“Hundreds of thousands of Tibetans have reportedly been ‘transferred’ from their traditional rural lives to low-skilled and low-paid employment since 2015, through a programme described as voluntary, but in practice their participation hasreportedly been coerced,” they said in a statement.
They noted that the labour transfer programme is facilitated by a network of ‘vocational training centres’ which focus on “cultural and political indoctrination in a militarised environment”.
Participants are reportedly prevented from using the Tibetan minority language and discouraged from expressing their religious identity, both of which the authorities consider as obstacles to poverty alleviation.
The experts feared the programme could further impoverish Tibetans and lead to them being forced to work.
No oversight mechanisms
“Tibetans are being drawn away from sustainable livelihoods in which they have traditionally had a comparative advantage, such as wool and dairy production, and into low-paid, low-skilled work in manufacturing and construction,” they said.
“Tibetans are transferred directly from training centres to their new workplaces, leaving it unclear whether they are consenting to this new employment. There is no oversight to determine whether working conditions constitute forced labour,” they added.
The experts called on China to clarify the measures in place for Tibetans to opt out of vocational training and labour transfer programmes, to monitor the working conditions in their new places of employment, and to ensure respect for Tibetan religious, linguistic and cultural identity.
They have received an initial response from the Government and remain in contact with the authorities regarding these issues.
Independent rights experts
The six experts who issued the statement are all Special Rapporteurs appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Their individual mandates cover issues such as contemporary forms of slavery, trafficking in persons, cultural rights and minority issues.
Special Rapporteurs and other rights experts appointed by the Council work on a voluntary basis and are independent from any Government or organization. They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.
Those who grew up with a dog are less likely to be allergic to eggs, milk and nuts, and cats reduce the risk of allergies to eggs, wheat and soy
Japanese scientists found that children who had a pet when they were young had a 15 percent lower risk of food allergy, the British newspaper “Daily Mail” reported. According to the tabloid, the same applies if there was an animal in the house during the mother’s pregnancy.
Those raised with a dog are less likely to be allergic to eggs, milk and nuts, and cats reduce the risk of allergies to eggs, wheat and soy.
As 10 percent of children suffer from food sensitivities, and the number is increasing, scientists hope to offer a new way to curb the problem.
The team, led by Dr. Hisao Okabe of Fukushima Medical University, analyzed data on 65,000 children followed until they were three years old.
A leading theory for the increase in allergies is the hygienic theory, according to which people in a large part of the world live in too clean conditions. Microorganisms teach the immune system to distinguish harmless from harmful irritants.
Pets may prevent food allergies by boosting the microbiome. They are known to increase the good bacteria and children become less vulnerable.
A conference entitled "The fight against Disinformation and propaganda " was organized on April 24th 2023 from 5 to 7p.m at the European Parliament by EPP group with the participation of human rights organizations and experts in the field
A conference entitled “The fight against Disinformation and propaganda ” was organized on April 24th 2023 at the European Parliament by EPP group with the participation of human rights organizations and experts in the field.
The debate was moderated by Manel Msalmi, international affairs advisor and president of the European Association for The Defense of Minorities with high-level speakers mainly Claude Moniquet, former French intelligence agent and director of the European Strategic Intelligence and Security Center, Nigel Goodrich CEO of IMPAC, Giuliana Franciosa expert ln communication, Carlo Corazza director Italy office of the European Parliament.
Members of the European Parliament
Lucia Vuolo, Isabella Adinolfi and Francesca Peppucci as well as Italian Senator Roberta Toffanin were guest speakers and intervened on the issue by sharing their thoughts regarding the possible measures that the EU parliament and the EU commission can implement to fight against Disinformation and to put a legal framework to fight against propaganda.
Manel Msalmi introduced the debate by pointing out the complexity of the issue of disinformation and the different tools that the EU has already taken to tackle disinformation in an attempt to protect European and democratic values. She also raised the issue of human rights activists who might be targeted following some disinformation reports. This was the case of Karima Baloch who was killed in Canada, Sajid Hussain Baloch who was killed in Sweden and a lot of activists involved in the Baloch cause who were intimidated right after the EU Disinfo Lab report was released. A report which put their lives in danger.
