@WomaninHavana's Threads
Johnson is undermining the entire basis of the lockdown, the credibility of his government and - frankly - public health with this creative, deliberate fiction. This is dangerous and irresponsible brinkmanship.
Frontline workers have put their lives and families at risk. Families have lost loved ones, unable to be with them in their dying hours and for their last rites.
What does “having no alternative” actually mean?
What does “having no alternative” actually mean?
The whole point of lockdown was to stop our instinctive reactions. So much about lockdown requires instinctively inhuman responses - to stay away, to actively avoid, to isolate, to not touch - for the greater good.
And that was given the force of law. Criminal law.
And that was given the force of law. Criminal law.
Grant Shapps is literally rewriting government guidance on live television. It’s called “paraphrasing” apparently.
#StayHomeProtecttheNHSSaveLives
Has apparently morphed into “if you are ill, you self isolate and stay in that location.”
#StayHomeProtecttheNHSSaveLives
Has apparently morphed into “if you are ill, you self isolate and stay in that location.”
According to an actual government minister, in an actual government, “stay in the same place” means exactly the same as “drive 260 odd miles”.
This is gaslighting the nation on an embarrassing level. #GrantShapps
This is gaslighting the nation on an embarrassing level. #GrantShapps
“Thanks for the job tips, much appreciated”.
This @SophyRidgeSky interview is brilliant, whilst somehow being unbearable. These government ministers are actually in charge of our leading country out of a pandemic. It’s life or death. Competence is the bare minimum criterion.
This @SophyRidgeSky interview is brilliant, whilst somehow being unbearable. These government ministers are actually in charge of our leading country out of a pandemic. It’s life or death. Competence is the bare minimum criterion.
Today, even as the Cabinet shed collective credibility:-
A @thetimes editorial, asking where Johnson is.
A call in @spectator for Cummings to go.
Now ST Insight:
22 days of dither & delay on coronavirus that cost thousands of British lives
thetimes.co.uk/article/three-…
A @thetimes editorial, asking where Johnson is.
A call in @spectator for Cummings to go.
Now ST Insight:
22 days of dither & delay on coronavirus that cost thousands of British lives
thetimes.co.uk/article/three-…
The ST Insight piece makes pretty brutal reading for the government, and puts into sharp focus how badly the government has handled many aspects of this emergency. They care so much for the optics, but the reality - in life and death impact - is devastating for our country. 
The defence gets more extraordinary with every ministerial statement.
Can they actually hear themselves?
Can they actually hear themselves?
“In moments of crisis, we seek to have our family around us.”
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary of the govt that has enforced rules that... oh, what’s the point?
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary of the govt that has enforced rules that... oh, what’s the point?
And this, also from Shapps, on Cummings:
“I’ve got a young child, my wife is unwell, I’m worried about the ability to support the child *as a father.*”
Does his mirror reflect parenthood in 1920?
“I’ve got a young child, my wife is unwell, I’m worried about the ability to support the child *as a father.*”
Does his mirror reflect parenthood in 1920?
It doesn’t clarify the confusion created by govt for Johnson to assert “entirely guided by the science”, without explaining why.
As for “common sense” as the arbiter of enforcement by the police, or employers, optimism isn’t a substitute for clarity and the shape of the law.
As for “common sense” as the arbiter of enforcement by the police, or employers, optimism isn’t a substitute for clarity and the shape of the law.
To give just one example of the debate raging all day, what is the science and/or common sense basis as to why people can socially distance 2m from hundreds of strangers in crowded parks, but not see both grand/parents at social distance either in a park or private garden?
Perhaps there is a very sound reason for this. If so, clarity and leadership requires the govt to spell it out to retain buy-in and trust from the public to keep going.
Changing the slogan or changing the law?
As things stand, Reg6 of Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations makes it an offence to leave or be outside of the place where we are living without reasonable excuse.
How is “stay at home as much as possible” enforced?
As things stand, Reg6 of Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) Regulations makes it an offence to leave or be outside of the place where we are living without reasonable excuse.
How is “stay at home as much as possible” enforced?
This isn’t just legal finesse. We all have a right to know what conduct is criminalised by law, as the police must know what they enforce.
Without considerable legal clarity alongside the new slogan, the already slippery path to casual criminalisation is carelessly steepened.
Without considerable legal clarity alongside the new slogan, the already slippery path to casual criminalisation is carelessly steepened.
If you haven’t already seen this excellent guide for the public & the police, @Kirsty_Brimelow and @PippaWoodrow have produced this excellent cut-out-and-keep guide to the current coronavirus legislation. Will it need to change again?
