First Person: Family death ‘turning point’ in South Sudanese humanitarian’s life

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United Nations News

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11 September 2023

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First Person: Family death ‘turning point’ in South Sudanese humanitarian’s life

She is currently deployed with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, to the north of her country, supporting refugees who are fleeing conflict in Sudan.

She has been speaking to UN News ahead of World Humanitarian Day which is commemorated annually on 19 August.

“Saving lives became a passion of mine when I was 15. One of my cousins was staying with us for the holidays. We were so close that she would come directly to my place after boarding school, instead of her parents. We did everything together.

Joyce Asha Laku, joined OCHA in 2013 as a National Field Officer in South Sudan.

One morning, it was time for her to go back to school and I accompanied her to her bus stop. Little did I know that this would be the last time I would see her. At about 4am, news got to us that the bus had been in a terrible accident. It fell off a bridge, killing 21 passengers, including my cousin.

So many mothers
and fathers cried
around me, and yet,
I couldn’t shed a tear.

I immediately went to the police station to enquire about her – at that time I didn’t know she was one of the victims. Information was reaching families very late as many had to reach the police station by bike, and it was a long ride.

They clearly needed help with the rescue, and I volunteered. There weren’t enough ambulances, so we were fishing bodies out of the water and piling them on the shore. I don’t know how I kept my composure, but I did.

At the hospital, so many families anxiously waited for answers. So many mothers and fathers cried around me, and yet, I couldn’t shed a tear.

It was only when I stepped away from all this chaos and went back home that I felt the weight of my own emotions. This is the moment I realized that I wanted to become a humanitarian worker and dedicate my life to helping others and saving lives; a moment of incredible pain became a turning point in my life.

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South Sudan violence

In 2016, I was working in South Sudan when violence broke out following the collapse of the peace agreement that put an end to the civil war. All humanitarians involved in the response were suddenly told to evacuate, however, the military wouldn’t let us go through and were blocking the roads. They were shooting at those trying to flee, including us.

I don’t know where I got the courage to stay calm. I did my best not to panic, I stood strong and demanded answers from the authorities. All I could think of is that we had a responsibility towards the community, and we simply couldn’t let them down.

Sudan crisis

The current crisis in Sudan, our northern neighbour, is now worse than ever. I was deployed to Renk, a town in South Sudan, to monitor and report on the humanitarian situation.

People fleeing Sudan face numerous challenges while on the move. Thousands of tired, dehydrated, and sick people continue to register at the point of entry each day. Many of them have experienced brutality, exploitation, extortion, and looting.

Women and children are often victims of sexual violence, and children are more vulnerable than ever with many out of school, scared, and hungry.

While at the border point, I saw a woman, her two children, and her brother-in-law arrive exhausted. The woman’s husband was shot and died in front of them. They buried the body and ran away.

On their way towards safety, the car they were in was involved in an accident. Several people died and many more were injured, including her nine-year-old son whose leg got fractured.

She told me they couldn’t let that stop them, so they continued their way to the border using a donkey cart.

© UNOCHA/Iramaku Vundru Wilfred- People living in a temporary camp in Renk collect water.

As they got to the border, her two-year-old child passed away as health personnel watched on helplessly. Eventually she was rushed to the nearest health facility in Renk with her nine-year-old, while her brother-in-law remained behind at the border to bury her baby.

I am a mother myself; I can only imagine the pain she went through. She wasn’t even able to bury her own child.

Infrastructure challenges

One of the main issues we are facing is poor infrastructure. The transportation of returnees has become a huge problem. The runways are not made to accommodate large aircraft, meaning only small planes can land. When it rains heavily, flights are canceled or remain stuck on the ground.

To ease the congestion in Renk, the Government and the International Organization of Migration (IOM) is transporting returnees to Malakal by boat, which takes over two days.

Passengers get to their destination exhausted, dehydrated, and often sick, and health workers are overwhelmed by the huge number of patients.

Passion and dignity

To my fellow national colleagues who aspire for more, I say this: we shouldn’t lose hope. Let us continue to push for opportunities and let’s make sure we do things the right way – with passion and dignity – as we continue to serve our countries.

