human rights
Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Salma Najjar on experiencing the Gaza war as a Palestinian in the UK
Salma, a lawyer who spent her childhood in Gaza, shares the 'dystopian' experience of life under occupation and knowing your family are in a war zone, as well as discussing happier memories and pro-Palestinian activism in the UK.
Listen: Inside Bristol’s ‘murder factory’ arms facility, with the activists on trial for occupying it
Palestine Action activists are on trial for smashing into an Elbit factory that ships weapons technologies to Israel. But at the heart of this case is the history and tragedy of Israel’s operations in Gaza, and how Bristol’s facility plays a role in the death and destruction.
‘Freedom of information laws have been working for nearly 25 years – but warning lights are flashing’
In 2000, the Freedom of Information Act gave citizens the right to access material held by public authorities. We need to recognise the democratic benefits of this vital tool, or risk losing them, an expert warns.
Transparency matters: why is Bristol City Council failing on freedom of information?
Cable research shows that Bristol is worse than many other major cities at handling citizens’ FOI requests. Why is this a problem – and will the end of the mayoral system next year bring more open local government in the city?
From city of sanctuary to ‘city of opportunity’ – how Bristol can better integrate refugees
Asylum seekers and refugees should be thought of as ‘citizens-in-waiting’, people with rights, skills and potential, a new report argues. Instead, many people at the sharp end of the system feel shut out of contributing to society.