Today, South Wales Police and Disability Wales are asking their Welsh partners to join forces to combat Disability Hate Crime.
At a conference called ‘Disability Hate Crime Matters’ at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea, guest speakers will include Simon Green who has experienced hate crime and is a member of the Bridgend Coalition of Disabled People; the Chief Constable of South Wales Police, Peter Vaughan; the Chief Executive of Disability Wales, Rhian Davies; the National Director of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Cymru, Kate Bennett; and more.
With Wales having the largest population of disabled people in the UK with 1 in 5 people, Disability Hate Crime is a very real issue for Wales.
More than 24% of Wales’ adult population live with a long-term illness or impairment. In the UK, more than a third of disabled adults live in poverty and 70% of families with disabled children have low income.
Disability Hate Crime is believed to be massively under-reported and approximately 165 delegates will be at the conference today to find ways to encourage reporting and improve the quality of life for disabled people.
Chief Constable Peter Vaughan of South Wales Police said,
“Recognising the many challenges, we in the police service, and our partners, face in relation to Hate Crime, South Wales Police has been working closely with Disability Wales for the last 18 months or so.
“Across Wales last year, there were over 200 recorded disability hate incidents. For every one of these incidents, there will be a victim and in many cases they will be a vulnerable victim.
“Sadly, we are finding an increasing number of incidents which appear to be Anti-Social Behaviour, but are actually motivated by hostility towards the victim because of their impairment.
“The police and its partners must consider the whole spectrum of harm in relation to each of these victims and take appropriate action.”
Chief Executive Rhian Davies of Disability Wales said, “The recent high-profile cases have lifted the lid on the day-in, day-out abuse, bullying, victimisation and harassment faced by thousands of disabled people as they go about their daily lives in the community. It acts as much as a barrier to disabled people enjoying their right as equal citizens as does the lack of access, and must be tackled by us or as a matter of urgency.”
News Wales
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Kristallnacht memorial stolen from Jewish cemetery in Germany
A 750-kilogram monument commemorating Kristallnacht has been stolen from the Jewish cemetery in Cologne, less than a week after a memorial event marked 72 years since the German pogrom.
The thieves broken open the backdoor of the cemetery on Sunday night, German police officers told the local Express newspaper. Police believe the perpetrators detached the monument from its pedestal, loaded it unto a vehicle and drove off. It is still unclear whether the deed was motivated by anti-Semitic reasons, police are quoted as saying.
The Jewish community of Cologne released a statement saying it is "very distraught by this outrageous act" and called upon residents of the city to help retrieve the bronze monument.
Community leaders said they would pay a reward of 4,000 euros for clues leading to the recovery of the memorial.
The theft comes almost a year after a group of thieves stole an iconic sign from the entrance of the Auschwitz death camp. That sign was later recovered.
The monument, which stands 2.8 meters high and 1.2 meters wide, memorializes ritual objects that were saved and buried on November 10, 1938, immediately after Kristallnacht. They were discovered by accident in 1978 during construction work and subsequently buried according to Jewish tradition in the cemetery.
Created by sculptor Franz Lipensky, the monument shows six Stars of David, two Torah scrolls and a menorah.
Haaretz
FAR-RIGHT SURGE FEARS AS GUDENUS SET TO HEAD FPÖ VIENNA (Austria)
An up-and-coming right-winger has been elected as executive chief of the Freedom Party (FPÖ) in the city parliament of Vienna. Johann Gudenus received unanimous support by the party board in a summit in Mauerbach near Vienna today (Weds). Gudenus will lead the FPÖ’s delegation in the city parliament after the party’s 10 October election campaign front runner Heinz-Christian Strache decided to remain a member of the federal parliament (MEP). The right-wing party bagged 25.77 per cent in the recent election, up by 10.94 per cent, and Strache – who heads it both on federal level and in Vienna – has been identified as the key to success. Strache is immensely popular among many young people, but also has more and more support among pensioners angered by various decisions of the ruling Social Democrats (SPÖ). Gudenus is regarded as the party’s "crown prince". He has been given the potential to one day succeed Strache – whose chances to become federal chancellor are seen as soaring. Gudenus formerly headed the FPÖ’s federal youth organisation and caused a stir with various controversial claims regarding integration and crime.
"Young Turks unwilling to integrate are the problem (in Vienna). They are more violent and ready to carry out crimes," he said shortly ahead of last month’s city parliament ballot. Some political analysts have accused Gudenus of having used certain terms popular in the German Third Reich which are understood by neo-Nazis as "codes" showing support of their views. All parties but the FPÖ, which campaigned against "immigrants unwilling to integrate", suffered losses in the recent election. Strache claimed his party had the chance to win more than 40 per cent in the 2015 city ballot if the SPÖ did not change its policy which currently rules out any kind of cooperation with the right-wing party. The party headed by Mayor Michael Häupl was expected to approach the People’s Party (ÖVP) for coalition talks after, with 44,24 per cent, it lost its absolute majority in seats in the 10 October ballot. The ÖVP Vienna’s share shrank by 4.78 per cent to 13.99 per cent. The Viennese Social Democrats however invited the Greens (2010 vote result: 12.64 per cent, down by 1.99 per cent) for talks which ended in a coalition agreement earlier this week.