The most important thing to me is love for our people, for the humanity we serve, and for what we do.”

23 Spanish-speaking Jewish communities worldwide demand the deletion of a derogatory definition

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Newsdesk

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11 September 2023

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All representative institutions of the Spanish-speaking Jewish communities support the initiative. The removal of the definition of “Jew” as “avaricious or usurious person” is requested, as well as the definition of “judiada” as “a dirty trick.”

Madrid, September 6, 2023. More than 20 Jewish communities worldwide have formally
requested the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) to eliminate the definition of “Jew” as
“avaricious or usurious person.” They consider it an offensive definition that portrays a
community in derogatory and discriminatory terms, not reflecting the current usage of the
Spanish language in the Spanish-speaking community, where respect and the promotion
of diversity and multiculturalism are paramount.

The European Times wrote today to the Real Academia de la Lengua Española, who responded that:

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== 23 Spanish-speaking Jewish communities worldwide demand the deletion of a derogatory definition — 23 Spanish-speaking Jewish communities worldwide demand the deletion of a derogatory definition 6

“the mentioned request has been received and will be processed following the usual procedures for its study [la solicitud que menciona ha sido recibida y se tramitará siguiendo los cauces habituales para su estudio]”.
Real Academia de la Lengua Española

Inappropriately Defining “Jew” as an Insult

“Dictionaries have the task of reflecting language use and evolution, and their content is based on linguistic and academic criteria. In a context where Spanish and Ibero-American society is increasingly sensitive to diverse identities, and disrespect in defining groups is widely rejected, we believe that these definitions should be updated to accurately reflect the language’s usage in our times,” says lawyer Borja Luján Lago, who is representing the Jewish community in this initiative.

The initiative, promoted by the Jewish Community of Panama, has the support of the entire Spanish-speaking Jewish community, represented by its representative organizations:

the Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain, the Delegation of Israeli Associations in Argentina, the Israeli Circle of Bolivia, the Jewish Community of Chile, the Sephardic Hebrew Community of Bogotá, the Zionist Israeli Center of Costa Rica, the Board of the House of the Hebrew Community of Cuba, the Jewish Community of Ecuador, the Israeli Community of El Salvador, the Jewish Community of Guatemala, the Hebrew Community of Tegucigalpa, the Central Committee of the Jewish Community of Mexico, the Israeli Community of Nicaragua, the Jewish Community of Paraguay, the Jewish Association of Peru, the Israeli Center of the Dominican Republic, the Central Israeli Committee of Uruguay, and the Confederation of Israeli Associations of Venezuela, as well as non-governmental organizations such as the American Jewish Committee (AJC), B’nai B’rith International (BBI), the Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC), the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), the Latin American Jewish Congress (CJL), and the AntiDefamation League (ADL).

The document submitted to the RAE’s registry also requests, for the same reasons, the complete removal of the entry “Judiada,” which is defined as “a dirty trick or action that harms someone.”

“We understand that dictionary definitions reflect language usage and do not inherently promote hate, but they should be corrected as they are entirely outdated in the social and cultural reality of the 21st century. We appeal to the sensitivity of the RAE to promote a respectful and inclusive language,” says Luján Lago.

In 2001 this derogatory definition was not in the dictionary.

What is the Royal Academy of Spanish Language?

The primary location of the Real Academia de la Lengua Española is in Spain, where it holds the responsibility of regulating the language within the country. However, its impact goes beyond Spain as it is acknowledged as the language authority, for all Spanish-speaking nations. There are a total of 23 countries where Spanish is recognized as the official language and these countries are all considered part of the Spanish-speaking community. Therefore while the Real Academia de la Lengua Española is based in Spain, its influence and authority encompass all Spanish-speaking nations.

Five Russian Jehovah’s Witnesses sentenced to 30 years in prison in all

By

Willy Fautre

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11 September 2023

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As of 18 August 2023, a total of 116 Witnesses were in prison in Russia for practicing their faith in private.

In April 2017, the Russian Supreme Court ruled the activity of the “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses” to be extremist and it ordered that the center and all its regional divisions must be liquidated. It ordered that the organization’s property be confiscated in the state’s favor.

