Middle East
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Find solutions for causes of protests in Sulaymaniyah
21-12-2020For two weeks now, citizens in the Sulaymaniyah governorate in Iraqi Kurdistan have been protesting the barren living conditions that they are facing. For months on end they have not (or only partly) been receiving their salaries from the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).
Community Based Security and Citizens Rights Middle East -
"Palestinian women need to be heard"
01-12-2020How does the corona crisis exacerbate the already difficult situation for Palestinians? To find out, PAX’s general director Anna Timmerman talked with Lucy Nusseibeh, the founder and chairperson of Middle East Nonviolence and Democracy (MEND), one of PAX’s partner organizations in Palestine. They spoke about strengthening the voice of women and nonviolent resistance, and about hope in almost hopeless times. Nusseibeh: "Every form of trust and support helps girls to get more out of themselves."
Middle East -
Violence and wildfires driving people from their lands in Iraqi Kurdistan
13-11-2020Between May and September 2020 nearly 300.000 acres of land were burned during military campaigns taking place in Iraqi Kurdistan. Shelling and bombing resulted in bushfires and caused the displacement of thousands of people, destroying their livelihoods and damaging fragile ecosystems.
Humanitarian Disarmament Middle East -
Protect civilians from the use of explosive weapons
27-10-2020Better protection of civilians is needed against the effects of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. This is what PAX and the British organization Airwars found in their investigation into the use of explosive weapons in recent international military campaigns in the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Hawija, and in the Syrian city of Raqqa.
Humanitarian Disarmament Middle East -
In new report, Syrians show why it is not safe to return
19-10-2020It is still not safe for refugees to return to Syria. Just ask those who have done so.
Middle East -
Human Rights Council, help bridge Yemen's 'acute accountability gap'
22-09-2020States should help pave the way towards credible accountability and redress for the people of Yemen by renewing and strengthening international investigations into war crimes, other serious violations of international humanitarian law, and grave human rights abuses during this 45th Session of the UN Human Rights Council), 24 organizations said today.
Middle East -
No peace without women
20-09-2020“The role of women in conflict resolution cannot be overestimated,” says Anna Timmerman, general director of PAX.
Gender, Peace & Security Europe, Africa, Middle East -
Dutch announcement to hold Syria accountable is welcome step on long road towards justice
18-09-2020The Dutch government today announced that it will hold Syria responsible under international law for gross human rights violations, especially torture. Syria has been informed of the decision by a diplomatic note, which is a first step in a series of steps that may lead to a case in an international court. Syrian partners of PAX welcome the Dutch initiative as an important step on the long road towards justice and hope it sets a clear signal that the international community is determined to hold those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria accountable.
Middle East -
'The country is boiling': Anti-government activists in Iraq are living in fear as assassinations become increasingly frequent
27-08-2020Two Iraqi activists, Riham Yaqoub and Tahseen Osama, were murdered in Basra, in the south of Iraq, by unidentified assailants last week. Two other activists were also attacked by gunmen. Since the start of the anti-government protests in Iraq in October 2019, Iraqi political activists, protestors and journalists have been facing violent assaults, assassinations, and forced disappearances.
Middle East -
Beirut explosion comes on top of already enormous problems
05-08-2020Like the rest of the world, PAX is shocked by the devastating events in Beirut, Lebanon. We are in close contact with our friends and partners. Our hearts and thoughts go out to them, and all people in Lebanon, affected by this terrible disaster.
Gender, Peace & Security, Local Governance and Peacebuilding Middle East