Month: January 2015

France: Anti-Semitic Activist Arrested for “Defending Terrorism” Comments

French anti-Semitic activist and comedian Dieudonné (French for “God Given”) M’Bala M’Bala has been arrested by French prosecutors for”defending terrorism,” after a Facebook posting indicating that he sympathized with a terrorist, Amedy Coulibaly, who murdered a black Paris policewoman on January 8 and who murdered four people at a Paris kosher supermarket on January 9.

On Facebook social media, French activist and comedian Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala stated “Tonight, as far as I’m concerned, I feel like Charlie Coulibaly,” (“Je Suis Charlie Coulibaly”) in reference to the terrorist killer Amedy Coulibaly, who was the source of two terrorist attacks in France last week. The posting has been taken down.

France: Anti-Semitic Activist Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala Supports Terrorist Amedy Coulibaly (who killed black policewoman, murdered 4 at kosher supermarket, and injured other captives at Paris kosher supermarket)

The New York Times reports that Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala frequently makes anti-Semitic hate comments as part of his performances. The Times reports: “Mr. M’Bala M’Bala generally points to a supposed cabal of Jewish ‘slave drivers,’ secret rulers who cloak themselves in the memory of the Holocaust.” The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has reported that: “Dieudonne had called Jews “the world’s biggest crooks,” mocked the Holo­caust, and called for the release of Yous­souf Fofana, whose Gang of Bar­bar­ians had kid­napped, tor­tured, and mur­dered Ilan Hal­imi in 2006.”  French commentators have been concerned about the growing anti-Semitism in France.

RFI, part of France Médias Monde, has been reporting on the investigation, along with AFP.

RFI has reported that French Interior Minister called French comedian Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala’s comments “despicable.” The French Interior Minister stated at the end of December 2014 that there would be efforts to ban Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala’s performances in France, due to the comedian’s comments on the Holocaust and anti-Semitic remarks. In 2008, Holocaust denier Robert Faurisson appeared in one of his shows. Dieudonné has described Holocaust remembrance as “memorial pornography”. Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala has been convicted seven times for defamation and race hate. Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala has traveled to Lebanon for meetings with Global Terrorist Organization Hezbollah, and he has publicly stated that he has friends and supporters in the Hezbollah and the Hamas terrorist organizations.

Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala Posing with Anti-Semitic Hate Book "The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews Vol. 2: How Jews Gained Control Of The Black American Economy" (Source: Nation of Islam)
Murdered Victims of Amedy Coulibaly's Terrorist Attack that Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala is So Proud Of

The New York Times reports that “Mr. Valls’s decision followed the broadcast of a video in which Mr. M’Bala M’Bala laments that a prominent Jewish journalist (Patrick Cohen) did not die in ‘the gas chambers.’ Under French law, those words will probably be deemed ‘incitement to racial hatred.'”

France’s Interior Minister Manuel Valls, stated “From one comment to the next, as he has shown in several television shows, he attacks the memory of Holocaust victims in an obvious and unbearable way.”

RFI has also reported that others praising the terrorist acts have faced legal action in France.

Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala’s anti-Semitic remarks and actions have been defended by extremist “Nation of Islam” organization’s website led by extremist Louis Farrakhan. During a campaign for president in 2007, Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala’ had convicted Holocaust denier Serge Thion writing for his campaign web site under the pseudonym “Serge Noith”, as did also the longtime secretary of the Holocaust denier Roger Garaudy, Maria Poumier. Wikipedia reports that “On 26 December 2008, at an event at the Parc de la Villette in Paris, Dieudonné awarded the Holocaust denier Robert Faurisson an “insolent outcast” prize [prix de l’infréquentabilité et de l’insolence]. The award was presented by one of Dieudonné’s assistants, Jacky, dressed in a concentration camp uniform with a yellow badge.”

In 2013, anti-Semitic comedian Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala made news for popularizing a form of a downward Nazi salute called the “quenelle,” which also the name of a French fish dish. A year ago, on December 31, 2013, Dieudonné released a 15 minute video proposing that “2014 will be the year of the quenelle! “This anti-Semitic “salute” was increasingly performed near synagogues and other Jewish areas in France, as a promotion of hate speech. Some individuals have posed photos of themselves performing the “quenelle” salute at the Auschwitz concentration camp and at the Berlin Holocaust memorial.

Given all of the reprehensible history of Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala’s anti-Semitic remarks and actions, it would requires a lot of explanation as to how professional athletes from France who are his “friend,” could not possibly understand his stand on human rights, and the context of this anti-Semitic “salute,” which he chose to popularize.

Sports stars have performed the anti-Semitic “salute,” including French-Belgian Tony Parker who has played for the American basketball team San Antonio Spurs. After public criticism by the Simon Wiesenthal Foundation and the Anti-Defamation League, American basketball player Tony Parker apologized for the salute. Tony Parker claimed ignorance of the anti-Semitic nature of this “quenelle” salute, and apologized.

The San Antonio Spur’s Tony Parker had been photographed performing the “quenelle” salute with French anti-Semitic comedian Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala. Tony Parker was received at the White House on Monday, January 12, 2015, and along with his team presented the U.S. President with a jersey.

