On the road to an ethic of peace and non-violence

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Guest Author

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15 December 2023

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By Martin Hoegger

One of the highlights of the Together for Europe meeting in Timişoara (Romania, 16-19 November 2023) was a workshop on peace. It gave the floor to witnesses from countries at war, such as Ukraine and the Holy Land. All of them have friends and family in these regions.

Knowing people personally from regions in conflict changes our perception. Do you have friends or relatives in these regions? If so, we can no longer talk about these conflicts in theoretical terms because people are involved. Another question: are you involved in a mutual aid project in conflict zones? Nicole Grochowina, from the Protestant community of Selbitz in Germany, asked participants to answer these questions at the beginning of the workshop.

Educating for peace and dialogue

Donatella, an Italian living in Ukraine who spent 24 years in Russia in a Focolare community, says: “This war is an open wound. There’s a lot of suffering all around me. The only answer I can find is to look at Jesus crucified. His cry gives me meaning; his pain is a passage. Then I understood that love is stronger than pain. That helps me not to withdraw into myself. So often, we feel powerless. All we can do is listen and offer a little hope and a smile. We need to create space within ourselves to listen deeply and bring the pain into our own hearts so that we can pray”.

Another participant in this round table was born in Moscow and lived there for 30 years. Her mother is Russian and her father Ukrainian. She has friends in both Russia and Ukraine. Nobody believed that such a war would be possible and that Kyiv would be bombed! She has made herself available to take in refugees. However, she is not comfortable with the rhetoric of those who reject all Russians. She suffers because she is torn between the two parties.

Margaret Karram, the president of the Focolare movement – an Israeli of Palestinian origin – says three very topical words for her: “fraternity, peace and unity”. The time has come to highlight our duties because it’s not enough to talk about a just peace, we must educate people for peace and dialogue.

Born in Haifa, where Jews and Palestinians live together, she studied in a Catholic environment with a Muslim presence. In Haifa, her neighbours were Jewish. Her faith enabled her to overcome discrimination.

Then she lived in Jerusalem, in a city where many divisions separate people. She was shocked by this and worked to bring them together. Later, she studied Judaism in the USA. Back home, she became involved in several interfaith initiatives, particularly for children. She discovered that so much is common to all three religions.

Philip McDonagh, Director of the European Union’s Centre for Religions and Values, points out that Article 17 of the EU Charter calls for dialogue to be stepped up. Regarding territorial claims, he is convinced that time is more important than space, and that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The diplomacy of “theological virtues”

Sylvester Gaberscek is a former Secretary of State in Slovenia’s Ministry of Culture. A bridge builder between very different parties, he had relations with politicians from all sides. He discovered that it is possible to work together for the common good despite hatred. He practised what he calls “a diplomacy of faith, hope and love”.

Called to Kosovo and Serbia to provide training in dialogue, he discovered that “the only thing I had to do was listen and understand everyone. “People were transformed by it”.

Édouard Heger, former President and Prime Minister of Slovakia, wonders how to get out of one war and prevent the next. That is the central question. He believes that at the root of every war, there is always a lack of love and reconciliation.

The vocation of Christians is to be people of reconciliation. They must advise political leaders with a view to reconciliation. But reconciliation also depends on us, being courageous and speaking out with love. People want this message.

Bishop Christian Krause, former President of the Lutheran World Federation, notes that a friend can quickly turn into an enemy. Only love for Jesus can overcome this pain. Indeed, his beatitudes are a beacon of light. The two politicians above had the courage to follow Jesus by living them.

In East Germany, before the fall of the Wall, the Church was a place of freedom. A miracle from God took place. Yes, it is worth hoping in God and making it public. The doors of the Churches must remain open in these times of transformation. And for Christians to be artisans of reconciliation.

“We are a minority, but a creative one”, he says. Without a pact of mutual love, we cannot be sure that Jesus is in our midst. But if he is, he is the one who builds the house. And the miracle of reconciliation will be accomplished… in Europe and throughout the world!

Photo: From left to right, Edouard Heger, Margaret Karram, Sylvester Gaberscek and S. Nicole Grochowina

French anti-cult law proposes to criminalise natural health

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Newsdesk

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14 December 2023

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Vote on 19 December will decide the future of alternative medicine in France.

