From the World Food Programme (WFP), Chad Country Director Pierre Honnorat said that 20,000 people crossed into Chad just last week.
Speaking to journalists via Zoom from the Zabout refugee camp in Goz Beida, Mr. Honnorat described desperate scenes: “We can see that they have suffered, many lost family members, and we don’t even dare ask them, ‘Where are the men?’ The answer from the mothers is often that they were killed. So, you just see many women, many children.”
The new arrivals are among the more than 230,000 refugees and 38,000 returnees who’ve been uprooted by deadly clashes in west Sudan’s Darfur states.
Many are seriously wounded and have harrowing stories of the violence they have experienced, Mr. Honnorat said, as he appealed for financial support to help the victims of Sudan’s conflict, which began on 15 April and has been marked by the use of heavy weaponry and airstrikes involving rival military forces.
“This is not over at all,” the WFP official said. “We really need support. It’s no longer about hope. We give them hope, safety, but they really need to eat every day. The situation is really critical.”
In order to scale up WFP’s response on the Chad-Sudan border, the UN agency needs a minimum of $13 million every month.
Dying at nutrition centres
Urgent priorities include treating the wounded and helping dangerously malnourished children crossing from Darfur into Chad. According to WFP, one in 10 displaced youngsters from Sudan is malnourished.
“Every week children are dying at the nutrition centres; this is a reality,” Mr. Honnorat said. “The malnutrition rate for children now is just too high, and we need to be extremely quick in prevention to make sure that those who are under what we call moderate to acute malnutrition can urgently get what they need so they don’t fall into the severe malnutrition.”
According to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, the conflict has displaced more than 2.5 million people inside Sudan and across borders into neighbouring countries. Before the crisis erupted, there were 1.1 million refugees in Sudan, mainly from South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Syria.
The latest data from UNHCR indicates that Chad has opened its borders to more than 190,000 refugees, second only to Egypt, which shelters more than 250,000.
‘So little funding’
In recent weeks, WFP has constructed six temporary health units, including two now used as a makeshift hospital and for medical logistics, and four as transit points for new refugees crossing into Chad.
“I’ve rarely seen such an important crisis with so little funding,” said the WFP country director. “I was also at the border, on the bridge, what’s left as a bridge. It’s a constant flow and the ones that are coming now are in much worse situations than those who arrived in the first days.”
Many of those arriving in Chad from Darfur are seriously wounded amid reports that fleeing civilians have been deliberated targeted with an increasing ethnic dimension to the violence.
The European Union (EU) and New Zealand have officially signed a groundbreaking free trade agreement (FTA) that holds immense potential for economic growth and sustainability. This landmark deal is expected to deliver significant gains for the EU, cutting approximately €140 million in duties for EU companies annually from the first year of implementation. With an estimated growth of up to 30% in bilateral trade within a decade, the FTA could potentially drive annual EU exports by up to €4.5 billion. Moreover, EU investment in New Zealand has the potential to increase by up to 80%. This historic agreement also stands out due to its unprecedented sustainability commitments, including respect for the Paris Climate Agreement and core labour rights.
The EU-New Zealand FTA opens up new horizons for businesses of all sizes. It eliminates all tariffs on EU exports to New Zealand, expanding market access and trade potential. The agreement specifically focuses on key sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, maritime transport, and delivery services, enabling EU businesses to tap into the New Zealand services market. Both parties have ensured non-discriminatory treatment for investors, enhancing investment prospects and fostering a conducive business environment.
The agreement also improves access to New Zealand government procurement contracts for EU companies, facilitating trade in goods, services, works, and works concessions. It streamlines data flows, establishes predictable and transparent rules for digital trade, and ensures a secure online environment for consumers. By preventing unjustified data localization requirements and upholding high standards of personal data protection, the agreement promotes digital trade and privacy.
