By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

PARIS, France — Burkinis, the full-body bathing suit worn by Muslim women, have been banned by over 15 towns in France, mainly at popular tourist locations on the French Riviera.  The bans do not mention the burkini specifically, however refer to clothing that will be respectful of the principle of secularism.  Authorities cite recent terrorist attacks, such as the ones in Nice and Paris, when justifying the need to keep the public order implications of religious clothing at bay.

France is home to Europe’s largest Muslim population.  However, some mayors of the towns considering the burkini ban admit to never having seen one on their local beaches.  Some of the mayors justify the ban by citing the maintenance of public hygiene and “good morals.”

The bans are raising concerns regarding whether the proliferation of bans on the swimwear is a sign of France’s demand for conformity with the non-Muslim community, or whether the bans are an authentic, affirmative absence of government involvement in religious affairs.  Recent opinion polls reflect the support that many French citizens have for the ban, however many Muslims living in France have expressed that they feel they are being “unfairly targeted.”

This past week, images emerged depicting French police allegedly enforcing the ban on a beach in Nice.  Multiple armed police officers stood around a woman as she removed her long-sleeved tunic, and one officer appeared to write her a fine once she was finished.  Siam, the 34 year old mother who was approached by police regarding her clothing, states that she had been sitting on the beach in leggings, the tunic, and a headscarf when she was fined.  Siam also told the press that she had no intention of swimming.  Nice authorities say the enforcement of the ban is a “necessity” after the terrorist attack in Bastille in July.  Muslim activist group Collective against Islamophobia claim that within the last two weeks, 16 Muslim women have been fined for their attire at beaches in the south of France, however none of those 16 were wearing an actual burkini.

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls supports the ban and those mayors who are enforcing it, calling the burkini an “affirmation of political Islam in the public space,” and considers them to be a part of a “policical project” to enslave women.  On the other hand, French education minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, warns that the increase in burkini bans lets “loose” verbal racism.

 

For more information, please see:

BBC — France Burkini Ban: Mayors Urged to Heed Court’s Ruling — 27 August 2016

CNN — Burkini Ban: Police in Nice Force Woman to Remove Part of Clothing — 25 August 2016

The Guardian — France’s Burkini Ban Row Divides Government as Court Mulls Legality — 25 August 2016

BBC — France ‘Burkini Ban’: Images of Police on Beach Fuel Debate — 24 August 2016

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

DUBLIN, Ireland — An Irish woman live-tweeted her journey from Ireland to Manchester, England to have an abortion this past weekend, joined by her friend who also posted updates on the account.  Both women have chosen to remain anonymous – neither have included their names on any of the social media posts.  The social media account has gained significant interest on Twitter, as it has over 12,000 followers.

Ireland has the most restrictive ban on abortion in the European Union, as it is an illegal procedure unless the woman’s life is in danger.  This law is preserved in the country’s eighth constitutional amendment, which awards the same rights to the fetus as to the mother. This amendment is publicly supported by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

This past June, the United Nations Human Rights Committee proposed that Ireland change its abortion law following a case brought by another Irish woman who traveled from Ireland to Britain to have an abortion.  The UN Human Rights Committee does not have any legal authority to enforce its suggestion, however its suggestion marks the first time it found Ireland’s abortion law to be in conflict with the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  The picture for the social media account run by the two women who traveled to Manchester is a logo which reads “Repeal 8” referencing Ireland’s Eighth Amendment.

According to recent research, there are conflicting opinions regarding whether or not the amendment should be revised. A recent poll reflects that since 2013, more people now favor loosening the strict law to allow for abortions under more circumstances.  Ireland’s Health Minister expressed is thanks to the women for “telling the story of the reality which faces many.” Kenny, on the other hand, predicts that if there were to be a “referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment…it would not be passed.”  The topic will be discussed at the Citizens’ Assembly in October, which will consist of 100 people who plan to gather to review proposed changes to Ireland’s constitution.

According to the United Kingdom Department of Health, approximately 3,500 women each year travel from Ireland to Britain for the procedure.

For more information, please see:

The Washington Post — ‘We Defy the Irish Government’: Two Women Live-Tweet Their Trip to Britain for an Abortion Banned at Home — 22 August 2016

CNN — Irish Women Live-Tweet Journey to Great Britain for Abortion — 21 August 2016

The Irish Times — Two Irish Women Live-Tweet Journey to UK for Abortion — 20 August 2016

The Nationalist — #twowomentravel: Irish Women Live Tweet Journey to UK for Abortion — 20 August 2016

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

PARIS, France —  In the wake of several major terrorist attacks within the past year and a half, France is taking measures to de-radicalize certain mosques in hopes of de-radicalizing its Muslim community.  After the attacks in Nice last month, French Prime Minister Manuel Valls called for a ban on foreign funding of mosques for an indefinite period of time.  Places of worship in France cannot legally receive state funding, leaving the only source of potential funding to outside donations often from foreign sources.

The French government has shut down 20 mosques since December, all of which preached Salafism – a strict, Sunni interpretation of Islam.  France is home to approximately 1500 mosques, only 120 of which are apparently associated with Salafism.

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazenueve explained that the mosques that would be shut down are those which are “facilitating radical preachers.”  Cazenueve also stated that France will continue to expel figures linked to radical Islam from the country.

In order to supplement the lack of foreign funding, the French Council of Muslim Faith (CFCM) announced that there will be a foundation established to help finance mosques in France.  CFCM leader Anouar Kbibech stated that the majority of Muslims in France practice an open, tolerant version of Islam, and fully respect the laws of the republic.  Cazenueve supports the proposed foundation, and hopes it is launched by October.  Some have suggested that the foundation raises money by taxing halal food, however this idea is controversial due to the discrepancies regarding what actually constitutes a halal food.

