Monday 27 July 2020

Polisario Front denounces Morocco's "blackmail

Polisario Front denounces Morocco's "blackmail"

SPS 26/07/2020 - 15:24

New York, 26 July 2020 (SPS) - The Polisario Front's Representative to the United Nations, Sidi Mohamed Omar, denounced on Friday Morocco's constant recourse to "blackmail" in the implementation of UN resolutions on the Sahrawi issue, arguing that the only path sought by Rabat is the "indefinite irresolution of the conflict" in Western Sahara.

Faced with the failure of the Security Council to ensure the implementation of its resolutions on Western Sahara, Sidi Omar said that "the only solution sought by the Moroccan regime is the indefinite irresolution of the conflict while it persists in its vain attempts to normalize its illegal occupation of certain parts of Western Sahara."

He also pointed to "Morocco's constant recourse to blackmail" and the policy of "empty threats as a means of concealing the fact that it has no real political will" to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict in accordance with UN resolutions and its doctrine on decolonisation.

"The UN-sponsored peace process in Western Sahara, launched in 1991, is now completely paralysed because of Morocco's obstructionism on the one hand, and the tendency of some parties in the Security Council and the UN Secretariat to link the entire peace process to the appointment of a new personal envoy on the other, which is only a pretext for taking no action or initiative in this regard," he stressed.

As for the delay in appointing a new personal envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara to replace former German President Horst Kohler, who resigned in May 2019, Sidi Omar said that the main reason is "the preconditions" that Morocco has set itself regarding potential candidates.

In this context, the Sahrawi diplomat reaffirmed the position of the Polisario that "the appointment of a new UN envoy is not an end in itself." (SPS)

062/SPS/700

Opening of Tenth edition of Youth and Students Summer University

SPS 23/07/2020 - 10:01

ChahId Ahmed Abdel-Fattah Paramedical School, July 23, 2020 (SPS) - the Summer University for Youth and Students, bearing the name of the martyr “Hameti Najih”, kicked off Wednesday in the Para-Medical School under the motto Sahrawi students, Loyalty, Commitment to the Martyrs .', scheduled to be between 22-28 July, according to SPS source.

The inauguration of the Summer University was chaired by the head of the Secretariat of Political Organization, Jatri Aduh, who clarified that "the content of the training is an opportunity to exchange experiences and knowledge, as well as to train young cadres for the liberation and construction of the State. "

For his part, UESARIO’s Secretary General, Mulay Emhamed Brahim has also dubbed the university as a space for acquiring knowledge and a letter of continuity and loyalty to the noble purpose of the martyrs of the 20 May revolution, praising the tremendous efforts made by Student regional committee in the Wilayas.

SPS 125/090

West Papuan refugees shot dead by Indonesian military

JULY 22, 2020

Originally published in the Jakarta Post

Two men, Elias Karungu and Selu Karungu, from the conflict-prone Nduga regency in West Papua, were fatally shot by Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel on Saturday. Locals claimed the two were displaced civilians, while the Indonesian Military claimed the two were members of an armed group.

The father and son were killed when returning to Keneyam district, the capital of the regency, after hiding in forests for more than a year to avoid conflicts between the TNI and an armed group linked to the Free Papua Movement (OPM), a witness who requested anonymity for security reasons claimed.

The witness said that Elias and Selu made the trip with dozens of other displaced locals from Paro and Yengelo districts who were also seeking refuge in the forests.

“The son, Selu, walked ahead of the group and was stopped and interrogated by TNI personnel at a post near Keneyam river. He was also beaten during the interrogation,” the witness told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

He said at the time of the interrogation, Selu was carrying an axe. “He used the axe to cut firewood or to make emergency bridges to cross rivers during the journey.”

Upon hearing Selu’s arrest, Elias went to the military post to pick up his son.

“Not long after I and other displaced people resumed our journey to Keneyam, we heard gunshots,” the witness said. “We knew that Elias and Selu had been shot to death after arriving at the district.”

The Indonesian Military have maintained a strong presence in Nduga regency since December 2018, following the killing of more than 30 workers of state-owned company Istaka Karya in the regency by West Papuan freedom fighters .

The construction workers were assigned to build a 275-kilometer section of road to connect Wamena and Mamugu as part of President Jokowi’s flagship trans-Papua road project.

The killings led to a protracted security crisis in Nduga, forcing civilians to seek refuge in the neighboring regency of Wamena.

Residents from Paro, Yengalo and Yal districts who had difficult access to neighboring regencies opted to hide in forests in the wake of the conflicts. However, after illness and starvation plagued their hideout they decided to return to Keneyam.

