Scientology in Europe Celebrated World Drug Day on June 26

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6 July 2023

EINPRESSWIRE // In commemoration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, European cities were abuzz with activities aimed at raising awareness about the devastating consequences of drug use. Volunteers from the Church of Scientology and the “Foundation for a Drug-Free Europe” took to the streets, as they have been doing for approximately 25 years, to inform tens of thousands of individuals about the detrimental short-term, medium-term, and long-term effects of drugs.

The release of the World Drug Report 2023 by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) sheds light on the continued surge in illicit drug supply and the increasingly agile trafficking networks that exacerbate global crises and pose challenges to health services and law enforcement responses.

Table of Contents

Key Findings from the UNODC World Drug Report 2023

According to the report(1), new data reveals that an estimated 13.2 million people worldwide engaged in drug injection in 2021, marking an 18% increase from previous estimates. Additionally, global drug use reached over 296 million individuals in 2021, signifying a 23% rise over the past decade. Shockingly, the number of people suffering from drug use disorders has soared to 39.5 million, reflecting a staggering 45% increase over the course of ten years. The report also delves into various critical aspects, including drug trafficking’s impact on the environment in the Amazon Basin, clinical trials involving psychedelics and medical cannabis use, drug use in humanitarian settings, innovations in drug treatment and other services, and the connection between drugs and conflict.

Remarkable Drug Prevention and Education Initiatives in Europe:

In response to the report’s findings and in celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, various drug prevention activities were organized across Europe. These initiatives aimed to raise awareness among youth, parents, and the wider public about the severe health repercussions of drug use.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Scientology in Europe Celebrated World Drug Day on June 26 — Scientology in Europe Celebrated World Drug Day on June 26 3

Let’s take a closer look at some of these remarkable initiatives:

Czech Republic: The 19th Cyclo-run for a Drug-Free Czech Republic kicked off from Prague, covering a distance of approximately 1,300 kilometers over ten days and passing through 41 cities. During the event, volunteers had the opportunity to engage with 50 city representatives, enlightening them about the drug situation concerning teenagers and the urgent need for primary drug prevention and education. The campaign successfully educated 8,100 children and distributed 95,000 drug information materials from The Truth About Drugs. The leaders of the initiative were also invited to present their action on national TV Nova.
France: Volunteers from the French non-profit association “Dites Non à la Drogue – Oui à la Vie” actively participated in drug prevention activities across various cities, including Agen, Angers, Avignon, Chatelaudren, Epinay-sur-Seine, Lannion, Lyon, Maffliers, Marseille, Tregastel, Ploumanach, Perros-Guirec, and Vaux-en-Velin. They spread awareness in streets, shops, pharmacies, and other locations, receiving warm welcomes and support from the public, including law enforcement personnel and even a former drug addict. In addition, the Paris team conducted a public lecture.
Belgium: Members and volunteers of the Say No To Drugs Belgium association set up information booths in several towns and organized a well-attended public lecture in Brussels. The lecture, titled “The Truth About Drugs,” took place in the Auditorium of the Churches of Scientology for Europe. Additionally, the President of Drug Free Belgium was interviewed on Brussels’ radio station Arabel, discussing the significance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and providing crucial information to the public.
Portugal: In Lisbon, the drug prevention team conducted a large-scale distribution near the iconic Belem Tower, a popular tourist destination. The volunteers reached out to the public, including visitors, to raise awareness about the health-related problems associated with drug use.
Italy: The Drug prevention “Dico No Alla Droga-Bergamo” team organized the 6th Motogiro to promote a drug-free Italy. Participants, wearing green jackets, embarked on a journey that took them through picturesque locations such as Passo di Zembla, Lovere, Iseo Lake, Riva di Solto, and Sale Marasino. The event lasted four hours and concluded with a warm reception from the President of the association, officials, sponsors, and supporters.
Austria: The “Sag Nein Zu Drogen” team from Vienna set up an information stand at the Donauinselfest, a popular cultural festival. Volunteers were amazed by the high level of interest from young people in obtaining drug educational brochures from The Truth About Drugs series. Additionally, the team distributed bracelets with the message “Say No To Drugs – Say Yes to Life,” which garnered significant attention and support, including from a social worker and addiction counselor.
Switzerland: In Chapelle (Fribourg), the drug prevention team organized the 6th Olympiades, which included briefings on drugs and engaging games for approximately 40 participants. Volunteers in Geneva set up a drug information stand at Cornavin station, while the Lausanne team distributed 800 booklets of The Truth About Drugs in the city center. Furthermore, drug education materials were distributed at the Fribourg station. In Ticino, the southern region known for Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano, the “Dico No alla Droga” team actively distributed information and raised awareness about the harmful effects of drug use, receiving appreciation from young people, parents, and the general public.
Spain: Seventeen volunteers gathered at Puerta del Sol, a bustling location attracting people from Spain and around the world. They distributed booklets to approximately 4,000 individuals and families, aiming to prevent drug crises at a time when substances like marijuana are increasingly portrayed as socially acceptable.
Greece: Volunteers in the Zappeion area distributed anti-drug information booklets to pedestrians, as well as motorcycle and car drivers. They recommended visiting the website, which provides audiovisual material translated into at least 17 languages.
Germany: Volunteers from the “Say NO to drugs, say YES to life” initiative organized various information events and distribution campaigns in Hamburg, Stuttgart, Munich, Berlin, and Frankfurt am Main. Their goal was to raise awareness of the drug crisis and educate the public. During these campaigns, nearly 4,000 educational booklets from the “Facts about Drugs” series were distributed to interested citizens. The volunteers received encouragement from the population, including educators and social workers who expressed appreciation for the free availability of educational material. The events highlighted the underestimated dangers of drug use and the deceptive promises made by dealers. One individual shared a personal story of how drug use negatively impacted a family member, emphasizing the importance of education on the adverse effects of drugs.

