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One year of the Black Sea Initiative: Key facts and figures 

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United Nations News
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One year of the Black Sea Initiative: Key facts and figures 

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 FAO Food 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).

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.

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.

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.

A crop farm in Baranove, Odesa region, Ukraine.

A crop farm in Baranove, Odesa region, Ukraine.

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Yemen: Transfer of oil from decaying ship expected to start next week

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United Nations News
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Yemen: Transfer of oil from decaying ship expected to start next week

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.

Generous donors and crowdfunding

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.

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Belgium, Is CIAOSN ‘Cults Observatory’ at odds with principles of the European Court of Human Rights?

By
Willy Fautre
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HRWF (10.07.2023) – On June 26, the Federal Observatory on Cults (CIAOSN/ IACSSO), officially known as the “Center for Information and Advice on Harmful Cultic Organizations” and created by the law of June 2, 1998 (amended by the law of April 12, 2004), published a number of “Recommendations concerning help for victims of cultic influence“.

In this document, the Observatory points out that its aim is to “combat the illegal practices of cults”.

Illegal practices of cults

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.

Judgment of European Court of Human Rightsin the case of Tonchev and Others v. Bulgaria of December 13, 2022 (Nr 56862/15)

Paragraph 52 of the judgment lists other cases such as “Leela Förderkreis e.V. and Others v. Germany” and “Centre of Societies for Krishna Consciousness In Russia and Frolov v. Russia“, in which the use of the derogatory term “cult” was disavowed by the European Court and now serves as case law. See also a commentary on the European Court’s judgment by Massimo Introvigne in Bitter Winter under the title “European Court of Human Rights: Governments should not call minority religions ‘cults’.”

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.

On 5 April 2022, in the case Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Anderlecht and Others v. Belgium (application no. 20165/20) about a discriminatory taxation issue towards Jehovah’s Witnesses, the European Court of Human Rights held, unanimously, that there had been:

“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.

The Court also noted that neither the criteria for recognition nor the procedure leading to recognition of a faith by the federal authority were laid down in an instrument satisfying the requirements of accessibility and foreseeability, which were inherent in the notion of the rul

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).

When a person acquires a sense of humour

By
Gaston de Persigny
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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?

When does a person start laughing?

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.

United Religions Initiative: Local Cooperation Brings Peace, Resilience, Restoration

By
Lauren van Ham
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URI United Religions Initiative - Climate Change

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.

Spain, alert for risk of forest fires and high temperatures

By
Juan Sanchez Gil
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forest fires
Photo credit: Spain government Ministry of Interior

The risk of forest fires will continue to be very high or extreme in large parts of the country over the next few days.

From Sunday and especially during the next week an episode of very high temperatures is expected. In addition, today, Friday, there is a significant risk of rain and storms in Navarra, Huesca and Zaragoza.

The National Plan of Preventive Actions for High Temperatures has been activated.

More updated information at Civil Protection, AEMET and the Ministry of Health.

The Directorate General of Civil Protection and Emergencies of the Ministry of the Interior, in accordance with the forecasts of the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), warns of the risk of forest fires and high temperatures in large parts of the country. In addition, today, Friday, there is a significant risk of rain and storms in Navarre, Huesca and Zaragoza, with a forecast of 30 litres/m2 in 1 hour, hail and very strong gusts of wind.

The risk of forest fires will remain very high or extreme over the next few days. All precautions should be taken to avoid the outbreak of forest fires and if a fire is discovered at the outset, call 112 immediately.

An episode of very high temperatures is expected from Sunday 9 and especially during the next week. The areas most likely to be affected are the southern and south-eastern third of the peninsula and the Balearic Islands, without ruling out areas in the centre of the peninsula and the Ebro valley.

Exceeding 40ºC in some areas provoke forest fires 

On Sunday, it is likely to locally exceed 40ºC in the Guadalquivir valley and parts of eastern Andalusia and the southern plateau, and 36ºC in the interior of the Balearic Islands and the Ebro valley.

From Monday onwards, it is likely to exceed 38ºC across the board, and locally 40ºC, in the south-eastern quadrant of the peninsula and parts of the Ebro valley. In areas of the Guadalquivir valley, temperatures could already exceed 42ºC on that day. In inland areas of the Balearic Islands, temperatures could also exceed 38ºC.

Minimum temperatures will also be very high, with tropical nights above 20ºC, and even locally above 25ºC in the southeastern half of the peninsula, especially in the southeastern third, and in the Balearic Islands.

