ICYMI | #123

Our weekly roundup of stories you may have missed.

Spain and Morocco guilty of Melilla tragedy 'cover-up'

A year after the Melilla Tragedy, Spanish and Moroccan authorities continue to deny responsibility, obstruct any investigation and criminalise survivors. Last week, Amnesty International accused both governments of attempting a ‘cover up’ of the tragedy, in which at least 37 people were killed at the border between Morocco and the Spanish enclave of Melilla, amid widespread reports of unjustified force from border security on both sides. 76 people remain missing after the tragedy, with authorities so far unwilling to assist in the search for truth and justice.

Victory for the Right in Greek Elections

On Sunday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ New Democracy Party won a huge victory in Greece’s parliamentary elections, which could have disastrous consequences for those seeking refuge in Europe. Since coming to power in 2019, the centre-right New Democracy Party has faced intense criticism from human rights groups for allowing illegal pushbacks of migrant boats, cracking down on NGO’s and criminalising human rights defenders in an attempt to deter people from crossing the Mediterranean.

Yusra Mardini launches foundation

Yusra Mardini, Syrian Olympic swimmer and humanitarian, has launched a new foundation to fight for refugee rights and to campaign for equal access to sporting and education opportunities. Keep up to date with the work of the Yusra Mardini Foundation here.

Sudan War

An estimated 2.5 million people have been displaced in Sudan since war broke out between rival military factions in April. Fighting continues to escalate across the country, particularly in the capital Khartoum and in the Darfur region. Human rights groups have raised concerns over the growing threat of ethnic cleansing in western Darfur, particularly against the Masalit Community in the city of El Geneina, which has been almost entirely cut off from communications networks and aid supplies.

Goethe Im Exil

From 30 June - 2 July the Goethe Institute in Exile will host a festival of Afghan culture in Berlin. Taking place at ACUD in Berlin Mitte, the event will include a range of talks, workshops, music and art. Join us this Thursday as we host the festival’s warm-up event at Oona, and tune in for a range of broadcasts taking place over the next week.

Transformation Haus und Feld

Tarn Rodgers Johns speaks to Transformation Haus und Feld (THF) about their campaign to transform Berlin’s former Tempelhof Airport into a space for grassroots climate action. Berlin’s climate groups are set to play an important role in opposition to potential policy changes from the city’s new CDU-SPD governing coalition. Read the full feature here.

AUDRA Festival takeover

Tune in on Thursday to the AUDRA Festival pre-party with Aiste Regina, Richard Akingbehin, Gramrcy and Roe Deers. AUDRA is a four-day music and contemporary art festival taking place from 29 June - 2 July across the city of Kaunas, Lithuania.

This week on Weserstraße:

Tuesday: Nico Adomako & Omagoqa, Margaux, Deniz Arslan

Wednesday: MINQ, Vio PRG, Steve Bicknell, Privacy

Thursday: AUDRA Festival Pre-Party

Friday: Zoë Mc Pherson, George Snow, Rita

Saturday: Femme Bass Mafia

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