San Antonio Basketball player Tony Parker (R) Making "Quenelle" Salute with Anti-Semitic French Comedian Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala (L) - (Source: Twitter)
January 12, 2015: Tony Parker and San Antonio Spurs Meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama - Presenting Basketball Jersey (Source: White House)
Washington DC: President Obama Shaking Hands with Tony Parker at White House - January 12, 2015 (Source: Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press)

In addition, French soccer player Nicoloas Anelka, playing for the English Premier League’s West Brom team, has also been criticized for performing the “quenelle” salute.   He stated that the gesture was “just a special dedication to my comedian friend Dieudonné.”

French soccer player Nicoloas Anelka performing "quenelle" salute, in support of anti-Semite Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala

It should deeply troubling to this human rights group that sports figures and performers can promote such obvious anti-Semitic hatred, promotion of hatred, and even praise of terrorist attacks. In addition to the acts by the government of France to protect its citizens by the obscene and outrageous comments of those defending terrorism, we must recognize that such violence begins with the dehumanization of people of other identity groups.

The shameful efforts by anti-Semitic extremists to deny the tragedy of the Holocaust and to de-humanize the suffering of Jewish people and any other people, as part of a campaign of hatred, must be rejected by all those in support of our universal human rights.

We call upon the President of the United States of America, who has such time for various sports activities and honors, to also find the time to make a statement rejecting the anti-Semitic comments of individuals such as Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala. We call upon President Obama to make a statement rejecting such those anywhere in the world praising terrorist actions. We call upon President Obama to make a statement rejecting this anti-Semitic “salute,” as another form of bigotry and contempt for other religions and identity groups that all those supporting our universal human rights must reject. None of these actions by President Obama would be difficult or burdensome. They are actions which could much to clarify his views as a world leader.

We call for Tony Parker to use his position in sports to do more than make a meek apology about his involvement with Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala, being photographed making an anti-Semitic salute together. We call for Tony Parker to publicly and aggressively reject and condemn the ideology, the hate, and praise of terrorist activities by Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala. We call for the city of San Antonio, Texas, not to look the other way on this matter, but to hold Mr. Parker accountable to defending the human rights and human dignity values that all those in American should represent.

To Dieudonné M’Bala M’Bala, we have an invitation to him to reject his praise of terrorist violence, and his anti-Semitic views. We remind him that the terrorist actions that he defends included the murder of a black French policewoman. We remind him that those who live by the standard of hatred and violence threaten not just one identity group, but threaten all of our human identity groups.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)’s position is that calls for hatred and violence against our human identity groups are a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Such anti-Semitic hatred and praise of violence is particularly despicable, given the context of the creation of United Nation’s Declaration of Universal Human Rights after the defeat of Hitiler’s Nazi Germany. The UDHR was in response to the “barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind,” by the Holocaust and crimes against humanity by Nazi Germany. This is the same Holocaust which such individuals seek to mock and deny. This is the same promotion of “barbarous acts” which such individuals seek to promote.

Article 3 of the UDHR states that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” Article 7 of the UDHR states that “All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.” Article 28 of the UDHR states that “Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.”

Fundamentally, Article 1 states that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.”

We believe that living in accordance with the UDHR provides the pathway for resolving the hatred against identity groups, oppression, and violence.

We urge all to be: Responsible for Equality and Liberty.

Nigeria: Tens of Thousands Flee after Recent Terror Attacks – 135,000 Have Fled Nigeria Due to Terrorism – Mostly Women and Girls

Reports from the United Nations and nations neighboring Nigeria are reporting that as many as 20,000 have fled Nigeria after recent Boko Haram terrorist attacks. This diaspora of Nigerians fleeing their nation have gone to neighboring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Nigerians have fled their nation over the past 10 days after the Boko Haram attack on the Nigerian Borno state and the town of Baga.  Refugee status on Nigerians fleeing the Boko Haram terrorism have been coming in from the United Nations Refugee Agency, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR), neighboring nations to nations, and the news media.

The Boko Haram terrorism has led to 135,000 Nigerians fleeing their nation, and 850,000 displaced individuals from Nigerian areas attacked by terrorism. The majority of the refugees are women and girls fleeing the terrorist violence of their Nigerian homeland.

Reuters is reporting that “In the past 10 days, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates 6,000 Nigerian refugees have fled east into Cameroon and a further 1,500 have gone north to seek shelter in Niger. Chad estimates 13,000 people have entered its western Lake Chad region. Some have drowned in their attempt to flee, others have been left stranded on lake islands awaiting rescue boats.

The UNCHR has reported that more than 7,000 Nigerians have fled the Boko Haram terrorism for the nation of Chad, as a result of the recent attacks in the past 10 days in Nigeria’s Borno state. Chad is now hosting more than 10,000 refugees from Nigeria.

Nigerians Fleeing to Chad Waiting to be Registered by UNCHR (Source: UNCHR, Chad Red Cross, H. Abdoulaye)

At the end of November, the UNCHR reported that Boko Haram terrorism in the northern Nigerian town of Damassak left 50 people dead and forced at least 3,000 to flee to the Diffa region in neighboring country of Niger. Most of the refugees were women, children, older people, and some injured.

Nigerian girls who fled to Niger to escape terrorism (Source: UNCHR, H. Caux)
Older Nigerian Children Fled to Niger as Refugees from Terrorism (Source: UNCHR, H. Caux)

During the beginning of November, the UNCHR reported that 13,000 Nigerians fled Boko Haram terrorism for the nation of Cameroon in late October: “according to Cameroonian authorities, some 13,000 Nigerian refugees crossed from Adamawa state after insurgents attacked and captured the town of Mubi in late October. The refugees fled to the towns of Guider and Gashiga in the North region of Cameroon and to Bourha, Mogode and Boukoula in the Far North.”

