caucus and Chair of the Subcommittee on Europe. McMahon like Wexler occupied congressional districts where huge Greek American communities resided. Regardless, they keep to their strong support for Turkey. Democrat Michael McMahon is the only strong Turkey supporter in the Subcommittee on Europe along with Democrat David Scott (he voted against Armenian Genocide Resolution), The Cyprus Action Network of America reported.

McMahon represents New York’s 13th Congressional District which includes Staten Island, Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights and neighborhoods in Brooklyn.

The Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res. 106) was submitted to the House of Representatives by Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA), on January 30, 2007, during the 110th United States Congress. It was a non-binding resolution calling upon the US President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide, and for other purposes. Upon its introduction it was referred to United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs where it passed a 27-21 vote and was sent back for a full house vote. On October 26, 2007, in a letter addressed to the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, four key sponsors of the bill, requested a debate on the bill in full House to be postponed.

Another resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich (R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill) in 2009. It currently has 137 co-sponsors.

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Chile: Troops move in to prevent looting

In the aftermath of Saturday's devestating earthquake, 10, 000 troops have moved into stricken areas to combat looting.

Reuters reports A night-time curfew went into effect in the Maule region and the town of Concepcion, where hundreds of looters ransacked stores for food and other goods. Looting also broke out in parts of the capital, Santiago.

"We don't have water or anything. No one has appeared with help and we need more police to keep order. There are many people here who are robbing," said a 78-year-old woman who identified herself as Ana in the badly hit city of Talca, 250 km (155 miles) south of Santiago.

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Roma: Europe not giving Roma same treatment as others who are in need of protection

By Thomas Hammarberg* Republished kind permission of IDN-InDepth NewsViewpoint

STRASBOURG (IDN) - European governments are not giving Roma migrants the same treatment as others who are in similar need of protection. Roma migrants are returned by force to places where they are at risk of human rights violations.

In Germany, Austria and “the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia”, large numbers of Roma migrants have been given tolerated status, essentially a form of temporary protection against expulsion. It does not confer residence or social rights. An example of this is the German “duldung” status.

There are credible allegations that Roma from outside the EU are more likely to be provided with “duldung” status rather than a more durable status, compared with non-Roma third country nationals.

These aspects were examined in a study (“Recent Migration of Roma in Europe”) published jointly by me and Knut Vollebeck, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities in April 2009.

The study provides an analysis of the existing human rights standards on migration in Europe and highlights discriminatory practices that Roma migrants still face. It concludes with a set of recommendations for action by member states in order to enhance effective protection of the human rights of Roma migrants in Europe.

I have had to deal with this issue with respect to the forced returns of Roma, Askhali and Egyptians to Kosovo. After a visit there in March 2009 I published a report which concluded that Kosovo does not have the infrastructure that would allow a sustainable reintegration of the returnees. This went all the more for the Roma.

Another visit there in mid-February convinced me that this continues to be the case. In Kosovo itself there are still about 20.000 internally displaced persons since 1999 who have not been able to return to their original habitats since 1999. The unemployment rate in Kosovo is about fifty per cent and there is just not sufficient capacity now to give a further number of returnees humane living conditions.

The reintegration strategy endorsed by the authorities in Pristina is not being implemented, the responsible actors at the municipal level are not aware of their responsibilities and there is not even a budget allocated for the strategy.

Of particular concern is the fact that some Roma who have been forcibly returned have ended up in the lead-contaminated camps of Česmin Lug and Osterode in northern Mitrovica, inhabited for a decade now by Roma families, including children, with deeply serious effects on their health.

Though there are now, at long last, plans to move the camp inhabitants to a less hazardous environment, the Roma and Askhali families living there are in desperate need of prompt rescue and intensive health care. They should not have to wait any longer.

The offer to them must also respond to their fear for their own safety -- they have not forgotten the events of 1999 when they were chased away -- and to their concern about schooling for their children in a language they understand. Also, there should be a possibility to find jobs. This should be the priority, also for the international community which has part of the responsibility for the present crisis.

The relationship between the Kosovo authorities and the European governments is not one between equal partners, it is in fact widely asymmetric. When the reception of returnees is made a condition for talks about visa liberalisation or opening for other privileges, the authorities in Pristina have to give in and the fate of the refugees becomes secondary.

This raises questions about the readmission agreements now requested by European governments. My conclusion has been that for the moment only voluntary returns – genuinely voluntary -- should be pursued.

During 2009 more than 2600 forcible returns took place. Of these, 429 related to Roma and Askhali. The majority of them came from Germany, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland. Preparations are being made to increase the rate of returns.

Individual assessments of the protection needs should of course also be applied also in these cases. However, such testing must consider the particularly vulnerable situation of Roma-Ashkali in Kosovo today.

In general, European governments seem not to accept that Roma could have protection needs. In the European Union the policy is that all EU member states shall be considered “safe countries of origin” in respect of each other in asylum matters. Consequently, a citizen of one EU member state may not be granted international protection in another EU member state.

It may be sobering to learn that whereas Roma from Hungary have been refused asylum in France, for instance, Roma individuals from the same country -- and from the Czech Republic - have sought and been granted asylum in Canada.

