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Javier Milei and Victoria Eugenia Villarruel were sworn in as President and Vice-President of Argentina

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Newsdesk
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Photo credit: Senado de Argentina

The presidents were sworn in at the Congress of the Nation where the oath and ceremony of transfer of power to Milei took place, with the presentation of the Presidential Sash and Baton by the former President, Alberto Fernández.

The Legislative Assembly began at 11:14 a.m., with the customary ringing of the bell, and was presided over by the outgoing Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who, accompanied by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Martín Menem, and the outgoing Parliamentary Secretary of the Senate, Marcelo Fuentes, welcomed the presidents and former presidents of Argentina, legislators, governors, foreign delegations and guests to the Chamber of Deputies.

At the beginning, the interior and exterior reception committees were formed to receive the president-elect on his arrival in Parliament, and a fourth intermission was held until Milei and Villarruel entered the chamber.

The Foreign Affairs Commission was composed of the following senators: José Emilio Neder, Alfredo Luis De Angeli, Gabriela Valenzuela, Ezequiel Atauche, Enrique De Vedia and deputies: María Graciela Parola, Julio Pereyra, Marcela Pagano, Gabriel Bornoroni, and Francisco Monti.

The Interior Committee was made up of the following senators: Marcelo Lewandowski, Eugenia Duré, Victor Zimmermann, Lucila Crexell, Juliana Di Tullio, and deputies: Gladys Medina, Andrea Freites, Javier Santurio Rodríguez, Lorena Villaverde and Cristian Ritondo.

Javier Milei arrived at Congress at 11:46 a.m. and was received by Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, the President of the Chamber of Deputies Martín Menem together with the legislators of the commissions.

Milei and Villarruel proceeded to sign the Books of Honour of the Honourable Senate of the Nation and the Chamber of Deputies of the Nation, in the “Salón Azul”.

Then, Milei and Villarruel looked at the original copy of the National Constitution and went to the Chamber of Deputies to take the oath, as is customary, before the Legislative Assembly.

The outgoing vice-president invited Milei to take his oath in front of the senators and deputies of the Nation. From the centre of the podium, he read out his oath. The President did it for God, the Fatherland and the Holy Gospels”.

Subsequently, the outgoing President Alberto Fernández entered and proceeded to hand over to his successor the presidential attributes, the sash and the baton. He then left the room.

Afterwards, Fernández and Milei signed the corresponding act together with the Notary General of the Nation.

The Vice-President of the Nation was then sworn in “by God, the Fatherland, the Holy Gospels”, and ended by saying that “God, the Fatherland, demand it of me”.

Finally, the new vice-president Victoria Eugenia Villarruel took the floor and expressed that “on behalf of the president Javier Milei and myself, I would like to thank each one of you for your presence, for accompanying us on this historic day. It is a moment that will remain in our hearts and we want to thank you for this gesture of accompanying us from all countries and provinces”. And he closed the Assembly.

After the swearing-in, Milei, who became the eighth elected president since the restoration of democracy in 1983, went to the steps of Congress to deliver his first speech.

National and international leaders and former leaders took part. Among those present were Felipe VI (King of Spain); Jair Bolsonaro (former President of Brazil); Viktor Orbán (Prime Minister of Hungary); Volodímir Zelensky (President of Ukraine); Gabriel Boric (President of Chile); Luis Lacalle Pou (President of Uruguay); Daniel Noboa (President of Ecuador); Santiago Peña (President of Paraguay); Luis Arce Catacora (President of Bolivia); Vahagn Kachaturyan (President of Armenia); Santiago Abascal (leader of VOX, Spanish political party); Jennifer M. Granholm (Secretary of the US Department of Energy); Weihua Wu (Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China) and David Rutley (British Minister in charge of the Americas).

Also in attendance were the head of the Buenos Aires government, Jorge Macri; the governors of Entre Ríos, Rogelio Frigerio; of Mendoza, Alfredo Cornejo; and of Buenos Aires, Axel Kicillof; former presidents Eduardo Duhalde and Mauricio Macri. Also, the president of the Supreme Court of Justice, Horacio Rosatti, together with his colleagues Ricardo Lorenzetti and Juan Carlos Maqueda.

First published at the Senado de Argentina.

Leonardo Pereznieto, Maestro of Realism, Mentor to over 1 Million

By
Juan Sanchez Gil
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Leonardo Pereznieto in a studio, for a video interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeVlJh61M_0

In a world where abstract art often dominates gallery walls and news headlines, the hyperrealist visions of Leonardo Pereznieto stand out for their technical mastery and emotional resonance. Since picking up his first pencil as a child in Spain, Pereznieto has dedicated his life to perfectly capturing the beauty of the world around him and sharing his craft with budding artists across the globe.

