A Palestinian artist has been creating art for social change. Using wax, she sculpted wax ice cream figures of the children killed during the 2014 aggression.

Latest UN Report on Israel and Palestine

Last week, the UN published the results of its inquiry into Israel’s rule of engagement during the Great March of Return. According to the Commission of Inquiry, Israel may have committed war crimes. This despite evidence that the Palestinians killed “did not pose an immediate threat of death or serious injury to others when they were shot.”

After interviewing over 300 officials, witnesses, and victims, the Commisssion concluded that only a fraction of the victims could be classified as armed Palestinian forces.

An estimated 23’000 people were injured or maimed by Israeli snipers, among them clearly identifiable healthcare workers, journalists, and children. The Commission stated that “less lethal alternatives remained available and substantial defenses were in place, rendering the use of lethal force neither necessary nor proportionate, and therefore impermissible.”

Santiago Canton, the Commission chairman concluded that “the commission has reasonable grounds to believe that during the Great March of Return, Israeli soldiers committed violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Some of those violations may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity, and must be immediately investigated by Israel.”

The Commission’s findings are now being made “available for an appropriate legal body to use”, according to UN media adviser Johan Eriksson.

Art for Social Change – Palestinian Art Scene

The Palestinian art scene isn’t short of talent or verve. Although funding is often unavailable, Palestinian artists continue to create stunning art. Today’s Palestinian artists focus on depicting solidarity, self-sufficiency, and independence. Thus, art is not just for social change but an expression and reflection of life in Palestine.

The following Channel 4 News footage shows torture at Lybian detention centres run with the financial support of the European Union.

EU Response to Migrant Crisis

The EU has struggled to formulate a comprehensive and fair response to the migrant crisis. Migrant, refugee and asylum seeker distribution varies significantly from state to state. Countries like Germany, Austria, the UK, France, Sweden, Greece, and Italy have seen the largest numbers. In contrast, Eastern European countries and smaller nations have only taken in few.

The June 2018 mini emergency summit on the migrant crisis failed to achieve tangible results. Both the EU’s own migrant redistribution plans and the UN’s arrangements only catered to a small number of people fleeing wars in Syria and Lybia. An EU-wide approach is lacking as individual countries continue to adhere to self-made rules.

What’s more, right-wing politicians have used the EU migrant crisis to increase votes and stir up tensions.

Torture at Lybian Detention Centres Nothing New

As part of its response to the migrant crisis, the EU has provided Turkey and Lybian with financial aid for migrant detention centres. The EU tasked both nations to intercept migrant boats and return them to shore to stop them progressing toward EU shores.

However, according to a Guardian report, NGOs had already warned of serious human rights abuses prior to the establishment of the centres. Amnesty International’s Director for Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme, Steve Valdez-Symonds, had expressed fears that the plans were likely to lead to

lengthy and indefinite detention …….. in potential breach of EU and international law and the convention on human rights.

Steve Valdez-Symonds

Others predicted that the detention centres would become magnets for traffickers which is precisely what the Channel 4 News footage highlights. Because EU member states failed to accept migrants within a reasonable time frame, these detention centres have turned into overcrowded, long-term camps. Migrants experience squalid conditions, lacking basic supplies of clean water, food, medicines, and blankets.

According to the EU’s own audit, the abuse of unaccompanied minors is also staggering. Human rights abuses and deprivation of liberty are commonplace.

Torture at Lybian Detention Centres Highlights Need for EU-wide Response

It remains to be seen whether the release of this footage will make EU politicians redouble their efforts to implement an EU-wide response to the migrant crisis.

Let’s not forget the Palestinian children, #BDS.

Palestinian Children

If you're a Palestinian child, life is bleak

you're definitely going to be traumatised
your environment is hostile
you're scared
you may get arrested
you have to drink dirty water
you may get shot
you may get killed

Why?

because you are one of thousands of Palestinian children
and live in #Gaza