Author: welland2

UN rapporteur sanctioned by the US


The UN rapporteur Francesca Albanese sanctioned and subject to death threats

April 2026

Francesca Albanese is the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories since 1967. She has documented the extreme violence meted out on the Palestinians by Israel settlers and the IDF and for her pains has been sanctioned by the US President Donald Trump as a ‘specially designated national’. She is the first UN to have received this designation which puts her alongside drug traffickers and dictators. This has had serious consequences for her including the seizure of her Washington apartment and not being able to use a credit card anywhere in the world because they are all processed by American firms. There was considerable lobbying for this to happen.

She has received this treatment because of her reporting on the extreme violence used against Palestinians by Israel and by calling their behaviour genocide.

We are currently witnessing the invasion of southern Lebanon and the demolition of many villages.

In the West Bank, settler violence in 2026 so far, has displaced more Palestinians than in the whole of 2025. Around 1,000 have been killed since 2023 a quarter of whom were children. This is part of a pattern of violent displacement, demolition, evictions and crippling movement and access restrictions. The UN reports that ‘Israeli authorities directed, participated in or enabled settler violence’.

Albanese was interviewed recently in a Guardian piece and expands on her role and the politicians around the world who have been complicit in the violence. She has little time for Sir Keir Starmer and the aid and cover he has given Israel describing him as a ‘monster’ for arguing in 2023 that Israel ‘has the right’ to cut off electricity and gas to Gaza. “You’re not a human rights person at all” she says “if you say such a monstrosity. And the university who gave you your law degree should take it away from you.” [In the subsequent furore Sir Keir claimed he was “questioned by members” and he “made it clear it is not and has never been my view that Israel had the right to cut off water, food, fuel or medicines. International law must be followed.”]

Exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse

This March, the UN published its latest report on the treatment and torture of hundreds of Palestinians and an extract says:

“In custody, Palestinian captives have been subjected to exceptionally ruthless physical and psychological abuse, on a scale and with an intensity without precedent in the history of Palestine/Israel. Brutal beatings, sexual violence, rape, lethal mistreatment, starvation and the systematic deprivation of the most basic human conditions have inflicted profound and lasting scars on the bodies and minds of tens of thousands of Palestinians and their loved ones. These practices demonstrate that the detention system of Israel has descended into a regime of systemic and widespread humiliation, coercion, and terror, aimed at stripping Palestinians not only of their liberty but of their dignity, identity and even the most basic sense of humanity. Far from isolated excesses, such conduct has been institutionalized within detention structures, politically endorsed by Israeli authorities and publicly justified, or even celebrated, by segments of society”. [para 84]

A report by UN Watch repudiates all of Albanese’s conclusions. The organisation is affiliated to the American Jewish Community.

Peace of any kind seems a long way off in the region. The bombing and assassinations in Iran, the massive death toll in Gaza, increasing violence in the West Bank and now the invasion of southern Lebanon seems to show a pattern of violence as a kind of first port of call for the nation. Assisted by the US they are immensely powerful militarily and seem to have no real wish to compromise and certainly not recognise a Palestinian state. The tragedy is that it will not bring them the security they so desperately desire. A new generation of people with hatred towards Israel is in the making and will come to haunt them in years to come.

The treatment of Albanese is wholly unjustified and vindictive. Her reports can be criticised and errors pointed out in the normal way. But the death threats to her and her family, the seizing of her apartment and other coercive measures are wholly unacceptable.

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Will peace talks succeed?


Peace negotiations unlikely to bear fruit

April 2026

This is being written while negotiations are taking place in Islamabad to see if a solution can be found to the war between the US, Israel and Iran. It does not look hopeful but maybe we will be writing a post soon to record a successful conclusion, let us hope so. UPDATE 13th April: talks fail.

The 123rd vigil took place in Salisbury this Saturday ((11th) and was well attended as usual. Two groups joined us at various times which is always nice to see. There were many motorists who sounded their horns. There is a video of the event.

There was a protest which took place in London with over 500 arrested despite the peaceful nature of the event. It was in aid of Palestine Action organised by Defend our Juries. Under the guise of shortening the waiting lists for trials, the government is proposing to end jury trials in certain circumstances. One reason might be that juries have a habit of acquitting people in cases involving protest and climate actions.

