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UN rights chief, independent experts denounce Georgia’s new ‘foreign agents’ law

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UN rights chief, independent experts denounce Georgia’s new ‘foreign agents’ law

The Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence requires media, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other nonprofits to register as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad. It was adopted on Tuesday.

The adoption has sparked protests in the capital, Tbilisi, and has been denounced by Georgia’s opposition as an effort to crackdown on independent media, civil society, rights activists and government critics

Chilling effect

Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that in adopting the law, authorities and lawmakers “chose to disregard” the warnings raised by rights defenders and civil society.

“The impacts on the rights to freedom of expression and association in Georgia unfortunately now risk being significant,” he warned.

The registration requirement could also have a chilling effect on those working for civic freedoms and significantly curtailing their activities, Mr. Türk added.

“Stifling diverse voices on matters of serious public interest will only complicate the Government’s ability to respond effectively to the many challenges facing the country with sound legislative and policy measures,” he said.

Assurances broken

Meanwhile, independent rights experts also denounced the law’s adoption, which they said happened despite assurances following the withdrawal of another identical bill last year.

That bill was withdrawn in March 2023, following large scale protests, and in November, senior government officials and parliamentarians assured the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders that the draft would not be reintroduced.

“We are shocked that even in light of clear opposition by a significant segment of Georgia’s people, the law was expedited through Parliament with media and civil society representatives denied access to the proceedings,” the UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts said.

They also voiced serious concern at the speed of deliberations in Parliament, “which appear to have taken place without inclusive, transparent and genuine consultations with civil society, society at large and opposition parties.”

Rights activists not enemies of the state

Mr. Türk called for the law to be shelved, and for the authorities to engage in dialogue with media, civil society organizations and human rights defenders.

The independent experts further warned that if signed into law by the President, it would put Georgia in contravention of its human rights obligations, notably on freedom of association.

“For Georgia, this is a step in the wrong direction,” the experts said.

“Human rights defenders, young people and peaceful protestors are not enemies of the state,” they stressed.

Independent rights experts

The experts making the call included the Special Rapporteurs on human rights defenders, on freedom of peaceful assembly and on freedom of opinion and expression; as well as the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity.

Appointed by the Human Rights Council – the UN’s highest intergovernmental forum on human rights – and forming a part of its Special Procedures, special rapporteurs and independent experts are mandated to monitor and assess the rights situation in certain thematic or country situations.

They work voluntarily, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.

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Ariane 6 launch of 3Cat-4: reflecting on Earth

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Ariane 6 launch of 3Cat-4: reflecting on Earth


Europe’s newest rocket soon launches, taking with it many space missions each with a unique objective, destination and team at home, cheering them on. Whether launching new satellites to look back and study Earth, peer out to deep space or test important new technologies in orbit, Ariane 6’s first flight will showcase the versatility and flexibility of this impressive, heavy-lift launcher. Read on for all about 3Cat-4, then see who else is flying first.

The 3Cat-4 CubeSat in its thermal vacuum test chamber

The 3Cat-4 CubeSat in its thermal vacuum test chamber. Image credit: ESA

3Cat-4 (pronounced “cube cat four”) is a 1-kg Earth Observation CubeSat developed by the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Spain and selected by ESA Education’s ‘Fly Your Satellite!’ programme to fly on Ariane 6’s first flight.

As part of the programme, experts carefully reviewed the 3Cat-4 design. They provided design and testing support to the mission team, including important environmental testing at ESA Education’s CubeSat support facility in ESEC-Galaxia, Belgium.

Otherwise, the nanosatellite has been nearly entirely developed by graduate and undergraduate students who have designed, built and validated the vast majority of its components, conducted complex analyses and planned and performed test campaigns with specialised equipment. For several students, the mission is central to their course curriculum or degree thesis.

“The primary goal of the mission is educational; training a group of students in the techniques and methodologies involved in flying a space mission, while conducting challenging teamwork with a real sense of responsibility,” explains Alexander Kinnaird, ESA Engineering Coordinator for the Fly Your Satellite! project.