New Zealand is a key partner for us in the Indo-Pacific region, and this free trade agreement will bring us even closer together. With today’s signature, we have taken an important step in making the agreement a reality. This modern free trade agreement brings major opportunities for our companies, our farmers and our consumers, on both sides. With unprecedented social and climate commitments, it drives just and green growth while reinforcing Europe’s economic security.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission – 09/07/2023
Boosting Agricultural and Food Trade:
The agricultural and food sector is set to benefit significantly from the EU-New Zealand FTA. EU farmers gain immediate access to the New Zealand market, as tariffs on key exports such as pig meat, wine, chocolate, sugar confectionery, and biscuits are eliminated from day one. Furthermore, the agreement safeguards the protection of nearly 2,000 EU wines and spirits.
Additionally, it ensures the protection of 163 traditional EU products known as Geographical Indications, including iconic items like Asiago and Feta cheeses, Lübecker Marzipan, and Istarski pršut ham. However, sensitive agricultural sectors such as dairy, beef, sheep meat, ethanol, and sweetcorn have been addressed through provisions that limit trade liberalization. Tariff Rate Quotas will allow limited imports from New Zealand at zero or reduced tariffs, safeguarding the interests of EU producers.
EU-New Zealand take Unprecedented Commitments to Sustainability:
The EU-New Zealand FTA sets new standards for sustainability commitments in trade agreements. It integrates the EU’s comprehensive approach to trade and sustainable development, emphasizing green and just economic growth. The agreement incorporates ambitious trade and sustainable development commitments, covering a wide range of issues.
It includes a dedicated chapter on sustainable food systems, highlighting the importance of environmentally responsible agricultural practices. Moreover, the agreement features a provision on trade and gender equality, aiming to promote inclusive growth. Notably, it addresses the issue of trade-related fossil fuel subsidies, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility. The FTA also facilitates the liberalization of environmental goods and services, promoting green technologies and solutions.
Next Steps and Future Outlook:
The EU-New Zealand FTA is now awaiting consent from the European Parliament. Once the Parliament approves the agreement, the Council can adopt the Decision on the conclusion. Upon completion of the ratification process in both the EU and New Zealand, the agreement will come into force, opening up a new era of economic cooperation and prosperity.
This agreement underscores the EU’s commitment to an open trade approach and strengthens its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region. President Ursula von der Leyen expressed optimism regarding the FTA, emphasizing the importance of New Zealand as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. She highlighted the major opportunities the agreement brings for companies, farmers, and consumers on both sides, promoting equitable and sustainable growth while enhancing Europe’s economic security.
Conclusion:
The EU-New Zealand free trade agreement represents a groundbreaking milestone in international trade relations. By forging deeper economic ties, this FTA paves the way for increased trade, investment, and collaboration. Its emphasis on sustainability and adherence to global commitments further exemplify the EU’s dedication to responsible trade practices.
As the agreement progresses towards ratification, it serves as a testament to the power of international partnerships in fostering economic growth and sustainability. The EU and New Zealand have set a strong example, demonstrating that trade can be a force for positive change while promoting shared prosperity and a greener future.
We know that we should drink about eight glasses of water a day, or about a litre and a half. But what about our dog? You see your pet drinking, but how much water is he actually ingesting? And last but not least – how can we be sure that our furry friend is well hydrated?
Most dogs eagerly drink water when they’re thirsty, but if you want to encourage your furry friend to hydrate more, check some basics first. Make sure your four-legged friend always has a full bowl of clean water available. Furthermore:
• Change the animal’s water every day;
• Clean his water bowl daily to prevent bacteria and germs from accumulating on the bottom;
• Make sure the water in your pet’s bowl is clean – there are no hair, dust or other contaminants that would make it unattractive;
• Leave the bowl in a cool or shady place in your home, away from the sun. The animal is less likely to drink from a warm bowl.
Providing water when you’re on the go
If you’re going on a long walk, visiting a dog park or approaching, be sure to bring extra water with you. Even if your outing is relatively short, make sure your furry friend is well-hydrated.
How much water do dogs need?
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, it is thought to be good for dogs to drink about 0.030 litres of water per kilogram of body weight. If the animal is active, it may need more. And just like humans, four-legged friends also need more water when they spend time outside.