Claude Moniquet pointed out that
"There is an obvious continuity between disinformation - the Russians prefer to speak of "active measures", in Russian, "aktivnye meropriyatiya", an expression that covers disinformation, offensive espionage and subversion - as it was practiced in the Soviet era and that which is implemented by the Putin regime: it is, then as now, to do everything to undermine the Western democracies and dislocate the alliance between North America and Europe in order to implode NATO. What has changed is not the spirit of disinformation but the means used. Where yesterday, it was necessary to apply complex methods, new information technologies allow, today, to flood the Internet and especially social networks which have become the main source of information for many citizens in the West, especially among the youth.
Another evolution of Russian disinformation in recent years has been the search for new political channels to spread it. During the Cold War, it was mostly communist, far-left or pacifist circles that were used by Moscow. But from now on, the Russian disinformation apparatus relies much more on certain circles of the extra-parliamentary far-right. But the same actors are at work as before: the external intelligence services (today, the SVR) and the military ones (the GRU). And at their head, as well as at the head of their main means of action, we still find men and women belonging to the first circle of Vladimir Putin and taking their orders directly from the Kremlin.”
Nigel Goodrich mentioned that
"To be pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel is the new polarising middle ground where, due to sustained ideological disinformation and propaganda driven by the media, academia, state actors, NGOs and trades unions, there is no longer room for dialogue. The best solution to this threat to our democratic future is to teach critical thinking in schools, such that young people learn about different perspectives, thereby giving dialogue (hence peace and coexistence) a chance"
Shreya Kaushik, an activist and a representative of the Indian diaspora in Belgium pointed out that
"Disinformation is a wide spread issue, it is plain information overload or information chaos. If we talk about the solution to this, as a whole we must work on educational reforms to eradicate such evils from the society so the individuals can judge the authenticity of any information. There is no way to sift the information other than strengthening the education system and thats the need of the hour"
Giuliana Franciosa, an expert in Communication explained the different concepts in relation to misinformation and how to counter it as well as the need to check the disinformation reports mainly those which do not come from EU or international institutions.
"The issue of impersonation by the EU Disinfo Lab for example, where in the EU prefix can be misleading and people can believe that it is a legitimate wing under the European Union institutions "
The debate ended with the conclusion that the fight against Disinformation should be regulated by EU legislations to guarantee both human rights as well as freedom of speech and avoid tragic incidents and the killings of human rights activists in conflict zones or in exile as well as educate the new generations to make the difference between fake news and true information.
The most intense melting events in northeastern Greenland are due to long, narrow bands of water vapor called “atmospheric rivers.”
The warm, dry downslope winds known as the “blow” also play a role.
Authors of a study published in Nature Communications combine regional climate models and high-resolution atmospheric model simulations with “atmospheric river detection algorithms” and a “Foen identification procedure.”
They find that near low-elevation outlet glaciers, 80-100% of extreme melting occurs under Freon conditions, while 50-75% occurs in atmospheric rivers.
The paper finds that both events have become more frequent in the 21st century, adding that their impact on extreme melting in northeast Greenland “is likely to continue to increase as the moisture content of the regional atmosphere increases with climate warming “.
The Greenland ice sheet has lost more ice in the summer than it gained in the winter season for the 25th year in a row, the Washington Post reported late last year.
The net total loss is 166 gigatons of ice from September 2020 to August 2021.
The material continues: “This year, scientists estimate that about 500 gigatons have been lost to icebergs breaking off and melting, the highest in 35 years of satellite observations.
Scientists say they are concerned about the future of the ice sheet. NASA’s Josh Willis said: “With each decade warmer than the last, record breaking is the new normal.
Meanwhile, New Scientist published a new study, citing Nature Communications, which found that trees “lower urban land surface temperatures by up to 12C”. The researchers used satellite data from nearly 300 European cities to measure Earth’s surface temperature, the paper explains. According to the material, “the cooling provided by green spaces without trees is negligible.”
