NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin November 2022

The NW NJPN E BULLETIN for NOVEMBER 2022 focuses on the COP27 talks, leading with a dire warning from UN secretary-general, António Guterres. He says, “rich countries must sign a historic pact with the poor on the climate, or we will be doomed – we are at code red for humanity.”  Further details of the shocking humanitarian situation at the asylum processing centre at Manston have been uncovered over the past few days, with this week’s leader in the Tablet calling the current home secretary’s treatment of refugees “a policy that shames Britain.” Olivier de Schutter, the UN rapporteur on extreme poverty, says that austerity cuts may fuel further poverty across Britain and even breach human rights obligations. There are hopes that the recent a change of government in Brazil may benefit indigenous communities and the environment. We look at the winners of Index on Censorship’s 2022 Freedom of Expression awards with a particular focus on writer and journalist Andrey Kurkov, a hugely respected commentator on Ukraine. Student rallies show no sign of abating in Iran – the protests  began more than five weeks ago over the death of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini while in police custody – she is remembered in a short poem based on her mother’s words. Pope Francis is currently visiting Bahrain as “a sower of peace.” Pact – the Prison Advice and Care Trust – the national Catholic charity providing support to prisoners’ and their families are inviting parish communities to support mums and dads in prison at Christmas through Operation Elf which enables prisoners to give their children a Christmas gift – there are details of the scheme. All this, plus information about Remembrance Sunday, Advent resources and a full diary.

Please feel free to copy and distribute the Advent resources and pass the bulletin on to others.

Best wishes

Anne O’Connor

NW NJPN Justice and Peace E Bulletin November 2022