Показват се публикациите с етикет English. Показване на всички публикации
Показват се публикациите с етикет English. Показване на всички публикации

петък, 25 февруари 2011 г.

1 March 2011 Transnational Migrant Strike

WE ARE HERE! AUSSCHLUSS BASTA!
Transnational Migrant Strike


On 1 March all over the world migrants stand up and organise against social exclusion, discrimination and racism. The movement started with a migrants’ strike and boycott day in the USA in 2006. Since then protests spread transnationally to different parts of the world. This year as well, employees working in the world’s richest countries will walk-out on work, take direct industrial action or practice other forms of protest. In Austria, we want to create the foundation for a broad movement to initiate a radical change in policy towards migrants.

We have come as workers, as students and professors, as refugees, relatives, physicians and sex workers, as undocumented migrants, as au pairs, professionals and care workers. We have been living here for years and sometimes for generations. We are here, in kindergartens, in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, on construction and production sites, at universities, in private homes, in brothels, super markets and offices. We have all genders and sexual orientations, we believe in different religions and ideologies, we belong to different age groups and social strata. We have diverse backgrounds, sometimes we stick to our ethnic origin, sometimes we renounce these forms of belonging. We are living here and there. We are not longing for an old or for a new homeland. Frontiers are too narrow for us. We do not fit into them, they don’t fit our lives.

We are fighting against everyday racism and harassment, against poor pay, against wiped out opportunities and dead end careers for ourselves and our children. We are standing up against a discriminatory education and welfare system, the incompetence of political parties and police brutality. We are fighting against being deprived of citizens’ and social rights - a strategy to make us available and exploitable as cheap labour.

We are fed up with racist responses. We are here to stay. Instead of waiting we are now taking our destinies into our own hands. We have fought many battles; we know what it means to be excluded. We are living solidarity and we want radical change.
Wherever we are living and working, we all are entitled to equal rights, and to good and just living conditions!

1 March will be a day of mobilisation, irritation, raising voices and strike. We invite everybody regardless and transgressing identities and ethnicities to join this protest and to strike against racism. Let’s use this day to join our differences to find a new common new language. We put an end to the division between We and You. We all are the future!



Together with us – Against racism, discrimination and exclusion!
Together with us – For equal rights and same privileges for All!


Manifestation on 1 March 2011 17:00

1100 Wien, Viktor Adler Markt


http://www.1maerz-streik.net/transnationaler-migrant-innenstreik/

събота, 12 февруари 2011 г.

Lukov March and the neo-Nazi provocations in Bulgaria

Each year since 2005 far right, neo-Nazi, and ultra nationalist groups hold an annual commemoration of the death of gen. Hristo Lukov, the so called Lukov March.
Lukov March 2011, which will take place on the 12th of February in Sofia, already draw protests and declarations from a wide array of civic groups and human rights organizations, such as Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, the Jewish organization B’nei Brit’h, and the initiative against neo-Nazism, racism and xenophobia “People against Racism”.

Lukov March is organized by one of the main far right organizations in the country – the Bulgarian national Union, but it also attracts members of other informal and / or underground neo-Nazi and fascist groups such as National Resistance, Blood and Honor, far right members of football hooligan groups.

The organizers of Lukov March - Bulgarian National Union – openly proclaim they are the legitimate successor of the strongest and most important fascist organization in 1940s, during Bulgaria’s close cooperation with the nazi regime of Adolf Hitler in Germany – the Union of Bulgarian National Legions.

Gen. Hristo Lukov served as Minister of War of Bulgaria in 1935-1938, in which period the country became an official ally of Nazi Germany. Gen. Lukov was advocating for closest relations with the Hitler regime, and deploying Bulgarian troops for military operations in support of the German army on the Eastern Front during the WWII. He advocates for the adoption of very tough anti-Jewish legislation. Disappointed with the “too moderate” policies of the King Boris’s authoritarian government, he founded and led the Union of Bulgarian National Legions during the years of the Second World War. Bulgarian historians unite in their estimation of the Union of Bulgarian National Legions as “the first organization in Bulgaria, with a formed fascist character, openly promoting neo-Nazi ideas in society. In their political programs, The Legions were defending ideas for the violent transformation of Bulgarian state into a totalitarian fascist regime.

In 2010, more than 200 people gathered in the center of Sofia at Lukov March. They were marching in army lines, wearing uniforms emulating the uniforms of the historical Hitlerugend, holding burning torches and national banners. Lukov March also attracted a number of guests and representatives from similar far right and neo-Nazi groups from other European countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, and Romania.

