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UN chief underscores need for reconciliation 25 years after Srebrenica genocide

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In paying tribute to the thousands of mainly Muslim men and boys brutally murdered in the July 1995 massacre during the Balkan wars, António Guterres pledged that they will never be forgotten.

“A quarter century ago, the United Nations and the international community failed the people of Srebrenica. As former Secretary-General Kofi Annan said, this failure will ‘haunt our history forever’”, he stated.

“Confronting that past is a vital step towards rebuilding trust.”

Counter hate, mistrust and fear

Reconciliation, he said, must be underpinned by mutual empathy and understanding. It also means rejecting denial of genocide and war crimes, as well as efforts to glorify convicted war criminals.

The Secretary-General called on people in the region and beyond to counter hate speech, divisive rhetoric, and narratives of mistrust and fear.

“On this somber anniversary, we are reminded that peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina is still fragile”, he said.

“We cannot let up in working towards genuine reconciliation. We owe this to the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, the survivors, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to all humanity.”

Honour the victims

UN independent human rights experts have echoed the Secretary-General’s message.

They urged governments to honour the victims of the Srebrenica genocide by building peaceful, inclusive and just societies to prevent such atrocities from happening again.

“Genocides are not spontaneous. They are the culmination of unchallenged and unchecked intolerance, discrimination and violence. They are the result of sanctioned hatred, fostered in permissive environments where individuals first spread fear, then hatred for material or political gain, fracturing the pillars of trust and tolerance between communities and resulting in devastation for all”, the experts said in a statement.

The Srebrenica genocide anniversary is also an opportunity to remember other communities that have been subjected to mass atrocities based on their identity, and the experts called on the international community to take urgent action to “fend off the virus of hate and discrimination”, including online.

The 19 experts who signed the statement were appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor specific country situations or themes.

They are not UN staff members, nor are they paid by the Organization.

European Commission revives Special Envoy on freedom of religion or belief

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Newsdesk
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Summary

  • European Commission has renewed the mandate of the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU
  • Freedom of religion or belief under increasing threat around the world

By ADF International

BRUSSELS (9 July 2020) – The European Commission has announced that it will reappoint the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. Following weeks of mixed communications on the topic, Vice-President Margaritis Schinas has now confirmed the position on Twitter. 

“We are encouraged by the reappointment of the Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. The current health crisis allows limitations on freedom of religion or belief to increase worldwide. The EU has done the right thing in showing renewed commitment to this fundamental human right. We urge the European Commission to strengthen the position of the Special Envoy and build on the important work already achieved. For the mandate to be most effective it should be multi-annual and with a possibility of renewal. With the support of permanent staff and sufficient resources, the Special Envoy should act as a guardian of the EU Guidelines on the promotion of freedom of religion or belief. The victims on the ground are in dire need for a decisive response from the EU. With its Special Envoy, the EU can lead in the international response, and that leadership is needed now more than ever,” said Adina Portaru, Legal Counsel for ADF International in Brussels. 

Role of the Special Envoy 

The Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU was introduced in 2016 in order to protect freedom of religion or belief on behalf of the EU worldwide. Part of the mandate included visits to countries with some of the most violent religious persecution in the world in order to help facilitate dialogue and response plans. The Special Envoy played a decisive role in helping Asia Bibi safely leave Pakistan after she was acquitted of blasphemy charges. There has been robust support for the continuation of the mandate, voiced by the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Religious Tolerance, national special envoys, scholars, and civil society. 

EPP Group says there should be No EU money for countries breaching rule of law

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Juan Sanchez Gil
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EPP Group’s Tomáš Zdechovský MEP and Petri Sarvamaa MEP said that “Every Member State that wants to receive EU money must stick to the basic principles of democracy and the rule of law. There must be conditionality. The EU is not a cash machine for countries that disregard fundamental rules”.

The European Parliament will debate a draft law this afternoon which would cut EU funding for countries which threaten the EU’s financial interests by violating the rule of law. Funding, says the press release from the EPP, would be linked, amongst others, to the independence of national courts, the fight against corruption or the fairness of public procurement procedures. The law was proposed in May 2018, approved by Parliament in 2019 and has been blocked by EU Member States ever since.

As per their statements, the EPP Group sees this law as an essential part of the next long-term EU budget. “We were ready to start negotiations last year, but we never heard back from the Council. Instead, we read in the news that Council President Charles Michel plans to water down the plans. I say to the Member States: do not expect the Parliament to rubber stamp a fait accompli. Start the talks with us. Europeans all over the continent are waiting for us to act.” said Sarvamaa, who is negotiating the law on behalf of the Parliament.

