Expert: ECHR article not in line with international human rights standards

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1 June 2023

PACE Committee hearing on Detention of "Socially Maladjusted" and the ECHR. Photograph: THIX Photo

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe hearing with experts held last week looked into the discriminatory ideology at the root of why the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) limits the right to liberty and security of persons with psychosocial disabilities. At the same time, the Committee heard what the modern human rights concept promoted by the United Nations lays out.

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The ECHR and ‘unsound mind’

As the first expert Prof. Dr. Marius Turda, Director of the Centre for Medical Humanities, Oxford Brookes University, UK described the historical context in which the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) had been formulated. Historically, the concept of ‘unsound mind’ used as a term in the ECHR Article 5, 1(e) – in all its permutations – played a significant role in shaping eugenic thinking and practice, and not only in Britain where it originated.

Prof. Turda laid out that, “it was deployed in a variety of ways to stigmatise and dehumanise individuals and also to advance discriminatory practices and marginalisation of individuals with learning disabilities. Eugenic discourses as to what constituted normal/abnormal behaviours and attitudes were centrally framed around representations of mentally ‘fit’ and ‘unfit’ individuals, and ultimately led to significant new modes of social, economic, and political disenfranchisement and the erosion of rights for women and men labelled of ‘unsound mind’.”

Ms Boglárka Benko, Registry of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), presented the case law of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). As part of this, she indicated the problem that the Convention text exempts persons deemed of “unsound mind” from the regular protection of rights. She noted that the ECtHR has only very limited regulated its interpretation of the Convention text in regards to the deprivation of liberty of persons with psychosocial disabilities or mental health problems. The courts in general follow the opinions of medical experts.

This practice is in contrast to other chapters of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), where the European court more clearly has considered the human rights violation of cases per the ECHR while also looking at other international human rights instruments. Boglárka Benko noted that the Human rights protection may thus be in danger of fragmentation.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Expert: ECHR article not in line with international human rights standards — Laura Marchetti, Policy Manager of Mental Health Europe (MHE). Photograph: THIX Photo

Another expert, Laura Marchetti, Policy Manager of Mental Health Europe (MHE) delivered a presentation on the human rights dimension of the detention of persons of psychosocial disabilities. MHE is the largest independent European network organisation working to Promote positive mental health and well-being; Prevent mental health problems; and support and advance the rights of people with mental ill-health or psychosocial disabilities.

“For a long time, people with psychosocial disabilities and mental health problems were often considered to be inferior, inadequate or even dangerous for society. This was the result of a biomedical approach to mental health, which framed the topic as an individual fault or problem,” Laura Marchetti noted.

She expanded on the historical discrimination which had been presented by Prof. Turda. “Policies and legislation developed following this approach notably legitimized exclusion, coercion and the deprivation of liberty,” she told the Committee. And she added that “people with psychosocial disability were framed as a burden or danger to society.”

Psychosocial model of disability

In the past decades, this approach has increasingly been questioned, as public debate and research started to point to the discrimination and flaws coming from a biomedical approach.

Laura Marchetti pointed out, that “Against this background, the so-called psychosocial model to disability posits that the problems and exclusion that persons with psychosocial disability and mental health problems face are not caused by their impairments, but by the way society is organised and understands this topic.”

This model also draws the attention to the fact that human experiences are varied and that there are a series of determinants impacting a person’s life (e.g. socio-economic and environmental factors, challenging or traumatic life events).

“Societal barriers and determinants are therefore the problem that should be addressed by policies and legislation. The focus should be on inclusion and support provision, rather than on exclusion and lack of choice and control,” Laura Marchetti pointed out.

This shift in approaches is enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which has the objective to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by all persons with disabilities.

The CRPD has been signed by 164 countries, including the European Union and all its Member States. It enshrines into policies and laws the shift from a bio-medical approach to a psychosocial model of disability. It defined persons with disabilities as people who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

Laura Marchetti specified, that “The CRPD stipulates that individuals cannot be discriminated on the basis of their disability, including psychosocial disability. The Convention clearly indicates that any form of coercion, deprivation of legal capacity and forced treatment are human rights violations. Article 14 of the CRPD also clearly states that “the existence of a disability shall in no case justify a deprivation of liberty”.”

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Article 5 § 1 (e)

The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) had been drafted in 1949 and 1950. In its section on the right to liberty and security of person, ECHR Article 5 § 1 (e), it notes an exception of “persons of unsound mind, alcoholics or drug addicts or vagrants.” The singling out of persons considered affected by such social or personal realities, or differences in viewpoints has its roots in widespread discriminatory viewpoints of the first part of the 1900s.