The High Court has ruled that the prescription is ‘disproportionate and unlawful’. The Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is appealing this decision which will be heard in two weeks time.

Killing continues in Gaza

Meanwhile, the killing continues. Gaza has dropped out of the news with the war in Iran and the partial closure of the Straight of Hormuz taking the attention. But since the ceasefire, 749 have lost their lives which makes it a peculiar kind of ceasefire. Supplies of food and other necessities are still being restricted by the Israelis. The death toll stands are 72,328 with around 172,000 injured. 2,000 have now been killed in Lebanon.

There is a kind of paradox with the government keen to support Israel who are in the process of attacking Lebanon and continuing to allow arms sales to take place. Israel is using white phosphorus in Lebanon, a dreadful weapon. It is accused of genocide in Gaza and has occupied nearly all the agriculturally valuable land. Settlers have stepped up their attacks on Palestinians living in the West Bank and destroying their property with impunity. Apartheid is practised. They have led the US into an unwinnable war in Iran. The Knesset has just passed a law which will lead to the execution of Palestinians in the West Bank, probably following confessions or evidence achieved using torture. On these matters the government are largely silent whereas they take resolute action against hundreds of those who peacefully protest. A bizarre contradiction.

As usual there was no sign of the local MP Mr John Glen who announced in the Salisbury Journal he was ‘proud’ to be a member of the Conservative Friends of Israel organisation. He has never mentioned the vigils in his weekly Journal column. In a Bylines piece, membership of this organisation is questioned asking how is it possible for MPs and ministers to accept the hospitality and to remain impartial and act on behalf of those who voted them in? Israel has invested around £1m in this lobbying – evidently money well spent. Mr Glen clearly does not represent the views of those attending the vigil and probably other constituents as well. The Trade minister Peter Kyle is a member of the Labour equivalent.

Sources: Guardian, Independent, Declassified, Salisbury Journal; Haaretz.

Video and photo courtesy of Peter Gloyns. See also the SCIP website for two events of interest.

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April minutes and newsletter


April 2026

We attach the minutes and newsletter of our April meeting thanks to group member Lesley for compiling them. They contain a lot of material and details of future activities appear towards the end. If you were thinking of joining us (it’s free) then coming along to one of these events would be a good start.

April minutes and newsletter (Word)Download
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Government deceit concerning arms exports


Research reveals arms sold to Israel for re-export never were

April 2026

Selling arms carries with it the risk that they will be used not for legitimate purposes of defence but for illegal or offensive actions and the killing of innocent people. They can contribute to the tens of millions of displaced people and refugees who flee persecution or civil wars. As a member of the Security Council and a major exporter of arms, the UK has a particular responsibility to ensure arms go to where they are intended and do not end up in the hands of countries or parties engaged in civil wars or insurrection.

The UK is seriously falling down in this duty and arguably, knows it to be the case. It seems more concerned with boosting exports and less interested in where or with whom the weapons end up. In a previous post we commented on the weak controls on arms sales to the UAE which evidence strongly suggest end up in the hands of Sudanese rebels, the RSF. in this post we discuss evidence of arms sales to Israel being used on the Golan Heights illegally occupied by Israel since 1967.

Both are aspects of the same problem: weapons supposedly going to a friendly power being sent on to one which isn’t or are being misused. The evidence seems to suggest a lack of control or curiosity by government and civil servants. In both cases the weapons have caused a huge number of deaths and injury.

Re-export loophole

The Campaign Against the Arms Trade and Declassified UK have unearthed some shady practice concerning weapons sales to Israel. A £120 million transaction involving components was concluded for arms to go to Israel for onward export to Romania. Only they didn’t. The licences were for Watchkeeper drone (pictured) components by Elbit Systems, the Israeli arms company with plants in the UK. Elbit then quietly, they suggest, repeatedly issued a force majeure clause thus preventing the component leaving Israel. [The Declassified report also discusses the issue of waste which is outside our human rights brief].

CAAT and Declassified wrote to the Business and Trade sub-Committee on Economic Security and Export Controls asking for an investigation. Their work has revealed that the UK has zero ‘end-use monitoring’ allowing arms companies to divert weapons with near impunity. The government still claims it has ‘robust monitoring’ in place which seems utterly absurd and at variance with the evidence.