These impactful initiatives across Europe were supported by the “Foundation for a Drug-Free World,” established in 2006 to distribute educational materials and develop new resources to address the ever-changing landscape of drug trends. As a network of organizations, including the “Foundation for a Drug Free Europe,” they strive to combat drug abuse and promote a drug-free society.

Conclusion:

The collective efforts of volunteers, organizations, and communities in Europe underscore the urgent need to prioritize prevention, education, and access to treatment services. By taking a people-centric approach and eliminating stigma and discrimination, society can tackle the drug crisis more effectively. Moreover, law enforcement agencies must adapt to combat agile criminal networks and the proliferation of synthetic drugs. Only through comprehensive and coordinated actions can Europe and the international community address the challenges posed by drug abuse and illicit trafficking, safeguarding the health and well-being of individuals and communities alike.

The “Foundation for a Drug-Free World” serves as the central organization for the “Foundation for a Drug Free Europe” and all its national and local branches. Established in 2006, its primary mission is to distribute educational materials and develop new resources to address the ever-evolving landscape of drug trends. Over time, the Foundation has grown into a global network encompassing approximately 200 local groups around the world. With the invaluable support of the Churches of Scientology and Scientologists, the Foundation ensures the widespread availability of the secular “Truth About Drugs program” and drug education materials, free of charge, on a global scale. Individuals interested in learning more can enroll in Drug-Free World’s free e-courses at drugfreeworld.org/course.

Recognizing the destructive role of drug abuse in the disintegration of society’s fabric, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard set the foundation for drug prevention and education programs that continue to make a positive impact. By celebrating World Drug Day and supporting initiatives that prioritize prevention and education, Europe takes significant strides towards creating a safer, drug-free future for all.

Furthermore, the Scientology Network features documentaries from the original “Voices for Humanity” series, showcasing how people worldwide are utilizing the Foundation for a Drug-Free World’s Truth About Drugs initiative to effectively address the urgent problem of drug abuse through prevention and education.

