Artificial intelligence is being employed in the hunt for a female partner for a critically endangered male plant species that predates dinosaurs.
One of the original stems of Encephalartos woodii at Durban Botanic Garden, South Africa. Image credit: Purves, M. via wikipedia.org, CC BY-SA 3.0
A research project led by the University of Southampton is scouring thousands of acres of forest in South Africa, where the only known ‘Encephalartos woodii’ – or E. woodii – was found, in a bid to find a female.
And if the hunt doesn’t pay off, the researchers are also exploring if they can change the plant’s sex to create a female version.
The only known E. woodii was discovered in the Ngoye Forest, South Africa, in 1895. It was moved several years later for safe keeping, with samples sent to botanical gardens – including Kew in London – where it is still propagated and grown today.
But with only one male found, all subsequent propagated samples are male clones, so the plant cannot naturally reproduce. The Ngoye Forest has, until now, never been fully explored to determine if a female could exist.
Hunting with drones
Dr Laura Cinti, research fellow at the University of Southampton’s Winchester School of Art, is leading the first project to use drones and AI to search for a female E. woodii. She said: “This plant is, as far as we know, extinct in the wild. I was very inspired by the story of the E. woodii, it mirrors a classic tale of unrequited love. I’m hopeful there is a female out there somewhere, after all there must have been at one time. It would be amazing to bring this plant so close to extinction back through natural reproduction.”
Dr Cinti is collaborating with Dr Howard Boland, a creative technology expert working in AI, and Dr Debbie Jewitt, a conservation scientist and drone pilot based in South Africa.
Initial drone flights in 2022 took tens of thousands of images and used a multispectral sensor to capture features beyond what can be seen from high above with the naked eye – such as distinguishing whether plants are living or dead, and to identify species.
But with no E. woodii yet found, the drone imaging is ongoing – now with the power of AI. They have covered 195 acres of the Ngoye Forest so far – and there are 10,000 acres in total.
“With the AI, we are using an image recognition algorithm in order to recognise plants by shape,” explained Dr Cinti. “We generated images of plants and put them in different ecological settings, to train the model to recognise them.”
Dr Cinti is also working on a new partner project investigating whether it is possible to change the sex of the E. woodii using either chemical or physiological manipulation, and then generate vegetative plants from that material.
She said: “There have been reports of sex change in other cycad species due to sudden environmental changes such as temperature, so we are hopeful we can induce sex change in the E. woodii too.”
The story of the E. woodii
The Encephalartos woodii is a type of plant known as a cycad. Cycads are the oldest surviving seed-bearing plants, dating back more than 300 million years and surviving multiple mass extinctions and environmental changes.
They are dioecious, which means they are either male or female, and they produce cones from which pollen is transported by insects for reproduction.
Despite their longevity, they are now the most endangered organisms on our planet, and the Encephalartos woodii is the rarest of all.
Dr Cinti said: “Cycads sell on the black market for hundreds of thousands of pounds, and are kept in cages in botanical gardens due to the risk of theft.”
final results from 17 EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland Slovakia;
Preliminary figures suggest an estimated turnout across the EU of 51,08%.
The projections of Parliament’s composition are based on the structure of the outgoing Parliament and its political groups, without prejudice to the composition of the next Parliament at its constitutive session.
All national parties without a current official affiliation and not part of “Non-attached” in the current Parliament are assigned to a holding category called “Others”, regardless of their political orientation.
Seat projections will continue to be updated and published on https://results.elections.europa.eu where you will also find national results, seats by political group and country, the breakdown by national parties and political groups, and turnout. You will also be able to compare results, check majorities or create your widget.
“In Gaza, we are deeply committed to humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza, where UNRWA is the backbone of that support,” Mr. Guterres told journalists in Geneva. “We have faced a number of difficulties and obstacles that are well known, but nothing diminishes our commitment,” he added, amid a long-running misinformation campaign to discredit the UN agency.
Turning to the ongoing challenge of providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance, especially since early May when the Israeli military closed the vital Rafah border crossing, the UN chief noted it remains “extremely difficult to support the population that is under fire; it’s extremely difficult to support the population when there are so many restrictions to the entry of the necessary supplies for humanitarian aid”.
Asked to comment about the findings of a report published earlier in the day by a top Human Rights Council-appointed probe into the Gaza war that found Hamas and Israel guilty of war crimes, the UN chief underscored the enormous scale of destruction and death in the past eight months of hostilities.
