Adrian Liberto
2025
'Now is the time of monsters': How religious leaders are failing their moral duty
From rabbis sanctioning a holy war to a Pope who won't name the aggressor, the world's great religions are facing a crisis of conscience over Gaza. Is their silence and complicity creating a Judaism without a soul and a Christianity without a heart?
89 seconds to midnight: The cost of lost empathy
Our greatest threat lies not only in nuclear arms or climate collapse but in the death of empathy itself. Unless we confront the four horsemen of exploitation, greed, colonialism and nationalism, nature will deliver the reckoning we refuse to face.
When Kakistocracy Sanctions Humanity
US sanctions UN investigator Francesca Albanese for speaking out on Gaza, punishing her for naming those profiting from violence while the world watches in quiet complicity.
Another US veto condemns Gaza to further genocide
As Trump and Netanyahu cosy up in Washington again with fresh talks on Gaza, one thing is certain: there is no Israeli atrocity, however diabolical, that the US will not back. Here I pick at Dorothy Shea’s narrative after yet another US veto blocking moves to put an end to the genocide.
Nicaragua’s War on the Press: New Report Highlights Escalating Repression
UN-aligned recently partnered with FLED Nicaragua to translate their annual report from Spanish into English, highlighting the grave state of press freedom in the country. The assassination of retired Nicaraguan army officer and outspoken critic of President Daniel Ortega, Roberto Samcam, on June 19 while in exile in Costa Rica, underscores the urgency of the crisis and the critical need to raise international awareness.
Confronting a Genocide
Despite the “business as usual” attitude of most of the world’s politicians and the people the media like to keep in the spotlight, the genocidaires are hurting. The protests, the immolations, the hunger strikes, the courageous acts of defiance… They are slowly taking their toll.
Call to Action!
We, “the people”, need to mobilise; make sure our voices are heard; we need to stand up for every citizen of this planet and the planet itself...
Onward and upwards: UN-aligned priorities for 2025
Following a successful AGM, during which Adrian Liberto was confirmed as Chair and Partho Chatterjee as Vice-Chair, UN-aligned highlights some of the priorities for the remainder of 2025
2024
‘If it ain’t broke... break it’: How the US betrayed free speech and the First Amendment
From hounding WikiLeaks' Assange to stifling peaceful students protesting genocide, America has abandoned its democratic values along with all notions of decency.
The end of a charade: Israel's collapse under global condemnation
Wealth and media backing notwithstanding, Israel's facade crumbles, losing its grip on legitimacy. Facing isolation, its existence as a recognised state teeters towards an inevitable demise.
To be or not to be European alone: Horizons of EU expansion
Can the EU redefine what it means to be European in a globally connected world?
2023
António Guterres Named as the UN-aligned Person of the Year
Challenging superpowers and advocating, António Guterres, UN-aligned Person of the Year, embodies a paradoxical crusade for change from within the system.
A Council in Deadlock: The UN's Faltering Quest for Peace in Gaza
UN peace efforts in Gaza are criticised as Security Council vetoes block cease-fire moves and expose the General Assembly's limited power.
Behind the Headlines: India's Rising Power, Lingering Poverty and the Quest for Balance
India ascends on the world stage, projecting power and prosperity, yet within its borders, the stark reality of disparity and unfulfilled promises persists. What are the steps forward?
Palestine and the UN: Will this 794th letter jolt the Security Council into action?
In his 794th plea to the UN, Riyad H. Mansour exposes the unchecked horrors in Palestine, but can the UN overcome its inertia and respond, or will inaction deepen the global human tragedy?
The Global Constitution: And Why we Need it
In a world beset by rising nationalism and a chronic disregard for global responsibility, could a world constitution steer us towards peace and prosperity?
The Defining Stories of May 2023
Explore the stories that shaped our world in May 2023. From cyclones and flash floods to political unrest, the passing of cultural icons and landmark court decisions – an insightful look at the events that made headlines.
Unlocking the Infernal Gates: Confronting the Oil Industry's Greed
The oil industry's unyielding pursuit of profits at the expense of the environment and ethical standards poses a significant threat to the future of humanity. Are we on the escalator heading towards self-destruction?
The 3 Scenarios of Russia’s Removal from the UN Security Council: A Bleak Future or a Chance for a Fresh Start?
