Very much part of the u. K. Which has decided to leave the european union. But its still not clear what exactly brexit will mean in practical terms. Negotiations between london and brussels are proving difficult, with one of the main sticking points being the right of e. U. Citizens to live and work in the u. K. After brexit. Some businesses in scotland say some businesses in scotland say it will be very hard to survive if they can no longer rely on hiring workers from the continent. And european nationals who have lived in the u. K. For years are afraid they might be forced to leave. While most expect these issues will eventually be resolved, lingering doubts are making a lot of people nervous. There is never able moment at length and inhouse glenfinnan house. Manja and Duncan Gibson have run the hotel for 15 years now. They take care of the guests and the kitchen. Under their management, the hotel has won a host of accolades. Glenfinnan house lies on picturesque loch shiel. Its a country mansion, built in the 18th century. Here in scotlands west highlands, tourism is a seasonal trade, though the summer months are always busy. But local businesses have also had a bit of good luck. Manja gibson with films like harry potter, its just been phenomenal, especially in the lochaber area, because they filmed a lot of the harry potter movies in the area. Weve had the film teams staying here many times as well. Reporter thats because, just a stones throw away from the hotel, harry potters train crosses the world famous glenfinnan viaduct every day. Before harry potters time, glenfinnan and the surrounding area was just a remote region on scotlands west coast. Now, its a tourist magnet. But brexit could change all that, because workers from other e. U. Countries may no longer be welcome here. Manja gibson i think the risk is that we dont have enough workers in the area to cover the summer months in all the restaurants and hotels. Because we really struggle. Weve tried to work with the local job center to find workers locally, and we just found it impossible. Reporter if Britain Forces e. U. Nationals to leave, manja would be personally affected, too. Although shes lived in the u. K. For nearly 20 years, shes german. Manja gibson the children were kind of worried when they heard about brexit, especially the youngest one. She was like, oh no, mommy, you have to leave now. And i said, i dont think its going like this. But, you know, its a big talking point, you know in the , family, and within the school, and in the whole family life. Reporter the west coast of scotland looks like something out a storybook, with its rolling hills, flowering gorse and tranquil bays. In the high season, the train steams by glenfinnan twice a day. It winds its way through the highlands, then runs along the coast. The tiny fishing village of mallaig is the end of the line. Some 15,000 tourists flock here each month. For residents of this remote region, its a bit of magic worthy of harry potter himself. Duncan gibson is in the kitchen, whipping up some fine scottish cuisine. The awardwinning chef makes a trip to glenfinnan house a culinary treat, too. The restaurant is popular. Its waitstaff come from bulgaria, hungary, and lithuania. Konstantin is another of the 10 nonbritish, e. U. Nationals working at glenfinnan house. Last year he was a bartender. Now hes worked his way up to deputy hotel manager. He thinks britain needs workers like him. Konstantin kotsev if that happens with all the e. U. Workers here at the same time, i think theres gonna be a rebellion or something. cause i dont think that the british economy can exist without the e. U. Workers here. They dont have the people to sustain the economy. Reporter manja says without workers from the continent, they might as well close down. What about her personally . Manja gibson well, i could apply for british citizenship as well. I kind of hope i dont have to. I kind of hope everything will still be in place, and that things and laws are put in place for european citizens living here on a permanent basis and have been living here for a long time as well. Reporter outside, glenfinnan receives a visit from a stranger who neednt worry about being asked to leave. Manja gibson and her staff hope things will turn out all right for them in the end. But since britain voted to exit the e. U. , they face an uncertain future. Terry expectant mothers with a medical condition have to be very careful about what drugs they take. If they take the wrong medication, it could permanently harm their babies. Its critically important, therefore, that Drug Companies and Health Authorities issue clear warnings about possible risks. Unfortunately, those warnings sometimes come too late. The french government recently revealed that over 4000 babies were born with severe birth defects because mothers were given an approved epilepsy drug. The