A new report released today by the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) reveals that 32.4 million people were forced to flee their homes in 2012 by disasters such as floods, storms and earthquakes. While Asia and west and central Africa bore the brunt, 1.3 million were displaced in rich countries, with the USA particularly affected. 98% of all displacement in 2012 was related to climate- and weather-related events, with flood disasters in India and Nigeria accounting for 41% of global displacement in 2012. In India, monsoon floods displaced 6.9 million, and in Nigeria 6.1 million people were newly displaced. While over the past five years 81% of global displacement has occurred in Asia, in 2012 Africa had a record high for the region of 8.2 million people newly displaced, over four times more than in any of the previous four years.
(Reliefweb, 13/05/113)
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Labour Behind the Label - Our advice to you
In the face of stories about sweatshop factories and buildings collapsing in Bangladesh, it is often difficult to know where you should shop. Buying 'sweatshop free' clothes is a complicated business. Labour Behind the Label exists to help improve conditions for garment workers on the ground and empower them to change their systems for the better – they are not a consumer label and can't hope to know everything there is to know about all brands.
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There is no justification for the new immigration bill - and it's a move guaranteed to harm unpopular minorities. In the Queen's Speech the Government announced plans to limit the use of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The changes are likely to be popular, thanks to longstanding campaigns by some newspapers to restrict the rights of foreigners who have committed crimes here. But there are reasons why we should be very wary about this proposal, as it could greatly alter the balance of power between judges and the Executive.
(Adam Wagner, New Statesman, 08/05/13)
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Tell George Osborne to drop his legal challenge in Europe
Just a few months ago we were delighted to share the good news with you: eleven countries in Europe pledged to introduce Robin Hood Taxes -- netting a combined whopping £30 billion. It's hard to believe, but those taxes are now under threat from our government. After losing the moral and practical arguments George Osborne is now resorting to a desperate legal challenge to try and block these countries from introducing their own taxes.
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Scottish Interfaith Group on Domestic Abuse
Souls of our Shoes Exhibition from Monday 6th May to Monday 27th May at St Mary’s Scottish Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AW. The shoes in this exhibition speak on behalf of abused individuals who suffer and some who die at the hands of their partner. Other comments come from those who journey with them. Their reflections represent a faith perspective. 'It is God’s intention for all human beings, male, female, child and adult, to enjoy safety, freedom, dignity and fullness of life. Abuse in the home is a violation of God’s wish for humanity as it can adversely affect an individual’s relationship with God and also creates substantial damage in the family, in the community and in society as a whole.' (From the Inter-Faith Statement) With timely help, many can escape from their abusive situation, rebuild their confidence and live in safety. This exhibition has been adapted from the ‘104 pairs of shoes’ initiated by the YWCA.
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A film made by Pax Christi that suggests how we could invest in people and their needs rather than in war and conflict
Give Peace a Budget : Seven ways to spend $1.7 trillion dollars was launched on Monday (15 April)at a meeting at the House of Commons. You can see the video on You Tube here. It is also available in DVD format with a simple discussion guide for use with groups, parishes or schools for £5.00 plus postage. The film has both an education and a campaignng function. Read a report of the House of Commons meeting and the key points made by speakers: Kate Hudson, CND, John Hilary, War on Want, Anne Marie iielly, CAAT and Bruce Kent here