Nigerian Refugees Flee to Cameroon from Terrorism (Source: UNCHR, D. Mbairoem)

The News Nigeria reports: “The United Nations on Tuesday said that the latest wave of Boko Haram’s ‘vicious, ruthless attacks’ in northeastern Nigeria had sent 11,320 people fleeing into Chad in a matter of days. The Islamist group stormed the town of Baga on January 3, and subsequently razed it and at least 16 surrounding settlements. While it has been impossible for aid workers to enter the area to verify accounts of the slaughter and of corpses rotting in the streets, the attack is feared to have been the worst massacre since Boko Haram’s deadly insurgency began in 2009. Some 20,000 people are said to have fled their homes in the area since the attack, and the UN refugee agency said Tuesday that some 11,320 people had arrived in neighbouring Chad alone. A full 60 percent of the new arrivals in Chad were women and girls, UNHCR spokesman William Spindler told reporters, adding that 84 unaccompanied children had also crossed over. Another 2,000 people had become stranded on an island in Lake Chad during their desperate escape, he said, adding that UNHCR was working to transport them to the mainland.”

The UNCHR states “the conflict in north-east Nigeria has led to the exodus of 135,000 people – around 35,000 Nigerians to Cameroon and 10,000 to Chad and the displacement of at least 850,000 people within Nigeria’s Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states.”

Unité

Unity March to show solidarity for human rights against terrorism. We support the people of the world in the united march to defy terrorism and hatred, and to stand in support of our universal human rights. By standing united, we can show those who defy human rights and dignity that their war on human rights will not win. We can show those who believe that we will live in fear, that we will never bow to their terrorism, and that our shared universal human rights will remain defended by the people of the world.

Unity - Collage of Paris Unity March Protest for Human Rights, January 11, 2015

Germany: Terrorist Firebomb Attack on Newspaper for Cartoons

German and European media are reporting on a new terrorist attack against our universal human rights of freedom of speech. This latest attack was against the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper in Hamburg, Germany, which last week had republished some of the cartoons from the French magazine Charlie Hebdo. The terrorist attack happened in the very early Sunday morning hours on January 11, 2015, with an “incendiary device” thrown into the building as well rocks smashing basement windows of the building. It is reported that this was believed to be a “Molotov cocktail.” Newspaper files have been burned, but reportedly no one was harmed.

Acccording to the Hamburger Morgenpost, “two men (35 and 39) had behaved suspiciously in the area , have been arrested , according to police.” The Morgenpost also reports that “‘There is no knowledge, no claim of responsibility or other evidence,’ police spokeswoman Karina Sadowsky said this morning.” They are seeking those with information to contact the police in Hamburg, Germany at: 42 865 67 89. We must stand with the Hamburger Morgenpost in defense of our shared universal human rights.

Germany: Terror Firebomb Attack on Hamburger Morgenpost - after publishing Charlie Hebdo cartoons - charred remains of German newspaper stock - (Source: Marius Röer)
Germany - Terror Firebomb of Hamburger Morgenpost Newspaper (Source: Twitter)

The terrorist campaign against a free press, free speech, and our universal human rights must never be allowed to win.  We must continue to defy such terrorists and their extremist ideologies which reject our shared universal human rights.

We call for all of our fellow human beings to defy such hate and violence, and be responsible for equality and liberty.

Pakistan: Terror Attack by Taliban on Minority Shiite Muslim Mosque Kills 8, Wounds 17

On January 9, 2015, in Pakistan’s Punjab’s Rawalpindi area, a terrorist attack by a faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) against Shia minority Muslims has left eight people killed and 17 injured. The attack was in the Chitian Hatian area at a Shia Imambargah mosque and worship hall. The attack happened when a Taliban suicide bomber was unable to enter the Shia house of worship at around 9:20 PM local time. The terrorist attack happened during a Shia religious service.

Pakistan: A Shia Muslim mourns over the death of his family member at the site of a blast in Rawalpindi on January 9, 2015 (Source: AP)

Pakistan’s Geo TV reports that “[e]yewitnesses said the explosion that took place outside the Imambargah was so intense that windowpanes of nearby buildings were shattered,” and that “[t]he injured were taken to the District Headquarters Hospital where some of them were in critical condition.” The Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction of Taliban took credit for the terrorist attack on the minority Shiite Muslims. The Pakistan News reported that Ehsanullah Ehsan, the spokesman of the Taliban’s Jamat-ul-Ahrar faction, stated in an email “We claim responsibility of the attack on the Imambargah and vow to continue such attacks against enemies of Islam.”

Pakistan: Police officer and local residents gather next to a damaged motorcycle at the site of a blast in Rawalpindi on January 9, 2015 (Source: AP)

Dawn also reported that “[a] bomb targeting Shias at a volleyball match killed at least five people and injured 10 in Pakistan’s restive northwest last Sunday.” The January 4 terrorist attack against Shiites by the Taliban was an attack on a child’s playground in Orakzai.

The Taliban has continued a war against religious minorities in Pakistan and other Muslim religions, as part of its rejection of our universal human rights for all people of all religions and all identity groups. Such terrorist hate and violence will target any individuals and deny their human rights of anyone in humanity.

