Nepal: 'Some migrants find themselves trapped in modern slavery — their stories must be told'

Displacement and migration lead to tension in South Asia. A new network aims for better coverage and more dialogue. Experts from six countries met for the first time in Nepal.

    

Som Prasad Lamichhane was himself a migrant worker in, among other countries, Saudi Arabia. What he saw there changed his life. Many labor migrants there work every day of the year in punishing heat at construction sites. "They’re exploited and unpaid, their passports are confiscated, there are many accidents," said Lamichhane. "Many return to their homelands in coffins, but even that isn’t guaranteed."

Som Prasad Lamichhane was himself long employed as a migrant worker in Arab countries and today heads the Pravasi Nepali Coordination Committee, which looks after exploited people and their rights.

 His experiences prompted him to lead the organization Pravasi Nepali Coordination Committee (PNCC) in Kathmandu, which focuses on protecting the rights of Nepalese migrant workers abroad and helping them when they return to Nepal. The NGO offers support in crisis, provides legal counsel, and helps with resettlement, all the while seeing to it that migrant labor issues remain in the public eye. 

Migrant labor is endemic across South Asia. Nepalese alone account for hundreds of thousands of migrant workers abroad, namely as a matter of escaping their country’s poverty. They frequently end up in wealthy countries around the Persian Gulf, but also in Malaysia and Singapore. It’s similar in Bangladesh. India both exports and imports migrant laborers and is home to many domestic labor migrants, as became evident during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Scant media coverage 

But the media pays little attention to the crisis, according to Som Prasad Lamichhane. They publish official government statements. But reporting that emphasizes human rights is essential. 

To shed more light on the migrant situation in South Asia, Lamichhane spoke recently in Lalitpur, Nepal, at the three-day regional gathering, "Displacement and Vulnerabilities - A Conference on Forced Migration and Media in South Asia," hosted by the Calcutta Research Group (CRG) in India, and in cooperation with DW Akademie and the Nepal Institute of Peace. The conference drew more than 50 journalists, media experts and researchers, as well as civil society organization representatives from across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Conference participants from six countries working in groups according to the World Café method with Fakhira Najeeb

Among other topics, participants discussed reporting challenges and, above all, how to collaborate more closely. The conference was the first opportunity for members of the newly founded South Asia Network for Communication, Displacement and Migration (SAN-CDM) and other interested people to get to know each other in person. 

Overcoming barriers to communication and exchange

The regional alliance SAN-CDM aims to improve communication and reporting on displacement and migration in South Asia through cross-border interdisciplinary exchange.  

Nasreen Chowdhory and Dr. Thomas Prinz, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nepal, present the joint statement on the new regional network SAN-CDM South Asia Network of Communication, Displacement and Migration

“Despite differences, the countries share common challenges," said Samata Biswas of the Calcutta Research Group, which coordinates the alliance. "We look at similarities, not differences." The CRG is an Indian organization based in Calcutta which serves as a forum for discussions on democracy, human rights and peace in the region. 

Similar regional challenges arise when reporting on those who must leave their homes because of climate change catastrophes, such as drought, flooding and overly salinized land. All of these have devastated areas of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal and experts predict it will only worsen. The World Bank estimates that by 2050, there will be some 50 million so-called “climate migrants” in South Asia – annually. In reporting on this issue, media professionals often lack data so as to accurately convey the scale of the problem, which was discussed at the conference.  

The regional alliance SAN-CDM aims to improve communication and reporting on displacement and migration in South Asia through cross-border interdisciplinary exchange.

Including the migrant perspective

The two largest refugee groups in South Asia, moreover, deserve greater coverage: the ethnic Rohingya fleeing Myanmar for Bangladesh and Afghans in neighboring countries.

Fakhira Najeeb discusses and notes how media can better portray the vulnerability of populations and the role aspects of identity play in this process

"Pakistani media ignores Afghan refugees," said Fakhira Najib, head of the NGO Power99 Foundation in Islamabad. Her organization therefore enables Afghans to tell their stories as citizen journalists. The Tribal News Network (TNN) in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province offers similar opportunities, and the Bangladeshi organization YPSA produces radio and video programs with Rohingya. 

"We support these projects so that those affected can speak for themselves and are not just spoken about," explained Andrea Marshall, Program Director for the project Displacement and Dialogue South Asia at DW Akademie. "Domestic media tends to portray refugees as either victims or else perpetrators - criminals or scroungers. It happens often in Europe, too. If refugees can speak for themselves, these stereotypes fall away."