“We have witnessed…a unique level of destruction and…unique level of casualties in the Palestinian population during these months of war that has no precedent in any other situation that I’ve lived as Secretary-General of the United Nations.”
Widening inequality
The Secretary-General was speaking on the sidelines of the Global Leaders Forum at UN Geneva, hosted by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), where he took the opportunity before heading to the G7 Summit in Italy beginning on Thursday to repeat his deep concerns about the unequal distribution of wealth in the global economy – and the need for richer nations to support those trying to embrace industrialization.
“Developing and emerging economies outside China have seen clean energy investments stuck at the same levels since 2015 and Africa was home to less than one per cent of last year’s renewables installations despite its wealth of resources and its vast potential,” Mr. Guterres said.
“We need advanced economies to rally behind the emerging and developing ones and to show climate solidarity by providing the technological and financial support they need to cut emissions.
Walk the talk
There must be “a clear commitment from the G7 on doubling finance for adaptation by next year and closing the adaptation finance gap.”
Echoing that message, Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Trade and Development agency UNCTAD, welcomed the “resurgence of industrial policy” in some parts of the world that vindicated the State’s “vital role” in economic development and transformation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres addresses journalists in Geneva following the opening of UNCTAD’s Global Leaders Forum.
But she cautioned that for many developing nations burdened by debt and limited fiscal space, “this resurgence is a distant horizon”, just as the UN Secretary-General told delegates that new trade barriers introduced annually “have nearly tripled since 2019, many driven by geopolitical rivalry with no concern for their impact on developing countries”.
Such a trend must be avoided if the world’s most vulnerable countries and individuals are to enjoy the benefits of the UN-backed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mr. Guterres insisted, as he declared that the world “cannot afford splits into rival blocs.”
Only meeting the targets will ensure peace and security where there is “one global market and one global economy in which there is no place for poverty and hunger.”
Developing world in the driving seat
Some progress has been made in tackling these enduring problems and in the 60 years since UNCTAD was created, “over a billion people have been lifted out of poverty” and the developing world “is now the engine of global trade and economic activity”, Ms. Grynspan noted.
But she added that far while for some, this may “give the illusion that the ground is less uneven today than it was six decades ago”, for “the poor, the unconnected, the discriminated, the rural, but also the women, and the youth – the ground remains uneven, the climb too steep”.
Wole Soyinka addresses a lecture series marking the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2008. (file)
This #ThrowbackThursday, when the world celebrates the Day for Countering Hate Speech, we are looking back at how Nobel Laureate for Literature Wole Soyinka wielded powerful words to clobber online hate speech, call out religious extremism, and refute the notion that human rights are imposed by the West.
“Any suggestion that freedom of expression is a luxury of the West insults the historic struggles of individuals and communities all over the world for the dignity and wellbeing of their kind, for social fulfillment, equality of opportunity, equitable sharing of resources, access to shelter, nourishment and health,” said Mr. Soyinka, who spoke in 1993 at the World Conference on Human Rights, as a special guest of the UN Secretary-General.
In 1999, the novelist and playwright was appointed as one of seven of the first UN Goodwill Ambassadors to promote awareness of the World Conference Against Racism in 2001, which aimed to take concrete steps to fight racism, xenophobia, antisemitism and other forms of intolerance.
The famed writer who penned Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth has since visited UN Headquarters on several occasions, including a memorable appearance at a debate on the culture of peace in 2012.
During that event, the online distribution of the anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims that triggered violent reactions around the world had featured prominently as an example of extremism and intolerance.
Futile to try and prevent ‘infantile’ insults to religion
To that, Mr. Soyinka presciently told ambassadors that it was futile to try and prevent “infantile” insults to religion from spreading through technology, but that the same technology should be used to “educate the ignorant”.
Religious extremism was holding the world to ransom by using religion as an excuse for crimes against humanity, said the author, who also served on a panel on peace and dialogue among cultures with the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Likening attacks on Islam at the time, that had resulted in violent protests and deaths in several countries, to “the infantile scribble we encounter on public toilets”, he urged people to ignore and “walk away from them” rather than answering with “equally infantile responses that are however incendiary and homicidal in dimension and largely directed against the innocent”.
Stern warning to world leaders
He also issued a stern warning to world leaders.
“The science fiction archetype of the mad scientist who craves to dominate the world has been replaced by the mad cleric, who can only conceive of the world in his own image,” said the writer.