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Four believers received more than 6 years in a penal colony each on a second appeal

On 5 September, the Amur Regional Court upheld the prison terms of four Jehovah’s Witnesses for meetings with fellow believers. Vladimir Bukin, Valeriy Slashchev and Sergey Yuferov will have to serve a sentence of six years and four months in prison, and Mikhail Burkov – six years and two months. The verdict has entered into force.

Sergey Yuferov, Mikhail Burkov, Vladimir Bukin and Valery Slashchev.(Credit: Jehovah’s Witnesses Russia)

Back in October 2022, the Tyndinskiy District Court sentenced the believers to various terms of imprisonment ranging from six years and two months to six years and six months. However, an appeal overturned this decision, and the men were released from the pre-trial detention center, where they had spent two months each. The retrial of the case was completed in June 2023. Judge Valentina Brikova issued a verdict that differed slightly from the first one – from six years and two months to six years and four months in prison.

In their appeals, the believers noted that “the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation did not ban the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses and did not assess the legitimacy of the religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the ways in which they were expressed.”

According to the convicts, it follows that “despite the liquidation of legal entities, [they] still have the right to freely practice the religion of [their] choice, including reading the Bible and discussing it with others, praying to God, singing songs praising God, and talking to other people about their faith.” Believers still insist on their innocence.

Court of Appeal in Krasnoyarsk upheld Aleksandr Filatov’s sentence — 6 years in a penal colony

On 20 July 20, 2023, a panel of judges of the Krasnoyarsk Territory Court, chaired by Tatyana Lukyanova, upheld the verdict against 38-year-old Aleksandr Filatov. The father of two young children has been transferred to the penal colony No. 31 in the village Industrialniy (Krasnoyarsk).

Alexander Filatov (Credit: Jehovah’s Witnesses Russia)

Filatov was convicted on charges of “organizing the activity of a banned extremist organization”, but in fact for discussing the Bible with his fellow believers. He still maintains being not guilty of extremism. In his appeal, he stated that the court violated his rights guaranteed by Article 28 of the RF Constitution: “I carried out actions underlying within the framework of freedom of religion.”

The defense pointed out that the court did not apply the explanations of the Plenum of the RF Supreme Court, according to which believers have the right to hold meetings for worship if they do not contain signs of extremism. Aleksandr Filatov stated: “The presence of extremist goals and motives in my actions has not been proven. The verdict does not quote any extremist statements.”

The persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia has been going on for more than six years and is gaining momentum, despite the condemnation of the world community. In the Krasnoyarsk Territory alone, 30 believers are facing criminal prosecution for their faith. Almost half of them were already sentenced: five have been sent to a penal colony, four have been given suspended sentences, and three have been fined.

Critical raw materials – plans to secure EU supply and sovereignty

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European Parliament

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11 September 2023

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Critical raw materials - plans to secure EU supply and sovereignty — The exploitation of essential metals, in particular for the manufacture of our electronic products

Electric cars, solar panels and smartphones – all of them contain critical raw materials. They are the lifeblood of our modern societies.

The Industry Committee adopted measures to boost the supply of strategic raw materials, crucial to secure the EU’s transition towards a sustainable, digital and sovereign future.

The Critical Raw Materials Act, recently adopted with a strong majority, aims to allow Europe to accelerate towards European sovereignty and competitiveness, with an ambitious change of course. The report as adopted today will cut red tape, promote innovation along the entire value chain, support SMEs and boost research and development of alternative materials and more environmentally-friendly mining as well as production methods.

Strategic Partnerships

The report highlights the importance of securing strategic partnerships between the EU and third countries on critical raw materials, in order to diversify the EU’s supply – on an equal footing, with benefits for all sides. It paves the way for long-term partnerships with knowledge- and technology-transfer, training and upskilling for new jobs with better working and income conditions, as well as extraction and processing on the best ecological standards in our partner countries.

MEPs also push for a stronger focus on research and innovation concerning substitute materials and production processes that could replace raw materials in strategic technologies. It sets circularity targets to foster the extraction of more strategic raw materials from waste. MEPs also insist on the need to cut red tape for companies and especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Quote

Lead MEP Nicola Beer (Renew, DE) said: “With a strong majority, the Industry Committee sends a strong signal ahead of the trilogue. The agreed report provides a clear blueprint for European security of supply, with a research and innovation boost along the entire value chain.”