This is continuing terrorist war by the Taliban against the people of the world and an attack on the universal human rights, including terrorist attacks and murders against other Muslims.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) calls for the support of our Universal Human Rights for all people around the world, and a rejection of this violence and hatred.

Paris: Three Day Campaign of Terror Ends with Kosher Supermarket Killings

The past three days has seen a rapid and fluid campaign of terror against the people of Paris, which we have been reporting on Facebook due to the frequent changes. This began with the January 7 terrorist attack on the free press by terrorists Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi.

Paris: Arc de Triomphe Lit with Defiant Message "Paris Est Charlie" After Terror Attacks (Source: Twitter)

On January 7, the terrorist brothers Cherif and Said Kouachi killed cartoonists, writers at the Paris-based Charlie Hebdo magazine, as well as killing a visitor, a caretaker, and police. They killed 12 individuals and wounding 11, including killing two police officers (including one police officer who was a Muslim). The 12 victims of this terrorist attack in Paris were: Stephane Charbonnier, editor of Charlie Hebdo; Jean Cabut, cartoonist; Georges Wolinski, cartoonist; Bernard Verlhac, cartoonist; Philippe Honore, cartoonist; Bernard Maris, economist; Elsa Cayat, psychoanalyst and columnist; Mustapha Ourrad, copy editor; Michel Renaud, visitor; Frederic Boisseau, caretaker; Ahmed Merabet, policeman; Brigadier Franck Brinsolaro, police bodyguard.

Paris: Victims of January 7 Terror Attack: Stephane Charbonnier, editor of Charlie Hebdo; Jean Cabut, cartoonist; Georges Wolinski, cartoonist; Bernard Verlhac, cartoonist; Philippe Honore, cartoonist; Bernard Maris, economist (Source: BBC)
Paris: Victims of January 7 Terror Attack: Elsa Cayat, psychoanalyst and columnist; Mustapha Ourrad, copy editor; Michel Renaud, visitor; Frederic Boisseau, caretaker; Ahmed Merabet, policeman; Brigadier Franck Brinsolaro, police bodyguard. (Sources: BBC, Internet)

On January 8, the terror campaign continued in Montrouge, with a terrorist murder of a black Paris policewoman Clarissa Jean-Philippe, who was dealing with a traffic accident. She was murdered by terrorist Amedy Coulibaly. The Daily Mail is reporting that “[i]t has now been suggested this attack may have been an aborted attempt to attack a Jewish school.”

Black Paris Policewoman Clarissa Jean-Philippe, murdered by terrorist Amedy Coulibaly - on January 8, 2015 (Source: LCI)

On January 9, it has come to its third day with dual hostage taking in Dammartin-en-Goële and Porte de Vincennes boulevard areas.

In northern Paris, the terrorists Cherif and Said Kouachi brothers cornered by police and took at least one hostage at a printing shop in Dammartin-en-Goële, about 7.5 miles from Charles de Gaulle airport. French police launched an assault killing both of the terrorists, and releasing the hostage.

In eastern Paris, terrorist Amedy Coulibaly went to a Jewish kosher supermarket to take hostages of women and children at the Hyper Cacher (“Super Kosher”) in Paris, near Porte de Vincennes boulevard. We have learned that the terrorist killed hostages, and police stormed the supermarket to free the remaining hostages.   It has been reported that children and babies were among the hostages held by the terrorists. According to French President Francois Hollande, four hostages were killed at the siege of the kosher supermarket. An Israeli government official has stated that 15 hostages were rescued.  A YouTube video of the police raid on the Hyper Cacher supermarket where the hostages were held, clearly shows the bodies of dead hostages laying on the ground before the Paris police raided the building.  At this time, the names of the victims have not been released.

French President Francois Hollande described the terrorist attack as “appalling anti-Semitic act.”

Paris: Police Respond to Terrorist Attack at Jewish Kosher Supermarket (Source: Twitter)

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Update (January 10, 2015). The French publication JSS News has published the names of the victims of the Hyper Cacher supermarket attack, and has asked us to share this information.

The January 9 terror attack victims were: 1. Yohan Cohen ( 22 years old), 2. Yoav Hattab (21 years, son of the Chief Rabbi of Tunis), 3. Philip Braham (forty years), 4. François-Michel Saada (sixties).

JSS News also states that: “In Judaism, we ask the faithful to pray for their souls. So be it. Thank you to share their names with the largest number so that we can never forget. And if you can, turn this evening a candle in their memory.”

Paris: January 9, 2015 - Victims of Terrorist Attack on Kosher Supermarket Hyper Cacher: 1. Yohan Cohen ( 22 years old), 2. Yoav Hattab (21 years, son of the Chief Rabbi of Tunis), 3. Philip Braham (forty years), 4. François-Michel Saada (sixties). (Source: JSS News)

We have also received numerous reports on those had to hide with small children in the supermarket freezers and other parts to protect themselves from the terrorist violence.

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In addition, there has been a report that police have police shut down central Paris’s historically Jewish Marais neighborhood, due to concern over other anti-Semitic terrorist threats.

On January 9, terrorists Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi were killed in a shoot-out with police during a police raid to release hostages in Dammartin-en-Goële. The Daily Mail reports that during conversations with police, Cherif Kouach stated: “I am a defender of the prophet. I was sent by Al Qaeda of Yemen. I’m financed by Imam Anwar al Awlaqi. Anwar is a (preacher).”

