A comprehensive solution to the Syrian conflict remains elusive, the UN Special Envoy for the country said on Wednesday, calling for “concrete moves” and confidence-building measures to break the impasse.
Confidence building critical to break Syria political deadlock
Karabakh: Azerbaijan must ‘guarantee the rights of ethnic Armenians’
“Azerbaijan must also promptly and independently investigate alleged or suspected violations of the right to life reported in the context of its latest military offensive…during which dozens of people, including peacekeepers, were killed,” said, Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN Human Rights Council-appointed Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
Thousands have moved into Armenia from the Karabakh Economic Region of Azerbaijan in the span of just a few days, including many elderly, women and children.
UN chief António Guterres said on Tuesday he was “very concerned” about the displacement.
“It’s essential that the rights of the displaced populations be protected and that they receive the humanitarian support they are owed,” Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at UN Headquarters.
Long-running conflict
Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region has persisted for more than three decades, but a ceasefire and subsequent Trilateral Statement was agreed almost three years ago following six weeks of fighting, by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia, leading to the deployment of several thousand Russian peacekeepers.
Amid last week’s flare-up in fighting and the arrival of the first refugees in Armenia, the UN chief called for fully-fledged access for aid workers to people in need.
International standards must apply
Mr. Tidball-Binz said that “investigations must be conducted in accordance with international standards, in particular the Revised UN Manual on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, also known as the Minnesota Protocol”.
This requires that investigations be carried out promptly and be thorough, complete, independent, impartial and transparent.”
“I reaffirm my readiness to provide technical assistance to the authorities for ensuring compliance with their international humanitarian law and human rights obligations to properly investigate every potentially unlawful death in line with applicable standards of forensic best practice,” the Special Rapporteur said.
Special Rapporteurs and other UN experts are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organisation. They serve in their individual capacity and receive no salary for their work.
Taking questions from reporters in New York, the UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the UN has been in communication with the Government of Azerbaijan on issues relating to international law and humanitarian principles, noting that the Government has given public assurances that all citizens in the region would be protected.
Alarming images
He also flagged a statement issued on Wednesday by Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide.
“She reiterated her strong concern over the ongoing situation in the South Caucasus region…She said the images of people leaving due to fear of identity-based violence are very alarming”.
Ms. Nderitu called for “all efforts to be made” to ensure the protection and human rights of the ethnic Armenian population who remain in the area and for those who have left.
Emergency shelter, ‘critical’
In a press briefing in Geneva earlier in the day, the World Health Organization’s head of Health Emergencies, noted that possibly up to a third of the population of the Karabakh region has moved “in a very, very short time.”
They don’t have their normal meds with them. They haven’t eaten, they are thirsty. There is a risk of dehydration, there’s a risk to disease and other psychological traumas which go along with that. I think right now, given the cold temperatures at night emergency shelter is absolutely crucial.”
Pakistan floods a ‘litmus test’ for climate justice says Guterres
Top UN officials pledged support for Pakistan on Wednesday as it continues the painstaking process of rebuilding in the wake of last year’s devastating floods.
US urged to end detention of Venezuelan Special Envoy
They called for his immediate release and for the US “to comply with its obligations under international law…and drop all charges against him.”
Allegations
Mr. Saab was appointed as a Special Envoy by the Government in Caracas in April 2018 to undertake official missions in Iran to secure humanitarian deliveries, including of food and medicine, a press release issued by the UN human rights office detailed.
The US alleges the envoy was behind a corruption network involving a Government-subsidized food programme called CLAP that was in effect, stealing from the Venezuelan people, while also using food as a form of social control, according to the US Treasury.
In July of the same year, Mr. Saab was placed under US sanctions for allegedly being responsible for inter alia engaging in transactions or programmes administered by the Venezuelan Government.
On 12 June 2020, during his third trip to Iran, while in transit through Cabo Verde, he was arrested and detained by local authorities. Following an extradition request by the US, he was ultimately extradited in October 2021.
Problematic arrest
According to the Human Rights Council-appointed experts, the Cabo Verde courts dealing with his case reportedly rejected his numerous appeals against the extradition, his diplomatic status as an ad hoc diplomat and the decision in his favour by an ECOWAS Court in the region.
They said the courts also “discarded numerous official communications” from Venezuela, and recommendations from international rights bodies, including the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“We note with concern the reported irregularities in the arrest and detention in Cabo Verde of Mr. Saab, prior to his extradition to the US,” the experts said.