Next week in France, the parliament will decide whether or not to support a law that grants authorities the power to criminalise those who criticise or avoid conventional medical practices deemed ‘essential’, or use or promote natural or alternative medicines instead. Macron’s government plans to implement these powers by amending existing French law on sectarian drift which will be discussed and voted on by the French Parliament next Tuesday, 19 December.

If passed, individuals or organisations prosecuted under the new law will face jail sentences of between 1 and 3 years, and fines of between 15,000 and 45,000 euros.

The proposed change in law comes by way of amendments to a long-standing law intended to protect people from sectarian abuses, including terrorism and female genital mutilation.

It has been motivated by concerns expressed by French medical bodies and the government agency tasked with fighting so-called sectarian aberrations, the Interministerial Mission of Vigilance and Combat against Sectarian Drifts, Miviludes.

The Explanatory Memorandum for the proposed amendments asserts: “The [covid-19] health crisis provided an ideal breeding ground for these new sectarian excesses. New forms of “gurus” or self-proclaimed thought leaders act online, taking advantage of the vitality of social networks to unite real communities around them.”

Robert Verkerk PhD, founder, executive and scientific director of the Alliance for Natural Health International, said that the bill, No. 111 (2023-2034) of the French Penal Code “represents probably the most blatant legal attack on the practice of alternative and natural medicine anywhere in the world.” He continued, “If passed into law, those who speak out about the dangers of pharmaceuticals or vaccines and use alternatives will be declared sectarian deviants and will be turned into criminals.”

Legal experts suggest the proposed law would violate France’s Declaration of Human and Civic Rights of 1789, in which article 11 protects the right to freedom of expression. It would also infringe a rash of international conventions, including the United Nations’ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 18), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 2, 3, 7, 8, 12 and 18-20), the European Convention of Human Rights (Articles 9-11), the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU (Articles 6, 7 and 10-13), the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine (1997) (Articles 2-6 and 10), and the Helsinki Final Act (1975) (Sections II and VII).

Professor Christian Perronne MD PhD, a former member of the European Technical Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (ETAGE) of the WHO Regional Office, who was himself fully exonerated of all charges made by French medical bodies who challenged him when he criticised the government’s health policies during the covid pandemic, expressed his grave concerns for the bill.

In a recent article that he published on the BonSens association’s website, he said, “This law would make it possible to violently suppress what little freedom of expression remains in our beautiful, battered country. This would be a crime against science which can only progress through debate of ideas….This law would establish a de facto obligation to receive pharmaceutical substances, even experimental ones, against one’s will….This would be a violation of international conventions.”

French former presidential candidate, current member of parliament and president of the Debout la France party, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, stated in a 42 minute video on the subject that, if the law is passed, “medical freedom in France is finished” and it will “call into question” the Hippocratic Oath.

Senator Alain Houpert has proposed the deletion of Article 4, the key amendment that targets unconventional health practices.

While breaching a clutch of international conventions, the new bill appears to pre-empt proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) that aim to cede control over “public health emergencies”, and responses to threats of such emergencies, from individual nations to the World Health Organisation. These amendments will be voted on at the 77th World Health Assembly next May.

The Alliance for Natural Health is urging French citizens, parliamentarians and those among the international community who are respectful of human rights and medical ethics to lobby the French parliament with the aim, at least, of ensuring Senator Houpert’s amendment to block Article 4 is supported.

To do otherwise would be a travesty to both human rights and medical ethics and will create even further sectarian divisions in French society.

Extensive article by Robert Verkerk PhD, founder, executive & scientific director, Alliance for Natural Health International

https://www.anhinternational.org/news/french-anti-cult-law-proposes-to-criminalise-natural-health/

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR NATURAL HEALTH www.anheurope.org www.anhinternational.org

Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) Europe is the European, Netherlands-based, non-profit office linked to the ANH International. ANH International is an independent, non-profit organisation founded in 2002 in the UK by acclaimed sustainability scientist, Robert Verkerk PhD. Its mission is to promote and protect natural, sustainable and regenerative approaches to health optimisation worldwide, through the application of good science and good law.

We work to help health systems to transition from their current pre-occupation with the
management of ‘downstream’ diseases to ‘upstream’ approaches that maintain and
regenerate health. ANH International advocates for properly informed consent, the right for citizen choice in healthcare and the right to practise a diverse range of modalities incorporating natural health. It supports individual empowerment, medical autonomy, the rule of law, and respect for, and the protection of, the natural environment.