“But 3Cat-4 also has several scientific and technological objectives that we hope will demonstrate the big potential of CubeSats when it comes to innovative space technology, usually reserved for larger satellites.”

The mission’s primary scientific experiment will be to measure several important climate variables using a technique called ‘Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry’ (GNSS-R). GNSS-R involves measuring the reflected signals from orbiting Global Navigation Satellite Systems, such as Galileo and GPS, that bounce off Earth’s surface.

The many elements that make up 3Cat-4, including the Flexible Microwave Payload, sixth panel from the left, which is 3Cat-4’s primary piece of equipment and will perform all of the scientific experiments onboard, and the 0.5-meter antenna stowed away in the final panel.The many elements that make up 3Cat-4, including the Flexible Microwave Payload, sixth panel from the left, which is 3Cat-4’s primary piece of equipment and will perform all of the scientific experiments onboard, and the 0.5-meter antenna stowed away in the final panel.

The many elements that make up 3Cat-4, including the Flexible Microwave Payload, sixth panel from the left, which is 3Cat-4’s primary piece of equipment and will perform all of the scientific experiments onboard, and the 0.5-meter antenna stowed away in the final panel. Image credit: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya 

This ‘passive remote sensing’ measures the difference between the signals directly received from navigation satellites in orbit and the signals from those same satellites that have been reflected off Earth. Using this data, ³Cat4 will be able to measure the properties of the reflective surface and detect several types of weather phenomena, determine land topography and vegetation cover and extract information on ocean data such as ice coverage and thickness.

Along with its remote sensing capabilities, 3Cat-4 will carry an ‘L-band radiometer’ – an instrument that detects radiation emitted in the 1-2 GHz frequency range which makes it possible to analyse soil moisture and ocean salinity. The CubeSat will also have an Automatic Identification System (AIS) allowing it to track ships along their intercontinental routes. It also includes a ‘Radio Frequency Interference’ detection and mitigation system, which is especially important for microwave radiometry observations used for soil moisture measurements.

3Cat-4 antenna3Cat-4 antenna

3Cat-4 antenna. Image credit: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya 

Crucially, 3Cat-4 will demonstrate the feasibility and performance of its 0.5-meter spring-like antenna, the Nadir Antenna and Deployment System (NADS). Stowed away for launch, the antenna will take up very little space, allowing its future inclusion in even smaller CubeSats. Once in orbit, it will spring open to perform impressive observations usually the domain of larger missions, providing a powerful eye on Earth despite its portable travel size.

“3Cat-4 will demonstrate the capacity for small CubeSats to provide a big Earth Observation service, motivating not only the students involved but also the wider community” says Lily Ha, ESA coordinator for university student activities.

Artist's view of Ariane 6 as it flies into space and jettisons its two boosters around two minutes after liftoff.Artist's view of Ariane 6 as it flies into space and jettisons its two boosters around two minutes after liftoff.

Artist’s view of Ariane 6 as it flies into space and jettisons its two boosters around two minutes after liftoff. Image credit: ESA – D. Ducros

“Ariane 6 is the perfect rocket to launch on, fitting perfectly with the technical and programmatic requirements of the mission but also providing great educational and promotional value. We’re so happy to support the innovation of new European rockets, to be part of such a historic launch and forever associated with this flight.”

Ariane 6 is planned to launch in June-July 2024. It follows the hugely successful Ariane 5, Europe’s principal rocket for more than a quarter century, flying 117 times between 1996 and 2023 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

“Throughout the project, we have seen several cohorts of brilliant students making the technology behind 3Cat-4 possible,” says Cristina Del Castillo Sancho, ESA engineering coordinator for university education.