As extreme heat becomes more common in cities, Jihua Wang of Arizona State University told New Scientist that “[this study] provides important guidance for urban landscapers to implement urban trees as an effective strategy to reduce urban heat.” .
Separately, warmer water temperatures as a result of climate change are stressing albatrosses, the Guardian reports.
The authors of a Royal Society study found that in years with unusually warm water temperatures, albatross divorce rates rose from the usual 1-3% to up to 8%.
One of the authors, Francesco Ventura, told the paper that one reason for this is the “partner-blaming hypothesis”: female albatrosses blame their partners for the higher levels of stress caused by the harsher environment.
Bishop Daniel Matebesi’s discovery of the Scientology Tools for Life gave him faith that he could assist in bringing about social change in South Africa
JOHANNESBURG, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, April 27, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Each year, South Africa dedicates a month to commemorating human rights and those who fought to end apartheid and give South Africans the rights they enjoy today. Human Rights Month in 2023 had the theme “Consolidating and Sustaining Human Rights Culture into the Future.”
Gender-based violence (GBV) is a human rights problem that particularly bothers Rev. Daniel Matebesi, bishop of the Independent Congregational Church of Southern Africa and president of the South African Christian Ministers Council (SACMIC). In a video posted on the YouTube channel of Volunteer Ministers of South Africa, Rev. Matebesi describes this as “a pandemic in the country today.”
Bishop Matebesi is committed to resolving the issues troubling South Africans today, including gender-based violence and drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents.
In addition to his many responsibilities, the Department of Home Affairs has appointed Matebesi as a marriage officer.
“And I want to assist our communities to try to bring the percentage of gender-based violence down.”
In the first quarter of 2022, more than 10,000 rape cases were reported in South Africa, placing it among the nations with the highest incidence of this crime.
Rev. Matebesi heard about the Scientology Tools for Life when he was invited to speak at a national SACMIC conference at the African headquarters of the Church of Scientology in Midrand, Castle Kyalami. He explains how the Scientology Tools for Life Courses have empowered him to address this issue and another severe concern.
“I’m crying tears for our youth,” he declares. “Some of our youth are a lost generation. Some of them are addicted to alcohol and drugs.”
However, the skills he has acquired through the Tools for Life courses have given him hope and confidence to confront these challenges.
“This is what I want for my people,” he says, “for the children of God to receive information and knowledge. Because knowledge is power.”
He characterises the Tools for Life as a vehicle and tool for transformation.
Those who successfully complete all 19 “Scientology Tools for Life” courses are awarded certificates and vibrant yellow shirts and headwear identifying them as “Scientology Volunteer Ministers.”
A councillor from the “Molema District Municipality” who attended the seminar is also concerned about the effects of gender-based violence and drug abuse and their effect on individuals and the community.
“These are issues that cannot be left just to the government to resolve,” she says.
After observing the outcomes of the “Skills Development Programme” at Castle Kyalami, she vowed her support for the initiative, recognising that it equips individuals with the necessary skills to overcome these pressing issues.
“Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard” developed the “Tools for Life for the Training” of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, a religious social service supported by Church of Scientology International.
Mr. Hubbard defined a Volunteer Minister as “a person who helps his fellow man on a voluntary basis by restoring purpose, truth, and spiritual values to the lives of others.” Their creed states, “
A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."
Regardless of the situation, their motto is “Something can be done about it.”
The Castle Kyalami functions as a home for the community and a hub for all who share the aim of improving the lives of individuals and strengthening communities throughout the region, the country, and all of Africa. Mr. David Miscavige, the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, dedicated Castle Kyalami on January 1, 2019, reaffirming Mr. Hubbard’s vision that “from Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization on this planet.”
Ivan Arjona, a representative of Scientology at the European institutions and the United Nations, when asked said that
"the story of Bishop Matebesi shows that cooperation between religions is not only possible but needed, and we will continue to help each country that is willing to do what it takes, to make a better society for their citizens and beyond".
“Closing the digital divide between girls and boys is about more than just having access to the internet and technology. It’s about empowering girls to become innovators, creators, and leaders,” said UNICEF Director of Education Robert Jenkins.