We seek to increase the adoption of clinically validated, natural and sustainable approaches, taking into account cultural and individual needs and choices. The threat of legal and scientific uncertainty, as well as regulatory and corporate pressure, continues to limit freedom of choice in the field of natural health.

As an international alliance, we collaborate with a diverse cross-section of natural and environmental interests around the world, including scientists, lawyers, medical doctors, other health professionals, politicians, companies and, above all, the public.

The Flawed Sanctions Policy: Why Putin Wins

By

Gary Cartwright

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14 December 2023

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a woman standing in front of a fence with signs on it — Photo by Ehimetalor Akhere Unuabona on Unsplash

On December 1, Robin Brooks, chief economist and managing director of the Institute of International Finance, asked, “You have to wonder what’s going on in the EU. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a big threat to everything the EU stands for. But then there are many examples like this: EU exports to Armenia are up 200% since the invasion. This stuff goes to Russia and helps Putin. What is Brussels doing?”

Coincidentally, just one day earlier, on November 30, The Economist stated that “Putin seems to be winning the war in Ukraine—for now.” This article highlighted the West’s failure to implement effective sanctions against Russia and named a few countries that were lending a helping hand to their apparent ally: Turkey, Kazakhstan, Iran, and North Korea.

Not too bothered by Western sanctions, Russia has successfully circumvented them by obtaining drones from Iran, ammunition from North Korea, and various goods through Turkey and Kazakhstan. The list seems too short, and it does not include aforementioned Armenia. This country, according to multiple sources, is one of Russia’s key partners in procuring various goods from the EU and East Asia as of February 2022.

For example, Armenia does not produce cars, but as the Financial Times noted in July 2023, car exports from Armenia to Russia have skyrocketed from $800,000 in January 2022 to just over $180 million in the same month of 2023.

But it is not just cars: microchips, smartphones and dozens of other goods enter Russia via Armenia. A report by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development notes that “new supply chains through Armenia […] were established within days of the sanctions, and it took several months to expand them”. A joint statement by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, and the U.S. Treasury categorized Armenia as a “third-party intermediaries or transshipment points to evade Russian- and Belarusian-related sanctions and export controls.”

It is important to note that about 40 percent of Armenia’s exports go to Russia, with much of the trade consisting of re-exports of Western goods that Moscow cannot obtain directly. According to Armenia’s state statistics agency, trade between Armenia and Russia nearly doubled in 2022, reaching $5.3 billion. Armenia’s exports to Russia nearly tripled, surging from $850 million in 2021 to $2.4 billion in 2022 and $2.8 billion in 2023. Imports from Russia increased by 151 percent to $2.87 billion. Total trade for January-August 2023 exceeded $4.16 billion., Armenian exports to Russia totaled $2.3 billion during this period, surpassing imports for the first time, which totaled $1.86 billion.

According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Armenia was assisting the Russian Federation not only in the import of civilian goods, but also in the procurement of military equipment.

It published detailed information about the involvement of an Armenian company in the purchase of foreign equipment for the Russian military industry. The company, identified as Aurora Group, allegedly purchased sensitive electronic components from Western suppliers and then re-exported them to Russia in violation of export control restrictions.

According to Bloomberg, there is evidence of European equipment components being shipped through Armenia for use in Russian military production.

The report cites documents on the shipments and interviews with industry experts as evidence that Armenia plays a key role in helping Russia evade sanctions and maintain its military capabilities.

The Telegraph stated that economic growth in Armenia had reached an impossible 13 percent in 2022, making it a candidate for the third fastest-growing economy in the world.

The newspaper also published a report by the German Centre for the South Caucasus, which “revealed that exports from Germany to Armenia rose from €178 million to €505 million in 2022. That’s from just one EU country. Exports from Armenia to the EU in the same twelve months doubled from €753 million to €1.3 billion.

With a population of barely three million and a GDP per capita of less than a tenth of the average Briton, these are impossible numbers. But they are real. What is clear is that imports to and exports from Russia — which are tariff and duty-free between all EAEU countries, are being near-seamlessly diverted to the outside world via their satellite states”.