3Cat4 student working on CubeSat 3Cat4 student working on CubeSat

3Cat4 student working on CubeSat. Image credit: ESA

“They dared to dream of this complex mission, and they were enabled by both ESA Education and their university with the necessary expertise and resources. When Ariane 6 lifts off, this new generation of engineers will be proudly watching how their satellite goes through its ultimate test – finally in outer space.”

The 3Cat-4 mission team will be stationed in their control room at the Barcelona Operations Centre in Spain for launch, from where they will command the satellite and receive its telemetry and scientific data via their Montsec Ground Station located in the Pyrenees, Spain.

“It is so very fulfilling to see our satellite finally ready for launch. It has been an incredible journey for all the people involved, and the amount of knowledge gained during the development is difficult to over-emphasise,” concludes Luis Juan, 3Cat-4 Team Leader at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya.

3Cat-4 team preparing for thermal vacuum test3Cat-4 team preparing for thermal vacuum test

3Cat-4 team preparing for thermal vacuum test. Image credit: ESA

“Every milestone reached was enthusiastically welcomed, from the first boot of the whole assembled satellite, a month-long mission simulation and the critical vibrations and thermal vacuum tests. With the support of ESA’s Fly Your Satellite! team and all the experts that helped us carry out the mission’s verification, now are confident that 3Cat-4 will be successful during its journey in space”. 

Source: European Space Agency



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UN and partners issue urgent funding appeal for Yemen

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UN and partners issue urgent funding appeal for Yemen

Nine years of war have left over half the population – 18.2 million people, mainly women and children – in need of assistance and protection services.

The humanitarian response in Yemen is among the largest in the world, yet a $2.7 billion plan for the country has received just $435 million to date.

Lifesaving aid at risk 

“Underfunding poses a challenge to the continuity of humanitarian programming, causing delays, reductions and suspensions of lifesaving assistance programmes,” the partners said. 

Some 190 humanitarian organisations issued the statement on the eve of a major conference on Yemen, known as the Sixth Senior Officials Meeting, to be held in Brussels, which they said will be “a critical moment to galvanise support and collective action to address the deteriorating crisis”.

Yemeni Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, have been battling Houthi rebels which hold much of the country, since 2014. The war in Gaza has further compounded the situation, as the Houthis have been attacking ships in the Red Sea, affecting global maritime trade.

‘At a crossroads’ 

“Today, Yemen is at a crossroads,” the partners said. They noted that humanitarian conditions slightly improved following the UN-brokered truce in April 2022 and its de facto continuation, allowing them to move towards resilience-building programming, promoting sustainable solutions by addressing the drivers of needs.

“However, we cannot ignore the significant humanitarian needs that remain and that cannot be addressed without adequate funding to respond,” they added.

Humanitarian needs continue to be driven by economic decline, deteriorating public services and infrastructure, displacement and climate-related disasters.

Inaction would be ‘catastrophic’ 

Other threats include rising food insecurity, which risks increasing malnutrition rates, particularly among pregnant and lactating women, older people and children, as well as the spread of cholera during the current rainy season. 

“Violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law continue, and the presence of explosive remnants of war results in death, injury and displacement, restricts access to agricultural land and resettlement and hinders post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts,” they added.

The partners underscored their commitment to continue to improve the quality of humanitarian assistance and maximise impact and to expand collaboration and promote more Yemeni leadership in the response. 

“To do so, however, humanitarian partners’ sustained support is required,” they said, warning that “inaction would have catastrophic consequences for the lives of Yemeni women, children and men.” 

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UN rights office urges Sri Lanka to reveal fate of the disappeared

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UN rights office urges Sri Lanka to reveal fate of the disappeared

The call accompanies the launch of a key report by OHCHR, highlighting also the need for the Government to acknowledge the involvement of State security forces and to issue a public apology.

From the 1970s to 2009, Sri Lanka witnessed widespread enforced disappearances, predominantly carried out by the national army and associated paramilitary groups.  

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) also participated in abductions, which, according to the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, tantamount to enforced disappearances.