Canine dehydration
During the warmer and hotter months, it is important to keep your dog well-hydrated at home or on the go. Among the signs of dehydration to watch for are:
• Apathy
• Excessive drooling
• Frantic search for drinking water
• Pale, dry and/or sticky gums
If you suspect your dog is dehydrated, try to give him small sips of water to help him rehydrate – don’t let him drink too quickly as this can cause vomiting.
If your pet’s symptoms do not improve or worsen, take him to the vet immediately.
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/short-coated-black-and-brown-puppy-in-white-and-red-polka-dot-ceramic-mug-on-green-field- 39317/
Bangladesh has attracted the attention of political observers worldwide as it is expected to hold its next parliamentary elections in January 2024. The outcome of the upcoming elections will likely play a significant role in determining the future of EU-Bangladesh relations.
Bangladesh is facing mounting pressures from the United States, and the EU, to ensure the free, fair, and participatory nature of next year’s elections. In response, Bangladesh’s current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that the country will welcome EU and UK observers to monitor the electoral process.
An invitation has already been sent to the EU, which will dispatch an exploratory mission to Bangladesh in July this year for a 13-day visit. The mission is expected to meet representatives of the political parties, civil society, and media. The EU can later send a full-fledged observation mission of 140 to 150 observers.
Bangladesh has achieved extraordinary socio-economic development in the last decade and is expected to graduate from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) status in 2026. Charles Whiteley, the EU ambassador to Bangladesh, believes that if Bangladesh succeeds in carrying out free and fair parliamentary elections, it will send a clear signal to the EU that it possesses a political environment conducive to further expansion of EU-Bangladesh cooperation, which has so far seen fruitful results.
50 Years of EU-Bangladesh Relations
This year marks the 50th anniversary of EU-Bangladesh relations. Their past cooperation can be described as transformative and dynamic, to say the least.
The EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative has been the primary driving force behind the EU becoming Bangladesh’s largest trading partner, particularly in the garment industry, as it has already surpassed China as the largest exporter of garments to the EU, directing more than half of its exports to the bloc.
Bangladesh is also considered a success story of the EU’s Generalised Schemes of Preferences (GSP) which provides duty-free access to the EU’s market and is used to help the LDCs further their economic development. Over the years, Bangladesh’s cooperation with the EU has undergone a considerable shift from primarily focusing on development aid to diversifying their partnership across various sectors which now include climate change, governance, migration, and alike.
The EU praised Bangladesh for its impressive achievements concerning economic growth, poverty reduction, and the implementation of the National Action Plan on labour rights and workplace safety.
In addition, the EU-Bangladesh partnership reached a new high in November last year as they conducted the first-ever EU-Bangladesh Political Dialogue, which is now going to be held annually. The dialogue marks a further strengthening of EU-Bangladesh relations beyond the current focus of their cooperation, with collaboration in foreign policy, digital transformation, and security expected to take a central stage.
Notwithstanding the advancements in their relations, Bangladesh still faces several obstacles to further strengthening its cooperation with the EU. As Bangladesh becomes more prosperous and prepares for its transition from LDCs status to a middle-income economy, it will also have to renegotiate its trade agreements with the EU.
The European Union decided to extend its EBA scheme for Bangladesh until 2029, after which Bangladesh will be expected to sign 32 international conventions to qualify for the EU’s GSP+ programme. While Bangladesh is making good progress in areas such as climate change and work conditions, improving its human, civil, and political rights record needs to be addressed more effectively.
The EU as a Partner in Promoting Democracy
The upcoming elections allow Bangladesh to prove to international observers that it is on the right trajectory to become eligible for GSP+. Following European criticism of the 2014 and 2018 elections, the EU and other actors are particularly adamant in encouraging the two main political parties in Bangladesh, the Awami League and the BNP, to set aside their differences and ensure free, fair, and credible elections.
