Abdul Ezedi, the Clapham chemical attacker, received a Muslim funeral and burial in London, despite previously claiming to have converted to Christianity. Ezedi, who was granted asylum in the UK based on his supposed Christian faith, was found dead in the Thames following the attack on his ex-girlfriend and her children. He had been a controversial figure, with doubts cast over his religious conversion. Court documents revealed he failed to correctly answer Home Office queries about his faith. However, an immigration judge granted him asylum, influenced by testimony from Rev Roy Merrin, who believed in his genuine conversion. Ezedi, who had a criminal history including sexual assault, had been placed on the sex offender register and needed to be escorted during church services. His case has stirred debate on the process of deciding asylum claims, with concerns raised about potential exploitation of religious conversion. Justin Welby recently addressed these concerns, stating there was no evidence of the Church of England facilitating fraudulent conversions.
UK farmers, feeling betrayed post-Brexit, have protested in London against trade deals and new regulations that jeopardise their livelihoods. The demonstrators, accompanied by tractors, converged on Parliament Square, voicing their distress over trade agreements that permit imports of lower-standard foods, undercutting local agriculture. Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming, criticised the Government for securing 'the worst trade deals in the world’, leading to severe challenges for farmers. The Brexit transition has brought significant upheaval to the UK's agricultural sector, causing bureaucratic issues, exporting challenges, and a decrease in available labour due to reduced migrant workers. The pandemic worsened these effects. Despite initially supporting Brexit to escape the EU's Common Agricultural Policy, farmers now face intense competition from cheaper imports from countries like Australia and New Zealand. The protest also criticised misleading labels that allow non-UK products to bear the Union flag. A recent survey shows a majority in the UK now believe Brexit was economically detrimental, with few feeling personal or national benefits.
Russia: deadly attack on Moscow concert hall
28 Mar 2024
The death toll from an attack on a Moscow concert hall on 22 March has risen to 143, making it the deadliest attack on European soil by IS and the worst in Russia in twenty years. At least 360 were wounded; eighty of them, including six children, remain in hospital. The number could be even higher because many people in shock had initially not returned to the hospital for treatment. A Moscow court has ordered the suspects - four radical Islamists from Tajikistan and seven accomplices – to be held in pre-trial detention until 22 May. Although IS has claimed responsibility for the attack, Russia still alleges a link to Ukraine, a claim Kyiv denies. Russia has for some years been targeted by IS owing to its role in suppressing unrest in regions with a substantial Muslim majority, as well as its support for the regime in Syria's civil war.
During his visit to Brazil, Emmanuel Macron has called the proposed EU-Mercosur trade deal ‘very bad’. He called for a new agreement prioritising climate, biodiversity, and development. While Brazil is eager to sign, France, concerned about its farmers and environmental standards, has reservations. Brazilian officials remain hopeful, emphasising President Lula's commitment to strengthening ties with the EU. Macron also urged increased Brazilian investment in France and proposed collaboration in African markets. He plans to push for international standards promoting decarbonisation and environmental preservation at upcoming summits. His remarks reflect broader debates about balancing economic interests with environmental responsibilities.
Gaza: Israel using starvation as a weapon?
28 Mar 2024
A UN-backed report has revealed that Gaza is facing a man-made famine, prompting pressure on Israel to uphold its legal obligations by allowing sufficient humanitarian aid into the region. The UN's human rights chief suggested Israel may be using starvation as a weapon of war - potentially a war crime. Israeli officials deny this accusation, claiming that they are letting in all the aid offered by the US and the rest of the world. However, the huge backlog of aid lorries at the Egypt-Gaza border has forced some nations to use less efficient air drops. Palestinians have struggled to access aid; some have even drowned or been crushed in pursuit of supplies. The US navy plans to construct a temporary pier for sea delivery, highlighting the necessity of better access routes. In another development, on 25 March the UN Security Council voted for an immediate ceasefire; for the first time, the USA abstained rather than vetoing the resolution. See
A landmark human rights trial, lasting nearly four years, concluded on 27 March with 11 former officials convicted of crimes against humanity. This was the first case to focus on the 1976-1983 military dictatorship’s practice of committing sexual violence against transgender women. The trial revealed new atrocities, enhancing the nation's understanding of its traumatic past. During those years, thirty thousand dissenters were abducted, tortured, and ‘disappeared’. The prosecutor said, ‘What is different about this trial is that for the first time in Argentina and in the world, crimes against humanity committed against trans women in the context of state terrorism are condemned.’ The military dictatorship promoted traditional Catholic values and viewed LGBTQ Argentines as subversives. Even being openly gay could lead to jail. The verdict marks a pivotal moment for accountability and remembrance in Argentina's turbulent history.
Pakistan: suicide attack kills five Chinese
28 Mar 2024
On 26 March five Chinese nationals and a Pakistani driver were killed in a suicide attack near Besham city. They were en route from Islamabad to Dasu, where a Chinese company is building a hydroelectric dam. Four bodies have been recovered, while two remain unidentified due to burns. No group has claimed responsibility, and Chinese officials have not commented. Chinese investment in Pakistan has faced other threats from armed groups; in 2021, a bus bombing killed 13, including nine Chinese. This was the third attack in a week: on 18 March five separatists attacked a naval base in Balochistan, killing one soldier; all assailants were also killed. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility. On 20 March, another BLA attack in Gwadar port killed two soldiers and eight fighters. Gwadar is pivotal to the $62bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Senegal's president Macky Sall has hailed the electoral win by opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye as a victory for democracy. Faye defeated former prime minister Amadou Ba and 19 other candidates in the presidential election on 24 March. International and regional observers have affirmed the election's fairness and peaceful conduct. In an address to supporters, Faye pledged to govern with humility, transparency, and a firm stance against corruption. The priorities which he has outlined are national reconciliation, rebuilding institutions, reducing living costs, and inclusive policy consultations. His victory marks a significant shift in Senegal's political landscape, highlighting the country's dedication to democratic principles and aspirations for positive change under new leadership. Sall's term ends on 2 April.