The exception was formulated by representatives of the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden, led by the British. It was based on a concern that the then drafted human rights texts sought to implement Universal human rights including for persons with psychosocial disabilities or mental health problems, which conflicted with legislation and social policy in place in these countries. Both the British, Denmark and Sweden were strong proponents of eugenics at the time, and had implemented such principles and viewpoints into legislation and practice.

Laura Marchetti concluded her presentation stating that

“In light of these changes, the current text of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) Article 5, 1(e) is not in line with international human rights standards, as it still allows for the discrimination on the basis of a psychosocial disability or a mental health problem.”

“It is therefore crucial for the text to be reformed and to remove sections that allow for the perpetuation of discrimination and unequal treatment,” she emphasized in her final statement.

Teshuvah – the Way of Return

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Guest Author

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1 June 2023

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On a shallow level, ‘Teshuvah’ simply refers to someone who goes back to the Jewish faith and resumes its practice after lapsing. On a deeper level, it is much more.

You ‘return’ from the midst of evil in yourself, and retrace your steps back, through hell, to the truth of the heart. This is a path of experiencing and undergoing radical heart problems that must be embraced, bc through such honesty and courage these hidden and obscure heart ‘moves’ are understood from the inside. You struggle in the heart. That is the hardest ‘labour of the heart’, as it is termed in Hebrew.

The Hasids say the Returning One is closest to God, more ‘profound’ than the saint, the zadik, the guru, the geron, the staretz, the holy man or holy woman, of old. The Returning One must face the deeps of the heart as no saint is required to do. In Judaism, the Way of Teshuvah is regarded as very rare= very few people can do such ‘return’ from the heart of stone to the heart of flesh without being destroyed in the canyons and caverns, ravines and abysses, of the hell that lodges in the deep heart. If saints are rare in any human population, then the Returning Ones are rare even among the population of saints.

The second passion book closes with the theme all the passion writings culminate in. Christ’s Cross, Descent into Hell, and Resurrection, is God as human walking the Way of Return, in its depth, its darkness, its suffering, in order to open the Return through hell to all people. The righteous reject it, thinking they don’t need it. In a way, they don’t [which is why Christ says he did not come for the righteous, but for the sinner, the person ‘failing to hit the mark’]. These upright persons are on the saint path, of Light and Joy, but no heart depth. The Way of Teshuvah is most relevant to the broken, the defeated and ruined, the morally bankrupt, provided they know they are in such a condition in the heart, and both take responsibility in acknowledging it yet also put their hellish heart into the hands of the Messianic Path of Teshuvah.

Christ opens a door previously locked, the ‘gates of the deepest darkness’ in the Book of Job, and invites even the ‘worst’ in the human tragedy — especially the worst who can have no pretensions and delusions about the human heart — to pass through that now open door. The First shall be last, the Last shall be first. The broken and tempted of heart, who pass through that hell to emerge out the other side, will know the heart greater than good and deeper than evil long before the saintly, the morally righteous, the mystically enlightened. The Messiah incarnates the Way of Return as the Way of Reversal.

This is why God said of the ‘wave tossed’ David that he was ‘a man after my own heart’, something God never said of Moses.

This road involves profound lamentation, grief and anger, yet in its dark deeps, in its ‘black inexplicable pain’, the Fire of Spirit is kindled and burns in the heart.

The old saints and gurus and masters were men and women of the Light, the Uncreated Light of God. The Light Bringers.

The new persons of Teshuvah, a few in Judaism yet paradoxically opening to everyone in Christianity [which is why redemption in Christianity is universal and unconditional], are the suffering and burning ones, the Fire Bearers.

The Light belongs to the past.

The Fire is coming in the future.

The Sumerian King List and Kubaba: The First Queen of the Ancient World

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News desk

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1 June 2023

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From Cleopatra to Razia Sultan, history is full of powerful women who defied the norms of their time. But have you ever heard of Queen Kubaba? Ruler of Sumer around 2500 BC, she may be the first recorded female ruler in ancient history. Queen Kubaba (Ku-Baba) is a fascinating figure in Mesopotamian history, believed to have ruled the city-state of Kish in the third millennium BC. One of the earliest female leaders in history, her story is an important piece of the puzzle for understanding the role of women in ancient societies, writes Ancient Origins.

