12.1 C
Brussels
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
Home Blog Page 405

Country programme for Pakistan 2022-2025: launch of the third phase

By
Newsdesk
-
0
© UNODC

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime  launches third phase of Country Programme for Pakistan 2022-2025

Islamabad (Pakistan), 7 June 2022 – “Given the complexity and international nature of illicit drug trafficking, no country can win this war alone,” said Mr. Sabino Sikandar. He could have been referring to any country, but Sikandar works in Pakistan’s Ministry of Narcotics Control and was speaking at the launch of the third phase of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)’s work programme in the country. This event, held last Friday in Islamabad, also celebrated the successes of its second phase.

Under the previous phase (2016-2021), achievements included: training more than 40,000 law enforcement personnel; developing, enacting, and approving bills and acts, and creating digital platforms such as a prison management information system rolled out in 65 prisons of Sindh and Punjab.

Speaking to the impacts of the latter, Imtiaz Abbas from Punjab’s Inspectorate-General of Prisons said: “The primary goal of prison automation was to make life easier for the public, prisoners, and prison staff. It has reduced staff workload and increased transparency. It has streamlined prison production, medical, interview, factory, housing, finance, inventory, store, and management functions since its introduction.”

Building on these results, UNODC Pakistan designed the third phase with more than 60 stakeholders from the government, United Nations, private sector, and civil society. The new programme seeks to build strong, accountable criminal justice systems in-country, to address threats from illicit drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, corruption and economic crime, and terrorism.

“The new UNODC Country Programme for 2022-2025 will support Pakistan in tackling these challenges through integrated, scalable, and sustainable responses to all forms of crime, with an emphasis on gender-responsive programming, for achieving the rule of law and promoting human rights,” stated UNODC Executive Director Ms. Ghada Waly at the launch via video message.

UNODC’s Representative Dr Jeremy Milsom emphasized that the new programme would focus on innovation and partnerships, aiming to integrate all thematic areas at national, regional, and global levels. “I look forward to forging new partnerships to support Pakistan become a role model in successfully fighting drugs and crime,” he said.

The Goodwill Ambassador for UNODC Pakistan Shehzad Roy also attended the launch. He commended UNODC’s work, “especially under its peace and security mandate linking to Sustainable Development Goal 16, which it is well-known for prioritizing. All the work UNODC is doing contributes to making Pakistan a more secure place,” he added, before thanking the Government of Pakistan and all donors for providing the support that makes it possible to affect change. 

Further information

The Country Programme for Pakistan 2022-2025 will work in synergy and close coordination with other UNODC regional vehicles, such as the Regional Programme for Afghanistan and Neighbouring Countries, the Strategy Stability Grid, along with numerous global programmes.

Condolences on the passing of Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima

By
News desk
-
0
Condolences on the passing of Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima

CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen has expressed deep sorrow on the passing of Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima. “Several of us have memories of His Eminence’s time on the Central Committee of the Conference of European Churches, as well as the planning Committee of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly in 2007, and his leadership for the Churches in Dialogue Commission,” said Sørensen in his condolence letter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

“We will remember His Eminence’s commitment to ecumenical dialogue, Christian unity and Orthodox witness in the diverse ecclesial landscape in Europe and beyond,” he added.

Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima passed away last week. He served as a member of the CEC Central Committee from 2003 to 2013. A professor of Orthodox theology and canon law in various universities, he served in many ecumenical positions.

Photo: Peter Williams/WCC

Council of Europe considering international human rights in mental health

By
Torsten Hjelmar
-
0
Council of Europe in Strasbourg
Council of Europe in Strasbourg, France. (Photo credit: THIX Photo)

Following strong and persistent criticism of a possible new legal instrument related to use of coercive measures in psychiatry, the decision-making body of the Council of Europe decided it needed further information on the use of voluntary measures to be able to finalize its stand on the drafted text. The request for additional deliverables from subordinate bodies within the Council of Europe is adding two and a half years to the process before the final review is to be done.

The main point of criticism of the drafted possible new legal instrument (which technically is an additional protocol to a Council of Europe convention known as the Oviedo Convention) refer to the paradigm shift in viewpoint away from former times authoritative, non-inclusive and paternalistic viewpoints towards a broad view of human diversity and human dignity. The shift in viewpoint took strength with the 2006 adoption of the International Human Rights treaty: the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Conventions main message is that persons with disabilities are entitled to the full spectrum of human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination.

