分类： society

The legal and political communities are mourning the loss of Sir Geoffrey Bindman KC (Hon), a towering figure in human rights law, who passed away on November 4 at the age of 92. Bindman, the founder of Bindmans LLP, was celebrated for his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the defense of marginalized communities. His career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on UK equality and human rights legislation. Born in the north-east of England, Bindman faced antisemitism early in his life, an experience that shaped his dedication to combating discrimination. He co-founded Bindmans LLP in 1974 with a mission to represent the powerless and advocate for progressive causes. The firm’s statement highlighted his extraordinary impact, not only as a litigator but also as a pioneer in shaping human rights law. Bindman’s legacy includes his work as a legal adviser to the Race Relations Board and the Commission for Racial Equality, as well as his role in the landmark case against Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, which established the principle of universal jurisdiction in UK law. He was knighted in 2007 for his services to human rights and received a Lifetime Contribution Award in 2023. Tributes poured in from colleagues, politicians, and activists, who praised his integrity, brilliance, and tireless advocacy. Labour MP John McDonnell described him as “a brilliant lawyer who devoted his life to championing human rights,” while the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians hailed him as “a champion of Palestinian people’s rights and a titan of human rights law.” Bindman’s passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy of justice and equality will endure.

A UK remand prisoner, Sean Middleborough, 32, has failed to return to HMP Wandsworth after being temporarily released to attend his brother’s wedding. Middleborough is part of the ‘Filton 24,’ a group of Palestine Action activists arrested in August 2024 for targeting an Elbit Systems weapons facility. Although terrorism charges were dropped, the Crown Prosecution Service maintains that their actions have a ‘terrorism connection,’ potentially leading to harsher sentences. Many in the group have been held on remand for over a year, exceeding the legal six-month pre-trial custody limit. Middleborough’s arrest in November 2024 involved a dawn raid by counterterrorism police, during which he alleges excessive force was used, resulting in physical injuries. He now faces 18 months in prison and has described harsh conditions, including 23-hour lockdowns and overcrowded cells. Middleborough has vowed to join a rolling hunger strike initiated by other remand prisoners protesting ‘systematic abuse’ by prison authorities. Kamran Ahmed, 27, recently became the sixth prisoner to join the hunger strike, demanding immediate bail and the de-proscription of Palestine Action. Ahmed, also part of the Filton 24, was arrested in a similar raid and is set for trial in June 2026. Meanwhile, an independent commission is advising UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to redefine the government’s terrorism laws, citing overly broad definitions. The commission’s report, due for release, calls for stricter criteria and enhanced judicial oversight, likely influenced by criticism of the government’s handling of Palestine Action.

A new exhibition hall dedicated to the ‘Two Airlines Incident’ officially opened its doors in Tianjin on Sunday, offering a profound exploration of a pivotal moment in China’s civil aviation history. The event drew approximately 180 distinguished guests, including representatives from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the Tianjin municipal government, Hong Kong patriotic education groups, and the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, among others. The ceremony featured a historical short film recounting the 1949 ‘Two Airlines Uprising,’ during which staff from the China National Aviation Corporation and Central Air Transport Corporation flew 12 aircraft from Hong Kong to Tianjin and Beijing, marking a significant act of patriotism. Descendants of participants donated rare artifacts, while two surviving veterans, Wang Huide and Ding Yukang, shared their firsthand experiences. The exhibition hall, constructed and funded by China National Aviation Holding Corporation Ltd., is located at the former Zhangguizhuang Airport site. It showcases the uprising’s history through detailed accounts, scale models of domestically produced aircraft like the C909 and C919, and a C919 simulator. The venue also serves as a memorial to the establishment of civil aviation in the early years of the People’s Republic, highlighting the sector’s evolution and achievements. Designed as a platform for patriotic education and civil aviation knowledge dissemination, the hall is open to the public, offering free access for schools, universities, and community groups. The renovation of the old terminal building, which dates back to the early 1950s, integrates local historical education resources with the uprising’s narrative. Chen Shaozeng, vice-chairman of the Hong Kong two airlines association and son of a pilot who participated in the uprising, emphasized the event’s enduring legacy, stating, ‘The patriotic deeds of our parents will always inspire people in civil aviation.’ The exhibition hall is poised to become a key destination for public education, industry research, and historical study, honoring the achievements of China’s early civil aviation pioneers and inspiring future generations.

In a landmark development for Dubai’s educational sector, Chrysalis International Academy has officially broken ground in Dubailand, marking the third educational initiative by Nalapad Investments and MVK Holdings. Scheduled to open in September 2027, the academy aims to set new benchmarks in British curriculum education, aligning with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority’s (KHDA) vision to establish Dubai as a global hub for education, innovation, and lifelong learning. The project caters to the growing demand for quality education in the rapidly expanding residential communities of Dubailand and Liwan. The groundbreaking ceremony, held at the Liwan site, was attended by Abdulla Khalifa Belhoul, CEO of TECOM Group, alongside government officials, education leaders, investors, and families. Abdulla Nalapad Ahmed, Managing Director of Nalapad Investments, emphasized the academy’s mission to empower students academically while fostering them into compassionate global citizens. The academy will offer a comprehensive British educational pathway from Foundation Stage 1 to Year 13, enriched with STEAM education, Arabic and Islamic Studies, and pathways to IGCSE and A-Levels. The campus, designed with sustainability and student well-being at its core, will feature state-of-the-art facilities including temperature-controlled swimming pools, interactive learning spaces, and specialist areas such as innovation hubs and STEAM labs. Chrysalis International Academy represents a forward-thinking investment in Dubai’s youth, integrating emotional well-being, inclusivity, and cutting-edge design into every aspect of learning.

In a rare demonstration at New Delhi’s iconic India Gate, dozens of protesters were detained by police on Sunday as they demanded urgent measures to combat the city’s severe air pollution crisis. The protest, attended by people of all ages, saw participants holding banners and chanting slogans like ‘Breathing is killing us’ and ‘Our right, clear air.’ Visuals from the scene showed police forcibly removing protesters and bundling them into buses. The city’s air quality index (AQI) on Monday stood at 345, classified as ‘very poor,’ according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The AQI scale ranges from ‘good’ (0–50) to ‘severe’ (401–500).

New Delhi and its surrounding regions face a recurring winter haze caused by cold air trapping construction dust, vehicle emissions, and smoke from crop burning. This toxic mix leads to widespread respiratory illnesses. Despite efforts by authorities, including a failed cloud seeding attempt last month to induce artificial rain, pollution levels remain alarmingly high.

Opposition leaders criticized the police action, emphasizing the constitutional right to peaceful protest. Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Congress party, stated on X, ‘The right to clean air is a basic human right. Why are citizens … peacefully demanding clean air being treated like criminals?’ Meanwhile, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling pollution, stating, ‘We will continue every possible effort to rid us of pollution.’

The protest highlights growing public frustration over the lack of effective action to address the annual pollution crisis, which has plagued the capital for years.