Europe

In a moment of global optimism following the non-violent revolution that swept through Tunisia and then Egypt, World without Wars and Violence meets to consider the current global situation and plan its strategy for the coming year. “We have not been this inspired at global events since the fall of the Iron Curtain.”

Rafael de la Rubia, spokesperson for last year’s World March for Peace and Nonviolence talks about Egypt, Tunisia and the implications for the Arab world. Highlighting the essential role of nonviolence de la Rubia pays tribute to the young people who drove the process to its conclusion. “They have given the rest of the world a Master Class in non-violent revolution.”

Thousands of people rallied in cities across the world to demand respect for human rights in the Middle East and North Africa as part of a global day of action organized by Amnesty International.
Activists, trade unionists and students created a sea of red, black and white – the colours of the Egyptian flag – in countries from Switzerland to South Korea.

Mubarak’s resignation marks an extraordinary victory of people: in 18 days of nonviolent mobilization , resisting attacks of all kinds, the Egyptians were able to get rid of a dictator who oppressed them for thirty years!
The courage and perseverance shown by the demonstrators are an example that we hope other peoples will follow.
And not just in the Arab world.

The Dutch government has changed its travel advice to people wanting to visit Egypt because of the continuing demonstrations. After an emergency cabinet meeting on Sunday morning, the Foreign Ministry advised against any trips to Egypt.
Although no decision has been taken to evacuate Dutch nationals, travel agencies are bringing people home.

The Spokesperson of World without Wars and Violence writes a series of articles envisioning how a future society based on peace and nonviolence could be. The Argentine philosopher and author, Silo, called this world the Universal Human Nation. In this first article the political geography is dealt with, outlining possible new foundations for such a society.

Russia wants an unambiguous answer from NATO over Moscow’s role in a European missile defense shield and will deploy nuclear weapons if no agreement is reached, President Dmitry Medvedev warned.
“Our partners have to understand that we do not want this to have some common toys that NATO and us can play with, but because we want adequate protection for Russia,” Medvedev said.

Colombia, Egypt and Macedonia have withdrawn their objection to Bolivia’s request to end the prohibition of coca-chewing. US continues to support the racist ban on coca chewing. The pressure is now to make sure they are alone and particularly that the following nations: Russia, Japan, France, UK, Germany, Italy, Sweden don’t support the US and that they are left isolated.

It’s been 25 years since the advent of the computer virus, and a lot has changed. The first PC virus – known as ©Brain – was created by two Pakistani software developers to prevent people pirating their programmes. Now experts believe that cyberwarfare is the threat of the future. The Netherlands is at the center of the fight against cybercrime.

On Sunday, the first ever Jewish ceremony confirming a same-sex marriage was held in the synagogue of the Liberale Joodse Gemeente (Liberal Jewish Community) in Amsterdam.
As of this week, Jewish same-sex couples can have their relationships confirmed in one of the community’s ten synagogues in a ceremony called Brit Ahava, a covenant of love.