Paris: Terrorist Brothers Cherif Kouachi and Said Kouachi - Responsible for January 7 Terror Attack - Killed in January 9 Shoot-out with Police in Dammartin-en-Goële

Also on January 9, terrorist Amedy Coulibaly was killed in a shoot-out with police during a police raid to release hostages at the Hyper Cacher supermarket in Parks. The Daily Mail reports that during separate conversations with police, Amedy Coulibaly “confirmed that he was in contact with the Kouachis and that the attacks had been ‘synchronized’. He said that he had swore allegiance to Islamic State in Iraq and had targeted the shop because ‘it was Jewish’.”

Paris: Terrorist Amedy Coulibaly - Responsible for January 8 Terrorist Killing of Policewoman and January 9 Terrorist Attack and Killings and Kosher Supermarket (Source: Twitter)

However, it is reported that Amedy Coulibaly had a female terror accomplice, Hayat Boumeddiene, with a birthdate of 6/26/1988. She remains at large.

Hayat Boumeddien, Alleged Terrorist Accomplice of Amedy Coulibaly - She Remains AT LARGE (Source: Paris Police)

The Independent reports that “It is believed that Ms. Boumedienne attended a suspected jihadist training camp in Cantal, a mountainous area of central France.”

Terrorist Amedy Coulibaly with Woman Accomplice - it is not known if this is Hayat Boumeddien (Source: Le Monde)

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) calls for all of our fellow human beings to denounce the terrorist attacks against the people in Paris, and anywhere in the world.

We know this terror campaign is not limited to France, but is a world war against all of humanity and all human freedoms and rights. Those who perform terrorist actions and those who support such terrorist activity attack our universal human rights. They represent a global threat to our shared universal human rights, which must be recognized and challenged by all human rights groups.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges our fellow human beings responsible for our shared universal human rights to continue to aggressively challenge and condemn such extremist groups and individuals – anywhere in the world, and using any language. Our shared universal human rights, as described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), is essential for peace, harmony, respect, and security for all of our fellow human beings of every identity group, every nationality, and every religious view and conscience.

Due to the fluid and changing nature of this report, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has been reporting this campaign of terror against human rights on Facebook.

France: Terror Campaign Against France Condemned by Muslim Groups, Individuals

The terror campaign against Paris and throughout France has been widely condemned by Islamic groups and individuals. The terror campaign also included the murder of Parisian police officer, Ahmed Merabet, who was a Muslim. He was assassinated by the terrorists, while his hands were up in surrender. Those who reject our universal human rights do support any religious ideology other than their own efforts to use force to suppress, rather unite our fellow human beings.

Ahmed Merabet, Parisian Police Officer Murdered by Terrorists on January 7, 2015 – Mr. Merabet was a Muslim. (Source: Facebook)

The French Muslim Council condemned the attack, calling it one of “exceptional violence.” It has also stated that “[t]he barbarous attack of extreme gravity is also an attack against democracy and freedom of the press. Our first thoughts are with the victims and their families for whom we have total solidarity.”

Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, stated that “Terrorism has no religion and is an affront to Islam, therefore we must confront and expose the evil ideology of these terrorists.”

The Muslim Council of Britain, stated: “Whomever the attackers are, and whatever the cause may be, nothing justifies the taking of life.”

Tehmina Kazi, of the the British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) published an exceptional article providing more than condemnation, but also calling for action to challenge such extremists. Her article in Left Foot Forward, “Charlie Hebdo: Dismantling nine mistaken assumptions about the Paris atrocities,” also urged her fellow Muslims ” sort out the problems in their own back yard,” further stating “Given that the Qu’ran takes such a strong line on humans challenging injustice wherever we find it, this shouldn’t be too difficult.” Tehmina Kazi also called for change and urged Muslims to challenge such extremists and “work hard to create change within their own circles of influence (just like Inspire did with their ‘Making a Stand’ campaign, and Manwar Ali has done with his grassroots work in Ipswich and elsewhere). As I said in my piece yesterday, the Qu’ran tells us to fight against injustice wherever we may find it, even if it means testifying against our own. In my view, this is a crystal-clear example of the need to do just that.”

The Arab League made a statement by its chief Nabil al-Arabi that it “strongly condemns the terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo newspaper in Paris.”

According to Al Arabiya News, “Al-Azhar, a thousand-year-old seat of religious learning respected by Muslims around the world, referred to the attack as a criminal act, saying that ‘Islam denounces any violence.'”

In an Al-Arabiya commentary by Abdulrahman al-Rashed, he stated:

“We don’t need to blame murderers because they are terrorists whose plans and hostility against the world are clear. However, we do blame those who justify these terrorists’ crimes and who try to mislead Muslims with lies and excuses. Some people have even written in defense of the heinous crime of murdering French journalists which shocked the world. What sort of ignorant man can think that a government conspires to kill its own citizens in order to serve a foreign plot? What nonsense and ignorance can make some of us descend to this level of justifying the murder of fellow journalists?”

“Apologists of killers provide cover and legitimacy for terrorists at a time when we are all supposed to be at the forefront of those condemning these acts. Those defending terrorists must realize the severity of the crimes which they are committing. These actions and similar ones over the years have secured for terrorism a base in our region. Their sin is no less grave than the crimes of ISIS and al-Qaeda whom they have long praised. They have misled millions of people by presenting terrorist groups as defenders of the rights and existence of the Muslim diaspora.”