But on which of these affected groups should the media focus more? Are there "hierarchies of vulnerability"? Which voices are featured in the media, which are not, which research findings are paid attention to, which not, and why is this so? Why is there so little talk about the fact that migrant and refugee integration can improve a country's economic situation?"

Panel Discussion on Migration Issues in Independent Media

Answers to these questions are complex, but the Lalitpur conference participants could agree on some things: Experts on displacement and migration in the region need to support one another and cooperate. And there need to be appropriate platforms for all those impacted by these crises and media should publish and broadcast those voices. "Some migrants are forced into human trafficking, a modern form of slavery," said Som Prasad Lamichhane. "Their stories need to be told."

"We need more migrant stories within other stories," added Roksana Mohammed of Organisation BRAC in Bangladesh. And Annie Philip, an independent journalist from Bangalore, India, is sure of one thing: "The new regional network SAN-CDM can provide important support."

• Date 23.03.2023

India: The plight of young girls forced to 'marry gods'

Midhat Fatimah in New Delhi
04/19/2023

The ancient Devadasi system pushes poverty-stricken girls from the lowest rung of India's caste system into sexual slavery. DW takes a look at why the practice persists despite efforts to eliminate it.

Born into conditions of extreme poverty in India's southern state of Karnataka, Ningavva Kanal took a huge decision that completely changed the course of her life.

Kanal — the youngest in a family of 10 — had watched how her eldest sister was pushed into prostitution and how it enabled her to provide for the entire family.

"Back in those days, our condition was so bad that if our parents did not find work during the day then we would not have anything to eat at night," Kanal told DW.

At just 7 years of age, she decided to shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family and walk along a similar path to prostitution. But in her case, she became a 'slave of the god' — a Devadasi.
A life of sexual exploitation

When a young girl who is yet to attain puberty becomes a Devadasi, she is "dedicated" to a village temple through an act of marriage to the local deity which also means she will never marry a mortal man in her life.

Kanal used to work as a prostitute in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and had two daughters by her 18th birthday.

"I used to perform at weddings but at times men would also forcefully take me away in their cars and rape me," the 54-year-old Devadasi recalled.

Though outlawed, the Devadasi system continues clandestinely — forcing women into a lifetime of sexual exploitationImage: Sampark

What is India's Devadasi system?

The centuries-old practice finds its origin in the legend of the goddess Yellamma whose temple in the town of Saundatti is at the center of this practice.

Devadasis were seen as mediators between God and his devotees who would appease God through their dance and music. Their performances for the deity would also attract the gaze of temple priests, rich landlords, upper-caste men and kings. Devadasis would also engage in sexual relationships with men from the dominant caste and class.

Until the 19th century, Devadasis enjoyed a high socioeconomic status.

"It's true they had some status but it was because their patrons were rich and influential men. It is not as though they had dignity as a Devadasi," said Dr Smita Premchander, founder and secretary of Sampark, an NGO which focuses on women's empowerment.

"Over time, Devadasis started losing their patronage as the British outlawed the practice," she added.
Dalit communities at risk

A 2015 report on the condition of Devadasis by Sampark — which was submitted to the International Labour Organisation — noted that 85% of the respondents were women from Dalit communities — the lowest rung of India's caste system.

"There is a very strong caste component in this practice. It is found among the lowest rung of the scheduled castes," said Aasha Ramesh, a women's rights advocate.

The Devadasi system is practiced in many states across India but is predominantly practiced in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

The Karnataka government declared the custom unlawful in 1982 through the Karnataka Devadasis (Prohibition of Dedication) Act, however, a 2019 report by Center for Law and Policy Research noted that the state government is yet to draft the rules to administer the law.

Premchander said that child protection laws need to be applied in instances where minor girls are at risk of being dedicated.

Sampark argues that besides the Devadasi law, other relevant legislations — like the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Act — also need to be invoked to deter the practice.

Last October, the National Human Rights Commission issued notices to India's central government and six state governments requesting what action they had taken to resolve "the continued menace of Devadasi system in various temples, especially in southern part of India."
Devadasis fight for their dignity

It was only in 2022 that the state government made father's name optional for enrollment of children of Devadasi to schools.

"In this tradition, the girl child usually follows her mother and becomes a devadasi," said B.L. Patil, founder of Vimochana Sangha, an NGO working with the Devadasi community.

"To avoid this, we started a residential school for children of Devadasis."

