- john bart geraldatelier genocide warnings suppressed news archives political prisoner updates * * *
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nightslantern
suppressed news
concerned with the prevention of genocide
by john bart gerald
graphics by julie maas
2025
March 18, 2025
Ottawa: the Kebaowek Nation has won a second court case (see previous) against the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), in an attempt to protect the environment from the effects of a nuclear waste mound/surface burial site at Chalk River, within a kilometre of the Ottawa River. Many believe it threatens the lives and futures of people, wolves, bear dens and all wildlife affected by the Ottawa river environment. The legal actions would not have been necessary if the government had received the First Nation's approval. On March 14th in Federal court Justice Russel Zinn found the facility's proposed site specifically endangers two species of bats and the Blanding's turtle without considering reasonable alternatives (which violates 73(3)(a) the Species at Risk Act). So the project is stopped by the decision but with enough legal ambivalence to suggest more court cases and costs to the Kebaowek community. The decision is under-reported. Partial sources: "Another win for Algonquin community in fight against nuclear waste dump," CBC March 17, 2025, Yahoo News; "First Nation wins second court challenge to Chalk River nuclear waste site over threats to bats and turtles," Marie Woolf, March 14, 2025, Globe & Mail; "Court upholds two legal challenges to the Chalk River Radioactive Megadump," Gordon Edwards, March 14, 2025, nuclear news.
March 14, 2025
Geneva: N.B. "'More than a human can bear': Israel's systematic use of sexual, reproductive and other forms of gender-based violence since 7 October 2023," Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, March 13, 2025, A/HRC/58/CRP.6 Human Rights Council - OHCHR [access:< https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/sessions-regular/session58/a-hrc-58-crp-6.pdf >]. Genocide confirmation. This report provides definitive evidence of the Israeli government's attempt to destroy the Palestinian people. It finds evidence of disproportionate targeting of women and girls, the attempt to destroy reproduction, physical and sexual violence against Palestinians of both sexes. The attack on Palestinian reproductive health and rights extends to the IDF destruction of 4000 embryos at the Al Basma centre, December 2023. The Government of Israel has 'categorically' rejected the allegations. Other sources: "UN Investigation Accuses Israel of Genocide in Gaza Through Targeted Destruction of Health Facilities," March 13, 2025, teleSUR; "Rights probe alleges sexual violence against Palestinians by Israeli forces used as 'method of war'," March 13, 2025, UN News.
Geneva: the Turkish outlet Anadolu Agency is one of the few reliable sources aware of international laws which Canada is bound to / subject to, while the U.S. in some instances is not. Relying here on Anadolu Agency's "Israel carrying out 'fastest starvation campaign in Gaza in modern history': UN envoy" (Beyza Binnur Donmez, March 13, 2025), on March 12th Michael Fakhri, the UN's special rapporteur on the right to food, told a press briefing that Israel was effecting the ''fastest starvation campaign in Gaza in modern history." The UN special rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese, stated "the genocide will continue because there are no ways to remedy the destruction," even if the violence stops. The UN special rapporteur on protection of human rights, Ben Saul, stated Trump's relocation plan for Gaza would shatter the basic rules of the UN and international order. He further condemned Israel's "continuing illegal military provocation in the wider region." The UN special rapporteur on independence of judges and lawyers, Meg Satterthwaite, noted that the U.S. sanctions against the ICC are an offence against the administration of justice, violating Article 70 of the Rome Statute.
Canada: in another indication of attacks on free speech (see previous), citing complaints by Zionists against his journalism advocacy and pro bono legal defence of Palestinians Dimitri Lascaris has withdrawn his affiliation with a Toronto law firm to spare the firm equally unfounded attacks. Lascaris is one of the leading voices in Canada, able to protest Israel's genocide in Gaza (see previous). His message is made available on his "Right2Resist" network and is posted from Greece. It ends with condemnation of Canada's senior legal establishment for not countering the Israeli government's genocide. He finds shameful the increasing legal difficulties for those attempting to protest the genocide in Gaza. "Zionism, Slander and the Dark Art of Reputational Destruction," Reason2Resist with Dimitri Lascaris, March 12, 2025, YouTube [access:< https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyU4dXHRyNw >].