France: Enemies of Human Rights Praise Terror Campaign in France

As we have reported, many Muslim groups and individuals have publicly rejected the ongoing terror campaign in France. As these Muslims state, no religious views should rationalize murder and terrorism, and a campaign of attack against our shared universal human rights.

In the meantime, there are extremist groups and individuals who are expressing solidarity and support for the terror campaign against France. We know this terror campaign is not limited to France, but is a world war against all of humanity and all human freedoms and rights. They are supporting terrorism and calling for attacks on our universal human rights, and they represent enemies of our shared universal human rights. They represent a global threat to our shared universal human rights, which must be recognized and challenged by all human rights groups.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) urges our fellow human beings responsible for our shared universal human rights to continue to aggressively challenge and condemn such extremist groups and individuals – anywhere in the world, and using any language. Our shared universal human rights, as described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), is essential for peace, harmony, respect, and security for all of our fellow human beings of every identity group, every nationality, and every religious view and conscience.

While Twitter is being used to express solidarity among people of all religions and all nations condemning the terror campaign in France, Twitter is also being used by extremists to promote support for this terrorism campaign by extremists, using the hashtag translated as #ExpelTheCrusaderAmongYou

It is reported that social media has also been used to spread support for the terror campaign in France, including on Facebook with comments such as “this is the harvest of the hatred that France has sowed.”

Somalia’s Shebab extremist group in Africa also praised the terror campaign in Paris as a “heroic” act. Ashram and AFP reported that the Shebab extremist’s Radio Andulus praised the terror campaign against the Charlie Hebdo publication stating, “[t]hey made millions of Muslims happy by taking action. Some misguided people claim that freedom of expression was attacked, but that is not the case, and the two heroic people acted accordingly.”

Reuters and Pakistan Nation report: “A fighter of the Islamic State militant group praised Wednesday’s attack on a French satirical magazine that killed at least 12 people, telling Reuters the raid was revenge for insults against Islam. ‘The lions of Islam have avenged our Prophet,’ said Abu Mussab, a Syrian who fights with the Islamic State, which has captured broad swathes of Iraqi and Syrian territory. ‘These are our lions. It’s the first drops – more will follow,’ he said, speaking via an internet connection from Syria. He added that he and his fellow fighters were happy about the incident. ‘Let these crusaders be scared because they should be.’ No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.”

The Algemeiner has published reports that “[o]ver the last several months, France has emerged as a top target for IS. In September 2014, IS spokesman Abu Muhammad Al Adanani urged IS supporters worldwide to mount attacks in their countries of residence against both military and civilian targets, using any means available. Al Adanani specifically identified France as a recommended target, a separate MEMRI dispatch reported at the time. Similar themes were echoed by several jihadi sympathizers on Twitter. A user identified as Najam wrote: “#Paris Is Burning. Oh Allah slaughter them, Allah attack them. This newspaper insulted the Messenger of Allah and Islam.’ Another user commented: ‘France turned the lands of the Muslims into battlefields, and now the Muslims have turned Paris into a battlefield. Allahu akhbar.'”

On December 23, 2014, the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) reported that, using Facebook, “French IS Supporters And Fighters Urge Attacks In France And Europe.” MEMRI specifically stated that IS spokesman Abu Muhammad Al-‘Adanan urged “IS supporters worldwide to perform attacks in their countries of residence against both military and civilian targets using any means possible. He specifically identified France as a recommended target.”

The USA Today published the comments by Bristish extremist Anjem Choudary, who rejected the concept of freedom of expression (which he is so dependent on), and stated that: “Muslims consider the honor of the Prophet Muhammad to be dearer to them than that of their parents or even themselves. To defend it is considered to be an obligation upon them. The strict punishment if found guilty of this crime under sharia (Islamic law) is capital punishment implementable by an Islamic State. This is because the Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever insults a Prophet kill him.'”

The Radio Free Europe reported on praise for the terror campaign by British female extremists on Twitter, reporting that: “As news broke of the Paris attack, British female IS militant Umm Jafar Britaniyah, who is based in the Syrian town of Manbij, expressed her joy in a series of tweets. After her initial reaction — ‘ALLAHU AKBAR!!!!!! OUR brothers in France!!! May Allah reward them abundantly and grant them VICTORY AMEEN!!'” — Umm Jafar called on Allah to ‘help [the gunmen] kill as many kafirs [infidels] as they can.'”

Radio Free Europe also reported on another individual praising the terrorists: “Another female militant, who tweets in English under the name Umm Handhla posted her initial reaction to the attack: ‘ALLAHU.AKBAR buzzzzzzzzzzzzzn May allah protect the mujahideen in Franceeee!!! Shooting was maad!!'”

Radio Free Europe also stated that: “A male militant, who calls himself Abu Junaid As-Somali, and who tweeted extensively about the Charlie Hebdo attack tweeted his wish that Allah grant the two men access to Paradise, because they had ‘muted & killed that filthy najis [a person regarded as ritually unclean] Charlie.’ As-Somali had previously tried to claim that the IS group had been responsible for the Charlie Hebdo attack, tweeting about the ‘Islamic State wilayat [province] of Paris’ and telling ‘Muslims of France’ that they were lucky not to have to travel thousands of kilometers ‘to seek martyrdom.’ As-Somali added, ‘Violent Extemism is at ur doorstep, defend Islam there.'”