The Devadasi community exemplifies the painful struggle for survival and dignity under this regressive practice

Image: Sampark

There were 46,600 Devadasis in Karnataka as per the last government survey conducted in 2008.

The survey was crucial as it allowed the Devadasis to avail of social welfare schemes.

But thousands of Devadasis were not included, and many others — who were inducted into the practice after the survey took place — have been excluded from the schemes.

Mahananda Kanal is among those who were not questioned for the survey. She suffers from shingles and is supported solely by her teenage son.

"I never left my village because of my ailment and therefore was unaware of the survey," the 35-year-old Devadasi said, adding that she desperately needs the monthly welfare payments.

"In terms of Devadasis needs, it's very important to conduct a new survey," Premchander said.

"The women are still alive and are desperately in need. Even if the practice has been outlawed, the Devadasis still exist."

Edited by: Keith Walker

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Search results for HINDUISM IS FASCISM

LA REVUE GAUCHE - Left Comment: Search results for DALIT 

Cars set alight in Wales amid unrest over fatal crash

The unrest reportedly broke out after rumors spread that a fatal motorcycle accident was caused by a police chase. 

Officers said the crash occurred before they arrived at the scene.

DW
05/23/2023

Cars were set on fire and dozens of young people clashed with police in Wales in what authorities described as "large scale disorder" following a road accident.

The unrest broke out in the district of Ely in Cardiff on Monday night after two teenagers died in a motorcycle crash.

"First and foremost our thoughts are with families of the two boys who have died following the collision in Ely and with those affected by the disorder which followed," said South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Mark Travis.

"These are scenes we do not expect to see in our communities, particularly a close-knit community such as Ely."

Footage posted to social media showed dozens of young people clashing with police

Brnwen Weatherby/PA/AP Photo/picture alliance

Footage posted to social media showed dozens of young people, many wearing ski masks or hoods, throwing rocks and launching fireworks toward police officers who were blocking the end of the street with riot shields.

Officers on horseback were stationed outside the Ely police station early on Tuesday after suggestions that it could be targeted.

Police made arrests but did not specify how many. A dozen officers were injured in the unrest, police added.

Rumors of a police chase

The unrest reportedly began after residents suspected a police chase was the cause of the fatal accident.

However, South Wales Police said the crash "had already occurred when officers arrived."

"My understanding is that there was a road traffic accident involving two teenagers on an off road bike or scooter. And sadly, they died," Police and Crime Commissioner Alun Michael told BBC radio on Tuesday morning.

"It would appear that there were rumors, and those rumors became rife, of a police chase, which wasn't the case."

zc/nm (AP, AFP)

Olympian says 'toxic' culture in Malaysian swimming

Kuala Lumpur (AFP) – A former Olympian says there is a "toxic and negative" team culture in Malaysian swimming, following a poor showing at the Southeast Asian Games.

Marilyn Chua, who competed at the 2000 Olympics, spoke out ahead of the Asian Games this year in China.

Now the Selangor state coach, Chua was quoted by Wednesday's Star newspaper as saying: "Regrettably, many of my swimmers upon joining the national team recounted with tears how toxic and negative the team culture is.

"How can athletes perform their best when the environment they are in is not conducive for growth?" she added.

At this month's SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Malaysia won only one of the 39 gold medals up for grabs.

Chua said the national swimming team lacked unity, leadership, fairness and transparency in its selection process.

The team has been in a downward spiral over the past two decades, she said.

She suggested changes outside the pool, including more effective leadership, and appealed to the national swimming federation to work with state associations.

"I have attended numerous international competitions but have yet to witness the national team unite in a single cheer," she said.

AFP has approached Malaysia Swimming for comment.

Malaysian authorities seize rainbow Swatch watches

The watches belong to the company's "Pride collection" which celebrates LGBT equality and diversity.

The incident is the latest crackdown in a country where homosexuality is criminalized.

Authorities in Malaysia have seized 164 rainbow-colored Swatch watches that celebrate LGBT pride, the company said on Wednesday.

Officials from the Ministry of Interior Affairs raided Swatch outlets in various malls to confiscate merchandise which bore "LGBT elements," according to one summons notice.

The watches belong to the watchmaker's "Pride collection" which it says promotes equality and diversity.

"We strongly contest that our collection of watches using rainbow colors and having a message of peace and love could be harmful for whomever," Swatch CEO Nick Hayek Jr. said in a statement.

