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GOOD NEWS IS GOOD FOR YOU March 2021 As part of UPF’s Mental Health Week, THE PERSPECTIVE dedicates a section of the magazine exclusively to good news related to International Affairs and Politics. Why? Consuming the news can be dreadful and overwhelming—because “good” thing make the news a lot less often than the “bad” stuff. Lots of people actively decide not to consume news anymore because it takes a toll on their mental health and outlets dedicating their space to good news have seen rapid growth.
Syria Torture Verdict: A Historic First in Fighting Crimes Against Humanity Committed During the Country’s War
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x-Syrian intelligence officer Eyad al-Gharib has been convicted on charges of aiding and abetting torture of civilians: crimes committed while working within the security apparatus of the Bashar al-Assad regime. He was sentenced to four and a half years in prison by a German court on 24 February, marking the world’s first verdict in a landmark trial against those linked to the Damascus government. It is hoped to pave the way to further trials related to the decade-long Syrian War. The trial was held under Germany’s universal jurisdiction laws allowing for prosecution of crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world. The verdict of main defendant Anwar Raslan is expected in October. Al-Gharib was granted asylum in Germany in 2018 after defecting from the regime in 2012. Most of the evidence used to make the case was based on what he shared with German immigration authorities and police during his asylum application process, 6
states Reuters. He said to have knowingly sent at least 30 anti-government protestors to facilities implementing torture in 2011. “This is an important step forward in the process of securing accountability for the Syrian government’s systematic use of torture against civilians,” stated laywer Steve Kostas who works with the Open Society Foundation’s Justice Initiative, representing Syrian plaintiffs. The German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas described the ruling in a
“A historic verdict” Heiko Maas
European Union Becomes “LGBTIQ-Freedom” Zone
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n November 2020, the European Commission presented its first-ever strategy on LGBTIQ equality with aims to tackle discrimination—43% of LGBTIQ people felt discriminated against. It should further ensure safety, build inclusive societies and lead the call for LGBTIQ equality around the world. Acknowledging that there is still a long way to go, the
strategy is planned from 20202025. “We are still a long way away from the full inclusion and acceptance that LGBTIQ people deserve,” said Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli. On March 10, EU lawmakers debated a resolution to make the whole European Union a “freedom zone.” This is seen as a direct response to conservative Polish communities which implemented so-called “LGBT free zones'' to protect their Catholic values and to declare themselves free from what conservative authorities call “LGBT ideology.” After gaining widespread media coverage in 2020—and tainting Poland’s international image— EU members and Norway started withdrawing funds. Another country, Hungary, banned legal gender recognition for trans and intersex persons, furthering discrimination and the devaluation of human rights. The resolution of the European Parliament shall increase pressure to implement concrete measures to halt the discriminatory measures and improve quality of life for millions of people. © Isabelle Logi/Pixabay