The agreed Directives within the EU do not support Roma rights in reality. In practice, the ‘Free Movement Directive’ impacts differently on Roma than on other EU citizens. It provides that every EU citizen has the right to reside in any EU member State for a period of three months without any other requirement than a valid passport. For longer periods of stay, however, the person concerned must prove that s/he is not a burden to the host State, through either employment or adequate financial resources. A majority of Roma cannot fulfill this requirement.

Also, the protective provisions of the "Free Movement Directive" are breached much more easily in respect of Roma than any other identifiable group. Expulsions of Roma have been carried out in contravention of EU law. In other cases destruction of Roma dwellings has been used as a method to persuade Roma to leave “voluntarily”.

Discrimination of Roma in migration policies has met with little or no opposition in almost every country. This may not be surprising in view of the lingering anti-Gypsyism in large parts of Europe.

However, it is high time to review the approach.

To push Roma families between countries, as now happens, is inhumane. It victimizes children -- many of whom were born and grown up in the host countries before they were deported.

The return policy is also ineffective. Of those forcibly returned to Kosovo no less than 70-75 per cent could not reintegrate there and moved to secondary replacement or went back to the deporting countries through illegal channels.

Expulsions between EU countries have also failed in a great number of cases as the Roma have used their right as EU citizens to move within the European Union area.

States now spending considerable amounts to return Roma to their countries of origin, would make better use of this money by investing in measures to facilitate these persons’ social inclusion in their own societies. (IDN-InDepthNews/27.02.2010)

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Yemen: Protests continue as security forces arrest 21 people

Reuters reports separatists demonstrated in southern Yemen on Sunday after security forces arrested 21 people accused of rioting, residents and officials said.

People travelling to Aden said demonstrations continued for a second day in the main southern city and in the provinces of Abyan and Dalea, also in the south of the poorest Arab country.

Demonstrators, some carrying the flag of the former South Yemen which united with the north in 1990, blocked the main road linking Aden with Dalea, they said.

Security forces arrested 21 people in the provincial capital of Dalea on Saturday as hundreds protested against earlier arrests, a Defence Ministry website said.

The protests were timed to coincide with a two-day meeting of Yemen donors in the Saudi capital Riyadh. Marchers and speakers at rallies called on the meeting to address the unresolved conflict in the south.

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits

Iraq: International community urged to support the internal political process

UN - The top United Nations envoy to Iraq today urged the international community to support the internal political process taking shape in the strife-torn country ahead of next week's parliamentary elections and allow Iraq to “normalize” on its own terms.

“I am acutely aware that despite all the talk on how to 'normalize' Iraq, our international prescriptions of 'normalization might not be what Iraqis are seeking,” said Ad Melkert, the Secretary-General's Special Representative, in an op-ed in The Washington Post.

“Iraqis have a vivid sense of international interference over their long history,” added Mr. Melkert, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI). “To break with the past, we must transform international involvement from interference into engagement.”

As a first step to advancing this effort, Mr. Melkert called on foreign politicians, diplomats, think tanks and journalists working on Iraqi issues to give the political process leading to parliamentary elections on 7 March the credit it deserves.

He underscored the commitment shown by a large majority of Iraqi citizens and lawmakers in organizing the Council of Representatives elections to conform to standards acceptable to the Iraqi people and its constitution.

“Hurdles have been overcome, including voting in Kirkuk, and Iraqis abroad having gotten their say,” said Mr. Melkert. “The constitutional requirement that allegiance to the Baath spirit precludes holding public office has been a more difficult hurdle.”

In addition, about 6,000 candidates and a significant number of alternative coalitions and parties are likely to compete for the votes in the upcoming poll, he said, noting that until five years ago the people had no say in their governance.

Mr. Melkert also pointed to the controversial matter of sharing oil revenue, which he insisted must not be influenced by outside agendas, but he said that the international community could play a role in facilitating agreements for the resolution of the issue and supporting security arrangements.

“It is vital for Arabs and Kurds to agree on the future of their relations within the federal state of Iraq, including the sharing of oil revenue and the delineation of territorial and administrative responsibilities,” he said. “The objective of international engagement should be to back up Iraqi actions, not prescribe outcomes on this front.”

Highlighting positive developments in the country, Mr. Melkert said that serious efforts are underway to improve governance oil production contracts provide solid potential for revenue management Iraqi forces - despite disturbing lapses - are making progress in taking control of domestic security political debate is vibrant the media is diverse, and an election law has been agreed.

“Security threats are real, including the targeting of political candidates and election organizers, but it is unlikely that such risks could derail the process,” he said, adding that

wrangling over the exclusion of candidates with ties to Saddam Hussein or the Baathists is concerning but inevitable as Iraq transitions from dictatorship to a new politics.

“Letting the people of Iraq make their own decisions requires a change of mind and habit of many regional and international stakeholders. All stand to gain if we take the right course.”

Published by i On Global Trends - Mike Hitchen Online - news, opinion, analysis
See also Sydney Irresistible and for personal comment, Mike Hitchen Unleashed
Putting principles before profits