ICYMI | #139

Our weekly roundup of stories you may have missed.

Israeli ground forces in Gaza

Over 10,000 people, including at least 4,100 children, have been killed in Gaza since Israel’s bombardment began less than one month ago. Airstrikes have continued to target Gaza’s most densely populated areas, while ground forces have reportedly surrounded Gaza City.

Organisers estimate that 40,000 took to the streets of Berlin on Saturday to call for a ceasefire. Join the protest ‘Decolonize Human Rights’ this Saturday at Oranienplatz from 14:00 to demand an end to the genocide in Gaza.

Solidarity with Oyoun

Neukölln cultural centre Oyoun is facing accusations of antisemitism and threats to have funding withdrawn after refusing to cancel an event organised by the Jewish activist group Juedische Stimme in solidarity with Palestine. In a statement on Instagram, Oyoun stated their refusal to “bow to the pressure exerted by the Senate” and reaffirmed their dedication to “artistic freedom and freedom of speech.”

We stand with Oyoun for resisting censorship and staying true to their values.

6 million displaced in Sudan

The number of people forced to flee their homes in Sudan is on the rise, after the RSF paramilitary forces, who have been accused of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur region, took control of the city of Nyala, the country’s second-largest city. 5.7 million people are estimated to have been displaced in the six months since the beginning of the war in Sudan. 

One year since Tigray ceasefire

Last week marked one year since the signing of a ceasefire agreement between the Ethiopian government and authorities in Tigray. Despite the ceasefire, violence has continued across the region, where the Tigrayan people face a campaign of ethnic cleansing and forced expulsion. Violence has recently intensified in the neighbouring Amhara region, where a six-month state of emergency has been imposed, including mass detentions and telecommunications blackouts.

Bangladesh protests

Up to 8,000 opposition activists have been arrested in the last week in a crackdown on dissent in Bangladesh following a series of large protests last week. 

Two people were killed by police last Tuesday in a major anti-government rally, while garment factory workers also took to the streets to demand higher wages, raiding several factories and causing production delays for major brands like Gap, H&M, Zara and Levi’s. Wages for Bangladesh’s 4 million garment workers start at only 75 dollars per month.

Austria partners with UK on Rwanda-style plan

Austria is now working with the UK government to develop a Rwanda-style plan to deport asylum seekers to a third country, becoming the first EU country to officially collaborate with the UK on migration policy. The UK’s inhumane plans to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda have been repeatedly stalled after facing several legal challenges from the European Court of Human Rights as well as the UK’s own Supreme Court.

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