As many as 139 refugees had died from starvation and illness caused by poor living conditions in the shelters, as reported by the Nduga Solidarity Civil Society Coalition in July last year. The government vehemently rejected the figure and claimed that only 53 displaced people had died.

The death of Elias and Selu sparked outrage among locals who staged a rally on Sunday near Keneyam airport.

“We did not go to the church on Sunday. We took to the street demanding the military hand over Elias and Selu’s bodies,” a local, who also requested anonymity for security reasons, said.

After the military handed over the bodies, Elias and Selu were buried in a cemetery where Hendrik Lokbere was laid to rest. Hendrik was a close aide of Nduga deputy regent Wentius Nimiangge who was shot dead by an unidentified perpetrator on a road in Kenyam district in December 2019.

West Papuan activists convicted of treason after anti-racism protests

JUNE 17, 2020

Originally published in The Guardian

Seven Papuan activists have been found guilty of treason and sentenced to up to 11 months in prison for their involvement in anti-racism rallies in West Papua last year, a verdict that has been condemned by human rights groups.

The men, known as the “Balikpapan Seven”, were convicted over protests that were sparked last summer by a viral video in which Papuan students were called “monkeys” and subjected to other racist taunts. Thousands of people took part in the rallies, some of which turned violent.

Prior to Wednesday’s hearing, protests calling for the treason charges to be dropped took place in cities across Indonesia, where the Black Lives Matter movement has prompted greater discussion of injustices facing West Papuans.

Indonesian prosecutors had sought up to 17 years in jail.

Filep Karma, a Papuan activist who was jailed for more than 10 years in 2004 for waving the Morning Star flag – a symbol of Papuan independence banned in Indonesia – said that the shorter sentences may reflect the level of attention the case has received domestically and abroad.

“It seems that the country is considering the international pressure, and also perhaps they are afraid that Papua will be in turmoil again,” he said. “If the Indonesian government is truly fair and being honest that they have committed to wrongdoing when arresting these people, they have to admit and give them compensation,” he said.

Human Rights Watch added that the Papuans should not stay “even a single night behind bars”.

“They were protesting against racism but are convicted of treason,” Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Reuters.

“The offence here is not the Papuans’ actions, but Jakarta’s willingness to prosecute peaceful dissent and tarnish Indonesia’s international reputation.”

Papua police, Indonesia’s national police and the president’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Protests against racial abuse against Papuan students, allegedly perpetrated by the police, began in Jayapura in August last year. They began mostly peaceful, but the second wave of the rallies turned violent, with protesters burning the parliamentary building, public facilities, and shopping stores.

The protests continued for a month and spread across the region, from the coast of Manokwari to the highland of Deiyai. Witnesses alleged that dozens of protesters were detained and killed by Indonesian security forces.

The Indonesian government accused the Balikpapan Seven of using the protest to promote the “Free West Papua” campaign.

West Papua, which is located in the western part of New Guinea island, was a former Dutch colony until it was absorbed into Indonesia in 1969.

Buchtar Tabuni, one of the Balikpapan Seven, takes a part in a trial, at the Balikpapan district court in East Kalimantan province. The group were arrested for taking part in anti-racism riots last summer.

Buchtar Tabuni, one of the Balikpapan Seven, takes a part in a trial, at the Balikpapan district court in East Kalimantan province. Photograph: Reuters

The Balikpapan Seven – Buchtar Tabuni, a prominent leader of the National Parliament of West Papua and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua; Agus Kossay and Stevanus Itlay, of the National Committee of West Papua (KNPB); Alexander Gobay, Irwanus Uropmabin and Hengki Hilapok, students from Jayapura University of Science and Technology (USTJ), and Cenderawasih University student union executive Ferry Gombo – all denied the allegations of treason.

A total of 36 other Papuan political prisoners are still imprisoned for treason after the uprising last year. Karma said they should be urgently released, and cited the concern over the spread of C ovid-19 in Indonesia n prisons.

FOR THE RECORDS!!!Universal House of Justice announces architect for Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

Bahá’í World News Service

The official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community

Universal House of Justice announces architect for Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

May 7, 2019

Hossein Amanat has been appointed as the architect for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

BAHA'I WORLD CENTRE — The recent call of the Universal House of Justice for the construction of the permanent Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Akka has galvanized the Baha’i world. The selection of the edifice’s architect and the establishment of a fund to support the historic project were made known earlier today.

In a letter to all National Spiritual Assemblies, the House of Justice announced the appointment of Hossein Amanat as the Shrine’s architect. The distinguished Iranian-Canadian architect is best known for his designs of three of the buildings of the Arc on Mount Carmel in Haifa as well as the Azadi Tower in Tehran.

