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75 Years On: The Pioneering Steps Towards the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

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75 Years On: The Pioneering Steps Towards the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Europe was a continent in search of peace, stability, and unity. Against a backdrop of devastation and division, visionary leaders recognized the urgent need for a forum to foster dialogue and cooperation across national boundaries. This year marks the 75th anniversary of a significant moment in this pursuit: the first meeting of the body that would eventually evolve into the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE).

Historical Context of the Parliamentary Assembly

The seeds of what would become the Council of Europe were planted amidst the ideological and physical ruins of a war-torn continent. The horrors of war underscored the necessity of a collective effort to ensure lasting peace and to safeguard human rights. Winston Churchill, in his famous 1946 Zurich speech, called for a “United States of Europe,” echoing a widespread sentiment for greater collaboration (Churchill, 1946: University of Zurich).

In this milieu, the Treaty of London was signed on May 5, 1949, establishing the Council of Europe, the first European organization created to promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law (Council of Europe, 2023). Just a few months later, in August 10th 1949, the forerunner of today’s Parliamentary Assembly convened for its inaugural session in Strasbourg.

The Inaugural Meeting

The meeting in August 1949, then known as the Consultative Assembly, was a seminal event. It brought together 87 parliamentarians from the Council’s ten founding member states: Belgium, Denmark, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Tasked with providing political guidance and a forum for debate, this gathering marked a novel experiment in supranational democracy (Heffernan, 2002).

The symbolism of Strasbourg, chosen for its geographical and historical position straddling Europe’s cultural and national divides, was not lost on those present. The members embarked on an ambitious agenda: to bridge the divisions of Europe and to lay the groundwork for cooperation and unity.

Foremost on the assembly’s agenda was the need to construct a common framework for human rights. This initial meeting contributed to the groundwork for the 1950 European Convention on Human Rights, a landmark treaty that sought to enshrine and protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals—a cornerstone still active and vital today (Harris, O’Boyle, & Warbrick, 2009).

Evolution of the Assembly

Over the years, the Assembly has evolved from a consultative body into a more proactive force within the Council of Europe. Today, with 46 member states, PACE functions as a unique platform for dialogue across the spectrum of European politics. It elects key figures such as the Secretary General and the judges of the European Court of Human Rights, serves as a guardian of democratic standards, and tackles pressing issues facing the continent, from migration to digital privacy (Costa, 2013).

The Assembly’s work today reflects the changing political landscape of Europe. It has been at the forefront of efforts to address contemporary challenges, such as the rise of populism, the rights of refugees, and the erosion of democratic principles in certain states. These efforts reaffirm the Assembly’s continuing relevance and commitment to a united and democratic Europe.

A Robust Arena of Dialogue

As we mark the 75th anniversary of the first gathering that would become the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, it is fitting to reflect on the progress and promise of this vital institution. What began as a modest consultation of European parliamentarians has matured into a robust arena for dialogue, advocacy, and action. Its enduring legacy is a testament to the power of cooperation and a beacon for the ongoing pursuit of peace, democracy, and human rights across Europe.

References

  • Churchill, W. (1946). “United States of Europe”. Speech delivered at the University of Zurich. Available at: Churchill Society
  • Council of Europe. (2023). “History”. Available at: Council of Europe
  • Heffernan, M. (2002). “The European Experiment: Historical Reflections on 50 Years of European Integration”. Available at Wiley Online Library
  • Harris, D. J., O’Boyle, M., Bates, E. P., & Warbrick, C. (2009). “Law of the European Convention on Human Rights”. Oxford University Press. Available at: Oxford Academic
  • Costa, J.-P. (2013). “The Role of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe”. In European Journal of International Law. Available at: EJIL

Travelling with your pets in Europe

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short-coated brown dog sit beside person wearing white tank top near beach during daytime
Photo by Alvin Balemesa on Unsplash

It’s not just EU citizens who enjoy freedom of movement within the European Union. Thanks to the adoption of harmonised EU rules on travelling with pets, your cats, dogs, and indeed, ferrets, also enjoy this right too. If you’re travelling this summer around the EU with your four-legged friend, simply make sure their EU pet passport is up to date. 

