Civil rescue organizations operating in the Mediterranean Sea have severed ties with the Libyan coastguard, citing escalating violence against asylum seekers. In a separate incident, the United States and Israel accused Iran of plotting to assassinate Israel's ambassador to Mexico. Meanwhile, an explosion at a school mosque in Jakarta injured over 50 individuals, and the cancellation of a film festival in New York has raised alarms over Chinese government repression.

Civil Rescue Groups Cut Ties with Libyan Coastguard

Thirteen non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involved in search-and-rescue operations in the Mediterranean have announced the suspension of communication with the Libyan coastguard. This decision stems from a series of violent interceptions of asylum seekers at sea, leading to their detention in camps notorious for torture and abuse. The NGOs criticized the European Union and Italy for pressuring them to collaborate with what they described as an illegitimate and violent regime. Ina Friebe from CompassCollective emphasized the need to stop operational communication with the Libyan coastguard, framing it as a moral and legal imperative against complicity in human rights violations. The organizations have formed a new alliance called the Justice Fleet to document incidents involving the coastguard.

Alleged Iranian Plot Against Israeli Ambassador

The United States and Israel have accused Iran of attempting to assassinate Israel's ambassador to Mexico, Einat Kranz-Neiger. Israeli officials confirmed that Mexican authorities intervened to thwart the plot, which reportedly involved operatives recruited from Iran’s embassy in Venezuela. A U.S. official stated that the plot was initiated by Iran's Revolutionary Guards and contained, posing no immediate threat. This incident follows a history of Iranian aggression against Israeli and Jewish targets globally, raising concerns about the reach of Iranian operatives.

Explosions at Jakarta School Mosque

At least 54 individuals were injured during explosions at a mosque in a Jakarta high school. The blasts occurred during Friday prayers, prompting panic among students. Authorities identified the suspect as a 17-year-old male student who was also injured in the incident. Investigators are looking into the suspect's background, including the possibility of bullying as a motive for what could have been a suicide attack. The police have recovered a toy submachine gun inscribed with white supremacist slogans, which is under investigation.

Cancellation of Film Festival in New York

The IndieChina film festival, set to debut in New York, has been canceled after several filmmakers withdrew due to pressure from Chinese authorities. Curator Zhu Rikun cited safety concerns for participants, stating that many directors received threats directed at their families in China. The festival's cancellation highlights ongoing issues of transnational repression by the Chinese government, which seeks to control narratives about its actions abroad. Human Rights Watch has condemned this development, noting that it reflects a broader trend of repression against artistic expression linked to China.

Wrap-up

These incidents collectively underscore a troubling global landscape where human rights violations, political tensions, and violence intersect. From the Mediterranean Sea to the Americas and Asia, the impact of state and non-state actors on individual freedoms and safety remains a pressing concern.

Sources: theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team