In remarks to commemorate the International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression, Denise Brown also noted that boys and girls in frontline regions have had to spend the equivalent of seven months underground in bomb shelters because of relentless attacks.
“I will not stop repeating that the entire international community must never accept as normal what is happening in Ukraine. Children should not grow up in the middle of a war,” she said.
“War is not normal, and we must not get used to it.”
Ms. Brown said she has met many lovely, joyful and smiling children during her time in Ukraine, adding that despite the full-scale Russian invasion more than two years ago, they still feel loved and protected.
She recalled a visit last Christmas to rural Hroza, located in the Kharkiv region, where she shared chocolate and candies with local children who told her of their dreams to become a doctor or teacher someday.
“But when I think about the children I have met, I cannot help but think of those I will never meet,” she said.
“In the same village, Hroza, there was an eight-year-old boy who was killed when a Russian missile tore apart his community on 5 October 2023. So many other children have been lost while sleeping or playing.”
An ‘ugly’ truth
Stressing that “the truth is shocking, and the world has to confront it”, she reported that more than 600 Ukrainian children have been killed, and 1,420 injured, since the escalation of Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
File photo of a teenage boy who was treated at a hospital in Lviv, Ukraine, after being injured when the car he was travelling in ran over a landmine.
“And these are only the cases that the UN has been able to verify,” she continued. “Despite our repeated requests to access Ukrainian territory temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation, fully in line with international humanitarian law, our requests are always denied.”
She said, “the ugly truth is that the number increases almost every single day as civilian infrastructure is repeatedly hit,” recalling attacks last week in Kharkiv that hit a shopping centre, office building and park, in the space of a few minutes.
Justice must prevail
Ms. Brown said Russia has approved and ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, “but the truth is that they are blatantly disregarding what they committed to. And it is for this reason that the Secretary-General officially listed Russia for the killing and maiming of Ukrainian children in 2023.”
She upheld the UN’s commitment to support the people of Ukraine whose lives have been torn apart by the war, adding that the UN consistently documents these violations and works with the Government to provide the care these children so desperately need.
“I know this will not alleviate the suffering of families and will never compensate for the lives lost or the grief endured,” she said. “But what happens here must be recorded in order for justice to prevail.”
The European elections are a flagship of European democracy. As documented by e.g. the European Digital Media Observatory, disinformation actors from inside and outside the EU seek to undermine the integrity of the electoral process, trust in democratic processes at large and sow division and polarisation in our societies. According to the Eurobarometer, 81% of EU citizens agree that news or information that misrepresents reality or is false is a problem for democracy.
Disinformation actors have also employed networks of fake accounts as well as fake or impersonated media outlets to manipulate the information environment. Recent revelations by the European External Action Service (EEAS) and national authorities of EU Member States include the False Facade, Portal Kombat and Doppelgänger operations.
Recently an investigative report called “Operation Overload” by Finnish software company Check First documented how suspicious accounts contacted more than 800 fact-checkers and media in over 75 countries – to overload them with false information, drain their resources and to try and convince them to spread this false information by way of debunking articles.
EU institutions: Increased efforts to protect the EU from information manipulation
While the threats are there, so are the EU’s collective responses. Based on a clear mandate from the political leadership, the EU institutions have been tackling the challenge stemming from foreign information manipulation and interference, including disinformation, for years.
These efforts take place in close collaboration and coordination between the institutions and with the involvement of a wide range of other stakeholders, such as EU Member States, media and fact-checkers and civil society, in order to share insights, exchange experiences and best practices and coordinate responses.
Being at the global forefront of addressing threats related to foreign information manipulation and interference, the EU is working in close cooperation with its like-minded partners outside of the EU via fora such as the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, among others. To raise resilience to external interference attempts, the EU has developed a dedicated toolbox to counter foreign information manipulation and interference, including a set of tools ranging from situational awareness and resilience building to legislation and diplomatic levers. All these efforts always take place in full respect of European fundamental values, such as freedom of expression and freedom of opinion.
Our comprehensive response to disinformation is centred around the following building blocks:
developing policies to strengthen our democracies, making it more difficult for disinformation actors to misuse online platforms, and protect journalists and media pluralism;
raising awareness about disinformation and our preparedness and response;
building societal resilience against disinformation through media literacy and fact-checking;
cooperating with other institutions, national authorities or third parties.