“If we want to tackle gender gaps in the labour market, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields (or STEM), we must start now by helping young people, especially girls, gain digital skills.”
It crunches the data on internet use, mobile phone ownership, and digital skills in mostly low, lower-middle, and some middle-income economies. Though more data is needed to better monitor, understand, and work toward digital inclusion, the report finds that girls are being left behind in an increasingly digital and connected world.
Skills deficit
While advancing access to the internet is important, it isn’t enough to boost digital skills training. For example, in most countries analysed, the number of young people with access to the internet at home, is much higher than the number of youths who have obtained digital skills.
Girls are the least likely to have the opportunities to develop the skills needed for 21st century learning and employment, according to the report.
On average across 32 countries and territories, girls are 35 per cent less likely than their male peers to have digital skills, including simple activities like copying or pasting files or folders, sending emails, or transferring files.
Phones for the boys
The report suggests that educational and family environments play a critical role in the gender digital divide.
For example, even within the same home, girls are far less likely than boys to access, or be able to make full use of the internet and digital technologies. Across 41 countries and territories included in the analysis, households are much more likely to provide mobile phones for boys than girls.
Barriers to accessing opportunities to higher learning and the labour market, pervasive discriminatory gender norms and stereotypes, and concerns over online safety, may further restrict girls’ digital access and skills development, said UNICEF.
To break through the barriers, they need early exposure and access to technology, digital and life skills training, that also helps neutralize the impact of harmful gender stereotypes, especially within families, and online violence.
UNICEF is calling on governments and partners to close the gender divide and ensure that girls can succeed in a digital world. Some of the recommendations include:
Teach digital skills equally to girls and boys in and out of school, including community programmes.
Protect girls’ safety online through virtual safe spaces, policies and laws, and education.
Promote girls’ access to peer learning, mentoring, internships and job shadowing in the digital/STEM world.
Volker Perthes, who is also head of UN Transition Assistance Mission UNITAMS, welcomed the lull in fighting in some parts of the country between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitaries from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), noting that “it is not being fully respected”.
He called on both sides to stick to the final day of the agreed ceasefire, “and facilitate humanitarian access” to the UN and partners, who are continuing to provide lifesaving aid as far as conditions allow.
Mr. Perthes, who is remaining in Sudan together with senior UN personnel, said in a statement he was “deeply concerned by recent reports of violence in El Geneina (West Darfur), which increasingly appears to also be taking on inter-communal dimensions with attacks on civilians and looting and distribution of weapons among local communities.”
He said attacks had also resulted in “other mass looting, including of UN premises.”
He once again called for an immediate end to the conflict between the two factions, who are unable to agree on integrating their forces ahead of a long-awaited transition to civilian rule, before the violence and destruction escalates.
Calling for all humanitarians – their facilities and assets – to be protected, the UNITAMS chief told the generals that it was “crucial” for civilians to be able to safely leave areas of active fighting and have access to “essential supplies.”
He welcomed ongoing efforts by local authorities in the region to de-escalate tensions, and vowed to work with all parties, “towards a sustained ceasefire with a monitoring mechanism, political negotiations, and to alleviate human suffering.”
Speaking in Geneva, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that the violence wracking Sudan had “taken a terrible toll on health”.
More deaths due to disease
“On top of the number of deaths and injuries caused by the conflict itself, WHO expects there will be many more deaths due to outbreaks, lack of access to food and water, and disruptions to essential health services, including immunization”, he said.
WHO estimates that one in four of the lives lost so far could have been saved with access to basic emergency medical treatment for the wounded.
“But paramedics, nurses and doctors are unable to access injured civilians, and civilians are unable to access services. In the capital Khartoum, 61 per cent of health facilities are closed, and only 16 per cent are operating as normal.”
24,000 births, no hospital care
Many patients with chronic diseases, like kidney disease, diabetes and cancer, are unable to access the health facilities or medicines they need and in the coming weeks, around 24,000 women will give birth in the capital, “but they are currently unable to access maternal care”, said Tedros.
The risk of diarrhoeal diseases is high, as the water supply is disrupted and people are drinking river water to survive, noted the WHO chief.
