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Civil rights groups alarmed over Quebec’s move to ban prayer in public

Civil rights groups alarmed over Quebec’s move to ban prayer in public

Announcement follows statements from Quebec premier, who expressed frustration over public prayers in Montreal Quebec says it will ban prayer in public, a move that civil rights groups described as an “alarming measure” which targets religious minority groups and would infringe on “basic democratic freedoms”. The province’s secularism minister, Jean-François Roberge, said the move had been prompted by the “proliferation of street prayer” which he described as “a serious and sensitive issue” adding that the government had watched with “unease”. Roberge said the government would introduce legislation in the fall. Continue reading...

'The Russians took questions, why don't you take questions?!' - Reporters ridicule E3 following statement on Iran's snapback sanctions

'The Russians took questions, why don't you take questions?!' - Reporters ridicule E3 following statement on Iran's snapback sanctions

"Reporters at the UN openly joked about the UK's representative not taking questions, after giving a statement about the E3's decision to trigger 'snapback' sanctions on Iran, in New York on Friday. "Yesterday, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the foreign ministers of France, Germany and my own country, the United Kingdom, notified the Security Council that we believe Iran to be in significant non-performance of its commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action," said UK Permanent Representative Barbara Woodward. "We hope Iran will take the necessary steps to address the international community's serious concerns over its nuclear programme. We urge Iran to reconsider this position to reach an agreement based on our offer, and to help create the space for a diplomatic solution to this issue for the long term. Otherwise targeted UN sanctions focused on tackling Iranian nuclear proliferation return at the end of this 30 day period," she added. She then walked away as one reporter called out: "Ambassador, what's the intention of the meeting this morning?" As Woodward left, the reporter added: "The Russians took questions." "Everybody took questions. Why don't you take questions?" another asked to an empty podium, as the first can be heard laughing. Earlier, Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyansky told a press briefing that the decision by UK, France and Germany to impose sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme had 'absolutely no legal bearing'. The E3 group has been in talks with Tehran over recent months. 'Snapback' means the return to those UN sanctions on Iran which were lifted under the 2015 deal, in return for the country limiting its nuclear programme. Donald Trump's first administration withdrew from the deal in 2018. Tehran has said that the three nations have 'no legal jurisdiction' and said that it was prepared for 'fair and balanced talks' if the E3 showed 'seriousness and goodwill'. "

Labour must debunk Farage’s migrant myths | Letters

Labour must debunk Farage’s migrant myths | Letters

We are on the road to serious racial conflict, says Simon Rew. Plus letters from Paula Jones , Raj Parkash , Kevin Lloyd , Dr Ian Flintoff and Robert McNulty You can see how it works. First, the case against asylum seekers is based on the impact on public services and the costs of accommodation. Then we have references to “fighting-age men”. Then we have Nigel Farage explicitly saying that asylum seekers are a threat to “our women and girls” and national security. It’s a short step from there to “vigilantes” being emboldened to harass anyone of colour in the vicinity of an asylum hotel or detention camp. Then the distinction between asylum seekers and immigrants gets blurred. This is the road to serious racial conflict. Just look at the example of Northern Ireland , where perfectly normal legal immigrants have been driven out of some areas by rightwing thugs. And what is the Labour government’s response? Debunking Reform UK’s increasingly inflammatory myths about asylum seekers and immigrants? If only. Instead they call Farage’s plans impractical or unworkable. Besides the moral cowardice this displays, it’s also pretty stupid when the government’s own responses to the situation show every sign of failing to work. Simon Rew London Continue reading...

Black metal has a fascism problem – but is being reclaimed by the left | Letters

Black metal has a fascism problem – but is being reclaimed by the left | Letters

Dr Jac Common, Jo Palmer and Iain Forsyth respond to an article by Ana Schnabl I’m an avid listener of heavy music, including the many subgenres of black metal. Ana Schnabl’s reflections on her adolescent draw towards black metal’s atmosphere and bleakness, and subsequent horror at the revelation of the politics and motivations of many of the musicians, resonated with me ( Angst-filled black metal music became my identity, 25 August ). Although metal may reflect and intensify the antagonisms of society more generally (fascism, racism, misogyny and so on), the scene has been and is being reclaimed by the oddballs and outcasts for whom heavy music is not just a sanctuary, but a place to envision a fairer and kinder world. Continue reading...

Serbia cannot accept violent street protests | Letter

Serbia cannot accept violent street protests | Letter

Serbia’s deep engagement with Europe is hardly consistent with the idea of it as an ‘authoritarian’ and ‘malign’ outlier in the region, says the country’s president Aleksandar Vučić I write in response to your editorial on Serbia ( 25 August ). Over the past nine months, Serbia has experienced more than 23,000 unauthorised rallies. Most were small, sometimes just a few dozen people, but they disturbed daily life, brought government to a halt, and recently turned violent. More than 170 police officers have been injured. Despite this, police actions have remained limited and restrained, and have targeted only those who damaged property or assaulted officers. The initial demands of student protesters late last year were met promptly. We opened investigations, released thousands of documents on the railway station renovation and boosted education funding, and the prime minister resigned, taking responsibility for youth clashes over the issue. Nevertheless, demonstrations continued, shifting away from seeking justice and toward overt political aims: the removal of the government outside democratic processes. Continue reading...

Blackpool lights up the north of England | Letters

Blackpool lights up the north of England | Letters

Julian Allitt backs the Lancashire resort, while Rev Ruth Cartwright stands up for Southend in Essex How wonderful to read Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen’s panegyric on Blackpool illuminations ( ‘Where design gets to take its bra off’: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on his 20 years with the Blackpool Illuminations, 25 August ). My mother was a Blackpool landlady, I grew up there, and – even after nearly 30 years living in Berlin – the resort still has a special place in my heart. Twenty million visitors a year can’t all be wrong. Llewelyn-Bowen wonders why Blackpool’s unique appeal doesn’t seem to register with people living in the south of England. Look no further than the British Tourist Authority, whose budget is lavished on anywhere but Britain’s great seaside resorts, Blackpool included. Continue reading...