With the world's attention elsewhere, unsettling signs of a re-ignition of the Balkan conflict are mounting. Former KLA commander Hashim Thaci was elected prime minister of Kosova on Jan. 9 and vowed: "I assure you that within a few weeks… Read moreKosova: precedent for Vermont?
Spanish Judge Santiago Pedraz has summoned Marian Beitialarrangoitia, mayor of the Basque town of Hernani, to give testimony Jan. 24 over her supposed support of “terrorism.” At issue are comments Beitialarrangoitia made at a political rally for the parliamentary list… Read moreFree speech crackdown in Basque country
At least 51 migrants drowned trying to cross from Turkey to Greece—and the European Union—when their boat sank in rough weather Dec. 9. The boat was carrying about 70 Palestinians, Iraqis and Somalians when it sank off Seferihisar, in the… Read moreTurkish governor invokes human rights in Aegean disaster
Basque activists arrested in the so-called “18/98” case began appearing before a judge in Bilbao Dec. 4, following a sweep that prompted angry protests over the weekend. Spain’s High Court issued 46 arrest warrants for members of the Basque civil… Read moreBasques march against repression
Six days before President Nicolas Sarkozy is to visit Algiers, the Algerian veterans’ minister Mohamed Cherif Abbas was quoted in the daily Al-Khabar Nov. 26 attributing Sarkozy’s rise to a “Jewish lobby” that holds sway over French politics, and implying… Read moreSarko-fascist Jew-baited as Franco-Intifada erupts again
Some 400 neo-Nazis were blocked from marching in Prague by a group of approximately 2,000 anti-fascist activists Nov. 10—the anniversary of Kristallnacht. Six were reported injured in clashes between the two camps. The far-right Young Nationalist Democrats (MND) received back-up… Read moreNeo-Nazis, anti-fas clash in Prague —on Kristallnacht anniversary
The Spanish parliament Oct. 31 passed a landmark bill that condemns the 1939-75 fascist dictatorship of Gen. Francisco Franco and mandates restitution to its victims. The Law of Historical Memory, approved by the lower house, will expand benefits to victims… Read moreSpain passes “Historical Memory” law on Franco era
Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez read out the verdicts Oct. 31 in the long-running Madrid 3-11 terror trial. Three of the defendants—Jamal Zougam, Emilio Suarez Trashorras, and Osman Gnaoui— were found guilty of murder and handed prison terms of up to… Read moreSpain: survivors protest 3-11 verdicts —despite 40,000-year sentences
On Oct. 12, the Regional Court in Ostrava, Czech Republic, awarded compensation of CZK500,000 (US$260,000) to a Romani woman, Iveta ÄŒerveňáková, 30, for having been sterilized against her will. Ostrava City Hospital is to pay the damages. According to Kumar… Read moreCzech courts indemnify Romani woman for forced sterilization —at last
From AP, Oct. 3: LONDON – Super spicy chili sauce sparked road closures and evacuations in central London after passers-by complained that a chemical emanating from a Thai restaurant was burning their throats, police said Wednesday. Reports of a strong… Read moreThai chili sauce sparks London terror scare
For those who know their history, the notion of Serbian neo-Nazis is almost as wacky as Israeli neo-Nazis. Serbia was occupied by the Nazis in World War II, and the Kingdom of Yugoslavia (ruled by the Serb royal family) dismantled… Read moreNeo-Nazis mobilize in Serbia
Spanish high court judge Baltasar Garzón ordered preventive detainment Sept. 11 for Juan Mari Olano, leader of the Askatasuna prisoner support organization who was arrested during an illegal demonstration at San Sebastián in the Basque country two days earlier. Olano… Read moreBasque march for amnesty attacked by police
