Michael McGowan

The Hague: a city of peace and justice

Last update: 11:30 | 01.07.14 | © Metro Éireann

I have just spent several days in The Hague visiting the International Criminal Court; the Peace Palace, where activists from across the world hold peace conferences; and the headquarters of international police organisation Europol,

Behind bars, a symbol for world peace

Last update: 02:39 | 15.02.14 | © Metro Éireann

Michael McGowan celebrates writer and activist Margaretta D’Arcy for her principled stance against war

What Europeâ€™s inaction on Syria says about our â€˜western valuesâ€™

Last update: 02:23 | 01.02.14 | © Metro Éireann

The abysmal response of Europe to the plight of refugees fleeing from war-torn Syria brings to mind the oft-repeated story of a visit to Europe by India’s Mahatma Gandhi, during which he was asked: “What do you think of western civilisation?”

Ukraineâ€™s torn loyalties between Europe & Russia

Last update: 18:07 | 01.12.13 | © Metro Éireann

The unexpected last-minute decision of Ukraine’s President Viktor Yanukovych to reject the controversial trade deal with the European Union should be a challenge to both the EU and Russia to respect the complexities of this former Soviet country, and for

Europe must stand against the far right

Last update: 17:37 | 01.12.13 | © Metro Éireann

Far-right political parties and their anti-Europe rhetoric pose a real threat to the EU, argues Michael McGowan

Berlusconiâ€™s fall is good for Europe

Last update: 15:10 | 01.12.13 | © Metro Éireann

Silvio Berlusconi’s almost certain exit from the centre stage of Italian politics couldn’t be better news for the European Union and its member states. The fall from grace of the former Italian PM is long overdue, not to mention a welcome opportunity

Testing times for Tunisia

Last update: 14:56 | 01.12.13 | © Metro Éireann

I’ve just returned from Tunisia where Mohammed Bouazizi, a young man from the small town of Sidi Bouzid, set himself on fire on 17 December 2010 following problems with local officials over his selling fruit from a roadside stand. This tragic event

Merkelâ€™s victory is a benefit for Ireland, Europe - and the world

Last update: 16:03 | 15.10.13 | © Metro Éireann

The election of Angela Merkel for a third term as German Chancellor is an historic landmark for post-war Germany and Europe, as well as an opportunity for the continent to move forward with more confidence to the next stage of co-operation.

Irelandâ€™s links with Chile are a legacy for human rights

Last update: 16:30 | 01.10.13 | © Metro Éireann

The world has marked the 40th anniversary of the coup led by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet with events and debates about his 17-year rule of terror and torture, though I noted with too little reference to Ireland’s historical and cultural links

Ireland and Cuba share a proud history of self-reliance

Last update: 16:29 | 15.09.13 | © Metro Éireann

The recent death of Bernie Dwyer, the Irish journalist and film-maker described as “the driving force” behind Ireland’s Cuba Solidarity Campaign, has led to much reflection on the influence of that Caribbean island

Canary Islands blend the ancient with the modern

Last update: 15:44 | 01.09.13 | © Metro Éireann

I have recently returned from the Spanish island of La Gomera, one of the smallest of the Canary Islands, where an ancient whistling language that seemed to be dying out is now undergoing a revival.

Russia continues to deny human rights

Last update: 13:11 | 15.08.13 | © Metro Éireann

Ireland’s historic commitment to the promotion of human rights will no doubt be focused again on the situation in Russia, where the trial of those charged with the murder of journalist Anna Politkovskaya is back in the news

Fifty years of African unity

Last update: 13:02 | 01.08.13 | © Metro Éireann

African unity can achieve more and the continent can re-emerge as a global power if its countries’ leaders make a combined effort, says Michael McGowan

What use is the Euro watchdog if it wonâ€™t watch its own?

Within days of the end of Ireland’s six-month presidency of the European Union, a decision by the Council of Europe to block a monitoring mission to Hungary to investigate allegations of human rights abuses has raised serious concerns about the role

Victims of Saharaâ€™s desert war deserve greater support

Despite the Unesco peace prize awarded to French President François Hollande for his country’s intervention in Mali and the prospect of early elections in the west African country, all is not well in the Sahara, and there is serious doubt that the

Hard work on poverty that may help prevent another tragedy in Bangladesh

Can Ireland use its influence in the remaining days of its EU Presidency to help prevent a repeat of the Bangladesh tragedy, where over 1,000 people – mostly young female young garment workers – died in the sweat shops

Turkey on the agenda at journalistsâ€™ summit

Human rights and the imprisonment of journalists in Turkey will be high on the agenda of the AGM and conference of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which meets in Dublin from 4-7 June. This meeting of reporters from across the world is an

Co-ops provide a real alternative: Africa is set to host its first global co-op summit - but will Cape Town see the launch of a co-operative world revolution, asks Michael McGowan

The news that the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) has chosen Cape Town in South Africa as the venue for its 2013 general assembly this November is a clear vote of confidence in Africa and the developing world. It will be the first time in the 118-year

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