The drafted possible new legal instrument of the Council of Europe is stated to have an intend of protecting victims of coercive measures in psychiatry which are known to be degrading and potentially amount to torture. The approach is through regulating the use of and preventing as much as possible such harmful practices. The critics which include the United Nations Human Rights mechanism, the Council of Europe’s own Commissioner on Human Rights and numerous other experts, groups and bodies point out that allowing such practices under regulation is in opposition to the requirements of modern human rights, that simply ban them.

“After many years advocating for a change in the way the Council of Europe address mental healthcare and the rights of persons with disabilities, the decision to freeze the adoption of the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention comes as a big relief for the disability and human rights community,” John Patrick Clarke, Vice President of the European Disability Forum told The European Times. The European Disability Forum is an umbrella organization of persons with disabilities defending the interest of more than 100 million persons with disabilities in Europe.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Council of Europe considering international human rights in mental health
Joint statement.

The words of John Patrick Clarke was further backed by a joint statement of multiple organisations stating: “We, organisations of persons with disabilities, non-governmental organisations, international and human rights bodies, including national human rights institutions and equality bodies, welcome the decisions taken by the Committee of Ministers decisions taken by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe that suspends the adoption of the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention, provides new instructions to the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO) and foresees the participation of organisations of persons with disabilities and other relevant stakeholders in the further discussions to come.”

The joint statement however also makes it clear that while this is a step in the right direction, more is to be done. The recent decisions “do not meet our full expectations,” the statement noted, but “they could provide the basis for greater efforts to align Council of Europe standards concerning persons with disabilities to ensure no contradiction with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).”

The work within the Committee of Ministers level on the additional protocol has been controversial since it was started more than a decade ago. Most recently the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in a February 2022 report, recommended States and all other relevant stakeholders, including health professionals in view of the UN CRPD:

All States parties to the Convention should undertake a review of their obligations before adopting legislation or instruments that may contradict their obligations to uphold the rights of persons with disabilities, as called for in the Convention. In particular, States are urged to re-examine from this perspective the draft additional protocol to the Oviedo Convention currently under consideration by the Council of Europe and to consider opposing its adoption and requesting its withdrawal.

The joint statement by disability and human rights groups released today further note in regards to the decisions of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers adopted on 11th of May that:

“Although these decisions do not constitute an outright withdrawal of the draft Additional Protocol, they give clear instructions to halt the current process and to work further towards respecting autonomy and the consensual nature of mental healthcare. We further welcome the fact that the Committee of Ministers recognises the importance of involving civil society organisations in the CDBIO meetings related to mental healthcare.”

In concluding, John Patrick Clarke, Vice President of the European Disability Forum, told The European Times, “We need to be vigilant and make sure that States not only commit to, but in practice reform their mental healthcare systems to respect the human rights of all.”

World Food Safety Day highlights need to improve health, prevent foodborne risks 

By
officialinstitutions
-
0
World Food Safety Day highlights need to improve health, prevent foodborne risks 
Benefits of safe food for well-being include improved nutrition and reduced absenteeism in schools and in the workplace.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), only when food is safe can we fully benefit from its nutritional value and from the mental and social benefits of sharing a safe meal.

“Unsafe foods are the cause of many diseases and contribute to other poor health conditions, such as impaired growth and development, micronutrient deficiencies, noncommunicable or communicable diseases and mental illness,” said FAO.

Avoidable illness

Foodborne diseases affect one in 10 people worldwide each year, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers. Fortunately, most are preventable.

The way we build food systems and supply chains can prevent infectious and toxic hazards, as well as microbial pathogens (bacteria, viruses and parasites), chemical residues, and biotoxins, from reaching our plates.

“We need to transform food systems to deliver better health, and we need to do so in a sustainable manner,” said FAO. “Food systems policy makers, practitioners and investors should reorient their activities to increase the sustainable production and consumption of safe foods.”

The UN agency also reminded that systemic changes for better health will lead to safer food – a critical enabler of long-term development and a prerequisite to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Did you know?

  • Unsafe food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances causes more than 200 diseases.
  • Recent estimates indicate that the impact of unsafe food costs low and middle-income economies around $95 billion in lost productivity each year.
  • Good hygiene practices in the food and agricultural sectors help to reduce the emergence and spread of foodborne diseases.

Steps to health

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a set of specific actions across multiple sectors to make food safer, beginning with policy measures to strengthen national food safety systems and ensure compliance with food safety standards.

This requires collaboration at local, national, regional and global levels.

Food businesses must comply with international food standards and engage employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to grow and develop a food safety culture. 

At the same time, educational institutions and workplaces need to promote safe food handling and support food safety.

And consumers have to practice safe handling at home and stay informed, FAO added.