OHCHR noted that despite some formal measures by successive governments, such as ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance and establishing the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations, “tangible progress on the ground towards comprehensively resolving individual cases has remained limited.”

Ongoing suffering

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphasized the ongoing suffering of families waiting for information about their loved ones.

“This report is yet another reminder that all Sri Lankans who have been subjected to enforced disappearance must never be forgotten … their families and those who care about them have been waiting for so long. They are entitled to know the truth.”x

Nearly 15 years after the end of the civil war, and decades since the first disappearances, Sri Lankan authorities continue to fail in ensuring accountability for these violations.

“Accountability must be addressed. We need to see institutional reform for reconciliation to have a chance to succeed,” said Mr. Türk.

Harassed and intimidated

The report outlined the extensive psychological, social and economic impact on the families, particularly on women who often become the primary breadwinners in challenging labour environments, including risks of sexual harassment and exploitation.

Many women seeking information about their disappeared loved ones have faced harassment, intimidation and violence from security forces.

One woman recounted threats from the army and police, highlighting the dangers faced by those advocating for the disappeared.

Families still waiting

Under international law, the State has a clear obligation to resolve cases of enforced disappearances, which remain ongoing violations until clarified, according to OHCHR.

However, many families still lack answers. A man testified before a national commission about his disappeared son, saying:

“Two weeks passed, then two months, then two years. Now it has been 32 years, and I am still waiting.”

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Bjørn Berge implied that Religious Leaders are Pillars of Democracy

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Berlin. Last 14 May 2024, in a pivotal conference held in Berlin, Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, delivered a compelling speech on the crucial role that religious leaders can play in revitalizing European democracies. The conference, titled “How Religious Leaders Can Help to Re-invigorate the European Democracies,” brought together some of key figures from various sectors to address the pressing issue of democratic backsliding across the continent, but forgot quite a number of religions which were not represented.

Berge started his speech by recognizing the concerning pattern of declining democracy, in Europe mentioning the restrictions on freedoms increase in language and the divisive impact of populists and nationalists. He pointed out the case of Russia, where democratic deterioration has resulted in the conflict, with Ukraine emphasizing the serious outcomes of such regression.

“Increased levels of democratic backsliding have been observed across our continent, with freedoms of expression, association, and assembly being increasingly restricted,” Berge mentioned the importance of coming to aid Ukraine and protect the democracies, in Europe.

Berge stated that the Council of Europe is actively involved in implementing strategies to address these developments, such, as initiatives and the introduction of the 10 new Principles of Democracy, during the Reykjavík Summit. He emphasized the role played by leaders in this endeavor. “The challenge today is how we can ask our religious leaders to help combat democratic backsliding and promote a spirit of dialogue and compromise,” Berge noted.

Religious communities as highlighted by Berge play a role in society by providing assistance to their members during times and managing community services such as food distribution, shelters and programs for recovery. These collaborative efforts, with organizations showcase the ability of leaders to promote unity within communities and uphold democratic principles.

“The question is not whether inter-religious dialogue can help reinvigorate democracies, but in what way and with a focus on which issues,” Berge remarked. He urged for an involvement that goes beyond figures to include regular people, in conversations, between different faiths promoting mutual understanding and collaboration across various spheres.

Berge ended his speech by encouraging figures and communities to play a leading role in strengthening cohesive and diverse democracies. He also expressed appreciation, to the Italian authorities well as the Liechtenstein Presidency of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers for their assistance, in facilitating this important conversation.

“People of all faiths – and none – benefit from the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion in European democracies. This freedom should be the basis for people of faith to come together and use their extraordinary skills and talents to defend our democracy itself,” Berge affirmed.

The conference serves as proof of the role that religious leaders play in tackling a challenge currently affecting Europe. As the conversations progress it will be interesting to observe how these leaders step up and help revitalize values and institutions throughout the continent.