Russia's permanent seat on the UN Security Council is under scrutiny like never before. What would happen if the UN decided to expel this rogue state from the Security Council? Will it lead to war, polarisation, or perhaps a new beginning for the UN?
Bridging the Wealth Gap: A Blueprint for Poverty Eradication
Redefining 21st century economics to eradicate poverty.
Odessa's Cultural Heritage Threatened by Ongoing Conflict in Ukraine
Despite being inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, the historical Ukrainian city of Odessa struggles to protect its monuments from the effects of war.
‘Like heads in the sand’: United Nations Votes on Israeli Occupation
The recent UN General Assembly vote on the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories sheds light on the disturbing trend of political ignorance amongst powerful nations.
Secret Visits, Insane Politics and Devastating Natural Disasters: February 2023 in One Look
A round-up of global news in February 2023, including devastating natural disasters, terrorist attacks, and political developments
Bye bye United Nations: A Jolly Good Move!
Angelina Jolie, has decided to quit her role as a Special Envoy to the United Nations refugee agency citing a desire to “work differently”.
Understanding the Subtle Manipulation of News Media in the Age of Pseudo-Enlightenment
Exploring manipulation tactics and dangers of compliance in the news media.
The End of an Era: December 2022 in One Look
Quickly catch up with everything you have missed in December 2022.
2022
Obituary: Ayten Aydın
Ayten Aydin, former writer for The Gordian, has died in Rome aged 92 after a short illness.
10 Key Points to Consider for Effective Law Enforcement and Justice
Ethical values should guide the definition of crimes and the creation of an international peace and police forces is key to effective law enforcement.
Madness in Israel, coup attempt in Sao Tome and Principe and earthquake in Indonesia: November 2022 in one look
Stay up-to-date with the latest happenings from the past month with our monthly recap. From major events to key developments, we've got you covered.
How to Make War Redundant
People and nations may disagree, they may commit crimes, but these antagonisms can be resolved in countless ways. Why war?
Here are what your leaders had to say at the UN General Debate 2022
Quickly catch up with some of the best/worst quotes of the United Nations General Assembly debates.
Women in power, nasty hurricanes and religious zealots — Monthly recap
Quickly catch up with everything that you may have missed in Sep 2022.
China in Focus at UN "Selective Rights Council" (UNRC)
The Human Rights Council passed a resolution on the protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
The Ukraine Recovery Conference: When Guterres (almost) told Russia to piss off
One cannot help comparing Guterres to a spouse in an abusive relationship who does what they can to protect their children from constant harm.
The WHO warns of pathogenic outbreaks threatening Africa
The WHO regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, warned of a growing risk of pathogenic outbreaks on the continent, caused by human proximity to wild and domesticated animals.
Is Mexico suing the United Nations?
Mexico threatens to sue the UN following the WHO's failure to provide the country with covid vaccines.
It's barbaric and repulsive: Let's Axe the Death Penalty
Executing a human being is as coldblooded and premeditated as murder can get, writes Adrian Liberto
Isreal kills like it's no one's business and Asia becomes a new playground for super bullies - August 2022 Recap
Quickly catch up with everything that you may have missed in August in 2022.
The UN human rights report on Belarus is worrying, but there is precious little the UN can do
The Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Belarus, Anaïs Marin, issued her annual report on June 29, which paints a dire picture of tightening legislation and diminishing civil and political rights.
The Golden Curtain: Does the EU Stand on the Side of Justice?
The EU is a remarkable institution, but its callous exclusivity has risked making it a gentlemen’s club, whose head is very much up its own backside.
Why doesn't the UN expel Russia like the League of Nations did in 1939?
After the Soviet Union invaded Finland, the League of Nations kicked the country from its council. Why doesn't the UN do that too? Well, for all sorts of reasons, but mainly because it is bound to the moral low ground.
America going bananas, new dinosaur and an independent Scotland: June 2022 Recap
Africa 06.06.22**: Nigeria**. Over 50 people, including many children, were gunned down in a catholic church in Ondo State.
The Hidden Curse of Babel: The Drawbacks of Language for Communication and Thought
This article highlights the drawbacks of language, not only in its cursed post-Babel scattered metamorphosis, but also in itself, as a means to communication and thought.