Following these investigations, Romania has threatened to cancel a $400m contract with Elbit Systems whereupon Elbit says it will begin delivery. Can they be trusted?

It seems clear that UK controls on sales are lax or almost non-existent. The lack of end-user monitoring and issuing open licences means arms end up almost anywhere. The desire to sustain arms sales and the UK’s arms industry seems to trump issues of humanity and the death and destruction that these weapons cause. Claims of robust controls are absurd and dishonest.

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Human Rights and the Abuse of Anti-Terrorism Powers


Terrorism is a handy go-to word to justify restrictive or violent state actions

April 2026

Calling an action or a group ‘terrorist’ has become a useful way for governments of all persuasions to justify violent, draconian or restrictive actions against people, causes or organisations they don’t like. The problem is that there are terrorists and they can attack societies which means governments are justified in taking action against them. But what we are witnessing in the Middle East in both Gaza and now south Lebanon and Beirut, are massive attacks against property and thousands of civilians, all justified because they are attacks against terrorists, in those cases Hamas and Hezbollah. The destruction and killing is justified because, it is claimed, those killed are either terrorists or being used as human shields by terrorists.

Terrorism Definition

The handy use of the word ‘terrorist’, or its cousin, ‘extremist’, is being used by UK governments to introduce legislation and increased police powers. The word needs very careful definition and we need to be on our guard against its use beyond true terrorism. Another problem is the retention of these regulations long after the risk has disappeared.

It is why the human rights group Liberty is asking for a new definition of terrorism. They claim that the one set out in the Terrorism Act 2000 is a one-size-fits-all definition and applies to hundreds of powers, offences and more. This a concerning escalation of how the Government treats protest groups and uses terrorism powers. Proscribing a direct-action protest group in this way potentially sets a new precedent for what we do and do not treat as terrorism they argue.

“We’re worried about the chilling effect this would have on the thousands of people who campaign for Palestine, and their ability to express themselves and take part in protests. Proscribing Palestine Action would mean that showing support for them in any way – for example, sharing a post on social media or wearing a logo – could carry a prison sentence.

The act defines terrorism as: 

An act or threat of action that is taken for the benefit of a proscribed organisation, or one designed to influence a government or intimidate some of the public, and​ involves either (i) serious violence against a person, (ii) serious damage to property, (iii) endangering a person’s life, (iv) creating a serious risk to the health and safety of some of the public or (v) seriously interfering with an electronic system.

Any cause, motivated action or threat that uses firearms or explosives is defined as terrorism even if it was not designed to influence a government or intimidate the public. One problem word is ‘influence’ which in most cases is benign. Based on ​the recommendations of the Bingham Centre’s Independent report of 2025 Liberty suggest changing ‘influence’ a government in the definition to ‘coerce, compel or subvert’ a government.

Serious damage to property’ should only be considered terrorism if it (i) creates a serious risk to life, or​ (ii) creates a serious risk to national security or the health and safety of some of the public, or​ ​(iii) uses arson, explosives, or firearms.​ They would remove the clause which states any act which uses explosives or firearms is terrorism even if it does not seek to influence a government or intimidate the public.​

This they argue would enable current and future governments to uphold their duty to safeguard the public and national security, while protecting peoples’ rights and preventing the kind of overreach seen with Palestine Action. We have to be especially observant that the use of this legislation and the careless use of that word, does not become a cover for coercive actions by the police and courts against legitimate protest.

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Global Refugee Crisis: Current Statistics and Trends


Round up of the refugee situation around the world

April 2026

With the focus on the Channel crossings and refugees in hotels, there is a danger of overlooking the massive refugee issues around the world which are on a scale far larger than we experience in the UK. There are 117 million people who have been displaced due to violence, conflict, persecution or violation of human rights. There are over 42 million refugees according to the UNHCR. These people are often in countries unable to afford to look after them. The Middle East conflict continues to increase the number of refugees, notably from Southern Lebanon.  It is reckoned that in 4 weeks a million Lebanese have been displaced, around one in 5 of the population.

A migration summit in Cairo to review trends prior to a global review to take place in New York has been overshadowed by the war; Egypt is home to a large number of refugees. The meeting, held in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital, brought together African ministers and stakeholders under the framework of the International Organization for Migration and the Global Compact for Migration, ahead of a global review forum in New York.