Born To Draw

Pereznieto showed artistic talent from a very young age, filling sketchbooks with observational drawings of people and places. As a teenager, he began formal art training, honing his skills in drawing, painting, and sculpture at Madrid’s prestigious Art Center. Pereznieto then continued his studies at the Florence Academy of Art, widely considered one of the world’s top programs for representational fine art.

Throughout his student years, Leonardo Pereznieto challenged himself to translate three-dimensional reality onto the two-dimensional picture plane with exacting realism. His tireless studies of human anatomy, plant life, landscapes, still lifes, and architecture all furthered his ability to recreate visual phenomena down to the most precise detail. Light, shadow, texture, movement — every component had to be perfect.

Flickr channel of Leonardo Pereznieto : https://www.flickr.com/photos/leopereznieto/

Pereznieto’s diligence soon paid off with illustrations and paintings that seem to leap off the page, depicting their subjects with a level of realism bordering on photographic. And yet, his work moves beyond technical precision to activate the imagination and touch the soul. Subtle symbols and provocative themes inspire viewers to forge their own connections and interpretations.

Global Exhibitions of Leonardo Pereznieto

Since completing his studies, Pereznieto’s hauntingly lifelike drawings, paintings and sculptures have been displayed in exhibitions across Europe and the Americas. Last year, his solo show at the ABLE Fine Art Gallery in New York was met with critical acclaim, solidifying his status as one of today’s preeminent hyperrealist artists.

Highlights of Leonardo Pereznieto’s body of work include monumental graphite drawings like “The Journey,” depicting refugees in a boat gazing ahead with hope; emotionally charged paintings such as “Young Harmony,” featuring children of diverse backgrounds playing music together; and imaginative bronzes including “Window of Hope,” in which a young girl looks longingly through a stone aperture.

While varied in subject matter, Leonardo Pereznieto’s art uniformly marries technical excellence with symbolic resonance. He often incorporates themes of human rights, environmentalism and social justice, allowing the viewer to extract deeper meaning from the breathtaking aesthetics of his work.

Master Mentor

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Leonardo Pereznieto, Maestro of Realism, Mentor to over 1 Million

In addition to creating award-worthy drawings, paintings and sculptures, Pereznieto strives to pass on his skills to new generations of artists. He teaches in-person workshops around the world and also shares his expertise in bestselling books and popular YouTube tutorials.

Published in 2020, Pereznieto’s book You Can Draw! takes artists through key techniques via step-by-step demonstrations.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Leonardo Pereznieto, Maestro of Realism, Mentor to over 1 Million

Enthusiastic readers praise the text for unlocking realistic renderings in graphite, colored pencil and charcoal through straightforward explanations of lighting, proportion, texture and more.

His 2022 follow up, Basics of Drawing, cements core competencies like sketching frameworks, geometric forms and one-point perspective for absolute beginners.

Meanwhile, over 1 million subscribers tune in to Pereznieto’s eponymous YouTube channel to pick up tips for recreating metals, glass, water, gemstones and other tricky substances. Pereznieto breaks down each element in digestible videos aimed at self-learners.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Leonardo Pereznieto, Maestro of Realism, Mentor to over 1 Million
Leonardo Pereznieto, Maestro of Realism, Mentor to over 1 Million 5

Through these varied learning tools, the soft-spoken Pereznieto acts as a nurturing mentor rather than strict taskmaster. Aspiring artists around the globe consider him an inspiring guide into the foundations of classical representational technique as well as contemporary hyperrealism.

In his own words

Art is my life, and creating for me is like breathing.
I express myself through drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital media. I seek to capture the splendor of the human spirit, the beauty, and the sensuality of the female figure and nature in a way that mirrors and, at the same time, idealizes visual reality. I strive to capture unforgettable moments and dreams in many of my works.
I create contrast by combining different types of mark-making. I finish the faces, hands, and subjects I want to emphasize with great detail, color, and contrast. At the same time, the rest of the figures and the background are often made with bolder strokes, making them subdued or blurry, inviting the viewer to spend more time on the key areas. 
I intend to preserve the best of visual tradition by emphasizing technical skill, beauty, and passion while keeping up with the times by using new media, being sensitive to our contemporary public, and creating original forms. 

Continuing to Inspire

Now entering his mid-40s, Pereznieto continues to perfect his craft while uplifting the next wave of artistic talent.

Fans can gain insight into his creative process and view new works in progress via Instagram updates from his home studio in Madrid. He engages with commenters and offers words of wisdom to those seeking feedback.