“With nutrition programmes suspended, 50,000 children are at real risk; and the movement of civilians seeking safety threatens the fragile health system throughout the country.”
Since the conflict began, WHO has verified 16 attacks on health, resulting in at least eight deaths so far.
Thousands fleeing the fighting
As the fighting continues, the UN is preparing for a mass influx of refugees into countries across the region bordering Sudan, including the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told correspondents in New York on Wednesday.
The refugee agency UNHCR, estimates that some 270,000 people could flee into South Sudan and Chad alone.
“In South Sudan, our humanitarian partners are scaling up their presence in key response areas to help the most vulnerable people”, said Mr. Haq. “In Chad, UNHCR is working with the Government to assess the needs of people arriving in the country.”
UNHCR is calling on all countries neighbouring Sudan to keep their borders open to those fleeing the violence, in fear of their lives.
Pity the children: lives must take precedence
In a joint statement, the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, and the Special Representative on Violence against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid, said they were alarmed at the reported numbers of civilian deaths, including children.
“The lives, protection and well-being of children must take precedence over combat operations, and we call on all parties to halt hostilities and to ensure full protection of all children.
“Parties should further refrain from attacking civilian infrastructures in accordance with international humanitarian law, especially those impacting children – this includes schools and medical facilities as well as water and sanitation systems”, said the two officials.
They also reminded military officers engaged in the fighting that “regardless of their roles, under no circumstances should children below 18 years be involved in armed conflict as the recruitment and use of children is prohibited under international law.”
The Ombudsman has published her annual report for 2022 with transparency and accountability issues representing the largest percentage of complaints (32%).
The report provides an overview of key areas of the Ombudsman’s work, such as her suggestions to the European Commission, European Central Bank, and European Investment Bank for better managing moves by their staff to the private sector (so-called revolving doors). It also focuses on her work on access to documents, including her practical recommendations for the EU administration when it comes to recording work-related text and instant messages. Other subjects covered by the report include the inquiry into how the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) complies with its fundamental rights obligations and her call on the Commission to ensure a balanced representation of interests in relation to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy.
In 2022, the Ombudsman opened 348 inquires, including four on her own initiative. The average length of an inquiry was under six months with nearly half (48%) of inquires closed within three months.
Overview of responses to public consultation on environmental decision making
Respondents pointed out cases where they faced difficulties accessing certain documents, such as those related to negotiations on draft legislation between the European Commission, European Parliament, and Council of the European Union. They also said that certain documents were frequently published late and that some information published by the EU administration was not user-friendly.
The Schengen Agreement known today was signed in a small village in the south-eastern part of Luxembourg – a place steeped in symbolism
Luxembourg can be crossed by car in just over an hour. Before you know it, you’ll be in nearby France, Germany or Belgium, only the most observant will notice the border sign and the flags of the Grand Duchy far behind.
This possibility is due in part to the country’s small size, but also to a Luxembourgish legacy: a treaty signed 38 years ago in the small village of Schengen in the south-east of the country. The now famous Schengen Agreement has dramatically changed the way we travel in Europe, and it continues to evolve today.
Not so little Luxembourg
At first glance, Luxembourg could be perceived as a commercial center where money is simply made. It takes up very little space on the map and is often inadvertently overlooked as a destination in favor of its neighbors. A founding member of what is now the European Union, this small country is home to one of the EU’s three capitals – Luxembourg (along with Brussels and Strasbourg) – and continues to play a key role in the union’s governance.
The country has the distinction of being a constitutional monarchy situated between the two giant republics of France and Germany, and has paid the price for its location in not one but two world wars, meaning it has plenty of rich and intriguing history to offer. It has a thriving local wine industry, an impressive restaurant scene, countless museums and monuments (from the UNESCO-listed fortress and old town center to the grave of General George Patton Jr.) and a seemingly innate love of seafood, cheese and all things sweet.
In 1985, Luxembourg played an important role in creating a landmark piece of legislation – the signing of the Schengen Agreement – a unilateral agreement guaranteeing border-free travel within European member states.