Small boats

Small boats continue to be in the news.  In the Mediterranean 180 migrants were lost in the last week, mostly coming

from Libya.  The UNHCR’s Institute of Migration estimate that nearly 1,000 lives have been lost in the Mediterranean since the beginning of the year.

The EU continues to struggle with new arrivals.  The border between Croatia (in EU) and Bosnia (outside) has seen particularly violent clashes.

Backlash in UK

In the UK the backlash against the Government’s tightening of regulations on refugee status, asylum seekers support and family reunions continues.  The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is under attack from her backbenchers, who may have enough support to raise their protest in the Commons.  The House of Lords Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee has said of the Home Office that it ‘has not fully thought through the implications of the changes.’  Other bodies have pointed to crises in the system; Migrants Organise have noted a growing problem of access to justice for claimants, citing a collapse in legal aid provision and an increasing number of unrepresented claimants.  The use of AI by the Home Office in its assessments may be unlawful.

With the local elections in view, the Scottish Greens are proposing to allow asylum seekers the right to work, the first party in the UK to do so.

The 1 in 1 out arrangement with France is said to be on the point of ending; many migrants, after being returned to France, have taken to lorries, as they did in the pre-small boats era.

The Congo has joined those countries prepared to take on asylum seekers deported from the UK.  Details are not yet known.

In the United States the Supreme Court is likely to allow the administration to resume blocking asylum seekers physically from entering the country; much discussion has ensued on the meaning of ‘to arrive at/in’.  The process (‘metering’) was stopped by Biden.

On the campaigning front, the Refugee Week organisers are planning a week of ‘A Million Acts of Hope’ from 13th to 20th May.  Details to follow.

As a footnote, the first of the Afrikaner ‘refugees’ to be welcomed into the USA has now returned home.

AH

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Monthly death penalty report


Report for mid-March to mid-April

April 2026

We are pleased to attach this month’s report thanks to group member Lesley for the work in compiling it. Featured this month are Florida with Governor De Santis’ spate of executions – the highest in the State’s history – the disturbing number of executions in Iran to add to the slaughter of its citizens in the streets, and the discriminatory bill passed by the Knesset in Israel for the execution of Palestinians in the West Bank.

As ever we note that China does not feature despite executing more of its citizens than the rest of the world combined.

lReport (Word)Download

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Petition reaches major milestone


Petition to the UK government passes the critical 100,000

April 2026

The Israeli Knesset has just passed a bill which will permit the speedy execution of Palestinian prisoners. A petition has passed the crucial 100,000 mark which means the UK parliament must consider the issue. Human rights organisations and governments around the world have condemned the legislation which quite openly singles out Palestinians for execution without appeal. The trials will take place in a military court in the West Bank. Many will have been severely tortured and badly mistreated.

“We believe that such a law would constitute a complete violation of the Geneva Convention and International Human Rights Law. UN experts have called for these proposals to be dropped,” the petition reads. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty, have condemned the legislation, which has been described as ”one of the world’s most extreme death penalty laws,” over its design to target Palestinians, as it would exclude Israelis.

The petition shows the degree of concern that many have with this legislation and its brazen one-sidedness. To reach more than 100,000 is a measure of the public’s concern. It poses a problem for the government however which has supported Israel during the recent hostilities. Weapons, intelligence and overflights from Cyprus are part of its support.

It also puts in the spotlight the large numbers of MPs who are members of the various party’s Friends of Israel groups including the local MP for Salisbury Mr John Glen.

Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, two members of Knesset who promoted this bill.

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Violence becomes the message


Pete Hegseth’s message is one of violence with a religious justification

April 2026

The message of our vigils, the 122nd of which was held on Saturday 4th, is one of peace in the region not violence which seems to be never ending. This is set against the speech (sermon?) given by the Secretary of State for Defense, Pete Hegseth, last week in the Pentagon. Hegseth belongs to the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, a conservative network co-founded by the self-described Christian nationalist Doug Wilson. CREC pastors have appeared at Hegseth’s Pentagon services at least three times, including Wilson who preached there in February.