“The sooner national leaders and authentic religious leaders understand this and admit that no nation has any lack of its own dangerous loonies – be they known as Ansar Dine of Mali or Terry Jones of Florida – the earlier they turn their attention to real issues of human priority.”
He concluded by saying it would be “pathetic to demand what cannot be guaranteed”, namely for all people to adhere to absolute tolerance all of the time.
“It is futile to reign in technology,” he said. “The solution is to use that very technology to correct noxious conceptions in the minds of the perpetrators of abuse and educate the ignorant.”
Wole Soyinka (second right) participates in a UNESCO-organized high-level debate entitled contemporary challenges and approaches to building a lasting culture of peace.
Stories from the UN Archive series
Drawn from almost 50,000 hours of historical footage and audio preserved by the UN Audiovisual Library, the series highlights moments across the first century of UN operations.
Catch up on UN Video’s Stories from the UN Archive playlist here and our accompanying series here.
Stay tuned next week for another dive into the past.
Secretary General – EMISCO -European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion – Strasbourg
Chair-Advisory Council-ENAR – European Network Against Racism- Brussels
Thierry Valle
Chair – CAP Liberté de Conscience
In our work with human rights, democracy, and inclusiveness in societies, we have had the possibility to exchange experiences with NGOs from Europe and abroad. In old days, people would normally ask us to share with them our impression, experiences and cooperation with EU institutions, national authorities and local NGO initiatives regarding inter-cultural living and development in the field of inter-ethnic relations. We were always excited and enthusiastic to tell them of various schemes and plans of actions that were being utilised all over Europe so that its inhabitants could live their lives as they wish but at the same time accept and respect fellow human beings.
But in recent years, the nature of their questions and our answers have changed. Now, the first question is: What is happening to European values or why far right political parties and movements are becoming so powerful. They also ask; why political extremism has been dealt with.
Since, in this age and time of the social media, people have become use to News flashes, Breaking News, and fast exchange of information. So, nothing is hidden from them. This situation does annoy and disturb us, but we are passionate believer of transparency, so we try to explain the situation as best as we can. This entails that being European, we also ask ourselves, the same questions, other are asking. To gauge the far right upward trend, we can just look at the EU Parliament’s election that were held from 6-9 June 2024.
The Fallout of European Elections
Hundreds of millions of Europeans have voted to elect 720 Members of the European Parliament, and Italy’s leader Giorgia Meloni has cemented her role as a key Brussels power broker with an estimated 28% of the vote. Meanwhile, Macron’s Renew party suffered a stinging defeat in the European elections, securing just 15.2% of the votes to the far-right National Rally’s 31.5%.. French President Emmanuel Macron performed so badly he was pushed to dissolve parliament and call snap elections. Macron retorted in his address that “the rise of the nationalists and demagogues is a threat not only to our nation but also to our Europe and to France’s place in Europe and in the world”.
The far-right FPÖ also topped the poll in Austria, far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) came in third, Geert Wilders’ right-wing PVV party scooped six seats and in many other countries, the situation is not very different.
Mainstream parties secured a slim majority during European Union parliamentary elections but far-right groups made the most noteworthy gains in the bloc’s legislative body. “The center is holding, but it is also true that the extremes on the left and on the right have gained support,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said following the end of Europe’s four-day vote. However, domestically, this will make the European Parliament a springboard for Euroscepticism, weakening the bloc’s liberal-democratic framework.
Far right governments are not that far
The EU parliament’s election point to a development, we have been worrying and speaking against for a long time. It did not happen in one day but is the result of political populism, media misinformation and negative academic discourse regarding asylum laws, refugees’ issue, and minority presence, especially from Muslim countries. Politicians in their public debates directly blamed minorities for societal ills and sidestepped public’s genuine socio-economic problems.
Looking at the European political landscape, we have seen that the extreme right is moving closer and closer to power around European capitals, and in several countries – e.g. Italy, Finland and in Croatia, they have even moved all the way into the government offices. Just like Wilder’s Freedom Party is in the Netherland government after many years of running. The Dutch government formation is the latest example of a trend that has become evident in Europe. According to Claes de Vreese, professor of media and Democracy, University of Amsterdam, Geert Wilders is part of Netherlands’ most far-right government to date, and Wilders will sit and pull the strings as the largest party”.