March 6, 2025
Montreal: To the benefit of public health, the environment and aesthetics, the Federal Government will be putting 70 million dollars into Montreal for the planting of trees on the Island. The planting of about half a million trees should be completed by 2030. The Canadian Minister of the Environment is Steven Guilbeault who announced a recent agreement with Quebec to plant 102 millions trees throughout the Province. In the U.S. its President's recent budget cuts have cancelled a 75 million dollar grant from the Forest Service to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees. Much of the funding was destined for poor urban areas stripped of their trees by the effects of climate change. Partial sources: "Ottawa investing $70 million to plant trees in Montreal region," Michelle Lalonde, March 5, 2025, The Montreal Gazette / Postmedia; "Forest Service Rescinds Tree Planting Grants," Diana Ionescu, March 5, 2025, Planetizen.
Jerusalem: (previous) the Armenian community in Jerusalem since the 4th Century, is currently under severe attack by the City of Jerusalem which is imposing tax debts based on the Church property, claimed to date back to the 1980's. In response to a Municipality foreclosure order the Patriarchs and Heads of Local Churches of Jerusalem are standing in solidarity with the Armenian Patriarchate. According to the Armenian Patriarchate in East Jerusalem the government of Israel intends to confiscate its properties and auction these to pay the supposed taxes. In 2018 a similar mechanism was applied to other Christian churches but the false tax charges were withdrawn due to world pressure. The Patriarchate warns that by breaking ancient "Status Quo" agreements that govern taxes this impoundment of church lands could mark the beginning of extinguishing Christianity in the city. As an act of protest Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic Church leaders have closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Genocide warning for Armenian and Christian groups. Partial sources: Jerusalem's Armenian community faces serious challenges," March 4, 2025,Panarmenian.Net; "Armenian Patriarchate Warns of Israeli Threat to Seize Properties in East Jerusalem," Feb. 20, 2025, The Palestine Chronicle; "Israel Seizes & Auction Armenian Church Land In Jerusalem," News Desk, March 4, 2025, Observer Diplomat; "Jerusalem’s Holy Sepulchre Church Closed In Tax Protest," RFE/RL, Feb. 26, 2025, Radio Free Europe.
March 2, 2025
out on the highway looking for the exitsthis concern with truth
relies on magic to escape
the sluices of what we're supposed to see
thoughts like cattle to the slaughterhouse
fish to the weirs
passing through death
from one use to another
the magic is to step aside from our own mortality
to find meaning that gives life
that magic is conception
while what we call "truth" that only leads to death
is un-liberated thought
mind-trapped awareness
for a life as victim
victims are we all then?
each of us trapped by our supposition of mortality
real when we accept it or it is accepted for us
it seems true that eventually
each of us is beaten out of my-your-our
refusal to cease and pass
then to join those we loved
flat on a stone slab
hidden by newspapers and a coffin
urns empty to the winds
passed beyond our alive reach
but if we deny their departure
bring them into our own lives
as spirits continuing
there is less draw to join them over
there in a flash of sunlight is
"we can turn off here"
on this highway from cradle to grave
looking for the exits
March 1, 2025
Northeast Congo: Close to Uganda 70 protestant Christians were placed in the local church and had their heads cut off. Christian sources tend to attribute the act to hatred by Uganda backed Islamist militia, the ADF, which has not claimed responsibility. Others familiar with militia tactics in the region point out that the various militias use civilian villagers for their needs, transport, cooking, and if they are not strong enough to work and travel they're of no military use and dispatched. Which may explain the presence of children among the victims. The majority religion of the DRC is Christian. The murder of civilians benefits those who take over the mineral resources rather than religious power groups. See "Congo: do we trace genocide to human hatred or corporate profit?". Ongoing Genocide warning.
Chhattisgarh, India: local Christian congregations are under direct attack by political directive of representatives of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party. Christianity tends to be gentler with the "untouchables", and lower caste members of the social fabric and so by nature presents some resistance to the the BJP's campaign of Hindu national supremacy. The current point of Hindu anger is accusations of Christians eating beef. Nightlantern has carried a genocide warning for Christians, Dalits, the poor, covered by the government's war on Maoists and Naxalites in the region since 2009. An ongoing Genocide warning. Partial sources: "Hindus Urged to Rape, Kill Christians on March 1 in Chhattisgarh," International Christian Concern, Feb. 26, 2025, Persecution.org; "Transnational Funding in Hindu Supremacist Movements: Role of Corporates in Illicit Political finance," The Polis Project, Aug. 15, 2024, The Polis Project; "Christians attacked by baton-wielding mob just hours after 70 beheaded in Congo," Jack Walters, Feb. 24, 2025, GBNews.