The Scientology religion, founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard, traces its origins back to the establishment of the first Church of Scientology in Los Angeles in 1954. Since then, the religion has expanded to include more than 11,000 churches, missions, and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries. The Church of Scientology has achieved religious recognition in numerous countries, including the USA, ECtHR, Spain, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Portugal, Canada, Sweden, Italy, South Africa, and a growing number of nations.(2)

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References:

1) https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/press/releases/2023/June/unodc-world-drug-report-2023-warns-of-converging-crises-as-illicit-drug-markets-continue-to-expand.html
2) https://www.scientologyreligion.org

The general director of TASS Sergey Mikhailov replaced

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Newsdesk

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6 July 2023

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Andrey Kondrashov, who until that moment was the first deputy general director of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, was appointed to the post.

The Prime Minister of Russia, Mikhail Mishustin, signed an order by which Sergey Mikhailov was released from the position of director general of the news agency of Russia – TASS, the press service of the Russian government reported, quoted by BTA.

Andrei Kondrashov, who until that moment was the first deputy general director of the All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company, was appointed to the post.

The 52-year-old Mikhailov headed the country’s oldest news agency – TASS, since 2012. He was the chairman of the Council of Heads of State News Agencies of the CIS countries, vice president of the Organization of News Agencies of the Asia-Pacific region, and also the head of the media council of the Assembly of the Peoples of Eurasia.

His successor Kondrashov was born in 1973 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He graduated from the Faculty of Journalism at the Independent Environmental and Political Science University in Moscow. After that, he also graduated with a master’s degree in political science from the Russian Academy of National Economy and Civil Service.

Since 1991, he has been working as a television journalist. According to Reuters, Kondrashov is close to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2018, the new CEO served as press secretary in Putin’s campaign staff during his presidential campaign.

Next year, TASS will celebrate its 120th anniversary. It was established in 1904 as the St. Petersburg Telegraph Agency, the first official news agency in Russia. The name TASS is left over from the USSR era as the abbreviation stands for Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union.

Reuters notes that the Kremlin has tightened media controls since the start of the war in Ukraine, causing the closure of a number of independent newspapers and branding many journalists as “foreign spies”.

Illustrative Photo by Lubov Tandit: https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-walking-on-concrete-road-with-mid-rise-buildings-under-clouded-sky-92412/

“Quiet Asphalt” will reduce the noise on the roads in Istanbul by 10 decibels

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News desk

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6 July 2023

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Reduces noise caused by friction between the wheels and the road surface.

“Quiet Asphalt” will reduce the noise level on the roads in Istanbul by ten decibels. The project aims to deal with the deepening problem of noise pollution in the metropolis, reported in “Hurriet Daily News”.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, there are a total of 4,940,010 registered vehicles in Istanbul, which is equal to the total population of 23 (out of a total of 81) counties of the country. This influx of vehicles not only increases concerns about air pollution and congestion, but also exacerbates the problem of noise pollution, the publication noted.

To combat this problem, İSFALT, a subsidiary of Istanbul Greater Municipality, is implementing the Quiet Asphalt Project to reduce traffic noise, especially in areas located in close proximity to residential areas.

Quiet asphalt, which is produced to reduce the noise caused by the friction between the wheels and the road surface, can significantly eliminate the noise generated on the roads. The air spaces in this special asphalt mixture, produced with resin-based additives, contribute to the quieter movement of cars.

Through tests, it was found that the level of noise emitted by vehicles on specially designed roads covered with quiet asphalt is reduced by 10 decibels compared to driving on ordinary roads.

Across Europe, at least 100 million people are exposed to damaging levels of noise just from road traffic. Exposure to unwanted noise can cause stress and interfere with sleep, rest and study. Moreover, prolonged exposure can also trigger serious illness such as hypertension and heart disease.

Photo by Burak Karaduman: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-concrete-dome-building-at-night-1549326/

We celebrate World Kiss Day

By

Gaston de Persigny

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6 July 2023

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On July 6, we celebrate World Kiss Day.

The date was proposed by Great Britain and was officially recognized by the United Nations in 1988. The holiday quickly gained popularity and began to be celebrated in different parts of the world.

1. 37% of men keep their eyes open while kissing, while 97% of women close theirs.

Here are some fun facts about kissing.