Appeasement: Forfeiting somebody else’s justice
Appeasement is giving the school bully your lunch money in order to avoid being beaten up. In politics, however, it is more like giving the school bully someone else’s lunch money, to stop them from being picked on.
WHO? Yes, Tedros Again!
Tedros Ghebreyesus gets re-elected by the World Health Assembly (WHA) to a second term despite his affiliation with the repressive regime that has been accused of torture, repression, and electoral fraud.
Michelle Bachelet's visit to China: "Unacceptable" is a missing word from the UN's arsenal
Sadly, “concerns” is one of the strongest words in the United Nations’ arsenal, only a notch or two below “unacceptable”- its primary weapon – which, to no one’s surprise, was not used during this visit.
Crazy Musk, new Nato members and the most expensive 20th-century art: May 2022 Recap
Africa 08.05.22: Western Sahara. About 44 migrants trying to reach the Canary Islands have drowned off the coast of Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara after their boat capsized.
Rehauling Lady Justice: Is the United Nations guilty in Ukraine?
As long as international justice is left in the hands of nation states at the UN nothing will ever improve because self-interest will always win the day. This needs to change.
Gutterres' visit to Ukraine: Another blow to the UN
Guterres visit to Kiev made it once again clear: the UN is not led by principles, but by States that regularly flout the most basic standards of decency.
What you may have missed in April 2022
AFRICA 01.04.22: Mali. As the United Nations confirmed hundreds of civilian deaths owing to the jihadist insurgency, the government announced that the army had killed 203 militants and arrested about 50 others in the Sahel region.
Pissing in the sacred brook: humanity’s abuse of water
As life-sustaining water dwindles, the oceans are rising due to the melting ice caps that are warming because of climate change. Indeed, for many of us, it may well be a case of there being water everywhere, with not a drop of it to drink!
Letter to Putin: “You are a serial killer, but there is one thing I must thank you for…”
Putin, sometimes the West is as crazy as you are, but not for saying you should be removed, but for trying to mitigate the blow.
Education’s Paradigm Shift: “Another Brick in the Wall!”
A comprehensive critique of traditional schooling and a vision of a more dynamic system for the future
It shouldn't be NATO, it should be the United Nations: The Poetry of Appeasement
Once again, the UN fails to secure its primary mission of safeguarding world peace. But what can we do about it?
What you may have missed in March 2022
Catch up with everything you may have missed last month.
Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a death knell for the United Nations
Would you entrust a child you love to the care of a school or nursery if you knew that not only many of its teachers, but the school board itself, consisted of child abusers, rapists and murderers? Of course not! And yet that is exactly what we are doing when we entrust world peace and human rights to the United Nations.
Vlady Hell: Putin Strikes Again!
In the August 2020 issue of The Gordian titled Russian Roulette: Why Putin’s Referendum Victory is a Threat to Humanity we published an article cheekily called Vlad the Terrible. It listed a range of crimes committed by Putin ranging from mass murder to mass deceit.
What you may have missed in February 2022
AFRICA 01.02.22: Guinea-Bissau. President Umaro Sissoco Embalo survived a coup attempt that went on for five hours.
Peeking Behind the Fig Leaf: Our Journey to Sexual Liberation
Society is a raft made from the wreckage of our dreams and fears. Space is limited and we struggle to keep aboard, scrambling for the middle ground so we do not have to witness those sacrificed at the rim: pushed, or slipping, or just unable to grab a hold.
Abstaining in the face of war
Apart from the hackneyed pleas to resolve the differences and a blunt reassertion of the facts there were no enlightened solutions aimed at finding ways of de-escalating the Ukraine crisis.
February 2022: What you may have missed
Quickly catch up with everything you may have missed last monty!
Citizenship is a construct, our primary duty is to humankind
Our silence is pernicious and yet we seem to not care; not when caring can threaten the comfort zones we have become so used to. Here are five points that will shed some light on the issue of migration.
Domenico Lucano declared as UN-aligned Person of the Year
UN-aligned has chosen Domenico Lucano as its Person of the Year 2021. The ex-mayor of the Italian town of Riace has been chosen for his vision regarding the integration of refugees into their destination of choice, while at the same time revitalising a dying town.