An EU pet passport contains a description and details of your pet, including its microchip or tattoo code, as well as its rabies vaccination record and contact details of the vet who issued the passport. You can get an EU pet passport for your dog, cat or ferret from any authorised vet. The most important requirement, which also applies to pets travelling to the EU from a non-EU country, is that your pet’s vaccination against rabies is up to date. And, in case you are travelling to a country that is free from the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis (i.e. Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway and Northern Ireland), it’s important that your pet has had a treatment against this tapeworm. 

There are a few exceptions to note. Since 2021, EU pet passports issued to residents of Great Britain are no longer valid for travel with pets from Great Britain to an EU country or Northern Ireland. Also worth remembering is that an EU pet passport is only valid for cats, dogs and ferrets. If your pet is a bird, reptile, rodent or rabbit, you should check the national rules of the country you are planning to visit for information on the entry conditions. 

If you are travelling with your pet from a non-EU country into the EU, the document you must show is an ‘EU animal health certificate’. Similar to an EU pet passport, the EU animal health certificate contains details of your pet’s health, identity and vaccination against rabies. It should be obtained from an official State vet in your country not more than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU. You should also attach a written declaration to your pet’s EU animal health certificate stating that its relocation is for non-commercial reasons. 

You can travel with up to five pets, but if there are more than five pets (dogs, cats or ferrets) you must provide proof that they are taking part in a competition, exhibition or sporting event and they are more than 6 months old. And if you are not planning on accompanying your pet on its travels, you must give written permission to another person to accompany your pet for you. You must, however, be reunited with your pet within 5 days of its relocation. 

Russia, A court fined a disabled Jehovah’s Witness suffering from cancer to 4500 USD

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Willy Fautre
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Courtesy of Jehovah’s Witnesses

On August 8, 2014, Judge Sergey Lytkin of the Kurgan City Court convicted Anatoliy Isakov, 59, for so-called extremism simply for holding peaceful private Christian worship services.

The prosecutor requested for Anatoly Isakov 6.5 years probation with a probationary period of 3.5 years and deprivation of the right to engage in activities related to the dissemination of religion, religious education, holding religious services, religious ceremonies for a period of 9 years.

Anatoliy is Group II disabled and battling cancer, which requires monthly chemotherapy. The judge imposed a fine of 500,000 rubles yet reduced i/ to 400,000 ($4,500 US), given Anatoliy’s stay in pretrial detention and house arrest. The court also ordered Anatoliy to pay procedural costs in the amount of 6,900 rubles ($78 US).

Additionally, Anatoliy has been added to the list of Rosfinmonitoring, blocking his bank account and making it difficult to receive his disability pension.

“Anatoliy is one of hundreds of disabled and elderly Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia who have been unjustly subjected to criminal prosecution and/or inhumane treatment in detention since 2017, when the Federation’s Supreme Court banned the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses,” states Jarrod Lopes, a spokesperson at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Europe’s highest human rights court ruled that the ban of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia was unwarranted and illegal. Yet, Russia continues to shamelessly conduct mass home raids on harmless readers of the Bible, as well as dole out lengthy prison sentences that upend the lives of peaceful men and women.

Case history

·    July 14, 2021. FSB officers searched Anatoliy’s apartment as well as his daughter’s. During the search, Anatoliy’s wife, Tatyana, was pressured by the FSB: “Tell us about everything,” threatening they would have her and her daughter fired from their jobs.

·    July 15, 2021. Anatoliy was court-ordered to pretrial detention, preventing him from getting chemotherapy. He was also unable to get the needed painkillers prescribed following spinal surgery

·    July 21, 2021. Anatoliy’s lawyer filed an appeal with the Department of Health of the Kurgan Region against the pretrial detention. In the complaint, the lawyer noted: “Such conditions cause systematic and daily pain, comparable to torture, since the pain intensifies and becomes unbearable at times. The threat to life and health is real”

·    August 8, 2021. Lawyer filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), regarding the detention

·    August 10, 2021. The ECHR sent a request to the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation. Lawyers also appeal to the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Kurgan Region, after which the Commissioner initiates an urgent inspection

·    August 28, 2021. Anatoliy is released, along with another disabled Jehovah’s Witness, Aleksandr Lubin, whose trial is ongoing (link). After release, an electronic bracelet was placed on Anatoliy’s leg, and every week he had to report to the Penitentiary Inspectorate

·    June 7, 2023 Criminal trial begins

For 1.5 months in pretrial detention, Anatoliy received about 500 letters of support from all over the world.