The US has even made the decision to impose visa restrictions on those that are proven to have interfered with and undermined the democratic process. These moves rightly denounce any alternative to democratic elections.
The EU hopes to see a similar situation to that of the 2008 elections, which were considered a step forward in successfully rehabilitating Bangladesh’s democracy following a military-backed caretaker government rule.
The elections were pronounced fair, free, and representative of Bangladesh’s citizens both by hundreds of international observers and the EU. The EU has also devised a plan to help Bangladesh consolidate its democratic processes by supporting key institutions, enhancing civil society, and improving civil-military relations, to name a few.
However, since then the democratic processes in Bangladesh were, and may still be, far from sustainable.
The nature of the elections, rather than the outcome itself, is likely to have a significant impact on the future of EU-Bangladeshi ties. Given the positive trajectory that Bangladesh has so far been enjoying in its relationship with the bloc, carrying out successful elections has the opportunity to further boost the EU’s trust in Bangladesh’s eligibility for transitioning to the GSP+ scheme. And given the growing interest of the international community, there is an opportunity for all parties in Bangladesh to prove their respect for the democratic process and not to amend it.
This weekend marked 500 days since the start of Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, said President Metsola. Parliament has stood with Ukraine and its people from the start, leading the call for Ukraine to be granted EU candidate status and pushing forward political momentum for humanitarian, military and financial support, she added. The Parliament procured generators to provide heating and light to Ukrainians when it was needed. The legislation and agreements reached with Council on joint procurement and defence, and the act in support of ammunition production (ASAP) will make a real difference, the President said.
Detention of Wall Street Journal reporter
It is 100 days since Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was illegally detained by Russia, said President Metsola, reiterating Parliament’s solidarity, support and determination to see him freed immediately.
Daphne Caruana Galizia
Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered 300 weeks ago, and the Parliament continues to call for justice to be served, noted the President. Being a journalist takes courage, but Parliament is committed to ensuring the right legislation is in place, so that people are not forced to be brave to do it, she concluded.
Violent disruption of Tbilisi Pride
On Saturday Tbilisi Pride was violently disrupted; anti-LGBTIQ rhetoric, disinformation and violence are unacceptable, said the President, adding that the lives and safety of the LGBTIQ community must be a priority – people deserve to live their lives free from fear.
Request by several committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission
Decisions by committees to enter into inter-institutional negotiations (Rule 71) are published on the plenary website.
If no request for a vote in Parliament on the decision to enter into negotiations is made by Tuesday 12.00 midnight, the committees may start negotiations.
Information concerning the distribution of votes is available under the section “Priority information”.
Also known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, it has been run by the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) in Istanbul, staffed by Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the UN.
Here are the main facts and figures you need to know:
What has the Black Sea Grain Initiative achieved since being signed in July 2022?
Nearly one year into the agreement, more than 32 million tonnes of food commodities have been exported from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports to 45 countries across three continents.
The partial resumption of Ukrainian sea exports enabled by the Initiative has unblocked vital food commodities and has helped reverse spiking global food prices, which reached record highs shortly before the agreement was signed.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Food Price Index recorded a steady monthly decline over the past year, dropping more than 23 per cent from its peak in March 2022.
The Initiative has allowed the World Food Programme (WFP) to transport more than 725,000 tonnes of wheat to help people in need in Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Ukraine supplied more than half of WFP’s wheat grain in 2022, as was the case in 2021.
Black Sea Grain Initiative cargo totals by destination and commodity
Food prices and inflation still remain high. How has the Initiative helped the millions of hungry people around the world?
Although global food commodity prices have generally fallen, many factors influence food affordability and domestic food inflation, including exchange rates. The Initiative has helped reconnect foodstuffs from Ukraine to global supply chains, contributing to lower prices on world markets.
The FAOFood Price Index stood at 140.6 in July 2022, when the Initiative was unveiled. It has declined 11.6 per cent since that time, reaching 122.3 points in June 2023.
In the same period, the FAO Cereal Price Index has fallen by 14 per cent from 147.3 points to 126.6 points, thanks in part to increased global supplies facilitated by the Initiative.