As accolades and auction prices continue rising for Pereznieto’s drawings, paintings and sculpture, he remains committed to keeping excellence in representational art accessible through open discourse with his devoted followers.

Standing apart from fleeting fads, Pereznieto’s sublime illusions have cemented his legacy as a contemporary master. And through his far-reaching educational initiatives, realism itself now looks more durable than ever.

Metsola, “If we are not to stagnate, we cannot be afraid of change”

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Newsdesk
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Court of Justice ruling on the “rule of law conditionality” mechanism

In her speech, President Metsola said:

En ce moment crucial de relance, de réforme et de réimagination de l’Europe, les valeurs de paix, de justice, de liberté et de dignité humaine resteront fermement ancrées au fondement de tout ce que nous avons construit et de tout ce que nous continuerons de faire. C’est ce qui nous distingue en tant qu’Européens

Pour tracer une voie véritablement équitable et juste, des efforts bien plus importants doivent être déployés pour transformer ces valeurs en avantages concrets pour nos peuples. Qu’il s’agisse de la transition verte ou de la transition numérique, notre travail consiste à veiller à ce que nos politiques soient suffisamment ambitieuses pour relever les défis auxquels nous sommes confrontés. Cela signifie qu’ils doivent travailler pour les gens.

We are at an inflection point that will determine the path we are to take. There are no easy solutions, but they are decisions that we must take. Europe must meet this moment.

My fear is that if we get this wrong, if we ignore when people are telling us that they are worried, we will see a re-rise of the extremes.

My appeal to you today is to join me in this critical moment of reimagining and reforming our Europe. To reject the temptation of easy cynicism that takes over so quickly. Have your say on how you want our Europe to look like.

On Israel:

The reality on the ground is horrific, tragic and desperate.

I visited the sites of the atrocities and met with grieving survivors. I expressed Europe’s solidarity, urged for the release of hostages and reiterated our rejection of terrorism.

I underlined that how Israel responds matters, how Hamas is stopped matters, and that we must work together to mitigate the humanitarian consequences to innocent people in Gaza.

Europe stands against hate. We stand against terrorism. It is absolutely condemnable. Hamas must be stopped. Full stop.

It is also entirely correct to voice our concerns and desperation at the unfolding crisis in Gaza, that has seen too many innocent lives lost.

Standing proudly and strongly against terror and doing everything possible to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza are not mutually exclusive. That’s why we insist on respect for international law. Why we do everything we can to protect innocent lives.

On the EU´s role in the world:

We must reinforce our role in the world by becoming stronger and more united on the global stage.

To do this we need to work on building-up a global democratic alliance of trusted partners and friends.

That entails a continued commitment to stand firmly alongside Ukraine. With the situation in the Middle East dominating the headlines, Putin is expecting our political, humanitarian and military support to waiver. We cannot allow fatigue to set-in. This remains as much about Ukraine’s security as it is about ours.

Security, defence and migration should be high on our reform agenda. Work must start immediately to build a real security and defence Union. One that complements NATO without competing with it. Member States must continue with efforts to increase defence spending.

If we want to ensure the longevity of our project and the security of our way of life, we simply need the resources to back it up. The current geopolitical climate is proof of that.

On migration:

After a decade of deadlock, we are now at a point where we can charter a way forward.

More work needs to be done to close loopholes between a negative asylum decision and a return decision especially after what we have seen a few days ago in the heart of Brussels.

We are closer than ever. So let me assure you of the European Parliament’s unwavering commitment to finalise this legislative package by the end of our mandate.

You can find the full speech of President Metsola here.

MEP Maxette Pirbakas calls for the immediate reinstatement of Barbara Olivier-Zandronis

By
Gaston de Persigny
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MEP Maxette Pirbakas condemns the treatment of a journalist by RCI Guadeloupe. In a press release issued on 11 December, Maxette Pirbakas, Member of the European Parliament, expressed her outrage at the removal of journalist Barbara OLIVIER-ZANDRONIS from the airwaves of RCI Guadeloupe.

According to Ms Pirbakas, the decision follows an interview she conducted on 8 December with a candidate on the election campaign trail. She believes that Barbara OLIVIER-ZANDRONIS was dismissed by her superiors “for her professionalism and the quality of her contributions” during the interview.

The MP condemned the “brutal treatment” meted out to the journalist as well as an “arbitrary act of authority that defies press freedom” by RCI Guadeloupe. She also found the radio station’s justification for removing the journalist from the airwaves to be “clumsy” and “unfounded”.