"This is nothing political. We wonder how the Regulatory and Enforcement Division of the Home Ministry will confiscate the many beautiful natural rainbows that are showing up a thousand times a year in the sky of Malaysia," he added.

Swatch's marketing manager in Malaysia, Sarah Kok, said stock of the rainbow watches would be replenished and displayed on-shelf.

LGBT rights in Malaysia

Homosexuality is criminalized in Malaysia, and authorities in the majority-Muslim country regularly crack down on LGBT symbols and events.

The country has a dual-track legal system, with Islamic laws applicable to Muslims in certain cases alongside civil laws for other crimes, as well as for members of the country's sizable Chinese and Indian communities.

Local gay rights group Jejaka slammed the confiscation of the rainbow watches, saying it showed "a deeply unsettling level of intolerance."

"It is more than a matter of colorful watches. It's about respect for diversity, freedom of expression, and, most importantly, love," the organization said in a statement.

Pride apparel targeted elsewhere

The news comes as US department store Target announced on Tuesday that it had removed some Pride Month apparel from its shelves due to intense backlash from customers, including violent confrontations with workers.

It also relocated remaining LGBT-themed items to the back of the store in some southern states.

"Since introducing this year's collection, we've experienced threats impacting our team members' sense of safety and well-being while at work," the company said in a statement.

"Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior."

zc/nm (AP, AFP, Reuters)

THE REAL CANCEL CULTURE 
Climate scientists flee Twitter as hostility surges following Musk's takeover

NEWS WIRES
Tue, 23 May 2023 at 11:22 pm GMT-6·1-min read


Scientists suffering insults and mass-spam are abandoning Twitter for alternative social networks as hostile climate-change denialism surges on the platform following Elon Musk's takeover.

Researchers have documented an explosion of hate and misinformation on Twitter since the Tesla billionaire took over in October 2022 -- and now experts say communicating about climate science on the social network on which many of them rely is getting harder.

Policies aimed at curbing the deadly effects of climate change are accelerating, prompting a rise in what experts identify as organised resistance by opponents of climate reform.

Peter Gleick, a climate and water specialist with nearly 99,000 followers, announced on May 21 he would no longer post on the platform because it was amplifying racism and sexism.

While he is accustomed to "offensive, personal, ad hominem attacks, up to and including direct physical threats", he told AFP, "in the past few months, since the takeover and changes at Twitter, the amount, vituperativeness, and intensity of abuse has skyrocketed".
Climate tweets decline

Robert Rohde, a physicist and lead scientist at the non-profit environmental data analysis group Berkeley Earth, analysed activity on hundreds of accounts of widely followed specialists posting about climate science before and after the takeover.

He found climate scientists' tweets were losing impact. The average number of likes they received was down 38 percent and average retweets fell 40 percent.

Others have abandoned Twitter altogether.

HUBRIS OF A HEGEMON

‘We have offended a nation’: Miami zoo’s treatment of kiwi bird enrages New Zealand

Zoo apologises after videos of a bird being handled and petted by guests under bright lights prompted uproar in New Zealand

Tess McClure in Auckland

THE GUARDIAN AUSTRALIA

Wed 24 May 2023 

The treatment of a kiwi at a Miami zoo has enraged thousands of New Zealanders, who launched a furious campaign to bring their national bird home and prompted the zoo to apologise.

Videos of Pāora – a kiwi bird housed by Zoo Miami – being handled and petted by guests under bright lights emerged on Tuesday, to almost immediate uproar in New Zealand.

Reclusive and nocturnal, kiwis are beloved in New Zealand to the point that the flightless, rotund, nocturnal ground-dweller has become the country’s national icon.

The footage went viral within hours – sparking a 9,000-person petition, a flood of complaints to the zoo, a government intervention from the Department of Conservation and comments from the prime minister.

On Wednesday, zoo spokesperson Ron Magill said the zoo had “made a huge mistake here”. After receiving a flood of complaints, “I immediately went to the zoo director, and I said, we have offended a nation,” he said in an interview on national radio.

Later that day, prime minister Chris Hipkins weighed in on the incident, saying it “shows a lot of Kiwis take pride in our national bird when they’re overseas”.

“The New Zealanders who witnessed what was happening there caught it pretty quickly,” he said. The prime minister added that the zoo had “made public statements of regret on what’s happened, and I acknowledge that and thank them for taking it seriously”.

Americans may have been surprised by the immediacy and volume of the fury on behalf of the kiwi – but New Zealand is unusually dedicated to the welfare of its endemic birds.