Spain, Hate crimes grew by 3.7% in 2022

By
Juan Sanchez Gil
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Photo credit: Ministry of Interior, Spain government

Grande-Marlaska (Spain’s Minister of Interior) presented the ‘Report on the Evolution of hate crimes in Spain 2022’ during the meeting of the 2nd Follow-up Commission of the 2nd Action Plan to Combat Hate Crimes 2022-2024.

According to the report, the State Security Forces cleared up 63 per cent of the facts and arrested or investigated 838 people.

Racism/xenophobia offences were the most numerous (755), and those related to sex/gender discrimination were the ones that increased the most compared to the previous year (77%).

The State Security Forces and Corps investigated a total of 1,869 criminal offences and hate incidents in Spain in 2022, an increase of 3.7 per cent over 2021. This is stated in the ‘Report on the evolution of hate crimes in Spain 2022’, presented on Wednesday by the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska.

The minister explained these data during the meeting of the 2nd Follow-up Commission of the “2nd Action Plan to Combat Hate Crimes 2022-2024“, where the report was presented. The report was drawn up by the National Office for Combating Hate Crimes (Ondod) based on data provided to the Statistical Crime System (SEC) by the National Police, Guardia Civil, Ertzaintza, Mossos d’Esquadra, Policía Foral de Navarra and local police.

The report is available at the following link, in the Balances and Reports 2022 section of the Ministry of the Interior’s website.

Grande-Marlaska recalled that hate crimes constitute “a frontal and direct attack” on the principles of freedom, respect for people’s dignity and the rights that form the basis of the social and democratic rule of law. “Acting against hate crimes helps to improve the coexistence of a multicultural society made up of different people and, as a direct consequence, helps us to live in a better society,” he said.

RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA, ARE THE MOST NUMEROUS HATE CRIMES.

Hate crimes due to racism and xenophobia, with 755 incidents, are the most numerous and represent 43.5 per cent of the total number of complaints. This is followed by hate crimes committed in the areas of sexual orientation and gender identity (459 incidents), while ideological hate crimes come in third place (245 incidents).

In terms of year-on-year variation, hate crimes for discrimination on the grounds of sex and gender are the ones that suffer the greatest increase, 76.6 per cent more than in 2021. Also noteworthy is the increase in aporophobic crimes, which grew by 70 per cent, and anti-Gypsyism, which increased by 22.2 per cent.

In the comparison with 2021, crimes for generational discrimination (57.1 per cent), for reasons of illness (47.6 per cent), for religious beliefs or practices (25.4 per cent) and for ideology (24.8 per cent) decreased significantly.

In terms of the types of offences involved in these hate crimes, the most common were injuries (423) and threats (338), followed by insults (116) and damage (106).

By autonomous communities, the Basque Country has the highest number of complaints (407), followed by Catalonia (253), the Community of Madrid (237) and Andalusia (207).

PROFILES OF VICTIMS AND THOSE INVESTIGATED AND ARRESTED.

The report presented this year indicates that the State Security Forces cleared up 63 per cent of the facts in 2022 and arrested or investigated 838 people.

The main victims of this type of crime are men (59.4 per cent), while the most affected age group is between 26 and 40 years of age (31.3 per cent). Minors make up 12.1 per cent of all victimisations.

As for the distribution of victims according to nationality, the first place is occupied by Spanish victims, with 60.9 per cent of the total number of victimisations registered. Within the group of victims of foreign nationality, those from Morocco registered the highest number (9.9 per cent), ahead of Colombia (3.3 per cent) and Senegal (2.1 per cent).

The number of persons arrested/investigated for hate crimes and incidents amounted to 838 persons, the majority of whom were male (79 per cent) and aged between 26 and 40, representing 27.6 per cent of the total.

MONITORING OF THE SECOND ACTION PLAN AGAINST HATE CRIME.

During the second meeting of the Monitoring Commission for the Second Action Plan to Combat Hate Crimes 2022-2024, the minister highlighted “the transversal approach” of the plan, which has improved cooperation between the institutions involved and the third sector “and has placed the victim at the centre of attention, both to ensure their protection and to contribute to the reparation of the crime”.

Along these lines, Grande-Marlaska specified that reparation should not be understood from a purely material point of view. “We must think about moral redress, which may be even more important for the victim, as their dignity, freedom or free development in equal conditions and opportunities have been attacked,” he said.

In his speech, the minister also highlighted “the great involvement” of the Security Forces in the prevention and fight against hate crimes, and expressly referred to the creation of “specific and specialised police groups”, such as the National Police’s Violent Extremism and Hate Team (EVO), and the Civil Guard’s Hate Crime Response Teams (REDO).

