NI 489 - January, 2016

Humanity adrift: why refugees deserve better

A note from the editor

Death in peacetime

In October, I travelled to Lesvos, the frontline of Europe’s refugee crisis. I’ve been trying to work out ever since what it is that makes it so hard to forget.

We are not used to seeing loss first-hand, the bereaved families and interrupted lives.

But it isn’t just that. I’ve read numerous blogs by photographers and war correspondents who have seen death and destruction on a far wider scale yet can’t seem to get over Lesvos either.

I think it’s because these deaths in Europe are so infinitely avoidable. It isn’t dangerous to get to Greece from Turkey. A big, safe ferry crosses into Lesvos three times a week. But our border regime stops refugees from catching it. So they sell up and risk their lives, and those of their children, in smugglers’ boats to Europe.

By contrast, the dangers of the wars that refugees are fleeing are well known. Yet the deaths on our border are a result of the order that we impose on the world, not the chaos of conflict. Whatever logic has led us to this point, the result is madness, one that goes against every human instinct.

This Big Story adds New Internationalist’s voice to the chorus of outrage at our governments’ handling of the refugee crisis, but also draws hope from the humanity of those citizens who are rebelling against the securitization of the border, by helping people over it.

This month we also explore the camp at Calais, thanks to a cartoon supplement by Kate Evans, told with her characteristic warmth and humour.

Elsewhere, we have an essay from Mark Boyle that takes a stand against ‘mindless nonviolence’ and a visual treat, ‘The Unreported Year’, shining a light on the stories the world forgot in 2015.

Hazel Healy for the New Internationalist co-operative.
www.newint.org

The big story

Mixed messages: refugees have received a varied reception as they journey through Europe. Here, a policeman plays with a girl last September in Denmark, a cut-through for many Syrian and Iraqi refugees heading for Sweden.

Photo: Claus Fisker/Reuters

NI 489 - January, 2016

Humanity adrift: why refugees deserve better

A note from the editor

Death in peacetime

The big story

On the frontlines of the refugee crisis in Lesvos, Hazel Healy finds loss, humanity – and answers.

Features

This infograph from the January-February 2016 New Internationalist magazine offers the big picture view of who, why, and where people flee to.

Ruben Andersson investigates the murky world of border security.

Reem Haddad reports on how Christian Palestinians in Lebanon have welcomed Muslim refugees from Syria.

Patience Akumu explains that some African countries host large numbers of refugees.

While governments are sealing borders and erecting walls, ordinary people are offering support and shelter.

Global inequality lies at the root of our anxiety over migrants, says Bridget Anderson.

Stories you might have missed in 2015. Compiled by Jo Lateu.

Kate Evans explores the camp at Calais through illustration, told with her characteristic warmth and humour.

Opinion

Compulsory grief is both pointless and grotesque, writes Kate Smurthwaite.

Urgent cries for racial justice must not go unheard, writes Mark Engler.

Agenda

Richard Swift looks at the how ecological disaster causes a cascade of effects.

Sharmin Cheema-Kelly offers grave warning about the direction Malaysia is headed.

Lydia Noon reports the first vegan bakery in Ramallah’s Jalazoun refugee camp, Palestine.

Richard Swift shines a light on the first woman president of the small mountainous state of Nepal.

Tom Lawson explains how mimics small traders are mimicking corporate tax-avoidance.

Peter Lykke Lind explains one community's small victory.

Cristiana Moisescu relays tragic events that sparked public rage in Bucharest.

Maina Waruru reports how a local law puts small street-sellers at risk.

Luke Rees explores the degree to which proceeds from the lottery benefit society.

Wetland protection, transgender medical rights, car-free Delhi & buy don’t burn.

Regulars

Praise, blame and all points in between? Your feedback published in the January/February 2016 magazine.

A sudden change in an employee's health reveals hidden hardship to Ruby Diamonde.

Cartoon by Simon Kneebone

David Styan on life in continental Africa's least-populated state.

Mark Boyle writes on why he opposes 'mindless nonviolence'.

Cartoon by P J Polyp

Cartoon by Marc Roberts

The award-winning rapper, writer, campaigner and lecturer talks to Dan Glazebrook about the myth of white supremacy and the death of racism.

Film, Book & Music Reviews

The films, music and books that made the grade this year.

The Assassin, directed by Hou Hsiao-Hsien; Rams, directed by Grímur Hákonarson; This Changes Everything, by Avi Lewis and Naomi Klein.

Touristes by Vieux Farka Touré and Julia Easterlin; Vesevo by Vesevo.

Human Acts by Han Kang; Martin John by Anakana Schofield; What’s Yours is Mine by Tom Slee; Saudi Arabia: A Kingdom in Peril by Paul Aarts and Carolien Roelants; Muted Modernists by Madawi Al-Rasheed.

More reviews from the January/February 2016 magazine.

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