Marwan Muhammad, director of the Collective Against Islamophobia in France, considers these movements to be suggestive of the notion that all mosques are involved in some sort of terrorism.  Muhammad sees these actions as a “way of problematizing Muslims once again.”

France is home to the European Union’s largest Muslim community.  Valls emphasizes the need for France to “invent a new relationship with Islam” by developing a “kinder, gentler form of Islam” by limiting foreign influences over the religion.

 

For more information, please see:

The Guardian — France Plans Mosque Funding Foundation to Stop Radicalisation from Abroad — 1 August 2016

Gatestone Institute International Policy Council — France Working to De-Radicalize its Mosques — 10 August 2016

The Irish Catholic — France Closes 20 Radical Mosques — 11 August 2016

The Washington Post — To Curb Radicalism, France Targets Foreign Funding for Mosques — 14 August 2016

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

LONDON, England —  As part of an emerging Black Lives Matter movement in Britain, black rights activists staged several protests across the country on Friday in efforts to demonstrate their opposition to racial injustices.  Black Lives Matter U.K. called for a “nationwide shutdown” to protest these injustices, which include police brutality, racial disparities in arrests, treatment of immigrants who are being held in detention, and a reported increase in hate crimes since the Brexit announcement on June 23, 2016.  Activists also brought attention to deaths that occur during stop-and-searches in Britain.

One of the demonstrations took place at Heathrow Airport, where Black Lives Matter campaigners blocked one of the major roads leading in to the airport.  Activists at the Heathrow demonstration unrolled a giant banner reading “This is a crisis” and laid down across an access road leading in to the airport.  Traffic was blocked for several hours, and the police arrested 10 people in connection with this particular demonstration.

Other cities were affected by these protests as well.  Activists in Birmingham linked themselves together to block roads leading to Birmingham airport, and activists in Nottingham laid down across train tracks so as to halt the tram network.  In Altab Ali Park, approximately 300 protestors gathered to support unbiased treatment for people of color.  Police were present at the park, which was named after Bangladeshi man who died in 1978 as a result of a racially-motivated killing.

London-based Black Lives Matter Activist Adam Elliot-Cooper explained that the reasoning behind staging one of these demonstrations at Heathrow was appropriate because many people are being killed at the borders of Britain, or alternatively are being sent back to “certain death” in their countries of origin.  Black Lives Matter protest organizer Joshua Virasami called for “black people all over the world to come together” to achieve justice in Britain and across the world.  Cara Thompson, organizer of the Nottingham protest, brought attention to the global presence of this issue, telling reporters that they “need people to listen…to what is happening to black people – not just in the USA.”

The protests were purposely staged to take place on the fifth anniversary of the death of Mark Duggan, a 29-year old black man shot and killed by police in London.

For more information, please see:

BBC — Black Lives Matter Movement ‘Needed in UK — 5 August 2016

CNN — Black Lives Matter UK Blocks London’s Heathrow Airport — 5 August 2016

NY Times — Black Lives Matter Activists Stage Protests Across Britain — 5 August 2016

USA Today — Black Lives Matter Protestors Block Airport Road in U.K. — 5 August 2016

By Sarah Lafen

Impunity Watch Desk Reporter, Europe

BERLIN, Germany —  A 27-year old Syrian detonated an explosive backpack near the entrance to a music festival in the German town Ansbach on July 25, killing himself and injuring 15 people with injuries ranging from serious to non-life threatening.  Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann stated that the backpack explosive device contained nails and screws, a measure indicative of an attempt to inflict widespread damage onto others. The bomber was rejected entry to the festival because he did not have a ticket to the event, and was seen lingering around the outside seating area of a wine restaurant around 10pm right before the bomb was detonated.

The suicide bomber left behind a video on his cell phone pledging his allegiance to ISIS, and stated that the attack was revenge against Germans because they “obstruct Islam”.  Upon searching the bomber’s room after the attack, police also found bomb-making materials, as well as computer images and film clips linked to ISIS.  The bomber arrived in Germany in 2014 and applied for asylum, however found out two weeks ago that his application as denied, and he would have been deported to Bulgaria within 30 days of the denial.  Within the past two years, he had been in trouble with local authorities for drug-related offenses, and was under psychiatric observation following two previous suicide attempts.

This attack occurs in the midst of widespread criticism of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s lenient immigration policy.  This past week alone, Germany has been the target of several violent attacks linked to ISIS, including a shooting rampage at a shopping mall in Munich and an ax attack on a train in Wurzburg.

Despite its loose immigration policy, Germany has been taking steps over the past couple of months to tighten security regarding asylum seekers in hopes of limiting the number of refugees who enter the country.  A newly proposed law would help speed up the application process for refugees, quickening the deportation process for those who are denied asylum.  Berlin has been in the process of negotiating a deal with Turkey to take back their citizens who are denied asylum in Germany.  These efforts seem to be successful, as the number of refugees arriving in Germany has fallen dramatically over the past year.

 

For more information, please see:

CNN — Ansbach Bomber in Germany Pledged Allegiance to ISIS Leader — 26 July 2016

DW — As Attacks Rattle Germany, Chancellor Merkel Finds Herself in the Spotlight — 25 July 2016

NBC — 12 Injured, Bomber Killed Outside German Music Festival — 25 July 2016

New York Times — Suicide Bomber in Ansbach, Germany, Pledged Loyalty to ISIS, Officials Say — 25 July 2016

Reuters — Bavarian Bomber Pledged Allegiance to Islamic State: Minister — 25 July 2016