October 9, 2018     Rodney Jose Inspector General Malawi Police Service     Dear Inspector General:   We, the undersigned local, regional, and international organizations, write to urge the Malawi Police Service to urgently and thoroughly investigate attacks and threats against human rights defenders and an opposition legislator that have occurred in recent months.   The attacks include an incident reported to the police in Lilongwe, where, on the night of August 30, five unidentified individuals invaded the Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) offices and severely beat up a security… (Full Story)

Expand People protest U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement that he plans to reinstate a ban on transgender individuals from serving in any capacity in the U.S. military, in Times Square, in New York City, New York, U.S., July 26, 2017. © 2017 Reuters On Oct. 26, just over  20 years after he was killed in a homophobic attack, Matthew Shepard will be interred at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Shepard’s murder was not just tragic, but horrific. After leaving a bar with two men, he was kidnapped, robbed, brutally beaten and tied to a fence, where he was left overnight… (Full Story)

The United Kingdom is an island nation which greatly relies on the flow of goods in and out of the country. A need for greater self-determination was the main purpose why British people voted in favour of leaving the E.U.; however, there is currently a lot of uncertainty about Brexit because London might not get any trade deal with the European Union. London and Brussels are currently negotiating the British exit from the E.U.; nevertheless, there has not been any clear outcome coming out of Brexit negotiations. Besides, there is a chance that no transition deal be signed between Britain and the E.U. We could expect unstable markets and a scarcity in goods in the event that no trade and customs deal be signed. For that reason, British people have just started to understand the scope of challenges they have to face in order to leave the European Union. As well, there might not be any deal signed between Brussels and London. (Full Story)

The Rialto Theatre on Parc Avenue in Montreal’s Mile End neighbourhood. The billboard reads "Greek movie theatre." Photo by Dr. Efie Gavaki (1988).

by Vanessa Bonneau

An international research project is exploring the experiences of Greek immigrants to Canada and will create a virtual museum to tell their stories, thanks to funding from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. (Full Story)

Certain aspects of an indigenous Sufi culture in Western Indonesia appear to protect it against radical Islamic ideology.

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By Pnina Sharvit Baruch
 
The discussion surrounding the Nation State Law has sparked a heated debate in Israeli society. One side claims that the law is a proper and necessary legislative anchor for the national character of the State of Israel as the state of the Jewish people, against those who seek to deny the Jewish people’s right to a national home in its homeland. The other side argues that this is discriminatory legislation, which undermines the democratic nature of the State of Israel. In reviewing the Nation State Law, it is important to consider additional processes at the political and legal levels. An examination of the Law in the context of these processes indicates that it is too early to eulogize Israeli democracy. (Full Story)

NEW YORK—The detention of Southern Mongolian author Lhamjab A. Borjigin under expected charges of “separatism” and “sabotaging national unity” is an attack on both literary freedom and historical research, PEN America said today. (Full Story)

This Thursday, the Knesset passed the "Nation State" law. It enshrines Jewish supremacy in Israel and describes Jewish settlement as a "national value." It reserves National Self-Determination For Jews. This law passed by 62-55, with two abstentions. (Full Story)

Today I’m reaching out with this statement to share my views with all and explain the position I’ve taken on our production SLĀV. First, I would like to emphasize the fact that Betty Bonifassi, her singers, the Ex Machina team and I were aware from the beginning of the project that we were taking on a sensitive subject and that it was our responsibility to work to create this show with dilligence, respect, honesty and integrity. (Full Story)

By Gal Perl Finkel and Gilead Sher

The Knesset has recently amended the “Basic Law: The Government,” with respect to "authority to declare war or conduct a significant military operation." The new concludes: "Under extreme circumstances and for reasons that will be noted…the prime minister and the minister of defense are authorized to make the decision in a more restricted legal quorum." Such a law has almost no equivalent in Western democracies. It lacks the checks and balances essential to a democratic regime and is bound to undermine the principle that war is an act requiring maximum domestic and international legitimacy. (Full Story)

On Thursday, April 19, 2018 at 7:00 pm at the Gelber Centre, veteran British journalist Ian Black will be speaking on “Israelis and Palestinians: Contested Past, Uncertain Future.” (Full Story)

Canadian Friends of Peace Now is deeply concerned about the potential for the escalation of violence at the Gaza border. We are alarmed and saddened by the killing and wounding of unarmed protesters last week. We call on both sides - Palestinians and Israelis - to exercise restraint and act responsibly to prevent further bloodshed. (Full Story)

Valentine’s Day rituals often begin in the classroom, where the holiday serves both as an enjoyable arts and crafts activity and as a pedagogical tool, teaching children about structuring love and friendship into a concrete, prescribed form. The ritualization of love continues throughout our lives, not only on Valentine’s Day, but through weddings, anniversaries, and Mother’s and Father’s Day. (Full Story)

Non-native lawyers and consultants defend aboriginal causes for their own financial gain, argue Frances Widdowson and Albert Howard in their controversial book, Disrobing the Aboriginal Industry: The Deception Behind Indigenous Cultural Preservation. The billions of tax dollars spent on aboriginal programs serve to enrich white consultants and a native elite, instead of improving the condition of the aboriginal population, according to the authors. (Full Story)

MORNINGS IN JENIN  by Susan ABULHAWA is a novel  reflecting the reality of the  Palestinian plight and suffering. Its original title in 2002 was THE SCAR OF DAVID   in 2002 which  becomes  relevant in the story. The SCAR of David is probably a metaphor for the Star of David. The book is well researched and  is also a personal account . (Full Story)

In 1976, the nationalist Parti Québécois came to power in Quebec and governed the province until 1985. A tense period followed its election within business circles and among the Jewish community. In the midst of this crisis, Victor Teboul’s Mythe et images du Juif au Québec had just been published and it exposed a negative portrayal of Jews in Quebec’s most well-read novels and history books. The book had a strong impact on the Jewish leadership and created some controversy among Quebec’s francophone intellectual elite. (Full Story)