“Instead of having far too many ideology-driven subsidies, it relies on fast and simple approval processes and reducing red tape. In response to geopolitical upheavals, it creates the preconditions to offer targeted economic incentives to private investors in the context of production and recycling in Europe. At the same time, it builds on the expansion of strategic partnerships with third countries. The foundation for Europe’s course towards open, economic and geopolitical sovereignty has been laid”, she added.

Next steps

The draft legislation was adopted in the committee with 53 votes to 1, with 5 abstentions. It will be put to a vote by the full House during the 11-14 September plenary session in Strasbourg.

Background

For now, the EU is dependent on certain raw materials. Critical raw materials are pivotal for the EU’s green and digital transitions, and securing their supply is crucial for the European Union’s economic resilience, technological leadership, and strategic autonomy. Since the Russian war on Ukraine and an increasingly aggressive Chinese trade and industrial policy, cobalt, lithium and other raw materials have also become a geopolitical factor.

With the global shift towards renewable energies and the digitization of our economies and societies, the demand for some of these strategic raw materials is expected to rapidly increase in the coming decades.

A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) published in May 2021 alerts governments to the explosion in global demand for critical raw materials in the energy sector caused by the decarbonization of economies: this demand could be multiplied by 4 if the world complies with the commitments of the Paris Agreement. Most of this growth will come from the needs of electric vehicles and their batteries, followed by power grids, solar panels and wind power. Lithium requirements could increase 42-fold by 2040, graphite 25-fold, cobalt 21-fold and nickel 19-fold. Yet these materials are concentrated in a handful of countries: three states extract 50% of the world's copper: Chile, Peru and China; 60% of cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo; China extracts 60% of the world's rare earths and controls over 80% of their refining. According to the IEA, governments need to build up strategic reserves to avoid supply disruptions.

Stamp out hate speech, persecution based on faith: Guterres

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United Nations News

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11 September 2023

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Stamp out hate speech, persecution based on faith: Guterres

UN Secretary-General António Guterres was delivering his message marking the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief and began by reiterating that freedom of belief is “an inalienable human right”.

“Yet, around the world, people and communities, particularly minorities, face intolerance, discrimination and threats – to their places of worship, their livelihoods and even their lives”, he said.

“Hatred stirred on and offline is often the cause.”

The official UN Day provides an opportunity to remember all who have suffered based primarily on their faith, and an opportunity to “renew our resolve to stamp out the hate speech that fuels these terrible acts of intolerance.”

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Initiatives offer solutions

Mr. Guterres cited initiatives such as his Call to Action for Human Rights and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which provide a blueprint to do so.

“I urge all governments to prevent and address acts of violence based on religion and belief”, he continued.

“I call on everyone, particularly political, community and religious leaders, to speak out against hate and incitement to violence.”

He called on senior politicians, technology companies and other stakeholders to support the UN’s development of a voluntary Code of Conduct for Information Integrity on Digital Platforms, ahead of next year’s Summit of the Future, specifically to tackle hate speech online.

More inclusion, respect

“Together, let’s honour the victims of violence by striving to build a more inclusive, respectful, and peaceful world – one where diversity is celebrated.”

The Day was designated by the UN General Assembly in 2019, spurred by widespread violations suffered by vulnerable groups such as migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and persons belonging to minorities – who are targeted on the basis of religion or belief.

A large group of independent UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts pointed out in a statement that it took some two decades before the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief had been agreed, acknowledging the “great suffering brought about by the disregard and infringement of human rights including of freedom of religion or belief.”

‘Far greater determination’ needed

As the world marks the 75th anniversary this year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), there is special resonance with the emphasis in that declaration, that the use of religion or belief for ends inconsistent with the UN Charter or other instruments, “is inadmissible and condemnable”, they said.

They noted that 42 years on from the 1981 Declaration, this year’s International Day “offers the opportunity to make visible the multiple, daily and egregious violence that takes place based on religion or belief, and to seek to respond to its root causes, urgently and with far greater determination.”