2. With just one kiss that lasts a minute, you can burn more than 26 calories. Imagine how many calories that makes if you and your man kiss all night, and day, and night, and day…

3. A study shows that while two people are kissing, almost every muscle in the body works.

4. Did you know that if you kiss someone with the same color as your hair, the experience will be much more passionate?

5. According to studies, a person receives about 25,000 kisses in a lifetime! Not bad, right? This includes all kinds, from the cheeky innocent to the knee-scratching rocking. Also, it turns out that on average, a person spends about 14 days of their life just kissing!

6. Imagine! There are special neurons in our brains that help us find each other’s lips even in the dark!

7. A kiss can be ten times more effective than morphine in reducing pain! This is because it activates the release of natural painkillers in the body.

8. The ancient Egyptians kissed only with their noses – without the involvement of the lips, let alone the tongue. What a waste, we would say! And if someone saw a couple kissing in medieval Italy, the lovebirds were forced to marry.

9. The longest kiss lasted 17 days, 10 hours and 30 minutes. It happened in Chicago in 1984.

10. And here’s something for the ladies – a kiss has an extraordinary beautifying effect! It makes the eyes sparkle and the skin glow!

11. And something for you moms and dads – babies who have been showered with kisses grow up to be more loving people.

Photo by Anya Juárez Tenorio : https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-portrait-of-a-happy-siblings-16823173/

Lettori, Italy’s Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet

By

Henry Rodgers

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5 July 2023

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Three months after the expiry of a Commission deadline for the payments of settlements to foreign university language lecturers(Lettori) for decades of discriminatory treatment, Italy last Monday published a lengthy interministerial decree law to put in place administrative arrangements to make eventual payments. The deadline was issued by the Commission to Italy in a reasoned opinion of 26 January in the context of infringement proceedings N.2021/4055, which seek to compel Italy to enforce a 2006 ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union(CJEU) in Case C-119/04, the last of four Lettori victories in a line of litigation which extends back to the seminal Allué ruling of 1989.

A decree 3000 words longer than the decision

At 6,440 words, the interministerial decree is almost 3,000 words longer than the sentence in Case C-119/04 , to which it purports to give effect. The bulk of the decree is given over to administrative arrangements and procedures for the co-financing of settlements to Lettori by the state and the universities. These include provisions on eligibility for co-financing, how and by when the universities must apply to the ministry for funds, eventual corrections of errors in the application, penalties for non-cooperation,

Additionally, there is a requirement that each university open an online Census where Lettori record their years of service, information, which as their employer, one would expect the universities to already possess. The extensive bureaucracy put in place suggests that the mindset of the legislator is that the withheld justice to Lettori is mostly due to a failure of administration.

The decree in no way yields on the legal position that Italy has maintained throughout the infringement proceedings. The same inconsistent menu of solutions remains in place. If anything, the decree further entrenches Italian intransigence in its repeated insistence that Italy’s law of March 2004, which was approved by the Grand Chamber of the CJEU on the grounds that it awarded Lettori an uninterrupted reconstruction of career from the date of first employment, must be interpreted in accordance with the restrictive provisions of article 26 of the so-called Gelmini law of 30 December 2010. All references to the March 2004 law approved by the CJEU are followed and qualified by the wording “as interpreted by Article 26, paragraph 3, of law no.240 of 30 December 2010”.

As the decree had circulated freely for weeks before its publication, both the university administrations and the Lettori were aware in advance of its content. Many administrations held that its provisions were so confusing as to be unworkable. Less interested in administrative detail and more in legal import, Lettori unions rejected the decree outright. A national one-day strike was agreed on by FLC CGIL and UIL RUA, Italy’s largest and third largest union respectively, in protest against its provisions.

In accordance with Italian labour law, before a national strike can be officially proclaimed, the Ministry of Labour is obliged to hold an advance meeting to attempt to arrive at a conciliation between the contending parties. Although the Commission took the infringement proceedings on their behalf, the Lettori are not party to the proceedings, which are exclusively between the Commission and Italy. The mediation meeting constituted a unique opportunity for the Lettori representatives to meet face-to-face with and question the representatives of the Ministry of Universities.

The report of the meeting subsequently sent out to the Lettori reads like the transcript of a courtroom cross-examination. At issue is whether Italy intends to reconstruct Lettori careers on the basis of the March 2004 law as interpreted by the CJEU in its ruling in Case C-119/04, or as interpreted by the retrospective Gelmini law of 2010.