Why should the Black Sea Initiative continue?
Before the conflict, Ukraine was one of the leading grain exporters and the leading global exporter of sunflower oil. Its produce must continue to flow unhindered to supply markets and help to contain prices.
A lack of food supplies produces knock-on effects for the lives of millions of people, particularly the poorest, hitting them hard in the areas of health, education, and social cohesion.
The Initiative has allowed the partial resumption of vital food supplies into the market. It has given Ukrainian farmers some level of predictability in production and harvest and has revived key shipping lanes.
United Nations inspectors board a ship to conduct an inspection for the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC).
Is the Initiative intended to supply foodstuffs to low-income countries in Africa and elsewhere? Is it primarily humanitarian or commercial?
The aim of the Black Sea Initiative is to facilitate exports from three Ukrainian sea ports. Crops from Ukraine are sold around the world, including to countries where some of the population is experiencing food insecurity.
Cargo may be processed and re-exported from the initial destinations. The Initiative does not stipulate where exports should go. Exports to any country, rich or poor, however, can help to calm global markets and mitigate food price inflation.
Supplies transported under the Initiative by WFP are directly supporting people in need in humanitarian crises. As of July 2023, WFP procured 80 per cent of its global wheat grain from Ukraine under the Initiative, up from 50 per cent in 2021 and 2022.
In this unique operation, commercial exports have global benefits.
When is the Initiative up for renewal, and for how long?
The Black Sea Initiative’s initial duration was for 120 days starting on 22 July 2022. It was renewed by all parties on 18 November for another 120 days.
On 17 March, all parties agreed to its renewal, but Russia only agreed to a 60-day extension pending review. On 18 May, Russia confirmed its participation in the deal for another 60 days. As a result, the agreement is now set for renewal on 17 July.
The UN would like to see the Initiative implemented and extended for as long as is needed so that food can be transported out of Ukraine using the Black Sea route safely and cost-effectively.
Why have food exports through the Initiative dropped sharply in recent months?
Food exports through the Initiative have declined significantly in recent months due to the slower pace of inspections and the exclusion of the port of Yuzhny/Pivdennyi from the Initiative.
From a record daily average high of 11 inspections in October 2022, the daily average has fallen below five in April, May, and June of 2023.
Monthly exports peaked at 4.2 million metric tonnes in October 2022, but were only 1.3 million metric tonnes in May 2023.
Details and data on volumes and destinations of cargo are available here.
Cargo and inspection volumes from 1 August 2022 to 10 July 2023:
Cargo exports by port and month.
Why has ammonia not been exported?
Fertilizer exports, including ammonia, are critical for agricultural production and food security. The Initiative provides for the export of fertilizer, including ammonia.
The UN Secretary-General has emphasized the importance of increased fertilizer and ammonia supplies to support global food security. However, to date no fertilizer or ammonia has been exported under the Initiative.
Exports of ammonia under the Initiative would depend on the resumption of the ammonia pipeline from Togliatti in Russia to the Ukrainian port of Yuzhny/Pivdennyi. Damage to the pipeline was reported on 5 June, and its current status is not known.
Why doesn’t the UN demand more vessel inspections in order to increase shipments?
The UN remains firmly committed to supporting the effective implementation of the Initiative and its continuation. However, implementation is based on consensus, so all parties have to agree on the tempo of the operation.
Inspections are conducted jointly and all parties clear each vessel both for its inbound and outbound voyage. The UN team in the JCC is there to facilitate and work with the parties to try to address operational challenges.
High-level engagement with the parties continues in an effort to secure agreement on a package of measures to address their key concerns in a mutually acceptable manner.
UN Inspector Metin Gezer carries out a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) inspection in the Marmara Sea.
How is the Initiative implemented? Why do exports from Ukraine have to go through an inspection regime while exports from Russia do not?
The responsibility of the JCC is to facilitate the safe passage of commercial vessels carrying grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers, including ammonia, in and out of three Ukrainian ports: Odesa, Chornomorsk, and Yuzhny/Pivdennyi.