Kubaba and the list of kings

Kubaba’s name appears in a list known as the “King List”, which is the only written record of her reign. The list is exactly what the name suggests – a list of Sumerian kings. It notes briefly the duration of each individual reign and the city in which the ruler reigned. In this list she is called “lugal”, or king, not “eresh” (king’s wife). Of this comprehensive list, hers is the only female name attested in it.

Kubaba is one of the very few women to have ever ruled in their own right in Mesopotamian history. Most versions of the king list place her alone in her own dynasty, the 3rd Dynasty of Kish, following the defeat of Sharrumiter of Mari, but other versions combine her with the 4th dynasty, that followed the primacy of the king of Akshak. Before becoming monarch, the king list says she was an alewife.

The Weidner Chronicle is a propagandistic letter, attempting to date the shrine of Marduk at Babylon to an early period, and purporting to show that each of the kings who had neglected their proper rites had lost the primacy of Sumer. It contains a brief account of the rise of “the house of Kubaba” occurring in the reign of Puzur-Nirah of Akshak:

“In the reign of Puzur-Nirah, king of Akšak, the freshwater fishermen of Esagila were catching fish for the meal of the great lord Marduk; the officers of the king took away the fish. The fisherman was fishing when 7 (or 8) days had passed […] in the house of Kubaba, the tavern-keeper […] they brought to Esagila. At that time BROKEN[4] anew for Esagila […] Kubaba gave bread to the fisherman and gave water, she made him offer the fish to Esagila. Marduk, the king, the prince of the Apsû, favored her and said: “Let it be so!” He entrusted to Kubaba, the tavern-keeper, sovereignty over the whole world .”

Her son Puzur-Suen and grandson Ur-Zababa followed her on the throne of Sumer as the fourth Kish dynasty on the king list, in some copies as her direct successors, in others with the Akshak dynasty intervening. Ur-Zababa is also known as the king said to be reigning in Sumer during the youth of Sargon the Great of Akkad, who militarily brought much of the Near East under his control shortly afterwards.

Ku-Baba, “the woman innkeeper who established the foundations of Kish,” is said to have ruled for 100 years. The catch here is that the list is not the most reliable historical source. He often blurs the line between history and legend. An example of this is the name of Enmen-lu-ana, who is said to have ruled for 43,200 years! Or Kubaba’s reign itself, which indicates that she had an unlikely 100 years at the helm of Sumer! At the same time, there is a possibility that the interpreted concept of time is different from the system we follow today. An innkeeper turned goddess? Next to Kubaba’s name is written “The Innkeeper Woman Who Established the Foundations of Kish.” Kubaba’s rise to power in Kish is shrouded in mystery, but it is agreed that she was an innkeeper, which may have been related to prostitution according to ancient Sumerian texts. The city of Kish was known for its wealth and power and played a significant role in the development of Mesopotamian civilization. Notable feminist revisionist scholars, such as Claudia E. Suter for example, have written that Kubaba was sometimes characterized as a brothel keeper, a way of denigrating her and demonstrating “the treatment of women in the male-dominated early Mesopotamian society”. On the contrary, brewing and selling beer in the ancient Mesopotamian world was a highly respected endeavor. There was an ancient association between the female divinity and alcohol, and according to theologian Carol R. Fontaine, Kubaba would be seen as a “successful business lady.” Lost 4,500-year-old palace of mythical Sumerian king discovered She is said to have been kind and fair to her customers, earning her a reputation as a benevolent person. Over time her reputation grew and she began to be worshiped as a goddess. This explains her ascension as queen, as she did not marry a king, nor did she inherit power from a parent. A cuneiform tablet from ancient Sumer depicts the importance of beer in the economy and society of ancient Mesopotamia.

There is a legend that those rulers who did not honor the god Marduk with fish offerings in the temple of Esagila met an unhappy end. Kubaba is believed to have fed a fisherman and in return asked him to offer his catch to the Esagila temple. Marduk’s benevolence in response is not surprising: “So be it,” said the god, and with that he “entrusted Kubaba, the innkeeper, with sovereignty over the whole world.” Some sources suggest that she was a member of the ruling Kish dynasty and that she inherited the throne from her father. Others suggest that she was an ordinary woman who rose to power through her own abilities and charisma. Whatever the truth, Kubaba was a wonderful leader who left a lasting mark on Kish. The Achievements of Queen Kubaba In ancient Sumerian tradition, the kingdom was not tied to a fixed capital, but rather moved from place to place, bestowed by the gods of a city and transferred at their will. Before Qubaba, who is the only member of the Third Dynasty of Kish, the capital was at Mari for more than a century and moved to Akshak after Qubaba. However, Kubaba’s son Puzer-Suen and grandson Ur-Zababa temporarily moved the capital back to Kish. Facade of the Temple of Inanna in Uruk, Iraq. Female deity pouring life-giving water.