Parliament’s “Use Your Vote” video reaches over 190 million views | News

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Parliament’s “Use Your Vote” video reaches over 190 million views | News

The film is a main element of Parliament’s election information actions and features testimonies of senior citizens from different EU countries passing on their stories about democracy to the next generations and underlining that democracy and voting cannot be taken for granted.

You can watch it here.

Besides the 190 million views (data until 12 May) on social media platforms, video streaming, connected TV and mobile display, the film in its different formats for TV and social media has so far been shown by more than 63 TV channels across 21 countries, and will continue to be screened by more channels in the coming weeks.

With “Use Your Vote. Or others will decide for you” as its tagline, this second phase of the institutional election campaign highlights the importance of democracy.

More specifically, the campaign’s central video further explores the chequered history of many European countries and the importance of protecting the values and principles of democracy.

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Churches affirm place of Christian values in European politics and society

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Ecumenical conference in Thessaloniki discusses role of Christian values in Europe As Europe prepares for the 2024 EU elections in June, representatives of various Churches gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 15-17 May 2024 to highlight the role of Christian values in European politics and society amid growing secularisation. Photos: COMECE

As Europe prepares for the 2024 EU elections in June, representatives of various Churches gathered in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 15-17 May 2024 to highlight the role of Christian values in European politics and society amid growing secularisation. Mgr. Crociata stated: “Churches have the opportunity and responsibility of giving our societies the hope of not losing memory of the roots that bring life to the values which hold our communities together”. Speeches [1 – 2] | Photo Gallery | Declaration: EN – FR – DE

Ecumenical-conference-thessaloniki-christian-values

The international conference featured reflections and political dialogue in anticipation of the upcoming European elections. Participants explored and examined creative ways to promote Christian values in European societies and political arenas, contributing effectively to resolving ongoing crises affecting peace, climate, society, and the economy.

H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, President of COMECE, stressed the vital unifying role of Churches. “[We] have the opportunity and responsibility of giving our societies the hope of not losing memory of the roots that bring life to the values which hold our communities together”.

Along similar lines, Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, President of CEC, also emphasized: “We are united in spirit, and we support the efforts of all who aspire to see Christian values in European society. The idea of erasing Christian values, traditions and language inevitably means erasing our own identity”.

The conference also addressed the increasing religious illiteracy among political decision-makers. Participants discussed ways for Churches to claim and safeguard space for faith as a legitimate element in European political discourse.

“Our societies dwell in a paradoxical cultural and moral situation – said Mgr. Crociata. On the one hand, they seem not entitled to recognise the transcendent roots of the values that are at the basis of our living together; on the other hand, they need a common ethos to maintain some kind of unity and coherence.”

“Churches have the opportunity and responsibility of giving our societies the hope of not losing memory of the roots that bring life to the values which hold our communities together”, Mgr. Mariano Crociata continued.

The President of COMECE also addressed the topic of populism and its various impacts on current European political and social life.

“Populism is based on a relation – or supposed relation – between governments and people without any kind of social mediation. In this way, governments occupy all the political space, while people are left at the mercy of all, in a perfect insulation, which today has a precise name: individualism”, he stated.

The event was also an opportunity to officially sign the declaration ‘Europe, Be Yourself! – An Address to European Institutions, MEP Candidates, and Political Parties’ issued in March 2024. The declaration can be accessed here.

The conference was held from 15 to 17 May 2024. It is organised by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in cooperation with the Conference of European Churches (CEC), the Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki and the School of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

World News in Brief: Human rights in Haiti, 750,000 hit by East Africa floods, Namibia health milestone

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World News in Brief: Human rights in Haiti, 750,000 hit by East Africa floods, Namibia health milestone

The experts detailed the far-reaching impacts of the violence and lawlessness that has led to chaos across the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other areas under gang control this year.

“The outbreak of violence in Haiti has resulted in loss of livelihoods and food insecurity, widespread and multiple displacement, the collapse of education, breakdown of healthcare and other essential services,” they said.