The JCC is also responsible for inspections of inbound and outbound vessels to ensure that there is no unauthorized cargo or crew. The JCC publicly reports on shipments and movements of ships facilitated under the Initiative.
The Black Sea Initiative does not address exports from ports in Russia.
Carrying over 1.1 million barrels of oil, the supertanker FSO Safer was abandoned off Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hudaydah after the civil war broke out in the country in 2015. Since then, the vessel has deteriorated significantly in absence of any servicing or maintenance, prompting fears of a major environmental disaster.
According to David Gressly, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, the vessel Nautica is preparing to sail from Djibouti. It will moor alongside the Safer and once the transfer starts, it will take about two weeks.
“The completion of the ship-to-ship transfer of the oil by the start of August will be a moment when the whole world can heave a sigh of relief,” Mr Gressly said, adding that the “worst-case humanitarian, environmental and economic catastrophe from a massive oil spill will have been prevented.”
After the oil has been off-loaded, the next critical step will include the delivery and instalment of a catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoy, which is secured to the seabed, and to which the replacement vessel will safely be installed. The CALM buoy needs to be in place by September.
Backed by generous funding from Member States, the private sector, and the general public, which contributed $300,000 through a crowdfunding campaign, UN raised about $118 million of the $148 million estimated budget for the undertaking.
The broad coalition working to prevent the catastrophe also includes environmental groups, including Greenpeace and, in Yemen, Holm Akhdar; as well as several UN entities.
Situation remains ‘fragile and challenging’
At a separate meeting of the 15-member Security Council on Monday, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called on the warring parties to reach a “serious breakthrough” in the ongoing discussions to finally end the conflict between an international coalition backing the recognized Government, and Houthi rebels.
He said that despite a period of relative calm, the situation in crisis-ridden Yemen remains fragile and challenging, and that the country “cannot afford a seasonal peace”.
The Special Envoy underscored the need for the parties to the conflict to “to make further, bold steps toward a peace that is sustainable and just.”
“This means an end to the conflict that promises accountable national and local governance, economic and environmental justice, and guarantees of equal citizenship for all Yemenis, regardless of gender, faith, background or race,” he said.
In his briefing, Mr. Grundberg outlined a course of action including an immediate halt to military provocations and a sustainable nationwide ceasefire, economic de-escalation and addressing longer term economic priorities.
He added the parties need to agree a clear path to restarting an intra-Yemeni political process, under UN auspices.
A boy is photographed carrying a water container in the Ala’amaseer area of the city of Aden, Yemen, on 29 April 2020.
Humanitarian needs still high
Assistant-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya, also briefed and told Security Council members that humanitarian needs in Yemen will remain high for the foreseeable future.
In 2023, relief agencies aim to reach 17.3 million people, out of a staggering 21.6 million people in need of assistance, she said, adding that halfway through the year, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Yemen is funded at just 29 per cent.
“As the political process progresses, we must remain vigilant and active on the humanitarian front. With better funding and more access, we can expand our reach and improve the protection of civilians – but we also need to see support for measures to improve Yemen’s economy,” she concluded.
Firstly, it should be emphasized that the concept of “cult” (secte in French) is not part of international law. Any religious, spiritual, philosophical, theistic or non-theistic group, or any of its members, can lodge a complaint for alleged violation of freedom of religion or belief. Many have done so successfully in European countries, including at the European Court of Human Rights on the basis of Article 9 of the European Convention:
“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching practice and observance.”
Secondly, cults are legally impossible to identify. The publication of a list of 189 possibly suspect groups attached to the Belgian parliamentary report on cults in 1998 was widely criticized at the time for its stigmatizing instrumentalization, particularly but not only by the media. It was finally recognized that it had no legal value and could not be used as a legal document in courts.