One of Kubaba’s most significant achievements was the construction of a temple dedicated to the goddess Inanna. This temple was located in the heart of Kish and was one of the most important religious sites in the region. Kubaba is believed to have been a devoted worshiper of Inanna and the temple is a reflection of her religious beliefs and values. How the Universe Was Made: The Sumerian Version It’s Hard Not to Admire In addition to her religious projects, Kubaba was also a military leader at the head of a powerful army. She is said to have expanded Kish’s territory through a series of military campaigns that helped establish Kish as a major power in the region. Qubaba’s military power was an important factor in her rule and helped to ensure her continued dominance over Kish. Why did her reign end? Kubaba faced opposition from rival city-states and from Kish itself. Some say she was overthrown by her own subjects, while other better accounts suggest she abdicated the throne and retired into seclusion.

Photo: The Sumerian King List inscribed onto the Weld-Blundell Prism, with transcription / Public Domain

Exploring Padova’s Religious Diversity: A Journey with a special focus on Scientology

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Newsdesk

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1 June 2023

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The Church of Scientology Padova is featured in a new episode of Destination: Scientology on the Scientology Network. Photo credit: Church of Scientology International.

A documentary explores the Church of Scientology Padova and its activities while covering the rich diversity of the city.

PADOVA, PADOVA, ITALY, June 1, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Padova, a contemporary centre of culture and commerce, has remained faithful to its past as a medieval hub of learning, science, and innovation. The attractiveness of its public squares, its historical buildings and museums, and its distinctive cuisine are highly regarded.

The northern Italian city of Padova is home to a wide range of religious traditions and customs. Padova is a location where people of different religions can join together to celebrate their customs and beliefs, from the historic churches that dot the city’s landscape to the contemporary mosques that have sprung up in recent years and even a Church of Scientology. Come along on an exploration voyage as we uncover the depth of Padova’s religious variety.

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Scientology is a popular faith in Padova.

In addition to having a long history of Christianity, Padova is also home to a rising Scientology population that dates back to 1980. The Church of Scientology Padova relocated in October 2012 to Villa Francesconi-Lanza, which is 15 minutes from the city centre. There, it gives individuals who are interested in L. Ron Hubbard‘s teachings a warm and welcoming environment. Scientology has grown to be an appealing choice for many people in Padova looking for a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them because of its emphasis on spiritual enlightenment and personal growth.

Villa Francesconi-Lanza is a historic site (that one must visit if passing through Padova) that exemplifies the style of villas that flourished in the Veneto region during the 16th and 18th centuries. The property’s first documents show that the aristocratic Francesconi family of Padova built it in 1744. The villa prospered while they were in charge of it. An appraisal from 1785 hailed the “palace with its annexes that contain nine rooms with a central hall, its huge annexed stable 36 meters long, and the first floor that contains an additional nine rooms.” Additionally, the expert stated that “the building is in excellent condition and has been renovated and expanded to be used as a magnificent dwelling place.”

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Exploring Padova's Religious Diversity: A Journey with a special focus on Scientology — All Scientology congregational services and ceremonies are convened in the Chapel, including Sunday Services open to the community

Due to its beauty and influence on the province, Scientology TV just published a documentary about it. The documentary demonstrates how Padova’s Scientology Church exemplifies the traditional ideals that are highlighted in a recent episode of Destination: Scientology. As they follow in Galileo’s footsteps at the University of Padova, one of the oldest universities in the world and founded in 1222, viewers get a glimpse into the rich history of the city in this episode. The documentary highlights the diversity of churches and the cooperation that weaves every Church of Scientology into the local community fabric through concerts, volunteering, drug prevention, and human rights education. Young people from all over Italy come to Padova to study at the university, adding to the vibrancy of the city.

What to visit from Judaism, Christianity and Islam while in Padova?

Visit the Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua.

Church Basilica Sant'Antonio, Padova, Italy — Church Basilica Sant’Antonio, Padova, Italy – Airin, CC BY-SA 1.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua is among the most well-known religious locations in Padova. Saint Anthony, a revered figure famed for his miracles and commitment to the underprivileged, is the subject of this gorgeous church. There are numerous exquisite pieces of art throughout the basilica, including frescoes created by well-known masters like Titian and Donatello.

Additionally, a chapel inside the church houses Saint Anthony’s grave, which is open to visitors. The Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua is a must-visit location in this lovely city, regardless of whether you are a spiritual traveller or merely a fan of art and architecture.

