Mensenrechten

Analysis

Why African countries prefer not to get embroiled in Russia's war

18 May 2022 -

Africa voted very divided on the UN resolution condemning the Russian invasion in the Ukraine. What is the political impact of the conflict on Africa’s cohesion?

Editorial

What does Rwanda gain from the refugee deal with the UK?

26 April 2022 -

The United Kingdom aims to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, where they will be subject to the local asylum procedures. Boris Johnson wants the British electorate to forget party gate. But what does Rwanda gain from it?

Column

Let’s fight to change who does the gatekeeping, not who does the translations of our works

1 April 2022 -

A year ago, the young Amanda Gorman recited her The Hill We Climb for the new US President Joe Biden. When that poem was translated into Dutch, there was a heated discussion about who was most suitable for this. Author and MO* columnist Chika Unigwe looks back on the debate.

Blog Post

The Lost Voices of Dzaleka

30 March 2022 -

The Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi is home to more refugees than the camp can handle, blogger Fleur Leysen noted during her visits there. The temporary camp was built for 8,000 people in need, but quickly turned into a permanent slum housing 52,000 forgotten refugees.

Interview

‘Afghans anxiously await formation of new government’

20 August 2021 -

The situation in Afghanistan is uncertain and volatile, but is it as bad as Western media and politicians say? Danish Karohel, director of a news agency and a leading journalistic voice in Afghanistan, answers our questions. He and his journalists vow to fight for the right to do their job.

Editorial

‘Afghans are pawns and players at the same time’

18 August 2021 -

Why was the West in Afghanistan, and why did it decide, after 20 years, that a Taliban takeover wouldn't merit even a timely evacuation? And what is the role and responsibility of Afghans in the 40 year-war? Since Kabul fell, everybody knows why and what. But few understand.

Report

‘Not everyone has the strength to carry their heavy backpack’

11 May 2021 -

The Afghan community in Antwerp (and in Belgium) is predominantly young, male and single. And hurt by a violent past. Should we be worried about the boys? Will the girls find opportunities? Portrait of a new generation of Antwerp citizens.

Interview

From tomato picker to contemporary Jesus. ‘We need each other to tackle inequality’

16 April 2021 -

‘I use cinema to address an issue.’ Yvan Sagnet refers to the pitiful working conditions of African migrants in the south of Italy, to pick vegetables that end up in our supermarkets. In Milo Rau’s "The New Gospel", he plays the lead role of a contemporary Jesus.

Analysis

War on journalism in Belarus: ‘European Union is reacting too slowly’

23 March 2021 -

‘Every journalist has spare clothes in his or her backpack. Because we are never sure we will make it home again.’ For more than a month now, Belarusian President Lukashenko has been waging a war on journalists. ‘But we keep on writing. That is our responsibility.’

Analysis

Belgium slams doors on asylum seekers from El Salvador

25 January 2021 -

Asylum seekers from El Salvador hardly ever receive a positive answer to their application for protection in our country. In 2020, barely 10 percent of Salvadoran asylum applications were approved; in 2019, the number was 90 percent. Does the change in trend indicate a revision of the policy?

Longread

The fight against “political Islam” creates a monster that is everywhere and nowhere

30 November 2020 -

The attacks in France and Austria reinforce the call for zero tolerance. Austrian Chancellor Kurz wants to tackle terrorism by outlawing 'political Islam', French President Macron by reforming Islam into a religion that fits the secular state. Is there a baby in the political bathwater?

Report

Millions of Indians have been displaced. This is how they fight back

28 October 2020 -

Anyone who fights land grabbing will be dragged onto the street. Millions of indigenous peoples had to leave their patches of land. Communities in the Northeast and South of India choose to resist, to fight for their right to land. The question remains: at what cost?