Right-wing populism expert Hans Kundnani is the author of the book ‘Euro Whiteness’ and is associated with the Chatham House Think Tank. He says that one of the biggest developments in European politics in the last decade has been the normalization of views that used to be extreme in relation to identity, immigration, and Islam, and where the line between the far-wing and centre-right has become more blurred.
While the conservative EU Commission Chairperson, Ursula von der Leyen, has opened up for cooperation with the right parties, four party groups in the EU Parliament have jointly distanced themselves from the right wing. A similar statement came from the European social democracies – with the exception of the Danish one – to exclude the far right in the form of the two right-wing party groups in the EU Parliament, which call themselves ECR and ID. The Danish prime minister, Mette Frederiksen has taken over the strict migration policy and Islamophobic rhetoric of the far right parties.
Seeing the situation on the ground, one can see that it is becoming more and more difficult to maintain a total exclusion of the far right on a European level. Some of the parties will, just as we saw in the Netherlands, suddenly find themselves in a situation where the only way forward is to cooperate with the extreme right.
Of course, the outcome of the European Parliament elections would play a role in EU’s policy decisions, but in the end, the member states are more important than both the parliament and the commission. The takeover of the governments by the extreme right, as we see in many EU countries, it already has draged EU in that direction. Meanwhile, democratic institutions and values have faced growing threats in several EU countries, from political violence in Germany, Slovakia and Denmark, to Hungary’s crackdown on free media, mistreatment of minorities and the talk of closing the borders to non-EU by erecting the fences towards the Easter border.
Despite the progress achieved in human rights protection over the last decades, racism, hate crimes and hate speech is rife in Europe and on the rise in many countries. Hate speech, increasingly widespread, especially in the political sphere and on the Internet, is also a reason for concern.
That is why, we urge EU-institutions, parliamentarians, Commissioners, and politicians of the national governments to be aware of the effect of their words on public opinion and should refrain from using any forms of discriminatory, insulting, or aggressive language about groups or categories of people. As racism is a complex phenomenon and entails multiple factors, the battle against it must be fought on multiple fronts. In addition to legal instruments designed to prohibit and punish all expressions of racism, including hate speech, we must fight intolerance using cultural and social instruments. Education and information must play a crucial part in training the public to respect ethnic, cultural and religious diversity. Solidarity with the groups which are victims of racism and targets of hate speech, and between these groups, contributes significantly to countering racism and discrimination in all their forms.
Europe should remain a model of freedom instead of become a Fort Europa.
“War is pushing millions of people to the brink of starvation. Only technicalities prevent famines from being declared, as people are already dying of hunger,” said Mr. Griffiths.
“Waiting for an official declaration of famine before acting would be a death sentence for hundreds of thousands of people and a moral outrage,” he added.
As the G7 major economies prepare to meet on Thursday, Mr. Griffiths is calling on leaders in the most developed nations to immediately use their political leverage and financial resources to support aid organizations in their efforts to reach all those in need.
The G7, consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The UN Humanitarian Affairs chief said they should wield their influence to stop such a ‘preventable scourge’ from taking the lives of innocent civilians.
In the latest Hunger Hotspots report, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) are warning that acute food insecurity is set to worsen from June to October 2024 in 18 hunger hotspots.
While urgent attention is required in several hotspots where starvation looms – including Haiti, Mali, and South Sudan – immediate action is especially critical in war-ravaged Gaza and Sudan.
“Nowhere is the choice between inaction and oblivion so clear as in Gaza and Sudan,” said Mr. Griffiths.
Half the population of Gaza, almost one million people, is expected to face death and starvation by the middle of July, according to the UN Relief Chief.
Meanwhile, in Sudan, at least five million are on the brink of starvation. Communities in more than 40 hunger hotspots there are at high risk of falling into famine in the next month, including in the war-torn areas of Aj Jazirah, Darfur, Khartoum and Kordofan.
In both Gaza and Sudan, violence, unacceptable restrictions, and insufficient funding are keeping aid workers from delivering necessary lifesaving assistance.
“This must change – we cannot afford to lose even a minute,” said Mr. Griffiths.
Role of G7
While humanitarian aid will help to counter mass starvation, it is not the ultimate solution to the problem. According to Mr. Griffiths, that rests with the G7’s readiness to bring their political influence and financial resources to the table.
However, above all, “the world must stop feeding the war machines that are starving the civilians of Gaza and Sudan,” Mr. Griffiths said.