As a Member of the European Parliament for Overseas France and national president of the RPFOM, Pirbakas condemns the “dismissal without serious reason” of Barbara OLIVIER-ZANDRONIS. She is calling for her “immediate reinstatement” on RCI Guadeloupe.

For the time being, the management of the public radio station has not officially reacted to this scathing statement by a leading political figure.

Full statement by Maxette Pirbakas:

I am stunned by the brutal treatment inflicted on journalist Barbara OLIVIER-ZANDRONIS, on RCI Guadeloupe, following an interview with a candidate on the election campaign trail on 8 December. Faced with the pugnacity of the journalist, who appears to have taken her interviewer at his word, the management of RCI unfortunately chose the path of “gratuitous repression” by removing from the air a presenter of RCI’s 13h programme who is appreciated by the public and her colleagues for her professionalism and the quality of her contributions.

The clumsy, unjustified and unfounded response by the media’s management to justify an arbitrary act of authority that defies press freedom seems to make RCI, contrary to what its deputy director Hervé de Haro claims to AFP, not an “opinion radio station” but a “politicised and biased radio station” that defies journalistic ethics.

In my capacity as Member of the European Parliament for Overseas France and National President of the RPFOM, I denounce the dismissal of Mrs Barbara OLIVIER-ZANDRONIS for no serious reason, and I add my voice to all those who have spoken out to demand her immediate reinstatement.

Signed in Strasbourg on 11 December 2023

Elections in Bangladesh, Massive arrests of opposition activists

By
Willy Fautre
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Mamun Ismail, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The government led by the Awami League is claiming to commit to free and fair general elections due to take place on 7 January 2024 while simultaneously the state authorities are filling prisons with members of the political opposition and are responsible for using excessive force, enforced disappearances, torture and extra-judicial killings.

The country’s main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its allies have decided to boycott the election saying it will be rigged by the ruling Awami League (AL).

The opposition demands that the government resigns and transfers power to a neutral caretaker administration to oversee the polls, but it has been strongly rejected by the Awami League.

Massive repression during the election campaign

Since the mass political rally organized by the BNP on 28 October against the ruling government, led by Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, at least 10,000 opposition activists have been arrested. Many others have fled their homes to avoid arrest and have gone into hiding. There is no more room left in the prisons, according to Human Rights Watch, which says that at least 16 people have been killed and over 5,500 people have been injured.

At the end of November, Nahid Hasan, a reporter for the news website Jagonews24.com was attacked in the capital Dakha while he was reporting on a clash involving students of the ruling Awami League. The aggressors were Tamzeed Rahman, a local leader of the Awami League’s Youth Wing with about 20-25 men. They grabbed him by the collar, slapped and beat him until he fell to the ground where they continued to kick and stomp on him. This was the latest episode so far of a series of attacks on media people by supporters of the 14-party alliance led by Awadi League.

Attacks, surveillance, intimidation and judicial harassment of the press over the past several years have led to widespread self-censorship in the media.

Over 5,600 cases related to freedom of expression, including those of prominent journalists and editors, are still pending under the much-criticised draconian Digital Services Act, according to the United Nations.

UN concerns about mass arrests

On 13 November, the UN Human Rights Council completed its periodic review of the human rights situation in Bangladesh during which dozens of NGOs complained about the egregious violations of human rights by the Awami-led government.

On the next day, 14 November, Ms. Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; Mr.Clément Nyaletsossi Voule; Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and Ms. Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, denounced the severe crackdown against workers demanding fair wages and political activists calling for free and fair elections. They also condemned judicial harassment of journalists, human rights defenders and civil society leaders, as well as the failure to reform laws suppressing freedom of expression.

The statement of the UN Special Rapporteurs was in line with another UN declaration on 4 August 2023 denouncing pre-election violence, calling for police “to refrain from excessive use of force amid recurring violence and mass arrests ahead of general elections.” According to a UN spokesperson, “Police, alongside men in plain clothes, have been seen using hammers, sticks, bats and iron rods, among other objects, to beat protestors.”

Concerns of the United States

In September 2023, the United States began imposing visa restrictions on Bangladeshi officials found responsible for “undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.” The US could also consider additional sanctions against those with command responsibility for the abuses being carried out now. The principal target of these sanctions is the ruling Awadi League party, the law enforcement forces, the judiciary and security services.

With this measure, the Biden administration remains consistent with its policy towards the Awami-led ruling government. In 2021 and 2023, it left Bangladesh out of the two “Summit for Democracy” events, although it had invited Pakistan (ranking lower than Bangladesh on various democracy indexes, including Freedom House’s Freedom in the World Index and the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index). 