This is just one example of the provocations organized by group with neo-Nazi and fascist ideas and often paramilitary aspirations. Some more examples – on September 9th 2008 the Inner Macedonian Revolutionary organization, together with the Bulgarian national Union hold a demonstration in the center of Sofia, carrying posters and banners of the illegal neo-Nazi organization Blood and Honor. On November 8th 2008 the BNU commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Kristallnacht with a uniformed demonstration in front of the central office of the Trukish minority party Movement for Rights and Freedoms; on November 22nd of the same year they organize a torch march in Plovdiv, commemorating the anniversary of the Neuilly Treatment that ended the WWI for Bulgaria, carrying banners of Blood and Honor and the Wehrmacht.

The Lukov March is the most important public event of groups in Bulgarian society, which have showed open or covert adherence to fascist, neo-Nazi and ultra national-populist ideas. It is a means trough which these groups test the limits of public reaction to their fascist and ultra nationalist ideology, and make claims for public acceptance and normalization. Lukov March is especially dangerous for its impact on young people, promoting authoritarian and anti-democratic ideas under the guise of patriotism and reverence for the national war heroes.

Most importantly, Lukov March is dangerous as it contributes to the public acceptance and diffusion of ideas of hatred, intolerance and xenophobia, in a society in which economic difficulties quite often find a false expression through intolerant attitude towards the culturally or socially different, marginalized, and weaker. Year 2010 witnessed a number of alarming signs in that respect – in June 2010 a group of young people, going to a protest in solidarity with refugees and migrants, were brutally attacked by a group of neo-Nazi hooligans. Several young people were badly injured and taken to a hospital. There were also numerous occasions in which people of Roma origin, or foreigners of non-white physical appearance, were victims of racist and ultra-nationalist attacks. The last case of such an attack was reported in November 2010 when two young Roma were beaten and severely injured by a group of neo-Nazies after the football mach between CSKA Sofia and the Turkish team Besiktas

What is perhaps most alarming about Lukov March, is that despite loudly voiced protest by many civic society and human rights groups such as Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Bulgarian Activist Alliance, People against Racism, Jewish organizations etc, there has been very little reaction by the local and national authorities to stop or monitor the March.

Video materials about Lukov March:
http://logr.org/lukov/?page_id=10

http://www.youtube.com/user/bnssofiavideo

Civic initiative against Neo-Nazism, Racism and Xenophobia
“People against Racism”

петък, 22 октомври 2010 г.

Violation of freedom of speech and expression in Russia: current case Oleg Mavromati

The Petition

Raise a voice in support of freedom of speech and expression! Insist on dropping charges against artists and art-show organisers in Russia.

On September 8th, 2010 Russian artist Oleg Mavromati, currently living in Bulgaria and the US, was refused renewal of his Russian passport by the Consulate of the Russian Federation in Sofia, on the grounds that Mavromati has been avoiding trial in the Russian Federation for the performance he made in 2000. If he returns to Russia he will be put on trial and faces 3-5 years of prison.

Mavromati was prosecuted for “Do Not Believe Your Eyes” under article 282 of the Criminal Code of Russian Federation with “inciting religious hatred and offending the feelings of religious believers.” A legal complaint from the chairman of the local Orthodox Church community “St. Nikola” against Mavromati was disregarded by the Moscow City court as there was no evidence of crime. Through coercive measures and political connections the same complaint was sent to the General Attorney's office. Then Mavromati’s home was searched and all his video and film materials were confiscated.

“Do Not Believe Your Eyes” was not meant to offend the religious feelings of anyone, or the Orthodox faith in particular. It was also not meant to mock the Christian crucifixion or to represent any religious symbol, but rather to represent an archetype of pain. The performance was a scene of a film directed by Mavromati and called “Oil on Canvas.” Mavromati played the main role, for which he performed the crucifixion. The story was based on the biography of the young Russian painter Oleg Golosiy, who was tragically killed by another artist because of envy. Mavromati was playing the role of the artist who killed Golosiy. The character repented and in order to prove his sincerity he changed the traditional artistic medium he used (oil on canvas) with direct action and physical expression. As a true evidence of his repent the character decided to crucify himself by that representing his personal guilt.

Now there is a new urgent situation: Mavromati was just notified by the Russian Consulate in Sofia that they will not renew his passport. According to the Russian Consulate the passport renewal was refused because Mavromati has been avoiding trial in the Russian Federation for the performance he made in 2000. If he returns to Russia and put on trial Mavromati faces 3-5 years of prison.

Mavromati currently lives in Sofia with his wife, Bulgaria artist Boryana Dragoeva. The couple are internationally exhibited video artists, Boryana is also currently a PhD student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY department of Electronic Arts.