Plans for the construction of the Shrine were revealed by the House of Justice in its annual Ridvan message. “The Bahá’í world is being summoned to build the edifice which will forever embosom those sacred remains,” states the message. The Shrine will be built in the vicinity of the Ridvan Garden in Akka, a place Baha’u’llah visited on several occasions in the later years of His life.

“It is our heartfelt desire that this sacred edifice will be raised up through the universal participation of the friends,” the House of Justice wrote today.

The Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha will be constructed in the vicinity of the Ridvan Garden in Akka. Baha’u’llah visited the Ridvan Garden several times, which Shoghi Effendi described as one of His “favorite retreats.”

The day after His passing in Haifa on 28 November 1921, ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s remains were placed in a vault within the sacred Shrine of the Bab on Mount Carmel, a temporary arrangement until such time that a separate shrine would be erected in His honor. ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s funeral was unprecedented in the region for the number and diversity of those who participated. Some 10,000 people attended—more than a quarter of the city’s population—representing every class, religion, and race there.

The Shrine will be “of a character befitting the unique station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,” the House of Justice also wrote. Designated by Baha’u’llah as “Ridvan”, meaning paradise, the garden near which the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha will be built is a holy place visited on Baha’i pilgrimage. The garden lies about 2 kilometers outside the old city of Akka, where Baha’u’llah was held prisoner from 1868 to 1877, after which He lived in the countryside surrounding that historic fortress city. After the passing of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha continued to live in Akka for most of the remaining years of His life. He eventually moved to Haifa from where He undertook His historic journeys to Egypt and the West.

More than 10,000 people attended ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s funeral, held on 29 November 1921, the day after His passing. This photo shows the start of the funeral procession outside of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s home in Haifa at the bottom of Mount Carmel. His remains were temporarily laid to rest in a vault inside the Shrine of the Bab. The House of Justice announced the construction of a permanent Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

FOR THE RECORDS!!!Design concept for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha unveiled

Bahá’í World News Service

The official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community

Design concept for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha unveiled

September 20, 2019

Design concept for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE — The Universal House of Justice has today released the highly-anticipated design concept for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha to all National Spiritual Assemblies.

For Baha’is, ‘Abdu’l-Baha occupies a station without parallel in the religious annals of humankind. In a letter today, the House of Justice states that the structure envisaged in the design seeks “to honor ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s unique position” and “to reflect at once His lofty station and His humility”.

“This should be unlike any other building,” explains Hossein Amanat, who has been selected as the architect for this historic initiative. “It seeks to manifest ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s selflessness, wisdom, openness, acceptance, and kindness towards all people, to embody His love for gardens and nature, and to reflect His progressive and forward-looking approach.”

As well as a selection of images illustrating the design concept, a video has been released that allows the viewer to see both the central structure and its surroundings.

“‘Abdu’l-Baha had expressed His wish regarding where He should be buried,” explains Mr. Amanat, a distinguished Iranian-Canadian architect. “He had said to an early believer that if something should happen to Him and He should pass away, ‘Abdu’l-Baha wanted to be buried under the sands between Haifa and Akka, which He described as the pathway trodden by the loved ones and the pilgrims.”

In a prayer composed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, recited by visitors to His resting place, He expresses this supplication to God: “Make me as dust in the pathway of Thy loved ones.” This idea in the prayer is one of the organizing principles of the design.

“Considering the essence of these words and referring to ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s attributes, one is hesitant to design an imposing structure for His resting place. His wishes must be taken into consideration,” Mr. Amanat says, “but not to such a literal extent that His station is not revered and recognized. His resting place must be new and unique, and not like any other building.”

Visitors will walk on a path designed to facilitate stages on a meditative journey toward the Shrine at the central point of the garden.

“The interior of the Shrine is envisioned to be a place of diffused light and quiet contemplation. ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s resting spot is placed at the center of this serene space, and a sunburst pattern emanating from His resting place will embrace the whole garden, symbolizing the radiance that ‘Abdu’l-Baha brought to the people of the world,” says Mr. Amanat.

“Abdu’l-Baha was a modern Man,” he continues. “He was a harbinger of the new—His words were new, the Teachings of His Father that He promulgated were new, and He called humanity to a new set of relationships. This building seeks to reflect that.”

The video is also available on YouTube.