Another six Jehovah’s Witnesses from the Kurgan region are being prosecuted on similar charges.

For more information regarding this case, see this link.

Some statistics about the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia and Crimea

·    2,116 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses raided since 2017 ban

·    821 men and women criminally charged for their belief in God. Of these:

o  434 have spent some time behind bars since 2017. Of these:

§ As of today, 141 men and women remain in prison

·    506 men and women have been added to Russia’s federal list of extremists/terrorists

Mission Possible: Olympics Paris 2024 Fuses Art and Sport in Star-Studded Finale

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Olympics – Tonight, Paris prepares to bid farewell to one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year with a closing ceremony that promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. The gala, to be held at the Stade de France, will mark the end of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with an electrifying fusion of artistic styles, eras and intercontinental connections.

How can you watch it from Spain? here

And from other countries Click here

“Spectacle” and controversy?

With artistic direction by Thomas Jolly, the same person behind the Opening Ceremony, the Closing Ceremony will integrate a theatrical vision while paying homage to diversity and equality, central themes of these Olympic Games. Despite criticism from ultra-conservative groups for his inclusive performance, Jolly has promised a bold and innovative night.

The ceremony will begin with the traditional parade of flag bearers from more than 200 countries, alongside the refugee team. The stars of the different national delegations, will carry their national flag, in their last big moment on the Olympic stage after the majestic opening on the banks of the River Seine.

Olympics - The eiffel tower is very tall and has a clock on it
Photo by Antonio Vivace on Unsplash

In addition to the spectacular performances, a step towards history will be taken by awarding the marathon runners with medals, honouring one of the most symbolic competitions in athletics. This recognition of women athletes will come at a Games that has seen the greatest gender parity in its history.

Expectations are high for the evening’s musical and artistic acts. French bands Air and Phoenix are almost certain to be on the bill, while there is speculation of remote performances from Los Angeles, the city that will take over the Olympic baton. International acts such as Los Angeles native Billie Eilish are rumoured to be making an appearance.

The Value of Diversity: Mission Impossible?

Amidst the swirling anticipation for the Paris 2024 Olympics closing ceremony, speculation runs high about the involvement of Hollywood icon Tom Cruise. Known globally for his starring roles in the “Mission Impossible” franchise, Cruise embodies the adventurous spirit that aligns perfectly with the grandiose vision of the event. Although not officially confirmed, the mere possibility of his participation adds a layer of excitement, intertwining the worlds of international sports and cinematic glamour, but it is also true that the French Minister of Sports Amélie Oudéa-Castéra seems to have confirmed his participation, when responding to a question to which she answered:

“He is an extraordinarily popular figure who has made generations of people dream. Let’s not always look for polemics and nitpicking where they don’t exist. You’ll see that this show will once again do honour to the values that our country has always believed in so strongly, and which he bears perhaps better than any other person in the world. Rest assured, we have an immensely talented team that will once again do France proud and allow us to bring very good messages to the whole world.“

This crossover not only amplifies global intrigue but also showcases the ceremony’s aim to blend diverse cultural elements, promising a memorable and star-studded conclusion to the Games.

From the heavens of Paris to The Angels*?

Finally, the event will culminate with the symbolic handover of the Olympics flag from the Mayor of Paris to her counterpart in Los Angeles, a politically and culturally charged event that will bring together world leaders under tight security.

With the weather forecast looking favourable, Paris 2024 closes a cycle of sporting and cultural celebrations that have captured the imagination of the global public, marking a resounding success in organisation and execution. The closing gala is intended to be the perfect culmination to a Games that has shone on all fronts, leaving a lasting legacy of global unity and celebration.