At this point, Grande-Marlaska reported on the agreement signed between the Ministry of the Interior and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) to channel collaboration and coordination between the National Police, Civil Guard and local police in aspects such as the identification, collection and codification of racist, xenophobic incidents and crimes or discriminatory behaviour, as well as guaranteeing proper care and assistance to victims of hate crimes.

The meeting of the Monitoring Commission was attended, on behalf of the Ministry of the Interior, by the Secretary of State for Security, Rafael Pérez, the Director General for Coordination and Studies, José Antonio Rodríguez, as well as Ondod staff.

Also taking part was the public prosecutor for hate crimes and discrimination, Miguel Ángel Aguilar; the director of the Observatory against Racism and Xenophobia (Oberaxe), Karoline Fernández; the deputy director of the Pluralism and Convivence Foundation, Inés Mazarrasa; and the director general of Organisation and Resources of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces, María Eugenia Simarro.

In addition, representatives of the State Security Forces and Corps and regional police forces took part, as well as representatives of eight associations from the third sector: the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (CERMI), Movement against Intolerance, Council of Victims of Hate Crimes, Observatory against Homophobia of Catalonia, Agents of the Authority for Diversity (LGTBIpol), Federation of Gypsy Women’s Associations (Fakali), Islamic Board and the Observatory for Religious Freedom and Freedom of Conscience.

All fines that can be imposed on you in Greece

By
Newsdesk
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We bring to your attention some of the most important facts and tips to make your vacation in Greece (if you decided to vacation there) trouble-free:

– For exceeding the maximum permitted speed by up to 20 km/h – 40 euros by up to 30 km/h. – 100 euros, when driving on the highway at over 150 km/h. – the fine is 350 euros and the license will be revoked for 90 days.

– For talking on the phone (only Bluetooth is possible) while driving, the fine is 100 euros.

– For a dangerous maneuver – the penalty is 700 euros, 30 days without a license and stopping the vehicle from driving for 10 days.

– For running a red light – 700 euro fine, as well as removal of the car’s plates for 60 days and revocation of the driver’s license for 20 days.

– For improper treatment of pedestrians on a pedestrian path – 200 euros and revocation of the license for 20 days.

– Violation of a prohibitory sign – 200 euros and revocation of license for 20 days.

– For the use of alcohol, the penalty varies from 200 to 1,200 euros, six months without a license and possibly two months in prison, depending on the amount.

-Driving after the use of drugs or intoxicating substances – a minimum fine of 200 euros, revocation of the license between 90 and 180 days, and imprisonment for up to 3 years.

– Without seat belts, both for the passengers who are in the front of the car and for those who are in the back – a fine of 350 euros and revocation of the license for up to 20 days.

– Fines of 1,500 euros for anyone who smokes in a car in the presence of a child, whether the driver or not. The fine is doubled to 3,000 euros if the vehicle is state-owned.

– Driving with flip-flops – 50 euros.

– A fine of 100 euros and 30 days license suspension if both hands are not on the steering wheel (example: drinking mineral water).

– Driving without a license will cost you 200 euros.

– For not wearing a seat belt – 350 euros, and the license is taken away for 10 days.

– For an open tow truck – the fine is around 160 euros.

– For non-observance of signaling at a railway crossing or improper overtaking, the fine is 700 euros and revocation of license for up to 60 days.

– The use of anti-radar is strictly prohibited. For him, the fine is 2000 euros. In addition to a monetary penalty, the driver’s license will be revoked for 30 days and the vehicle’s registration plates will be removed for two months.

If the numbers are revoked, the car has no right to move and remain in Greece, since without registration plates it cannot cross the border. After the penalty has expired, the driver or a person authorized by him can go to Greece and get the ticket and numbers back. Penalties are imposed administratively, not judicially, and take effect immediately. Request a record of the penalty imposed as you have the right to appeal. Paying immediately leads to a reduction in the fine.

It is also forbidden to carry firearms and/or melee weapons, including carrying them in a car, if you do not have a permit, which must be translated and legalized in Greek.

It is mandatory to have a valid car insurance!

Other fines lurking:

– The import of fuel is prohibited – the vehicle is confiscated. It is interpreted as illegal traffic of excise goods.

– 300 euros for waste on the beach.

– Wild camping is prohibited. As the fines for this start from 150 euros and go to prison.

– It is forbidden to place tents and caravans outside the designated camping areas. The fine is 150 euros and up to three months in prison.

– Lighting a fire is absolutely prohibited, and the penalties are thousands of euros.

It is very important to know that if you provide your vehicle to a third party and an offense is committed, the owner of the vehicle is criminally liable for malicious acts committed with the vehicle.

Your holiday in Greece is ruined if you are caught hitchhiking with an illegal alien. According to the Greek Penal Code, sentences for trafficking in illegal immigrants range from 2 to 20 years of imprisonment for each person transported!

