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Giorgia Meloni, “Religious freedom is not a second-class right”

By
Giorgia Meloni
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Religious Freedom / Freedom of Religion or Belief /

Good morning to all.

I greet and thank “Aid to the Church in Need” for the extraordinary work it has carried out since 1947 and for the great service it offers to institutions, the media and public opinion with the publication of its Report on Religious Freedom.

Religious freedom is a natural right and precedes any legal formulation because it is written in the heart of man.

It is a right proclaimed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but, unfortunately, it is still trampled upon in too many nations of the world and, all too often, in almost total indifference.

Thus it happens that so many men, women and children not only have to suffer the pain of being denied the right to profess their faith but also the humiliation of being forgotten. And this is doubly unacceptable because keeping silent about the denial of religious freedom is tantamount to being complicit in it. We do not intend to do this.

It is everyone’s duty to defend religious freedom, but to carry out this commitment it is necessary to know data and numbers, to understand in depth the scenario in which we move, to have in our eyes and in our hearts the stories of those who suffer abuse, persecution, violence.

This is what I saw in the eyes of Maria Joseph and Janada Markus, two very young Nigerian Christian women victims of the ferocity of Boko Haram terrorists. I met them on Women’s Day and was left breathless by their courage, their strength, and their dignity. It was an encounter I will not forget and it left me with great lessons.

This is why the ACN Report is so valuable because it does not make abstract analyses or reasoning but gets to the heart of persecution and discrimination, to the heart of the victims, their history, and their lives.

It is a bit like a guide for drawing a course of action. One of them is very clear: religious freedom is not a second-class right, it is not a freedom that comes after others or can even be forgotten for the benefit of self-styled new freedoms or rights.

Similarly, we cannot forget another phenomenon that affects more developed societies. Pope Francis has warned us of the danger of a polite persecution, disguised as culture, modernity and progress, which in the name of a misunderstood concept of inclusion limits the possibility of believers to express their convictions in the sphere of social life.

It is an analysis that I share because it is profoundly wrong to think that in order to welcome the other one must deny one’s identity, including religious identity. Only if you are aware of who you are can you dialogue with the other, can you respect him, know him in depth, and draw enrichment from that dialogue.

But we must not, of course, forget the first type of persecution, the material persecution that afflicts many nations around the world, a reality on which we must open our eyes and act now, without wasting any more time. This is what the government intends to do and has begun to do, starting with the call for over 10 million euros to finance interventions in favour of persecuted Christian minorities, from Syria to Iraq, from Nigeria to Pakistan. A first step that will be followed by many others.

Pope Benedict XVI reminded us that religious freedom is an essential good that belongs to the core of human rights, to those universal and natural rights that human law can never deny and that requires the utmost commitment from everyone, no one excluded.

Italy can and must set an example. Italy intends to set an example, at a European and international level. This is one of our many missions.

Thank you all and good work.

VOICED OVER:

A strawberry and fruit war broke out between Spain and Germany.

By
Gaston de Persigny
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A strawberry and fruit war broke out between Spain and Germany

A petition calls for the northern European country not to buy or even sell fruit from the southern country, because it is grown with illegal irrigation, which destroys biodiversity

Spanish strawberry growers have criticized a German consumer campaign calling on supermarkets to boycott berries grown near Spain’s Donana wetland, Reuters reported earlier this month.

Spain’s strawberry growers’ association Interfresa said the campaign on German online petition site Campact, which has so far been signed by 150,000 people, was “insidious and harmful to the strawberry and red fruit industry” “.

The lack of rain has put water management under the spotlight in Spain, particularly around the Donana wetland, a reserve in Andalusia threatened by climate change and illegal irrigation on nearby strawberry farms.

The petition in Germany notes that the country sells a huge amount of Spanish strawberries and calls on Edeka, Lidl and other supermarkets to stop selling imported berries grown near the endangered wildlife reserve in southern Spain.

The province of Huelva, where the park is located, produces 98 percent of Spain’s red fruit and 30 percent of the EU’s. It is the largest exporter of strawberries in the world.

The regional government plans to legalize irrigation around Donana, despite scientists warning that the park is in critical condition with lagoons drying up and biodiversity disappearing amid a prolonged drought.