Here's everything you may have missed in December 2021
AFRICA 01.12.21: Democratic Republic of Congo. Ugandan troops have joined government forces in the DRC in order to coordinate attacks on the Allied Democratic Forces, an extremist group responsible for the slaughter of civilians.
2021
Cherry picking justice: 9 rings of moral tunnel vision
Deluded people generally believe that they would have been on the right side of history, without ever really questioning whether they are on the right side of what is making history. Sure, now, most people are convinced that they would have been against slavery, child labour, the burning of heretics and cannibalism… but given their same mindset, would they have been? All those practices were legal or socially acceptable; and sadly, for most of us, that social acceptability is what defines our morals.
What you may have missed in November 2021
AFRICA 01.11.21: Nigeria. A 21-story building collapsed in Lagos killing dozens of people.
Yugoslavia’s Failed Social Contract: Lessons Worth Learning
When federalism is not enough When the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFR Yugoslavia, or simply Yugoslavia) fell apart in the early 1990s, its ruins bred unimaginable chaos and destruction. Even though the founding of the federation dated back to anti-Fascist resistance following the occupation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers in 1941, the Kingdom itself had been a precursor to the entity since the end of WWI.
News in October 2021 You May Have Missed
Listen to Ruby Goldenberg and Ariana Yekrangi help you catch up with everything that happened in October 2021. AFRICA 08.10.21: Libya.
UN-aligned calls on UNHRC to ban members that criminalise homosexuality
This is an open letter drafted by UN-aligned and addressed to the President of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
When it was illegal for me to be alive
“Disaster… it could happen to anyone.” Think about it too much and you will go mad: that endless list of slings and arrows. Yes, it could happen to anyone, but it is best to plod along as though it could never happen to us.
"There is too much stupidity around": The UN's Climate Change Report
The Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was published on August 9, 2021. The Report paints a grim picture of the planet’s health owing to human induced climate change and rising temperatures.
News in August 2021 you may have missed
AFRICA 07.08.21: Egypt. Egyptian actress Dalal Abdel Aziz died aged 61 as a result of having contracted COVID-19.
Security Council Arria-Formula meeting on Myanmar
On July 29, the UN had a Security Council Arria-Formula meeting on the deteriorating situation in Myanmar. US ambassador and senior advisor for political affairs, Jeffrey DeLaurentis, summarised the dire situation, stating: “Humanitarian aid workers inside Burma are sounding the alarm.
5 Reasons Why You Should Not Trust The United Nations
The United Nations: the devil you know I met someone from a peculiar land with a completely messed up political system yielding a society that was plagued with poverty, oppression, corruption and strife. I commiserated until I found out that there actually was an alternative party that, given the chance, would put things right, yet nobody seemed to care about it.
News in July 2021 you may have missed
AFRICA 01.07.21: DR Congo. At least 10 people were killed in a terrorist raid on the city of Beni in the east of the country.
The new UN-peacekeeping budget: pun intended!
At the end of June, the budget for peacekeeping operations for the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 was approved by the United Nations. Eye-watering sums have been allocated in order to maintain buffers between hostilities that have been stewing for decades.
Alone against the world: The US betrays the UN on Cuba
For the 29 years in a row, the UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of a resolution demanding the end of the 60-year embargo on Cuba imposed by the US. What happened? The US and Israel were the only countries opposed to the June 30 resolution: 184 voted in support of it. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla did not mince his words lambasting the US for human rights violations: “This is made visible by the lengthy lines which every day overwhelm the Cuban people in the midst of a pandemic to access basic goods, by the shop shelves that are empty and the unbridled increase in food prices. … The blockade is a massive, flagrant and systematic violation of the human rights of all of the Cuban people.
António Guterres: The Power Under The Throne
The feeling I experience when plunging into the ocean of communiques from the United Nations is always the same: drowning in an alphabet soup. Often, the words are noble, the causes honourable.
UN's slow pace of justice & UNESCO's decision on Venice
The slow pace of justice UN judges have still not quite finished with the aftermath of the atrocities relating to the breakup of the former Yugoslavia almost 30 years ago. On June 30, they convicted former head of Serbia’s State Security Service, Jovica Stanisic, and his subordinate Franko “Frenki” Simatovic to 12 years in prison.