Sexual abuse, electric shocks, chemical restraints in Mental Health Care, report finds

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Restraints
Physical restraint used in a psychiatric facility.

A disclosure by New Zealand’s Royal Commission has exposed a distressing past of mistreatment within its mental health and behavioral facilities impacting 200,000 children and vulnerable individuals.

“For some people it meant years or even decades of frequent abuse and neglect. For some it was a lifetime; for others, an unmarked grave,” the report stated.

This thorough investigation spanning six years with a price tag of $101 million has revealed the abuse and neglect that transpired under the pretext of mental healthcare. The revelations have reverberated globally, sparking calls of patients’ rights groups for improvements in mental health services worldwide, particularly in Europe.

Reality of sexual abuse, electric shocks, chemical restraints

The Royal Commissions publication titled “Whanaketia – Through pain and trauma from darkness to light” sheds light on a reality of sexual abuse, electric shocks, chemical restraints, medical trials and other forms of maltreatment. Survivors who have awaited recognition were finally assured by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that “Your voices are heard and your experiences acknowledged.” The governments acknowledgment of these atrocities as torture marks a step towards justice and recovery for those affected.

“reality of sexual abuse, electric shocks, chemical restraints, medical trials and other forms of maltreatment”

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) in New Zealand has been instrumental in advocating for survivors and documenting abuses since 1977 including instances, like the therapy administered to children at the now shuttered Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital.

“Many survivors died while under guardianship, or by suicide after receiving guardianship. For others, the effects of the abuse persist and worsen, making their daily activities and choices difficult,” the report adds. The country’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, called it a “dark and sad day in New Zealand’s history as a society,” stating that “we should have done better, and I am determined that we will“, reports the BBC.

Survivors may receive compensation amounting to NZ$1.2 billion ( NZ$2 billion) shedding light on the magnitude of the injustice.

According to Jan Eastgate, President of CCHR International the report’s global ramifications are significant as similar abuses have been documented in the United States and other nations. We could mention Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland and others too. The inquiry’s conclusions echo those of a U.S. Senate inquiry into misconduct in behavioral institutions underscoring the pressing need for international reforms.

The revelations from New Zealand serve as a reminder of the potential for mistreatment within psychiatric healthcare systems.

Some of the New Zealand report recommendations

  • Recommendation 33: The Ministry of Justice, Te Kura Kaiwhakawā Institute of Judicial Studies, NZ Police, the Crown Law Office, the New Zealand Law Society and other relevant legal professional bodies should ensure that investigators, prosecutors, lawyers, and judges receive education and training from relevant subject matter experts on:

a. the Inquiry’s findings, including on the nature and extent of abuse and neglect in care, the pathway from care to custody, and the particular impacts on survivors of abuse and neglect experienced in care

b. trauma-informed investigative and prosecution processes

c. all forms of discrimination

d. engaging with neurodivergent people …

e. human rights concepts, including the obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (page 123)

  • Recommendation 34: NZ Police should review the Police Manual and other relevant material to ensure instructions and guidelines reflect and refer to Aotearoa New Zealand’s international human rights obligations and other relevant international law obligations (including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) (page 124)
  • Recommendation 35: NZ Police should establish a specialist unit dedicated to investigating and prosecuting those responsible for historical or current abuse and neglect in care. (page 125)

Deaths and Unmarked Graves

  • The Inquiry has not only received evidence of people dying in care but also of people in care being buried in unmarked graves. (Point 93, page 45) In 2014, a local historian identified 172 unmarked graves at Waitati Cemetery, Otago. About 85% of these graves are from former institutions such as Cherry Farm (psychiatric hospital) and Seacliff. The historian noted that the last burial was in 1983. (Point 98, page 45)
  • The inquiry found Evidence of unmarked graves for patients who died at some psychiatric hospitals across Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly at Porirua, Tokanui and Sunnyside Hospitals. (Point 77c, page 54)

So, what do we do in Europe?