Reducing the amount of water extracted is one of the main solutions to save the wetland, according to scientists.

The association denied that farmers were using water from illegal wells in the national park or that huge amounts of water were being pumped out, as alleged in the petition. She added that they use cutting-edge techniques to ensure efficient use of water.

Interfresa added that the nearest farms to Donana are 35 km away, and the majority of companies in the berry sector are 100 km or more from the area, meaning that only a small proportion of farms will use the irrigation system , which will be legalized if the law is approved.

Strawberries are not the only ones in the spotlight. Early last month, 26 people were arrested for digging illegal wells to grow tropical fruits such as avocados and mangoes in southern Spain amid a prolonged drought. During a four-year investigation, authorities have uncovered more than 250 illegal wells, boreholes and ponds in the Axarquia region of Andalusia, which has been suffering from a drought since 2021.

Out-of-School Education in Uzbekistan

By
Juan Sanchez Gil
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In a story from Euronews, it is reported that the country of Uzbekistan is undergoing a transformation with its out-of-school education and training offerings. Bacmal avlade centers, which translates to “harmonious generation” in Uzbek, are spread across the country and provide children with a variety of after-school activities.

From learning robotics, to chess, to hair styling, the programs are diverse and aim to create an environment where children can develop their hidden talents and apply these skills to future careers.

Traditional design classes and computer science programs are also highly popular, with the government prioritising digital technologies as an educational priority and offering opportunities for disadvantaged groups, such as girls with disabilities. The aim is to make these individuals competitive in the local and global labor market.

Additionally, specialized IT schools offer esports as a way to develop strategic, logical thinking, leadership qualities, and communication skills among students. Bacmal avlade centers and other forms of out-of-school education are part of Uzbekistan’s national education system and are affordable, with the equivalent of four US dollars per month in big cities and even less in small towns.

The hope is to inspire a new generation of inventors, designers, and creative individuals who are well-equipped to thrive in the future.

Health data, women’s and LGBT rights in spotlight at Human Rights Council

By
United Nations News
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Health data, women’s and LGBT rights in spotlight at Human Rights Council

The Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Tlaleng Mofokeng, warned that technology enabled easy sharing of sensitive health data of adolescents, migrants and people whose sexual orientation or health status was subject to discrimination.

“Accessibility of information through digital tools should not impair the right to have personal health data treated with confidentiality,” Ms. Mofokeng insisted.  

Technology used to prosecute abortion seekers

Ms. Mofokeng highlighted the dangerous use by State and non-State actors of mobile communication, geo-mapping and search history data against people seeking contraception or abortions in jurisdictions – such as some states in the US – which criminalize these health services, resulting in prosecution, arrest and further stigma.

The Special Rapporteur also pointed out that while technology can enable broader access to healthcare through solutions such as telemedicine, the global digital divide results in major inequalities in this area between countries, genders and social and age groups.

Special Rapporteurs and other independent experts appointed by the Human Rights Council serve in their individual capacity; they are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work. 

Poverty an obstacle to women’s rights

In a related discussion at the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, the disastrous effects of poverty and socio-economic inequality on female health were among the glaring injustices highlighted by the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls. The Group’s Chair, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck, presented a report to the Council showing that globally, women and girls are disproportionately represented among those living in poverty. 

She stressed that they often face stigma and criminalization when seeking reproductive healthcare and services, including abortion.

“When women and girls cannot access sexual and reproductive health education, information, goods and services, family planning services, gender-based inequalities and poverty are further entrenched and may be transmitted to future generations,” Ms. Estrada-Tanck warned.

LGBT exclusion in the name of religion

Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and gender-diverse (LGBT) persons featured on agenda at the Council, which heard on Wednesday that LGBT rights were not incompatible with freedom of religion – as some Member States insisted. 

Presenting his latest report to the Council, Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, said that LGBT persons are often marginalized, stigmatized and excluded from religious communities “simply because of who they are”.

He warned against the use of religious narratives to justify denying LGBT persons their human rights and said that embracing spirituality and faith is a path that must be available to all, including those with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. 

