Author: Nadda Osman
74 years after the adoption of the four Geneva Conventions on August 12, 1949, the anniversary coincides with ongoing conflicts and tensions, particularly in Israel’s war on Gaza. The Conventions, created to protect those not involved in hostilities, outline rules on the conduct of war, including the treatment of prisoners of war, civilians, and cultural heritage. Despite global adoption, violations persist, notably in Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Violations include the killing of vulnerable populations like Mohammed Bhar, cutting off essential supplies to hospitals, and targeting medical facilities. The disregard for humanitarian laws is evident in the abuse of detainees, destruction…
Amid the recent rise in far-right riots in the UK, Muslim workers in the National Health Service (NHS) have reported a surge in abuse and racism. The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) highlighted the challenges faced by Muslim medical staff, including receiving racial slurs and threats, leading to fears for personal safety and hindering their ability to provide effective care. Dr Sahira Dar of BIMA expressed concern over the impact of the abuse not only on Muslim staff but also on people of colour in general, affecting access to healthcare. The recent incidents have also raised alarm among other medical…
Recent attacks on the Southport Islamic Society Mosque in the UK by far-right extremists have raised concerns among Muslims across the country. Following a stabbing incident that resulted in the death of three girls, violent riots and Islamophobic attacks have erupted in various cities. Muslim community groups are calling for increased police presence and security outside mosques as far-right groups plan rallies across England. The suspect, Axel Rudakubana, has been charged with murder, sparking false rumors and targeted attacks on Muslim communities. The atmosphere of fear and anxiety among Muslims has prompted calls for concrete action and protection from authorities.…
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson confirmed the withdrawal of the Conservative government’s objection to the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants on Israeli officials. The decision allows the ICC to proceed with possible arrest warrants against Israeli leaders as requested by chief prosecutor Karim Khan. This move comes after pressure from various rights groups and international organizations to halt arms sales to Israel following the deadly violence in Gaza. Reports suggest that the UK government, under Starmer’s leadership, may impose restrictions on arms sales to Israel. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for a review of Israel’s compliance with international…
Rights groups have criticized Israel’s decision to halt Red Cross visits to Palestinian prisoners, citing concerns about the inhumane treatment of detainees. The Israeli government plans to replace the Red Cross visits with an alternative mechanism, citing Hamas’ lack of cooperation in allowing access to Israeli captives as a reason for the change. The move has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it violates international law and goes against the Geneva Conventions, which require Israel to grant the Red Cross access to detainees. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel has condemned the decision, stating that it undermines internationally accepted…
The family of Majd Kamalmaz, an American-Syrian psychotherapist detained in Syria, is seeking accountability after the US government informed them of his death in Syrian custody. Kamalmaz, who traveled to Syria in 2017 and never returned, was held by Bashar Al-Assad’s regime among other Americans reportedly enduring torture. The family, devastated by the news, plans to sue Syrian authorities for his disappearance. Majd Kamalmaz, known for his humanitarian work in conflict zones, was detained at a Syrian checkpoint and has been missing since. Tributes from around the world poured in for the “American hero” with calls for justice and accountability…
Pro-Palestinian international rights groups have filed a criminal complaint against Booking.com, linking the hotel reservation site to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. The complaint alleges that Booking.com is profiting from “war crimes” by facilitating the rental of holiday homes built on land belonging to Palestinians. The European Legal Support Centre, Al-Haq, SOMO, and The Rights Forum are among the groups involved in the complaint, accusing Booking.com of money laundering. The attorney on the case, Willem Jebbink, aims to stop Booking.com from profiting from international crimes and hopes this sets a precedent for other companies involved in illegal activities related…
Israeli military censorship has significantly increased in 2023, with at least 613 articles and 2,703 news items prevented from being published, according to a report from Israeli news site Mekomit. The data was obtained through a freedom of information request to the army’s censorship department. The censorship department intervenes multiple times daily in journalists’ information dissemination, even outside of war time, ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 times a year. The spike in censorship is attributed to the Hamas attack on October 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza. Journalists in Israel are required by law to submit articles on security…