While Europe is a “contintent of fundamental rights”, we must not forget that many of the abuses (usually and wrongfully called treatments) that we read today in the inquiry started in the very Europe, specifically experimenting in Germany by psychiatrists in favour of Nazi politicians). It would then be logical to underscore the necessity for Europe to scrutinize its mental health practices and ensure that human rights remain paramount in care provision. This is where the World Health Organizations (WHO) QualityRights campaign comes into play.

The QualityRights initiative aims to enhance care quality and human rights standards, in health and social care facilities worldwide. It endeavors to revolutionize health services by advocating for practices that uphold human rights and enhance mental healthcare quality.

Europe with its healthcare systems and cultural contexts finds itself at a crucial juncture.
The lessons learned from the inquiry in New Zealand (and from the times of the Nazis) should inspire countries to embrace and put into action the WHO’s QualityRights guidelines. Here are some important steps that Europe can consider:

  • Upholding Human Rights: It is vital for European nations to ensure that mental health services uphold and defend the rights of individuals dealing with health issues. This involves preventing any form of treatment and ensuring that care is given with dignity and respect.
  • Empowerment and Advocacy: Empowering individuals with mental health challenges along with their families and communities is essential. By encouraging advocacy efforts and providing platforms for voices to be heard Europe can bring about changes in mental health care systems.
  • Policy and Legal Frameworks: European countries should establish and enforce policies and laws that adhere to international human rights standards. This includes setting up mechanisms for accountability and addressing cases of abuse.
  • Building Capacity: Offering training programs and resources to enhance the knowledge and skills of health professionals, service users and advocacy groups is crucial. This will ensure that care is provided in a way that respects human rights principles.
  • Enhancing Services: Priority should be given to improving the quality of health services while being responsive to the needs and preferences of users. This involves transitioning from institutionalized care, to community based services that help individuals integrate into society.
  • Community Centered Solutions: Embracing care models rooted in communities can help break down the settings that have long perpetuated abuse. By offering support in environments individuals can experience healthier and more rewarding lives.

Spanish Supreme Court Rules that exposing abuses is of general interest and much needed debate

In a verdict Spain’s Supreme Court upheld the value of educational initiatives led by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) acknowledging their crucial role in raising awareness about abuses in psychiatric practices. This decision highlights the importance of advocacy and education in bringing about change and safeguarding rights within mental health services.

The court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the impact that informed and empowered communities can make in challenging systemic mistreatment. By backing efforts that educate the public and prioritize transparency European countries can cultivate spaces where mental health treatment is not only ethical but also effective.

An alarm for urgent action

The recent inquiry in New Zealand has shed light on aspects of psychiatric care exposing harmful practices that should never be repeated. As Europe contemplates these revelations the WHO’s Quality Rights campaign provides a blueprint for improvement. By embracing these standards and drawing lessons from Spain‘s dedication to education and advocacy European nations can ensure that mental health services are not just efficient but uphold human rights principles and dignity.

By drawing insights, from New Zealand’s history and adopting the Quality Rights framework Europe has the potential to pave the path towards establishing a health care system that genuinely upholds and safeguards the rights of every individual, while eradicating at once all the existing abuses without hesitation.

Evacuation orders this week affect thousands in north and south Gaza

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United Nations News
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Evacuation orders this week affect thousands in north and south Gaza

At least 60,000 Palestinians have moved towards western Khan Younis in Gaza in the past 72 hours following three evacuation orders this week, the UN and humanitarian partners reported on Friday. 

The Israeli military ordered people to leave parts of central and eastern Khan Younis, located in the south of the enclave, on Thursday, one day after issuing two separate directives for parts of northern Gaza.

The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said the parts of northern and southern Gaza newly placed under evacuation orders encompass nearly 43 square kilometres.

These areas include some 230 displacement sites, more than three dozen water, sanitation and hygiene facilities and five functional health facilities, including the Indonesian Hospital, according to initial tracking by partners on the ground.

OCHA said more than 80 per cent of the Gaza Strip is now assessed as having been placed under evacuation orders since the conflict began last October.

Aid volume more than halved

Meanwhile, the entry of aid into Gaza remains challenging due access constraints, lack of public order and safety, high levels of insecurity and other factors.

