Week 42: Debaters worried about genocide of Palestinians and rising anti-Semitism

The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to be debated in the Swedish press. Photo: Wafa. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

The conflict between Israel and Hamas has continued to dominate the Swedish debate and editorial pages during the past week, and the debate is becoming increasingly polarized. Several debaters sound the alarm about an impending genocide of Palestinians, while others point to growing anti-Semitism.

October 23, 2023, Current debate

Week 37: Debaters want to put more pressure on the Iranian regime

It has been a year since Mahsa Jina Amini was murdered by the moral police in Iran. The murder was the starting point for furious protests against the mullahs' regime. On the anniversary of the murder, several Swedish debaters question whether Sweden and the EU have really put enough pressure on Iran. Pictured: A demonstration in Melbourne, Australia, in solidarity with the women of Iran a week after the assassination in 2022. Photo: Mark Hkrac. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

Last week was the anniversary of the murder mahsa Name Believe in Iran. At the same time, the Swedish EU official Johan Floderus has been imprisoned for over 500 days. Several debaters are now demanding that Sweden and the EU pursue a stricter policy towards Iran.

September 18, 2023, Current debate

The M23 rebel group in Congo-Kinshasa - this is how the conflict has escalated

Troops from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will in the future try to curb the rebel group M23 in eastern Congo-Kinshasa. Pictured: Soldiers from UN peacekeeping forces in 2013 who had been sent to North Kivu province when the M23 rebels were last active. Photo: MONUSCO Photos/Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

Last fall, the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo-Kinshasa agreed to a ceasefire, mone it was quickly broken. Sthe thirties have continued and over 800 people have been forced to flee since 2021† Now sendr additional African countries troops to the area - and fclay experts fears an intensification of the conflict. - Is the Third Congo War on the way? asks Africa expert Teresa Nogueira pinto 

June 22, 2023, Development magazine explains

Government critic Rusesabagina released in Rwanda

Paul Rusesabagina was released from prison in Rwanda at the end of March, where he was sentenced despite his denial of terrorist offences. He has now been allowed to return to his family, who have been living in the United States for some time now. Image: ABC Reconciliation Forum. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

At the end of March, government critic Paul was released Rusesabagina, who is portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda, suddenly from prison. He was convicted in 2021 over his denials of sponsoring rebel groups that carried out deadly attacks in the country, but the trial has been criticized by several countries and human rights organizations for being politically motivated. Now Paul has Rusesabagina allowed to return to his family in the United States – but at the price of a promise that stop get involved in Rwandan politics.  

April 18, 2023, News

Week 13: After critical climate report - debaters discuss Sweden's climate policy

Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokthari (L) last week received the Climate Policy Council's report - which disapproves of the government's climate policy and states that it is not sufficient for Sweden to reach the climate goals by 2030. The report has created major discussions on Swedish opinion pages. Photo: Hamid Ershad Sarabi/Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

On Wednesday last week, the climate and environment minister took Romina Pourmokhtari (L) against the Climate Policy Council's annual report for 2022. The report states that Sweden has lost control of climate policy. It has characterized the Swedish debate and editorial pages during the past week, where criticism has been directed at both the current and previous government.  

April 3, 2023, Current debate

Russia's invasion of Ukraine: "Important that we who can continue to tell about the war"

On February 19, protesters gathered at Odenplan in Stockholm to mark the upcoming anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During the day, representatives from several human rights organizations spoke. Photo: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

On February 24, 2023, a year has passedr since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukrainea. Thousands of people have died and millions have fled their homes. In connection with the anniversary, several arrange human rights organizations demonstrations in Stockholm. The development magazine was on site and guarded one of them.  

February 24, 2023, Report

Promoting local democracy: "Must make your voice heard"

In November, the International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD) concluded the 2022 round of the Women's Leadership Program. The final workshop was held in Kigali, Rwanda. In the picture, this year's participants can be seen together with the Swedish politicians who through Sweden's Municipalities and Regions (SKR) are mentors in the program, as well as Rwanda's Minister for Gender Equality Jeannette Bayisenge and Sweden's ambassador to Rwanda Johanna Teague. Photo: ICLD.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

Every year, the International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD) organizes a leadership program for women in local political positions of power in low- and middle-income countries. The aim is to strengthen women in their leadership role to contribute to the development of local democracy. Development magazine has interviewed Anne Scheffer Leander, responsible for the program, about how the promotion of local democracy actually works in practice.  

January 23, 2023, Interview

The conflict between Rwanda and Congo-Kinshasa - this has happened

Congo-Kinshasa is trying to stop the advance of the M23 rebels, together with UN peacekeeping forces and troops from the East African Community. Photo: MONUSCO Photos. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

In recent months, tensions between Congo-Kinshasa and Rwanda have increased. The rebel group M23 has forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee in the eastern part of Congo-Kinshasa. Rwanda is accused of its denial of sponsoring the rebels, but the conflict between the countries has roots far back in time.

November 28, 2022, Development magazine explains

Researchers criticize Rwanda's commemoration period: 'Worried about large-scale violence'

According to researcher Gretchen Baldwin, ethnic tensions are maintained in Rwanda during the country's annual commemoration of the 1994 genocide. Pictured: Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the opening of the 28th edition of Kwibuka in April 2022. Source: Flickr.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

After the genocide in 1994, Rwanda has been praised by the outside world for its, above all economic, recovery. But new research shows several disturbing aspects with the country's annual commemoration period. Rwandans are forced to remember the genocide in exactly the ways of thinking that caused the genocide - that one ethnic group is superior to another, according to researcher Gretchen Baldwin. And Hon believes that it is a way for the government to retain power. 

November 25, 2022, Interview

Art gallery creates community for genocide survivors in Rwanda

One of Inema Arts Center's many initiatives is Art with a Mission, where orphans are trained as Rwanda's next generation of artists. When their art is sold, they can pay school fees and other living expenses. Photo: Inema Arts Center. Source: Inema Arts Center, Rwanda.

Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt

Enema Arts Center is an art gallery in Rwanda with many outstretched hands to Rwandan society. It is primarily a platform for promising artists, but creative workshops are also organized for orphans, schoolchildren and women from vulnerable areas. In a country where a terrible genocide was committed almost 30 years ago, community is both a fragile and a strong concept. 

May 12, 2022, FUF-correspondents, Chronicle