“Living up to EU values is a strict condition for all countries when accessing the EU. This condition must also be applied to the later use of EU funds in Member States. If governments decide to disregard this condition by fiddling, for example, with the independence of media or judges, they must stop receiving EU funds”, said Zdechovský, who is the EPP Group’s Spokesman in Parliament’s Budgetary Control Committee

PES ministers for gender equality reaffirm women’s rights for a feminist and equal Europe

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Juan Sanchez Gil
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PES media room reports:

EU leaders must show a clear commitment to women’s rights and gender equality by creating a forum for intergovernmental exchange at the EU-level, progressive gender equality ministers agreed today.

The meeting focused on the importance of creating a truly gender mainstreamed EU recovery strategy, with the necessary funding and institutional structures to stop the backlash against gender equality and ease the burden on women in the wake of COVID-19.

PES Ministers from Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Malta and Luxembourg declared in the adopted text:

“This is the moment to put gender equality and women’s rights at the heart of the EU’s recovery strategy and to deliver bold and ambitious policies. The work of the European institutions is crucial in this process. While the European Parliament and the European Commission have enshrined gender equality as a key portfolio and priority, the EU still does not have a formal Council configuration for gender equality. We, the PES Ministers for gender equality and women’s rights, have the political will. We are asking the EU leaders to take their responsibility.”

The ministers, state secretaries, Commissioner for Equality Helena Dalli and other representatives of the progressive family convened at the invitation of PES Women President Zita Gurmai to mark the start of the German Council Presidency on 1 July.

In addition to the declaration, the participants discussed concrete initiatives to deliver on the EU Gender Equality Strategy and promote a feminist economy for Europe, including the upcoming Commission proposal for a pay transparency directive and the ‘Women on Boards’ directive.

PES Women President Zita Gurmai said:

“To combat threats to the rights of women and girls and to advance gender equality, we need strong leadership from national governments. The creation of a Council configuration for gender equality would show that the EU is taking gender equality seriously and is willing to put women’s rights at the heart of its recovery strategy. The COVID-19 crisis has shown the importance of prioritising women’s issues and mainstreaming gender equality in all EU policies, and a Council configuration is crucial for this. 

“The next few months will be vital for gender equality in Europe. I am looking forward to seeing a strong commitment to advancing gender equality during the German Council Presidency and ambitious initiatives spearheaded by Commissioner Dalli. Moreover, PES Women calls on all EU leaders to ensure a gender mainstreamed EU budget and recovery fund as soon as possible.”

At last month’s PES Presidency meeting, PES Women Vice-President Marja Bijl briefed the Presidency members on PES Women’s call for the creation of a formal Council configuration for gender equality.

The meeting was attended by:

  • Mariana Vieira da Silva, Minister of State for the Presidency (Portugal)
  • Rosianne Cutajar, Junior Minister for Equality and Reforms (Malta)
  • Juliane Seifert, State Secretary Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (Germany)
  • Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality (Malta)
  • Heléne Fritzon MEP, S&D Group Vice-President, responsible for Equality (Sweden)
  • Zita Gurmai, PES Women President (Hungary)
  • Marja Bijl, PES Women Vice-President (Netherlands)

Centre-right wins in Croatian parliamentary elections

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Newsdesk
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On Sunday 5 July, ALDE reports on its newsletter, Croatians headed to polls in the country’s snap parliamentary elections, with five ALDE member parties running: Croatian’s People Party (HNS), Istrian Democratic Assembly (IDS), Croatian Social Liberal Party (HSLS), Civic-Liberal Alliance (GLAS) and Pametno (P).

The governing centre-right party Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) ran together with ALDE member HSLS, reaching a total of 66 seats out of 151 seats. One of these seats will belong to HSLS. While this is the biggest win for HDZ since 1990s, the party still needs a coalition partner to reach majority.

The biggest opposition force, the Restart Coalition led by the Social Democrats (SDP) got a total of 41 seats. Supporting this coalition, three of these seats will go to ALDE member IDS and one to GLAS. The new populist right-wing party led by Miroslav Škoro came third, totalling up to 16 seats.

ALDE members Pametno and HNS will also hold one seat each. This means that liberals will be represented in the new parliament by all ALDE member parties.

The voter turnout of 46.90% is the lowest turnout ever in the Croatian parliamentary history. Possible reason to this include the COVID-19 outbreak as well as the timing of the elections – for the first time, the country held elections at the beginning of summer.

