New Year 2013

So we have another new year, yet all around the world we have the same old human rights isues. The deadly slaughter in Syria continues apace, while gay Ugandans continue to live in fear of their lives due to the proposed anti-homosexuality legislation. In Burma people are still waiting for real democracy and human rights although the first large-scale new year celebrations, which drew a crowd of 100 000 in Rangoon were perhaps another indication that things are moving in the right direction. Meanwhile Britain continues to return fai;led asylum seekers to the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite mouinting evidence that it is unsafe for them to return to their country of origin.

On a brighter note we have seen the release of Malala Yousafzai from hospital in Birmingham, where she was recovering from the horrific attack on her by a Taliban gunman in October 2012. Malala was of course attacked for campaigning for the rights of girls her age (15) to continue in full-time education in her part of Pakistan. On a similar theme, this year will mark the centenary of the death of the Suffragette martyr Emily Davison, four days after she was struck by the king's horse Amer at the Derby on 4th June 1913. Emily is buried in the churchyard of St Mary the Virgin Church in Morpeth, Northumberland. No doubt there will be a number of events later this year to comemmorate her centenary.  

Best wishes to all for 2013