The world’s most pressing rights issues

Throughout its 53rd session, the Council will continue to address the world’s most pressing human rights emergencies. Since the session’s kick-off on Monday, Member States have discussed the situation in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka and Sudan. 

Looking ahead, highlights will include a review of the impact of climate change on human rights, as well as a focus on Belarus, Burundi, Central African Republic, Syria, Ukraine and Venezuela.

Before closing its session on 14 July, the Council will also take action on a number of resolutions resulting from these discussions, put forward by its 47 Member States.

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Somalia in danger of losing hard-won gains, Security Council hears

By
United Nations News
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Somalia in danger of losing hard-won gains, Security Council hears

“Whilst many challenges and risks lie ahead, there are also many opportunities, and I urge all international partners to lean in and provide additional support to the people,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia Catriona Laing.

Regarding current security conditions, Ms. Laing, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), raised concerns about terrorist attacks as well as violence, including in Laascaanood, the capital of the Sool region, long disputed between “Somaliland” and Puntland.

Clashes there between “Somaliland” forces and local Dhulbahante clan militia continued at varying levels of intensity, causing significant casualties, destruction of infrastructure and displacement of civilians, according to the UN Secretary-General’s latest report on the situation.

To date, there have been 308 civilian casualties, with 36 people killed and 272 injured, she said.

Commending efforts by all parties and the Security Council to bring about a ceasefire, she pledged UNSOM’s support towards a peaceful way forward.

Catriona Laing, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Somalia, briefs the Security Council.

Gains made

Reporting several positive political developments, she highlighted the Government’s “significant progress” in advancing key national priorities, including the electoral process, and its leadership in the fight against terrorism.

Efforts have dislodged the terrorist group from parts of the country “but, Al Shabaab remains a significant threat,” Ms. Laing cautioned, pointing to a resurgence of attacks, including the deadly incident at the Pearl Beach Hotel in early June.

“The first three months of 2023 also saw the highest number of improvised explosive device attacks since 2017,” she said.

More support needed

Ongoing stabilization activities related to Al Shabaab will require support, she said, adding that UNSOM has stepped up its response in this regard.

“The challenge remains the sustainability of these gains,” she added.

Efforts to stabilize areas recovered from the terrorist group will require ongoing security, basic services, reconciliation, and long-term political and State-building processes, she said.

Outlining a three-phase transition plan, she said an overriding driver is in the security sector, which must be considered alongside plans for the possible drawdown of the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the eventual handover of UNSOM to the UN Country Team.

Going forward, she outlined priorities for the rest of 2023, which include a lead role for UNSOM in galvanizing the international community’s efforts on stabilizing the country, supporting the State-building process, and resolving the conflict in Laascaanood.

Precarious living conditions

Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation remains “precarious”, she said. While the current operation against Al Shabaab has contributed to improving security, she said that from January to March, 430,000 people have been displaced by violence and 580,000 people live in areas controlled by non-State armed actors.

In addition, climate shocks are becoming more severe, and women still need appropriate representation in the political, peace, and security fields, she warned.

“Their representation needs to be codified,” she said, pointing to Somalia’s failure to fulfill its commitment to ensure a 30 per cent quota of women represented in federal elections.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, briefs members of the Security Council on the situation in Somalia.

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, briefs members of the Security Council on the situation in Somalia.

Food insecurity

Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Cindy McCain, said the violence and instability scarring the country has destroyed much of the infrastructure needed to support food production and distribution.

“Somalia was hauled back from the abyss of famine in 2022 because the international community saw the warning signs flashing red and raced to respond,” she said. “But, now we are in danger of losing the precious gains we have made since those dark days last year.”

Recalling a recent country visit, she said violence, fear, and starvation “are a daily reality there”, with mothers she spoke to recounting entire livestock herds wiped out by drought and terrorist groups recruiting children as young as 11.

Growing emergency

Since the start of 2022, conflict has triggered over one million internal displacements, and climate disasters have fuelled a further 2.1 million displacements over the past three years, she said.

The latest food security data show that food insecurity is spiralling across Somalia, with more than 6.6 million people – one third of the population – expected to face crisis or worse levels of hunger, including 40,000 people fighting for survival in famine-like conditions.

Even worse, 1.8 million children are expected to suffer acute malnutrition in 2023, she said.

