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.
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.
Inspired by the International War Crimes Tribunal that was formed by Bertrand Russell and Jean-Paul Sartre in 1967, Tribunal 12 sets out to locate the moral, legal and political responsibilities as well as call for a change within the system.
Tribunal 12 takes place on the 12th May at Kulturhuset in Stockholm. In four sessions the following topics will be addressed: Border Control, Asylum Process, Undocumented Migrants and Detention & Deportation. A final session is gathering the members of the jury to an open discussion.
Tribunal 12 is partly artistically formed but is entirely founded on authentic witness statements and stories from refugees and migrants as well as statistics and reports from various NGO:s. A number of leading experts and researchers within medicine, law and theory will give presentations within the sessions.
The jury consists of individuals who are able to contribute with different perspectives and shed light on the issues brought forward through the sessions.
Nawal El Saadawi is an Egyptian writer, feminist, physician and activist. El Saadawi is a renowned advocate on women's rights and freedom of expression in the Arab world. She has published numerous novels, short stories and non-fiction addressing women's issues and criticising oppressive regimes. Recently she has contributed with her reflections on the Arab spring.
Saskia Sassen is the Robert S. Lynd Professor of Sociology at Columbia University, USA. Sassen is a world-leading expert on issues concerning globalisation and international migration. Her work embraces a broad scope of social, economical and political aspects as well as new technologies, and human rights.
Nuruddin Farah is a Somalian writer and advocate for women's rights in Somalia. Nuruddin Farah's extensive literary production brings life to the political and social struggles in the Horn of Africa. He has become a strong voice of women's liberation in Somalia and is a perennial nominee for the Nobel Prize.
Sadik J. Al-Azm is a prominent philosopher and critical thinker from Syria who discusses social, political and religious issues in the Arab world. He is also a strong advocate for human rights and freedom of expression. Al-Azm is Professor Emeritus of Modern European Philosophy at the University of Damascus. He has been a visiting professor at universities around the world and currently holds a position at the University of Bonn.
Henning Mankell is one of the world's best selling authors, an acclaimed playwright and a human rights activist. He lives in Sweden and Mozambique. In Maputo, he is the artistic director of Teatro Avenida. Mankell is a constant campaigner for literacy and freedom of expression.
Parvin Ardalan is a journalist, writer and women's rights activist. Ardalan is one of the founders of the One Million Signatures Campaign raising awareness for women's equal rights in her native Iran. In 2007 she was awarded the Olof Palme Prize. Since 2010, Ardalan lives in Malmö, Sweden, through ICORN:s guest writers programme.
B.S. Chimni is a world-leading researcher in international law and international refugee law. Chimni is a Professor and Chairman International Law, Centre for International Legal Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Dehli, India. He has been a visiting professor and scholar at several international universities.
Leading up to Tribunal 12, the public is encouraged to support the accusation by signing the website: tribunal12.org
Everyone is invited to contribute with supporting evidence on the sessions' themes. Email: evidence@tribunal12.org
Tribunal 12 is broadcasted live through internet and will be shown on theatres, cinemas and other places throughout Europe on the 12th May. For further information on how to organise a screening, email: event@tribunal12.org
For press images, please email press@tribunal12.org.
The co-organisers behind Tribunal 12 are Shahrazad - Stories for Life, Kulturhuset in Stockholm and The Swedish Forum for Human Rights. The project is funded by the European Commission through the Culture Programme 2007-2013, Swedish Arts Council, Swedish Authors' Fund. Partners are ICORN - International Cities for Refuge Network, Riksteatern, Videoforce & Acusticum. Several organizations and individuals support the project in various ways. Please see the website for a full list of supporters.