Federal Greens boss Eva Glawischnig said she regarded the cooperation as a "unique chance" for her party, adding that serious changes to the federal political landscape were possible. Many columnists, meanwhile, warned that this coalition may help the FPÖ to more support as a turnaround in favour of cyclists and public transport is expected. The FPÖ has traditionally strong support among motorists pressure groups. Immigration is regarded as the other major crucial issue considering the contrary views of the SPÖ-Greens coalition and the right-wing party which is now led by Gudenus in the federal capital’s parliament.
Austrian Times
"Young Turks unwilling to integrate are the problem (in Vienna). They are more violent and ready to carry out crimes," he said shortly ahead of last month’s city parliament ballot. Some political analysts have accused Gudenus of having used certain terms popular in the German Third Reich which are understood by neo-Nazis as "codes" showing support of their views. All parties but the FPÖ, which campaigned against "immigrants unwilling to integrate", suffered losses in the recent election. Strache claimed his party had the chance to win more than 40 per cent in the 2015 city ballot if the SPÖ did not change its policy which currently rules out any kind of cooperation with the right-wing party. The party headed by Mayor Michael Häupl was expected to approach the People’s Party (ÖVP) for coalition talks after, with 44,24 per cent, it lost its absolute majority in seats in the 10 October ballot. The ÖVP Vienna’s share shrank by 4.78 per cent to 13.99 per cent. The Viennese Social Democrats however invited the Greens (2010 vote result: 12.64 per cent, down by 1.99 per cent) for talks which ended in a coalition agreement earlier this week.
Federal Greens boss Eva Glawischnig said she regarded the cooperation as a "unique chance" for her party, adding that serious changes to the federal political landscape were possible. Many columnists, meanwhile, warned that this coalition may help the FPÖ to more support as a turnaround in favour of cyclists and public transport is expected. The FPÖ has traditionally strong support among motorists pressure groups. Immigration is regarded as the other major crucial issue considering the contrary views of the SPÖ-Greens coalition and the right-wing party which is now led by Gudenus in the federal capital’s parliament.
Austrian Times
OSCE/ODIHR REPORT: HATE CRIME REMAINS A SERIOUS PROBLEM IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) today released its annual report for 2009 "Hate Crimes in the OSCE Region – Incidents and Responses," concluding that hate crime continued to be a serious problem in many of the 56 countries in North America, Europe, and the former Soviet Union. This is the first study since the passage of the notable 2009 Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, in which participating countries upheld unanimously their commitment to collect and publicize detailed statistics on hate crime. To compliment the intergovernmental report, U.S. international rights groups Human Rights First (HRF) and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) issued a reaction paper that highlights the failure of many of the OSCE states to fulfill commitments to combat the problem.
"While the OSCE member states have adopted meaningful political commitments to combat hate crime, this report reveals that most states still have a long way to go in turning those words into action," stated Human Rights First's Paul LeGendre. "We are calling on States to reaffirm these commitments and their will to act at the highest level when they meet on December 1-2 at the first OSCE Summit meeting since 1999." According to the report of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), 2009 saw instances of intimidation, threats, vandalism, arson, assault, and murder targeted against persons or groups because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other status. The scarcely available official government figures tracking such crimes underscore the importance of strengthening state responses to hate crimes, including through enactment of legislation, data collection, and sharing of best practices.
Human Rights First maintains that authorities continue to underreport the true number of incidents, although the group acknowledges that more countries are taking steps to improve their legislative frameworks and systems of data collection, while requesting international cooperation to train police and prosecutors. "Bulgaria, for example, amended its hate crime provision and submitted data to ODIHR for the first time this year, while also agreeing to participate in the Law Enforcement Training Program coordinated by the OSCE," notes Paul LeGendre. "We hope the ODIHR's report serves as an annual reminder to more governments about the vast resources available to them, as the overall across-the-board response to hate crime remains feeble." The joint analysis produced by Human Rights First and Anti-Defamation League offers specific recommendations tailored to states' varying levels of adherence to commitments to combat hate crimes.