UN EU Delegation shares opinion of expert Danius Puras at 44th Session of the HRC

By
Robert Johnson
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UN EU Delegation shares opinion of expert Danius Puras at 44th Session of the HRC

Danius Puras – HRC 44 – Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health

Madam President,

The European Union would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his report on “the elements that are needed to set a rights-based global agenda for advancing the right to mental health”. This being your last dialogue with the Council in your current capacity, the EU would like to thank you for your very valuable contributions to the promotion and protection of the right to health and, in particular, for the much needed attention you dedicated to the right to mental health.

The EU agrees that it is essential to adopt and implement a human rights-based approach to mental health. As you rightly point out, there is a need to move towards more humane, compassionate and indeed rights-based support for those experiencing serious psychosocial distress.

At the centre of such an approach are the dignity, autonomy, will and preferences of those persons accessing and using mental health services, as well as core values such as social inclusion, participation, equality and non-discrimination.

In your report you mention the impact on mental health of global challenges such as climate change, the use of digital surveillance technologies and social credit systems, and health crises such as the one related to COVID-19 which the world is currently experiencing.

The EU shares your opinion that solidarity, collective activism and shared commitments help to set up adequate responses to these challenges and that states should take all measures to ensure that the civic space needed for these collective voices to be heard is protected.

Mr. Special Rapporteur,

Could you further elaborate on how best to integrate public health evidence, lived experience and rights-based research to guide decision-making on global and national public policy strategies?

Thank you.

https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-geneva/82012/hrc-44-interactive-dialogue-special-rapporteur-right-everyone-enjoyment-highest-attainable_en

Derecho y Religion launches its latest scientific magazine

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Juan Sanchez Gil
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40th anniversary of the Organic Law on Religious Freedom

Delta Publicaciones, a well-known publishing house, has just launched in Spanish their latest “Law and Religion” magazine, the number XV, commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Spanish Religious Freedom Law.

DYR15 portada 1 Derecho y Religion launches its latest scientific magazine

The magazine, which contains articles by the top full professors of Religious Freedom has been coordinated by Prof. Miguel Rodríguez Blanco and Prof. Marcos González Sánchez, both awardees of the Spanish granted “Religious Freedom Awards” on 2018 and 2019 respectively. The Organic Law 7/1980 of July 5, 1980 on Religious Freedom has reached forty years of validity. This law has contributed to the recognition of the right to religious freedom by all citizens and the absence of serious conflicts or confrontations in this area.

The LOLR was a key element in the transition and consolidation of a democratic state in Spain. It introduced into our legal system a series of novelties that constitute the content in this field of the Constitution in force today: it guarantees and develops equally the rights of all denominations, within the framework of the recognition of the religious freedom of all citizens, of the non-denominational nature of the State, and of the cooperation of the public authorities with religious denominations. 40 years after the entry into force of the LOLR, it is appropriate to analyze its positive and negative aspects.

The analysis and defense of the LOLR is the best tribute we can make in this 40th anniversary of its approval. We thank the professors of the Ecclesiastical Law of the State who with their better availability and dedication have wanted to collaborate to its realization. The result is a very complete volume, which refers to almost all the questions raised by the articles of the LOLR.

Introduction by Prof. Rodríguez Blanco & Prof. González Sánchez

It was clear to the democratic people of Spain 40 years ago that they wanted to live together in peace and that is why the current Spanish Constitution of 1978 sealed “religious peace”. The new constitutional framework demanded a rapid change in the regulation of religious freedom established by the Franco regime, hence the change from a law that established a system of mere religious tolerance – Law 44/1967 of 28 June on Religious Freedom – to the current Organic Law 7/1980 of 5 July on Religious Freedom [LOLR], which has helped to make the religious transition in Spain. It is one of the first laws to be enacted in development of a fundamental right and was approved with great consensus. It consists of eight articles, two transitional provisions, one derogatory and one final. It is a very valid and effective text for the purposes of achieving the proposed goal, a reference for other European and American laws, and which continues to be as useful as it was four decades ago.

The LOLR provides a good service to coexistence, in accordance with the principle of the secularity of the State, by helping to guarantee the effective exercise of the right to religious freedom. This fundamental right is equally held by all individuals and all religious denominations. In general terms, the content of the Law can be summarized as follows: guarantees religious freedom and points out the reporting principles on the regulation of the religious social factor; sets the content of religious freedom and establishes the limits to its exercise and the aspects that fall outside its scope of protection; regulates the judicial protection of recognized rights; creates the Register of Religious Entities – a register that shows that religious entities are a phenomenon distinct from associations and constitutes their main meeting point; recognizes full autonomy for denominations and the capacity for them to establish their own rules of organization, internal rules and staff rules; the possibility for denominations to have access to the signing of cooperation agreements with the State – which create a special legal framework, a specific framework of rights adapted to their own characteristics – and creates the Advisory Commission on Religious Freedom.