“It is time instead to prioritize the diplomacy that will give people back their futures – and tomorrow, the G7 is at the helm,” he added.
“Amid months of losses and despair, retribution and atrocities, the only tangible result has been compounding the immense suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis, with civilians, yet again, bearing the brunt of decisions by those in power,” the Commission said, stressing the impact on women and children.
The brutal attack of 7 October by Hamas on communities in southern Israel marked a “clear turning point” for both Israelis and Palestinians and presents a “watershed moment” that can change the direction of the conflict, with a real risk of further solidifying and expanding the occupation, the Commission said.
For Israelis, the attack was unprecedented in scale in its modern history, when in one single day hundreds of people were killed and abducted, invoking painful trauma of past persecution not only for Israeli Jews but for Jewish people everywhere.
For Palestinians, Israel’s military operation and attack in Gaza have been the longest, largest and bloodiest since 1948, causing immense damage and loss of life and triggered for many Palestinians traumatic memories of the Nakba and other Israeli incursions.
Stop recurring cycles of violence
The Commission emphasized that both the attack in Israel and Israel’s subsequent military operation in Gaza should not be seen in isolation.
“The only way to stop the recurring cycles of violence, including aggression and retribution by both sides, is to ensure strict adherence to international law,” it stressed.
“That includes ending the unlawful Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory; discrimination, oppression and the denial of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people, and guaranteeing peace and security for Jews and Palestinians.”
Deliberate targeting by Hamas
The Commission further noted that in relation to the attack of 7 October in Israel, members of the military wings of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, as well as Palestinian civilians who were directly participating in the hostilities, deliberately killed, injured, mistreated, took hostages and committed sexual and gender-based against civilians, including Israeli citizens and foreign nationals.
Such acts were also committed against members of the Israeli Security Forces (ISF), including soldiers considered hors de combat – such as injured soldiers.
“These actions constitute war crimes and violations and abuses of international humanitarian law and international human rights law,” it said.
The Commission also identified patterns indicative of sexual violence in several locations and concluded that Israeli women were disproportionally subjected to these crimes.
Failure to protect civilians
It also noted that Israeli authorities “failed to protect civilians in southern Israel on almost every front”, including failing to swiftly deploy sufficient security forces to protect civilians and evacuate them from civilian locations on 7 October.
In several locations, ISF applied the so-called ‘Hannibal Directive’ and killed at least 14 Israeli civilians. That Directive is reportedly a procedure to prevent capture of ISF members by enemy forces and was alleged to have been directed against Israeli civilians on 7 October.
“Israeli authorities also failed to ensure that forensic evidence was systematically collected by concerned authorities and first responders, particularly in relation to allegations of sexual violence, undermining the possibility of future judicial proceedings, accountability and justice,” the Commission added.
Violations by Israeli military
The independent Commission, established by the UN Human Rights Council, also concluded that, in relation to Israel’s military operations in Gaza, Israel committed war crimes, crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian and human rights laws.
The Commission further concluded that the immense numbers of civilian casualties and widespread destruction of civilian objects and vital civilian infrastructure were the “inevitable results of Israel’s chosen strategy for the use of force” during these hostilities, undertaken with intent to cause maximum damage, disregarding distinction, proportionality and adequate precautions, and thus unlawful.
“ISF’s intentional use of heavy weapons with large destructive capacity in densely populated areas constitutes an intentional and direct attack on the civilian population, particularly affecting women and children,” the Commission said, adding that this was confirmed by the substantial and increasing numbers of casualties, over weeks and months, with “no change in Israeli policies or military strategies”.
Recommendations
Among its recommendations, the Commission report called on the Government of Israel to immediately end attacks resulting in the killing and maiming of civilians in Gaza, end the siege on Gaza, implement a ceasefire, ensure that those whose property has been unlawfully destroyed receive reparations, and ensure that necessities crucial for the health and well-being of the civilian population immediately reach those in need.
It also called on the Government of the State of Palestine and the de-facto authorities in Gaza to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held in the enclave; ensure their protection, including from sexual and gender-based violence; report on their state of health and wellbeing; allow visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), contact with families and medical attention, and ensure their treatment in compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws.
“Stop all indiscriminate firing of rockets, mortars and other munitions towards civilian populations,” it added.
Israel rejects findings
Upon publication of the report, Israel rejected the findings of the independent Commission.
