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

Influential U.S. Imam faces criticism for his comments on the allegations against Kavanaugh

The Muslim-American co-founder of Zaytuna College in Berkeley, California, Imam Zaid Shakir, has faced backlash for his now-deleted post on Facebook which suggested Sharia law should be applied in judging whether Dr Christine Blasey Ford’s allegations against Brett Kavanaugh are credible.

Share Button
Read More

Ethnonationalist mob violence in Chemnitz demonstrates far right strength

The slogan “We are the people!” (Wir sind das Volk!) was one of the iconic protest chants of the 1989 ‘peaceful revolution’. It helped seal the fate of the crumbling regime of East Germany’s Socialist Unity Party (SED), ultimately paving the way for German reunification. Since 2015, the chant has been heard again; and again…

Share Button
Read More

Michigan Case Adds U.S. Dimension to Debate on Genital Mutilation

NYT Op ED: The arrest of 3 doctors in Michigan for performing female genital mutilation prompted Tasneem Raja, 34, a journalist, to write about being cut in New Jersey. She said she had received “an outpouring of emails from people saying thank you.” “This Michigan case made me think I want to speak out,” said Nazia…

Share Button
Read More

Idaho Prosecutor Denies Syrian Refugees Gang-Raped Girl

SALMON, Idaho — An Idaho prosecutor said on Wednesday that internet outlets devoted to carrying anti-Muslim sentiments were to blame for fomenting widely spread, false rumors that three Syrian refugee boys had gang-raped a young girl at knife-point. “There was no gang rape, there were no Syrians involved and there was no knife. None of…

Share Button
Read More