Partners in wellness

Since 2018 when the General Assembly established the day, FAO and WHO have jointly facilitated its observance, in collaboration with Member States and others.

FAO addresses food safety issues along the food chain during production and processing, while WHO typically oversees relationships within the public health sector.

World Food Safety Day 2022 comes ten days after the adoption of the updated WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety, a milestone in the work to promote health, keep the world safe and protect the vulnerable. 

Committee prepares for worship life at CEC upcoming assembly

By
News desk
-
0
Committee prepares for worship life at CEC upcoming assembly

Worship will be a significant element at the 2023 CEC General Assembly. A moment of prayer, reflection and fellowship for the European churches. To prepare for worship services at the assembly, members of the CEC Assembly Worship Committee met in Tallinn.

The General Assembly of CEC will be held from 14 – 20 June 2023 in Tallinn, Estonia, exploring the theme “Under God’s blessing – shaping the future”.

At their meeting, the CEC Assembly Worship Committee developed creative proposals and ideas for worship experience for the assembly as well as for Tallinn’s local churches.

“Worship life at ecumenical assemblies is the cornerstone of shared fellowship,” said CEC General Secretary Dr Jørgen Skov Sørensen. “I have no doubt the committee will lay the foundation for a spiritually rich and visually magnificent worship life at the CEC Assembly. I thank them for their commitment.”

The committee members are Rev. Sabine Udodesku of the Evangelical Church in Germany, Irene Grassi of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Italy, Fr Mattias Madis Palli of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Sigrid Põld of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, Stefan Zeljkovic of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Samuel Williams of the Church of England.

Learn more about 2023 CEC General Assembly

WEA Secretary General discusses current global crises with UN Head

By
Newsdesk
-
0
WEA Secretary General discusses current global crises with UN Head

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) Secretary-General Bishop Dr Thomas Schirrmacher led a delegation of WEA leaders in a recent meeting with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York. They discussed some of the ongoing and newly emerging crises in the world, including the war in Ukraine and the ensuing refugee crisis, issues surrounding freedom of religion and belief as well as the environment.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== WEA Secretary General discusses current global crises with UN Head

WEA Secretary General Bishop Dr Thomas Schirrmacher (left) with UN Secretary-General Mr. António Guterres at the UN headquarters in New York © WEA/Martin Warnecke

Guterres thanked the WEA for its long-term engagement in a wide area of topics and fields and shared that he had gotten to know the WEA more during his tenure as UN High Commissioner for Refugees. As a person of faith himself, he urged the WEA to increase its engagement and encourage other like-minded faith actors to join the collaborative efforts at the grassroots.

Schirrmacher applauded the UN for elevating the cooperation with faith-based organizations in various branches and entities. He highlighted the UN Environment Program (UNEP) as the first branch that did not subsume religions under “non-state actors” but included them as important partners in identifying and implementing global solutions.

“The hundreds of millions of Christians belonging to the many national Evangelical Alliances around the world are not always “easy-going” actors when it comes to collaboration with others, as they are highly critical of issues such as corruption, racism, economic inequalities, or the suppression of freedom of religion or belief,” Schirrmacher noted. But he also emphasized that “they are not critical simply for the sake of criticizing. Instead, they seek to cooperate and engage meaningfully for a peaceful, just, and livable world, which is in accordance with the will of Jesus Christ.”

He added that they are aware that global issues require engagement through global bodies and that the UN has opened many doors for faith-based organizations to participate and contribute.

The meeting was the first in-person encounter between the two Secretaries-General since Schirrmacher’s appointment just over a year ago. The delegation also included Mr. John Girgis, Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Matthias Boehning, Director of WEA’s Sustainability Center at the UN in Bonn, and Rev. Dr Rebecca Goropevsek, Coordinator of WEA’s Children Network.

The WEA has held special consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1997 and has continuously increased its engagement with various UN bodies, opening offices in New York, Geneva and Bonn. Earlier this year, the WEA opened an additional office at the Church Center opposite of the UN headquarters and added Richard Kirenga from Rwanda as a staff who helps coordinate events and meetings in New York.

In his conversation with Mr Guterres, Schirrmacher also promised to further level up WEA’s work with the UN, with the appointment of a Permanent Representative to the UN in Nairobi planned as a next step.

Source

Big scandal at the UN: The Russian representative left the meeting

By
Newsdesk
-
0

EU President Charles Michel accuses Russia of causing global food crisis with invasion of Ukraine

Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzia has left a meeting of the World Security Council for Ukraine over a statement by European Council President Charles Michel, who accused Russia of causing a global food crisis with its invasion of the neighboring country, Reuters reported.