In a press release, the country’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva reiterated accusations of “systematic anti-Israeli discrimination”, political bias and of drawing a “false equivalence” between Israeli soldiers and Hamas fighters.
About the Commission of Inquiry
The Commission of Inquiry was established by the UN Human Rights Council to, among other points, investigate, in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, all alleged violations of international humanitarian law and abuses of international human rights law leading up and since 13 April 2021.
It is so important for a person to have a wide and advanced lexicon. And it is better to start learning new vocabulary from the beginning. Our little toddlers who have already gotten the hang of basic conversations can start learning more and more new words. We as parents need to help our children gain speech skills in the easiest and most fun way possible. Nothing will be more organic to any child than the process of play. It is in a game format that children absorb new knowledge and learn new language skills as quickly and enjoyably as possible. Let’s try to play funny games with children and learn many new words on the topic “Transportation”.
Imagine you are going on another adventure with your children. Every trip abroad is very active in developing new speech abilities. Auto travel helps all members of the family learn new things. Once using ferrari car rental in dubai you will definitely remember the name of this luxury hired supercar. Today’s kids love to learn the names of car brands. Learn popular models, and then play together who will be the first to recognize a famous car on the street. Winning is not the point – the main thing is to discover new words and improve your vocabulary.
Classifying Transportation by Type
Categorizing objects is an important skill for verbal communication development. You can categorize vehicles either by using special cards or computer games. And just by going out on the street. It is always more interesting to play this game together. Look around you, what surrounds you, and assign a category to all types of transportation that you can see on the roads. It is also more interesting to play this game while on vacation. It does not matter if it will be a lease to own car dubai or a rented yacht, or even an airplane in the sky. Any kind of rental vehicle will be a part of this adventure.
“Guess Transportation” Word Description Game
This game is best for moments when your kids are incredibly bored. You are waiting in line, sitting in a hospital reception room, or going on a long car trip. Playing word games will be good fun for little curious explorers. The point of the game is to take turns making descriptions and letting the young players guess what is behind the explanations. Something similar to everyone’s favorite Alias game, only without the cards. For the most advanced little car fans you can think of tasks with popular car brands, they will quickly guess such supercars Lamborghini and Ferrari.
Car-themed Memory Card Games
Memory games are liked by most kids. And they will certainly like it even more if the subject of the game will be from their favorite transportation. You can find relevant card designs on special online learning portals. Or buy a completed game in board game stores for kids. An extra advantage will be not only the improvement of your children’s memory, but also the learning new words about cars, rentals, boats, airplanes, and other transport.
Image credit: Unsplash, free license
Funny Automobile Riddles
Kids just like a variety of secrets and riddles. Why don’t we use it for useful purposes? Playfully increase their vocabulary with interesting riddle stories for future drivers. Parenting forums are full of different formats of riddles that will help improve English for Car enthusiasts. This is an original and fun playful method to learn new words together and even learn to make up your new riddles about your favorite modes of vehicles.
KingNewsWire // Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, 12th Jun 2024 – Leading voices for the promotion and defense of religious freedom across Spain and Europe gathered at the University of Seville on May 27, 2024 for the presentation of a new book titled “10 Years of Promoting and Defending Religious Freedom.” The hefty 560 page book, funded by the Pluralism and Coexistence Foundation and released by Dykinson and FoRB Publications includes writings from around 30 experts, in the fields of law, anthropology and public administration, and who won in the last 10 years, the prestigious “Religious Freedom Awards“.
The event was organized by the Foundation for the Improvement of Life, Culture and Society (founded by the Church of Scientology) and held at the Law Faculty of the University of Seville. Among the speakers were:
Mar Leal, Professor of Ecclesiastical Law of the State at the University of Seville
Zoila Combalía, Professor of Ecclesiastical Law of the State at the University of Zaragoza
Rafael Valencia Candalija, Professor of Ecclesiastical Law of the State at the University of Seville
Ricardo García García, Professor of Ecclesiastical Law of the State at the Autonomous University of Madrid
Isabel Ayuso Puente, lawyer specialized on criminal law, and Secretary General of the Foundation for Life and Society Improvement
Iván Arjona-Pelado, President of the Foundation for the Improvement of Life Culture and Society, as representative of Scientology to the EU and the United Nations.
The speakers emphasized the significance of protecting religious freedom as a core element of democratic societies. While it is protected by laws they cautioned that religious freedom is often overlooked and violated globally and must not be given for granted.
