Turkey welcomes autonomy law for Moro Muslims
Turkey on July 27 hailed a new law paving the way for comprehensive autonomy of Moro Muslims in the Philippines, praising it as “historic.” In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that Turkey welcomes “the successful conclusion of the legislative process regarding the Bangsamoro Organic Law and its signing by the president of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte.”
“We commend the efforts of the Philippine government, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front [MILF] and other stakeholders in finalising this landmark legislation which aims to create a new p olitical entity known as the ‘Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.’ With the political will and vision of the relevant parties, a critical juncture in the peace process has been passed,” the statement said. “This is a historic accomplishment,” to achieve “a just and lasting peace, stability and prosperity in Bangsamoro,” the ministry said. “The Bangsamoro Organic Law also presents a valuable opportunity to tackle the root causes of violent extremism and terrorism and thus offers the promise of a better future for the Bangsamoro people,” said the statement.
Turkey wants a summit on Syria in September
Turkey is planning to hold a summit with France, Germany, and Russia in early September to discuss the Syrian conflict and other regional issues, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. In comments published by Turkish media on July 29, Erdogan said that the meeting would take place in Istanbul on September 7. The Turkish leader gave no details about the issues on the agenda, but he said Turkey would continue dialogue with Russia, “outside of this foursome,” according to Hurriyet daily.
Russia, along with Iran, has given Syrian President Bashar al-Assad crucial support throughout the seven-year war in Syria, which has killed hundreds of thousands of people and uprooted millions. Earlier this week, Erdogan met with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in South Africa, where the Russian leader attended a summit of BRICS countries on July 27. Erdogan also said that he would meet with Putin and Iranian President Hassan Rohani in Tehran in the near future, but he did not give an exact date.
UN supports creation of Syrian constitutional panel
The UN Security Council on July 25 called on Damascus to work with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on the creation of a constitutional committee. “Members of the council have reiterated their full support for his leadership to facilitate a viable enduring political solution to the Syrian conflict,” Olof Skoog, Sweden’s UN Representative, said in informal comments to the media after a Security Council briefing by de Mistura on the situation in Syria.
The briefing included mention of UN Resolution 2254, which calls for a ceasefire along with a political settlement in Syria. The next meeting on the crisis in Syria will take place from July 30-31 in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi between Russia, Iran and Turkey, where de Mistura will be discussing the constitutional committee as well as the Syrian conflict in general.
Shashi Naidoo barred from seeing Palestine
Well-known South African citizen, model, actress and TV personality, Shashi Naidoo, has been blocked from “seeing for herself” the Israeli oppression against Palestinians. On July 25 Israel prevented Naidoo passage to Palestine. Israeli authorities control access to Palestine and blocked her on the orders of Israel’s Interior Minister Aryeh Deriand the recommendation of Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan.
Naidoo joins a growing list of South Africans who have been denied passage to Palestine including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Minister Blade Nzimande, World Council of Churches leader Isabel Phiri and many others South African citizens. Israel also blocks Jews who are critical of Israel like Rabbi Alisa Wise of Jewish Voices for Peace. This repressive behaviour is how Israel treats Palestinians who are subjected to similar but worse forms of restriction and denial of many other freedoms. Israel is yet again exposing its lie that it is open to “objective” visitors.
Turkey’s PreZ slams Israel’s ‘Jewish nation-state’ law
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 24 slammed a controversial Israeli law, which calls it a Jewish nation-state. “This regulation is evidence that, without doubt, Israel is the most zionist, fascist and racist state of the world,” said Erdogan in his party’s parliamentary group meeting. “I call on the Islamic world, Christian world, all democratic and liberal states, non-governmental organisations, media members to move against Israel,” he added.
Last week, the Knesset approved the law, which describes Israel as “the nation-state of the Jewish people”. It was approved by a vote of 62-55 in a tumultuous assembly session in which Arab lawmakers decried what they called “Israeli racism against the Arab minority”. Turkey has denounced the legislation for trying to strip Palestinians of their rights.
Egypt Sentences 75 MB Members to Death Over 2013 SIT-IN
A report citing Egypt’s state-run media says a court has sentenced 75 people to death, including top figures of the Muslim Brotherhood, for their involvement in a 2013 sit-in. July 28 decision in Cairo Criminal Court will now be referred to the Grand Mufti – the country’s top theological authority – for his non-binding opinion on the sentences. He usually approves the court’s decision.
Sentencing for more than 660 others was set for September 8, according to the state-run Al-Ahram news website. The case involves 739 defendants, including the Muslim Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide Mohammed Badie and photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid. International human rights groups have slammed the mass trial. Amnesty International (AI) called it a “grotesque parody of justice” and said the government should drop all charges against those arrested for protesting peacefully.
Iraqi PM, al-Sistani urge govt to meet protest demands
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on July 27 voiced his agreement with Ali al-Sistani, one of Iraq’s most prominent Shia clerics, who – in his Friday sermon – urged the country’s next government to meet protesters’ demands. Al-Sistani also called for the speedy formation of a new government once results of the country’s disputed May 12 parliamentary polls were recounted. In a statement issued shortly after al-Sistani’s sermon, al-Abadi voiced agreement with the cleric’s assertions.
In his sermon, al-Sistani reportedly warned of a “popular uprising” if the incoming government failed to address demonstrators’ grievances. On July 27, several provinces in southern and central Iraq saw renewed demonstrations in which protesters reiterated longstanding demands for more job opportunities and improved public services.
UAE blockade violated Qataris’ rights: ICJ
A provisional ruling by the United Nations’ top court has found that measures put in place by the United Arab Emirates as part of its boycott against Qatar amount to racial discrimination. In June 2017, the UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, imposed a land, air and sea blockade against Qatar and severed ties with it, in one of the worst diplomatic disputes in the Gulf in decades. Last month, Qatar filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), accusing the UAE of violating international laws by expelling thousands of Qataris – many of whom have family or own property in the UAE – and closing UAE airspace and seaports to Qatar. It alleged the boycott violates the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) – including discrimination on the basis of nationality – a treaty signed by both the UAE and Qatar.
On July 23, judges at the ICJ ruled that Qatari families affected by the UAE’s measures must be reunited, imposing a measure before The Hague-based court hears in full the discrimination case. They also said that students should be given the opportunity to complete their studies in the UAE or to retain records of their studies to be able to continue their education elsewhere. Finally, they ruled Qataris should be allowed access to judicial services in the UAE.