Alarming news from Hong Kong. Leading human rights barrister, & former member of Hong Kong Legislative Council, has been arrested.
Last year she won the IBA award for outstanding contribution to human fights. Hong Kong’s democracy and rule of law is teetering on the brink.
Last year she won the IBA award for outstanding contribution to human fights. Hong Kong’s democracy and rule of law is teetering on the brink.
Aargh. “human rights”. iPhone autocorrect, too early to spot it.
The news is alarming, not least because it targets lawyers & former legislators, a generation of pro-democracy activists who campaigned for democracy & rule of law in Hong Kong long before the Umbrella Movement began.
The timing of this, as the world is consumed with Covid...
The timing of this, as the world is consumed with Covid...
It seems that the govt’s “whatever it takes” philosophy stops at the door of Brexit ideology.
And, just when we need trust in our govt’s competence most, this demonstrates any trust is misplaced because they can’t seem to understand, well, priorities and common sense.
And, just when we need trust in our govt’s competence most, this demonstrates any trust is misplaced because they can’t seem to understand, well, priorities and common sense.
Publish the economic impact reports of this Brexit, by sector, so any small percentage of the public worried about any Brexit delay, instead of the pandemic, can see the reasons.
Transparency, accountability & competence are basic hallmarks of good leadership. Never mind now.
Transparency, accountability & competence are basic hallmarks of good leadership. Never mind now.
It gets worse.
The govt has the front to argue that it needs independence to manage coronavirus - having failed to secure PPE or join our neighbours in procuring medical supplies, plucky Britain must go it alone. There is something very wrong at the top.
The govt has the front to argue that it needs independence to manage coronavirus - having failed to secure PPE or join our neighbours in procuring medical supplies, plucky Britain must go it alone. There is something very wrong at the top.
New Zealand’s death rate is 0.2 per million of population. The UK has/d a death rate of 105 per million.
Disturbing that the shocking figures of our daily death rates in the UK aren’t promoting greater coverage, & probing questions of how this has happened, when we had warning.
Disturbing that the shocking figures of our daily death rates in the UK aren’t promoting greater coverage, & probing questions of how this has happened, when we had warning.
These figures are staggering. I can’t understand why the fact of them, & how we got here despite warning, aren’t screaming headlines, & probing searching questions of the govt.
As this report on care homes shows, ministers are likely to be considerably underestimating the impact of Covid-19 on society’ most frail.
It’s critical to ask the hard questions that must be asked of our govt in matters that are literally life or death.
theguardian.com/world/2020/apr…
It’s critical to ask the hard questions that must be asked of our govt in matters that are literally life or death.
theguardian.com/world/2020/apr…
A really important thread, looking at the harsh, hidden realities for those living and working in #SocialCare during #covid19.
The clearest demonstration of how #covid19 is entangling urgent questions of economy with public health, human rights & dignity, #ukemplaw.
The clearest demonstration of how #covid19 is entangling urgent questions of economy with public health, human rights & dignity, #ukemplaw.
Well worth reading in conjunction with this new brilliant study from @abicadams @MartaGolin @TeodoraBoneva1 on the economic shock for workers on low income and insecure work - many of those working in #socialcare right now.
Some of the hard-hitting stats in that study are broken down in this excellent thread by @JeremiasPrassl. It’s a sobering reminder/wake-up call of the need for a multi-faceted urgent policy response.
This is a v disappinting response from @EU_Commission.
Hungary is not mentioned by name, even as Orban openly flouts the EU foundational values. The new law has to be viewed in the context of Hungary’s already weakened democracy & institutions. The new law has no safeguards.
Hungary is not mentioned by name, even as Orban openly flouts the EU foundational values. The new law has to be viewed in the context of Hungary’s already weakened democracy & institutions. The new law has no safeguards.
The context against Hungary’s new law must be seen in the context of a nation - sitting comfortably within the EU - with dramatically disintegrating measures of democracy, rule of law & human rights.
This valuable thread by @ProfPech provides insight:
This valuable thread by @ProfPech provides insight:
Some suggested solutions as EU adopts a carrot, no stick, approach to Orban’s Hungary.