The Ministry representatives repeatedly tried to sidestep this question. Pressed by the Lettori representatives, they stated that the decree respected all pertinent national and European jurisprudence. Revealingly, the word order in this response places national law ahead of EU law. Recalling to the Ministry that EU law prevails over domestic law, the Lettori representatives probed further and asked the Ministry representatives to which fount the interministerial decree gives precedence. At this juncture, the Ministry officials repeated that the Decree respects all national and European jurisprudence but added that the Gelmini Law was still valid. It was conceded by both parties at this point that mediation had failed. Hence, the national strike would go ahead.

FLC CGIL’s concerns over the correct implementation of the 2006 ruling in Case C-119/04 carried over into a letter sent a few days after the failed mediation to Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit. The letter pulls no punches. FLC CGIL recalls to the Commission that in its depositions in Case C-119/04, Italy assured the Court that it had correctly implemented the law of March 2004. The letter further recalls that following firm assurances from Italy to the then Commissioner Vladimír Špidla that the 2004 law would continue to be correctly applied, the Commission announced in a press release

that its infringement proceedings against Italy would be closed. The worth of these assurances, the letter wryly comments, is that in 2023 new infringement proceedings remain open for non-implementation of the C-119/04 ruling.

In its review of the 6.440-word interministerial decree, FLC CGIL, in a mere 40 words, throws down a gauntlet and interprets the decree in its letter to the Commission as follows:

“In the position taken in the interministerial decree, Italy is effectively asking the Commission, guardian of the Treaty, to overrule the Court of Justice and the findings of its own national courts and give interpretative precedence to the “Gelmini Law”.

Parallel representations to the Commission by Asso.CEL.L, a “La Sapienza” University of Rome-based union point out the implications at stake:

“That a member state would be allowed to retrospectively interpret legislation on which the CJEU has already ruled, and to its own advantage, would set a precedent with very serious implications for the rule of law in the EU….. Ultimately only the Court itself can decide on the legitimacy of a retrospective interpretation of its rulings, should a member state insist on the validity of its interpretation.”

Following protests held outside the Ministry of Universities in Rome on December 13 last and subsequently on April 20, Friday’s national strike held was the third industrial action taken by trade unions this academic year, and the most successful. On campuses across Italy Lettori, retired and in service, were joined by their CEL colleagues. A category of university teachers doing exactly the same work as the Lettori, the CELs under Italian law should consequently be entitled to similar pay.

In Padova , Florence (1), Perugia (2), Sassari and other university towns across Italy local TV and press were generous in their coverage of the Lettori strike. Accurately documenting the long-running discrimination, the stories also record student support for their Lettori teachers and the high esteem in which they hold their courses. Initiatives such as meetings with rectors are covered too.

Kurt Rollin is Asso.CEL.L representative for retired Lettori. The open letter he drafted to Minister for Universities, Anna Maria Bernini, documents how retired Lettori live close to the poverty line as a result of the discriminatory pensions they receive. Speaking outside the rector’s office on the campus of “La Sapienza” University of Rome, Mr. Rollin said:

“The interministerial decree is a blatant attempt to escape the Court of Justice ruling in Case C-119/04. Mantra-like the decree repeats that the ruling must be interpreted in accordance with the retrospective Gelmini Law of 2010 as though to preclude all other interpretations. In the circumstances the Commission should now immediately refer the Lettori case to the Court of Justice and thus allow the Court itself to interpret the retrospective Gelmini interpretation of its C-119/04 ruling.”

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Lettori, Italy's Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet

Dublin MEP Clare Daly recently denounced the discrimination against Lettori in a speech before the European Parliament. Simultaneously she drafted a Rule 138 parliamentary question to the Commission on the case, co-signed by six other Irish MEPs.

MEP Daly said:

“The Lettori case is the longest-running breach of the parity of treatment provision of the Treaty in the history of the EU. Italian universities receive very generous EU funding. The ethic of reciprocation demands that Italy now obey the rule of law and pay settlements to the Lettori, retired and in-service, for the uninterrupted and full reconstruction of career due to them from the date of their first employment.”