The defence and guarantee of religious diversity only goes through the defence and guarantee of religious freedom. Diversity helps progress and societies without diversity are further behind. The LOLR offers solutions to such pressing problems as the very ordering of society, strengthens and develops the religious beliefs of individuals and denominations and, in short, prevents intransigent policies that have characterized authoritarian and anti-democratic regimes throughout history and that today are far from the scope of our freedoms. Freedom requires laws and the LOLR fulfils its objective.

The monographic XV of the Law and Religion Magazine is dedicated to the LOLR when turning 40 years of validity. When a norm lasts so long it is a sign that it is good and has overcome oblivion. In any case, given the time that has passed we consider that it is the opportune moment to make an evaluation of its application and to analyze those questions that possibly require a development, modification or incorporation to the text of the Law. For years there has been talk of its possible reform and it is clear that, like any legal text, it can be modified. However, if the change is not to make it better, it is preferable that it remains as it is. Perhaps, as most representatives of religious denominations claim, what should be done is to comply with its content and apply it fully. In any case, any reform or replacement of the LOLR should be very consensual as it is a norm that develops a particularly sensitive fundamental right in every society.

The analysis and defense of the LOLR is the best tribute we can make in this fortieth anniversary of its approval. We are grateful to the professors of Ecclesiastical Law of the State that with their better availability and dedication have wanted to collaborate to its realization. The result is a very complete volume, which refers to almost all the questions raised by the articles of the LOLR. Likewise, we would like to point out that the Department of Private Law of the University of the Balearic Islands has collaborated in this publication and has been financed by the Research Project “40th Anniversary of the Organic Law of Religious Freedom. Critical analysis” (L3-2019) of the Foundation Pluralism and Coexistence of the Ministry of the Presidency, Relations with the Courts and Democratic Memory. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Learning to drive an F1 car with Supercar Blondie

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News desk
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EURONEWS – With over 20 million followers, Alex Hirschi, better known as Supercar Blondie, is an online sensation and one of the most successful car influencers in the world.

“I have used the opportunity of living in Dubai to create an account like this,” Hirschi says. “It’s amazing to live in a city where supercars are seen on a daily basis. I realised that if I loved seeing them, then there must be people elsewhere who’d love to see them as well, so I started documenting it.”

Despite her experience with some of the top supercars in the world, one thing was missing from Supercar Blondie’s bucket list: driving an F1 car.

Until now.

The price tag to buy one of these incredible machines is several million euros, out of reach for the majority of people. But a few places around the world now offer the opportunity for members of the public to get the F1 experience. Hirschi joined Euronews’s Evan Bourke at one of them: The Dubai Autodrome, where all you need is a driver’s license, a spare €5000, and nerves of steel.

Learning to drive an F1 race car

Every part of an F1 car has been designed and engineered for optimum performance. It is ultra-light, weighing just over 500kg, and powered by a high-octane engine that has over 500Hp and can propel the driver from 0-200km/h in just 4.5 seconds. So understandably, before you are allowed to drive one, there’s some training involved.

The first step is for Hirschi to do a lap of the track at a snail’s pace to check out each and every bend and straight. An instructor drives her in an Abarth sports car, showing the best racing lines, and where to jump on the brakes.

On the second lap, she upgrades from the air-conditioned sports car and heads into the desert heat in a machine that lives up to its name: the Radical. The Radical has a 2 seater cockpit and an impressive 226bhp. And this time, Supercar Blondie is behind the wheel.

From the passenger seat, the instructor pushes Hirschi to her limits. Once he’s confident she knows what she’s doing, it’s back to the pit to prepare to go solo.

“I don’t know what you’ve roped me into here,” says Hirschi as a team of assistants strap her down into the tight space, “this is insane.”

The instructor shows the button to get the car into first gear. Novice drivers often stall the F1 car as all the previous advice goes out the window with the mounting excitement.

The engine starts. The commotion of the pit team is overpowered by the roar of the V10 mammoth. All systems get the green light.

Exiting the pit lane Supercar Blondie’s head is pinned against the seat from the force of the acceleration. Within moments she enters the first corner, braking at a rate so quick that she floats out of the seat, only held in by the 5 point harness.

Pulling into the pitlane after her second lap Hirschi says: “I have just never experienced anything quite like that. I will be running on adrenaline for a week!”

F1 fans around the world will know that restrictions and regulations on the cars are becoming ever more stringent, year on year. As a result, the F1 cars competing for a podium finish today are dramatically different from the V10 Hirschi is driving, which dates from 2000.