The country’s early breakaway from other land masses means that it has no native land mammals, and is instead populated instead by a vast array of birds. Many are now endangered, and there are ongoing national campaigns to wipe out predators and save them. The kiwi holds a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders. It is considered a taonga (cultural treasure) by Māori.

Pāora, the Miami bird, was hatched in the US as part of a breeding program.

The zoo had begun charging guests US$25 for a “kiwi encounter” to meet the bird. In a video posted to the zoo’s social media, a handler cuddles Paora, scratching his head and showing him off to a group of visitors, who feed him worms. “He loves being pet, he’s like a little dog and he loves his head being pet,” they say.

One viewer immediately launched a petition to “Help Save This Mistreated Kiwi,” arguing that he was “subjected to bright fluorescent lighting 4 days a week, being handled by dozens of strangers, petted on his sensitive whiskers, laughed at, and shown off like a toy”.



‘Intrinsic to our identity’: kiwi brought back to Wellington’s wilds


Within less than a day, more than 9,000 people had signed. Others launched an email campaign to the zoo, with some calling for prime minister Chris Hipkins to speak directly to the US ambassador and intervene. New Zealand’s department of conservation stepped in on Tuesday, saying a statement “We would like to thank everyone who has raised concerns about Paora, the kiwi at Miami zoo”, and that the department would be “discussing the situation with the American Association of Zoos & Aquariums”.

Less than 24 hours later, Paora was returned to darkness. While the bird would not be repatriated to New Zealand, the “kiwi encounter” would be ended immediately, and Paora no longer exposed to fluorescent lights, the zoo said. “We listened to everyone who wrote to us – and there were a lot,” Magill said.

In a lengthy apology to one complainant, the zoo said they were “deeply sorry” and that the kiwi encounter “was, in hindsight, not well conceived”.

“It is especially painful to all of us to think that anything that has occurred here at Zoo Miami would be offensive to any of the wonderful people of New Zealand.”

A Miami zoo had to apologize to New Zealand after thousands online said it offended the country with its treatment of kiwi birds

Hannah Getahun
May 23, 2023


Zoo Miami issued an apology for its treatment of a kiwi that was part of a wildlife encounter experience.

 
After videos online surfaced of the experience, people began a petition to rescue the bird.

 
The kiwi is no longer being used for wildlife encounters, the zoo confirmed.

A campaign led by outraged social media users and New Zealand's Department of Conservation to raise awareness about the treatment of a kiwi in captivity resulted in a Miami zoo issuing an apology for offending a nation.

Pāora, a kiwi hatched at Zoo Miami, had been part of a wildlife encounter program with the zoo, where guests would get the chance to pet New Zealand's flightless bird for just over $20.

However, videos of the experience online prompted concerns from people afraid that the animal was being mistreated by zoo staff by being exposed to bright lighting and excessive exposure.

One petition to "Save This Mistreated Kiwi" that received over 10,000 signatures pointed out the fact that kiwi are mostly nocturnal animals. The New Zealand Department of Conservation also stepped in, saying in an online statement that it would be speaking to the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums about the situation.

 

Following the outrage, Zoo Miami communications director Ron Magill told Radio New Zealand that the kiwi encounter was a "huge mistake" and that the zoo had "offended a nation." Magill also confirmed that the bird is no longer being handled by guests, and is now living in a dark enclosure.

"I am embarrassed that we're in this position. This was not well conceived when they came up with this plan. The thought was 'well, since the bird is eating and seems very healthy and doing well, that this is something that maybe we could do'," Magill told RNZ. "We were wrong."

DOC to raise concerns with Miami Zoo over treatment of kiwi

Ryan Anderson and Finlay Dunseath
 
 SCOOP NZ May 23 2023

There is concern about the treatment of a kiwi at a Miami Zoo – with the nocturnal animal being shown off under bright lights and handled by guests.

Videos seen by Stuff show the native New Zealand bird, referred to by a keeper as “Paora”, being displayed to guests under bright lights.

Paora became the first kiwi to hatch in Miami in 2019, and was named in honour of iwi leader, environmental advocate and hands-on conservationist Paora "Baldy" Haitana. He is the only kiwi at Miami Zoo.

Videos on social media show guests handling the kiwi – giving it head scratches as it sits on a table.

READ MORE:
* Video captures kiwi chick struggling to hatch from egg
* Meet Tuatahi, the first kiwi born in a breeding programme in the Netherlands
* Auckland Zoo hatches baby kiwi as Save Kiwi Month kicks off

Department of Conservation (DOC) Director of Terrestrial Biodiversity Hilary Aikman said they plan on raising their concerns with the US zoo, via the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), to try and improve the housing and handling situation.