The Human Rights Council-appointed experts also pointed to the near total lack of access to justice due to fear of reprisals and the collapse of the economy.

‘Tactic to instil fear’

Particularly alarming is the use of sexual violence by criminal gangs, which is employed as a tactic to instil fear, control territories, extort money and punish communities. 

“Internally displaced women and girls who live in inadequate and precarious displacement sites are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence,” they said, warning of a sharp rise in trafficking them for purposes of sexual exploitation and sexual slavery.

They also voiced concern over the Haitian authorities’ failure to protect vulnerable populations as well as being “actively complicit” in gang activities. 

“Haiti must return to democratic and constitutional governance based on the principles of respect for human rights, transparency and accountability,” the experts urged.

The experts, who serve in their individual capacity independent of the UN or any national government, called on the criminal gangs to put an immediate end to all forms of gender-based violence.

Deadly rains continue pounding East Africa

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been impacted by recent heavy rainfall and massive floods in parts of Eastern Africa as the UN continues to offer support to governments across the region. 

Reports from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicate that close to 750,000 people are affected by the rains and floods, with 234,000 displaced.

Last week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said he was deeply distressed over the loss of life due to heavy flooding in Burundi, Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania and other parts of East Africa.

Cholera risk in Somalia worsens

The rains have affected more than 160,000 civilians in Somalia leaving 37,000 displaced. UN partners estimate that up to 770,000 Somalis could be impacted overall, exacerbating the ongoing cholera epidemic there, said UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, briefing reporters in New York on Monday.

In Kenya, local authorities warned that over 285,000 lives have been affected so far, with more than 200 reported deaths. In Burundi, more than 180,000 people were impacted. Additionally, dozens of Rwandans have been killed or injured due to the rains and floods.

The UN and its partners continue to support these Eastern African countries through flood response plans, evacuation efforts and healthcare, including psychosocial support.

Namibia: Praise for efforts to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Namibia has become the first country in Africa and the first high-burden country in the world to reach a key milestone in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of both HIV and hepatitis B, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Monday.

WHO has awarded the southern African country “silver tier” status for progress on reducing hepatitis B and “bronze tier” for progress on HIV, in line with its triple elimination initiative to protect the health of mothers and children that also includes ending syphilis infections.

‘Landmark achievement’

The UN agency certifies a country with silver tier status when 50 per cent or more of all newborns are given the hepatitis B vaccine. Bronze certification is awarded when mother-to-child transmission of HIV has been reduced to less than five per cent. 

“This is a landmark achievement by Namibia that demonstrates the lifesaving possibilities of committed political leadership and effective implementation of public health priorities,” said Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa.

WHO’s initiative promotes an end to mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B by encouraging countries to integrate services.

“Namibia has met this milestone by taking a truly integrated approach to the HIV response from early on,” said Etleva Kadilli, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) regional director for Eastern and Southern Africa. 

“The country has not addressed HIV in isolation as a single disease, but as part of a broader health and development agenda, encompassing maternal and child health for all.” 

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Rights expert condemns death of Palestinian doctor in Israeli custody, urges independent inquiry

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Rights expert condemns death of Palestinian doctor in Israeli custody, urges independent inquiry

Dr. Adnan Al Bursh, 50, the head of the orthopaedic department at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, died on April 19, 2024, in Ofer prison, a detention facility in the West Bank. His body has not yet been released by Israeli authorities.

Before his death, he had reportedly been beaten in prison, with his body showing signs of torture.

Dr. Al Bursh had been detained with other doctors and medical personnel by Israeli forces on 18 December 2023, at Al Awda Hospital in North Gaza. At that time, he was generally in good health and was performing his duties normally.

Call for independent probe

Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, said she was “horrified” by the news.

“He was detained while undertaking his duty to patients and caring for them according to the oath he took as a medical practitioner … he died for trying to protect the rights to life and health of his patients,” she said.

The expert underscored the need for an independent probe.