Radio Free Europe also reported of further calls to attack France, stating: “One video, released by Islamic State’s media wing, Al-Hayat, on November 20, 2014, features a group of French militants who urge French Muslims to carry out terrorist attacks in France. ‘Even poison is available, so poison the water and food of at least one of the enemies of Allah,’ one French militant says in the video.”

Radio Free Europe reported that “Bird of Jannah added that Muslims should not feel sorry for the victims of the Charlie Hebdo terrorist attack. ‘If you love them and feel sad for what happened to them, verily you carry no Al Walaa wal Baraa [loyalty and disavowal]. Your aqeedah [belief] has distorted! Fear Allah!’ she tweeted.”

Homeland Security Today also reported on support from other extremist groups for the terror campaign, as researched by Middle East groups. Homeland Security Today reported: “According to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), Violent Extremist reaction to the attack on Charlie Hebdo was almost immediate. Participants on jihadi forums and social media praised the attackers, saying that the shooting was a legitimate act of revenge against the weekly for insulting Islam and against France for its crimes against Muslims,” said MEMRI Executive Director Steven Stalinsky. MEMRI said, ‘Members of the pro-ISIS forum Violent Extemismi Media Platform (alplatformmedia.com) lashed out at France. A member called Al Dia’ Al Gharib wrote: ‘France was [once] part of the land of Islam and will return to be the land of Islam, in spite the worshippers of the Cross.”” “Another, who goes by the name Muhib Al Salihin, wrote: ‘France is one of the harshest enemies of Islam and of the Islamic State in particular.” Forum member Abu Al Qassem Al Shawqi commented: ‘[This] is news that quenches the thirst for revenge. By Allah, beloved ones, let us not think lightly of prayers. By Allah, they [the attackers] are soldiers of Allah.’ And a member calling himself Abu Bakr Al Zari’ni remarked: ‘Congratulations to France and to its people for reaping what their hands sowed. Did these evil cartoonists think that we were a nation that would remain silent in face of those who insult our Prophet…? Did [French President] Hollande and the governments that preceded him think that their interventions and despotism in the lands of the Muslims would not be met with retribution? No, by Allah, from now on the youths of Islam will no longer remain silent, especially since we have a state [ISIS] to mobilize armies if anybody insults the nation of Islam.’”

Homeland Security Today also reported that: “Arabic-speaking jihad supporters also celebrated the attack on Twitter, some using the Arabic hashtag ‘Paris Is Burning,’” MEMRI reporte

d, saying, “Many of them shared videos from the scene of the attack, calling the shooters ‘heroes’ and praising them for avenging the honor of the Prophet and of Islam. One, who calls himself Najam (@35njm), wrote: ‘#Paris Is Burning. Oh Allah slaughter them, Allah attack them. This newspaper insulted the Messenger of Allah and Islam.’ ISIS supporter Hamel Al Liwa’ (@blue964) tweeted: ‘Fear prevails among the newspapers and journalists who hate Islam. There are demands for military protection of the paper headquarters. #Paris is turning into a military barracks.’ Another ISIS supporter, Al Khilafa Hiya Al Hal [‘the Caliphate is the solution’] (@death4x), shared a video of the attack and commented: ‘France turned the lands of the Muslims into battlefields, and now the Muslims have turned Paris into a battlefield. Allah Akbar.’”

Homeland Security also reported other reactions from French speakiing extremists on Twitter. “ISIS supporter Abou Hafs (@Ansar_Al_Ouma) tweeted: ‘Oh Allah, the honor of your prophet has been cleansed.’ Another, Al Furat Wadijlah (@AlFuratWadijlah), commented on the character of the attack: ‘An RPG7 with Kalashnikovs, it’s a well prepared assault.’ He added: ‘That dog Charb [Charlie Hebdo editor-in-chief and cartoonist Stéphane Charbonnier, who is one of those killed in the attack] was supposed to publish this drawing on the first page this week.'”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) understands that we and the media can always find extremists in every identity group, which we will all reject. But there is a difference between ranting lunatics and individuals actively supporting terrorism against our fellow human begins, as well as such terrorist committing such violence. We cannot simply “ignore” such extremists, but also must challenge such views.

It is not simple or comfortable to challenge such extremists that claim to be within our own identity group. I am very well aware of this in my own years of challenges to white individuals, who have racial supremacist views, and I am well aware of the violent reactions from such ideological challenges. But we cannot abandon on defense of human rights, simply because it is difficult.

R.E.A.L. calls for the continuing rejection and challenging of such extremist views which defy our shared universal human rights, undermine shared need for security, respect, dignity, and peace, and which disgrace every religious view by calling for violence and hatred as a means to suppress the rights of others.

Terror Campaign Against France: The Lights of Paris and our Universal Human Rights Will Stand – Regardless of the Threats by Terrorists (Source: Jeffrey Imm, R.E.A.L.)

Boko Haram’s War on Human Rights in Africa – 10,000 Killed in Past Year, 16 Towns Burned, 2,000 Killed or Missing in Past Week

The Global Terror Organization Boko Haram has been mounting an increasing war on the human rights and security of African people in multiple nations. Within the past week, this has included burning down 16 Nigerian towns and villages, killing many at a multinational military base, and international terrorist murders in Cameroon, as well as threatening Cameroon’s democracy. In the past year, Boko Haram-linked violence has resulted in over 10,000 violent deaths, based on studies developed by the by the Council for Foreign Relations (CFR). The terrorist group Boko Haram’s goals were previously focused on establishing “an Islamic state” in northeast Nigeria. It is now clear the Boko Haram has greater, international aims.