On 31 October, US Ambassador Peter Haas declared “Any action that undermines the democratic elections process – including violence, preventing people from exercising their right to peaceful assembly, and internet access – calls into question the ability to conduct free and fair elections.”

In early November, Awami League leaders repeatedly threatened to beat or kill Haas.

Concerns of the European Union about the elections

On 13 September, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, delivered a speech on behalf of High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell about the human rights situation in Bangladesh stressing that “the EU remains concerned over the reports on extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Bangladesh.”

She stressed that the EU joins the United Nations’s calls for an independent mechanism to investigate enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. Bangladesh should also allow a visit by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced Disappearances. 

On 21 September, the European Union decided not to send a full team of observers during Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections citing budgetary constraints.

On 19 October, the EU officially informed the Election Commission (EC) of Bangladesh that it will send a four-member team to observe the upcoming national election, according to The Business Standard. According to the letter sent through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the team will visit Bangladesh from 21 November 2023 to 21 January 2024 to observe the polls.

The EU did not send any observers in the last two national elections in 2014 and 2018 won by the Awadi League. In 2014, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the largest opposition party, boycotted and will do it again in January 2024.

The EU had sent a full-fledged mission in the 2008 elections when it deployed the largest international observation mission in Bangladesh with 150 observers from 25 EU Member States, plus Norway and Switzerland.

Several foreign governments have repeatedly called for free and fair elections in Bangladesh.

Trade relations between the EU and Bangladesh as a tool of possible soft power

Due to the commercial privileges granted to Bangladesh, the EU has the capacity, beyond its formal hopes and wishes, to urge its government to guarantee free and fair elections.

The EU works closely with Bangladesh in the framework of the EU-Bangladesh Cooperation Agreement, concluded in 2001. This agreement provides broad scope for cooperation, including human rights.

The EU is Bangladesh’s main trading partner, accounting for around 19.5% of the country’s total trade in 2020.

The EU imports from Bangladesh are dominated by clothing, accounting for over 90% of the EU’s total imports from the country.

The EU exports to Bangladesh are dominated by machinery and transport equipment.

Between 2017 and 2020, EU-28 imports from Bangladesh reached on average €14.8 billion per year, which represents half of Bangladesh’s total exports.

As a Least Developed Country (LDC), Bangladesh benefits from the most favourable regime available under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), namely the Everything But Arms (EBA) arrangement. EBA grants the 46 LDCs – including Bangladesh – duty-free, quota-free access to the EU for exports of all products, except arms and ammunition. Human Rights Without Frontiers urges the EU to energetically use its soft power to put in balance Bangladesh’s respect of human rights ahead of the elections and its commercial privileges.

Historic Visit, European Sikh Organization Gains Support for Recognition within the European Union

By
Juan Sanchez Gil
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In a groundbreaking event on December 6, history was made as a Sikh delegation, accompanied by members of the European Sikh Organization, was extended a warm welcome at the European Parliament. This significant development marked the first time Sikhs were officially invited to the European Parliament, where promises of support for the recognition of Sikhs within the European Union were made.

The Sikh delegation, with its registered office in Vilvoorde, was acknowledged by some members of the European Parliament as exemplary residents and citizens of Europe. This recognition, in part, can be attributed to the efforts of Member of the European Parliament Hilde Vautmans from the Open VLD party. Vautmans, who resides in Sint-Truiden—a region with a notable Sikh population—has emerged as a champion for the Sikh community, pledging her assistance in securing recognition for Sikhi not only in Belgium but across the entire European Union.

Vautmans’ commitment to the cause was underscored by her supporting of the Sikh community in gaining recognition for their faith in Belgium and throughout the European Union. Her connection with Sint-Truiden, a city where many Sikhs have chosen to call home, has further fueled her determination to champion their cause on the European stage.

The Sikh community’s spokesman and chairman, Binder Singh, expressed satisfaction with the positive reception they received at the European Parliament. Singh, at 40 years old, emphasized the importance of continued support for the Sikh community in various areas, enabling them to practice peacefully the teachings of Guru Nanak Saab while preserving their unique identity in European countries.

“We continue to look forward to support in all areas so that we can spread the message of Guru Nanak Saab in the European countries with our own identity. Our purpose is not change noboddy’es religion, but to contribute to the enrichemnt of the societies where we live” remarked Singh. This statement encapsulates the broader aspiration of the Sikh community—to share the profound teachings of their Guru while maintaining their distinct cultural and religious identity.

The recognition and support from the European Parliament represent a significant step forward for the Sikh community’s efforts to establish a more prominent presence within the European Union. It not only validates their contributions as residents and citizens but also acknowledges the richness of Sikh culture and the importance of integrating it into the diverse fabric of Europe.

