May42017

Press release – European Parliament opens the House of European History on 6 May 2017

EU
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European Parliament President Antonio Tajani officially opened the House of European History (HEH) on Thursday in a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the presence of former EP president Dr Hans-Gert Pöttering (chair of the Board of Trustees) and Professor Wlodzimierz Borodziej (chair of the HEH Academic Committee). The museum will be open to the public as of this Saturday 6 May.

Mr Tajani said “This house is about the things we have in common, the events we have lived through together. This is indeed not only the House of European History, it is also the Home of European identity and European memory.”

Former EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the HEH said “The House of European History is intended to help citizens to step into the future wisely and with confidence, a future which, from today’s standpoint, looks likely to be troubled and full of threats. It is a house which, by showing us the dynamics of European history, enables us to better understand recent history, as well as the present. “

Professor Wlodzimierz Borodziej, Chair of the HEH Academic Committee, said “Like the Union, the work of the House of European History will never be complete. It will always remain a record of the time in which modified versions of the permanent exhibition and of the subsequent temporary exhibitions will be born. Last but not least, it will remain a record of the disputes about this, our tiny appendix of Asia, where we nest and which we have the right to be proud of.”

The House of European History (HEH) aims to encourage citizens to reflect upon and debate about the history of Europe and of European integration. It wants to increase knowledge, arouse curiosity and, over time, become a place for the exchange of ideas, reflection and debate about Europe and its history, linking up people, institutions and networks dealing with European history. Visitors will be challenged to critically assess European history, its potential and its future.

Exhibits in the HEH permanent exhibition have been brought together from around 300 museums and collections from across Europe and beyond – please check the HEH website for more information about the exhibits and HEH partners.

“Interactions. Centuries of Commerce, Combat and Creation” is the House of European History’s first temporary exhibition. It will run until 31 May 2018. It illuminates exemplary moments and revealing stories of encounters and exchanges in European history.

The Museum also offers educational programmes; events for local and visiting publics; publications and a range of online information.

House of European History web site: http://historia-europa.ep.eu/home

Downloadable audio-visual material on the HEH, the building up of the collection, the permanent and temporary exhibition and the opening events: http://audiovisual.europarl.europa.eu/house-european-history .

May42017

Article – Open day: visit Parliament in Brussels and find out how it works

EU
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Parliament opens its doors to the public in Brussels this Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00 CET. It’s an opportunity to explore the plenary chamber, join a guided tour and take part in debates. In addition visitors enjoy the chance to be among the first to visit the House of European History, a new museum that is opening its doors on the same day.

Like every year, Parliament opens to the public to celebrate Europe Day, marking the speech by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman that led to the foundation of the European Union. It allows people to visit Parliament and the other EU institutions and discover what Europe is and how it works by taking part in different activities.

Throughout the day there are guided tours in English, French, Dutch and German. There will also be three interesting debates:

11:30-12:30     Media and education in times of post-truth
12:30-13:15     Maternity leave
13:15-14:00     Free rail pass

As a special treat this year, the House of European History, a new museum next to Parliament, is also launched on Saturday. Visit it to discover a treasure of artifacts and memories linked to Europe’s history and the EU.

May42017

Displaced civilians in South Sudan’s Upper Nile at risk of further violence, UN rights chief warns

United Nations
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4 May 2017 – The United Nations human rights chief today urged the Government of South Sudan to halt any further military offensives towards Aburoc in the Upper Nile region.

“Civilians in Aburoc are at serious and imminent risk of gross human rights violations, inter-ethnic violence and re-displacement,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein.

He said these people fleeing from towns like Tonga and Kodok were forced to walk through the bush for up to 150 kilometres in searing temperatures. Many reportedly died along the way, but the rest ended up in Aburoc where they face grave violence and shortages of food, water and healthcare.

“These are women, children and men at the mercy of military commanders, on both sides of the political divide, who have consistently shown little or no regard for the protection of civilians,” he added.

RELATED: UN calls for protection of civilians sheltering in South Sudan’s Upper Nile area

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement, South Sudan slipped back into conflict due to renewed clashes between rival forces – the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing former First Vice-President Riek Machar.

Aburoc, a town on the west bank of the River Nile, holds between 35,000 and 50,000 people, most of whom arrived in recent weeks after SPLA attacks on areas to the south.

Civilians in Aburoc now find themselves in areas controlled by the opposition armed group, facing a military offensive by the Government forces.

The High Commissioner urged the Government to adhere to the pledges made by President Kiir on 25 March, when he committed to declare a unilateral ceasefire, and to work towards political engagement to bring the conflict to an end.

Mr. Zeid called on all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law, including taking all feasible precautions to prevent civilian casualties.

He also called on the Government to grant the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) access to Aburoc and Kodok, and to ensure that humanitarian agencies are able to deliver crucial aid to the internally displaced population.