February 24, 2025
United Kingdom: for diverse complex and political reasons the BBC has withdrawn from showing this excellent but heart-breaking documentary on what it is like for the children of Gaza particularly. It is also about what happens to the medical personnel who have given over their sensibilities to caring for their people amid a slaughter. You only have to watch the film to understand the real reason for the attempted censorship. "This World. S22E03. Gaza. How To Survive A Warzone," Hoyo Films Ltd, Feb 17, 2025, BBC 2 Documentary, Series "This World".
Montreal: According to his facebook page, Yves Engler was released from jail today, without restrictions on his ability to publicly discuss the case which the judge protected from the Crown's attempt to silence. Previous.
February 23, 2025
Montreal: the arrest of the journalist Yves Engler (see previous) raises the issue of whether Montreal's police are being politicized, placed in jeopardy and badly used. From a perspective of international law and its necessary application under Canadian law I post with her permission a letter of Feb. 21rst by Gail Davidson, founder of Canada's Lawyer Rights Watch, who has sent this to Montreal's Mayor and Chief of Police: "Attention: Mayor of Montreal. Varlérie Plante and Police Chief Fady Dagher, Re: Yves Engler - Unlawful arrest and illegitimate charge." Incarcerated February 20 Yves Engler is spending the weekend in jail with a court appointment Monday morning February 24th. According to his father's posting on "X" prosecutors refused to release him unless he not speak about the case. Note: Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada "Freedom from Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty" [access:< https://www.lrwc.org/the-right-to-freedom-a-guidebook/ >].
February 21, 2025
Ottawa: The Kebaowek First Nation of Québec has asked Federal Court to review the decision by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Tribunal which allows Canadian Nuclear Laboratories to build a Near Surface Disposal Facility at Chalk River. The Commission did not honour the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples which requires consultation and accommodation with the First Nations. The Commission had decided it didn't have the authority to consult and accommodate so it didn't. On February 19th, 2025, Justice Julie Blackhawk found the Commission in error and in order to comply with UNDRIP granted a portion of the request for review which requires the Commission to fulfil its duty of consultation and accommodation. This is a significant victory for First Nations throughout Canada and through them provides some protection for all Canadians against resource stripping and despoiling the land mass and environment. The Kebaowek First Nation case was supported by the Parti Québécois, Québec solidaire in Québec, and the Green Party. Québec seems able to mount some reasonable defence against excesses and misjudgements of the nuclear industry, while Ontario is embracing aggressive attempts at its expansion. Background: previous previous previous. Partial sources: "Federal Court Recognizes Kebaowek First Nation's Right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent on Chalk River Nuclear Waste Project," Kebaowek First Nation, Feb.20, 2025, email; "Nuclear commission ordered to resume consultations with Kebaowek First Nation over waste dump," APTN, Feb. 19, 2025, aptnnewss; "Kebaowek First Nation and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories," The Honourable Madam Justice Blackhawk, Feb. 19, 2025, Federal Court.
Montreal: warning. In a grave attack on Canadian freedom of expression Yves Engler, the intelligent, accurate and fearless Canadian journalist was ordered to report for detention by police February 20th. Suggested: "Yves Engler Arrested for Criticizing Israel - Speaks to Media Before Detention", Alex Tyrrell, Feb. 20, 2025, YouTube.
February 4, 2025
Democratic Republic of Congo: "Congo: do we trace genocide to human hatred or corporate profit?"
February 2, 2025
Belize on January 30, 2025, formally filed a declaration of intervention with an application to intervene at the International Court of Justice in the case of South Africa v. Israel. The government of this small Central American country asserts its intention that "Israel is held accountable for its violations of the Genocide Convention; its interest in ensuring that the authors of genocide do not enjoy impunity; and its interest in the prevention, suppression and punishment of genocide.” The filing follows those of Cuba, Ireland, Nicaragua, Columbia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Turkey, Chile, the Maldives, Bolivia. As prevously noted South Africa first filed its case December 29, 2023, substantially verified and affirmed in its Memorial of October 28, 2024..