According to the Jamestown Foundation, “a significant increase in Armenia’s foreign trade turnover without any serious economic basis domestically, especially the remarkable increase in exports to Russia, as well as the list of products primarily traded, give reason to think that these dynamics are artificial and that Armenia is directly involved in re-exporting sanctioned products to Russia.

Moreover, according to the US Bureau of Industry and Security, Armenia increased the import of microchips and processors from the US by 515% and from the European Union by 212%—then reportedly exported 97% of those products to Russia”.

According to the Polish magazine New Eastern Europe, Yerevan is helping Moscow circumvent EU, US, and UK sanctions by facilitating the transit of Iranian drones and missiles.

The magazine cites operational data on flights from Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport, where Soviet Ilyushin-76MD aircraft allegedly transported Iranian drones to Russia. Iran Air Cargo, the company sanctioned by the US, was observed operating flights through Yerevan airport to and from Moscow, along with other Iranian entities implicated in delivering Iranian drones to Russia through Armenian airports.

According to Ukrainian sources, Armenia is actively using the sea route connecting the ports of Batumi (Georgia) and Novorossiysk (Russia) to re-export sanctioned goods to the Russian Federation. Thus, the Armenian Shipping Company is responsible for the weekly transportation of 600 containers along the Batumi-Novorossiysk sea route.

Latvian Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš also commented on Armenia’s growing role in exporting sanctioned Western equipment and technology to Russia.

However, Yerevan’s moves in this game are not limited to technology transfers. Kariņš pointed out that there were two ways to deal with this: talk Armenia out of it or “look for legislation across Europe, to make sure that we criminalise the sanction avoidance. Close the loopholes!”, – he demanded. Sanctions do work, the problem is that they need to be enforced on those who help Russia avoid them.

Anti-money laundering – agree to create new European authority

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officialinstitutions

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14 December 2023

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Anti-money laundering - agree to create new European authority — © European Council

Table of Contents

Yesterday, the Council and the Parliament reached a provisional agreement on creating a new European authority anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism (AMLA) – the centrepiece of the anti-money laundering package, which aims to protect EU citizens and the EU’s financial system against money laundering and terrorist financing.

AMLA will have direct and indirect supervisory powers over high-risk obliged entities in the financial sector. This agreement leaves out a decision on the location of the agency’s seat, a matter that continues to be discussed on a separate track.

Given the cross-border nature of financial crime, the new authority will boost the efficiency of the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework, by creating an integrated mechanism with national supervisors to ensure obliged entities comply with AML/CFT-related obligations in the financial sector. AMLA will also have a supporting role with respect to non-financial sectors, and coordinate financial intelligence units in member states.

In addition to supervisory powers and in order to ensure compliance, in cases of serious, systematic or repeated breaches of directly applicable requirements, the Authority will impose pecuniary sanctions on the selected obliged entities.

Supervisory powers

The provisional agreement adds powers to AMLA to directly supervise certain types of credit and financial institutions, including crypto asset service providers, if they are considered high-risk or operate across borders.

AMLA will carry out a selection of credit and financial institutions that represent a high risk in several member states. The selected obliged entities will be supervised by joint supervisory teams led by AMLA that will among other things carry out assessments and inspections. The agreement entrusts the authority to supervise up to 40 groups and entities in the first selection process.

For non-selected obliged entities, AML/CFT supervision would remain primarily at national level.

For the non-financial sector, AMLA will have a supporting role, carrying out reviews and investigating possible breaches in the application of the AML/CFT framework. AMLA will have the power to issue non-binding recommendations. National supervisors will be able to voluntarily set up a college for a non-financial entity operating across borders if deemed needed.

The provisional agreement expands the scope and content of AMLA’s supervisory database by asking the Authority to establish and keep up-to-date a central database of information relevant for the AML/CFT supervisory system.

Targeted financial sanctions

The Authority will monitor that selected obliged entities have internal policies and procedures in place to ensure the implementation of targeted financial sanctions asset freezes and confiscations.

Governance

AMLA will have a general board composed of representatives of supervisors an Financial Intelligence Units from all member states, and an executive board, that would be the governing body of the AMLA, composed of the chair of the Authority and five independent full-time members.

The Council and the Parliament removed the Commission’s veto right on some of the powers of the executive board, notably its budgetary powers.

