Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011

U.S. Department of State published yesterday the "Country Reports on Human Rights for 2011". 

http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?dynamic_load_id=186408#wrapper

This document mentions "RAXEN Report" from Movement Against Intolerance as one of the principal information sources about the situation in Spain:

'On March 31, the NGO Movement against Intolerance reported 4,000 racist incidents per year in the country, of which 400 were clearly anti-Semitic.'

'The 2010 Raxen Report by the Movement against Intolerance estimated that there are approximately 4,000 racially motivated crimes in the country each year as well as over 200 xenophobic Web sites. The Office of the Spanish Ombudsman reported 48 complaints of racism and xenophobia in 2010.'

'In March the Raxen report by the Movement against Intolerance estimated there are over 200 Spanish Web sites promoting hate on an international level, and even more on social networks, which especially affect the Spanish-speaking world. At year’s end, the Barcelona court had several open investigations involving hate crimes on the Internet'

25/05/2012

Hate crime cases increase in Scotland

Hate crime cases rose by 14% over the last 12 months in Scotland, with just over 6,000 charges being reported.

The official figures published showed there were 4,518 race crime charges in 2011/12, a rise of 8% on the previous 12 month period.

Religiously aggravated charges rose by 29% to 897.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal said greater awareness, reporting and recording of hate crimes partly accounted for the increased figures.

The statistics relate directly to race crimes, and on crimes motivated by prejudice related to religion, disability, sexual orientation and transgender identity.

Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "Hatred of any kind, whether it is on the basis of religion, race or sexual orientation, is unacceptable in modern Scotland and those responsible are being punished with the full force of the law.

"The Lord Advocate sent out strong warning last year that this kind of behaviour would be met with a zero tolerance response and our police and prosecutors are responding, tackling the actions of these individuals head on.

"The small minority who think that this kind of behaviour is somehow acceptable are finding out the hard way that it isn't, and never will be. Their actions shame Scotland and they are being swiftly punished by Scotland's prosecutors."

The figures do not include 42 charges reported to the Crown linked to a new law on religious sectarian hate crime at football matches, which came into force on 1 March.

BBC News - 17/05/2012

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA MARKED GLOBALLY

Governments, organisations and individuals around the world have been marking this year’s International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia today. 

1.5 billion people globally still live under regimes which criminalise gay relationships. Rainbow balloons are being released today in Russia, Estonia, Ukraine, Germany and Iran. Last year, events taking a stand against homophobia were held in seventy countries. This year, IDAHO coordinators say activists in 95 countries around the world have planned some form of event. Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said: “Today is an opportunity to celebrate how much progress has been made in changing attitudes towards LGB&T people. “In the UK, we are continuing to remove barriers and tackle prejudice – by toughening hate crime laws, campaigning to eradicate homophobia and transphobia in sport, supporting action against bullying in schools, and through our current consultation on how to implement equal civil marriage. “However, today it is also important to reflect on the challenges we still face, at home and abroad. We are continuing to drive change across government through our LGB&T action plan as well as pushing for more action from partners overseas.” 

Location-sensitive networking app Grindr said it was sending a message to its global user database asking them to add the word IDAHO to their profile. Jessica Stern, Acting Executive Director of the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission said it was marking three key advances in South America. The Commission wanted to mark to Argentina’s “ground-breaking” new law on gender identity, the Inter-American Court’s decision to overturn a Chilean court decision which removed Karen Atala’s children from her because she was gay and Chile’s advances on hate crime legislation, spurred on by the murder of young gay man Daniel Zamudio. The Australian Capital Territory’s Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister, Andrew Barr announced the creation of a two-year programme to tackle homophobia in sporting clubs. In the UK, local councils around the country were hoisting rainbow flags. Energy company E.ON, which employs 85,000 globally, was displaying them at five offices in the Midlands. Manchester Airport was welcoming guests to the UK with the multi-coloured standard, and Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust said it would be flying the rainbow flag at its headquarters in Norwich as a show of solidarity with those suffering homophobic abuse. 

Akoro Joseph Sewedo- Executive Director of The Initiative for Equal Rights in Lagos, Nigeria said: “It is quite depressing that secular states in this century will still base governance on religion rather than the constitution, which supersedes and emphasizes the secularity of modern state and their obligations to protect and promote human rights regardless of sex, age, creed, tribe and other status [sexual orientation and gender identity/expression] as stated in the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights”. The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network in Ireland met with the Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality and called for access to civil marriage for gay couples. Kieran Rose, GLEN Chair said: “Ireland has made significant progress in tackling the legacy of discrimination towards LGBT people. In 1993 we achieved decriminalisation of gay men based on equality, followed by powerful equality legislation, comprehensive civil partnership based on marriage, and now progress towards civil marriage. Civil marriage, building on the comprehensive civil partnership legislation, is the next incremental step in achieving equality.” 

British Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne and International Development Minister Stephen O’Brien said: “It is sadly the case that in many countries Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people continue to suffer brutal violence and discrimination. These people are not making a political statement, or asking for special treatment, they just want to be free to be who they are and to love who they choose. “These simple demands are not Western impositions but universal human rights we should all be able to take for granted. Yet in over 70 countries consensual same-sex relations continue to be criminalised. In some, sexual relations between consenting adults are a crime punishable by the death penalty. We strongly oppose any criminalisation of same-sex relations.”

17/05/2012 

Gays and Lesbians report the Bishop of Alcalá because you cannot take away anyone´s dignity

During a mass the Bishop spoke against homosexuality and abortion.

From the point of view of the federation, this incited hatred towards homosexuals.

The State Federation for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transsexuals (SFLGBT) have filed a report this Tuesday with the prosecutors of Madrid against the Bishop of Alcalá of Henares (Madrid) because according to Juan Antonio ReigPla, “you cannot harass nor stain” the dignity of any group or person.

In his homily that was directly emitted from La 2 of TVE, the Bishop of Alcalá of Henares spoke against homosexuality and abortion, for those who have, he stated, “the malice of sin” and “unethical practices”, well, “it is brought from temptation”.

The LGBT and their association in Madrid, Cogam, that too have presented this document, have protected Article 14 of the Constitution that proclaims equality for all citizens, and Article 10.2 that alludes to the dignity of people.

The president of the SFLGBT, BotiGarcía Rodrigo, stated in the declarations to the press that ReigPla was able to incur in a crime that provoked discrimination and hate, according to Article 510 of the Penal Code.

“With the current laws and considering that the words of ReigPla could constitute as a crime, expressions full of homophobia, the SFLGBT and Cogman have presented today this denouncement with the prosecutors”, affirmed BotiGarcía.

They believe that what the Bishop stated has incited “disdain to homosexuals”

In their opinion, what the Bishop stated has incited “disdain to the homosexual community”, after affirming that homophobia kills, it produces marginalization and suffering.

They have stated that now it is in the hands of the courtsto point outhow the Bishop´s statements can be considered a crime. They have also indicated that the homosexual community has the obligation to try and not have these actions repeated.

“The freedom of expression has its limit, what is respecting dignity in the integration of a given organization”, noted the president of SFLGBT.

At the same time, it was reminded that the Federation has filed a complaint to RTVE, the corporation’s defense attorney, and the town’s defense attorney.

In regard to the Bishop´s statement yesterday considering that homosexuality can be resolved through “adequate therapy”, BotiGarcía responded that the homosexuals are not sick, however homophobia is a sickness.

“Therefore, I advice that people suffering from homophobia attend appropriate therapy”, stated the president of the FSLGBT

EFE-Madrid 04.14.2012

TWITTER RACISM: HOW THE LAW IS TAKING ON THE 'TWACISTS' (uk)

Recent cases have highlighted disturbing instances of racial abuse on Twitter, and some footballers and celebrities are leaving the site after becoming targets.

A spate of racist comments directed at Premiership footballers and broadcast on Twitter has prompted concerns about use of the social media network. In the past week, two cases have come to court involving students who sent out offensive messages insulting the former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore and the Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed during a recent FA Cup tie. A variety of laws are being used by the Crown Prosecution Service to deal with offenders as police forces move swiftly to deal with high-profile cases. A number of footballers and celebrities are reported to have closed their accounts on the micro-blogging site after becoming targets of abuse. In the two latest cases, a Newcastle University law student Joshua Cryer, 21, admitted using the social networking site to bombard Collymore with abuse in an attempt to "snare a celebrity" by provoking a reaction. He was charged under section 127 of the Communications Act of sending grossly offensive messages, which included racist taunts, to the former England player. He was sentenced to a two-year community order with 240 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay £150 costs to the court.

Liam Stacey, a 21-year-old biology undergraduate at Swansea University, pleaded guilty to a charge under the Crime and Disorder Act of making racially aggravated comments. Lisa Jones, prosecuting, told the court: "Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch and was believed to have died. Shortly after, Stacey posted on Twitter: 'LOL, Fuck Muamba. He's dead'." Stacey is due to be sentenced this week and has been told he could be jailed. The prosecutions demonstrate the determination of law enforcement agencies that what occurs online should be subject to everyday rules and regulations. The practice of online bullying and baiting, known more generally as "trolling", has been condemned repeatedly by ministers. Before attending a Downing Street summit last month tackling homophobia and racism in football, the culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "The behaviour of crowds has been that something that was socially acceptable 20 years ago is now socially unacceptable. Unfortunately, it seems still to be socially acceptable on Twitter." The term "Twacism" – for "twitter racism" – has gained a limited currency online.

