Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality
פורום דו-קיום בנגב לשוויון אזרחי
منتدى التعايش السلمي في النقب من أجل المساواة المدنية

NCF met with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women 15.8.2022

Dear friends and colleagues,

We wish to update you that last Tuesday 9th of August, we met with the Minister of welfare Mr. Meir Cohen, who instructed his office to adopt the project of digital literacy for Bedouin women from unrecognized villages, developed by NCF.

During the meeting, the Minister expressed great interest in the project and expressed willingness to implement it within by the Ministry of Welfare.

Photo by Meir Cohen’s staff members, 9.8.2022, Ministry of Welfare, Jerusalem

The project has been operating as a pilot with NCF for over a year and has identified huge needs for realizing rights in the villages. The project was presented to the minister who turned out to be an enthusiastic supporter and recruited the people of his office to support the programming of the project. Read more here

NCF’s digital literacy project coordinator, Nasrin Abu Kaf presented the project of digital literacy with Bedouin women as well as the challenges we encounter in bringing digital tools to the Bedouin unrecognized villages

International advocacy

On Thursday 6th of August, NCF’s staff members and Bedouin resident and feminist human rights defender and activist Salīmeh al-Ṣaġāyreh from the unrecognized village of Rakhamah, met with Ms. Reem Alsalem (Jordan) Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls to hear the plight of the Bedouin women’s from the Naqab, in terms of education, employment, lack of access to basic services and public transportation. We also informed about the recent detention of Bedouin human rights defender Mariam Abu Kwider and agreed to follow up on the specific aspects of gender equality.

On Friday, August 5th, the SR on adequate housing Mr. Balakrishnan Rajagopal, organized a Regional Consultation with civil society organizations from Asia, to receive input on climate change.

NCF’s Research and International Advocacy Director, Elianne Kremer, participated and presented the topic of climate change and Bedouin women in the Naqab.

The meeting was facilitated by Prof. Adriana Allen, Professor of Development Planning and Urban Sustainability at Development Planning Unit (DPU), University College London.

Freedom of expression

On Thursday 12.5.2022, student and Bedouin human rights defender Maryam Abu Kwider, was arrested by several policemen in civilian clothes. The student of Pharmacy was allegedly arrested for incitement, after a demonstration in memory of journalist Sheerin Abu Aqla, held at Ben Gurion university that day. Maryam had been previously interrogated by the Israeli Security Agency for publishing a series of content on social media allegedly promoting incitement.

In the beginning of July, NCF’s staff members visited the unrecognized village of az-Zarnūg with a delegation from Switzerland and met with human rights activist Amir Abu Kweder and his sister, Maryam Abu Kwider who is currently on home arrest and being charged with incitement.

Currently, Maryam is under house arrest and prohibited to leave her home, which hinders her ability to continue with her University studies. . The court meanwhile has extended her sentence beside being prevented from using her phone and computer.The legal representation expenses are very high, thus we are making our best efforts to find sources that will support Maryam’s defense. This upcoming Tuesday there is a hearing in the district court open to the public, if you are interested in attending please reach out to NCF’s local advocacy coordinator, Huda at +972 54-338-7208

Reports and publications

NCF has published a report on the January 2022 detentions and arrests and Police Violence. This report is a result of the cooperation NCF did with the Regional Council for Unrecognized Villages, Sidreh Association, and Alhuquq Center. You are welcome to read the report here

The Right to Freedom of Expression in Academia

Support NCF’S activities and projects

For any further information, do not hesitate to contact us by replying to this email or write us at intl.advocacy@dukium.org

August 2022

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In accordance with the law, the Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality is proud to note that as a result of cooperation with friendly countries and international organizations that promote human rights, most of the funding for our activities comes from “foreign entities.”

Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality פורום דו-קיום בנגב לשוויון אזרחי منتدى التعايش السلمي في النقب من أجل المساواة المدنية

NCF met with the Special Rapporteur on violence against women 15.8.2022

Demolitions

Negev Coexistence Forum for Civil Equality
פורום דו-קיום בנגב לשוויון אזרחי
منتدى التعايش السلمي في النقب من أجل المساواة المدنية