Whistleblowing

The provisional agreement introduces a reinforced whistle-blowing mechanism. Regarding obliged entities, AMLA will only deal with reports coming from the financial sector. It will also be able to attend reports from employees of national authorities.

Disagreements

AMLA will be given the power to settle disagreements with a binding effect in the context of financial sector colleges and, in any other case, upon the request of a financial supervisor.

AMLA seat

The Council and European Parliament are currently negotiating the principles of the selection process of the new Authority’s seat location. Once the selection process has been agreed, the selection process for the seat will be concluded and the location will be introduced in the regulation.

Next steps

The text of the provisional agreement will now be finalised and presented to member states’ representatives and the European Parliament for approval. If approved, the Council and the Parliament will have to formally adopt the texts.

Negotiations between the Council and Parliament on the regulation on anti-money-laundering requirements for the private sector and the directive on anti-money laundering mechanisms are still ongoing.

Background

On 20 July 2021, the Commission presented its package of legislative proposals to strengthen the EU’s rules on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT). This package consists of:

a regulation establishing a new EU anti-money laundering authority (AMLA) which will have powers to impose sanctions and penalties
a regulation recasting the regulation on transfers of funds which aims to make transfers of crypto-assets more transparent and fully traceable
a regulation on anti-money-laundering requirements for the private sector
a directive on anti-money-laundering mechanisms

The Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on the regulation on transfers of funds on 29 June 2022.

anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism

Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket will fly in June 2024

By

Gaston de Persigny

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14 December 2023

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Europe's new Ariane 6 rocket will fly in June 2024 — Photo: ESA

The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Ariane 6 rocket will fly for the first time on June 15, 2024. It will carry an array of small satellites, including two from NASA, ESA officials added.

After four years of delays, Ariane 6 is making progress: a scaled-down model of the heavy-lift rocket was tested at the site last week in Kourou, French Guiana.

“Assuming that everything goes nominally without major problems, we expect that Ariane 6 will make its first flight between June 15 and July 31 next year,” said ESA director Josef Aschbacher.

However, he warned later in the briefing that “there may be one delay or another that could occur.”

Ariane 5 launched European satellites into orbit for a quarter of a century. Notable missions include the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), and the Rosetta spacecraft.

Europe has emphasized that it needs independent access to space for launch, but recently it has relied – like much of the industry – on SpaceX.

Ariane 6 was conceived in early 2010 to offer cheaper rocket launches. But numerous technical obstacles and the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented the planned Ariane 6 door-opening mission in 2020.

Even before the pandemic, SpaceX’s successes with reusable technology made Europe’s new rocket obsolete. Until 2030, ESA does not plan to have its own reusable rocket. By then, SpaceX’s Starship will have already completed historic missions to the Moon.

Frontex: MEPs want an effective border agency compliant with fundamental rights | News

By

Newsdesk

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14 December 2023

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On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted a resolution wrapping up the fact-finding investigation by the Working Group on Frontex Scrutiny with 366 votes in favour, 154 against, and 15 abstaining.

Search and rescue at sea

Frontex could do more to increase the EU and member states’ capacity to carry out search and rescue operations at sea by investing in appropriate assets for such operations, MEPs underline. Regarding the shipwreck off the coast of Greece on 14 June 2023, MEPs expect Frontex’s full cooperation during the inquiry.

Ongoing concerns in Greece, Lithuania and Hungary

MEPs express “severe concerns regarding the serious and persistent allegations made against Greek authorities in relation to pushbacks and violence against migrants”. Frontex should scale down its operations to mere monitoring and presence on the ground in cases where a member state is unable to respect EU principles and values, say MEPs, who regret this has so far not happened in the case of Greece.

They welcome the reduction in Frontex’s activities in Lithuania following a Court of Justice judgment and recommend a more proactive approach to protecting EU principles and values. Support for return operations from Hungary should be immediately suspended, they say.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine

MEPs praise the positive role played by the agency in helping member states deal with large numbers crossing external borders into the EU following the Russian attack against Ukraine and the deployment of around 500 officers along the Eastern border from Finland to Romania as well as the deployment of over 50 officers to Moldova.

