Kate Ferguson

Starmer urged to do more to push back against ‘onslaught of racism’ Hope Not Hate writes letter to PM as senior Labour MPs call for party to take firmer stand against far right

“Hate breeds when those in power are silent. I implore you and other ministers to speak out urgently in defence of our migrant communities and our multicultural society more generally." — Nick Lowles, CEO, HOPE not hate

www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

Today, we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the victims of the Shoah, together with the Roma and Sinti, Queer, disabled, and political victims of the Nazi genocide.

We also commemorate the victims and survivors of historic and ongoing genocides everywhere.

Badenoch saying it was a mistake not to have a growth plan for Brexit highlights that she doesn't understand what happened.

There was no growth plan that all parts of the Leave coalition could have agreed on.

Winning required implying different outcomes to different people.

Reminded of @gideonrachman.bsky.social's terrific column this week: "the rights of small nations are not a joke. The forcible or coerced takeover of a country by a larger neighbour is the biggest alarm bell in world politics"

NGO Letter to Congress and the Incoming Presidential Administration Regarding US Sanctions on the ICC The undersigned organizations write to express grave concerns and to unequivocally oppose the use of the sanctions authority of the United States to attack the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Human Rights Watch joins with nearly 90 other organizations in a letter opposing US sanctions against the International Criminal Court.

It would be a terrible irony if a tool designed to penalize violators of human rights could instead contribute to their impunity.

Comment on US determination of genocide in Sudan We welcome the determination by the United States that members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and aligned militias have committed genocide in Sudan. We welcome too their sanctioning of RSF leader...

Our comment on Secretary Blinken's announcement

We welcome determination that the RSF have committed genocide & new sanctions against Hemedti and entities in the UAE

We call on the UK to set out its own atrocity prevention strategy & review its sanctions

protectionapproaches.org/news/f/comme...

This is very good - and very sobering.

7 global trends likely to worsen humanitarian needs in 2025

1. Debt
2. Conflict
3. Fracturing global order
4. Mass atrocity crimes
5. Women & girls (and LGBTQ+ rights) at greater risk
6. Gang violence & organised crime in Latin America
7. The end of asylum

Syrian mass graves expose Assad’s ‘machinery of death’ QUTAYFAH, Syria: An international war crimes prosecutor said on Tuesday that evidence emerging from mass grave sites in Syria has exposed a state-run “machinery of death” under toppled leader Bashar A...

“… the secret police who disappeared people from their streets and homes… the jailers and interrogators who starved and tortured them to death… the truck drivers and bulldozer drivers who hid their bodies… thousands of people were working in this system of killing”
www.arabnews.com/node/2583455...

Lancaster House - opening of the FS Xmas party by Urban Voice of Beyoncé’s Halo ✨

David Lammy delivering his Christmas speech (and it is funny)

Well I do like a foreign secretary who opens his Christmas party with full Beyoncé (nothing so fun last year!) ✨🎄🥂

The UK's China Policy Challenge: Standing up for UK Values and Interests The UK is working on a 'reset' in its diplomatic and trade relations with China. Can we do this while still standing up for our values?

🚨 Starting soon

Our Co-exec Director @wordsaredeeds.bsky.social joins a panel discussion on UK China policy & how the Labour government can - and must - adopt a comprehensive strategy that upholds both values to prevent and protect, and national interests. 🌏

Syria is free of Assad

Assad is gone. After decades of suffering under his brutal regime, Syrians are celebrating a historic moment of freedom and hope. This is the message we've waited so long to share: diary.thesyriacampaign.org/syria-is-fre...
#Syria #FreeSyria

Oh my god, Syria ❤️

Thinking so much of Syrian friends, colleagues, strangers, and all those who stayed outraged at Assad’s violences. Now is the time for the international community to finally listen hard to what is needed.

I can’t believe he’s finally gone.

#WithSyria #Always

‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.

A damning report.

The Israeli government has been unapologetic in its intent to destroy and displace the Palestinian people.

The UK Government must now make a fundamental shift that centres the protection of civilians and prevention of further atrocities.

www.amnesty.org.uk/genocide-rep...

Anyone purporting to be interested in localized peacebuilding would do well to listen very carefully to Syrians right now, particularly those from in and around Aleppo. Something remarkable is happening, and how the world reacts to it will be a defining point in Syria's future.

Building resilient communities: The case for social cohesion"

New report @ibvprev.bsky.social launched at the Commons last night

Read the report here
protectionapproaches.org/cohesion-rep...

Like many, I've migrated from X in search of some of what was great about the old Twitter - and to get away from what it became. Looking forward to reconnecting with those I knew and followed over there - and to finding new connections. Tell me who to follow and send me your tips!