Today in Islamophobia: After being found guilty of contempt of court in the U.K., far-right activist Tommy Robinson begs President Donald Trump to grant him political asylum in the U.S. Two new reports conclude China is organ harvesting and carrying out a child separation campaign against the Uighur Muslims. Writing from London, former Congressman Keith Ellison calls attention to the emerging global far-right movement. Our recommended read of the day is by Dunja Mijatović, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, who warns that the Srebrenica genocide did not happen by accident and started when human beings were singled out because of their identity. This, and more, below:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Srebrenica: dehumanising the Other | Recommended Read
More than 8,300 men, women and children were brutally slaughtered during the Srebrenica genocide, one of the darkest most heinous pages of Europe’s recent history. Many do not know and do not want to know about the Srebrenica genocide. Others think that it was a local issue, an accident of history that does not bear relevance for the rest of the world. read the complete article
Canada
Maxime Bernier photographed with members of alleged hate group in Calgary
The photo, which was taken at an event where Bernier announced new candidates for his party, shows the PPC leader in a cowboy hat posing with men who are wearing vests with patches depicting the emblem of Northern Guard. One of the men flashes a hand gesture that the American Anti-Defamation League says has been used by white supremacists, ironically or sincerely, to symbolize white power. read the complete article
International
I was the first Muslim ever elected to US Congress — and what I see happening in the UK scares me
I’ve closely followed how the far right’s language and images have leached into society; how it tries to justify its existence while concealing its violence; and how it’s become a globally connected movement. read the complete article
China
Op-Ed | Why the United States should sanction the mastermind of China’s crackdown on the Uighurs
The crackdown on the Uighurs must count as the most scandalous human rights atrocity of our time, perhaps second only to the mass slaughter of Syrians by strongman President Bashar al-Assad. Although more vocal than most majority Muslim nations, the United States has been relatively silent on Xinjiang. This is consistent with Washington’s long-standing and bipartisan policy of hedging, given China’s growing economic, political and military power. read the complete article
‘Unmatched wickedness’: Reports allege child separation, organ harvesting against China’s Muslims
Two new reports conclude that China is engaging in organ harvesting and a child separation campaign against the country’s Uighur Muslim minority. This “weaponization of education and social care systems” is critical to “the region’s hair-raising political re-education and transformation drive,” Adrian Zenz wrote, and seems to be a pre-emptive measure against the potential fallout of China’s “war on terror” against Uighur resistance. read the complete article
United Kingdom
UK media's portrayal of Muslims 'misleading and negative'
The study, published by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) on Tuesday, said far-right leaders and commentators used TV debate programmes to propagate stereotypes about Islam and Muslims. The study analysed more than 10,000 news articles and broadcasts in the UK from 2018 and identified "serious problems" in the way British media reports about Islam or Muslims, its authors said. read the complete article
Tommy Robinson encouraged 'vigilante action' in Facebook Live
Robinson was found in contempt of court last week over the broadcast, which he made in breach of a reporting ban, outside Leeds Crown Court in May 2018. Explaining the decision, judge Dame Victoria Sharp said the video could have "seriously impeded" justice over a sexual grooming gang's trial. read the complete article
Far-right anti-Muslim UK activist Tommy Robinson begs Trump to grant him asylum after conviction
"I feel like I’m two days away from being sentenced to death in the U.K. for journalism," the co-founder of the English Defense League said on "The Alex Jones Show," according to videos posted online. "Today, I am calling on the help of Donald Trump, his administration and the Republican Party to grant me and my family political asylum in the United States of America." read the complete article
United States
CAIR Asks 'Where is the Outrage' Over VP Pence's Praise for Pastor Who Claims U.S. Muslims are 'Not Loyal to America'
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed concern at the lack of official outrage after Vice President Mike Pence praised an Islamophobic religious leader who falsely claims that "while American Muslims live in America, 82 percent are not loyal to America" and that "Islamics [sic] have centralized and out vote the American people." read the complete article
Corrections officer's lawsuit: I left Jackson prison over Islamophobic harassment
Hizam Yehia, an Arab American man from Jackson, told The Detroit News he was harassed by his managers, sergeants, lieutenants and fellow officers at the Parnall Correctional Facility in Jackson. Yehia said the harassment began immediately after he joined the department in March 2015. read the complete article
It’s Time for the Democratic Candidates to Confront Islamophobia
At the first round of Democratic presidential debates of the campaign season, none but one of the 20 candidates on stage even mentioned Muslims or the Muslim Ban. On Wednesday night, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said, “I’m proud to have been the first governor to stand up against Donald Trump’s heinous Muslim ban.” Aside from this one comment, however, Muslims didn’t come up. read the complete article