affected families are demanding action. The twins parents are convinced that their childrens disabilities were caused by depakine. This drug used to treat epilepsy was prescribed to emmanuelle latreille during pregnancy. Emmanuelle latreille [speaking french] im extremely angry, especially at the manufacturer and the french state. Theyd known of the dangers for a long while but didnt pass this information on to doctors and patients. We were treated like children and not given the opportunity to make our own decisions. Reporter shes just one of several thousand parents in france who are affected. Marine martin was the first to make the scandal public there. She also has two disabled children. Marine is the founder of a Parents Association which has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer, pharmaceutical giant sanofi, and the french government. It accuses them of hushing up the health risks to unborn babies. Marine believes that the reasons are purely financial. Marine martin [speaking french] lots of women take depakine. It takes some time for them to get used to taking the drug, but then they take it their whole life. If the drugs makers were honest and told women that this medication is toxic for unborn babies, theyd probably lose a big part of their market share. Reporter sanofi has defended itself by saying that for some women there is no alternative to depakine. Its active ingredient, valproic acid, is an anticonvulsant used to prevent severe epileptic seizures, which can be very dangerous during pregnancy. And it says the drugs sideeffects are wellknown. Amel benkritly [speaking french] sanofi has regularly warned of the risks of taking the drug. Its our duty to pass on the latest scientific information that we are aware of to the Health Authorities, and we have complied completely and fully. We have exercised due diligence. Reporter but those affected vehemently deny that. They say no one informed them of the full extent of the risks involved. At the time, the Pharmaceutical Company simply spoke of a slightly elevated risk of physical disabilities but not of severe, mental disorders. Studies show that children whose mothers ingested valproic acid suffer from similar symptoms. Franck latreille [speaking french] the depakine children all have similar facial features. Looking at them you can clearly see their mothers took the drug. Though some were harmed more than others. Reporter franck and emmanuelle are doing everything to ensure their children can attend a regular school, in spite of their disabilities. We ask erwan if he likes school and has friends, but he doesnt respond. Depakine is the only drug thats been able to keep emmanuelles epilepsy in check. But as much as she loves her children, emanuelle says that had she known the risks she would never have tried to get pregnant. The twins were conceived through invitro fertilization. Mutter latreille [speaking franck latreille [speakingould. French] wed have chosen to adopt straight off even though the process takes years. But it wouldve have been better to wait. Reporter now the dangers are not only listed on the drugs information leaflet, but on the package itself. Its a small but important victory for the affected parents, even if sanofi continues to sell the drug in other countries without this warning label. But what the parents want most is for those responsible to be held accountable in court. Franck latreille [speaking french] whether it takes 10 years, 20, or to the end of our lives, we wont give up. Reporter theyre fighting for justice for themselves and their children. Terry now, there are countless forms of entertainment in this world. But not all of them are considered ethically acceptable. For example, keeping large animals in captivity and training them to perform for our amusement has become highly contoversial. While some defend the practice, saying it promotes animal conservation, other say its cruel and dangerous. A marine park on the Spanish Island of tenerife is coming under pressure to end its popular orca whale performances. The mother of a young man who was killed by one of the parks whales is playing a key role in the campaign. Reporter this is keto. The orca is the star of the show at this marine park on tenerife in the canary islands. The killer whale appears to follow his trainers every command. Together with five other orcas, the twoton mammal thrills visitors to the loro parque every day. Reporter this is a photo of keto with his former trainer alexis hernandez. His mother says alexis always had a special connection to animals, and that he was considered the most experienced orca trainer at the loro parque. Until december of 2009, when something happened that his mother still finds hard to grasp. Keto attacked and killed alexis, his trainer. But that only became Public Knowledge much later. Mercedes hernandez [speaking spanish] in its