In just over a month, Europe will be held accountable for its continual violations of human rights and the systematic mistreatment of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers. Watch the newly released trailer for Tribunal 12 and join the accusation.

Saskia Sassen, Nuruddin Farah, Nawal El Saadawi, Henning Mankell, B.S. Chimni, Parvin Ardalan and Sadik J. Al-Azm.

The jury of Tribunal 12 consists of prominent writers, academics and intellectuals who all share a strong commitment to human rights. On May 12, a sharp accusation is directed towards Europe focusing on violations of human rights and a systematic mistreatment of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers.

We accuse Europe of continual violations of human rights and the systematic mistreatment of refugees, migrants and asylum seekers!

Date: 12 May 2012

Location: Kulturhuset & Sergels torg in Stockholm and all over Europe.

People who flee to Europe are often met with disbelief and suspicion. Many are directly deported at the borders, despite risking their lives. Others are held up in prison-like detention centres lacking basic human rights. Once inside Europe, people are subjected to lengthy and complex asylum processes, often without legal advice. The vast majority of asylum applications are rejected, forcing people to return to extreme dangers. In order to survive, many choose to live hidden without any legal rights.

At Tribunal 12, Europe will be held accountable for these failures.

Turkish-born writer, Moris Farhi, examines "the profession of death".

ATAVISTIC DELIRIUM

You will have heard many concrete facts – and more are to come during this session – on the prodigious work achieved by organizations defending the human rights of people who are persecuted, discriminated or forced to emigrate. Work conducted despite the indifference and, more often than not, the wilful obstructions, by many governments. Consequently, I decided that instead of going over that ground again, I would present what I believe is the nature of the mentality that propagates such repression. I’ve chosen to call this mentality “atavistic delirium”. It is a very subjective, pessimistic and generalized view of the world. Even so, I hazard to guess it is one which many of you already share with me in varying degrees.

How does Europe live up to the ideals enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights? The first European Hospitality Tribunal examines the record.