News in June 2021 you may have missed
AFRICA 02.06.21: Mali. The African Union has suspended Mali from the African Union over its second coup in nine months.
The Torlonia Marbles - in Pictures (Part 2)
This gallery is the second part of the exhibition of the Torlonia Marbles, the largest collection of classical sculpture still in private ownership and one of the most valuable in the world.
The Torlonia Marbles - in Pictures (Part 1)
The exhibition of the Torlonia Marbles, the largest collection of classical sculpture still in private ownership and one of the most valuable in the world, closed in Rome on June 29. A selection of 92 of the 620 statues and busts had been on display in the Villa Caffarelli on the Capitoline Hill since October 2020, although until April, the exhibition was subject to sporadic closures owing to the pandemic. The marbles had been on restricted display since the mid-19th century, but were moved into storage for safety reasons during WWII, where they languished until now. Some of the sculptures are now due to be sent on loan to museums around the world; in the meantime, a permanent gallery will be set up for them in Rome by the Italian government in accordance with an agreement that was reached with the Torlonia estate a few years ago. <br> <br> The Torlonia family (Tourlonias) moved to Rome in the mid-18th century from France under the employ of a French abbot and soon found favour with the clergy. Marino (Marin), opened a mercer’s shop specialising in silks and brocades imported from France, while gradually expanding into the banking business. Giovanni, his son, focused on banking and real-estate, becoming the banker of some of the most powerful people of the times, including the Pope and Napoleon Bonaparte, increasing his wealth and family titles in the process. His son, Prince Alessandro Torlonia, built on his father's interests, including his passion for collecting classical sculptures. The drive for Italian unification that led to the creation of the Monarchy of Italian (1861-1946) had created a liquidity crisis for many noble and wealthy families, who were often forced to sell their art collections in order to keep afloat. The Torlonias were ready at hand to swoop up some of these outstanding collections, such as those belonging to the Cavaceppi and Giustiniani families. Here are some of the highlights of the exhibition. • See <a href="https://un-aligned.org/gallery/the-torlonia-marbles-part-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Part 2 of this collection.</a>
Guterres publishes report about the lack of progress of UNSC Resolution 2334
On 23 June, António Guterres reported ongoing Israeli settlement expansion and Palestinian displacement, despite Security Council Resolution 2334 and recent political shifts.
Eradicate colonialism by 2030? Unlikely.
On the 21st of June the United Nations General Assembly started publishing a number of draft resolutions calling on the colonial powers to relinquish their control on the few remaining colonies. The UN states that its target is to eradicate colonialism by 2030.
France halts its joint military operations in Mali as the G7 pledge 870 million doses of vaccine to the world
Unlike France, the UN must not suspend its peacekeeping operations in Mali Following Mali’s latest coup on May 24, France decided to stop joint military operations with Malian forces until it is convinced that a civilian government will be returning to power. Some may argue that the UN should also take a step back and suspend its peacekeeping operations rather than indirectly aid a regime that usurped power.
Mladic revisited: An unremarkable news item, were it not for the absurdity of the process
Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb commander largely responsible for the Srebrenica Massacre in 1995 lost his appeal with the special UN tribunal set up to judge the case. He had been convicted on ten counts including genocide and crimes against humanity.
How to achieve a robust legal system? Solutions towards comprehensive global justice
In an article in last month’s issue of The Gordian, I highlighted some of the weaknesses of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Whilst these bodies are merely a part of a wider international legal system that is also governed by various treaties, conventions and accords, they are pivotal in as much as their focus is on safeguarding human life and world peace.
Paralysed, Betrayed & Battled: UN in Focus - May 2021
Battling for universally affordable and available vaccines The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights released a Statement on May 11 calling for COVID-19 vaccines to be universally affordable and accessible. The five-page document covered all the main issues comprehensively and with refreshing lucidity.
What is the difference between the ICJ and the ICC?
Justice is not a relative term, but for much of our history we have manipulated it to such an extent that we have created a parallel sort of justice. More often than not, human justice is just a sinister doppelgänger of justice in its purest form.
News in May 2021 you may have missed
AFRICA 05.04.21: Sudan. An armed attack by militias in El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State left at least 18 people dead and 54 others injured according to the Sudanese Doctors’ Committee.
