During the COVID-19 crisis

For a period of several months or more, European governments will severely curb civil liberties in attempts to suppress the spread of the virus. Under difficult circumstances, it is likely that public authorities, including the police, will enforce restrictions that limit personal freedom. In many cases, this may be in the public interest; sometimes it will not. The message from Europeans must be absolutely clear: today, we willingly cede our freedoms in a crisis – but tomorrow, we want them back.

The Quaker Council for European Affairs promotes a vision based on peace, justice and equality to Europe and its institutions. We will be promoting these values in European policy, and supporting those of us who are most marginalised to advocate for the radical change they want and need. We are also currently gathering evidence about new powers claimed by governments, as well as potential abuses by authorities, in the context of the COVID-19 response. The aim is to allow us to be effective advocates for fundamental rights in a changing context, and to ensure that these drastic new powers do not become permanent.

How you can contribute

We are currently accumulating a record of the following from across Europe:

• new powers claimed by governments which have human rights implications,
• the legislation, often passed very quickly, which granted these powers,
• details of how long governments will retain the right to use these measures,
• reports of abuses by authorities,
• examples of solidarity and resistance/resilience.

You can be part of this effort by submitting information from your country. If you are able to help with our data collection effort, or you have an incident of abuse to report, please click here.

Would you like to contribute time to this effort? Perhaps you are currently isolated, or away from your usual work or study. We would appreciate help either for a few hours per week or as part of a distance work placement. More information is available here, where you will find our recruitment email address.

 

 

COVID-19 analysis

from the QCEA Blog

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Our latest COVID-19 interviews

This video is a recording from QCEA's webinar "The EU Elections and Quaker Concerns". Please note that the recording was edited for clarity. Are you curious about the key issues at stake in the EU elections? Do you want to play an active role in shaping the discourse around these matters? This webinar provides a unique opportunity for you to gain insights into the political landscape and discover ways to engage with candidates on the issues that matter most to you. Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction to the EU Elections 03:35 Wordcloud "How do you feel about upcoming EU Elections?" 04:50 Presentation about the EU Elections 19:10 Wordcloud "What are the key issues you're concerned about and want to raise regarding the EU Elections?" 21:10 QCEA's project and upcoming events ----------------------------------------- The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) works to bring a vision of peace, justice, and equality to Europe and its institutions. More information: www.qcea.org
On 10 March 2023, QCEA launched its latest report ‘Storytelling from the Frontlines: Forefronting the voices of communities most affected by militarism and the climate crisis’. This video is a recording from QCEA's launch event 'Storytelling from the Frontlines'. Please note that the recording was edited for clarity and focuses mainly on the speakers' interventions. Storytelling has been a crucial vehicle to build common narratives, understanding and mutual trust between and within communities throughout the centuries. Stories have the potential to create new meaning, stimulate empathy, build nuanced perspectives by countering misconceptions, and catalyse people’s dreams and aspirations towards concrete community action. Yet despite its potential and documented added-value in the context of peacebuilding efforts, its application in the context of social transformation processes and policymaking remains limited. QCEA’s publication ‘Storytelling from the Frontlines: Forefronting the voices of communities most affected by militarism and the climate crisis’ brings a selection of stories from communities in disparate locations of the world who are united by the connecting thread of militarism and the climate crisis. Through storytellers’ eyes, we see how militarisation and securitised responses negatively impact the natural environment that communities depend on to survive and thrive, as well as how militarisation hinders local efforts to tackle climate and environmental issues at the community level. Read the report here: https://www.qcea.org/peace/storytelling-from-the-frontlines/ Hear from the storytellers: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBwPp3riJaNZ6rRKPPFdc0aogAPssEfhj Speakers: 1. Meta Sarmiento is a Guam-born Filipino, now based in Aurora, CO. An independent rapper and award-winning poet whose work explores themes of cultural & political identity, climate change, masculinity, and love. Website: https://www.reachmeta.com/ Purchase his book Tie Your Shoes Kid: https://www.reachmeta.com/metashop Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metasarmiento/ 2. Edwick Madzimure from Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF) in Zimbabwe. Read more about WILPF here: https://www.wilpf.org/ 3. Deborah Burton from Tipping Points North South (TPNS). Read more about Tipping Points North South and their activities: TPNS website: https://tippingpointnorthsouth.org/ Report on military spending and climate change: https://www.tni.org/en/publication/climate-collateral Report on military and conflict-related emissions: https://transformdefence.org/publication/military-and-conflict-related-emissions-report/ Transform Defence for Sustainable Human Safety which is TPNS's key advocacy project: https://transformdefence.org/the-five-percent-proposal/archive/ Support the fundraiser by Collectif Vietnam Dioxine and Tran To Nga in her trial and hold agrochemical companies accountable for spraying Agent Orange: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-tran-to-nga-in-her-historical-trial?utm_medium=email&utm_source=product&utm_campaign=p_email%2B4803-donation-alert-v5 --------------------------------------------- The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) works to bring a vision of peace, justice, and equality to Europe and its institutions. More information: www.qcea.org
Listen to Yara Hasan from Bil’in, Palestine talking about the links between militarism, occupation and climate crisis. Read more about Yara Hasan in QCEA's publication ‘Storytelling from the Frontlines: Forefronting the voices of communities most affected by climate and militarism’ bringing a selection of stories from communities in disparate locations of the world who are united by the connecting thread of militarism and the climate crisis. The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) works to bring a vision of peace, justice, and equality to Europe and its institutions. More information: www.qcea.org
Listen to Isa from the Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination talk about the possibilities of radical imagination in ZAD, Notre-Dame-des-Landes, near the city of Nantes in France. Read more about Laboratory of Insurrectionary Imagination and ZAD in QCEA's publication ‘Storytelling from the Frontlines: Forefronting the voices of communities most affected by climate and militarism’ bringing a selection of stories from communities in disparate locations of the world who are united by the connecting thread of militarism and the climate crisis. The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) works to bring a vision of peace, justice, and equality to Europe and its institutions. More information: www.qcea.org
Listen to Tiara R. Na’puti, a Chamorro Indigenous scholar from Guåhan, Mariana Islands talk about challenging the idea that climate change needs to be securitised. Read more about Tiara and indigenous rights in QCEA's publication ‘Storytelling from the Frontlines: Forefronting the voices of communities most affected by climate and militarism’ bringing a selection of stories from communities in disparate locations of the world who are united by the connecting thread of militarism and the climate crisis. The Quaker Council for European Affairs (QCEA) works to bring a vision of peace, justice, and equality to Europe and its institutions. More information: www.qcea.org
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And after COVID-19?

Click here for more on QCEA’s thinking about the world after the pandemic.