The volume of aid that can be brought into Gaza through operational border crossings has decreased by more than half since early May, following the closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

In April, the daily average was 169 trucks, dropping to fewer than 80 trucks in June and July.

The decrease was even steeper at the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, which saw a more than 80 per cent drop in aid cargo entries during the same three-month period, or from 127 trucks daily in April to fewer than two dozen a day in July.

Prior to the ongoing war, 500 trucks entered Gaza daily, according to the UN.

OCHA said humanitarian assistance missions that require coordination with Israeli authorities continue to be denied and impeded.

As of Thursday, just 24 of 67 planned missions to northern Gaza this month have been facilitated while the rest were either denied, impeded or canceled due to security, logistical or operational reasons.

The situation is similar in southern Gaza, where roughly half of 100 planned missions were facilitated by Israeli, but the rest were denied, impeded or canceled. 

UN rights chief ‘shocked and appalled’ by Israeli minister’s comment on starving Gazans to death

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United Nations News
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UN rights chief ‘shocked and appalled’ by Israeli minister’s comment on starving Gazans to death

OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk “is shocked and appalled” by comments made by Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who suggested that letting two million Palestinians in Gaza starve to death could be “justified and moral” in order to free hostages.

The High Commissioner condemned these words in the strongest terms, which also incite hatred against innocent civilians.

Risk of incitement

Mr. Laurence explained that the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the collective punishment of the Palestinian population are both war crimes.

“This direct and public statement risks inciting other atrocity crimes,” he said. “Such statements, especially by public officials, must cease immediately. They must be investigated and if found to amount to a crime, must be prosecuted and punished.”

Mr. Laurence also reiterated OHCHR’s long-standing appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages and increased humanitarian aid flows into the enclave.

“This is an immediate call to the Israeli authorities that it is their responsibility to monitor this behaviour,” he said. “Beyond that, let’s take it one step at a time. That is the first stage. It is the Israelis’ responsibility.”

‘Exodus’ from Khan Younis 

Meanwhile, the effects of the latest evacuation order in Gaza are already “very visible”, a senior communications officer with the UN agency that assists Palestine refugees, UNRWA, said on Friday. 

Louise Wateridge spoke to UN News a day after the Israeli military issued the directive, forcing thousands to flee eastern and central Khan Younis and the Al Salqa area of Deir Al-Balah. 

Ms. Wateridge was in Khan Younis on Thursday afternoon and witnessed hundreds of families heading west in temperatures that surpassed 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). 

“The scenes were horrific,” she said.  “It’s like an exodus of these people once again. They’re carrying whatever they can. They don’t appear to have many belongings left. We saw less vehicles with families and it was mostly people on foot.” 

Polio vaccine campaign 

Ms. Wateridge also addressed plans to vaccinate more than half a million children in Gaza against polio following the discovery of the disease in sewage samples last month.

UNRWA, together with the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Gaza Ministry of Health are set to launch two rounds of inoculations in the coming days. 

“This campaign, of course, would be much easier to facilitate and much quicker to facilitate with a ceasefire,” she said.  

“We have been calling for a ceasefire for several months. It will deeply benefit any kind of humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip, including the vaccination response to polio.” 

She underlined UNRWA’s deep commitment to lead the vaccination campaigns on the ground, highlighting the agency’s role as the largest organization in the Gaza Strip. 

A young girl receives food from an outside kitchen supported by the World Food Progamme (WFP) (file).

No safe space for children

Separately, UNICEF continues to highlight the dire situation of children in Gaza whose “only hope of survival is a ceasefire”, communications officer Salim Oweis told journalists in Geneva on Friday.

“The life of a child in Gaza, in month 10 of this conflict, is not a life. We cannot say it enough – there is no safe place, and everything is running out – food, water, fuel, medicines. Everything,” he said, speaking from Amman, Jordan.

Mr. Oweis was recently in Gaza, where he was “shocked by the depth of suffering, destruction and widespread displacement”.

Sanitation system overburdened

He spoke of walking through “mazes of makeshift shelters” where “you struggle to climb the sand they lay on and you smell the strong odour of sewage filling the paths around.”