In the footsteps of this historical place, tourists can travel along the Moselle Valley – a quiet and unpretentious part of the eastern part of Luxembourg. The Moselle River lazily acts as a natural border between Luxembourg and Germany. The valley is clearly central to the country’s winemaking, with vineyards stretching across the low hillsides, broken only by towns and villages scattered across the hills.
On the west bank of the Moselle lies the little Schengen. With roughly 4,000 inhabitants, it’s certainly not the big-name, bright-lights destination one might expect for an agreement that’s changing the way people travel in Europe. Yet it was here, on a gloomy morning on June 14, 1985, that representatives of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, West Germany (then) and the Netherlands gathered to officially sign the agreement for this revolutionary new borderless zone.
The background
The number of European treaties, alliances, cross-alliances and counter-treaties that arose in the second half of the 20th century is mind-boggling. The list screams red tape, but understanding the various alliances at the time is of great importance in creating the Schengen environment.
As World War II drew to a close in 1944, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands united to create the Benelux. These three countries recognize the benefits that working together will bring in the coming, inevitably difficult decades, and hope to boost trade through a customs agreement.
Based on the Benelux, in 1957 the Treaty of Rome created the European Economic Community (EEC) – an extended customs union of the six founding countries (Benelux and West Germany, France and Italy).
At the beginning of the 1980s, the EEC had 10 member states, and while only fast border checks were in place between them, the reality was that it still held up traffic, required human resources and was increasingly seen as unnecessary bureaucracy. However, the concept of one-way travel without internal borders divides members, with half of them insisting on free movement only for EU citizens and thus remaining committed to internal border checks to distinguish between EU and non-EU citizens EU.
As Martina Kneip, head of the European Schengen Museum, explains: “The idea of open borders in 1985 was something extraordinary – a utopia. No one believed that it could become a reality.”
The remaining five member countries (Benelux, France and West Germany) that wish to carry out the free movement of people and goods are left to initiate the creation of the area to which Schengen will give its name.
Why Schengen?
As Luxembourg takes over the presidency of the EEC, the small country has the right to choose the place where the signing of this treaty takes place. Schengen is the only place where France and Germany share a border with a Benelux country
As a meeting place for three countries, the choice of Schengen is steeped in symbolism. To ensure it was neutral, the signatories gathered aboard the ship MS Princesse Marie-Astrid to write their proposal. The ship is anchored as close as possible to the triple border that runs down the middle of the Moselle River.
Nevertheless, the signing of Schengen failed to attract much support or attention at the time. Apart from the five EEC member states who are against it, many officials, from all countries, simply do not believe it will come into force or succeed. So much so that not a single head of state from the five signatory countries was present on the day of the signing.
From the beginning, the agreement was undervalued, “considered an experiment and something that wouldn’t last,” according to Kneipp. Added to this is the inevitable red tape which ensures that the complete abolition of internal borders in the five founding states will not take place until 1995.
The Schengen area today
Today, the Schengen area consists of 27 member states. Of these, 23 are members of the EU, and four (Iceland, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein) are not.
As then, as now, Schengen has its critics. A migrant crisis has undermined the Schengen idea, giving opponents of open borders plenty of “ammunition” to attack the inclusion efforts put forward by the agreement. Nevertheless, the Schengen area continues to grow, although the accession process remains cumbersome. Policy still determines who can join, as new members must be accepted unanimously. Bulgaria and Romania have repeatedly been vetoed to join Schengen due to concerns about corruption and the security of their external borders.
However, for many the pros of the Schengen area far outweigh the cons. As Kneipp notes: “The Schengen Agreement is something that affects the daily lives of all Schengen member states – around 400 million people.”
What is happening to Schengen itself?
Since Schengen is far from any major thoroughfares, chances are you’ll only end up there if you make a conscious effort to visit. It is about 35 km by car from Luxembourg City and the route goes through forests, farmland and down the Moselle valley. The scenery changes noticeably as you descend the rural hills towards the town of Remich. From here to the epicenter of Schengen – the European Museum – the road is pleasant, winding between the vine-covered slopes and the Moselle River. Here, the story of the creation of the Schengen area is skillfully told through interactive exhibitions and monuments.
