EU Embraces Refugees...This Time: Daily Brief

The outpouring of solidarity and empathy for people fleeing the war in Ukraine is wonderful. Countries bordering Ukraine have opened their borders and practically waved people through. People have rushed to donate food and open their homes. The European Union moved quickly to grant temporary protection to all Ukrainians and long-term foreign residents. Even as we applaud the generosity being shown people fleeing Ukraine, we have to question why the EU did not allow the over 1 million refugees from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to stay, work or go to school.

Experts are raising concerns about fragile education systems around the world. As we enter the Covid-19 pandemic’s third year – with many governments still fighting to curb the spread of the virus and contain the impact on health systems – a collateral crisis continues to unfold. Education systems, schools, teachers, and children are facing what the United Nations has called a global generational catastrophe.

China attempted to use the 2022 Olympics to cover up severe human rights abuses. Women in China continue to suffer daily, but China used the sporting event to portray women athletes such as Dinigeer Yilamujiang, Peng Shuai, Eileen Gu as objects of nationalism. Instead of addressing abuses against Uyghur people, or supporting civil society and freedom of association, China chose to build nationalist, misogynistic narratives through state media during the Olympics.

Early this year, security forces violently dispersed protestors in Abéché, Chad, killing at least 13 people, and injuring 80 others. Security forces opened fire at people who took to the streets to protest the appointment of a new tribal chief in Abéché. Mahamat Nour Ahmat Ibédou, secretary general of the Chadian Convention for the Defence of Human Rights said, “Only a thorough and impartial investigation into the excessive use of force by security forces will be able to establish who is responsible and bring them to account.”

And finally, great news from Colombia! In a landmark ruling, the Colombian Constitutional Court has recognized a non-binary gender marker. The high court’s decision—the first of its kind in Latin America— echoes developments around the world, where legal recognition of gender diversity is gaining pace, and is a key step in protecting human rights.