Professor Mar Leal, who hosted the presentation at the Law Faculty of the University of Seville, emphasized that if any right is indispensable in a democracy, it is religious freedom. “If there is a right that is truly not recognized, protected or safeguarded, it is equally religious freedom,” she stated. Leal commended the book as a valuable contribution to defending this essential liberty.
Isabel Ayuso Puente, an attorney specialized on criminal law, and Secretary General of the Fundacion Mejora, shared her decades of experience witnessing crimes against religious freedom that have gone unjudged. From attacks on reputation to outright discrimination, Ayuso lamented the great harm caused to religious individuals, families and communities. While acknowledging that not all such offenses fit neatly into existing criminal statutes, she advocated for more robust legal protections.
Professor Zoila Combalía, who has served on the OSCE Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief, highlighted the increasingly pluralistic nature of Spanish and European societies in terms of religious demographics. She argued that respecting religious freedom is crucial for peaceful coexistence amid such diversity. Combalía also warned against policies aimed at rendering religion invisible in the public sphere, stating “A compressed religion, locked away, is much more likely to result in polarization and confrontation.”
From the sporting arena, Professor Rafael Valencia Candalijareviewed how major sports federations have progressively amended their rules and equipment policies to accommodate religious attire and symbols for athletes like Muslim hijabs. He criticized the French sports minister’s recent proposal to prohibit such religious expressions by French athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics as a regressive step.
Participating remotely, Professor Ricardo García García focused his remarks on the collective dimension of religious freedom for faith communities and institutions. He examined case law providing guidance on when public expressions potentially damage the honor and reputation of a religious entity.
The event concluded with Foundation President Iván Arjona-Pelado highlighting the book’s diverse perspectives while underscoring their convergence on upholding religious liberty. Arjona celebrated the work as an educational resource soon to be distributed to 200 university libraries nationwide.
In a poignant gesture, Arjona-Pelado read part of the dedication page of the book, based on a prayer for Total Freedom of L Ron Hubbard, addressing it to “those whose freedom has been threatened by slavery or martyrdom” and to all victims of brutal treatment inflicted for their beliefs. Their resounding message: In 21st century society, freedom of thought, conscience and religious exercise should be universally guaranteed for all, everywhere and at all times.
Introduction For a period, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan has endured persecution and bias despite the constitutional assurance of religious freedom in the country. The situation has worsened recently, with extremist factions such as Tehrik-e-Labaik (TLP) stoking animosity and aggression towards the Ahmadis. The oppression has reached a point where many Ahmadis are obliged to flee Pakistan to ensure the safety of their families and practice their religion freely. Organizations like the International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) and the Coordination des Association et des Particulier pour la Liberté de Conscience (CAP-LC) have been actively raising awareness and advocating for the rights of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
The Role of Tehrik-e-Labaik in Persecuting Ahmadis In an incident documented by IHRC, a 16-17-year-old student named Syed Ali Raza, associated with a local Ahl-e-Sunnat Madrasa (Islamic school), was identified as the alleged perpetrator in the killing of two Ahmadiyya Muslims, Ghulam Sarwar and Rahat Ahmad Bajwah. The report also implicated Sajid Lateef, Chief Organizer of the Madrasa, as a figure engaged in targeting Ahmadis. This incident underscores how extremist groups like TLP are increasingly targeting and oppressing members of the Ahmadiyya community, forcing many to seek refuge in other countries.
TLP has been prominently involved in spreading anti-Ahmadi sentiments and perpetrating violence within Pakistan. The group has used their influence to push the government to take action against the Ahmadiyya Muslim, often resorting to protests and threats. This has created a climate of fear and intimidation for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, leading many to live in seclusion or leave the country altogether.
There has been condemnation from organizations like IHRC and CAP-LC against the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. They are urging the international community to pressurize the government to safeguard the rights of the Ahmadiyya Muslim people and bring those responsible for these actions to justice. These organizations are calling on authorities to halt the TLP’s activities and align their laws with international standards as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
The struggles faced by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan have garnered attention worldwide, with human rights groups and religious leaders from various countries calling for action. CAP-LC and IHRC have been actively working towards raising awareness about the challenges encountered by the Ahmadiyya Muslims through campaigns, conferences, and advocacy initiatives.
During a conference organized by CAP-LC and IHRC, religious leaders deliberated on protecting freedom of religion and belief for all individuals. The participants at the conference emphasized safeguarding the rights of minorities and holding governments accountable for their actions.