This is not an isolated case. Amnesty International had made a statement about other Russian artists being prosecuted under article 282 : http://bit.ly/c5GeGk
“Putting artists and curators on trial for their art or for organizing an art exhibition, their right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in international law and the Russian Constitution, has been compromised. Art is a form of communication and of expressing views. It can provoke or please and often has more than one meaning. Freedom of art is an integral part of freedom of expression, limitations to which are set forth in international law. Neither Russian, nor international human rights law permit freedom of expression to be restricted or prohibited simply on the grounds that some people find the views expressed offensive or disagreeable. Moreover, laws forbidding incitement to hatred should not be used to limit freedom of expression in order to protect or support a particular religious group or point of view as such. Rather, they should seek to limit forms of expression which have the potential to cause harm to individuals and which are incompatible with the underlying values of human rights.”
Article 282 (for “inciting religious hatred and offending the feelings of religious believers.” has successfully been used to convict other artists, curators and journalists.

The most recent case was against the organizers of the art show Forbidden Art, Sakharov Museum in Moscow in 2007: http://bit.ly/dDoxHg

Despite the wide support of the Russian and international art community, the “court found that Yuri Samodurov, then Director of the Sakharov Museum and Andrei Yerofeev, then Head of the Department for Contemporary Art at the State Tretiakov Gallery, had arranged the exhibition in such a way that it denigrates Christianity, and especially the Russian Orthodox faith, and incited hatred against Orthodox and other Christians. The two men have been found guilty of ‘inciting hatred or enmity’ and ‘denigration of human dignity’ for organizing a contemporary art exhibition at the Sakharov Museum in March 2007 and have been ordered to pay a fine.”
An identical case was the trial against the art show “Caution Religion!”, 2001, Moscow. http://bit.ly/bsbSlq

Again despite the international support http://bit.ly/9EYI2d

Sakharov Museum director Yuri Samodurov, his deputy Lyudmila Vasilovskaya were charged for inciting ethnic and religious hatred under Article 282 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Another artist Oleg Yanushevsky prosecuted under the same 282 law fro his art, had already found an asylum in the UK: http://bit.ly/ctzkOK

The artist Avdej Ter-Ogonjan was the first one to be prosecuted under the article 282, for his performance “The Young Atheist”, 1998 made at the Art Manège, Moscow. He is currently a refugee in the Czech Republic. http://bit.ly/9C9hpi

It seems that in Russia there is a regular violation of the basic human rights. No artist or art show organizer should be prosecuted and their right to freedom of expression should be respected and the criminal cases against them should be closed.

ACTION IS NEEDED NOW!

PETIТION
Please sign this petition for Oleg Mavromati and other Russian artists prosecuted under 282 article.

LETTERS OF SUPPORT

Please write letters of support for Mavromati to Boryana Dragoeva brrights@yahoo.com.
PRESS

Help spread the word! Copy to blogs and other media. Please write comments!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/olegmavromati/

четвъртък, 7 октомври 2010 г.

The first-in-its- kind concert against racism and discrimination in Bulgaria!

The show, “ALARM against Racism and Discrimination,” will take place on October 9th, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The event is organized by Bulgarian Public Radio and the Sofia Municipality. Volunteers from the civic initiative “People Against Racism” will provide
organizational support for the event as well (http://stopnazi-bg.blogspot.com).

The idea behind the concert was inspired by the Rock Against Racism events that took place in the 1970s in England. “ALARM against Racism and Discrimination” is a response to the growing neo-Nazi sentiments in Bulgaria. The deeds of violence directed towards the Roma community, LGBT community, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups in our society are escalating at a tremendous speed. We feel strongly that these phenomena cannot be left unanswered. And just like that, students, artists, intellectuals, social activists, environmentalist, and citizens from all walks of life will gather and say, “We will not be silent!”

Unfortunately, the discrimination around us is taking unprecedented dimensions. Racism escaped its marginalized position and is now present in the public sphere as a normalized discourse. We hope that through this concert we can spread awareness about the dangers of racism and xenophobia and to promote ideas of equality.

The performers that have already confirmed their participation are: The bands Nasekomix (Bulgaria), AC and Ksetophon (Bulgaria), Recycle Bin (Romania), Small Tragedies(Bulgaria), Sarmata Harry and Koptormix (Bulgaria), Glas Naroden (Bulgaria); the actresses Vyara Kolarova, together with George Donchev and Ani Petrova; Ida Daniel (dramaturge, producer, actor, and a writer); Todor Stoyanov (musician); George Gospodinov (actor). The concert is endorsed by Maya Novoselska, Joseph Sarchadjiev, and many others.

To all of them we would like to express our gratitude. All of the artists are going to perform without financial compensation, which greatly impacts our cause through the act of their generous contributions.

“ALARM against Racism and Discrimination” will take place on October 9th in Sofia, Bulgaria. We kindly ask you to endorse “ALARM against Racism and Discrimination” by posting information about it on your Facebook page, twitter, and write a short message of support to weareagainstnazism@gmail.com.
Thank you for your support,
People Against Racism, Sofia, Bulgaria