"The ODIHR's annual report confirms nongovernmental and media reports suggesting that hate crime continues to be a serious challenge for governments throughout the region in 2009." noted LeGendre. The beheading of a Kyrgyz man in the Russian Federation, the brutal murder of a Romani man and his 5-year-old son in Hungary, the stabbing of a gay couple in the United Kingdom, the wave of antisemitic violence across many countries in Europe that followed Israeli attacks in Gaza, and the stabbing of a Muslim cab driver in the United States, are among the long list of violent hate crimes that generated shock waves through entire communities. "Governments must step up their efforts to combat hate violence and enlist the help of ODIHR's experts to improve their legislative frameworks, institute sound data collection mechanisms, and train law enforcement officials." concluded LeGendre.
Human Rights First
"While the OSCE member states have adopted meaningful political commitments to combat hate crime, this report reveals that most states still have a long way to go in turning those words into action," stated Human Rights First's Paul LeGendre. "We are calling on States to reaffirm these commitments and their will to act at the highest level when they meet on December 1-2 at the first OSCE Summit meeting since 1999." According to the report of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), 2009 saw instances of intimidation, threats, vandalism, arson, assault, and murder targeted against persons or groups because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or other status. The scarcely available official government figures tracking such crimes underscore the importance of strengthening state responses to hate crimes, including through enactment of legislation, data collection, and sharing of best practices.
Human Rights First maintains that authorities continue to underreport the true number of incidents, although the group acknowledges that more countries are taking steps to improve their legislative frameworks and systems of data collection, while requesting international cooperation to train police and prosecutors. "Bulgaria, for example, amended its hate crime provision and submitted data to ODIHR for the first time this year, while also agreeing to participate in the Law Enforcement Training Program coordinated by the OSCE," notes Paul LeGendre. "We hope the ODIHR's report serves as an annual reminder to more governments about the vast resources available to them, as the overall across-the-board response to hate crime remains feeble." The joint analysis produced by Human Rights First and Anti-Defamation League offers specific recommendations tailored to states' varying levels of adherence to commitments to combat hate crimes.
"The ODIHR's annual report confirms nongovernmental and media reports suggesting that hate crime continues to be a serious challenge for governments throughout the region in 2009." noted LeGendre. The beheading of a Kyrgyz man in the Russian Federation, the brutal murder of a Romani man and his 5-year-old son in Hungary, the stabbing of a gay couple in the United Kingdom, the wave of antisemitic violence across many countries in Europe that followed Israeli attacks in Gaza, and the stabbing of a Muslim cab driver in the United States, are among the long list of violent hate crimes that generated shock waves through entire communities. "Governments must step up their efforts to combat hate violence and enlist the help of ODIHR's experts to improve their legislative frameworks, institute sound data collection mechanisms, and train law enforcement officials." concluded LeGendre.
Human Rights First
Peterborough shopkeepers on EDL route fear for march (UK)
Frank Smith, the operations manager at Rivergate, will meet with police and council chiefs ahead of the meeting today (17 November).
He said: “I am going into the meeting with an open mind and we have not decided on any policy.
“We will decide what action to take, if any, after the meeting.”
Ada Lidzuite, a Lithuanian immigrant, who works at Phone Plus in the Rivergate Centre, said: “I don’t know if we are going to even be open but I don’t want to be here if they are outside.
“It seems like a scary group and I will not be coming into town on the day they are here.
“Since I came to Peterborough people have treated me well but it is not nice to hear this group is coming.”
The EDL is a protest group that is campaigning against a perceived rise in Islamic extremism.
It claims to want a peaceful march but previous protests have descended into violence and multiple arrests.
Leaders of the Peterborough Trade Union Council (TUC) have announced they will have a counter-protest on the same day, but have not confirmed how it will take place.
Traders have been invited to meet with both organisations in the Town Hall tomorrow (Thursday) to be fully briefed.
Superintendant Paul Fullwood said: “We understand that for businesses in the Rivergate area there will be an impact during the protest.
“We are working with those business owners, alongside the council, to minimise this and look at alternative ways of drawing in business over the weekend.
“We have been speaking to and are working closely with the local communities and will do all we can to reassure them.
“We would warn any individuals seeking to exploit the demonstration by behaving in a criminal or anti-social manner that such behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”
Police also announced that they are still in negotiations with the Peterborough Trade Union Council (TUC) about a planned counter march on the same day.
Supt Fullwood said: “Negotiations with representatives from Peterborough TUC are underway.
“We are still in the planning stages and at this point have not confirmed a location for the protest in Peterborough.”
Nobody from the Peterborough TUC was available for comment.
Peterborough Today
He said: “I am going into the meeting with an open mind and we have not decided on any policy.
“We will decide what action to take, if any, after the meeting.”
Ada Lidzuite, a Lithuanian immigrant, who works at Phone Plus in the Rivergate Centre, said: “I don’t know if we are going to even be open but I don’t want to be here if they are outside.
“It seems like a scary group and I will not be coming into town on the day they are here.
“Since I came to Peterborough people have treated me well but it is not nice to hear this group is coming.”