Water and waste are a huge problem, he said, referring to the situation in Deir Al-Balah, where most displaced people have fled in recent months.

The partially functioning sanitation system there is estimated to be overloaded by seven times its capacity, meaning that the decades old sewage network is mostly clogged and leaking.

Lack of medicines

“Families urgently asked me for soap and hygiene supplies. They are using water and salt to clean their children or boiling water with lemons to try and treat skin rashes,” Mr. Oweis said.

“They tell me doctors do not have the capacity or medicines to treat them, with more serious medical cases arriving every hour and no supplies on the shelves. And so, the rashes spread.”

He pointed to the serious dearth of medicines for children with cancer, congenital ailments and other pre-existing conditions.

While at Al-Aqsa hospital, Mr. Oweis met a 10-year-old boy called Abdel Rahman, whose leg was injured in an airstrike and never healed. He was later diagnosed with bone cancer.

The boy’s mother, Samar, told him that she wished her son would die and not be suffering – something she could not believe that she would wish for.

Slow death sentence

“A child with a disease in the Gaza Strip has been handed a sentence to a slow death because he cannot receive the treatment he needs, and he is unlikely to survive long enough to make it out,” said Mr. Oweis.

“Their only hope of survival is a ceasefire. The children of Gaza are still clinging to the belief that this day will come, and UNICEF shares this hope.”

He insisted that “achieving a ceasefire is still possible, more necessary now than ever and way overdue, and everyone must do everything in their power to advocate for it. 

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French anti-religious MIVILUDES now attacks also the Catholic Church

By
Juan Sanchez Gil
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MIVILUDES catholic church

In a turn of events in the ongoing discussion on religious freedoms in France the government antireligious MIVILUDES is facing criticism for its bias against religion, particularly for expanding its investigation to include traditional Catholic customs. This situation raises concerns about the fairness of the organization, which has historically focused on minority religions.

The Missionary Family of Notre Dame (FMND) led by Superior Father Bernard Domini is currently involved in a dispute under France’s updated anti-religious legislation. The accusations cite Article 223 15 2 of the French Criminal Code, which aims to safeguard minors and vulnerable individuals from exploitation. However, critics of FMND argue that this law’s reaching scope could potentially infringe on religious practices and liberties.

MIVILUDES, condemned to withdraw false information from another movement as reported by Le Monde, responsible for monitoring and addressing trends is being accused of scrutinizing Catholicism with the same intensity as it has done with smaller religious communities in the past, which would also deserve protection from antireligious agencies. Their reports claim that Catholic traditions such as vows of poverty, chastity and obedience are tools, for “control” while established beliefs are labelled as “misleading information”, meant to manipulate followers. These accusations echo criticisms often directed at mainstream religious groups and also smaller ones, even if all they do is to guide people towards a more responsible and ethical life far from the excess of immorality being pushed on society through far too many channels.

The FMND has responded by stating that their practices are being misrepresented and that engaging in life revolves around an individual’s personal calling rather than recruitment. They emphasize, “In the realm of life we don’t actively recruit! It is up to the individual to respond to a call from God.” The congregation asserts that fundamental religious practices should not be misinterpreted as manipulative or coercive. And here is where experts and activists around the world, tell the Catholic Church and its priests and nuns, that they should seek for the same protection to smaller and newer religions because once a government agency is allowed or supported for doing to the small ones, they will become “brave” and also do it to the more established religions.

This situation highlights an issue concerning MIVILUDES’ approach. Critics argue that the organization’s actions (while they’re also under investigation by the Court of Accounts) demonstrate a rooted bias against religious expressions, whether they stem from established religions like Catholicism or minority faiths such as Scientology or Jehovah’s Witnesses. They argue that such a standpoint undermines the values of equality and respect for all religions, advocating for a balanced and respectful treatment of religious practices irrespective of their size or history.

Global voices, including the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, have expressed concerns about the consequences of France’s legal stance, suggesting it could violate the fundamental right to religious freedom and expression.

With the trial facing FMND, it prompts contemplation on the state’s role in overseeing religious practices. It questions both principles and religious freedom while calling for fair treatment of all faiths.