Explore the Mosque of Padova.

In addition to having numerous churches, Padova also has a thriving Muslim community and a stunning mosque that is open to tourists. One of the biggest mosques in Italy, the Mosque of Padova, was constructed in the 1970s. The interior is embellished with beautiful tilework and calligraphy, and its remarkable architecture includes a dome and tower. Visitors are welcome to observe religious ceremonies or just take in the beauty of this significant location. The Padova Mosque is evidence of the city’s dedication to religious tolerance and diversity.

Experience Jewish Life in the Ashkenazi and the Sephardic Synagogues.

Additionally, Padova is home to two ancient synagogues that provide a window into the city’s Jewish history. The Ashkenazi Synagogue, which dates back to the 16th century and is a spectacular example of Renaissance architecture, has gorgeous murals and dexterous woodwork. Jewish exiles from Spain and Portugal constructed the Sephardic Synagogue in the 16th century, and it is just as magnificent with its elaborate embellishments and exquisite stained glass windows. Visitors interested in learning more about the lengthy history of Jewish life in Padova are welcome to visit both synagogues, which both provide guided tours.

Trace Christianity’s Origins at the Baptistery and Cathedral of San Pietro Martire.

Two of the most significant religious sites in Padova are the Baptistery and the Cathedral of San Pietro Martire, both of which date back to the 13th century. Given that Saint Anthony of Padua is thought to have been baptized there, the Baptistery is of exceptional historical significance. On the other side, the Cathedral is devoted to Saint Peter the Martyr, a Dominican friar who was killed for his faith in the 13th century. Both locations are a must-see for anybody interested in religious history, as they provide a fascinating look into the early days of Christianity in Padova.

President Zourabichvili – Georgia wants to reunite with its European family

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European Parliament

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1 June 2023

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President Zourabichvili – Georgia wants to reunite with its European family — © European Union, 2023 - Source: EP

On Wednesday afternoon, Georgian President Zourabichvili addressed the European Parliament in Brussels.

The first Georgian head of state to give a speech in the hemicycle for 13 years, President Salome Zourabichvili called for her country’s ‘reunification with its European family’ and for Georgia to be granted EU candidate status by the end of 2023. She stressed that Georgia’s European future starts with its European past, and recalled the price Georgia’s people have paid in the face of Russian aggression.

President Zourabichvili said the granting of EU candidate status to Georgia would give recognition to the Georgian people’s relentless fight for their European identity, provide protection and security for a Georgia that experienced multiple Russian occupations, help safeguard democracy, and cement the country’s role as a pro-European force in the Caucasus.

She said the recommendations set out by the EU for Georgia to secure candidate status “are already part of our culture, values and heritage.”

“Your recommendations are not some foreign ideas imposed on us – as was Soviet ideology. These are in essence Georgian. What you are recommending is that Georgia eliminates the remnants of the totalitarian past and reunite with itself and its European roots,” she said.

President Zourabichvili also emphasised the fact that EU candidate status will cement progress in a country marked by recent political polarisation and democratic backsliding.

‘While we are the first to understand our current shortcomings, we do not want those to overshadow our achievements. That for the past 30 years – that is one generation! – we have made extraordinary progress through substantial reforms,’ President Zourabichvili said.

You can watch the debate again here (31.05.2023)

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A silver-plated pencil with which Hitler wrote is being auctioned

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Gaston de Persigny

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1 June 2023

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It is believed to be a gift to the former Nazi dictator from his long-time partner Eva Braun for his 52nd birthday

A silver-plated pencil said to have belonged to Adolf Hitler is to be auctioned in Belfast next month and is expected to fetch £80,000. Bloomfield Auctions will also be selling an original signed photograph of Hitler at a sale of historical items next week.

It is believed to have been a gift to the former Nazi dictator from his longtime partner Eva Braun for his 52nd birthday on April 20, 1941, the Guardian reported.

The pencil, originally purchased by a collector at auction in 2002, is inscribed with “Eva” in German and the initials “AH”.

The sale of a variety of historical items at Bloomfield Auctions in East Belfast on June 6 will also include an autographed photograph of Hitler and a rare handwritten letter from Queen Victoria from 1869 pardoning Irish rebels convicted of treason.

Carl Bennett, managing director of the auction house said they expect interest in the items from all over the world.

“The significance of Hitler’s engraved personal pencil is that it helps unravel a hidden part of the story, giving a unique insight into Hitler’s personal relationships, which he carefully hid from the public eye,” he said.