Highlighting an action plan to address the serious and growing emergency, she said collective efforts must ensure safe aid deliveries, with the Security Council leading to secure unimpeded humanitarian access to all vulnerable communities in Somalia.

Breaking vicious cycles

In addition, food assistance must be matched with investments to rebuild livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and support climate adaptation programmes, she said.

She called on Member States to immediately contribute to the country’s humanitarian response plan, which is seriously underfunded. 

“At WFP, we’re being forced to cut back on our life-saving assistance programmes, just when they’re needed the most,” she said, adding that the agency had, in April, reduced assistance to 3 million from the 4.7 million people it was serving each month.

“Without an immediate cash injection, we will have to cut distribution lists again in July to just 1.8 million per month,” she said, emphasizing that with the required funding, WFP will “reverse these life-threatening cuts” and continue supporting the millions who rely on the agency for survival.

She said these “proven solutions” are the only way to finally break the vicious cycle of hunger and poverty.

“We all have to work together to find political solutions to create stability and peace in Somalia,” she said. “This is what the exhausted people of Somalia want and need, above all.”

For more details on this and other meetings occurring throughout the UN system, visit our dedicated UN Meetings Coverage page.

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One-day event in Brussels to promote women’s empowerment in sports sector

By
Newsdesk
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Over the last decade, women’s involvement in the sports sector has grown exponentially, but numbers point out that, in Europe, this sector still experiences no gender balance. The gender gap manifests its seriousness notably in two different directions, among others:

1. The sedentary lifestyle of female children and adolescents

Standing to the WHO Guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour

for children and adolescents, adults and older adults of March 2020, “current global estimates of physical inactivity indicate that 27.5% of adults and 81% of adolescents do not meet the existing WHO recommendations on physical activity for health” with “significant differences in the patterns of inactivity across genders”. This happens mostly among girls.

2. The lack of women in leadership positions, in particular in event management

woman in black coat sitting on chair
One-day event in Brussels to promote women's empowerment in sports sector 2

After the pandemic, the demand for women-only events has risen clearly, but sport event management is a sector still dominated by male top-level positions.

To fight against these two specific social issues, the one-day event “Women in European Sport: Participation. Empowerment. Leadership” will take place in Brussels on the 26th of June at the Centre Sportif de la Forêt de Soignes. The event is dedicated to women’s involvement in the sports sector and the opportunities of the field for equal gender participation, within the framework of twoErasmus+ projects co-funded by EU: “WISE – Women’s Involvement in Steady Exercise” and “EWSE – Empowering Women for Sports Events in Europe”.

The goals of WISE and EWSE are to close the gender gap in sports and physical activity participation in young women, prevent dropouts, increase equality in sport leadership and representation of women’s sports as a force for social change. At the same time, the EWSE project is creating a European network of women’s sports events and festivals in Europe to enhance their positive social, economic and cultural impacts on women in sports.

Both projects recognise the importance of promoting gender equality in sports, not only for women’s rights but also for society as a whole. Women in European Sport aims at presenting opportunities in which women can benefit from the results of these two projects, as well as experience different sports activities.

The organiser of the event is EPSI (European Platform for Sport Innovation). It sees the involvement of the other projects’ partners from all across Europe (ASSIST Italy, Alice Milliat Association, Vienna Institute for International Dialogue and Cooperation, Irish Wheelchair Association, University “Union – Nikola Tesla”, Faculty of Sport, European Culture and Sport Organization, Kinetic Analysis, University of Valencia and SPORTLAB S.S.D.A.R.L.)

During the event, participants will learn more about the projects and their achievements and can engage in various sports activities. Explore the agenda by clicking on this link.

To attend please register on the official registration form.

Event information:

Title: Women in European Sport: Participation. Empowerment. Leadership

Date: June 26th 2023

Time: from 10:45 to 18:30

Location: Centre Sportif de la Forêt de Soignes at Waversesteenweg 2057, 1160 Oudergem, Brussels (Belgium)

For more information on “Women in European Sport” please visit the event on EPSI’s LinkedIn Page.

Cutting pollution would significantly reduce heart attacks and strokes in Europe

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Newsdesk
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