Russian soldiers are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, Michel said, citing specific reports of sexual assault – the main topic of the meeting. “This is a tactic of torture, terror and repression,” he said.

Earlier, Nebenzya flatly denied all allegations of sexual violence against the Russian military.

When the President of the European Council began speaking, the Russian Permanent Representative to the UN left the meeting, visibly irritated.

“I can’t stay (because of) the lies that Charles Michel came here to spread,” Nebenzia told Reuters.

Addressing the Russian diplomat directly, the President of the European Council said at the meeting: “You can leave the hall, maybe it is easier not to listen to the truth.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24 sparked a global food crisis, with prices for grain, oil, fertilizers and fuels rising sharply. The two countries account for a third of global wheat exports, with Russia exporting fertilizers and Ukraine corn and sunflower oil, Reuters reported.

“Mr. Ambassador of the Russian Federation, let’s be honest, the Kremlin is using food supplies as an invisible missile against developing countries,” said Charles Michel. He stressed that “only Russia is responsible for this food crisis.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is trying to mediate a “package deal” to resume food exports from Ukraine and exports of food and fertilizers from Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will visit Turkey tomorrow to discuss unblocking Ukraine’s wheat exports, Reuters reported.

Breaking news! Macedonian singer detained for arson in Bitola

By
Newsdesk
-
1

He has been arrested for arson at the front door of the Ivan Mihailov Cultural Center in Bitola. This was announced by the Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski on his Facebook account.

According to BGNES, the detainee is Lambe Alabakovski, a famous pop singer from northern Macedonia. He recently returned with his family from the United States to his homeland, saying he prefers to live here.

Earlier it was announced that he will perform at the mega-concert “Memory” on Saturday as a special guest.

Lambe Alabakovski became popular after winning the Star Trek TV competition in 2004. He is very popular in his country, and his songs are among the favorites of Macedonians and top the music charts.

“I am pleased to announce a quick and effective resolution of the case from three days ago (June 4, 2022) with the criminal event – a fire in the center” Ivan Mihailov “in Bitola, in which we have a detainee who confessed to the crime. We worked around the clock to find the perpetrator, all the evidence was taken into account, and after the official conversations in the past days, last night, by court order, a search was conducted of two used by L.A. (34 years old) locations in Bitola, where items related to the crime were found and seized, after which the person was detained. Once again, we have shown that the only power that every rule of law has is the power to eradicate crime. And in this segment there are no “sorry”, no protected persons – all are equal before the law and everyone who has made a mistake – must be held accountable! “, Wrote in his profile Minister Spasovski.

The description of the arsonist from Bitola was given by the Bulgarian Minister Teodora Genchovska, who immediately after the event went from Skopje to Bitola, where she was informed about the perpetrator in the police department.

“In the footage of one of the cameras, I saw a man arriving calmly by bicycle, taking out a tube of flammable liquid and calmly pouring the liquid in front of the building door. The fire that broke out was large, and I suspect that the person has suffered some injuries from this fire and may seek medical attention. The man is wearing a mask, “Genchovska said, adding that she personally believes that this” act was committed in cold blood, intentionally and maliciously. “

The burning of the front door of the Ivan Mihailov Club provoked sharp reactions from Bulgarian politicians, who described the incident as a barbaric act and provocation.

After the official opening of the Cultural Center two months ago in RS Macedonia, a massive anti-Bulgarian campaign was launched, attended by government officials as well as a representative of state institutions in Skopje.

If you drive in Greece – the fines are cruel

By
News desk
-
0

The holiday season is approaching. And now many choose Greece for a sunny weekend by the sea. Thousands travel every week to Greece, tour operators have stepped up and vacations have begun.

Here are the rules to watch out for on the roads there:

Overspeed

– exceeding the speed limit by up to 20 km / h – 40 euros

– Exceeding by up to 30 km / h – 100 euros

– Exceeding over 30 km / h – 350 euros and revocation of the license for 60 days

– driving under the influence of alcohol (between 0.5 and 0.8 per mille in a blood test) – 200 euros

Alcohol

– driving under the influence of alcohol (0. 8 – 1. 1 per mille in a blood test) – 700 euros and withdrawal of the book for 90 days

– driving under the influence of alcohol over 1.1 ppm – a fine of 1,200 euros, confiscation of the license for 180 days and imprisonment for up to 3 years (now according to the new Penal Code)

– driving under the influence of drugs or narcotics – a minimum fine of 200 euros, revocation of the license between 90 and 180 days, and imprisonment for up to 3 years

Belts and helmets

– driving without a seat belt – 350 euros, revocation of the book for 10 days

– passenger without seat belt – 350 euros

– motorcyclist without safety helmet – 350 euros and withdrawal of the book for 10 days

