FRA’s report ‘Migration: Fundamental rights issues at land borders’ first describes the applicable EU law governing border controls. It then clarifies how EU countries’ duty to protect their borders can affect fundamental rights.
It reviews different aspects of border management, such as border surveillance, preventing irregular border crossings, and checks at border crossing points. It also illustrates the impact. This ranges from people dying at borders to allegations of pushbacks or the use of excessive force.
To ensure full respect for fundamental rights at the EU external borders, FRA suggests:
enhancing the fundamental rights component of existing oversight mechanisms, such as the Schengen evaluation and monitoring mechanism;
supporting border guards in their daily work through practical guidance, tools and training;
fully embracing a victim-focused approach, and mainstreaming child and gender aspects, when combating organised crime at external land borders;
increasing the transparency and effectiveness of investigations into pushbacks and ill-treatment allegations at external land borders;
establishing independent and effective fundamental rights monitoring mechanisms at borders.
Schooling in the time of COVID-19: Opening statement at high-level meeting on keeping schools open and protecting all children amid surging COVID-19 cases
Opening statement by Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, the Regional Director of WHO Europe, at the 2nd high-level meeting jointly organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Ministry of Health, Italy
8 December 2020
Minister Speranza,
Malika, Frida, Emilia [youth advisers to the technical advisory group],
Member States, partners, colleagues,
Since we last met in August, much has changed. In the new school year, after having experienced total lockdowns in the early phase of this crisis, we saw children returning to reopened schools – a courageous and positive achievement. Our understanding of the virus also became more sophisticated and we were beginning to prepare for what we knew would be a complicated autumn and winter.
Today, Europe is again the epicentre of the pandemic. But while we are grappling with a surge in cases, we now say with certainty that closing schools should be a measure of last resort.
School closures and interventions, such as distance learning, may have a negative effect on children’s long-term educational outcomes. Children living with disabilities are further disadvantaged by school closures and inadequate distance-learning measures to meet their needs. We owe it to the next generation, particularly those in vulnerable settings, to do everything we can to reduce vulnerabilities and to keep their in-person learning alive.
The evidence is growing that targeting transmission in our communities will address the risk of transmission in schools. If proper and consistent measures are in place, schools do not pose a greater risk of infection for children and teachers and other staff than any other public place.
The technical advisory group has provided us with some important recommendations which we will continue to use to inform our advocacy and response.
While children are not the drivers of this pandemic, they risk being among its biggest victims. Though children are largely spared from the direct health effects of COVID-19, the measures put in place to control the pandemic are having a profound effect on their health and well-being.
Effective policy considerations for the coming school year will focus on the goal of having children and adolescents physically present in school. The purpose of this meeting is to agree on measures to safely do so without doing additional harm to children.
Public health approaches need to balance all effects of the measures. We must monitor our actions carefully and adapt our actions as more evidence becomes available so that we do not do more harm than good.
Central to all these efforts should be a focus on children living in vulnerable situations. They continue to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic and by subsequent school closures. I hope today we focus efforts to minimize the impact on their long-term health outcomes and to determine sound, sustainable strategies to address the digital divide and other specific challenges they face in learning.
This forum is important for the WHO European Region as we continue to navigate the way through this crisis. I would like to acknowledge Minister Speranza for spearheading this initiative, and the members of the technical advisory group for providing the evidence base for this important issue. I would particularly like to thank our youth advisers for their vital contribution and commitment to safe schooling for children across our Region.
We have an important opportunity now to build a coalition across our Member States to inform or actions and move forward together to implement the best possible measures for all, particularly our children and young people. Let us not fail the next generation.
<div id="attachment_654951" class="wp-caption alignnone" readability="32"> <p id="caption-attachment-654951" class="wp-caption-text">Mohammed educates U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on religious freedom in Nigeria</p>
By Rotimi Ijikanmi
The Nigerian Government has faulted US inclusion of Nigeria in a Religion Freedom blacklist, offering some education to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
In a statement on Tuesday, the government debunked the allegation by the United States of engaging in systematic and egregious religious freedom violations.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said Nigeria does not have a policy of religious persecution.
The minister described the allegation as a case of honest disagreement between the two nations on the causes of violence in Nigeria.
“Nigeria does not engage in religious freedom violation, neither does it have a policy of religious persecution.
“Victims of insecurity and terrorism in the country are adherents of Christianity, Islam and other religions,’’ he said.