Management of the Agency

Frontex’s work culture regarding respect for EU principles and values, including fundamental rights, transparency and efficiency in internal procedures and accountability towards Parliament must change, MEPs say. They recognise the efforts made to implement 36 out of 42 recommendations made by the Frontex Scrutiny Group and propose specific further actions, including consulting the Fundamental Rights Officer earlier on when developing operational plans, as well as broader safeguards for whistleblowers.

Background

The resolution stems from the fact-finding investigation carried out by the Civil Liberties Committee Working Group on Frontex Scrutiny (FSWG), chaired by Lena Düpont (EPP, DE), and set up in January 2021. The FSWG final report, steered by Tineke STRIK (Greens, NL) was presented in July 2021.

A delegation of the Civil Liberties Committee visited Frontex headquarters in Warsaw in June 2023.

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Recognition of parenthood: MEPs want children to have equal rights | News

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Newsdesk

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14 December 2023

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With 366 votes against 145 and 23 abstentions, MEPs backed draft legislation to ensure that, when parenthood is established by an EU country, the rest of the member states will recognise it. The aim is to make sure that children enjoy the same rights under national law regarding education, healthcare, custody or succession.

No changes to national family laws

When it comes to establishment of parenthood at national level, member states will be able to decide whether to e.g. accept surrogacy, but they will be required to recognise parenthood established by another EU country irrespective of how the child was conceived, born or the type of family it has. Member states will have the option not to recognise parenthood if manifestly incompatible with their public policy, although this will only be possible in strictly defined cases. Each case will have to be considered individually to ensure there is no discrimination, e.g. against children of same sex parents.

European Certificate of Parenthood

MEPs also endorsed the introduction of the European Parenthood certificate, aimed at reducing red tape and facilitating recognition of parenthood in the EU. While it will not replace national documents, it can be used in their stead and it will be accessible in all EU languages and in electronic format.

Quote

“No child should be discriminated against because of the family they belong to or the way they were born. Currently, children may lose their parents, legally speaking, when they enter another member state. This is unacceptable. With this vote, we come closer to the goal of ensuring that if you are a parent in one member state, you are a parent in all member states,” said lead MEP Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques (S&D, PT) following the plenary vote.

Next steps

After having consulted the Parliament, EU governments will now decide – by unanimity – on the final version of the rules.

Background

Two million children may currently face a situation in which their parents are not recognised as such in another member state. While EU law already requires parenthood to be recognised under a child’s EU rights, this is not the case for the child’s rights under national law. Parliament called for cross-border recognition of adoptions in 2017 and welcomed the Commission’s initiative in its 2022 resolution. The Commission proposal for a regulation aims to close the existing loopholes and ensure that all children can enjoy the same rights in each member state.

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Metsola at EUCO: Seize this moment for Europe | News

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Newsdesk

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14 December 2023

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Addressing the December European Council in Brussels, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola raised e.g. the following topics in her speech:

Enlargement:

“We find ourselves at the threshold of another historic moment for our Union. And it is on us to decide whether a historic opportunity is grabbed or whether it will go down as a historic failure.

The time is now to live up to our promise. To show unity and solidarity. To show courage and resolve. To show that this can be a win-win situation for all.

Opening EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova is the next step.”

“It is a decision based on merit, on respect for our criteria, on each nation having its own path towards the objective goals we set for them.”

“The global geo-political situation means that there is also a price of inaction.

A window of opportunity has opened for all of us. We should not slam it shut.”

“Enlargement is our strongest geopolitical, strategic and future-oriented investment. Its transformative ability is something we all know well. A merit-based enlargement strengthens our continent, our Union and our way of life.”

Support to Ukraine:

“We need to remain steadfast in our political, military, humanitarian and financial support to Ukraine, even as it becomes more difficult. As much as it is a moral obligation, it is a strategic one too. It is also strategic that we come to an agreement on the new 50 billion Ukraine Facility that the European Parliament voted on in October. Because this is about investments and growth. For Ukraine and for Europe.

The Ukraine facility will assist Ukraine’s recovery, reconstruction and modernisation which will mean less budgetary support for the future.”

EU´s long-term budget (MFF):

“Our aim to become stronger, more united and more competitive in an increasingly changing and hostile world needs to be backed up by sufficient resources.

The pandemic, the invasion of Ukraine, climate change, energy and the cost of living crises, have all had their impact. Rising interest rates have caused our NextGenerationEU borrowing expenses to rise. Our MFF is stretched to its limit, with the new tasks we have agreed together.