“Kiwi are a taonga species and are treasured by all New Zealanders,” Aikman said.

“The protection and welfare of kiwi is a high priority.”

Paora, the first Kiwi chick to be hatched in Florida. (File photo)

In New Zealand there are specific standards to handle and care for kiwi, Aikman said.

The population of about 60 kiwis offshore is managed separately from the New Zealand zoo and wildlife park population, she said.

The kiwi in America are managed via their national body, the AZA, Aikman said.

Simon Hall, who owns a wilderness block where more than 100 of kiwi have been successfully reintroduced into the wilderness, said the handling of kiwis by zoo guests “doesn’t seem quite right”.

“That sort of thing is not really encouraged here.”

The behaviour wouldn’t be allowed in Aotearoa.

Ready for a one-of-a-kind encounter? Meet the Kiwi, a rare flightless bird from New Zealand, exclusively at #ZooMiami! #Kiwi #LiveZooMiami 🥝🐦 pic.twitter.com/y5Ix5xDZXd

— Zoo Miami (@zoomiami) March 20, 2023

Hall said to handle a kiwi in New Zealand, you need accreditation and – even with the supervision of an accredited person – the public are not allowed to physically interact with the birds.

From an advocacy perspective, there might be some argument for letting guests interact with kiwi, he said, but it’s not common.

In the Department of Conservation’s Kiwi Best Practice Manual, it is warned that special care must be exercised when holding and interacting with the birds.

Another video shows the kiwi running through a brightly lit enclosure to hide in the shade of a semi-closed off box.

The rest of the box is then closed by a keeper, who opens it again after a couple seconds for the guests to see that the kiwi has run inside.

Jeseka Christieson, who has started a petition to save the kiwi, said it was mind-blowing that they could treat an animal like this.

“I just feel bad for the little guy.”

New Zealand has such irreplaceable, unique wildlife, she said, and it’s so disheartening to see Paora treated this way.

Christieson wanted to see the zoo either step up its treatment of the kiwi, or send it home to NZ.

Israel passes budget with controversial cash for ultra-Orthodox

SO CALLED DEMOCRACY FUNDS FASCISM

AFP
Wed, 24 May 2023 

Thousands of Israelis march through Jerusalem to protest against controversial cash handouts to ultra-Orthodox Jews in the annual budget

Israeli lawmakers passed an annual budget Wednesday with controversial allocations for ultra-Orthodox Jews, in a concession to a religious party in the governing coalition that drew protests from the opposition.

Thousands of Israelis marched through Jerusalem on Tuesday to protest the government's plans to hand more cash to the ultra-Orthodox minority, accusing the coalition of "looting" state funds.

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the state would grant married ultra-Orthodox Jewish men engaged in religious study rather than work a total of 250 million shekels ($67.5 million).

The grant was part of an agreement with United Torah Judaism, one of the ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition, to ensure its support for the budget.

The 2023-2024 budget was ultimately passed early Wednesday with the support of all 64 coalition lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament.

"We won the elections, we passed the budget, we'll continue for four more years," Netanyahu wrote on Facebook.

The premier spent recent weeks cutting deals with his ultra-Orthodox and extreme-right coalition partners, to meet a May 29 deadline to pass the budget or face fresh elections.

The cash handouts to the ultra-Orthodox have sparked anger as Israelis of all backgrounds contend with soaring prices and increased interest rates. Opposition chief Yair Lapid described the budget as "destructive".

Asher Blass, a professor of economics at Ashkelon Academic College, said Israel needed more "growth engines" rather than "transfer payments" to ultra-Orthodox institutions that effectively discourage higher education.

Speaking ahead of the parliamentary vote, he told AFP "the trajectory is not good" but Israel has seen worse budget deficits.

In February, the Bank of Israel estimated the deficit would be close to one percent of gross domestic product in 2023 and 2024.

dms/rsc/kir

THE PETRO STATE PROTECTS ITS OWN

German Police In Nationwide Raids Against Climate Activists


By AFP - Agence France Presse

May 24, 2023

German police on Wednesday carried out raids across seven states targeting climate activists of the "Letzte Generation" (Last Generation) group, which has sparked controversy with street blockades involving protesters glueing themselves to the asphalt.