Funding and Fiscal Responsibility of the United Nations
The following is an extract from UN-aligned’s new publication that highlights the shortcomings of the United Nations with details that cover its foundation, structure and monumental failures. You may be surprised at the murky facts that this book will bring to your attention.
The Doughnut Economy: "humanity to thrive sandwiched between its inner and outer limits"
Over the last few centuries, economics has been dominated by a doctrine of perpetual growth. The prevailing idea was that there were no limits to how much we could exploit the earth and its resources.
A Powerful Panacea? The Sanctions Dilemma
“Yesterday, upon the stair, I met a man who wasn’t there! He wasn’t there again today, Oh how I wish he’d go away!” The above quote from Hughes Mearns’ poem, Antigonish, could so easily allude to sanctions. They are full of sound and fury, and yet, they signify nothing concrete, but rather an absence of something.
What is The United Nations General Assembly?
The following is an extract from UN-aligned’s new publication that highlights the shortcomings of the United Nations with details that cover its foundation, structure and monumental failures. You may be surprised at the murky facts that this book will bring to your attention.
News in February 2021 You May Have Missed
AFRICA 01.02.21: Somalia. Al-Shabab militants stormed the Afrik Hotel in the capital Mogadishu and started shooting at guests.
Photographer Anwar Sadat: “If you listen, people are always willing to talk”
On the 15th of February 2021, the 2020 UN-aligned photo competition winner, Anwar Sadat, tells us about the story behind his prize-winning photos and his love for photography. Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your love for photography? Well, my name is Anwar Sadat and I am a photographer based in Nairobi Kenya.
Religion that unites...
People with bigotted or selfish agendas have always tried to hijack religion, but there have always been spiritual adherents who have understood that kindness is paramount and they have highlighted the essence that unites us rather than the dross that divides us. Here are some inspirational quotes from a range of religious thinkers.
"No, it's not just a snip": Why Circumcision is Legalised Child Abuse
Mutilating the sexual organs of a child (circumcision) in the name of culture, religion or dubious preventative medical claims is outrageous and a blatant breach of the child’s human rights. Female genital mutilation is thankfully on the decline and relatively rare in developed countries.
The Lingering Sins of Religion: When books weigh us down
Written in stone There are thousands of religions in the world today and many thousands more have come and gone. Many of these claim or have claimed a monopoly on truth relating to the divine and the moral, as well as to the rituals necessary to accompany a devout life.
What you may have missed January 2021
Africa 02.01.21: Niger. Scores of villagers were slaughtered by suspected Islamist terrorists in coordinated attacks on two villages near the border with Mali.
Iranian lawyer declared as UN-aligned Person of the Year
Nasrin Sotoudeh is an Iranian human rights lawyer who has been in and out of prison since 2010 for no other reason than defending men, women and children who suffered under the oppressive Iranian regime. Her clients included opposition politicians, journalists, abused women and children, women who were arrested for not wearing the hijab and prisoners on death row for crimes they allegedly committed when they were minors.
Annus Horribilis? Looking on the brighter side of 2020
2020 has certainly been an Annus Horribilis, but it wasn’t all bad.
What you may have missed December 2020
Africa 03.12.20: Central African Republic. The top court rejected former President François Bozizé’s bid to run for president in the December 27 election against incumbent President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
The Boy who Produces Golden Eggs – an interview with the 11 year old Andrea Piccinelli
The original Italian version of this interview can be read here. (La versione originale italiana di questa intervista può essere letta qui.) In a recent interview with UN-aligned coordinator, Adrian Liberto, the 11 year old Andrea Piccinelli shares his story about how he developed a love and friendship with his chickens.
2020
Letters: Help us raise our banner in support of animals
Hey members and readers! We need your assistance for our next publication of The Gordian, which will focus on ANIMAL RIGHTS. Please contribute material or ideas to ensure it will be a vibrant and interesting issue. Help us raise our banner in support of animals, who cannot speak for themselves other than with their eyes and screams; “words” most people are immune to.
The Noble Bukhara: A UNESCO Gem - in pictures
Walking the ancient streets of Bukhara in Uzbekistan is like being sucked into the pages of One Thousand and One Nights: mosques, madrasahs and markets follow you wherever you go, while the smells and ancient hues add to the dreaminess of the place. However, there is no Scheherazade here and you will have to weave your own stories. Years of Soviet rule appears to have left a wedge between Bukhara’s history and its people.