Update: On January 9, 2015, CNN has published this update that “[m]ore than 2,000 people were killed in attacks on 16 villages, said Musa Bukar, chairman of Kukawa local government, where Baga is located…. At least 30,000 people were displaced, authorities said.”

In October 2014, it was reported by the Director of Catholic Social Communication of Maiduguri Diocese, Rev. Gideon Obasogie, that Boko Haram had burned 185 churches, during Boko Haram’s attack and capture of 11 towns in Borno and Adamawa. He stated that over 190,000 people had been displaced.

In addition, Boko Haram has been holding over 200 schoolgirls that it kidnapped from schools in Chibok in the Nigerian Borno state in April 2014. News reports stated that the kidnapped (predominantly Christian) girls were “converted to Islam” and married to members of the Boko Haram terrorist organization for a “bride price” of $12.50. (This kidnapping has led to the social media campaign for their safe return, on Twitter at #BringBackOurGirls.) The London Times has reported that “more than 600 girls” have been kidnapped by the Boko Haram terror group. The name of the Boko Haram terror group translates into “Western education is sinful.”

The most recent wave of attacks began after a Boko Haram attack on January 3, 2015, where the global terrorist group overran a multinational military base for Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and Cameroon in Baga in Nigeria’s Borno state. In addition to military killed in the attack, civilians fleeing the Boko Haram were also killed while trying to flee across nearby Lake Chad.

Earlier that week before the attack on the Baga base, Boko Haram had kidnapped about 40 young men from surrounding villages. Boko Haram reportedly ordered villages to “attend a sermon,” then kidnapped young men aged 10 to 23 years old from the villages.

Over the past five days, the global terrorist organization Boko Haram has declared a war on towns across Nigeria, especially in the Nigerian Borno state.

This has been an ongoing war by Boko Haram on civilians, which has been escalating for months. In September 2014, the Nigerian Daily Post reported that “the streets of the Bama [town] in Maiduguri have been taken over by littered corpses two days after the militants claimed authority over the second largest Borno town.”

Nigeria: Borno State - Corpses Line Streets in Bama Town - Boko Haram Claims Victory (Source: Nigerian Daily Post). Daily Post also stated "Boko Haram fighters are currently patrolling the streets of Bama, stopping residents from burying littered corpses."

In the past week, the Nigerian News reported the Boko Haram had destroyed at least 16 towns and villages in Nigeria. On January 8, 2015, some Nigeria media and NBC reported that included the Boko Haram capture of Baga, which was the last Nigerian-government controlled town in Northern Borno.

The AFP has reported such violence throughout Nigeria’s Borno state, from a local government and a union official. AFP reports: “‘They burnt to the ground all the 16 towns and villages including Baga, Dorn-Baga, Mile 4, Mile 3, Kauyen Kuros and Bunduram,’ said Musa Bukar, head of the Kukawa local government in Borno state.”

NBC reports that “more than 2,000 people are unaccounted for” after the Boko Haram torching of the Borno state towns and villages. Ahmed Zanna, a senator for Borno state where the attack happened, told NBC that “these towns are just gone, burned down… the whole area is covered in bodies.”

NBC also reports that Nigerians expect the Boko Haram to attempt to disrupt Nigerian national elections planned for February 14, 2015.

The terrorist group Boko Haram has demonstrated that it is more than a Nigerian-based terror threat with killings in Cameroon and further threats of violent attacks on Cameroon if it did not submit to Boko Haram. Since the beginning of the New Year, Boko Haram has been attacking Cameroon, and Boko Haram terrorists have reportedly killed 15 people in Cameroon.

As reported in numerous media, on January 7, 2015, a Boko Haram leader also issued a YouTube video to call for Cameroon to denounce democracy and to embrace Boko Haram’s religious views.

The UK Independent has reported that Boko Haram made the following threat and demands by video to the nation of Cameroon: “I advise you to desist from following your constitution and democracy, which is un-Islamic… The only language of peace is to repent and follow Allah, but if you do not then we will communicate it to you through the language of violence.”

Boko Haram Leader Threatens Cameroon in YouTube Video (Source: YouTube, The Independent)

Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has other reports on the attacks against Christian churches and Nigerian citizens. R.E.A.L. posted a report on May 2014 attacks where 50 churches were burned and 500 Christians killed. R.E.A.L. posted a report on October 2014 attacks where 185 churches were burned and over 190,00 displaced.

In November 2013, the U.S. Department of State designated Boko Haram as a Global Terrorist Organization (GTO), which Boko Haram is increasingly demonstrating by its international terrorist activities. Boko Haram has been linked to other global terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda, all of which seek to deny universal human rights to our fellow human beings.

Our support for the Universal Human Rights of all people must be for all nations, all continents, and every place on Earth. We seek to be responsible for equality and liberty for the oppressed people in Africa and every part of our shared world. We must call upon the nations of the world to take action to stop the growing violence and threat from the international terrorist organization Boko Haram, their kidnapping of children, their efforts to deny freedom of conscience, and their rejection of our shared universal human rights of equality, liberty, dignity, and security. We call for the President of the United States to also make a statement and offer his support to Nigeria and the African nations affected by this global terror groups actions, and to end their reign of terror over children and the people of Africa.