Pakistan’s inability to safeguard the Ahmadiyya Muslims and fulfill its international responsibilities remains a pressing issue despite attempts to address it. The government’s failure to shield the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and its role in mistreating minority groups stain its reputation and go against its commitments. It is imperative for the world not to remain silent in the face of these violations of dignity and the sanctity of life.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, affirms that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance.” Unfortunately, in Pakistan, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community are deprived of this right, leading many to seek refuge in other countries to practice their faith freely and ensure their safety.
Various international bodies, such as the United Nations and global human rights organizations, have consistently raised alarms about the mistreatment of the Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan. Recently, on July 13, 2021, UN human rights experts expressed concerns about the ongoing human rights abuses suffered by the Ahmadiyya Muslims worldwide. They urged the international community to intensify efforts to halt the persecution faced by Ahmadis.
The Lahore High Court Bar Association issues a directive that demands attention. Amid the crisis, the Lahore High Court Bar Association has taken a concerning step by instructing police officials to take legal action against Ahmadi Muslims who gather, observe, and pray during Muslim Eid festivities. Referring to laws that designate Ahmadis as “Non-Muslims” and using inflammatory language, the lawyers’ association has aligned with views similar to those of radical Mullahs and Clerics who have incited violence recently.
This directive from the Bar Association is viewed as another effort to justify the persecution of Ahmadis and deny them their right to practice their beliefs. Dr. Aaron Rhodes, President of the Forum for Religious Freedom-Europe, has condemned this action as “shocking” and called on bar associations worldwide to encourage their counterparts to combat religious intolerance and violence.
The Tense Situation Leading up to Eid-ul-Adha The situation becomes more delicate as Pakistan prepares to celebrate the Eid-ul-Adha Festival in mid-June 2024—an occasion for Muslims. With Ahmadis living in fear and at risk of repercussions for their faith practices, it is imperative for the global community to act promptly in safeguarding their safety and right to expression.
Human rights advocates have shown concern about the worsening situation in Pakistan. They fear that legal directives targeting Ahmadis for practicing their beliefs might lead to violence and instability in the nation, further escalating the exodus of Ahmadis seeking refuge in other countries.
CAP-LC and IHRC play a role in supporting the rights of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan. They are urging the international community to exert pressure on the government to ensure the protection of all citizens, regardless of their faith, and to create an environment where Ahmadis can live and practice their religion without fear of persecution or the need to flee their homeland.
These organizations stress that it’s not only about defending the rights of the Ahmadiyya Muslim but also about upholding human rights and legal standards. Remaining silent in the face of violations of human dignity and life’s worth is unacceptable.
CAP-LC and IHRC have been relentless in their efforts to raise awareness and advocate for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. They have employed methods, including campaigns, conferences, and advocacy initiatives, to prompt the government to fulfill its responsibilities and safeguard its citizens’ rights.
The ongoing battle for freedom on a global scale is highlighted by the challenging circumstances in Pakistan. The plight of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community serves as a reminder of the quest for universal human rights and religious liberty that transcends local boundaries.
With the Eid-ul-Adha Festival on the horizon, uncertainty looms over the future of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. The unjust threats, violence, and legal oppression they endure starkly contradict their rights as human beings. It is imperative for the international community to not overlook these violations and unite to ensure that Ahmadis in Pakistan can practice their faith without fear or intimidation, and without being forced to leave their homeland to seek safety and religious freedom elsewhere.
The persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya Muslims in Pakistan constitutes a breach of freedom and human dignity. Immediate action must be taken by international entities to exert pressure on the government to safeguard the Ahmadiyya community’s well-being and hold perpetrators of violence and discrimination accountable. The advocacy efforts undertaken by organizations like CAP-LC and IHRC are pivotal in championing the cause of freedom for the Ahmadiyya Muslims.
As eyes worldwide remain fixed on developments unfolding in Pakistan, it underscores that the quest for religious freedom transcends borders—a shared struggle that demands attention.
It is crucial for the global community to come together and strongly denounce any form of persecution or discrimination linked to faith. We must collaborate to guarantee that everyone, irrespective of their beliefs, can lead a life of freedom and security in their own homeland. By upholding rights and legal standards, we can strive towards creating a world where religious freedom is accessible to every individual, and no one is forced to flee their country to practice their faith freely and safely.