“This token of love – a personalized pencil from Eva for his birthday – helps reveal the deception behind Hitler’s public facade”.

Bennett added that he fully understands why people might have reservations about selling and collecting items that belonged to the dictator.

Hitler’s pencil is estimated to sell for between £50,000 and £80,000 (€57,000 and €92,000) while the photograph is expected to sell for between £10,000 and £15,000.

The sale will take place on Tuesday, June 6th both online and in the auction house. For more information, visit bloomfieldauctions.co.uk

Photo: Bloomfield Auctions

New EEA Executive Director Leena Ylä-Mononen takes up post

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Newsdesk

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1 June 2023

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Leena Ylä-Mononen takes up her position as Executive Director of the European Environment Agency (EEA) in Copenhagen today, following Hans Bruyninckx, who ended his second five-year term at the end of May.

The European Union and the EEA’s broader network are working to put in place important policy measures to shift Europe to a carbon neutral and sustainable future by 2050. Ms. Ylä-Mononen’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the EEA, its 38 member and cooperating countries and its Eionet network.

Through its assessments and data, the EEA plays a key role in supporting EU environment and climate policies and legislation, such as the the European Green Deal and its key policy packages including the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and the Circular Economy Action Plan, as well as the 8th Environment Action Programme.

I am excited to start my work at the European Environment Agency today, taking over from Hans Bruyninckx. I would like to warmly thank him for his strong and passionate commitment to the Agency’s role and work over the past ten years on climate and environmental issues.

Leena Ylä-Mononen and Hans Bruyninckx

Leena Ylä-Mononen added, “Looking ahead, I am equally committed to taking the Agency’s work forward in this pivotal time. In Europe as well as globally, decisive action is needed to limit and to adapt to climate change, halt biodiversity loss and stop pollution. The EEA has a big responsibility and role to play to ensure our policymakers have the knowledge and data required to make the right decisions in the years ahead and to ensure the measures we take facilitate a just transition. Engaging with citizens and providing them with relevant information on the state and pressures of the environment is also a critical task.”

Hans Bruyninckx added ‘The decade ahead will be challenging and will require stronger implementation and bolder action. This will entail difficult societal choices. I am confident that, under Leena Ylä-Mononen’s leadership, the EEA will continue to develop and provide relevant and timely knowledge to underpin those decisions.’

As Executive Director, Ms. Ylä-Mononen will be overseeing the Agency’s work in providing policy support to existing as well as emerging tasks under EU climate and environmental legislation. The EEA’s Management Board nominated Ms. Ylä-Mononen for the position on 23 March following a Europe-wide selection process.

Biography

Ms. Ylä-Mononen, a Finnish national, was previously Director General at the Finnish Ministry of the Environment. Previous to her post at the Finnish Environment Ministry, she held a senior management position at the European Chemicals Agency, after working at the European Commission’s Directorate General for the Environment. She holds a Master’s degree in environmental sciences from the University of Helsinki.

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Who Was Witold Pilecki? a WWII Hero with a meeting room at the EU Parliament

By

Juan Sanchez Gil

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31 May 2023

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Photo credit: Twitter Anna Fotyga - Witold Pilecki meeting room inaugurated by President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola, with the nephew of Pilecki

Witold Pilecki’s story is one of courage and sacrifice, and a meeting room of the European Parliament has just been inaugurated with his name, 75 years after being executed by Stalin. President of the Parliament Roberta Metsola was present together with different MEPs from different groups, but especially from ECR (Anna Fotyga), as that is the room where they do their group meetings.

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Witold Pilecki meeting room inaugurated at the European Parliament

Video taken by the Press Services of the European Parliament

On May 31st, a room has been inaugurated with name at the European Parliament. A ceremony Has been be held to name the ECR Group meeting room, SPAAK 1A002, in honour of Witold PILECKI, a Polish World War II officer, intelligence agent and resistance fighter who fiercely resisted both Nazism and Communism and whose opposition to totalitarian regimes represents the core values underpinning European integration. Roberta Metsola, EP President attended the ceremony alongside ECR Co-Chairmen Ryszard LEGUTKO, and Mr Marek OSTROWSKI, nephew of Witold PILECKI.