Legal action may not involve major investigations by police or prosecutors since offenders tend to be easy to track down through their social media accounts and faced with the evidence often plead guilty. But they do involve abuse that might otherwise not have been broadcast beyond the confines of a living room or pub. Commenting after Cryer's conviction, Wendy Williams, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the north-east, said: "In recent months we have seen a number of similar cases in the north-east, in which people have been racially abused throaugh social networking sites. "Ironically, the strongest evidence in each of these cases has been directly provided by the defendants themselves. When a person makes such comments digitally, they effectively hand police and prosecutors much of the evidence needed to build a robust case against them." Other recent examples involving racial abuse on Twitter include two 17-year-olds who were given final warnings by the police over comments directed at Newcastle United's Sammy Ameobi. Last month, a Sunderland fan, Peter Copeland, was given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to two offences under the Malicious Communications Act. It was said he had sent out "grossly offensive" racist comments.

Collymore, an active campaigner against racism, has been raising awareness of inappropriate remarks on Twitter and played a significant role in the arrest of Stacey. He has tweeted: "If you see anyone tweeting racist tweets today, or any day, please report them to your local police. They will listen and act. Thank you." The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said there had been more than 2,000 prosecutions last year under section 127 of the Communications Act. The DCMS said: "The fundamental principle for internet-hosted material is that what is illegal offline is also illegal online." A CPS spokesman said: "Cases are prosecuted under different laws. We review the evidence given to us and decide what is the most appropriate legislation to charge under." Twitter says it does not moderate or filter content on its site but insists it has a set of rules intended to protect users and promote good behaviour. A spokeswoman said: "Twitter is a neutral platform, but we have rules that outline what users can and can't do. We do not pro-actively monitor content, but will review all reports of violations, and act on a case-by-case basis."

The Guardian - 27/03/2012

Chilean attacked over sexual orientation dies from injuries

Daniel Zamudio, the 24-year-old Chilean attacked by members of a neo-nazi group for his sexual orientation, died from his injuries on Tuesday night, hospital officials said.

Emilio Villalón, the director of the Posta Central Hospital in Santiago, said that the young man passed away at 7:45 p.m. after spending more than three weeks in a coma fighting for his life.

“The entire team has worked hard and intensely using every necessary resource for his trauma, but regrettably he has died,” Villalón told Cooperativa. “We regret this very much because it has generated a very important injustice against the community.”

On March 3, Zamudio was attached near Parque San Borja in the early morning. His attackers burned him with cigarettes, cut his ear open, and carved swastikas into his skin. He was admitted to the hospital and fell into a coma.

Doctors had expressed some hope in Zamudio’s recovery, but his condition deteriorated over the past few days. Doctors said signs indicated that he had suffered tremendous and irreversible brain damage.

His case has brought Chile’s Antidiscrimintaion Law into the spotlight with the gay rights group, Movement for Homosexual Integration and Liberation (Movilh), pushing for the legislation to provide greater protection for the LGBT community.

“He’s a victim of intolerance, of homophobia, and of the hate that some have grown,” Movilh spokesperson Jaime Parada told El mostrador.

On Tuesday evening, friends, community members, and various politicians, including Health Minister Jaime Mañalich and Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter, all showed up at the hospital to show support for the Zamudio family.

Iván Zamudio, the victim’s father, asked for respect as the family mourns their loss. Parada, meanwhile, demanded that the politicians who rejected the Antidiscrimination Law give Chile an explanation.

“The 33 UDI deputies, the nine of the National Renewal, and the one from the Christian Democrat that put the requirement before the Constitutional Court are all morally responsible for what happened to Daniel and for what is happening to many other Daniels in distinct parts of Chile,” he said.

By Nathan Frandino (Frandino@santiagotimes.cl)
28/03/2012 - The Santiago Times

French Prosecutor: Killer at Jewish School May be Linked to Neo-Nazi Group

According to a report from France’s Le Point newspaper, the country’s prosecutor believes Monday’s killer may be linked to two other incidents inside France recently, where the only leads police have trace back to former members of a French paratrooper division who were discharged for being closely linked to Neo -Nazis.

In 2008, a fellow member of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regimen reported that 3 members of the regimen “had their picture taken…..behind a swastika flag,” according to Le Point. The 3 men were discharged from the military and according to the Le Point report, their profiles do correspond with the small amount of information available to authorities on Monday’s killer.

“The typical profile of these sinister characters corresponds to the meager reports available to investigators to identify the crazy Toulouse killer, well muscled, tattooed and dressed in black,” the paper reports.

“One thing is certain, the mysterious killers appear to be veterans in the use of weapons,” Le Point writes.

French investigators have confirmed that one of the two weapons used in Monday’s attack was the same weapon used in the other two deadly incidents recently.

Algemeiner - 19/03/2012