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(1) From 04.00 to 06.30

(2) From 04.40 to 06.47

A busted women’s trafficking ring in Greece also revealed links to Islamic terrorism

By

Newsdesk

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5 July 2023

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A man arrested by the Greek authorities on Friday for trafficking in women is suspected of Islamic terrorism, reported the electronic edition of Kathimerini.

On Friday, with the help of international police cooperation channels, Greek police broke up a women’s trafficking ring consisting of two criminal organizations. During the large-scale operation, authorities arrested 22 people in Athens and Thessaloniki, including 11 members of the organization and 11 brothel staff. 51 women were rescued from the site, of which 48 Colombians, 2 Venezuelans and 1 Albanian, who were then given help and protection.

The suspected man is a foreigner from the Middle East, who in recent years has been at the center of an investigation by Greek security services following information implicating him in links to the activities of the Islamic State. The man co-owns a night club in Athens with an Albanian, also accused in the women’s trafficking case.

According to the newspaper, the Middle Eastern man arrived in Greece after escaping from prison, but this has not been confirmed by Greek police.

The proceeds of the criminal network were laundered through restaurants and a real estate firm owned by a 71-year-old woman with a long criminal history of human trafficking, known in the underworld as “Marina.”

Associates of the organization persuaded young girls to work in Greece with the promise of high wages, but instead took away their travel documents and sold them, keeping their share of the proceeds.

The authorities estimate that the profits reached 160,000 euros per month, reports the Greek television “Sky”.

Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/santorinni-greece-during-daytime-161275/

The Avignon festival begins

By

Gaston de Persigny

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5 July 2023

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Due to the unrest for the 77th edition of the festival, the national and municipal police are deploying a “coordinated system” with additional forces and security measures in the pedestrian areas.

The Avignon Festival, one of the largest theater events in the world, begins today with a new director – Thiago Rodriguez, and increased security measures due to the unrest in France, AFP reported.

Every year in July, the City of the Popes becomes a city of theater, divided into an “inside” part – the official festival, and an “outside” part – the largest market for live performances in France.

Due to the unrest for the 77th edition of the festival, the national and municipal police are deploying a “coordinated system” with additional forces and security measures in the pedestrian areas. A jamming system will be in place in the air to enforce the ban on drone flights over Avignon.

The Avignon Festival has around 40 stages in the city and beyond, and the festival outside the city has 140 locations and welcomes nearly 1,200 theater companies.

Thiago Rodríguez, who succeeded Olivier Pi, chose to open his first edition with Prosperity, a social spectacle by Julie Delique, the second director to present a play in the Court of Honor of the Papal Palace after Ariane Mnushkin.

The other performance that opens the festival is “G.R.O.O.V.E” by French hip-hop pioneer Bintu Dembele, who organizes a dance walk.

Thiago Rodríguez has decided to invite one language to each edition. This year, the honor is given to English “in response to Brexit”.

“At a time when walls are being built to keep us away from our British friends, we need to build bridges. It’s a kind of cultural diplomacy,” says Rodriguez, noting that after years of absence, the Edinburgh Festival management will be on place to trace French achievements.

Even before the festival started, the new director had to deal with two unpleasant surprises. A long-awaited performance was removed from the program, and the cost of reopening one of the legendary stages of the festival – the “Carrier de Bulbon”, about fifteen kilometers from Avignon, turned out to be very high.

Polish director Christian Lupa’s Emigrants, co-produced by the festival, was canceled a month ago by the Comédie de Genève, where it was due to premiere, due to a confrontation between the director, accused of bad treatment, and the technical team. It was replaced by a play directed by Thiago Rodríguez.

New UN policy paper launched to counter and address online hate

By

United Nations News

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5 July 2023

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New UN policy paper launched to counter and address online hate

The policy paper, Countering and Addressing Online Hate Speech: A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners, was developed jointly by the UN Office with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, at the UK’s University of Essex.

Table of Contents

‘Unprecedented speed’

“We have seen across the world, and time, how social media has become a major vehicle in spreading hate speech at an unprecedented speed, threatening freedom of expression and a thriving public debate,” said Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, who is the global focal point on the issue.