This European Council therefore needs to reach an agreement: One that respects the prerogatives of the European Parliament as budgetary authority as laid down in the Treaties. One that finds a structural solution for managing the borrowing costs – and progress on own resources are part of this solution. One that preserves the Union’s shared values and will not compromise on the rule of law. One that ensures the EU can respond effectively to crises and unforeseen circumstances. And one that does not further cut into flagship programmes that for many are the tangible face of the European Union.

That is why the European Parliament has repeated calls for a revision of the MFF and why we are ready to take this discussion forward.”

Middle East:

“We need to do more to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and the aftermath of the October 7th terror attack in Israel and in the wider Middle East. The European Union can take a leading role in plotting a way forward, in planning for the day after, in helping in reconstruction, in nation building and looking towards real, sustainable, lasting stability based on a two-State solution.

Even in the fog of war we need to talk about peace, about how to save innocent lives, stop terror, and respect international law – and about how we can offer respite to Palestinians and hope to Israelis – today. We also need to ensure that the West Bank does not become a new regional flashpoint.”

Migration and Asylum Pact:

“Allow me one last appeal on the Migration and Asylum pact. We are closer than we have been in a decade. I am hopeful. We need to seize the momentum. An agreement on this package before the end of the year will mean a decisive victory for the constructive pro-European centre ahead of the start of a European elections year. We can show that Europe has the solutions for the issues that our citizens care about.”

EU reform:

“The European Parliament’s contribution on reforms, which is detailed in our treaty change report, provides a good basis for this reflection and my hope is that it will be discussed at a future meeting.”

Leadership:

“Europe has shown that we can lead, that we can take the necessary decisions and today we can lead again.”

President Metsola´s full speech can be found here.

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Anti-SLAPP – deal with member states to defend critical voices

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EuropeanTimes

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13 December 2023

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Anti-SLAPP - deal with member states to defend critical voices — European Parliament - Press conference by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and Tiemo WÖLKEN, rapporteur on EU protection from strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs)

The rules will address growing number of so-called “strategic lawsuits against public participation” (SLAPP) for the EU-wide protection of journalists, media organisations, activists, academics, artists and researchers against unfounded and abusive legal proceedings.

The new law will apply in cross-border cases and protect people and organisations active in areas like fundamental rights, the environment, the fight against disinformation and corruption investigations against abusive court proceedings intended to intimidate and harass. MEPs ensured that cases will be considered to be cross-border unless both parties are domiciled in the same country as the court and the case is relevant only to one member state.

SLAPP initiators to prove their case

Defendants will be able to apply for the early dismissal of manifestly unfounded claims and in such cases the SLAPP initiators will have to prove their case is well founded. Courts will be expected to deal swiftly with such applications. To prevent abusive lawsuits, courts will be able to impose dissuasive penalties on claimants, usually represented by lobby groups, corporations or politicians. The courts can oblige the claimant to pay all the costs of proceedings, including the defendant’s legal representation. Where national law does not allow these costs to be fully paid for by the claimant, EU governments will have to ensure they are covered, unless they are excessive.

Measures to support SLAPP victims

MEPs managed to include in the rules that those targeted by SLAPPs might be compensated for inflicted damage. They also ensured that SLAPP victims will have access to comprehensive information on support measures, including on financial assistance, legal aid and psychological support via an appropriate channel such as an information centre. Member states will also have to provide legal aid in cross-border civil proceedings, ensure that final SLAPP-related judgements are published in an easily accessible and electronic format and gather data on SLAPP cases.

EU protection against non-EU SLAPPs

EU countries will make sure that third-country judgments in unfounded or abusive proceedings against individuals of institutions domiciled in their territory will not be recognised. Those targeted by SLAPP will be able to claim compensation for related costs and damages in their domestic court.

Quote

Following the negotiations, lead MEP Tiemo Wölken (S&D, Germany) said: “After intense negotiations, we have a concluded a deal on the Anti-SLAPPs directive – a step towards ending the widespread practice of abusive lawsuits aimed at silencing journalists, NGOs and civil society. Despite the Council’s attempts to significantly weaken the Commission’s proposals, Parliament secured a deal that includes a definition of cross-border cases, accelerated treatment for key procedural safeguards such as early dismissal and provisions on financial security, as well as flanking support measures on assistance, data collection and the compensation of costs.”