#ClapForCarers #ThankYouNHS
With such immense gratitude for the people putting themselves on the line for us all every single day. For everyone at #stmaryshospital in #paddington, and all our #NHS and all #carers across the country. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
With such immense gratitude for the people putting themselves on the line for us all every single day. For everyone at #stmaryshospital in #paddington, and all our #NHS and all #carers across the country. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Never even knew so many people lived on my street. People out in force clapping, whistling and shouting “NHS NHS”. I can even hear people banging pots. #solidarity #ClapForCarers #ThankYouNHS #londonlockdown
Medic family and friends responded very emotionally to all the cheering and support. We mustn’t forget them in the days ahead. #ThankYouNHS
Incredible pictures of the #IWD2020 March in Mexico City, ahead of tomorrow’s historic nationwide women’s strike, when women & girls will not attend work/schools in protest against femicides & the culture of impunity in Mexico. #UnDiaSinMujeres #UnDiaSinNosotras #NiUnaMas
Excellent piece by @DimitriosGian on the signalling by a Govt, emboldened by Brexit, that the next step is to “take back control” of human rights too. Insular, short-sighted & ideologically driven - we should take these threats seriously. prospectmagazine.co.uk/politics/the-n… via @prospect_uk
This week, FCO minister @nadams told MPs concerned about violent & systemic #humanrightsabuses in India this govt would put #HumanRights at the core of its foreign policy.
How does it do that *and* simultaneously suggest it may pull out of the ECHR?
How does it do that *and* simultaneously suggest it may pull out of the ECHR?
If you haven’t already seen & shared @AdamWagner1’s excellent thread on all things European Convention on Human Rights, please do.
Finally caught up w/ @iamjohnoliver’s episode on Modi last week. Clear, brilliant explanations about Gujarat - “when you are being asked about your role in the deaths of thoussnds, you simply don’t get to walk out of an interview”. Strategic quiet now returns. #DelhiViolence
Impressive research, Amit Shah’s heinous speeches, which Modi has not disavowed, & so well explained on Indian govt’s “diabolically clever two-step way” on #CAA_NRC_NPR , the new citizenship register plus Citizenship Amendment Bill -& the detention camps. This before last week.
If you haven’t seen it, do watch!
“Whilst trade is...vital for our economy & future prosperity,this in no way compromises the UK commitment to holding #humanrights at the core of our foreign policy & I can guarantee we will not pursue trade to the exclusion of #humanrights”-@nadams #India timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-un…
Glad to see a number of British MPs raise the worsening crisis in India, amidst last week’s #DelhiViolence @NadiaWhittomeMP @TanDhesi
Glad to see #DelhiViolence is not being ignored by MPs in Westminster: @TanDhesi. The Foreign Office junior minister @nadams says trade deals won’t be pursued at any cost. Will Britain be prepared to stand up for #humanrights and accountability in India?
‘A policeman was killed, an intelligence officer was murdered & dumped in a drain. At least 38 people have died: shot, beaten, burned. At the Trump banquet, the Navy band played “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”’
The ‘Titanic-like’ detail in this hard-hitting piece by @Samanth_S.
The ‘Titanic-like’ detail in this hard-hitting piece by @Samanth_S.
Have I read this right? Delhi High Court now entertains petition against those calling out hate speech?
“The plan of this Urban Naxal group was to defame India, to paint India as Failed State & thus to bleed my Mother India internationally, economically..”livelaw.in/news-updates/d…
“The plan of this Urban Naxal group was to defame India, to paint India as Failed State & thus to bleed my Mother India internationally, economically..”livelaw.in/news-updates/d…
An important comment from @PriyamvadaGopal for those reporting on the situation in Delhi. This isn’t an equal conflict but deeply rooted in the Indian government’s systematic approach towards its Muslim minority population that has triggered this.
#India
Toxic, terrifying scenes in Delhi even as Trump and Modi ramp up the bonhomie. Without justice and accountability, and the assertion of the rule of law, the fear of violent recent history repeating itself looms ever larger in Modi’s India.
#DelhiBurning #DelhiViolence
Toxic, terrifying scenes in Delhi even as Trump and Modi ramp up the bonhomie. Without justice and accountability, and the assertion of the rule of law, the fear of violent recent history repeating itself looms ever larger in Modi’s India.
#DelhiBurning #DelhiViolence
These stories & images - which should make headlines everywhere - call to mind the violent pogroms inflicted on Delhi’s Sikh community in 1984 & the subsequent failures to demand and prioritise justice & accountability. So impunity reigns. #DelhiViolence theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
The detail, the shouts of “Jai Shri Ram”, these descriptions are frightening. As Trump stands by and praises Modi on freedom of religion, where is Modi now? #DelhiViolence #DelhiBurning
This is scandalous. #OsmanKavala #Gezi #Turkey
A very similar and repugnant tactic was used in #AhmetAltan’s case. It appears to amount to naked abuse of the court system by way of harassment.