“We saw how the perpetrators in the incidents of identity-based violence used online hate to target, dehumanize and attack others, many of whom are already the most marginalized in society, including ethnic, religious, national or racial minorities, refugees and migrants, women and people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics,” said Ms. Nderitu. 

Key recommendations include:

The need to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law when countering online hate speech, and apply these standards to content moderation, content curation and regulation.
Enhancing transparency of content moderation, content curation and regulation.
Promoting positive narratives to counter online hate speech, and foster user engagement and empowerment.
Ensuring accountability, strengthen judicial mechanisms and enhance independent oversight mechanisms.
Strengthening multilateral and multi-stakeholder cooperation.
Advancing community-based voices and formulating context-sensitive and knowledge-based policymaking and good practice to protect and empower vulnerable groups and populations to counter online hate speech.

The policy paper builds upon earlier initiatives, including The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which seeks to enhance the UN’s response to the global spread and impact of hate speech.

The Strategy makes a firm commitment to step up coordinated action to tackle hate speech, both at global and national levels, including the use of new technologies and engaging with social media to address online hate speech and promote positive narratives.

Role for tech, social media

“Digital technologies and social media play a crucial role in tackling hate speech, through outreach, awareness-raising, providing access to information, and education,” noted the Special Adviser.

“The transformation of our lives into a hybrid format, with the share of our life spent online ever increasing, ensuring that we all enjoy the same rights online as we do offline has become ever more important,” noted Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, Deputy Director, Essex Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project and former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

‘Mass atrocities’

He warned of “the acts of violence that follow from online incitement to violence, including mass atrocities”, beyond the digital divides created by online hate.

“Unfortunately, our investment in countering online hate has not yet matched the reality of its dissemination and impact online. And it remains our responsibility – all relevant stakeholders – to step up our efforts to preserve the hard-won gains achieved to-date in advancing non-discrimination and equality,” concluded Special Adviser Nderitu.

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Iran: Executions and detentions in spotlight at Human Rights Council

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United Nations News

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5 July 2023

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Iran: Executions and detentions in spotlight at Human Rights Council

“We have expressed concerns” over the investigation into her death, said Viviana Krsticevic, a member of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, speaking at a press conference in Geneva: “in particular over the fact that today her family’s right to truth and justice remains unfulfilled”.

She added that the investigations had “fallen short of international human rights norms, and, moreover, efforts to shed light on the circumstances of her death have been hindered.”

Earlier, the Fact-Finding Mission told the Human Rights Council’s 47 Member States that the overall human rights situation in Iran risked deteriorating further amid reports that new legislation is being considered, that proposes harsher punishments on women and girls not wearing their veil according to strict rules.

The death of 22-year-old Ms. Amini after her arrest by Iran’s so-called morality police sparked mass protests across the country – and condemnation from independent UN human rights experts, who called her a victim of “Iran’s sustained repression and systematic discrimination against women”.

Table of Contents

‘Forced veiling’

“We have identified major risks of further erosion of women’s and girls’ rights in Iran”, said Ms. Krsticevic. “We have expressed concern about the continuous repression of women and girls opposing forced veiling and their reported use of facial recognition technologies to identify and arrest them.”

The rights expert also pointed to information indicating students were being suspended from classes, “or banned from dormitories for their defiance of the compulsory veiling law”.

Echoing concerns about the proposed use of flogging for those defying compulsory veiling rules, Sara Hossein, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, said some of the penalties were “clearly what would constitute inhuman punishment under international law”.

The Fact-Finding Mission – established by the Human Rights Council in November 2022 – is also investigating whether alleged poisonings of girls in schools have been orchestrated as a way to punish or deter girls for their involvement in the protests.

“Just two months after the protests occurred, a series of alleged poisonings started in dozens of schools in 28 provinces”, said Ms. Krsticevic. “Reports said this may have been may have been orchestrated to punish girls or to turn them from involvement in the protests and are being duly investigated in the framework of our mandate.”

Ten months after Ms. Amini’s death, no official data has been made publicly available regarding those arrested, detained, charged or convicted in connection with the protests, the experts said.