Thirdly, the European Court of Human Rights recently handed down a judgment in the case of Tonchev and Others v. Bulgaria of December 13, 2022 (Nr 56862/15), opposing Evangelicals to the Bulgarian state over the distribution by a public authority of a brochure warning against dangerous cults, including their religion. In particular, the Court declared:
53 (…) the Court considers that the terms used in the circular letter and information note of April 9, 2008 – which described certain religious currents, including Evangelicalism, to which the applicant associations belong, as “dangerous religious cults” which “contravene Bulgarian legislation, citizens’ rights and public order” and whose meetings expose their participants to “psychic disorders” (paragraph 5 above) – may indeed be perceived as pejorative and hostile. (…)
In these circumstances, and even if the measures complained about have not directly restricted the right of the applicant pastors or their co-religionists to manifest their religion through worship and practice, the Court considers, in the light of its above-mentioned case-law (paragraph 52 above), that these measures may have had negative repercussions on the exercise by the members of the churches in question of their freedom of religion.
The official mission of the Belgian Cult Observatory is therefore intrinsically and very clearly at odds with the European Court in stigmatizing so-called “harmful cultic organizations,” an obviously derogatory formulation.
Using derogatory words targeting homosexuals, Africans or any other human groups is forbidden by law. It should not be different with religious or belief groups.
Last but not least: By whom, how and according to what criteria of “harmfulness” could “harmful cultic organizations” be legally identified?
The Observatory’s mandate is also intrinsically contradictory.
On the one hand, its mission is to combat so-called “illegal practices” of cults, which must therefore be qualified as such by a final judgment and not before.
On the other hand, its mission is also to “combat harmful cultic organizations”, which can be done without any judicial decision concerning the groups to be targeted. The neutrality of the state is clearly at stake here, especially as many “cults” or their members have won quite a number of cases in Strasbourg against European states on the basis of Article 9 of the European Convention protecting freedom of religion or belief.
The mission of the Belgian Cult Observatory vulnerable to a complaint in Strasbourg
These aspects of the Observatory’s mission may not withstand a complaint to the European Court.
Indeed, we should not forget the surprising collateral effects of a recent “ordinary” complaint concerning discriminatory taxation lodged in Strasbourg by a local congregation of the Jehovah’s Witness movement, treated as a cult by the Belgian Cult Observatory and the Belgian State authorities. The European Court then roundly criticized the total lack of any legal basis for state recognition of religious and philosophical groups, which was not part of the complaint, and called on Belgium to comply with international law.
“a violation of Article 14 (prohibition of discrimination) read in conjunction with Article 9 (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) of the European Convention on Human Rights.”
It also held, unanimously, that Belgium was to pay the applicant association 5,000 euros (EUR) in respect of costs and expenses.
Belgium has now put in place a working group to revise a posteriori the state recognition of religious and philosophical organizations. Belgium should better anticipate another issue concerning its cult policy and follow the example of Switzerland with its Centre for Information on Beliefs (CIC).
A sense of humour is said to be a clear indicator of a person’s intelligence. And if nothing else, it clearly suggests the flexibility of mental activity, the feeling of truth and untruth, of wit and spirituality.
But is a person born with a sense of humour? Is it brought up?
Humour is the spice of life. Have you ever wondered when the feeling begins to develop and when a child begins to understand jokes? Scientists have finally found the answer – and it happens to be surprisingly early in the development process!
Maybe you’ve wondered when exactly your child will start to understand your jokes, or even when they’ll start cracking jokes themselves for the first time. A group of scientists are just as interested to find out and so they decide to study it in depth.
A research team from the University of Portsmouth found that a child can use facial expressions or different sounds from 7-8 months of age to deliberately make adults laugh, writes the BBC.
Children gradually develop their sense of humour
As children develop their imagination, speech and understanding, they also develop their sense of humour and their ability to recognize that you’ve just made a joke.
Experts note that this pace is individual for each child, but we can summarize the individual phases and thus give at least an approximate classification of how a child’s sense of humour develops. This roundup is courtesy of the BBC:
3-4 months
Babies start laughing when they are 3 months old. During this period, visual sensations can trigger laughter, mostly in response to visual stimuli such as a grimace their parents make. They may also find some sounds funny.