FOR THE RECORDS!!Akka mayor and religious leaders honor ‘Abdu’l-Baha at ceremony

Bahá’í World News Service!!!!Akka mayor and religious leaders honor ‘Abdu’l-Baha at ceremony

The official news source of the worldwide Bahá’í community

Akka mayor and religious leaders honor ‘Abdu’l-Baha at ceremony

January 19, 2020

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Ceremony at the site of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha marks the start of construction.

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE — Last Monday, the mayor of Akka, Shimon Lankri, and dignitaries representing the city’s religious communities and other local organizations gathered to honor ‘Abdu’l-Baha at a tree-planting ceremony coinciding with the start of the construction of His Shrine.

“For Baha’is, diversity is beauty,” Mr. Lankri said in his remarks at the ceremony. “Like the flowers and plants of a garden, their worldview is that diversity creates beauty. I think this worldview is true, and we embrace it here.”

The ceremony, held on the site of the Shrine, was attended by around 50 guests including leaders of the Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Druze communities, officials of local government, and academics from educational institutions in the area. David Rutstein, Secretary-General of the Baha’i International Community, and Hossein Amanat, architect of the Shrine, were among several representatives of the Baha’i community who were also present.

After a viewing of the design concept for the Shrine and a recitation of prayers revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Mr. Lankri and Dr. Rutstein gave brief remarks before carrying an olive tree together to a chosen location. Guests helped plant the tree in a spot in the garden where it will be able to grow for years to come.

“The spirit of ‘Abdu’l-Baha shines through a hundred years later,” says Dr. Rutstein. “Seeing the many segments of Akka’s population coming together in their happiness that ‘Abdu’l-Baha is returning to their city—this calls to mind how He worked to create unity here.”

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Shimon Lankri, Mayor of Akka, and David Rutstein, Secretary-General of the Baha’i International Community, carry an olive tree during a ceremony coinciding with the start of the construction of the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

A momentous endeavor begins: Groundwork being laid for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

for the records!!!A momentous endeavor begins: Groundwork being laid for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

January 13, 2020

Initial stages of construction work on the Shrine that will be the final resting place for the sacred remains of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in Akka are under way while detailed planning continues.

BAHA’I WORLD CENTRE — Work has begun on the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. The chosen site near the Ridvan garden in Akka has been prepared, and construction of the building’s foundation is progressing.

During the Ridvan festival last April, the Universal House of Justice made an announcement that exhilarated the Baha’i world: the time had come to raise a befitting Shrine that would be the final resting place for the sacred remains of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. Enthusiasm has mounted over the months since with the announcement of the architect and the unveiling of the design concept for a unique edifice that will honor a figure with a distinct station.

The site for the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in the vicinity of the Ridvan garden (bottom right).

While these developments occurred, construction work began with a thorough examination of the site’s ground composition and drainage, involving exploratory drilling at 29 points.

Next, to allow work with heavy machinery to progress on the soft soil even in damp winter conditions, a 50 centimeter platform of compacted stone was laid across the whole circular area—170 meters in diameter—that will enclose the Shrine and surrounding landscaping. Concrete piles have been driven 15 meters deep, on which the foundation of the central structure is now being built.

In April 2019, the Universal House of Justice announced that the Shrine of ‘Abdu’l-Baha would “lie on the crescent traced between the Holy Shrines in Akka and Haifa.”

At the same time, preparations have begun for the next stages of the project: detailed architectural and landscaping plans to realize the design concept are being drawn up, and a search for suitable sources of building materials is well under way.

Collaboration with local authorities has been essential, whether in obtaining the necessary permits, fostering understanding of the project among neighboring residents, or working with the Israel Antiquities Authority to ensure that the rich history of the area is respected and preserved.

Throughout the design process, care has been taken to account for environmental factors. The Ridvan garden, located on a low-lying plain by the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is protected by walls and earthworks that were built several years ago to help secure the gardens against flooding. The Shrine will be built on a gently sloping berm that will raise the central structure several meters to account for rising sea levels.

‘Abdu’l-Baha spent the last years of His life in Haifa and was interred there in a vault within the Shrine of the Bab.

‘Abdu’l-Baha was a resident of Akka for four decades. He arrived as a prisoner and an exile alongside His Father, Baha’u’llah. Despite the many tragedies and adversities He suffered there, He made Akka his home and dedicated Himself to serving the people of the city, especially its poor. In time, He came to be known and revered throughout the region.

He spent the last years of His life in Haifa, and upon His passing was interred there within the Shrine of the Bab. When His earthly remains are transferred to the permanent Shrine, Akka will witness the return of a figure Who left an indelible mark on that city.

The News Service will continue to cover the developments of this momentous endeavor through articles and brief notices, which will be collected in a new section of the website.