Sikhs have a long history of migration and settlement in various parts of the world, contributing significantly to the cultural tapestry of the regions they inhabit. The European Sikh Organization‘s visit to the European Parliament signifies a desire for deeper integration and recognition, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of Sikhism and its values.

As Europe continues to embrace its multicultural identity, acknowledging and celebrating the diversity of its residents becomes paramount. The support extended by MEP Hilde Vautmans and her colleagues is not just a political gesture; it reflects a commitment to inclusivity and a recognition of the positive impact the Sikh community has on European society.

While Sikhs have been an integral part of European communities for many years, the recent visit to the European Parliament opens new avenues for dialogue and collaboration. It provides an opportunity for lawmakers to gain a deeper understanding of Sikh values, fostering an environment where the Sikh community can thrive while staying true to its heritage.

The recognition of Sikhi in Belgium and the broader European Union is not just a legal or administrative matter; it is about acknowledging and respecting the rich cultural and religious tapestry that Sikhs bring to the European mosaic. The European Parliament’s promise of support signifies a step toward ensuring that Sikhs can practice and promote their faith freely, contributing to the diversity that defines Europe.

As the Sikh community continues to navigate the path towards recognition, the engagement with the European Parliament serves as a catalyst for broader conversations about diversity, religious freedom, and the importance of preserving cultural identities within the European Union. The positive response from parliamentarians sets a precedent for future collaboration and understanding between the Sikh community and European institutions.

In conclusion, the historic visit of the European Sikh Organization to the European Parliament, accompanied by a supportive Sikh delegation, marks a significant milestone in the journey toward recognition within the European Union. The promises of support from MEP Hilde Vautmans and her colleagues signal a positive shift, fostering an environment where Sikhs can proudly practice their faith and contribute to the vibrant cultural tapestry of Europe. As the dialogue continues, this event paves the way for a more inclusive and diverse European Union that cherishes and celebrates the richness of its multicultural communities.

EU-China summit, 7 December 2023

By
officialinstitutions
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EU-China summit, 7 December 2023
© consilium.europa - Chinese President Xi Jinping welcoming President Michel and President von der Leyen

The 24th EU-China summit took place in Beijing, China. This was the first in-person EU-China summit since 2019.

President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by High Representative Josep Borrell, represented the EU. They met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang at two separate sessions.

The summit was an opportunity to engage with China at the highest level and to pursue constructive and stable EU-China relations.

The EU and China have a shared interest in a stable and constructive relationship based on respect for the international rules-based order.

President Charles Michel

Discussions at the summit revolved around the state of EU-China relations , including the trade and economic relationship, and international issues.

Trade and economy

The EU and China are major economic partners. However, the EU’s trade deficit with China is almost €400 billion.  

The EU therefore stressed to China the importance of achieving a more balanced economic relationship with a level playing field and reciprocity. 

The EU expects China to take more concrete action to improve market access and the investment environment for EU investors and exporters. 

The EU aims to strengthen resilience by addressing critical dependencies in specific sectors, in full compliance with the World Trade Organization rules.

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine 

Hand holding a sunflower.
Infographic – EU solidarity with Ukraine See full infographic

The leaders discussed Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. 

EU countries are committed to continuing their strong support for the people of Ukraine. 

During the summit, the EU: 

  • reiterated that, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has a special responsibility in upholding the UN Charter’s core principles
  • strongly encouraged China to engage on Ukraine’s peace formula
  • insisted that China should refrain from supplying lethal weapons to Russia
  • reiterated how important it is that China help to prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions

Middle East 

EU and Chinese leaders also discussed the tragic events unfolding in the Middle East. 

The EU condemned in the strongest terms the indiscriminate and brutal terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel.  

The EU reiterated Israel’s right to defend itself in line with international humanitarian law.   

The EU and China agreed that getting life-saving aid to the most vulnerable must be a top priority. 

Since the start of the war, the EU has quadrupled its humanitarian aid to over 100 million euro. 

As global players, we agreed that the European Union and China have a special responsibility to work for peace.

President Charles Michel

Both the EU and China support the revival of a political process based on the two-state solution.

Global challenges 

The infographic explains how the EU delivers on the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Infographic – Paris Agreement: the EU’s road to climate neutrality
See full infographic

EU and Chinese leaders discussed areas of shared interest such as climate change and health. 

The EU acknowledged recent progress on the expansion of renewable energy and China’s intention to tackle methane emissions. 