Many of today’s top drivers have asked for the return of famously loud V10 engines which were dominating the tracks 10 years ago.

PES tourism ministers’ declaration: a way forward to relaunch European tourism

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Newsdesk
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Tourism ministers from Spain, Italy, Malta and Portugal today signed a joint declaration calling for a coordinated relaunch of European tourism which boosts the industry and guarantees the health and safety of tourists and local populations.

The ministers resolved to safeguard the future of European tourism, calling for the new recovery instrument – Next Generation EU – to support the sector and the communities and regions affected by this crisis.

After adopting the declaration, Maria Reyes Maroto Illera, Spain’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism and Chair of the PES Tourism Ministerial Network, said:

“The COVID-19 pandemic is continuing to have serious social-economic consequences for the tourism sector. It is time to ensure that this industry, its businesses and its workers receive the support needed for the safe and sustainable recovery of European tourism. This is particularly true for the countries, islands and other peripheral areas, whose economic survival often depends on tourism revenues.

“With the opening of borders and the start of the summer holidays period, we must ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to safely travel and enjoy their well-deserved summer break. In this endeavour, we need a coordinated approach with common European rules guaranteeing the safety of both workers and tourists. This how we will succeed in regaining public trust in the tourism sector to deliver quality and safe services.”

The declaration backs a non-discriminatory approach to reopening borders based on a common European process, rather than bilateral agreements. This is now especially pertinent considering the opening of borders for third-country nationals.

For citizens, the declaration backs harmonised safety rules at European level to regain public trust in quality and safe tourism. It calls for strong consumer protection and the move towards a more uniform scheme across Europe. A large communication and promotion campaign aimed at increasing the visibility of Europe as a tourist destination is also needed.

For tourism workers, the ministers strongly back the Commission’s Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE), spearheaded by Commissioners Paolo Gentiloni and Nicolas Schmit, and call for it to be implemented as soon as possible. Training must be offered to workers who either lost their job or cannot find seasonal work because of the crisis.

Representatives from the PES signed the declaration after meeting by videoconference earlier this month to discuss tourism and the COVID-19 crisis.

Tourism plays a central role in European societies. It is a driver for citizens’ wellbeing, contributing to social cohesion, employment and economic growth. Tourism accounts for more than 10% of the EU’s GDP and provides 12% of its jobs. It is one of Europe’s strongest ambassadors, promoting European culture and identity at home and abroad.

The declaration has been signed by:

  • Maria Reyes Maroto Illera, Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Spain and Chair of the PES Tourism Ministerial Network
  • Dario Franceschini, Minister for Cultural Assets and Activities and Tourism, Italy
  • Julia Farrugia Portelli, Minister for Tourism & Consumer Protection, Malta
  • Rita Marques, Secretary of State for Tourism, Portugal

‘Transfats’ from processed foods may increase ovarian cancer risk

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Newsdesk
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2 July 2020 Health

A likely link between processed and fried foods containing so-called “transfats” and ovarian cancer has been identified by UN scientists, they said on Thursday on a press release, of which The Social News in EU is informing.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) issued the announcement at the end of a study of nearly 1,500 patients suffering from the disease, which is the eighth most common cause of cancer death in women.

Previous, smaller studies have suggested a link between these industrially manufactured fatty foods and ovarian cancer, but the evidence has been “inconclusive” until now, said IARC’s Dr Inge Huybrechts.

“This is the first Europe-wide prospective study showing a relationship between intake of industrial trans fatty acids and development of ovarian cancer,” added the scientist from IARC, which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Obesity and inflammation

Although there is limited research into the effect of transfatty acids on cancer development, previous studies have suggested that industrial trans fatty acids affect obesity and inflammation.

These are “known risk factors” for ovarian cancer according to IARC scientist and study co-author Dr Véronique Chajès.

This could explain, “at least partly, the positive association between these fatty acids and ovarian cancer”, she added.

There were nearly 300,000 new cases of ovarian cancer in 2018 and more than 184,000 deaths worldwide.

It is eighth most common cancer type and the eighth most common cause of cancer death in women.

Prevention strategies

Because the incidence of ovarian cancer is rising worldwide, prevention strategies are urgently needed; however, few preventable factors have been identified.

“These new findings are in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation to eliminate industrial trans fatty acids from foods”, said Dr Marc Gunter, head of the Section of Nutrition and Metabolism at IARC.

“This study provides new evidence that reduction in the consumption of industrially processed foods, including fast food, could help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and many other chronic diseases, including other cancer types, that are related to higher consumption of industrial trans fatty acids.”

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