Turkey’s “justice” system is in serious crisis.
A very similar and repugnant tactic was used in #AhmetAltan’s case. It appears to amount to naked abuse of the court system by way of harassment.
Turkey’s “justice” system is in serious crisis.
Very grave concerns about the use and abuse of judicial process and pre-trial detention in Turkey. @BarHumanRights #Kavala #Gezi.
Oh my goodness. Huge, huge news from Turkey. #OsmanKavala has been acquitted in the #GeziPark trial along with all the other defendants, which we @BarHumanRights have been monitoring - with growing and grave concern.
Such rare good news from Turkey. Waiting to hear from @KJDbarrister the detail of what happened this morning! @BarHumanRights
But big questions remain. Why was this case prosecuted at all? Why did it go on so long based on such fundamental flaws, Kavala detained for some 2.5 years? The case strongly suggests judicial proceedings being used to harass critics. These are still frightening times in Turkey.
For those who keep hoping Johnson may yet prove to be a liberal, this appointment shows the dangerous route Britain has embarked upon for citizens’ rights, judicial review and human rights. This is a government that wants revenge, and wants to shut down accountability.
You don’t need to take it from me. You can take it from Suella Braverman herself, in @ConHome recently.
She specifically cites the Article 50 and prorogation cases as examples of “the political [being] captured by the legal.”
conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
She specifically cites the Article 50 and prorogation cases as examples of “the political [being] captured by the legal.”
conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
Braverman, our new Attorney General, is deeply cynical about both the Human Rights Act, and - in her words -“the prolific rights-industry which it spawned”.
Brexit was just the start of this dangerous road.
Johnson isn’t about to turn back. This is a signal of dangerous intent.
Brexit was just the start of this dangerous road.
Johnson isn’t about to turn back. This is a signal of dangerous intent.
Leave’s leaders, who waved the Union flag, today have their revolution of dis-union.
As our flags are folded away, along with our influence, credibility & the open horizons of our young generation, our future becomes the vision Leave’s leaders still today have not articulated.
As our flags are folded away, along with our influence, credibility & the open horizons of our young generation, our future becomes the vision Leave’s leaders still today have not articulated.
I accept we Remainers were unable to convince enough of our fellow Leavers why we should stay.
Platitudes are no substitute for the lack of real benefits.
Trade deals we already had, borders we could already cross. Immigration we have always needed. Openness we pledge to keep.
Platitudes are no substitute for the lack of real benefits.
Trade deals we already had, borders we could already cross. Immigration we have always needed. Openness we pledge to keep.
In the leaders of Leave’s revolution, there has been almost total failure to extend a hand of recognition or understanding - so important to those of us, always EU citizens, who have lost & will lose so much.
It didn’t need to be this way. But now it is.
It didn’t need to be this way. But now it is.
Winter weekends are a joy for reading fiction. Have savoured @BernardineEvari’s stunning #girlwomanother. Now, the sheer joy of re-plunging myself back into Orhan Pamuk’s Snow after so many years, with new appreciation for its importance and beauty. The silence of snow...
Another #winterweekend joy is blue skies and uplifting podcasts - far away from political blues.
Loved @howtofailpod with @CiaoSamin, who combines infectious laughter with travel & food. Also Football, Feminism & Everything In Between with @poornabell - made me laugh and cry.
Loved @howtofailpod with @CiaoSamin, who combines infectious laughter with travel & food. Also Football, Feminism & Everything In Between with @poornabell - made me laugh and cry.
On Brexit Eve, reading @isabelallende ‘A Long Petal of the Sea’, abt the Spanish Civil War & French border camps, Neruda’s ship of hope.
We don’t learn from recent history, we aren’t taught much/any of our neighbours’ history, & so we throw away the good with a shrug or a bong.
We don’t learn from recent history, we aren’t taught much/any of our neighbours’ history, & so we throw away the good with a shrug or a bong.
I may have misunderstood but the Indian Supreme Court seems to have avoided actually reaching any substantive judgment in the #Kashmir internet shutdown case. It appears as if a basis for such challenges has been underlined in law, but no actual decision attempted. #humanrights
The principle of constitutional protection is firmly laid out, but the Court merely directs the Review Committee & govt to conduct a review. So, there is a basis for future judicial review - but why has the Court not reached a conclusion on relief now?
Another valuable thread on the #Kashmir internet judgment. But I still ask: Why make future cases the object of guidelines without actually providing relief on the case before this SC bench at this time?