The EU encouraged China to:

The EU and China are cooperating to improve global health. This includes work on an international pandemic treaty. 

Human rights

The EU welcomed the resumption of the human rights dialogue. 

For the EU, human rights and fundamental freedoms are universal. They are non-negotiable.

President Charles Michel

During the summit, the EU nevertheless reiterated its deep concerns about the human rights situation in China, in particular about:

  • systemic human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet
  • forced labour
  • the treatment of human rights defenders and persons belonging to minorities

Asian region 

The EU reaffirmed its ‘one China’ policy and expressed its concerns about the growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and the East and South China Seas. 

In the EU, we are opposed to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.

President Charles Michel

See also:

Background

EU-China relationship

At the June European Council, EU leaders held a strategic discussion on the EU’s relations with China.

In their conclusions, they reaffirmed the EU’s multifaceted approach towards China, and the continued engagement with China:

  • to tackle global challenges such as climate change, pandemic preparedness and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine
  • to ensure a level playing field for a balanced economic and trade relationship

US vetoes resolution on Gaza which called for ‘immediate humanitarian ceasefire’

By
EuropeanTimes
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0
Screenshot from UN video

The United States on Friday once again vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

On Friday 8 December, for the second time, the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza, “as civilian casualties mount in Israel’s military campaign against Hamas”.

Thirteen of the fifteen members of the Security Council voted in favour of the resolution, with the United Kingdom abstaining. The draft resolution had been co-sponsored by 97 UN member states.

Robert Wood, the US deputy ambassador to the UN, said after the vote: “We do not support a resolution that calls for an unsustainable ceasefire that will simply sow the seeds of the next war”, he explained, also denouncing the “moral failure” represented by the absence in the text of any condemnation of the Hamas

UN Secretary-General António Guterres thanked ambassadors for their response to his invocation of Article 99 following his urgent letter – one of the most powerful tools at his disposal – saying he had written because “we are at breaking point” in the war between Israel and Hamas.

Article 99, contained in Chapter XV of the Charter: says that the UN chief “may bring to attention of the Security Council any matter which in his opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.”

It was the first time ever that Mr. Guterres had used the rarely invoked clause.

“Facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, I urge the Council to help avert a humanitarian catastrophe & appeal for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared,” Mr. Guterres wrote on X, formerly Twitter, after dispatching the letter.

He urging the body to help end carnage in the war-battered enclave through a lasting humanitarian ceasefire.

“I fear the consequences could be devastating for the security of the entire region”, he said, adding that the Occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, had already been drawn in to the conflict to varying degrees.

There is clearly, in my view, a serious risk of aggravating existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security”.

The Secretary-General also reiterated his “unreservedly condemnation” of Hamas’ brutal attacks on Israel on 7 October, stressing that he is “appalled” by the reports of sexual violence.

“There is no possible justification for deliberately killing some 1,200 people, including 33 children, injuring thousands more, and taking hundreds of hostages,” he said, adding “at the same time, the brutality perpetrated by Hamas can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”

“While indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas into Israel, and the use of civilians as human shields, are in contravention of the laws of war, such conduct does not absolve Israel of its own violations,” Mr. Guterres said.

“This is a sad day in the history of the Security Council”, but “we will not give up”, lamented the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour.

The Israeli ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, thanked the United States “for standing firmly by our side”.

Council and Parliament reach deal on proposal to revise energy performance of buildings directive

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officialinstitutions
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Council and Parliament reach deal on proposal to revise energy performance of buildings directive
Sean Pollock on Unsplash

The Council and the Parliament today reached provisional political agreement on a proposal to revise the energy performance of buildings directive.

The revised directive sets new and more ambitious energy performance requirements for new and renovated buildings in the EU and encourages member states to renovate their building stock.

Buildings are responsible for over one third of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. Thanks to this agreement, we will be able to boost buildings’ energy performance, cut emission and tackle energy poverty. This is one more big step closer to EU’s objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050. Today is a good day for citizens, our economy and our planet.Teresa Ribera, Spanish third vice-president of the government and minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge

Teresa Ribera, Spanish third vice-president of the government and
minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge

The main objectives of the revision are that by 2030 all new buildings should be zero-emission buildings, and that by 2050 existing building stock should be transformed into zero-emission buildings.

Solar energy in buildings

The two co-legislators have agreed on article 9a on solar energy in buildings which will ensure the deployment of suitable solar energy installations in new buildings, public buildings and existing non-residential ones which undergo a renovation action that requires a permit.  

Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS)

When it comes to minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) in non-residential buildings, the co-legislators agreed that in 2030 all non-residential buildings will be above the 16% worst performing and by 2033 above 26%.