Aggressive behavior against a uniformed officer is also punishable. Do not try to bribe a police officer as they will arrest you and impound the vehicle for at least 6 months.

Quiet Hours:

From April 1 to September 30, quiet hours are set and enforced during the summer season.

According to the order of the police, the daytime and nighttime quiet hours are:

– from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.

– from 11:00 p.m. until 07:00 /morning/.

Making noise, even loud conversations, is prohibited. You can file an indictment and be detained.

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom: https://www.pexels.com/photo/architectural-photography-of-three-pink-blue-and-yellow-buildings-347141/

Ukraine is interested in buying the reactors for the Bulgarian Belene NPP

By
Newsdesk
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0

The former director, Valentin Nikolov, of the Bulgarian Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant  specified already in May this year that the Ukrainians are interested because very few countries in the world are already building such reactors.

Ukraine has two units almost fully built, lacking only the long-cycle production equipment that Bulgaria has, purchased from Russia. Thus, Ukraine is the only buyer in the world for Bulgarian equipment, and Bulgaria is the only seller for them.

“Information has come out that Ukraine is interested in buying our reactors for the Belene NPP, which are in storage. The Ukrainians are interested because very few countries in the world are already making such reactors”. This was stated by Valentin Nikolov, former head of the Bulgarian Energy Holding, to NOVA NEWS.

“The Ukrainians have many factories that manufacture equipment based on Russian technologies, they have experience with Russian technologies. This is an option to build their missing capacities, because the Zaporizhzhia NPP is under Russian control,” explained the former director of the Kozloduy NPP.

GERB-SDS MP Delyan Dobrev announced on Facebook on July 4 that a decision was submitted to the National Assembly, which mandates the Minister of Energy Rumen Radev to conduct negotiations with Ukraine for the sale of the equipment for the Belene NPP.

Dobrev emphasized that after the start of the war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia, the Belene NPP project is finally doomed.

“I have just submitted with my colleagues a Decision of the National Assembly to instruct the Minister of Energy to conduct negotiations with Ukraine on the sale of the equipment for Belene. The price is subject to negotiation, but it cannot be lower than what Bulgaria paid for the equipment in question – almost BGN 1.2 billion,” said the GERB deputy and former energy minister.

As of 2020, the “Belene” NPP project has been stopped again, but it continues to swallow costs – for conservation and maintenance of the equipment and for security – of several million BGN per year. The equipment for the nuclear island of the project, worth BGN 1.2 billion, which was brought to our country in 2017, after the Russian “Atomstroyexport” condemned the “National Electric Company” (NEK) to pay it for the ordered components.

Photo: Belene Nuclear Power Plant

OHCHR ‘very concerned’ over militarization of public security in Honduras

By
United Nations News
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OHCHR ‘very concerned’ over militarization of public security in Honduras

OHCHR Spokesperson Marta Hurtado told journalists in Geneva that the Government had issued a 45-day extension on Wednesday. 

“The state of emergency, in force in 17 of the 18 departments in Honduras, enables the military police to support the national police in carrying out public security tasks. It also derogates the right of personal liberty, freedom of association, assembly, and movement, and allows security and armed forces to carry out arrests and searches without a warrant,” she said.

Military operations   

The Spokesperson said that on 21 June, the authorities announced that the command and control of the entire Honduran prison system was being transferred to the military police. 

“This decision came in the wake of a violent incident at the national women’s prison in the town of Tamara, where 46 female inmates were killed when members of one gang attacked a part of the prison housing members of a rival gang,” said Ms. Hurtado. 

Rights violations

She also voiced concerns about human rights violations and adequate access to food, water, and the practice of subjecting inmates to sleep deprivation. Ms. Hurtado also reported ill treatment of inmates by the military police. 

“Initial monitoring by our Office, as well as information from civil society organizations and other sources with regard to military operations in prisons, indicates that inmates, in particular those allegedly associated with gangs, have been beaten and kicked by military police,” she said. 

Criminal justice challenges 

She called on authorities to end the abuse, halt violence against inmates, and prevent further violations of human rights. She also called for accountability and prompt investigation of allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force. 

“Efforts should immediately be redoubled to address long-standing criminal justice and prison challenges. These include the extensive use of incarceration, overcrowding, unsuitable living conditions, the lack of basic services, and inmates controlling some prisons,” Ms. Hurtado said.

“All efforts to address the prison challenge should be based on international human rights law and standards, including the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (known as the Nelson Mandela Rules),” she said, empasizing that OHCHR in Honduras remains available to provide technical assistance.

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