Metsola said during the ceremony:

Today we are here to honour a hero of the 20th century, Witold PILECKI. As a true example of perseverance, he played a pivotal role in shaping Poland’s future. He stood up to totalitarianism as a soldier who fought Nazism, distinguishing himself during the Warsaw uprising against the onslaught of German soldiers. He survived the horrors of Auschwitz. He documented what he saw and what he learned. He resisted the Soviet occupation and withstood horrific torture at the hands of the communist authorities. They thought that by executing him, they could extinguish his light.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Who Was Witold Pilecki? a WWII Hero with a meeting room at the EU Parliament — Who Was Witold Pilecki? a WWII Hero with a meeting room at the EU Parliament 19

Ryszard Antoni LEGUTKO (ECR, PL), Head of ECR group said that:

It’s very difficult to to talk about piece. At least my language fails me. What he did, his heroism extends goes beyond our imagination. What also exceeds the imagination is the evil he faced. He died. Or rather, he was murdered in defiance of the two most devilish inventions of the 20th century. German National Socialism and. And communism. The Communist who murdered him believed that with his death, the memory of him, all about him would be wiped out forever.

Witold Pilecki was a Polish resistance fighter who volunteered to be imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II. His mission was to gather intelligence and organize a resistance movement from within the camp. Pilecki’s bravery and sacrifice helped to expose the atrocities of the Holocaust and inspire others to resist Nazi oppression. Learn more about this heroic figure and his legacy.

As part of the ceremony, Marek OSTROWSKI, nephew of Witold PILECKI stressed that:

As a little boy, I encountered him during the German occupation. I believe that this was a giant man who, despite such difficult and difficult times, has done so much. Imagine that thanks to his reports, which flowed from Auschwitz and in these reports, the names and names of the greatest gardeners of the German SS men were given. And the BBC reported that via radio, that after the war they would be tried as war criminals, it changed collective responsibility for escaping from Auschwitz.

Znając biografię Pileckiego, jego odwagę, ideały i postawę w obliczu barbarzyńskich totalitaryzmów, o wiele łatwiej można zrozumieć polskie doświadczenia, naszą wrażliwość. Jestem przekonana, iż Europa potrzebuje tak nieskazitelnych patronów jak Rotmistrz Pilecki, gdyż tylko… pic.twitter.com/HbHa2xuCub
— Anna Fotyga (@AnnaFotyga_PL) May 31, 2023

Early Life and Military Service

Witold Pilecki was born on May 13, 1901, in the town of Olonets in the Russian Empire (now part of Russia). He grew up in a patriotic family and was educated in Poland. In 1918, he joined the Polish military and fought in the Polish-Soviet War. He continued his military service in the interwar period, rising to the rank of captain. When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Pilecki joined the underground resistance movement and began his mission to infiltrate Auschwitz.

Infiltrating Auschwitz

Witold Pilecki’s most famous mission was his infiltration of Auschwitz, the Nazi concentration camp. In 1940, he volunteered to be arrested and sent to the camp, where he spent the next two and a half years gathering intelligence and organizing a resistance movement. Pilecki’s reports on the atrocities committed at Auschwitz were some of the first to reach the Allies, and his actions helped to expose the horrors of the Holocaust to the world. Despite the danger, Pilecki continued his resistance work until he was discovered and executed by the Nazis in 1948.

Gathering Intelligence and Organizing Resistance

Witold Pilecki’s bravery and dedication to the resistance movement during WWII is truly remarkable. His mission to infiltrate Auschwitz and gather intelligence on the atrocities committed there was a dangerous and selfless act. But Pilecki didn’t stop there. He also organized a resistance movement within the camp, providing hope and support to fellow prisoners. His actions helped to expose the horrors of the Holocaust to the world and inspired others to resist. Pilecki’s legacy as a hero and symbol of resistance continues to inspire people today.

Escape and Continued Resistance

After nearly three years in Auschwitz, Pilecki managed to escape in April 1943. He continued his resistance work, joining the Home Army and fighting in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. Despite being captured by the Germans and sentenced to death, Pilecki’s legacy lived on. His reports from Auschwitz were used as evidence in the Nuremberg Trials, and his story continues to inspire people around the world to stand up against oppression and fight for what is right.

Witold Pilecki's monument in Poland — Bartek z Polski, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Legacy and Recognition

Witold Pilecki’s legacy as a hero of WWII has been recognized in various ways. In 2006, he was posthumously awarded the Order of the White Eagle, Poland’s highest civilian honour. In 2013, a monument was erected in his honour in Warsaw. Pilecki’s story has also been told in books, documentaries, and films, ensuring that his bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten. His actions continue to inspire people to stand up against injustice and fight for freedom and human rights. And now, in 31st May 2023, a meeting room of the European Parliament has been given his name.

