Trudeau government says Canada will eliminate deaths from extreme heat as it sets new goals to fight climate change
The Canadian government unveiled its new “national adaptation strategy,” reports the Toronto Star, which includes goals such as “eliminating all deaths from extreme heat by 2040 and halting and reversing the destruction of Canada’s nature within the next seven years.”
The paper continues: “The strategy also says that by 2026 the federal government will develop new rules to incorporate climate considerations into building and highway codes, by next year it will include climate resilience factors in all new federal infrastructure programs , will produce hundreds of new high-risk flood maps by 2028 and aim to create 15 new urban national parks by 2030.
In a speech to a province that has been hit by flash floods that washed out highways, a deadly heat dome that killed more than 600 people and a wildfire that burned the inland British Columbia town of Layton to ashes two years ago, Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeau said, that there is no doubt that the impacts of climate change will continue for decades to come.”
Meanwhile, Reuters reports that emissions from Canada’s wildfires have reached record highs “as smoke reaches Europe.”
The news bulletin added: “Forest fires burning across large swathes of eastern and western Canada have released a record 160 million tonnes of carbon, the EU’s Copernicus atmospheric monitoring office said on Tuesday.”
This year’s wildfire season is the worst in Canadian history, with about 76,000 sq km (29,000 sq mi) burning across eastern and western Canada. That’s more than the total area burned in 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022, according to the Canadian Interagency Center for Wildfires.”
Separately, the Guardian reports that, further south, “the record heat wave that hit parts of Texas, Louisiana and Mexico has become at least five times more likely due to human-induced climate change, scientists have found [from Climate Central ], marking the latest in a series of recent extreme heat dome-type events that have scorched various parts of the world”.
Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/orange-fire-68768/
Under a new law, suitcases must be carried rather than dragged through the streets of Dubrovnik’s old town in Croatia, and anyone caught rolling their luggage will be fined €265.
Anyone planning to visit Dubrovnik this summer should make sure they don’t get caught out by the new rule banning wheeled suitcases in its historic center, reports The Mirror.
The Croatian city sees a huge influx of visitors every year, which is great for the hospitality industry there, but not so fantastic for those who suffer from the sound of miniature wheels clattering on cobblestones.
Anti-luggage legislation is set to become even stricter in November, when all suitcases and bags will have to be left outside the old city walls before visitors can enter. Those laden with luggage who want to enter the old part of Dubrovnik will have to pay a courier to have their bags delivered to their accommodation by electric car.
Every year, 1.5 million people visit the city, which is almost 40 times more than the 41,000 people who live there.
Another newly introduced additional noise abatement measure will see cafes and bars with terraces where the noise level exceeds 55 decibels be fined and forced to close for seven days.
Walking shirtless, riding bicycles or electric scooters in the city center and climbing statues are behaviors that will be banned.
The city is currently trying to retain its World Heritage status six years after UNESCO warned that disrespectful hordes of tourists were ruining the city.
Photo by Luciann Photography: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-a-city-and-island-3566139/
Repeated, horrific violations have been recorded by the UN human rights office, including mass killings, extra-judicial executions and beheadings, Mr. Türk said, while the military has continued to carry out atrocities in Rakhine state where the Rohingya minority are denied citizenship.
In an address to the Council he called for an end to impunity by the ruling junta who overthrew the democratically elected Government in February 2021.
“I encourage States to consider a referral of the situation in Myanmar to the International Criminal Court (ICC). We also need to ensure accountability for possible crimes committed by different armed groups.”
The High Commissioner said the country was continuing a “deadly freefall into even deeper violence and heartbreak.”
Where once there had been optimism and hopes of a more peaceful and prosperous future, civilians were now living “at the whim of a reckless military authority that relies on systematic control tactics, fear and terror.”
He said the economy was spiralling with the generals exploiting natural resources there “at dangerous rates, causing irreversible environmental harm.”
Voices of civil society and journalists have been strangled, which arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture continue.
He said credible sources indicate that 3,747 people have died at the hands of the regime since taking power with close to 24,000 arrested.
Barriers to life-saving aid
Mr. Türk’s report focuses on the systematic denial of life-saving aid for civilians and he accused the military of putting in place “a raft of legal, financial and bureaucratic barriers”.