Mohammed said Nigeria jealously protects religious freedom as enshrined in the country’s constitution and takes seriously any infringements in this regard.
The U.S., reportedly on Monday placed Nigeria on a religious freedom blacklist.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated Nigeria as “Country of Particular Concern’’ for religious freedom, alongside nations that include China, Iran, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.
Pompeo, however, did not elaborate on the reasons for including Nigeria on the list.
Tobacco kills up to half of its users, claiming more than 8 million lives each year. Over 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke, according to WHO.
Smoking is also a known risk factor for many respiratory illnesses, and smokers are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease and diabetes – making them particularly vulnerable to severe COVID-19.
“If users need more motivation to kick the habit, the pandemic provides the right incentive”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
WHO Video | Meet Florence – she can help you quit tobacco!
WHO’s “Commit to Quit” campaign will advocate for stronger national policies, increasing access to cessation services, raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics, and empowering tobacco users to make successful attempts through “quit and win” initiatives, WHO said.
For instance, Florence, an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven 24/7 digital health worker, will tirelessly provide accurate information, help people make a quitting plan, and recommending help-lines and support apps.
According to WHO, around 780 million people globally say they want to kick tobacco to the curb, but many lack the tools needed to do so. Their efforts are further complicated by the social and economic stresses that have come as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Millions of people worldwide want to quit tobacco – we must seize this opportunity and invest in services to help them be successful, while we urge everyone to divest from the tobacco industry and their interests”, said Ruediger Krech, WHO Director of Health Promotion.
The agency also called on governments to ensure their populations have access to advice, toll-free quit lines, mobile and digital cessation services, nicotine replacement therapies, and other tools that are proven to help people stop using tobacco.
European Commission Statement Brussels, 08 Dec 2020 The co-chairs of the EU-UK Joint Committee – European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič and the UK Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancast…
Farming Simulator developer Giants Software has today released free DLC with support from the European Union.
Funded by EIT Food, Europe‘s leading food innovation initiative, the DLC includes new gameplay elements for more eco-friendly farming. It is also part of the Precision Farming Project designed to spread awareness of modern agriculture.
Initiated by agricultural machine manufacturer John Deere, the Precision Farming Project is set to take place over two years with collaboration from the European Union, the University of Hohenheim in Germany, and the University of Reading in England.
Modern precision farming technologies are introduced in Farming Simulator as one of EITs multiple efforts to raise awareness for sustainable farming, and address the assumption that it’s only possible for small farms to produce quality organic crops.
The Precision Farming DLC is backed by the EU
“I’m impressed by the great and very effective co-operation with Giants Software and our partners,” said Dr. Thomas Engel, technology innovation strategy manager at John Deere.
“The first version of the DLC already offers more than I expected. Features like soil sampling and variable fertilizing offer a great introduction into the world of Precision Farming. I’m convinced that we’re able to massively strengthen the knowledge about modern agriculture within the gaming community.”
Continuing Giants’ penchant for realism and accuracy, the new DLC will allow players to identify four different soil types, working with the individual requirements to optimise yield.
This will involve the player responding to pH and nitrogen levels in the soil in order to save resources like seeds, fertilizer, fuel, maintenance costs and more. In turn saving money while running a more environmentally friendly operation.
The DLC also includes real soil sampling machinery such as the John Deere Gator and fully automated Isaria Scout.
However, there is much more to precision farming than just soil, and this new DLC will be the first step in developing more free content for Farming Simulator.
While the exact course is yet to be determined, the project will continue to develop more gameplay features which build a connection between modern society and agriculture. This will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Hohenheim, University of Reading, and player feedback.
“We’re excited to elevate the aspect of realism in Farming Simulator with the expertise of our partner John Deere while contributing to the solution of an agricultural challenge,” said Giants CEO Christian Ammann. “We hope the new gameplay features will please our fans while spreading awareness of modern agricultural technology.”
… ’s expectations regarding organic and inorganic growth … Europe; (vii) changes in consumer preferences, such as meat … Kingdom and the European Union associated with … EUROPE
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: RETAIL RESTAURANT/;BAR FOOD/BEVERAGE
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in France can now finance their growth and business development plans and digital transformation via loans with more flexible terms, as the result of a new agreement with the European Investment Fund (EIF) and Bpifrance, the French Public Investment Bank.