“Dr. Adnan’s case raises serious concerns that he died following torture at the hands of Israeli authorities. His death demands an independent international investigation,” the Special Rapporteur said.

Concerns of safety of healthworkers

Ms. Mofokeng also raised concerns over the safety of healthcare workers amidst Israel’s relentless military operation in Gaza following the brutal attacks by Hamas and other groups in southern Israel on 7 October.

“I am deeply saddened that I continue to receive reports of doctors being killed in this conflict,” she said.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that at least 493 healthcare workers from Gaza have been killed since 7 October 2023. This includes nurses, paramedics, doctors, and other medical personnel. Many more have been injured.

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that at least 214 healthcare workers have been detained by Israeli forces while on duty.

Doctors should not be killed

“The killing and detention of healthcare workers is not a legitimate method of warfare. They have a legitimate and essential role to care for sick and wounded persons during times of conflict,” Ms. Mofokeng said.

“Healthcare workers should not be killed practicing their profession.”

The Special Rapporteur urged Israel to immediately release all healthcare workers arbitrarily detained in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, and reiterated her call for an immediate ceasefire.

Independent expert

Appointed by the Human Rights Council – the UN’s highest intergovernmental forum on human rights – and forming a part of its Special Procedures, Special Rapporteurs are mandated to monitor and assess the rights situation in certain thematic or country situations.

They work voluntarily – independent of governments and the UN, are not UN staff and do not receive a salary.

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Did the stepson of Ukrainian billionaire Pinchuk settle Ernest Hemingway’s casino debt from 1959?

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Anastasia Soltanovskaya
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FAKE VIDEO attributed to The European Times - Found source of the fake: "Sheikh Tamir" Telegram channel

In May 2024, various social media accounts reported that the stepson of Ukrainian businessman Victor Pinchuk paid more than €8 million to Casino de Madrid to settle the unpaid debt of the famous American writer. We’ve checked whether these statements are true. (Verification article first published by Provereno.Media)

On May 1, numerous Russian-language Telegram channels began sharing a video with The European Times logo, which claimed that Pinchuk Jr. allegedly paid €8 million to Casino de Madrid. This money went to cover Ernest Hemingway’s old debt that had been pending since 1959, plus a tip of €700,000 that Pinchuk Jr. left for the staff. This generous gesture made headlines in such Russian outlets as Argumenty i Fakty, EADaily, Mriya and various portals dedicated to gambling. The video, allegedly created by The European Times, was also widely shared on Facebook, X and Instagram. The news went viral on Telegram as well. The user “Gura Anton” (whose post gained 108,000 views) said: “Ukrainians are fighting in a war so that Pinchuk and his son could casually give away €8 million to God knows who.” The authors of the channel “Kostyan the Cat” (96,000 views) added: “While some Ukrainians beg for money around the world, others are having fun, getting drunk, and paying off the debts of the dead. Ukrainianism at its finest.»

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Did the stepson of Ukrainian billionaire Pinchuk settle Ernest Hemingway's casino debt from 1959?
Did the stepson of Ukrainian billionaire Pinchuk settle Ernest Hemingway's casino debt from 1959? 28

According to Forbes magazine, Victor Pinchuk is the second richest person in Ukraine, with an estimated net worth of $2 billion as of May 2024. Pinchuk owns one of Ukraine’s leading pipe, wheel and steel producing companies, several Ukrainian TV channels, as well as Grand Buildings in London, a landmark historical building on Trafalgar Square. In 2002, Pinchuk married Elena Franchuk, daughter of the second Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, and became the stepfather to Roman, Elena’s son from her first marriage. According to media reports, Roman took his stepfather’s last name and is now residing in the United States.