Next steps

Once formally approved by the plenary and the member states, the legislation will enter into force twenty days after its publication in the Official Journal. Member states will have two years to transpose the legislation into national law.

Background

The European Parliament has long advocated for strengthened media freedom and improved protection of those targeted by SLAPPs. In light of the increasing number of SLAPPs in the EU, MEPs have adopted a series of resolutions since 2018 calling for EU action against legal harassment of journalists, media outlets and activists. The European Commission presented its proposal in April 2022, including many of the measures MEPs were pushing for in a 2021 resolution.

UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session

By

United Nations News

-

13 December 2023

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UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire — Screenshot from video of the Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly.

Member States adopted a resolution, demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and well as “ensuring humanitarian access”.

It passed with a large majority of 153 in favour and 10 against, with 23 abstentions

The resolution also reiterated the General Assembly’s demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, “notably with regard to the protection of civilians”

Prior to the resolution, two amendments making specific reference to extremist group Hamas were voted down by members

“We have one priority
– one priority only – and
that is to save lives”. “We
have to stop this violence now”.
General Assembly
President Dennis Francis

Ahead of the vote, General Assembly President Dennis Francis said the world was witnessing an “unprecedented collapse” of a “real-time” humanitarian system, and deemed it high time for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

The resolution adopted by the General Assembly on Tuesday differs significantly from the text vetoed by the United States in the Council on Friday.

The text takes note of a letter dated December 7 from the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), addressed to the President of the General Assembly. In this letter, Philippe Lazzarini warns that the agency’s ability to implement its mandate in Gaza is “severely limited”, and that the main humanitarian aid platform for over 2.2 million people in the enclave is “on the verge of collapse”.

The text also refers to previous resolutions on the question of Palestine, as well as relevant Security Council resolutions on the subject.

The main points in common between the two texts include an immediate humanitarian ceasefire; the demand that all parties respect their obligations under international law, particularly with regard to the protection of civilians; the demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and the guarantee of humanitarian access.

Text of the adopted resolution

Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations

The General Assembly,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling its resolutions regarding the question of Palestine,

Recalling also all relevant Security Council resolutions,

Taking note of the letter dated 6 December 2023 from the Secretary-General, under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations, addressed to the President of the Security Council,

Taking note also of the letter dated 7 December 2023 from the CommissionerGeneral of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East addressed to the President of the General Assembly,

Expressing grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population, and emphasizing that the Palestinian and Israeli civilian populations must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law,

Demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire;
Reiterates its demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians;
Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access;
Decides to adjourn the tenth emergency special session temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States.

The resolution does not condemn Hamas or make any specific reference to the extremist group.

The amendments

Two amendments proposed to the text of the General Assembly resolution on Tuesday were rejected in separate votes.

Austria has proposed an amendment, that inserts the phrase, “held by Hamas and other groups” in relation to the hostages still being held by Palestinian militants in Gaza, as well as inserting the word “immediate” in reference to ensuring humanitarian access.

The US amendment reflects its continued point of contention regarding Hamas, which it designates as a terrorist group, calling for wording to be inserted “unequivocally” rejecting and condemning “the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages” as the first operative paragraph.

Not binding, but influential

Resolutions by the General Assembly, though not legally binding on nations, do carry immense moral weight, representing the collective resolve of the UN membership on a matter of grave importance.

These resolutions also lead to key legal frameworks and standards, such as the over 60 human rights instruments underpinning the international rights regime, which emanate from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Declaration was proclaimed by the General Assembly in 1948, and by itself is not binding.

Emergency session

General Assembly adopts resolution on Protection of Civilians and Upholding Legal and Humanitarian Obligations in Gaza.

The session today is a continuation of the tenth emergency special session of the General Assembly that last met on 26 October amid the present crisis in Gaza, during which it adopted a resolution on the crisis, calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.”

The General Assembly will resume the emergency session on Friday afternoon in New York starting at 3pm

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UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session

Member States adopted a resolution, demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and well as “ensuring humanitarian access”.

Text of the adopted resolution

The amendments

Not binding, but influential

Emergency session

Members/Partners of

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