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Rights expert urges India to release detained activist

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United Nations News

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11 September 2023

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Rights expert urges India to release detained activist

GN Saibaba, a former English professor at Delhi University, was arrested in 2014 and accused of links to banned Maoist groups, according to media reports.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment three years later for multiple offences under the country’s Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

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‘Shameful’ detention

“GN Saibaba is a long-standing defender of the rights of minorities in India, including the Dalit and Adivasi people,” said Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

“His continued detention is shameful. It bears all the hallmarks of a State seeking to silence a critical voice,” she added.

UN human rights experts have repeatedly raised grave concerns about the prosecution of Mr. Saibaba, who has suffered from a spinal disorder and polio since childhood and uses a wheelchair.

His detention was declared arbitrary by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention in an opinion issued in 2021.

Detention and health concerns

Ms. Lawlor noted that apart from two short periods of being granted bail, he has been held in Nagpur Central Jail since his initial arrest and detention. She said his condition in prison is a matter of serious concern.

“Mr. Saibaba has been detained in a high security ‘anda barracks’ in conditions incompatible with his status as a wheelchair user,” she said. “His 8×10 feet cell has no window and one wall made of iron bars, exposing him to extreme weather, especially in the scorching summer heat.”

The rights expert also expressed concern for his health, which has severely deteriorated in detention, and advocated for his release.

“States have an obligation to uphold the right to health of prisoners and detainees and ensure their dignity as human beings. Prison authorities must ensure that prisoners with disabilities are not discriminated against, including by ensuring accessibility and providing reasonable accommodation,” said Ms. Lawlor.

About UN Rapporteurs

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and report on specific country situations or thematic issues.

They serve in their individual capacity and are independent of any Government or organization.

These experts are not UN staff and they are not paid for their work.

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Afghanistan’s Taliban responsible for revenge killings, torture of former officials

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United Nations News

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10 September 2023

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Afghanistan’s Taliban responsible for revenge killings, torture of former officials

A new publication from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) presents “credible” reports that between 15 August 2021 and 30 June 2023, the country’s de facto authorities were responsible for 218 extrajudicial killings, 14 enforced disappearances, over 144 instances of torture and ill treatment, and 424 arbitrary arrests and detentions.

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‘Betrayal of trust’

UN human rights chief Volker Türk said that the targeting of former officials despite the announcement by the Taliban when it returned to power of a “general amnesty” for former government officials and members of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, is a “betrayal of the people’s trust”.

He urged the de facto authorities to prevent further abuses and hold perpetrators to account.

The report points out that officials from the previous democratically elected administration are entitled to the same human rights protections as all Afghans and that Afghanistan remains a party to international human rights treaties banning the violations described.

First-hand accounts of torture

In interviews, individuals recounted beatings with pipes, cables, verbal threats and abuse at the hands of de facto security force members.

UNAMA also heard from family members whose relatives had been arrested or gone missing, their bodies found days or even months later.

‘Whereabouts unknown’

In some instances, missing individuals have never been found. This was the case of the former Head of the Herat Women’s Prison, Alia Azizi, who never returned home from work on 2 October 2021.

As of 22 August 2023, her whereabouts remain unknown, UNAMA said, even though Taliban authorities reportedly “initiated an investigation” into her disappearance.

Impunity prevails

According to UNAMA, efforts by the de facto authorities to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable for the incidents described in the report have been “extremely limited”.

Investigations were announced in a handful of cases, but even then, UNAMA says, “progress lacks transparency and accountability; impunity prevails”.

No guidance on amnesty

The report calls on the Taliban to clarify the terms of the general amnesty and ensure that it is upheld.

UNAMA noted that to date, the de facto authorities have not publicly released any written text or guidance setting out the scope of the amnesty, which was only announced in public comments made by their leadership.

UNAMA Head Roza Otunbayeva said that the de facto authorities must demonstrate a “genuine commitment” to the general amnesty, which is a crucial step in ensuring “real prospects” for justice, reconciliation and peace in the country.