Overtaking and crossing

– Unauthorized overtaking – 700 euros, confiscation of the book and confiscation of registration numbers for 20 days

– passing a red traffic light – 700 euros, confiscation of the book and numbers for 20 days

– non-stopping of the Stop sign – 700 euros, confiscation of the booklet and numbers for 20 days

– incorrect crossing of the railway crossing – 700 euros, confiscation of the book for 60 days and the numbers for 20 days

Parking

– Parking in a disabled place – 150 euros and removal of the book and numbers for 10 days

– Improper parking – 80 euros, revocation of the book for 10 days, revocation of numbers for 20 days

Phones and radars

– motorcyclist talking on the phone – 150 euros and withdrawal of the book for 30 days

– driver talking on the phone without hands-free – 100 euros, withdrawal of the book for 30 days

– use of anti-radar or radar detector – 2000 euros, revocation of the license for 30 days and confiscation of numbers for 60 days

Permissible concentration of alcohol

It is good for tourists traveling to Greece to know that the permissible alcohol concentration is 0.5 per mille. For young drivers with less than two years of experience, professional drivers and motorcyclists the limit is 0.2 ppm. Driving with more than 1.1 ppm of alcohol in the blood is considered a serious offense and is punishable by imprisonment.

US Ambassador to Russia: Do not close our embassy

By
Newsdesk
-
0

Russia should not close the US embassy despite the crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, because the two largest nuclear powers in the world must continue to talk, said the US ambassador to Moscow. President Vladimir Putin has described the invasion of Ukraine as a turning point in Russian history: a revolt against the hegemony of the United States, which the Kremlin leader said humiliated Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Ukraine and its Western supporters say it is fighting for survival against the reckless seizure of land in the imperial style, which killed thousands of people, displaced more than 10 million people and turned vast parts of the country into a wasteland. In a clear attempt to send a message to the Kremlin, John J. Sullivan, the US ambassador appointed by President Donald Trump, told Russia’s state news agency TASS that Washington and Moscow should not simply sever diplomatic relations. “We must keep the opportunity to talk to each other,” Sullivan told TASS. He warned that Leo Tolstoy’s works should not be removed from Western bookstores or Tchaikovsky’s music should not be released. Despite crises, spy scandals and Cold War strife and relations between Moscow and Washington have not broken down since the United States established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union in 1933, according to Reuters.

But now Russia says its post-Soviet relationship with the West is over and will turn east. Last month, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken joked that he would like to dedicate Taylor Swift’s song “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” to Putin. Asked about this remark, Sullivan said: “We will also never part forever.” Asked by TASS if the analogy meant the embassies could be closed, Sullivan said: “Maybe – there is such a possibility, although I think it would be a big mistake.” “I understand that the Russian government has mentioned the option of severing diplomatic relations,” he said. The refusal of Empress Catherine the Great to support the British Empire when America declared independence laid the groundwork for the first diplomatic contacts between the United States and St. Petersburg, then Russia’s imperial capital.

After the Bolshevik Revolution in October 1917, President Woodrow Wilson refused to recognize the revolutionary government of Vladimir Lenin and the US Embassy was closed in 1919. Relations were not restored until 1933. “The only reason I remember the United States can to be forced to close their embassy is if it becomes dangerous to continue its work, “Sullivan said. Asked how the relationship would develop, Sullivan, a 62-year-old lawyer, said he did not know, but added that he hoped for a rapprochement one day. “If I have to bet, I’d say maybe not in my life.”

1...404405406...1,546Page 405 of 1,546

© FRVS+MPCP 2022. The European Times® News is registered as an EU Trademark. All rights reserved. The European Times® and the logo of The European Times® are EU trademarks registered by FRVS+MPCP.

MADRID

Members/Partners of

GNS Press - The European Times

Google News

  

About Us

Popular Category

DISCLAIMER OPINIONS: The opinions of the authors or reproduced in the articles are the ones of those stating them and it is their own responsibility. Should you find any incorrections you can always contact the newsdesk to seek a correction or right of replay.

DISCLAIMER TRANSLATIONS: All articles in this site are published in English. The translated versions are done through an automated process known as neural translations. If in doubt, always refer to the original article. Thank you for understanding.

DISCLAIMER PHOTOS: We mostly used photos images that are readily available online, from free sources, or from the people promoting the news. If by any chance it happens that we have used one of your copyrighted photos, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will take it down without question. We do not make profits as this is a not for profit project to give voice to the voiceless while giving them a platform to be informed also of general news, and it is completely free.

Editor Picks