“In particular, information we received indicates that at the exact moment of his arrest, while he was on his place at the Amílcar Cabral International Airport, there was no Red Notice by Interpol, nor an arrest warrant presented to him. Both were instead issued ex post facto,” they noted.
Charges against Saab
Following his extradition, US judicial authorities dropped seven counts of money laundering against him, while maintaining a single count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
“We deeply regret that for almost two years since his extradition, Mr. Saab remains in detention awaiting trial for alleged conduct which is not considered an international crime, and thus should not have been the subject of extraterritorial or universal jurisdiction,” the UN experts said.
The experts were informed that since his extradition Saab was being detained at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, which is not a correctional institution, but instead a pre-trial administrative facility.
Violation ‘for millions’
“The actions against Mr. Saab are not only violations of his human rights…but also a violation of the right to an adequate standard of living for millions of Venezuelans, as result of the abrupt interruption of his mission for the procurement of essential goods,” the experts said.
Special Rapporteurs and other independent UN experts are not UN staff. They serve in their individual capacity and receive no salary for their work.
Regional action essential to address migrant surge through Central America
With record numbers of people transiting through Central America and Mexico in search of a better life further north, UN migration agency IOM on Wednesday appealed for regional action to address their immediate needs while tackling the drivers of migration.
The dazzling architecture of Mechelen: between tradition and modernity
The dazzling architecture of Mechelen: between tradition and modernity
The town of Mechelen, located in Belgium, is a true architectural gem. With its harmonious blend of traditional buildings and modern structures, this city offers a dazzling sight for architecture lovers.
Mechelen has a long history dating back to medieval times, and this is reflected in its architecture. The narrow, winding streets of the old town are full of buildings dating back centuries. St. Rumbold’s Cathedral, with its imposing spire and beautifully ornate Gothic interior, is one of the city’s highlights. With a height of 97 meters, this cathedral is a true masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
Strolling through the streets of Mechelen, one discovers many other historic buildings, such as the Town Hall, with its richly decorated facade, or the Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, another impressive example of architecture Gothic.
But Mechelen is not limited to its medieval heritage. Over the years, the city has also developed modern and contemporary architecture that blends perfectly with historic buildings. One of the most striking examples of this combination of tradition and modernity is the Hof van Busleyden Museum. Located in a historic 16th century building, the museum has been completely renovated and expanded with a modern glass extension. This juxtaposition of old and new creates a unique atmosphere that makes visiting the museum even more interesting.
Another outstanding example of modern architecture in Mechelen is the Lamot cultural and congress center. Located in a former brewery, this building has been transformed into a multi-purpose space where exhibitions, conferences and cultural events take place. Its contemporary architecture combines modern materials such as glass and metal with traditional elements, such as the red bricks characteristic of the region.
In addition to these specific examples, Mechelen is full of many other modern buildings that demonstrate the city’s architectural innovation. The architects managed to integrate contemporary structures into the existing urban fabric, creating a visual harmony that is both impressive and pleasing to the eye.
Besides its architecture, Mechelen also offers many other attractions for visitors. The city has a rich cultural history, with many museums, art galleries and historic sites to discover. Additionally, Mechelen is also known for its beer, and visitors can sample a wide variety of Belgian beers in the town’s many cafes and breweries.
In conclusion, the architecture of Mechelen is a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity. With its well-preserved medieval heritage and innovative modern buildings, the city offers a unique visual experience. Whether you are a history, art or architecture lover, Mechelen is an unmissable destination. So don’t hesitate any longer and come discover the dazzling architecture of this charming Belgian city.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
‘You can’t even face your own parents’, cyberbullying victim tells Human Rights Council
According to findings from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 130 million students worldwide experience bullying, which has been exacerbated by the spread of digital technologies. UNICEF estimates that one in every three students from 13 to 15 is a victim.
Suicide risk
The Council heard heartfelt testimony from 15-year-old Santa Rose Mary, a children’s advocate from Uganda, who said that once one’s personal information or intimate photos have been shared online, “you can’t even face the community where you live, you can’t even face your own parents”.
She warned that such situations can bring a child to take their own life when they “have that feeling of not being needed in the community”.
UN deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif noted that according to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), cyberbullying affects girls almost twice as much as boys.
Far-reaching effects
Ms. Al-Nashif quoted research from the UN World Health Organization (WHO), showing that children who are subject to bullying are more likely to skip school, perform less well on tests and can suffer sleeplessness and psychosomatic pain.
Some studies also show “far-reaching effects extending into adulthood”, such as high prevalence of depression and unemployment, she said.