Text subtitles in the viral video about Pinchuk Jr., which were falsely attributed to The European Times, state that:

“Ukrainian billionaire Victor Pinchuk’s stepson repaid Ernest Hemingway’s €8 million debt to a Spanish casino. The writer’s debt to Casino de Madrid was the oldest in the history of gambling in Spain. In 1959, Ernest Hemingway lost the equivalent of the current €8 million at the poker table of this casino. A year later, the writer committed suicide, and the debt remained unpaid. This weekend, Roman Pinchuk, Ukrainian billionaire and philanthropist Victor Pinchuk’s stepson, repaid the full amount of debt to the gambling house bank. A source from the casino staff reports that that evening Pinchuk tipped the staff about €700,000, i.e., he spent nearly 9 million euros. Ernest Hemingway was a gambling addict from a young age and spent large sums at casinos and horse races. According to some historians, enormous gambling debts were the real reason for the writer’s suicide.”

Information falsely attributed to The European Times

The preroll and postroll of the video about Pinchuk Jr. are the same as those used by the European Times. However, the style of presenting the information differs significantly. Authentic videos produced by the European Times (which can be found on the outlet’s YouTube channel) use a voice-over to narrate information, whereas the video about Pinchuk Jr. only use text subtitles laid over a sequence of photos and videos taken from open sources. And while they could use just subtitle, they have stated that whatever video attributed to them, if not found in their official Youtube channel or other official media as seen on their website, is false/fake.

There are no reports about Pinchuk Jr. and Casino de Madrid on The European Times website, its official accounts on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, X, and other social networks. Besides, not a single credible Spanish media outlet has reported on the Ukrainian billionaire’s stepson settling Hemingway’s debt.

Ernest Hemingway did visit Spain in 1959. “Provereno” has studied excerpts from three biographical books about Hemingway, which meticulously describe Hemingway’s summer of 1959 in Spain. The authors of the biographies (Carlos Baker, Jeffrey Meyers, Mary Dearborn) go into the smallest details: for instance, how much money Hemingway received for the publication of his articles about bullfighters, or in which hotel room he stayed during his visits to Madrid. However, none of the biographical works mention that Hemingway actually lost a huge sum of money at Casino de Madrid.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Did the stepson of Ukrainian billionaire Pinchuk settle Ernest Hemingway's casino debt from 1959?
Ernest Hemingway with bullfighter Antonio Ordóñez, who was featured in the novel “Dangerous Summer” (1960). Source: JFK Library

The fake video also erroneously claims that Hemingway committed suicide in 1960—a year after allegedly losing money at the casino—and that it was poker debts that made him take his own life. However, the writer died in July 1961, and, according to the majority of historians, biographers, and psychiatrists, the reason for Hemingway’s suicide was his deteriorating mental illnesses, including bipolar disorder, alcohol addiction and probable borderline personality disorder.

“Provereno” couldn’t find any information about “the oldest debt in the history of gambling in Spain,” which allegedly belonged to Hemingway. In 2023, a Spanish magazine The Objective published an article about the financial troubles of Casino de Madrid which was facing a fine of €230,000. According to the sources quoted in the report, this fine would have serious consequences for the financial standing of the casino, whose total budget was said to be €3.4 million. Most likely, if Pinchuk Jr. had actually paid €8 million to the casino, information about such a significant event would have been reported in the Spanish media.

ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw== Did the stepson of Ukrainian billionaire Pinchuk settle Ernest Hemingway's casino debt from 1959?
The grand staircase of Casino de Madrid. Source: Wikimedia Commons

According to the TGStat analytical service, the earliest publication of the fake video about Pinchuk Jr. appeared in “Sheikh Tamir” Telegram channel on May 1 at 15:10 CET and gained almost 300,000 views. This channel is long known to be spreading fake news, including fake videos imitating the style of DW, Al Jazeera, Euronews, BBC, Reuters, Fox News and other media outlets.

Thus, the video about Victor Pinchuk’s stepson is fake. There are no confirmations that Pinchuk Jr. has actually paid off Hemingway’s debt to Casino de Madrid. After publishing the article, Provereno has also received a response from The European Times confirming that the video is, indeed, fake and has nothing to do with the media outlet.

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