Be sure to check out the showcase of official caps of border guards from the member states at the time they joined the area, each demonstrating a national identity sacrificed for the sake of Schengen functioning.
In front of the museum, parts of the Berlin Wall are placed to remind us that walls – in this case the world-famous reinforced concrete wall of one of the founding members of the agreement – do not have to stay in place forever. In front of the museum you will find three stelae or steel plates, each with its own star commemorating the founders. Finally, there are the striking Columns of Nations, which beautifully depict iconic landmarks from each member of the Schengen area.
Of course, there is more than just international law in this peaceful border village. Visitors can extend their stay to enjoy a cruise on the Moselle River, hiking or cycling in the surrounding hills, or try a crémant (the region’s revered white sparkling wine) for a true taste of Schengen life – the little a village whose name will remain forever in history.
Despite progress in some EU Member States to reduce their use, pesticide pollution still poses significant risks to human health and the environment, according to a European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published today. To reverse this, much more needs to be done to achieve the EU’s zero pollution targets to reduce by 50% the use and risk of chemical and more hazardous pesticides by 2030.
Widespread pesticide use is major source of pollution — contaminating water, soil and air, driving biodiversity loss and leading to pest resistance. Human exposure to chemical pesticides is linked to chronic illnesses, such as cancer, and heart, respiratory and neurological diseases.
The new EEA briefing ‘How pesticides impact human health and ecosystems in Europe’ summarises the latest knowledge on how chemical pesticides impact our health and the environment and presents good practices to reduce their use and risk across Europe. It showcases good practices for how to reduce pesticide use and manage the associated risks without jeopardizing food supply.
Europe’s agriculture sector still relies on using high volumes of chemical pesticides to maintain crop yields, with the volume of pesticides sales having remained stable over the past decade. Pesticides are also used in forestry, and along roads and railways, as well as in public parks, playgrounds or gardens widely used by the public — particularly by children, pregnant women and the elderly, groups more vulnerable to pesticides.
From 2011 to 2020, pesticide sales in the EU-27 Member States remained relatively stable at around 350,000 tonnes per year.
In 2020, one or more pesticides were detected above thresholds of concern (a risk to human health) at 22% of all monitoring sites in rivers and lakes across Europe. In terms of soil pollution, 83% of agricultural soils tested in a 2019 study contained pesticide residues.
Pesticide pollution is one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss in Europe. In particular, pesticide use has caused significant declines in insect populations, threatening the critical roles they play in food production, in particular the pollination of most fruit and vegetable crops.
People are mainly exposed to pesticides through diet, including food and drinking water, as well as by spending time in areas where pesticides are applied and, for agricultural workers, at the workplace. A large-scale human biomonitoring study conducted between 2014 and 2021 across five European countries found at least two pesticides present in the bodies of 84% of survey participants.
Pesticide levels were consistently higher in children than in adults, with children being particularly sensitive to the negative health impacts of chemicals. Human exposure to chemical pesticides is linked to a range of serious chronic diseases, such as cancer, and heart, respiratory and neurological diseases, as well as developmental delays in children.
Meeting the targets — reducing pesticide use
In 2020, the European Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy introduced two pesticide reduction targets: a 50% reduction in the use and risk of chemical pesticides and a 50% reduction in the use of more hazardous pesticides. The Strategy is a key part of the European Green Deal and aims to make Europe’s food systems fair, healthy and sustainable. Achieving the targets will require more work by EU policymakers and Member States, the briefing notes.
The European Commission recently proposed a new regulation on the sustainable use of pesticides, which would require countries to set their own national reduction targets, ensure that all farmers and other professional pesticide users adopt environmentally friendly systems of pest control, and restrict the use of pesticides in sensitive areas such as urban green areas and protected areas. Other measures discussed in the briefing include training professional users and advisors, incentivizing the transition to organic and precision farming, and taxing the most hazardous pesticides.
To reduce dependency on chemical pesticides and maintain food security, it will also be critical to promote the shift to alternative models of agriculture that apply ecological concepts and principles to agricultural production, the EEA briefing suggests.