The US Constitution was clear that church and state should be separate. George Washington was himself a devout Anglican and was keen for religious tolerance to be available to all faiths. He and the founding fathers were also keen for the state to be distinct from religion – a lesson they had learned from Europe. Hegseth’s bringing his faith into the political sphere is alarming. In his latest speech he speaks of ‘ … overwhelming violence of action to those who deserve no mercy’ a quote from the Psalms.

Critics such as Ronit Stahl, author of “Enlisting Faith: How the Military Chaplaincy Shaped Religion and State in Modern America,” said referring to God in broad language is not unusual in this context. “But the shift towards the specificity of Jesus Christ and therefore Christianity and in Hegseth’s case, a particular form of Protestant Christianity, is new, especially coming from the defense secretary.”

The tone of his speech is troubling and couching it in religious justification especially so. It can be seen here. For many, Christians or no, the appropriation of religious faith to justify the killing and destruction of country which is now largely defenceless is profoundly saddening. The Christian message is based partly on forgiveness not vengeance. The Guardian reported that Pope Leo spoke for many beyond the Catholic church at a Palm Sunday mass in Rome in forcefully rejecting attempts by zealots such as Hegseth to conscript Christianity. “No one can use [Jesus] to justify war,” he said, quoting Isaiah. War-makers’ prayers would go unanswered. “Your hands are full of blood.”

Over 30 attended the vigil and there was a pleasing number of ‘honks’ from passing motorists. A video can be viewed here and photos courtesy of Peter Gloyns.

Sources: PBS, CNN, Air Force Magazine (US), Guardian, HuffPost, The Independent.

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Mass death in Sudan


Terrible events continue to unfold in Sudan. Britain’s role in the supply of weapons

April 2026

While the world is transfixed by the events in the Middle East following the bombing campaign initiated by the US and Israel, terrible misery is inflicted on millions caught up in a long-running war in Sudan. The numbers are huge: tens of thousands killed with mounds of bodies reported in some locations, 8 million displaced in a country with little infrastructure to cope, and an almost uncountable number of women and girts raped. Tens of millions are in need of humanitarian assistance.

The UN reports a tripling of gender based violence much of it unreported because of the stigma and shame attached to the victims. This disaster follows a 2 year siege of Al Fasher by Rapid Support Forces, a rebel group who are successors to the Janjaweed. There are many reports of men executed on the spot by RSF men.

Weapons

The question is how are the RSF getting these weapons to enable them to take on the Sudanese Armed Forces? The story is complex but considerable evidence points to the key supply hub of the UAE being the principle source. Weapons are then filtered through other countries and states including Libya and Uganda. The weapons themselves come from Russia, China, Yemen, Serbia and Türkiye. The supply route is described as ‘unimpeded’ by some observers.

The UK? As is usual with these conflicts, the UK is busy supplying weapons to the UAE despite knowing that some are destined for the RSF to be used for slaughter in the Sudan. CAAT reports that £825m was supplied in the period 2020 – 2024. £421m was suppled since the Sudan war began. They report that the UK government were well aware of the diversions taking place. The British government has been urged to suspend further arms sales to the UAE. This follows a report in the Telegraph.

A Channel 4 report supplies further details – or such details as can be found as the industry is shrouded in secrecy – and they do note that weapons sales to the UAE have diminished. The report ends with the familiar refrain from ministers:

“The UK government told us it has a very strong arms export licensing system in place, and it takes any allegations of diversion of exported weapons to another country very seriously. It said it had reviewed a large number of export licences, and found no evidence of diverted items being linked to existing licences.

“Speaking to Channel 4 News today [25 November 2025], Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “I have deliberately made the issues around Sudan one of the top priorities here in the Foreign Office because this is the worst humanitarian crisis of the twenty-first century.””

Open licences

The problem with Foreign Office statements is the issue of open licences. A rather less sanguine view of the question is provided in a Daily Telegraph article. The FCO is accused of failing to check the onward movement of weapons once they have landed in the UAE: a kind of out of sight out of mind.

The situation in Sudan is dreadful and there is a flow of refugees from the country some of whom end up at Calais. The UK is urged to limit arms sales to UAE and to ensure that such arms as are sold do not find their way to the RSF.

Sources: Amnesty, Guardian, Telegraph, Middle East Eye, CAAT, The Parliament Politics, Channel 4.

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