Update on the Ashin Wirathu Campaign
On 27 July 2020, UN-aligned sent a letter to the Burmese Buddhist monk Ashin Wirathu asking him, amongst other things, how he could reconcile his hostility to the Rohingya with his Buddhist creed. The letter was sent registered.
5 reasons why the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize was misplaced
On 9 October 2020, the World Food Programme (WFP) was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee: “for its efforts to combat hunger, for its contribution to bettering conditions for peace in conflict-affected areas and for acting as a driving force in efforts to prevent the use of hunger as a weapon of war and conflict.” No doubt this was a safe political move since even leaders who are hostile to the United Nations, of which the WFP is a branch, cannot feel affronted by such a selection. In dangerous times, however, a safe move is often a cowardly one and, in this case, it certainly feels like one.
News in October 2020 you may have missed
Europe 02.10.20: UK. The EU has set in motion legal proceedings against the UK after it reneged on sections of its Brexit “divorce” deal.
Letter to the Arab League & the OIC: Take immediate action to counter discriminatory practices against LGBTQ individuals
Letter dated 30 September 2020 from UN-aligned to the representatives of the Arab League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
LGBTQ Rights: Zombie Democracy and Loveless Religion
Hiding behind democracy Any lover of democracy would be justified in feeling a sense of alarm when faced with such statements as “an assault on democracy…” and “a direct political attack against the democratically elected government…”, but as the Bard of Avon put it: “The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.” The above two quotes come from Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, respectively. They are directed against the EU presidency for calling their countries to task for their deteriorating record on human rights.
Unlocking Wedlock
The slow pace of same-sex marriage… Same-sex marriage is now legal in almost thirty countries in the world. Considering same-sex unions date back over 12,000 years and that there are almost 200 countries in the world, this is not much of an achievement.
When grandmama fell off the boat… Very nearly taking note of migration
A raft full of migrants who are fleeing war and famine are awaiting at the bay. What would “you” do? Picture this: you have five buttons in front of you.
What you may have missed: August 2020
AFRICA 02.08.20: Cameroon. In a vicious grenade attack targeting a camp for displaced people, as they slept, suspected Boko Haram militants murdered over 16 people and wounded several others in the village of Nguetchewe, northern Cameroon.
Letter to Ashin Wirathu: Can your monastery do anything now to restore the spirit of fraternity that should reign amongst all the residents of Myanmar?
Bhante Ashin Wirathu, I am writing to you on behalf of UN-aligned, an international organisation that focusses on the need to replace the United Nations with a more effective and principled organisation, although we also work to promote human and animal rights, as well as the welfare of the planet. Institutionalised religion has had a sad history in a number of countries around the world owing to its bigotry and abuse of power.
Russian Roulette: Why Putin’s Referendum Victory is a Threat to Humanity
A Grim Trend July seems to have accelerated the grim trend that has been eroding civility and security over the last few years. The month dawned with Hong Kong finding itself stripped of many of its civil liberties.
What You May Have Missed: July 2020
AFRICA 01.07.20: Mali. Over 30 farmers were slaughtered by armed jihadists on motorcycles while they were returning home from their fields in villages in the Mopti region.
Compassion fatigue: How to turn your compassion into positive action
Symptoms of Compassion Fatigue Did you ever catch yourself feeling really moved by something quite trivial when reading the news, as you skimmed past some tragedy in Yemen or Syria without even paying the slightest bit of attention? Or are you prone to add a like or comment to a Facebook GIF about a silly animal situation, for instance, while ignoring a poignant post about social injustice or an environmental emergency? If your answer is “yes”, you are not alone. In fact, you fit nicely into the norm: a host of well-meaning people suffering from “compassion fatigue”.
Introducing the New UN-aligned Campaigns
UN-aligned is proud to announce the launch of a series of campaigns in line with its manifesto. UN-aligned campaigns will cover a range of issues concerning human rights, the environment and United Nations reform, and we will be reporting on them in The Gordian, as well as on our website.