Getting it right
Ms. Al-Nashif told the Council that the “complex” topic of cyberbullying lies at the intersection of human rights, digital and policy issues.
“To get this right, we must adopt a holistic approach, and address root causes”, she said, underscoring that “central to this is the voice of children themselves”.
She also stressed the “centrality and power of companies in the online space”, insisting on the responsibility of tech companies to provide adapted privacy tools and follow content moderation guidelines “in line with international human rights standards”.
15 million attacks: Facebook and Instagram
A representative of Meta, Safety Policy Director Deepali Liberhan, took part in the discussion and spoke to the magnitude of the problem.
She said in the third quarter of 2023 alone, some 15 million pieces of content had been detected on Meta’s platforms Facebook and Instagram that constituted bullying and harassment; most were proactively removed by Meta before even being reported, she said.
Ms. Liberhan highlighted the company’s content moderation policies and ways in which Meta was enforcing them on its platforms, partnering with experts to inform the action it takes, and incorporating anti-bullying tools into the user experience.
School violence and bullying, including cyberbullying, is widespread and affects a significant number of children and adolescents.
Collective responsibility
At the conclusion of the session, panellist Philip Jaffé, Member of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, stressed the “collective” responsibility for the safety of our children.
“We need to make children more aware of their rights and make States and other components of society more aware of their obligations to protect [them],” he insisted.
Europe’s most stressed-out country is revolutionizing mental healthcare
In a nation known for its picturesque landscapes and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle, a hidden reality is finally being acknowledged. Greece, despite its reputation for tranquillity, has been grappling with a mental health challenge greater than any other in Europe. It’s a crisis fuelled by the lingering effects of the financial crisis, which hit Greece notoriously hard, as well as collective income loss, GDP decline, and funding cuts. In the face of such adversity, Greece is at last beginning to take significant strides towards enhancing its mental health services.
In a significant move towards improving mental health services, the Greek government has appointed a minister for mental health—a welcome signal of their commitment to addressing this pressing issue. This represents a shift towards the Swedish and German approach of recognizing the importance of mental health in a society’s well-being.
Greece, much like its Mediterranean neighbour Italy, is confronting a paradox: a seemingly serene lifestyle concealing soaring stress levels. The Gallup 2019 Global Emotions poll dropped a startling revelation that 59% of Greeks had experienced stress in the preceding 24 hours, the highest rate across all the nations surveyed. Studies done post-Covid-19 seem to have further exacerbated the crisis.
The survey also identified neighbouring countries such as Italy, Albania, Cyprus, and Portugal as among the most stressed in Europe. In stark contrast, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, and Denmark reported significantly lower levels of stress. Taking lessons from other nations, and based on the principles of open, evidence-based, community-focused and data-led care, the Greek 5-year plan was launched through law no. 5015/2023 in February.
The Greek solution has already started to work. Greece has transitioned its mental healthcare system towards a community-based primary care approach, in opposition to the failed and abused bio-medical model. This shift has brought significant improvements in the delivery of mental health care services for children and adolescents and works on an understanding that mental health can in many cases be best treated using the power of community and socialisation, as well as an understanding that support can be most accessible when integrated into schools, sports and other community activities. However, despite these positive changes, various challenges persist, creating obstacles for children and families seeking mental health care.
Resource distribution in Greece’s mental healthcare system is far from equal, resulting in significant disparities in service availability and care quality across regions and socioeconomic groupings. The public sector, in particular, grapples with a shortage of child and adolescent doctors and other certified mental health professionals. This scarcity poses significant challenges for training programs seeking to bridge these gaps. Furthermore, an absence of official epidemiological data means the needs of various actors within the mental health services remain obscured.
Leaning further into the successes of the community-based approach, the CAMHI initiative needs accurate data to understand the mental health needs of children, adolescents, their families, caregivers, educators, and professionals working with them. Participants also received the Synthesis Report, recently released for the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI), which offers a comprehensive overview for Greek mental health and sets out clear goals for child mental health. For instance, CAMHI aims for training programmes to address personnel shortages, collaborative networks, and online resources so that children and adults can have the information they need to be vigilant about their own mental health.
When adults and young people become conscious not just of their physical but also of their mental health needs, there are opportunities for more efficient preventative strategies which can be highly effective and reduce the strain on public health services. For instance, sports and time in the sun are known to release endorphins which chemically relieve stress, while other aids like stress balls and chewing sugar-free gum can be the key to self-care practices like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and meditation, which can reduce anxiety and improve focus through repeated actions like chewing and squeezing.