The raids were ordered in an investigation targeting seven people aged 22 to 38 over suspicions of "forming or supporting a criminal organisation", said a joint statement by Bavaria's police and prosecutors.

Fifteen properties were searched, two accounts seized and an asset freeze ordered.

The suspects are accused of "organising a donations campaign to finance further criminal acts" for the group via its website.

At least 1.4 million euros ($1.5 million) had been collected in the campaign, said the authorities, adding that "these funds were according to current information mostly used for the committing of further criminal action of the association".

The authorities did not specify the "criminal action" it was referring to but said two of the suspects are alleged to have tried to sabotage an oil pipeline between Trieste, Italy, and Ingolstadt, Germany, deemed a "critical infrastructure" in Bavaria.

Dozens of climate activists from the group have found themselves before the courts in recent weeks over their traffic blockade actions.

The controversial tactics of Letzte Generation, from hunger strikes to throwing mashed potato on paintings in museums, has resulted in the group being described by some German politicians as "climate terrorists".

The activists argue however that their protests are vital in the face of inadequate action taken by the government and society in general to protect the environment and prevent catastrophic global warming.

© Agence France-Presse

German police conduct raids on climate activists as impatience mounts

Geir Moulson
AP

A police officer enters a house during a raid in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Prosecutors in Germany say authorities have raided 15 properties across the country and seized assets in an investigation into the financing of protests by the Last Generation climate activist group. 

(Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP)

BERLIN (AP) — Authorities raided 15 properties across Germany on Wednesday and seized assets in an investigation into the financing of protests by the Last Generation climate activist group, prosecutors said — a move that comes as impatience with the organization’s tactics mounts.

Munich prosecutors said they were investigating seven people, ranging in age from 22 to 38, on suspicion of forming or supporting a criminal organization. They launched the inquiry following numerous criminal complaints from the public that they received since mid-2022.

 

Police officers carry a cardboard box to a vehicle during a raid in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. 

Christoph Soeder/dpa via AP

Police officers use hammers and chisels to remove a climate activist who has glued himself to a road during a climate protest in Berlin, Germany, Monday, May 22, 2023.
AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

Prosecutors in Germany say authorities have raided 15 properties across the country and seized assets in an investigation into the financing of protests by the Last Generation climate activist group. 

Members of Last Generation have repeatedly blocked roads across Germany in an effort to pressure the government to take more drastic action against climate change.

In recent weeks, they have brought traffic to a halt on an almost daily basis in Berlin, gluing themselves to busy intersections and highways. Over the past year, they have also targeted various art works and exhibits.

APTOPIX Germany Climate Protest

A climate activist shows his hand, covered with asphalt, after policers remove is hand with hammer and chisel from a road in Berlin, Germany, Monday, May 22, 2023.

 AP Photo/Markus Schreiber

Their tactics have drawn sharp criticism. On Monday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he thought it was “completely nutty to somehow stick yourself to a painting or on the street.” Leading figures with the environmentalist Green party, which is part of his governing coalition, have said the group’s actions are counterproductive.

The Bavarian inquiry adds to an investigation launched last year by prosecutors in Neuruppin, outside Berlin, over actions against an oil refinery in eastern Germany. That investigation is considering suspicions that Last Generation activists formed a criminal organization, a label that some conservative-leaning regional officials also are mulling.

Munich prosecutors said the people under investigation are accused of organizing and promoting a campaign to “finance further criminal offenses” by the group and collecting at least 1.4 million euros ($1.5 million). Two of them also are suspected of trying to sabotage an oil pipeline that connects the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt with the Italian port of Trieste in April 2022.

Wednesday’s searches — accompanied by orders to seize two bank accounts and other assets — aimed to secure evidence on the membership structure of Last Generation and on its financing. There were no arrests.

Last Generation has acknowledged that its protests are provocative, but it argues that by stirring friction it can encourage debate within society about climate change.

In a Twitter post on Wednesday, the group wrote: “Nationwide raid. #completelynutty.”

“Searches of lobby structures and seizures of government’s fossil money — When?” it said.

Another climate activist group, Extinction Rebellion, voiced solidarity with Last Generation. It contended in a tweet that the main aim of conducting raids on the grounds that it was a criminal organization was “to distract attention from the true criminals.”

Thailand's Sex Workers Hope Election Will Change Their Lives

Thailand’s sex workers are looking to the upcoming election on 14 May as a potential catalyst for positive change in their lives. This article explores their hopes and expectations and the challenges they face, providing insight into their perspective.