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Abolish human exploitation once and for all, UNESCO chief urges

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United Nations News

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10 September 2023

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Abolish ‘human exploitation’ once and for all, UNESCO chief urges — UN News/Elizabeth Scaffidi - A slavery memorial in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

Commemorating the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on Wednesday, the head of the UN’s education, science and culture agency UNESCO, emphasized the urgent need to end exploitation.

“It is time to abolish human exploitation once and for all, and to recognize the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director General of UNESCO.

“Today, let us remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past so that they may inspire future generations to build just societies.”

The night of 22 to 23 August was a turning point in history, marked the start of an uprising in Saint Domingue – now Haiti – in 1791, that played a pivotal role in ending the transatlantic slave trade.

It is against this background that the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is commemorated annually on 23 August.

The Day is intended to inscribe the horrors of the slave trade into collective memory, encourage reflection, and offer an opportunity to examine the complex interactions that unfolded between Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Caribbean as a result of human slavery.

The Routes of Enslaved Peoples

Through an intercultural project The Routes of Enslaved Peoples, UNESCO has advanced our understanding of the trade, developed high-level scientific networks and initiatives on the theme of slavery, its abolition and the resistance it generated.

Since its launch in 1994, the project has also played a major role in breaking the silence surrounding the history of slavery and the way it has shaped the modern world.

Among its major objectives, it contributes to “de-racialising” society’s vision and “decolonizing” how it is viewed, by dispelling narratives based on the concept of race that justified these systems of exploitation.

It also promotes the contributions of people of African descent to the general progress of humanity, and questions the social, cultural and economic inequalities that are legacies of the slave trade.

Ark of Return

The memories of millions of victims of the trade, who suffered unspeakable injustice, as well as the abolitionists and unsung heroes who rose up to end the oppressive practice, is permanently enshrined at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, in the form of a monument named the Ark of Return.

The monument’s name was inspired by maps of the triangular slave trade and by the story of a slave castle on Gorée Island in Senegal, where slaves were held in captivity before being shipped away. A door at the castle was known ominously as the “door of no return.”

In a 2015 interview with UN News, the monument’s architect, Rodney Leon, an American of Haitian descent, explained the reason behind the name.

“We felt it would be a good counterpoint to establish a spiritual space of return, an ‘Ark of Return,’ a vessel where we can begin to create a counter-narrative and undo some of that experience,” he said.

Click here for the interview.

Brussels, city of art and culture: Museums and unmissable events

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NewsdeskTET

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10 September 2023

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Brussels, city of art and culture: Museums and unmissable events

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is a city bursting with art and culture. With its many museums and events, it attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year. In this article, we will explore some of the must-see museums and events in Brussels.

One of the most famous museums in Brussels is the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium. This museum houses an impressive collection of art ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. You can admire works by great masters such as Bruegel, Rubens, Magritte and Delvaux. The museum is also known for its contemporary art collection, which features works by Belgian and international artists.

Another must-see museum is the Magritte Museum. Dedicated to the Belgian surrealist artist René Magritte, this museum exhibits a wide variety of works by the artist, ranging from his famous paintings to his drawings and collages. Visitors can immerse themselves in the strange and fascinating world of Magritte, and discover the different phases of his work.

For comic book fans, the Belgian Comic Strip Center is a must. Located in a magnificent Art Nouveau building, this museum traces the history of Belgian comics, which are renowned throughout the world. Iconic characters such as Tintin, Lucky Luke and the Smurfs are featured there. The museum also offers temporary exhibitions dedicated to contemporary comic book artists.

Besides museums, Brussels also offers many cultural events throughout the year. One of the most famous is the Comic Strip Festival, which takes place every year in September. During this festival, the city transforms into a huge playground for comic book fans, with exhibitions, signings, conferences and shows. This is the ideal opportunity to dive into the world of comics and meet renowned artists.

Another unmissable event is the Brussels Summer Festival. Throughout the month of July, the city transforms into a giant stage where concerts, dance and theater shows take place in the open air. The streets and squares of Brussels fill with spectators who come to enjoy this festive and cultural atmosphere.

Finally, Brussels is also known for its dynamic contemporary art scene. Many Belgian and international artists have taken up residence in the city, attracted by its creative and cosmopolitan atmosphere. The art galleries of Brussels offer a wide variety of exhibitions, ranging from contemporary art to urban art. It is possible to discover new talents and explore current artistic trends by visiting these galleries.