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January 24, 2025
January 20, 2025
U.S.: This is Martin Luther King Jr. day in the U.S.. A tension remains between official "respect" for Dr. King, his words, his wisdom, his intentions, and the hard evidence that he was put to death by Government assassination, as exposed by the King Family attorney, Dr. William Francis Pepper. On one hand in 2015, 8000 Selma to Montgomery marchers from 1965 were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal - one of the two highest U.S. civilian awards, as the "Foot Soldiers" of the people's right to vote. In our family there were three who were there in 1965, Elmer Maas, my wife's uncle [ed. note: Elmer who went south with another group is better known as one of the founders of the Plowshares Movement with the Berrigan brothers - they would hammer in protest on nuclear warheads; a bit in awe of him I didn't presume to include him when I previously mentioned this in 2017], Michael Shields her first husband, and me. I was a Movement march marshal - with orange armbands we 'marshals' were buffers between our fellow marchers and the countryside, and on entering Montgomery a body shield for Dr. King. Then five of us whites heading home were falsely arrested, death-threatened, jailed, which began a pattern of harassments for years, false arrests, beatings, etc..
January 14, 2025
Cuba: on January 10th Cuba formally filed a declaration of intervention with the International Court of Justice in the case of South Africa v. Israel. Affirming its particpation in the Convention on Genocide the Cuban filing takes pains to explain at length Cuba's interpretation of the Convention. The filing currently is available only in French at the ICJ website: Déclaration d'Intervention de la République de Cuba à la Cour Internationale de Justice (Afrique du Sud c. Israël) 8 janvier 2025. Cuba's declaration follows Ireland's last week, which followed declarations of or requests for intervention in the case by Nicaragua, Columbia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Turkey, Chile, the Maldives, Bolivia (Previous). Belgium and Egypt have declared an intention to join South Africa's case.
January 9, 2025
Ireland: Ireland has officially filed a declaration of intervention in South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, joining Nicaragua, Columbia, Libya, Mexico, Palestine, Spain, Türkiye, Chile, the Maldives, Bolivia. (See previous ). South Africa first filed its case December 29, 2023, substantially verified and affirmed in its Memorial of October 28, 2024.. Remarkably Ireland's declaration loosens the criteria for proving "intention," which the U.S. has insisted on since signing of the Convention in 1948. "Ireland formally joins ICJ genocide case against Israel," Jan 7, 2025, The Cradle; "Ireland joins genocide case against Israel at International Court of Justice," Max Saltman, Jan. 7, 2025, CNN; "Declaration of intervention of Ireland," Doc. #192-20250106-INT-01-00-EN, Jan. 6, 2025, International Court of Justice.
Montreal: "An Absence of Humanity in Gaza." Some attempts in Canada and the U.S. to stop the genocide by legal means.
New York City: The New York Times has rejected advertising paid for by the American Friends Service Committee (Quakers) calling for an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza. AFSC is currently providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. See AFSC's Gaza Emergency Relief. AFSC was able to present a consistent antiwar resistance throughout the U.S. war on Vietnam. Partial sources: "New York Times rejects Quaker ad for calling Israel's actions 'genocide'," Layne Mullett, Jan. 8, 2025, AFSC; "'Outrageous': NYT Rejects Paid Ad From Quakers That Calls Israeli Attack on Gaza 'Genocide'," Eloise Goldmith, Jan, 8, 2025, Common Dreams.
A branch that comes from violence will not take root;
for a blighted root is on sheer rock, like reeds by the
banks of a river, which are dried up before any grass; but
kindness, like eternity, will never be cut off, and faithfulness
will be established forever - from Ben Sira
(Dead Sea Scrolls Bible, Abegg et al)
at first posting in 2002 this bulletin board was for emergency protests, attempts to counter
genocide, anti-war information, which were suppressed in the media; my interest remains in
how a society is moved into what have become genocidal wars, and how people are able to
resist... it becomes a kind of history in motion and a way to counter enforced forgetfulness,
the lies that say these things never happened, or that there is nothing wrong with the murders
of hundreds of thousands of innocents in other countries, or the continuing move toward
eradication of the poor by death, in north america; this account is against forgetfulness. - jbg 2008
by john bart gerald
graphics by julie maas
guest contributions as noted
March 18, 2025