Trials of former IS fighters in Germany: Opportunities and pitfalls

German prosecutors are getting creative in their attempts to bring the crimes of the Syrian civil war to court. This includes bringing charges against former security officials of Bashar al-Asad’s regime for war crimes and crimes against humanity. And it involves attempting to bring the fighters of the so-called ‘Islamic State’ (IS) to justice. Charges…

Share Button
Read More

Syrian regime’s sexual violence may be prosecuted in Germany

On June 17, 2020, human rights advocates filed a potentially path-breaking complaint with the German federal public prosecutor: brought by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) on behalf of seven Syrians, the complaint demands that Germany prosecute nine high-ranking Syrian government officials for sexual and gender-based violence committed during Syria’s 9-year-long war….

Share Button
Read More

Inside French Prisons, A Struggle to Combat Radicalization

With 2,500 inmates, the penitentiary institution of Fresnes, about 20 miles south of Paris, is one of the largest prisons in Europe. Like most French prisons, Fresnes is overcrowded. Built in the late 19th century, its tiny cells, each meant for one prisoner, most often house three. Inmates scream curses and catcalls from their barred…

Share Button
Read More

Muslim chaplains in prison, “formidable” work lacking direction

“Formidable work, but not encouraged.” Thirty year-old Ammar Maireche is training in Nièvre to become an imam and chaplain and would like to work in France’s prisons to combat the problem of radicalization. However, the lack of available resources has severely limited his ability to achieve his goal. The European Institute of Human Sciences (IESH)…

Share Button
Read More

Criticisms of Immigrants, Islam, the EU and Minister Kyenge in Italy

October 28, 2013   “We are not moderates” says Giorgia Meloni, but he did not need to specify this. You can tell immediately when Marina Ruffoni, part of the Venetian Brothers of Italy, begins by quoting Ezra Pound: “What you love will not be stripped.” Manuel Negri, of the National Project, referenced Flavio Tosi from…

Share Button
Read More