In conclusion, Brussels is truly a city of art and culture. With its renowned museums and unmissable events, it offers visitors a rich and varied cultural experience. Whether you are a fan of classical art, comics or contemporary art, you will certainly find something to satisfy your curiosity in Brussels. So, don’t hesitate to head to this fascinating city and get inspired by its vibrant art scene.

Originally published at Almouwatin.com

G20 is engaged in a frantic effort to reach a consensus regarding the war in Ukraine.

By

Juan Sanchez Gil

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10 September 2023

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Leaders of the G20 the group consisting of the world’s economies have reached a last-minute agreement on the Ukraine section of their summit statement to prevent a complete breakdown of the document. The main challenge during weeks of negotiations was how to address the conflict in Eastern Europe without alienating Russia, one of the bloc’s members. Eventually, a compromise was achieved by incorporating language proposed by officials from India (the host nation) as well as representatives from Brazil and South Africa.

G20 India - a building with a large sign in front of it — Photo by Adarsh Kumar Singh on Unsplash

The major breakthrough came with the formulation that all countries should “avoid taking actions that undermine the integrity, sovereignty or political independence of any state.” This wording was not present in the Bali declaration made by the G20 and was deemed acceptable to Russia since it did not explicitly condemn Moscow’s aggressive actions against Ukraine. Furthermore using terms like “deplore” or “condemn” in relation to Russia’s actions the final text refers to the “war in Ukraine” without directly assigning blame, to Moscow.

G20 refrains from accusing Russia

The decision to refrain from accusing Russia was made with the aim of preserving unity on concepts related to war and peace which were not as explicitly endorsed in the Bali declaration. The primary focus of the G20 is on economics and finance but during multilateral gatherings Western leaders, especially U.S. President Joe Biden have taken the opportunity to express their support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion 18 months ago.

Although the text on policy was finalized in advance negotiations regarding the section on Ukraine continued until Saturday morning just before the summit began. Russia consistently objected to versions of the text that favoured Ukraine and proposed alternative language criticizing Western-imposed sanctions. As the host country India facilitated discussions between Russia and other G20 members until a consensus was reached.

The final wording on Ukraine drew inspiration from principles outlined in the United Nations Charter. Received positive feedback from both Western nations and Russia. Western officials argued that this version from New Delhi was an improvement over the Bali statement because it reflected sentiment within the G20 while indirectly addressing Russia’s aggressive actions. However, some expressed reservations with an EU official noting that if solely written by the EU the document would have appeared differently.

The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry expressed gratitude to its partners who made an effort to include language in the statement. However, they also mentioned that the G20 should not take pride in Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Ultimately the leaders of the G20 emphasized that this summit had a focus compared to previous ones. They highlighted their dedication to addressing the war in Ukraine and rallying nations against aggression. The revised statement represents a compromise that allows for unity within the G20 while acknowledging the conflict, in Eastern Europe.

Latest news of Europe and the world.

She is currently deployed with the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, to the north of her country, supporting refugees who are fleeing conflict in Sudan.

South Sudan violence

Sudan crisis

Infrastructure challenges

Passion and dignity

Inappropriately Defining “Jew” as an Insult

What is the Royal Academy of Spanish Language?

Four believers received more than 6 years in a penal colony each on a second appeal

Court of Appeal in Krasnoyarsk upheld Aleksandr Filatov’s sentence — 6 years in a penal colony

Electric cars, solar panels and smartphones – all of them contain critical raw materials. They are the lifeblood of our modern societies.

Initiatives offer solutions

More inclusion, respect

‘Far greater determination’ needed

‘Shameful’ detention

Detention and health concerns

About UN Rapporteurs

‘Betrayal of trust’

First-hand accounts of torture

‘Whereabouts unknown’

Impunity prevails

No guidance on amnesty

Commemorating the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on Wednesday, the head of the UN’s education, science and culture agency UNESCO, emphasized the urgent need to end exploitation.

The Routes of Enslaved Peoples

Ark of Return

G20 refrains from accusing Russia

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