Inside Europe: The inside take on European affairs 18.09.2010

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DATE : Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:30:00 GMT
Entered in Database : 2010-09-18 00:00:00
length : 26517722
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On today's programme: Roman Catholicism in the UK - How Swiss teenage girls were jailed without charge - Is France too soft on serial killers and rapists? - Technology takes on Prague's rogue taxi drivers - Groovy gospel spreads the word - Georgian government under fire for evicting war refugees - The Italian film that Berlusconi would prefer you didn’t see - A unique women’s festival on Lesbos What does the pope’s visit to the UK mean for British Catholics?Pope Benedict XVI has been paying an historic four day visit to the UK. Prior to his arrival on Thursday there’d been predictions his trip would be marred by apathy. One poll indicated that more than two–thirds of Britons were opposed to his visit either because of the cost or because of the pope’s views on a range of issues.The UK is, of course, predominantly Protestant. But in recent years Roman Catholic congregations have increased – not least of all because of the arrival of large numbers of immigrants from Catholic countries. Nick Spencer is the Director of Studies at the public theology think tank Theos, which is based in London. And he told Helen Seeney more.Controversy in Switzerland over teenage detentionsIn Switzerland, victims of a policy known as 'administrative detention' are calling for a full investigation by the Swiss government.The victims, men and women now aged between 55 and 90, were imprisoned without having committed any crime and denied legal support. Most were in their teens at the time. Although Switzerland’s justice minister has apologised for the practice, the victims say an official inquiry and financial compensation are in order. Imogen Foulkes reports from Bern.Is France too soft on serial killers and rapists?Earlier this week, two thousand people attended the funeral of a young woman who was raped and murdered while jogging near the French city of Lille.Her suspected attacker has been caught. But the case has sparked debate about how to prevent rapists and serial killers re-offending - because the arrested man was released from prison less than a year ago after serving less than half his sentence for rape under threat with a weapon. John Laurenson has this report from Paris.Technology takes on Prague's ripoff taxi driversThe Czech capital Prague attracts millions of tourists each year and most visitors return home with fond memories of their time there.But many people have their holidays ruined by unpleasant encounters with unscrupulous taxi drivers, who’ve become notorious for overcharging their customers. Now, however, a Czech IT firm has come up with a novel solution. Rob Cameron has this Postcard from Prague.EU reaction to Turkish referendumLast weekend, 58% of voters in Turkey approved key changes to the country’s constitution in a referendum. The result was seen as a victory for the ruling AK Party of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and as a boost to Turkey’s plans to join the European Union.Brussels has welcomed the planned reforms which will overhaul the country’s judiciary and curb the military’s influence. Wilhelmina Lyffyt has more on reactions within the EU on the referendum.The Georgian government under fire for evicting war refugees,The International Court of Justice in The Hague has this week been hearing a case brought by the former Soviet republic of Georgia against neighbouring Russia.Georgia accuses Russia of ‘ethnic cleansing’ and racial discrimination in the disputed regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia during a series of conflicts over the past 20 years, which drove more than a quarter of a million people from their homes. Russia denies any wrongdoing. At the same time, the Georgian government has been criticised for evicting hundreds of people displaced by those wars. Matthew Collin looks at the refugees’ situation in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.The Italian film that Silvio Berlusconi would prefer you didn’t seeA provocative documentary looking at the shaky state of democracy in Italy is scheduled to roll out across Europe this autumn. It's called “Draquila – Italy Trembles”.The title's a pun on the word Dracula and L’Aquila, the city practically destroyed last year by an earthquake that killed hundreds. Its director accuses Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of being a blood-sucker who used the tragedy to boost his popularity and power. The film has already garnered critical acclaim at film festivals. Nancy Greenleese has more from Rome. A unique women’s festival on LesbosHundreds of women, mostly lesbians, from across Europe have been attending the International Women’s Festival, which appropriately enough perhaps, has been taking place on the Greek island of Lesbos.It’s an annual two week event and this year it’s celebrating its 10th anniversary. One of the organizers is Wendy Jansen and she told Helen Seeney more about the festival.Spreading the word through groovy gospelOver the past few decades gospel music has become wildly popular around the world. One of the countries that's embraced the genre is – somewhat surprisingly – Germany.There's a flourishing gospel music scene even though Germany has one of the lowest rates of church-goers in Europe. And it's is even home to a Gospel festival with concerts and workshops on everything from how to get that Gospel groove to mouth percussion. Kate Hairsine went to take a look – and a listen.

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