The loan guarantees are provided by the Digitalisation initiative under the Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (COSME) programme, launched by the European Commission to improve access to finance for SMEs.
Thanks to COSME support under the COSME Digitalisation Pilot, Bpifrance would launch a new guarantee product (France Num Loan Guarantee) dedicated to supporting the digital transformation of French SMEs, with a strong focus on very small enterprises (maximum loan amount of €50,000) and a guarantee rate of 80%. The guarantee provided by Bpifrance will support access to finance without the obligation on the SME to provide any additional hard collateral.
EIF’s participation in this transaction was made possible by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe of the European Commission.
Alain Godard, EIF Chief Executive, said: “This partnership will help small businesses finance development and growth plans, whilst bringing digital solutions to their businesses. The agreement between the EIF and Bpifrance, guaranteed by the European Commission, brings €715 million in more affordable financing to French companies and unlocks new opportunities for businesses to increase their digital footprint. We are particularly pleased to be able to do our part in helping French businesses as they seek to recover from the covid-19 crisis and transition to a more digital economy.”
Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market added: ‘’Europe’s SMEs need our support to master the digital transformation and fully integrate into the European as well as global value chains. This is at the heart of the EU SME strategy. I welcome the France Num initiative which will empower French SMEs in digital transition, thanks to the reinforcement by the COSME programme and in the future, to the European Recovery and Resilience Facility and InvestEU. ”
Nicolas Dufourcq, Chief Executive of Bpifrance said: “The digitization of small French businesses is particularly crucial to adapt to the conditions created by the Covid-19 crisis and to rebound. We are therefore pleased to set up the France Num Guarantee, alongside the EIF, The European Commission and the French State. This new product, deployed by our banking partners, will help SME’s to accelerate their transformation by providing immediate financing to strengthen their online presence, digitalize relations with its partners, even improve teleworking…”
Thomas Courbe, Director for Enterprises said: “With the new France Num guarantee, banks will be able to offer SMEs support they need to become more digital. Too many companies relinquish plans to become these days due to financial reasons. Removing this constraint, the France Num guarantee will contribute to a the emergency plan for the digitalisation of businesses launched on 10th November, to accelerate these projects which need to come to fruition”.
The COSME Digitalisation Pilot supports the digitalisation of SMEs in Europe by guaranteeing 70% of eligible loans provided by banks. Operated by Bpifrance in France, it is available to all French banks.
Background information:
The European Investment Fund (EIF) is part of the European Investment Bank group. Its central mission is to support Europe’s micro, small and medium-sized businesses by helping them to access finance. EIF designs and develops both venture and growth capital, guarantees and microfinance instruments which specifically target this market segment. In this role, EIF fosters EU objectives in support of innovation, research and development, entrepreneurship, growth and employment.
Bpifrance is the French national investment bank: it finances businesses – at every stage of their development – through loans, guarantees, equity investments and export insurances. Bpifrance also provides extra financial services (training, consultancy) to help entrepreneurs meet their challenges (innovation, export…). For more information, please visit: www.bpifrance.fr and presse.bpifrance.fr – Follow us on Twitter: @Bpifrance – @BpifrancePresse.
The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) is the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe. It provides first-loss guarantees enabling the EIB to invest in more and often riskier projects. The projects and agreements approved for financing under the EFSI are expected to mobilise EUR 535.4 billion in investment, supporting over 1.4 million start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises across the European Union.
COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) running from 2014 to 2020 with a total budget of €2.3 billion. At least 60% of the programme is devoted to improving access to finance for SMEs in Europe, with two financial instruments. The COSME Loan Guarantee Facility supports guarantees and counter-guarantees to financial institutions to help them provide more loans and lease finance to SMEs. COSME Equity Facility for Growth helps provide risk capital to SMEs mainly in the expansion and growth stages. Businesses can contact selected financial institutions in their country to access EU financing: https://www.access2finance.eu/.
France Num is the French Government’s initiative supporting the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It is coordinated by the Directorate General for Enterprise. With nearly 60 partners and more than 2,000 digital transformation experts throughout France (known as “activators”), France Num works to encourage an increased adoption and use of digital technology by all 1.6 million small businesses managers in France who need it, in order to enhance and develop priorities such as customer relationship, business development, promotion of products and services, cost-cutting strategies, etc. By highlighting best business practices, useful resources and digital maturity tests, France Num demonstrates the benefits of technology for the development of the French economy.