Perhaps the most pivotal moment of this project took place at the 2023 SNF Nostos Conference in June. This gathering brought together a diverse array of experts, including researchers, practitioners, and activists, to discuss the progress of the CAMHI, the 5-year public-private partnership to radically improve mental health services in Greece. The conference covered a wide range of topics, from the impact of loneliness on mental health to the role of arts, AI, and technology in addressing mental health challenges.
Notable speakers at the conference included influential figures like Glenn Close, Goldie Hawn, David Hogg, Michael Kimmelman, Harold S. Koplewicz, and Sander Markx. But by far the most prominent participant was none other than former U.S. President Barack Obama, whose presence emphasized the global importance of addressing mental health issues and investing in future generations.
As Greece continues its journey towards improved mental health and well-being, it serves as an example to the world of what can be achieved when a nation collectively decides to prioritize the well-being of its people and proves that good policy can improve mental health in even the most extreme of crises.
United Nations, Omar Harfouch accused Lebanon to be “an anti-Semitic, discriminatory, and racist country”
Geneva, 26 September 2023 – The United Nations Human Rights Council, in its 54th Regular Session held today, heard a riveting speech from Omar Harfouch, a renowned Lebanese pianist, during its 24th meeting.
Born a Sunni Muslim, Harfouch was educated in a Christian school, a reflection of the religious diversity that Lebanon is known for. However, his presence at the council wasn’t primarily for his musical talents but to shed light on a pressing issue he faces in his homeland.
The pianist revealed he’s facing persecution by the Lebanese government because of his opinions and interactions. He highlighted the charges against him by the Lebanese military court, emphasizing the threat of the death penalty for merely being in the same room as an American-Israeli journalist and delivering a speech at the European Parliament.
His accusations against the Lebanese government were profound and were transmitted through UN Web TV. Harfouch candidly expressed, “Lebanon is an anti-Semitic, discriminatory, and racist country.” He called on the international community, especially the attendees at the United Nations Human Rights Council, to challenge Lebanon’s stringent policies that restrict freedom of expression and association.
In a poignant moment, Harfouch addressed the attendees, questioning if there were any Jews, Israelis, Zionists, or pro-Israelis present. He emphasized that, according to Lebanese law, he would need to discriminate against them. “Which I refuse to do,” he passionately stated. He underscored that no one should be judged based on birth, religion, or nationality, urging the council’s members to support his plea to abolish the “racist and discriminatory law.”
The speech garnered widespread attention, with many ambassadors and human rights advocates expressing their concern about the allegations and showing solidarity with Harfouch.
The 54th Session of the Human Rights Council continues, with more statements from representatives and discussions on various global human rights issues. The international community awaits further reactions and potential resolutions in light of Harfouch’s compelling address.
First resignation after scandal with ex-Nazi soldier welcomed in Canadian parliament
The Speaker of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Canada, Anthony Rota, resigned because of the admission in the plenary hall of a former Nazi soldier and the words of praise addressed to him, the world agencies reported.
The incident in question happened during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Parliament of Canada on Friday. Then among the guests in the plenary hall, invited because of his visit, was a Ukrainian who was a member of the Nazi forces – the 98-year-old Ukrainian immigrant Yaroslav Hunka. The chairman of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, addressed him with welcoming words.
When it became clear who this person was, a huge scandal broke out, and there was also a reaction from Russia. Hunka served in the 14th Grenadier Division of the SS paramilitary organization, whose crimes against humanity during the Holocaust are well documented.
An association of the Jewish community in Canada has demanded an apology from Ottawa for Friday’s incident during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the Canadian parliament.
The Russian Embassy in Ottawa sent a note to the Canadian Foreign Ministry, as well as the offices of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota.
Soon after, it became clear that Rota was withdrawing. “It is with a heavy heart that I inform members of Parliament that I am resigning as Speaker of the House of Commons,” he said and expressed his deep regret for the mistake.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office has denied involvement in the case and asserted its independence from the Speaker of Parliament. The Ukrainian delegation accompanying Zelensky was also not informed of the presence of this person in the plenary hall, Trudeau’s office clarified.
The SS Division Galicia (or Galicia) was formed by residents of Western Ukraine in 1943. In July 1944, it was almost completely destroyed in the Battle of Brody, after which it was re-formed and used in Slovakia, Yugoslavia and Austria.
In April 1945, it was withdrawn from the SS, renamed the 1st Ukrainian Division and became part of the Ukrainian National Army. In May, its soldiers surrendered to the British and American forces, TASS recalls.
