On 30 June 2009, Mairead Maguire was taken into custody by the Israeli military along with twenty others, including former U.S. Congress member Cynthia McKinney. She was on board a small ferry carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip when Israel intercepted the vessel in the coastal waters of Gaza, allegedly controlled by Israel. From an Israeli prison, she gave a lengthy interview with Democracy Now! using her cell phone, and was deported on 7 July 2009 to Dublin

Written by Mairead Maguire, Nobel Peace Laureate, during her incarceration in Ramle prison, Israel. 3lst June, 2009

For Gaza and the Palestinian People

As long as

The People of Palestine

Have no liberty, no freedom

Those of us with a voice to speak:

Must speak!

 

As long as

The Children of Gaza

Live in fear of Israeli

Bombs and occupation

Those of us with a voice to speak:

Must speak!

 

As long as

Six million Palestinian refugees

Are deportees around the world

Those of us with a voice to speak:

Must speak!

 

As long as

Millions of God's Children

Are hungry, imprisoned, and without hope

Those of us with a voice to speak:

Must speak!

 

Because it is in speaking

We find our liberty, our freedom

And no prison bars can take away

Our peace, our love

Which is the true Spirit of Humanity!

 

Read more from the Spirit of Humanity http://www.propheticimagery.com/Spirit%20of%20Humanity.htm

 Mairead Maguire talked to Rosemary Bechler about her work in Gaza. "Everybody on the ground wants peace"

Read more from the Nobel Women's Initiative

Declaration of the Nobel Women’s Initiative Conference on
Women Redefining Democracy
Antigua, Guatemala, May 10-12, 2009

We call upon all states and multilateral institutions to recognize that the democratization process is incomplete, and does not end with elections.  No country or society can claim to be democratic when the women who form half its citizens are denied their right to life, to their human rights and entitlements, and to safety and security.  Despite this, we women have made extraordinary efforts to democratize the institutions of society that frame our lives and the well-being of all humanity – the family, the community, clan, tribe, ethnic or religious group, political, legal, economic, social and cultural structures, and the media and communications systems.  But our search for justice is continually overwhelmed by the violence perpetrated upon us, by the exploitation and colonization of our bodies, our labor, and our lands; by militarization, war and civil conflict; by persistent and increasing poverty; and by environmental degradation.  All of these forces affect us, and our children, far more severely and in unique ways.  We know that democracy that comes from the heart is not the rule of the majority, but safeguards dissent and difference with equal rights, and fosters a culture of peace.  We are in search of democracy that transforms not just our lives, but all society – and we will not be silenced until it is achieved in every part of the world.

 

First published on the Nobel Women's Initiative website.

Shirin Ebadi, Jody Williams and Mairead Corrigan speak to FIRE about their involvement with the Nobel Women's Initiative.

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With thanks to FIRE for use of their audio material.

Participants in the three-day conference reflect on the messages they've taken away from the second morning's sessions.

With thanks to the Nobel Women's Initiative and JASS for the video footage.

Mairead Corrigan rounds up the first day of the Nobel Women Redefining Democracy Conference 2009.

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Jody Williams, Nobel Laureate, speaks to delegates at the Nobel Women Redefining Democracy Conference 2009, addressing the topic 'Why are we here?'

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María Suárez and Margaret Thompson discuss the context of the conference, its agenda, and take a look at the first day's proceedings.

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With thanks to FIRE for use of their audio material.

Participants in the three-day conference reflect on the messages they've taken away from the first morning's sessions.

With thanks to the Nobel Women's Initiative and JASS for the video footage.

One man's experience of the UK asylum system, as told to openDemocracy at Sheffield's City of Sanctuary, as part of Refugee Week 2008.

When I came out of Afghanistan it was during the Taliban, and I think all people know about this difficult time for our country.

We people over there in Asia, especially in countries like Afghanistan, we are talking about Europe - not only UK but Europe - as democratic countries, as countries where you receive fair treatment. And so when I came here I was expecting that "they will listen to my story, and they know about our problems - especially the problems of Afghanistan - and I will be definitely granted indefinite leave to remain and I can stay there and improve my life".

by Stephanie

My life is a daily struggle. Since I sought asylum, I have had to learn to survive on nothing. I am not allowed to work, and have no source of income. I have to rely on vouchers that I receive every week. These are worth £70; I have to spend them on food for me and my son. That is £5 a day for each of us. I must be very meticulous if I want us to survive on these vouchers till the following week.

by Afaf Jabiri

Afaf Jabiri is a member of Karama and one of the authors of a new report on refugee and stateless women in the Arab region. She writes here about the group's decision to produce it.