The Mecca Accords

Last week, the rivalling Palestinian factions of Hamas and Fateh, represented by Palestinian President Mr Abbas and Prime Minister Haniya, in the Saudi city of Mecca and under the eyes of Saudi king Abdullah signed the so-called Mecca Accords. This agreement is supposed to bring an end to the month-long civil-war-like fighting between the followers of the movements in Gaza through the creation of a unity government composed of ministers from both Hamas and Fateh. What are the chances that this government will finally bring peace to Palestine and steer it into calmer waters? In my view, they are extremely bleak! Not only was it the secular and more moderate (though equally corrupt) Fateh movement that had to make most of the compromises to make this agreement get through which leaves the power status of Hamas somewhat untouched. What is worse, Hamas does not show any sign of recognizing Israel's right to exist - key to the re-initiation of peace and final status talks - and thus already from the start of this new government puts Abbas in a highly problematic position by openly defying his official stance. Unsurprisingly, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert during a meeting with Condi Rice and Abbas instantly refused to recognize this new government which, in turn, lead Mr Abbas to state that such a refusal will spur those Palestinian forces that want a civil war....What a never-ending quagmire!

Portuguese referendum on new abortion law

Today on the 11th of February 2007, Portuguese citizens will have the possibility to go to the polling stations to vote if abortions for all women up to the 10th week of pregnancy should be legal. Today, abortions are conditional and only allowed within 12 weeks of pregnancy if a woman’s life is in danger - mentally or physically, if a women was raped (within 16 weeks) or if it is discovered that the foetus has an incurable disease or deformation (24 weeks). With the current law in place, Portugal qualifies as one of Europe's countries with the strictest abortion laws. This is not the first time that the Portuguese have the possibility of stating their opinion on the abortion law. It was also discussed intensively in 1998 and a referendum was held on the same topic. At the time, most voters voted NO to change the law, but due to a low turnout (less then 50% voted) it was ruled invalid. Of course, the NO camp had (and has) the powerful Roman Catholic Church on its side.

Everywhere in Lisbon, but also in the countryside - you are received by large billboards that encourage citizens to vote either YES or NO. For me as a foreigner is it very difficult to assess which side will prevail this time. It is little bit strange not to have this “fingerspitzengefühl” that I usually have when there are e.g. Swedish elections and referendums. The other day we were having a walk in the city and ended up in one of our favourite spots in the old town of Lisbon with a very nice view over the river Tejo, and there it was – a large billboard with ‘AGORA SIM’ to ease up on the abortion law. I moved closer, and suddenly I saw several NO stickers glued to the YES posters…

Needless to say that this topic evokes also a lot of feelings in workplaces – during coffee breaks and during lunch time breaks. The other day we were several women drinking coffee in the kitchen of the North South Centre, and we started to discuss the upcoming referendum. Working for an organisation that promotes human rights and women’s rights, I was quite surprised when I discovered that both ‘camps’ exist even in my workplace... From colleagues that frenetically defend womens’s rights to their own body to a very young (Italian) woman that believes that any abortion is a murder and not right in any sense. It was very useful for me to listen to the wide scope of opinions coming up, and afterwards I was sorry that I/we did not try to a larger extent to understand the reasoning behind the NO voter. Usually we find ourselves trying to convince the other of our own opinion and convictions.

Even if this is only an advisory referendum and the final decision will be taken by the Portuguese Parliament, I truly hope that every women (and man) entitled to vote, goes to the polling station and casts a YES vote! It is high time for a change.

What do we see?

While browsing through one of my favourite weeklies, the German "Der Spiegel", I came across an article about this year's World Press Photo Award. The winning picture, taken by the US-American Spencer Platt of Getty Images ©, shows a group of young Lebanese cruising in a fancy red Mini Convertable through the southern part of the Lebanese city of Beirut on the first day of the truce , on 15 August 2006. Instantly, the pic caught my attention and I started to wonder what it actually shows and what it actually is that we see. What is the message it conveys? At first glance, I felt somewhat disgusted by the image and the notion that people may find joy by watching the misery of others. Yet, it occurred to me almost the same second that this would be a premature judgement as it is impossible for the reader to know the entire context of the photo and the reason why these five youngsters drove through that part of the city. And also: can we blame them for looking? Can we accuse them of what appears to us as a bizarre form of spectatorship? Is that the only thing we see on this picture? I believe not! And the reason is simply because if we were honest to ourselves, the vast majority of us has been exactly in the same position and has been doing the same thing over and over again. The only difference is that most of us do it from a comfy sofa, one hand at the remote control and the other grabbing some crisps....The closer one looks, the more one can realise that the people in the background do not seem to have paid very much attention to the youngsters, which might indicate that for them there is nothing offensive in having these youngsters pass by in their fancy Mini. Yet, it could also mean that the experience of week-long Israeli bombings, personal tragedies and losses outweighs a scene that in other circumstances would never have caused anybody to even raise an eyebrowe. And yet another interpretation could be that the mini with all its load was even welcomed as it represents a symbol of normalisation and peace. What is it that we see?