Concerning the renovation target for residential buildings, member states will ensure that the residential building stock will reduce the average energy consumption by 16% in 2030 and a range between 20-22% in 2035. 55% of the energy reduction will have to be achieved through renovation of the worst performing buildings.

Phasing out fossil fuels in buildings

Finally, in relation to the plan to phase out fossil fuels boilers, both institutions agreed on including in the National Building Renovation Plans a roadmap with a view to phase out of fossil fuel boilers by 2040.

Next steps

The provisional agreement reached today with the European Parliament now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both institutions.

Background

The Commission submitted to the European Parliament and the Council a proposal for a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive on 15 December 2021. The Directive forms part of the ‘Fit for 55’ package, setting the vision for achieving a zero-emission building stock by 2050.

The proposal is particularly important because buildings account for 40% of energy consumed and 36% of energy-related direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions in the EU. It also constitutes one of the levers necessary for delivering on the Renovation Wave Strategy, published in October 2020, with specific regulatory, financing and enabling measures, with the objective of at least doubling the annual energy renovation rate of buildings by 2030 and fostering deep renovations.

The existing EPBD, last revised in 2018, lays down minimum requirements for the energy performance of new buildings and of existing buildings that are being renovated. It establishes a methodology for calculating the integrated energy performance of buildings and introduces an energy performance certification for buildings.

Human Rigths Day, Do not forget the thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped and deported by Russia

By
Willy Fautre
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photo credit: PEXELS

On UN Human Rights Day, 10 December, thousands of Ukrainian children kidnapped and deported by Russia, whose parents are desperately searching for a way to get them home should not be forgotten by the international community, said the Brussels-based NGO, Human Rights Without Frontiers, in a press release issued today.

On 6 December, President Zelensky announced in his daily address that 6 children deported to Russia from Ukraine’s Occupied Territories had been released with the mediation of Qatar.

All in all, less than 400 Ukrainian minors have been rescued in various separate and individually designed special operations, according to The platform “Children of War” created on behalf of the Office of the President of Ukraine by various official Ukrainian institutions.

The same platform has posted the pictures, names and dates of birth with the place of disappearance of 19,546 deported children and their number continues to grow.

Statistics: 20,000? 300,000? 700,000?

It is impossible to establish the exact number of deported children given the ongoing full-scale aggression, difficult access to the temporarily occupied territories, and the failure of the Russian side to provide reliable information on this matter.

Daria Herasymchuk, Adviser to the President of Ukraine on Children’s Rights and Children’s Rehabilitation, notes that the aggressor country, Russia, could have illegally deported up to 300,000 children from Ukraine during the war.

As of June 2023, the Interdepartmental Coordination Headquarters of the Russian Federation for Humanitarian Response indicated in its statement that since 24 February 2022, 307,423 children have been taken from Ukraine to the territory of Russia.

Russia’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova said that the number of such Ukrainian children is more than 700,000.

Russia cynically calls the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children an “evacuation,” but the UN panel of inquiry concluded that none of the cases it examined was justified on safety or health grounds, nor did they meet the requirements of international humanitarian law.”

Russian authorities are creating obstacles to prevent Ukrainian children from being reunited with their families.

In its report on the issue, the OSCE notes that  the Russian authorities began working on the “transfer” of Ukrainian children for adoption or care by Russian families since 2014, after the occupation of Crimea.

According to the Russian program “Train of Hope“, anyone from any part of the country could adopt Ukrainian children from Crimea, who were then granted Russian citizenship.

At the end of September 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the “accession” to the Russian Federation of the partially occupied regions of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk and the occupied region of Luhansk in Ukraine. After that, children from these newly occupied regions also began to be enrolled as citizens of the Russian Federation and forcefully adopted.

On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for the war crime of unlawful deportation of population and unlawful transfer of population from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation, in prejudice of Ukrainian children.

Recommendations

Human Rights Without Frontiers supports the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General, who urges

  • Russia to ensure that no changes are made to the personal status of Ukrainian children, including their citizenship;
  • all parties to continue to ensure that the best interests of all children are respected, including by facilitating family tracing and reunification of unaccompanied and/or separated children who find themselves outside borders or control lines without their families or guardians;
  • parties to the conflict to grant child protection authorities access to these children to facilitate family reunification;
  • his Special Representative on “Children and Armed Conflicts’, together with United Nations agencies and partners, to consider ways to facilitate such processes.

Human Rights Without Frontiers, Avenue d’Auderghem 61/, B – 1040 Brussels

 Website: https://hrwf.eu – Email: [email protected]

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