Introduction: The Anticipation of Change

Sex work is a contentious and complex issue in societies worldwide, and Thailand is no exception. With the country’s general election on the horizon, Thailand’s sex workers are hopeful.

They eagerly anticipate a potential transformation in their lives as they yearn for greater recognition, improved working conditions, and increased legal protections.

In this article, we delve into the hopes and aspirations of Thailand’s sex workers, shedding light on their struggles, dreams, and expectations. Join us as we navigate their stories, challenges, and the election’s potential impact on their lives.

Thailand’s Sex Workers Hope Election Will Change Their Lives

The sex workers in Thailand are optimistic that the forthcoming election will be a turning point in their lives. They anticipate significant improvements in their circumstances, aiming to secure the recognition they deserve and obtain legal safeguards to protect them from exploitation. Let’s explore the reasons behind their hope and the changes they yearn for.

1. Seeking Recognition: A Call for Acknowledgment

Thailand’s sex workers hope the election will bring them much-needed recognition as legitimate workers, acknowledging their societal role. They yearn to end the daily stigma and marginalization and aspire to be seen as individuals deserving of respect and understanding.

By gaining societal recognition, they believe they can foster a more inclusive environment that acknowledges their rights and dignity.

2. Improved Working Conditions: A Safe and Fair Environment

Thailand’s sex workers strive for better working conditions in a safe and regulated environment.

They aspire to see the implementation of laws and policies that protect their rights, promote occupational safety, and ensure fair treatment.

They hope to reduce the risk of exploitation, violence, and abuse by establishing clear guidelines and standards.

3. Legal Protections: Safeguarding Vulnerable Workers

The election represents an opportunity for Thailand’s sex workers to push for legal protections to shield them from harm. They advocate for laws that address their unique needs and vulnerabilities while providing avenues for redress and justice.

By obtaining legal recognition and protection, they aim to combat exploitation, human trafficking, and other illicit activities that often plague the industry.

4. Access to Healthcare: Promoting Well-being

The election also promises improved access to healthcare services for Thailand’s sex workers. They hope for comprehensive healthcare programs that address their specific health concerns, including regular check-ups, sexual health services, and counseling support.

They believe they can lead healthier lives and ensure their long-term physical and mental health by prioritizing their well-being.

5. Financial Empowerment: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Many sex workers in Thailand face economic hardships, often trapped in a cycle of poverty with limited opportunities for advancement. They look to the election as an opportunity to advocate for initiatives that empower them financially.

By supporting vocational training programs, alternative employment options, and access to financial services, they hope to break free from the cycle and build a more sustainable future.

6. Combating Human Trafficking: A Unified Front

Thailand’s sex workers recognize the urgency of combatting human trafficking, a grave issue affecting vulnerable individuals within the industry. They hope the election will increase efforts to prevent and address this heinous crime.

By collaborating with law enforcement agencies and NGOs, they strive to create a united front against human trafficking, ensuring the safety and protection of all individuals involved in the sex industry.

Challenges and Obstacles Faced

While Thailand’s sex workers hold onto hope for change through the election, they are well aware of the challenges and obstacles they face in their pursuit of a better future. Understanding these difficulties provides a comprehensive view of the issues at hand.

Societal Stigma: Thailand’s sex workers continue encountering societal stigma that hinders their acceptance and integration into mainstream society. Overcoming deep-rooted biases and prejudices remains an ongoing battle.

Legal Ambiguity: The ambiguous legal status of sex work in Thailand creates a challenging environment for sex workers. The lack of clear regulations and legal protections exposes them to exploitation and abuse.

Lack of Support Systems: Sex workers often lack support systems, such as access to healthcare, counseling services, and financial resources. These deficiencies further perpetuate their vulnerability and make it difficult for them to escape the cycle of exploitation.

Human Trafficking: The sex industry in Thailand, like in many other countries, faces the scourge of human trafficking. Sex workers hope that the election will bring renewed efforts in combatting this criminal activity and protecting those most at risk.

Limited Employment Opportunities: Without alternative employment opportunities, many sex workers feel trapped in their current profession. They hope that the election will open doors for vocational training and job placement programs, offering them viable alternatives for a sustainable livelihood.

Intersectional Challenges: Sex workers from marginalized communities, such as transgender individuals, face additional challenges due to discrimination and societal bias. They hope for intersectional support that recognizes their unique struggles and provides targeted assistance.

Thailand's Sex Workers Hope Election Will Change Their Lives: Exploring Hopes And Challenges