But reports continue to emerge of arrests and detentions, including women and girls defying the country’s forced veiling law and of family members being harassed.

“The aftermath of those protests in the form of intimidation of families and of reprisals continue unabated,” said Shaheen Sardar Ali, member of the Fact-Finding Mission.

She added that according to the Iranian authorities, 22,000 people had been pardoned in connection with the protests.

“This suggests that many more were detained or charged. Unfortunately, no disaggregated data exists on the nature of the accusations against these people or on those convicted, still detained or charged for their involvement in the protests.”

Those involved in the protests reportedly continue to suffer harsh punishments, including for exercising rights protected under international human rights law, the experts said.

This is despite concerns over a lack transparency in legal proceedings and failure to meet basic fair trial and due process guarantees under international human rights law.

Death penalty surge

“Since November 2022, at least 26 individuals have reportedly been sentenced to death in connection with the protests and dozens more have been charged with offences carrying the death penalty,” said Ms. Sardar Ali.

“Seven men have already been executed following these proceedings marred by serious allegations of fair trial violations, including confessions extracted under torture.”

To date, the Fact-Finding Mission has sent seven letters to the Iranian Government, including repeated requests for a visit to the country to gather information critical to its investigations, which have yet to be answered.

The experts met the lead Iranian officials on Tuesday, who have been appointed to the Government’s Special Committee investigating the protests.

The Fact-Finding Mission is preparing a comprehensive report on its findings to the Human Rights Council for its 55^th session in March 2024.

Replying in the Council on Wednesday, Iran refuted the allegations made in the report of a disproportionate response by security forces to the protests.

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UN voices ‘shock and condemnation’ as gender-based violence soars across Sudan

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United Nations News

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5 July 2023

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UN voices ‘shock and condemnation’ as gender-based violence soars across Sudan

The violations include conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls forced to flee for their lives.

Agency chiefs from humanitarian coordination office OCHA, the human rights office (OHCHR), the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO), called for an immediate end to the violence, including sexual violence as a tactic of war to terrorize people.

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Investigations paramount

They demanded prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigations into all alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law; and for perpetrators to be held accountable.

They also stressed that all parties must respect their obligations under international law to protect civilians, including women and girls, including allowing safe passage for survivors to access healthcare.

Health workers also need to be provided access to reach health facilities to carry out their lifesaving work.

The UN chiefs also stressed the need to swiftly scale up gender-based violence prevention and response services in Sudan as well as in neighbouring countries, where those fleeing violence have sought safety as refugees, to meet the soaring needs.

28 refugees killed in Khartoum

On Tuesday the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, urged Sudan’s warring generals to allow safe passage for civilians, after it was confirmed that 28 refugees being hosted by Sudan were killed in Khartoum.

The area where they were living was engulfed by the fighting on 25 June, the agency said in a news release, with other refugees injured during the incident.

“UNHCR is appalled and expresses its deepest condolences to the affected families. We are working to help trace relatives and victims and provide psychosocial and other support.”

Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR regional director, said that “once again refugees and other civilians are the innocent victims of this tragic war…Everyone must honour international humanitarian law and human rights law and prioritize the safety and well-being of affected communities, including refugees.”

Healthcare and hunger: Tedros

During his weekly health update, UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

“The health needs of the population are high, access to healthcare remains very difficult, and the conditions created by the conflict in Sudan increase the risk for epidemics to spread and kill,” said the WHO Director General.

There has also been a dramatic increase in the number of people at highest risk of hunger, which has jumped from 11.7 million to 19.1 million.

WHO has also verified 50 attacks against healthcare, including 32 incidents affecting facilities, and 10 deaths and 21 injuries among health workers and patients.

Tedros said he was appalled by attacks on healthcare, as well as increasing gender-based violence. He stressed that health workers and facilities must be protected, and corridors for the delivery of humanitarian and health supplies must be safeguarded.

“Corridors for humanitarian and health supplies to be delivered need to be safeguarded”, said Tedros.

“We urge all parties to the conflict in Sudan to cease hostilities now before the health and hunger crisis gets even worse.”

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