7-8 months
As we mentioned at the beginning, during this period the child learns to work with his facial expression, voice or body movements in order to make the parents laugh. At this stage we can also observe evidence of conscious repetition: when your child does something to make you laugh, he may do it again.
9-10 months
During this time, you can very often notice that a smile will appear on their face when they do something they shouldn’t. This is how they begin to develop a “teasing” sense of humour.
1 year
During this period, you can notice even more that when a child does some “mischief”, he will look pleased with himself. But the really interesting thing at this point is that it has already started to distinguish your real jokes from “sarcasm”: for example, when you intend to drink from his bottle.
2 years
Based on the development of the child’s vocabulary, we can observe the first attempts to verbally express jokes at this age. So, as you can see, they understand humour in all its forms extremely early – and probably earlier than you thought.
Can we somehow develop a sense of humour?
As mentioned above, even the smallest baby can smile, but of course, you can help develop this ability from the very first months.
Different games or fun doodles can be great for you and your child to have a chance to laugh at the pictures you just created.
When your baby is older, another great way to develop a sense of humour is to watch or read funny stories. For example, after reading a story, you can ask your child if there was anything in the story that made them laugh, or if they can think of something funny that one of the characters might say.
Planting thousands of trees along Malawi’s Lilongwe River; modeling regenerative lifestyles at an eco-village outside Amman, Jordan; banning new oil and gas wells in the US; improving soil health, food security and establishing income for women with a grove of mango trees in Kolkata; and teaching eco-literacy to children in Cambodia are only a few of the hundreds of ways Cooperation Circles across the United Religions Initiative (URI) network are inviting people around the world to restore Earth and establish local resiliency.
URI indigenous and multi-faith based groups not waiting for the policymakers
Whether the most recent IPCC report or progress updates on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), current data makes it clear that the necessary global commitments or the required changes in human behavior and infrastructure will not happen in time to keep global warming beneath 2°C; nor will we reach the SDGs by the 2030 target. The consequences will continue to be devastating and inter-related because everything is inter-related.
Thankfully Indigenous groups and many faith-based organizations are not waiting for the policymakers. Important, life-preserving work is being done by houses of worship and spiritual communities in the form of disaster preparedness or by becoming “resilience hubs” in their locations. URI is a global leader in these efforts. URI is a global grassroots interfaith network that cultivates peace and justice by engaging people to bridge religious and cultural differences and work together for the good of their communities and the world. Since its founding 23 years ago, URI has celebrated Indigenous wisdom and the teachings of world religions by recognizing that working to restore Earth and taking good care of one another are always related. Just as soil, birds and trees work together to create a healthy eco-system, gender equality, job security and clean water work together to create healthy communities. URI’s thousands of local groups around the globe — Cooperation Circles — are demonstrating that caring for Earth sometimes looks less like planting a garden and more like helping girls stay in school. And tending our communities might mean buying locally but it’s also about divesting wisely, relinquishing excess and returning land to those who can best steward it into the future.
United Religions Initiative’s safe, innovative and peace-filled responses
Pope Francis in his 2015 encyclical, “Laudato Si,” stated, “While the existing world order proves powerless to assume its responsibilities, local individuals and groups can make a real difference. They are able to instill a greater sense of responsibility, a strong sense of community, a readiness to protect others, a spirit of creativity and a deep love for the land. They are also concerned about what they will eventually leave to their children and grandchildren.” And at the UN’s Environmental Assembly 5 (March, 2022), faith leaders offered a closing statement, acknowledging the necessary and vital role played by religious leaders and people of faith in responding to the intensifying, interconnected crises.
Across URI (United Religions Initiative), Cooperation Circles believe that, in even the most disruptive and emotionally challenging times, safe, innovative and peace-filled responses are possible, resulting in more resilient, collaborative communities. Together, we can accept the weight of this moment by responding to the unique needs in each of our communities, and honoring our inter-relatedness as the source of strength it has always been.