UN commends Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, as final judgement is delivered

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United Nations News

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31 May 2023

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UN commends Criminal Tribunal for former Yugoslavia, as final judgement is delivered

Jovica Stanišić and Franko Simatović were convicted by the court – part of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) which took over from the ICTY – in 2021, for their roles training death squads accused of ethnic cleansing during the conflict that saw the breakup of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

The two were originally sentenced to 12 years by the court in 2021, but Wednesday’s appeal judgement against them, increased that to 15 years, on the grounds that they were “liable as members of a joint criminal enterprise for crimes committed by various Serb forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992”, as well as responsible for murder, in the same year.

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Justice for the victims

In a statement, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that Secretary-General António Guterres “takes note of this appeal and extends his thoughts to the victims, and survivors and their families who have suffered from the crimes for which both defendants have been found guilty.”

The judgement marks the end of the final case relating to “core crimes” that the Mechanism inherited from the ICTY, which was established in 1993 to prosecute suspected war criminals.

The IRMCT Chief Prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, said that the decision demonstrated that the international community, “when united, can deliver justice to the victims and hold the most senior perpetrators responsible for their crimes.

Remembering the victims and survivors, and sheer courage of witnesses who have come forward, he added that there were still thousands of war crimes suspects throughout the former Yugoslavia, “who remain to be prosecuted.”

“We will continue our intensive efforts to provide assistance to national counterparts, to ensure that more justice is achieved for more victims.”

Truth triumphs

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, also welcomed Wednesday’s final judgement, describing the outcome as a major step to establishing the truth and addressing impunity.

“The extraordinary work and legacy of the Mechanism and of the International Criminal Tribunal before it, have not only contributed to establishing truth, justice and accountability over the years but have also powerfully advanced international criminal justice standards globally,” Mr. Türk said.

Like the Secretary-General, the UN rights chief highlighted the courage, resilience and perseverance of survivors and families who, despite appalling trauma, never stopped seeking truth and justice.

“I want to praise, strongly, the survivors and their families, whose suffering is unimaginable but who persisted in demanding their rights,” he said.

He also stressed that many survivors and their families are still awaiting truth, justice and reparations.

Threats continue

Many victims continue to face threats, intimidation, hate speech and revisionist rhetoric, including rejection of the tribunals’ decisions; denials that crimes were committed; justification of atrocities; and the glorification of war criminals.

“Verdicts like today’s, remind us of an awful past to which we must never return.

He urged the authorities, “media outlets and people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo, to step up efforts to advance truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.

“Revisionist narratives, genocide denial, divisive rhetoric and hate speech, from any quarter, are unacceptable.”

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Uganda: Guterres voices deep concern as Anti-Homosexuality Act signed into law

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United Nations News

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31 May 2023

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Uganda: Guterres voices deep concern as Anti-Homosexuality Act signed into law

The draconian law foresees the application of the death penalty and long prison sentences for consensual sex between adults.

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Non-discrimination principle

Mr. Guterres called on Uganda to fully respect its international human rights obligations, “in particular the principle of non-discrimination and the respect for personal privacy”, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity.

He also called on all Member States to end the criminalization of consensual same-sex relations.

According to the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, such criminalization continues in 67 countries around the world, with 10 still imposing the death penalty.

Undermining development

Just last week, the UN rights chief Volker Türk said that anti-LGBTQI laws like Uganda’s “drive people against one another, leave people behind and undermine development”.

In a statement released at the end of March, when the Ugandan parliament first adopted the legislation, he described the discriminatory bill as a “deeply troubling development” that was “probably among the worst of its kind in the world”.

“If signed into law by the President, it will render lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Uganda criminals simply for existing, for being who they are. It could provide a carte blanche for the systematic violation of nearly all of their human rights and serve to incite people against each other.”

‘Massive distraction’

The bill, which was formally adopted on 21 March, proposes the death penalty for the offence of aggravated homosexuality, life imprisonment for the “offence of homosexuality”, up to 14 years in jail for attempted homosexuality, and up to 20 years merely for promoting homosexuality.

Mr. Türk said that the law would be a “massive distraction from taking the necessary action to end sexual violence”.

He warned that it would also expose journalists, medical workers, and human rights defenders to lengthy prison terms, simply for doing their jobs.

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Biography

Witold Pilecki meeting room inaugurated at the European Parliament

Early Life and Military Service

Infiltrating Auschwitz

Gathering Intelligence and Organizing Resistance

Escape and Continued Resistance

Legacy and Recognition

Justice for the victims

Truth triumphs

Threats continue

Non-discrimination principle

Undermining development

‘Massive distraction’

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