With a third of the population in need, he said the obstruction constituted a deliberate, targeted and calculated denial of fundamental human rights.
He repeated is call for an immediate end to the “senseless violence” and for the release of over 19,000 political prisoners detained, including the State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Mynt.
The Special Rapporteur on Myanmar, Thomas Andrews, also advocated before the Council for less rhetoric and more action by UN Member States to support the “heroic” people of Myanmar, asking them to “deny the junta the three things that it needs to sustain its brutality and oppression – weapons, money, and legitimacy”.
He said citizens of the Caribbean nation are “trapped in a living nightmare” as armed gangs encircle the capital, Port-au-Prince, blocking roads, controlling access to food and healthcare, and undermining humanitarian support.
Mr. Guterres was speaking at UN Headquarters fresh from a visit to the country and a summit of regional leaders, held in Trinidad and Tobago, during which he participated in a special session on Haiti.
He told reporters that predatory gangs there are using kidnappings and sexual violence as weapons to terrorize entire communities.
“I have heard appalling accounts of women and girls being gang-raped, and of people being burned alive,” he said.
During his one-day visit to Haiti on Saturday, Mr. Guterres met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry and representatives from many sectors of society, acknowledging signs of hope and possibility.
Fund humanitarian ‘lifeline’
“But it requires action on several fronts – and a recognition of a core truth,” he said.
“There can be no sustainable security without a political solution that allows for the restoration of democratic institutions. And there can be no lasting and inclusive political solutions without a drastic improvement in the security situation.”
Mr. Guterres urged the international community to take action in what he called three essential areas, starting with addressing the urgent humanitarian needs in the country. A $720 million plan to support more than three million people there is currently only 23 per cent funded.
“I appeal to the world to extend a lifeline of support and fill that financial gap without delay,” he said.
Deploy multinational force
The Secretary-General also appealed to the UN Security Council “and all relevant potential contributing countries” to create the conditions for allowing the deployment of a multinational force to assist the Haitian National Police, which the Government had requested back in October.
“I repeat: We are not calling for a military or political mission of the United Nations,” he said. “We are calling for a robust security force deployed by Member States to work hand-in-hand with the Haitian National Police to defeat and dismantle the gangs and restore security across the country.”
He added that the police force will also need financing, training and equipment, which are all critical to restoring State authority and delivery of vital services.
Step up political efforts
Mr. Guterres also appealed for all social and political actors in Haiti to step up efforts toward a desperately needed political solution. He also expressed full support for mediation efforts by the regional bloc, CARICOM.
“Taken together, these three vital and simultaneous steps are fundamental to breaking Haiti’s cycle of suffering – by addressing dramatic humanitarian and security challenges – and forging a political pathway out of the crisis,” he said.
The UN Security Council will discuss the Secretary-General’s latest report on Haiti during a meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will land in Sofia on a government plane.
There are extraordinary security measures in the center of the capital. There are police teams stationed along “Brussels” and “Tsarigradsko shose” boulevards, from where official delegations usually move.
According to NOVA and according to the data of the flightradar24 application, the Airbus A-319 government plane took off from Sofia at 7:12 a.m. and landed in the Moldovan capital Chisinau shortly after 8:00 a.m. Bulgarian time. The return flight of the machine to the Bulgarian capital has not yet started.
Zelensky’s visits are always closely watched and kept secret until the last for security reasons. It often happens that his program changes at the last minute.
This is the 17th visit of the Ukrainian president abroad since the beginning of the war. His first official visit was to the US on December 22 last year. Zelensky has been to a total of 13 countries on three continents.
Photo by Stefan Mitev: https://www.pexels.com/photo/aerial-view-of-city-buildings-10900220/
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.
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.
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.
Scientology in Europe Celebrated World Drug Day on June 26 4
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)
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”.
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/
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/
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 rulingof 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.
Lettori, Italy's Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet 15Lettori, Italy's Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet 16Lettori, Italy's Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet 17Lettori, Italy's Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet 18Lettori, Italy's Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet 19Lettori, Italy's Foreign Language Lecturers Throw Down The Gauntlet 20
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.”
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.”