This particular situation could shape the outlook on religious acceptance and diversity in France as the community deals with determining the extent of state involvement, in religious views, practices and traditions.

3 eCommerce Technologies Shaping Online Stores Today

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ecommerce, online, shop
Photo by Tumisu on Pixabay

Technology has always shaped the way the retail sector operates and, in the digital age this has led to the ever-increasing take-up of eCommerce platforms to do business over. Not every online store might boast the same turnover as Amazon or eBay but most brick-and-mortar stores now have an online shop if only to showcase their product ranges. What does the future hold for eCommerce and which are the most important trends to be aware of?

Online store – illustrative photo. Image credit: Shoper.pl via Pexels, free license

1. Voice-Based Searches

A huge number of households throughout the Western world now use a smart speaker for more than simply turning on their favorite playlists. Voice-based searches are now more and more important to many businesses that rely on getting the attention of would-be consumers. Voice-based technology is only likely to grow from here on, so optimizing websites with content that will pick up on the right sorts of voice-based inquiries, as opposed to traditionally typed-in keywords, is something that is very much shaping the eCommerce sector today.

2. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing is crucial for the success of eCommerce businesses today but how does technology help? One way is through so-called omnichannel marketing which is about creating a consistent approach so that consumers obtain a unified buying experience. Technology helps simplify how this is achieved so that online stores run by people with little know-how in digital marketing can obtain professional results. Making use of an omnichannel eCommerce platform, for example, will enable users to string their marketing efforts on different channels together, within a single interface, importing products from different types of CMS. This way, ads can be displayed on a wide variety of platforms in one go. This enables companies to create more well-targeted ads with less effort.

3. Artificial Intelligence

AI is now widely used in eCommerce, typically making recommendations based on what customers are likely to be most interested in from the available data. Of course, for this reason, AI and data harvesting go hand-in-hand in the eCommerce world because the results are so much stronger when the two are well aligned. AI isn’t just an automated recommender tool, however. It is increasingly being deployed to deal with straightforward customer service questions and even sales inquiries. If someone is looking for a product to solve a particular problem, then an AI chatbot can often be the best way to understand the need and make an appropriate suggestion. There again, since many post-sales questions are similar in nature, using AI to respond to the most typical ones is often preferred to simply referring customers to the FAQs section. This means, like other eCommerce technology trends, it can be a big cost-saver.

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Investigation Goliath: Suspected ringleaders of international crime group charged with €93 million VAT fraud

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Investigation Goliath: Suspected ringleaders of international crime group charged with €93 million VAT fraud

(Luxembourg, 9 August 2024) – Three suspected ringleaders of an international criminal group were indicted yesterday at the Regional Court of Dusseldorf (Germany) for a €93 million VAT fraud, following an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Hamburg, code-named Goliath. The three were charged with criminal association and VAT fraud on a large scale. 

Two of the defendants remain in pre-trial detention. One of the suspects was arrested during an action carried out by the EPPO on 22 November 2023, targeting the international criminal ring. Another suspect – a Danish citizen who had fled to Africa to escape detention – was arrested in Nairobi (Kenya) and deported on 5 June 2024. 

The defendants are believed to be the ringleaders of a criminal organisation, active in the international trade of consumer electronics (mainly AirPods). They are suspected of evading tax by means of a VAT carousel fraud – a complex criminal scheme that takes advantage of EU rules on cross-border transactions between its Member States, as these are exempt from value-added tax – with estimated losses to the EU and national budgets of at least €93 million.

According to the investigation, the suspects established companies in Germany and other EU Member States, as well as in non-EU countries, in order to trade the goods through a fraudulent chain of missing traders – who would vanish without fulfilling their tax obligations. Other companies in the fraudulent chain would subsequently claim VAT reimbursements from the national tax authorities.

If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years of imprisonment.

This investigation, which counted on the support of Europol, German tax agencies and several national police forces, has stretched across Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. 

Earlier in this investigation, the EPPO seized 1 800 AirPods, as well as cash, two luxury cars, worth a combined €550 000, and a high-end watch, worth €907 000.

All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in the competent German courts of law.

The EPPO is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

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