What you May Have Missed in June 2020
https://youtu.be/VhGGrppQsg4 AFRICA O4.05.20: Burundi. President Pierre Nkurunzizahas, who had been in power for 15 years, died aged 55 following a heart attack.
Waste and Mismanagement: The Devil in the Detail That is Back to Haunt us!
Creation often leaves a hidden trail of waste. Unlike nature’s cycle, much of our artificial refuse resists renewal, threatening the environment. This article highlights the overlooked role of waste in creation and explores creative solutions to turn it from problem to asset.
UN-aligned becomes one year old!
UN-aligned is one year old this month! The seed was sown some years ago in China and developed thanks to the dedication of like-minded people. We have gone from 22 Foundation Members to hundreds of followers from around the world: some are full members, others are subscribers, while many follow us on Facebook.
“Klaatu barada nikto”
These words are taken from the classic 1951 film directed by Robert Wise: The Day the Earth Stood Still. The film, based on a short story by Harry Bates, is about an alien, Klaatu, who comes to earth in order to warn humanity of its pending obliteration by an interplanetary police force, unless it mends its destructive ways.
UN-aligned in 2019
2019 was a momentous year for UN-aligned! The organisation was launched in May after years of preparation and it only took a few months to attract members from all over the world. The first months were focussed on perfecting and consolidating the website and communication structures, including the magazine and language options.
India on the Brink
The Enemy Within When Martin Luther King Jr. visited India in 1959, he paid the homage to the venerable land with these powerful words: “To other countries I may go as a tourist, but to India I come as a pilgrim.” Martin Luther King Jr.
2019
Separatism
National Identity Villages and towns, built on cooperation, existed long before nations did. With time, however, the need for security threaded them together like a string of pearls.
Labelling Suicide while Missing the Point
Every Forty Seconds The 10th September was World Mental Health Day. In this context the WHO published a flyer to raise awareness on suicide and how to help prevent it: Working Together to Prevent Suicide.
Trump’s shopping list!
So, President Trump now wants to buy Greenland! An uninhabited Greek island is one thing, but the largest island in the world that is also an autonomous territory… Well! Although Greenland has been a part of Denmark for over 200 years, it has been increasingly self-governing since 1979, with only foreign affairs and defence still controlled by Denmark. The suggestion just highlights how callous and clueless the American President is. People are not for sale Despite its promising name, Greenland is no Eden.
The UN unable to condemn attack on migrants
And so it continues… Migrants are once again the victims of indifference and direct aggression. Six children and about 50 adults were killed and more that three times as many were badly hurt when a migrant detention centre was bombed by the forces of General Khalifa Haftar who are fighting the UN recognised government of Libya.
Looking at migration in the face
It has not been a good week for refugees; but then again, it never is… Today’s The Guardian reports how the Lebanese government forced 5,000 refugee families to demolish their own home in order to induce them to return to Syria. Yesterday, the captain of rescue ship Sea-Watch 3, Carola Rackete, was arrested after she forcefully docked her ship in the Italian island of Lampedusa. Having rescued 53 migrants drifting off the coast of Libya on June 12, the Sea-Watch 3 was left stranded while the Italian authorities kept refusing to let her dock.
150 Lives
Second thoughts… After ordering an attack on Iran last week, president Trump had an after thought. How many human lives would it cost? One wonders: what amount of casualties would have made his strike acceptable? Fifty? A hundred? Creating a problem The Iranian problem is of Trump’s making.
Taiwan gives the world a lesson in democracy
Learning a thing or two from Taiwan… Taiwan gave the world a lesson in real democracy last month when same-sex marriage was legalised in the “country“. In a referendum last November, 72% of the population had voted against allowing same-sex marriage.
Demonising Immigrants
Picking on the weakest… Some people just need a common enemy. Any group that can be easily picked on offers the perfect target.
What is wrong with the United Nations to warrant the founding of an organisation like UN-aligned?
The United Nations (UN) is a remarkable organisation. It has achieved some outstanding results for humanity and it continues to do so.
Reflections on the Sri Lanka bombings
Bloody motives! If an angel came and told me that all the world problems would be solved if I just put a few bombs around killing innocent people in mosques, synagogues, churches, market places or hotels… would I do it? Of course not. Firstly, because I do not even have the right to insult an innocent person, let alone take their life.