The EDL is a protest group that is campaigning against a perceived rise in Islamic extremism.
It claims to want a peaceful march but previous protests have descended into violence and multiple arrests.
Leaders of the Peterborough Trade Union Council (TUC) have announced they will have a counter-protest on the same day, but have not confirmed how it will take place.
Traders have been invited to meet with both organisations in the Town Hall tomorrow (Thursday) to be fully briefed.
Superintendant Paul Fullwood said: “We understand that for businesses in the Rivergate area there will be an impact during the protest.
“We are working with those business owners, alongside the council, to minimise this and look at alternative ways of drawing in business over the weekend.
“We have been speaking to and are working closely with the local communities and will do all we can to reassure them.
“We would warn any individuals seeking to exploit the demonstration by behaving in a criminal or anti-social manner that such behaviour will not be tolerated and will be dealt with swiftly and robustly.”
Police also announced that they are still in negotiations with the Peterborough Trade Union Council (TUC) about a planned counter march on the same day.
Supt Fullwood said: “Negotiations with representatives from Peterborough TUC are underway.
“We are still in the planning stages and at this point have not confirmed a location for the protest in Peterborough.”
Nobody from the Peterborough TUC was available for comment.
Peterborough Today
Racism under cover of the Torah (Israel)
Not only are some rabbis not acting according to guidelines, they are using public bodies to incite, inflame passions and provoke divisiveness in Israeli society.
Rabbi Dov Domb, the presiding judge in the rabbinical court in Tel Aviv, added his signature to a shameful and outrageous list of rabbis calling on residents of south Tel Aviv not to rent their apartments to foreign workers.
The Torah has never had it so bad. Under its cover, Domb and his colleagues are masquerading as merciful fathers concerned about the poor residents in the south of the city. They are exploiting a worsening social problem to stoke the residents' fears and incite against the foreigners.
They are joining a lengthening list of rabbis in the public service who are cynically and dangerously using their titles and status. Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu issued a call not to rent apartments to Arabs on the grounds that "the ways of life of the Gentiles are different from those of the Jews, and there are those among them who hate us and harass us to the point of mortal danger." He even held an emergency meeting "against assimilation." Kiryat Motzkin's chief rabbi issued a call not to employ Arabs as a response to terrorist attacks.
These rabbis and many others who preach in synagogues, write in journals and publish racist books are public servants who enjoy high status, a good salary and benefits paid for by the taxpayer. Religious judges like Domb are committed to strict ethical guidelines, like judges, and they are not allowed to make statements on political issues. They are supposed to deal with non-legal matters only "with the appropriate caution required by their position."
Not only are they not acting according to the guidelines, they are exploiting their status and using public bodies and the means at their disposal to incite, inflame passions and provoke divisiveness in Israeli society. They use their titles and public positions for dangerous preaching and to give official cover for their defamatory words.
The justice minister, the religious services minister and the mayors where these rabbis serve must warn them that they are abusing their positions and even suspend them if necessary. Otherwise, they too will bear responsibility for turning Israeli society into a tool in the hands of religious racist fanatics.
Haaretz
Rabbi Dov Domb, the presiding judge in the rabbinical court in Tel Aviv, added his signature to a shameful and outrageous list of rabbis calling on residents of south Tel Aviv not to rent their apartments to foreign workers.
The Torah has never had it so bad. Under its cover, Domb and his colleagues are masquerading as merciful fathers concerned about the poor residents in the south of the city. They are exploiting a worsening social problem to stoke the residents' fears and incite against the foreigners.
They are joining a lengthening list of rabbis in the public service who are cynically and dangerously using their titles and status. Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu issued a call not to rent apartments to Arabs on the grounds that "the ways of life of the Gentiles are different from those of the Jews, and there are those among them who hate us and harass us to the point of mortal danger." He even held an emergency meeting "against assimilation." Kiryat Motzkin's chief rabbi issued a call not to employ Arabs as a response to terrorist attacks.
These rabbis and many others who preach in synagogues, write in journals and publish racist books are public servants who enjoy high status, a good salary and benefits paid for by the taxpayer. Religious judges like Domb are committed to strict ethical guidelines, like judges, and they are not allowed to make statements on political issues. They are supposed to deal with non-legal matters only "with the appropriate caution required by their position."
Not only are they not acting according to the guidelines, they are exploiting their status and using public bodies and the means at their disposal to incite, inflame passions and provoke divisiveness in Israeli society. They use their titles and public positions for dangerous preaching and to give official cover for their defamatory words.
The justice minister, the religious services minister and the mayors where these rabbis serve must warn them that they are abusing their positions and even suspend them if necessary. Otherwise, they too will bear responsibility for turning Israeli society into a tool in the hands of religious racist fanatics.
Haaretz
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