line of business, the park had no interest in saying what really happened, namely, a brutal orca attack because that would have had a negative impact on visitor numbers. So they played it down, claiming that it was the fault of the trainer, not the orca. Reporter yet the autopsy report clearly states that alexis hernandezs body displayed shark bites and internal injuries. But to this day, the marine parks owner wont call it an orca attack. Wolfgang kiessling [speaking german] how do i explain it . It was an accident. Accidents happen, i cant say more than that. But the animal is still with us today. The animal is loving, sociable, and friendly. How should i know how it happened . Reporter these words are like a slap in the face for Mercedes Hernandez. The Police Investigation into those responsible went nowhere. Meanwhile hernandez has read a lot about orcas in the wild. Shes learned how they travel in pods and often work together, about their high intelligence, and their ability to swim over 100 kilometers a day. Now shes fighting to free the very animals which killed her son. Mercedes hernandez [speaking spanish] the traumatic experience with alexis at loro parque has been a lesson for me and my family. Its created an awareness. Now we understand that its wrong to allow animals to be cooped up like this for shows whose sole purpose is entertainment. Its not right. Reporter but at loro parque, the show goes on. The marine park and zoo welcomed a Record Number of visitors in 2016, over a million. Its director claims the park plays a role in protecting the environment. He says the orcas act as ambassadors for wildlife conservation. Wolfgang rades [speaking german] were so alienated from nature. Our children grow up in cities and often know little of the world around them. Were surrounded by technical gadgets, but forget were also surrounded by great creatures worth protecting. Theyre threatened by overfishing and Plastic Waste in the seas, and we want to create an awareness of that. Reporter but Mercedes Hernandez believes this is just a pretext. She says theres no lack of opportunities to experience nature on the canary islands. Mercedes hernandez [speaking spanish] around the canaries, in the sea right around us, there are around 30 different varieties of whales. So especially here, in this environment, its a huge contradiction to hold them captive. That only leads to suffering and i think its immoral to keep animals caged up. Reporter Mercedes Hernandez finds peace and solace at this little bay. Here she feels especially close to her son. Shes convinced alexis would understand her campaign to free the killer whales. She believes, deep inside, hed have known that orcas belong in the open sea. Terry ukraine is a bitterly divided country, with some determined to strengthen ties with russia, others are eager to embrace the e. U. Though fighting between armed factions is concentrated in the eastern border region, tensions elsewhere in ukraine are still simmering, fueled by memories of past violence. Three years ago, dozens of prorussian activists were killed in the port city of odessa. The Police Investigation has gone nowhere, adding to the anger and resentment. Reporter center of odessa is the trade Union Building in the center of odessa is deserted. Three years ago, 48 people died here, burned, suffocated, killed falling, or shot to death. Vadim papura was only 17 years old when he died. His Mother Fatima visits her sons grave almost every sunday. We are proud of you is emblazoned on his tombstone. Fatima hasnt been downtown since her only child died by violence. Fatima papura [speaking ukrainian] you have to understand, for me, the Union Building is a place charged with so much suffering, so much death, so much pain. Reporter on the evening of may 2, 2014, molotov cocktails flew into the trade Union Building. Prorussian demonstrators had sought refuge inside. Adherents of the prowestern Maidan Movement had chased them here. Vadim papura was on the prorussian side. His mother still has a helmet, deformed by the incredible heat of the fire in the Union Building. Fatima papura [speaking ukrainian] here, the hammer and sickle and red legion. I know its his helmet. He had written that on it. There were lots of helmets like this there. Reporter vadim had joined the communist youth and opposed the government in kiev and its prowestern course. Tetjana sojkina was on the prowestern side. Even today has little pity for the prorussian people who died in the Union Building. Tetjana sojkina [speaking ukrainian] a lot of aggression had built up. I didnt feel sorry about anything. I understand that they were human beings, and maybe they werent personally to blame. But they wanted to destabilize the situation in odessa. They wanted russia here. They wanted war. They were our enemies. Reporter ukraine was on the verge of civil war. The violence in odessa acted as a signal to the separatists in the donbass region. The European Council and the United Nations complain that the ukrainian authorities have delayed the investigation. The Ukrainian Police deny the accusation. Ruslan forostjak [speaking ukrainian] how should the Justice System function in a country at war and where there is no rule of law . First we have to establish the rule of law, before we can conduct investigations. When the events in odessa happened, there was simply no rule of law here. Reporter victory park was one of vadim papuras favorite spots. Fatima comes here often now. She does want the case cleared up. Fatima papura [speaking ukrainian] my interest is in the quality of the investigation. If Something Like this is done in a rush, then innocent people will be blamed. Theyll find scapegoats. The point isnt speed. Although three years is a very long time. Reporter every year around the anniversary of the violence, odessa gets tense again. This year the police have the situation in hand. Whether prowestern or prorussian, everyone has the same questions. Were there orders from above . Were there intentional provocations . Or did the violence escalate spontaneously . Was it unstoppable . Some of the answers might be Found One Day in the traces of the tragedy in the Union Building. Terry germany is not a country generally associated with the game of cricket. But thanks to a surge in Asylum Seekers from cricketplaying nations, the pool of cricket talent is growing. Theres little danger of the game supplanting soccer as the sport of choice here, but for some Asylum Seekers cricket is providing a healthy and valuable diversion. Reporter the bowler throws the ball, the batter hits it and sprints off. But caution is advised, cricket balls can reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers an hour. Usually, cricket is played on grass pitches. But irshad ahmad, who captains the msv bautzen cricket team, is glad to have a small gym to play in at least. Irshad ahmad you can see a lot of people here from pakistan, from afghanistan, from india. And they are here together to play this game. If they dont have cricket, then it means they have nothing to do. Reporter ahmad and his team mates are proud of their cricket trophy. Many of them fled to germany just recently. Now, theyre waiting to be granted asylum. They rarely leave their hostel. Things can get dangerous outside. Ahmad and his fellow asylumseekers live in bautzen, in the state of saxony. The town has a picturesque 1000yearold center but also a menacing neonazi scene. In february, unknown arsonists set fire to a building that was to house asylumseekers. And for two nights in a row in september, a rightwing extremist mob gathered in the town center, chanting racist slurs. Ahmad and his friends have experienced direct threats. Irshad ahmad we met with almost 40 or 45 boys with black clothes and with many things in their hands like beerbottles, bats, and daggers. They said, go away from here and dont come in the night, because the next time we will not forgive you, and then we escaped. Reporter afterwards, ahmad though long and hard about whether he wanted to keep living in bautzen. Ultimately, he decided that he would at least for the meantime. Irshad ahmad if i will escape because of such things again and again, then it will be really difficult for me to survive myself in this world. Reporter ahmad just will not give up, like in cricket. Today, his team will play a czech squad, a tough side to beat. Its a complicated game, there are many ways of scoring points in cricket. Bowling the ball and having the batsman of the other team tried to hit it as far as possible. Cricket is a niche sport in germany. Last year, some 40,000 asylumseekers from sri lanka, afghanistan, and pakistan migrated to germany, among them, many cricket enthusiasts. And with their love of the game, theyve started a real cricket boom, to the envy of the czech coach. Scott page where Angela Merkel has let everybody in, which is maybe controversial, zeman is keeping everybody out, and its very hard. So we have no refugees. They come through the country, they keep coming through to germany. Reporter ahmad wants to integrate into german society. Today, msv bautzen beat the czech team. Every victory makes bautzen feel a little more like home to these refugees. Despite the problems. Irshad ahmad they can have something to make their lifes make their lifes better. And they can a little bit forget about their problems which they have faced in their journey and thats it. Reporter ahmad hopes cricket will help bring some normality to their lives as refugees. And maybe even help them tackle the racism they are confronted we hope you enjoyed the program. From me and all of us here at dw, thanks for watching. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org]
comparemela.com © 2020. All Rights Reserved.