The EU institutions have been promoting several activities, including awareness-raising campaigns and media literacy initiatives, to raise societal resilience against disinformation and information manipulation. Examples include:
a series of videos by the European Parliament (in 24 official EU languages) informing the public about the techniques used by disinformation actors to deceive people;
a leaflet by the European Parliament with 10 tips on how to tackle disinformation;
a toolkit for teachers by the European Commission on how to spot and fight disinformation;
a joint campaign by the Commission and the European Regulators Group for Audiovisual Media Services with a video running on social media and broadcast around the EU, raising awareness of the risks of disinformation and information manipulation ahead of the European elections;
A dedicated series of articles and insights on foreign information manipulation and interference on the EEAS’ EUvsDisinfo.
The DSA requires platforms to assess and mitigate risks related to the protection of electoral processes, such as disinformation, including through AI generated content. The DSA is already fully applicable and is being enforced by the Commission in relation to so called “very large online platforms” (i.e. those reaching at least 45 million users in the EU or 10% of the EU population). In this context, the Commission has already opened proceedings against X and Meta – for both Instagram and Facebook – on potential DSA violations related to election integrity. On the preventive side, in March 2024, the Commission adopted election guidelines, recalling the measures platforms need to adopt to ensure compliance. In April 2024, the Commission also organised a voluntary stress test with these designated platforms, civil society and national authorities. The Commission is in continuous dialogue with platforms to ensure effective implementation and compliance with the DSA.
A laptop screen with a computer code visible. Image credit: Christina Morillo via Pexels, free license
The IT industry is rapidly evolving, driven by continuous technological advancements and increasing business needs. As companies adopt new technologies, the demand for skilled IT professionals rises, making it crucial for individuals in this field to constantly update their skills. Whether you are starting your career or aiming to move up the ladder, mastering certain in-demand IT skills can significantly boost your resume and improve your employability.
1. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing has revolutionized how businesses operate by allowing them to store, process, and manage data over the internet instead of on local servers or personal computers. It encompasses three main services: Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Each of these services requires a specific set of skills. For instance, familiarity with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform is essential. Learning these platforms can make your resume stand out, as more businesses migrate to cloud solutions to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.
2. Cybersecurity
With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, there is a growing need for professionals who can protect company networks and data. Cybersecurity skills are highly sought after in almost every industry. These include understanding threat intelligence, managing security operations, and proficiency in using advanced security software and tools. Enhancing your cybersecurity capabilities can often be complemented by obtaining certifications or even pursuing an Information Technology degree online. This educational path not only solidifies your foundational knowledge but also keeps you abreast of the latest security trends and practices, making your skillset more robust and your resume more appealing.
3. Data Analytics
Data is the cornerstone of modern business decision-making. Data analytics involves examining raw data to draw conclusions and make predictions. Key skills in this area include proficiency in programming languages like SQL for database management and Python for data manipulation. Additionally, understanding data visualization tools such as Tableau or PowerBI is crucial. These skills allow you to transform complex data sets into actionable insights, a capability highly valued across industries as it directly impacts business strategies and outcomes.
4. AI and Machine Learning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are at the forefront of creating innovative solutions across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and entertainment. To excel in these fields, you should be skilled in programming languages like Python, which is widely used for AI and ML projects. Additionally, understanding machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch is beneficial. These technologies are pivotal in developing systems that can analyze data and learn from it, thus enhancing efficiency and creating new opportunities in nearly every field of business.
5. DevOps
DevOps practices bridge the gap between software development and IT operations, enhancing collaboration and productivity. It’s a methodology that requires knowledge of tools like Jenkins for continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD), Docker for containerization, and Kubernetes for orchestration. These skills are essential for creating more streamlined processes in software development and operations, leading to faster deployment of new features and stability in production environments.
6. Blockchain
Blockchain technology is gaining traction beyond its initial application in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Today, it’s used in a variety of industries for its security and transparency in transactional processes. Key skills for blockchain include understanding how blockchain works, programming with Solidity for creating smart contracts, and knowledge of platforms like Ethereum. Professionals skilled in blockchain can contribute to innovations such as supply chain tracking, secure financial transactions, and more. As companies seek to leverage blockchain for its ability to ensure data integrity and reduce fraud, having these skills can make your resume notably attractive to potential employers.
7. Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of Things (IoT) is expanding its presence from smart homes to industrial IoT, creating vast new opportunities for IT professionals. Skills in network security, cloud computing integration, and data analytics are crucial to managing and securing the communication between connected devices. IoT demands a robust understanding of how different devices interact within a network to optimize operations and enhance data exchange. Professionals with these skills can lead projects to increase efficiency in various operational processes, making them invaluable in today’s tech-driven environments.
8. Mobile Development
With the increasing reliance on mobile devices, mobile application development remains a highly in-demand skill. Proficiency in programming languages like Swift for iOS apps and Kotlin for Android apps is essential. Additionally, understanding cross-platform development tools such as Flutter or React Native allows developers to build applications that operate smoothly on multiple types of devices. Mobile developers play a crucial role in creating accessible and engaging applications that meet the needs of a diverse user base, making this skillset highly desirable for companies looking to expand their digital presence.
9. Project Management
Project management is vital in IT to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet the required quality standards. Skills in methodologies like Agile and Scrum are essential, along with the ability to use project management software such as Jira or Trello effectively. These competencies help IT professionals manage teams and resources efficiently, leading to successful project outcomes. A strong foundation in project management not only enhances your ability to lead and coordinate complex projects but also positions you as a key player in any tech organization.
10. User Experience (UX) Design
Key skills in UX design include creating wireframes, performing user testing, and prototyping. These skills are critical as they directly impact the success of a product in the market. Professionals proficient in UX design are capable of transforming user needs into an appealing and effective design, which is a crucial component in the development of digital products.
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving landscape of the IT industry, staying current with in-demand skills is crucial for advancing your career. From cloud computing to UX design, each skill you acquire not only enriches your professional capabilities but also enhances your marketability to future employers. By focusing on these key areas, you can ensure your resume stands out in a competitive job market, opening doors to new opportunities and career growth. Investing time in upgrading your skills is an investment in your future, positioning you as a leading candidate in the fast-paced tech industry.
Between Thursday 6 June and Saturday 8 June, three off-the-record briefings will be held in Parliament’s Anna Politkovskaya press conference room (SPAAK 0A50) and with remote participation via interactio:
Thursday 6 June at 11.00: European elections at a glance;
Friday 7 June at 11.00: All you need to know about Parliament;
Saturday 8 June at 11.00: Election night.
Interpretation will be provided into English and French.
Ahead of election night on Sunday9 June, two briefings will be held in Parliaments’ hemicycle:
Sunday 9 June at 11.00: All you need to know about Parliament and election night (on-the-record, physical presence and webstreaming; interpretation into English and French);
Sunday 9 June at 17.30: last-minute briefing on useful information for electionnight (on-the-record, physical presence, webstreaming and EbS; interpretation into 24 languages).
On Monday 10 June at 11.00, a briefing on provisional election results and next steps will take place in Parliament’s hemicycle (on-the-record, physical presence and webstreaming), followed by press conferences by spokespersons for political groups. Interpretation will be provided into English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Polish.
Information for the media – Use Interactio to ask questions
Interactio is only supported on iPad (with the Safari browser) and Mac/Windows (with the Google Chrome browser).
When connecting, enter your name and the media you are representing in the first name / last name fields.
For better sound quality, use headphones and a microphone. Interpretation is only possible for interventions with video, so you should switch on your camera when asking a question. It is recommended to use one of these microphones to ensure that questions can be interpreted.
Journalists who have never used Interactio before are asked to connect 30 minutes before the start of the press conference to perform a connection test. IT assistance can be provided if necessary.
When connected, open the chat window (upper right corner) to be able to see the service messages.
East of the European Union, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, 84, courageously holds a vulnerable fortress defending the historical presence of Christianity in Turkey, which has been under threat for centuries and more particularly under President Erdogan’s rule.
From 26 to 29 May, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of America, Australia, Canada and Europe organized their 4th International Conference on Religious Freedom in Athens, with a special focus on the situation in Turkey. The previous ones since 2010 had been held in Brussels, Berlin and Washington.
Anthony J. Limberakis who has been the National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate since 1998, had invited prestigious speakers, such as
Michael R. Pompeo, Former U.S. Secretary of State
Despina Chatzivassiliou-Tsovilis, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
Evangelos Venizelos, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs (2013-2015), Professor of Constitutional Law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic, George J. Tsunis
Mayor of Athens Haris Doukas
Roman Catholic Archbishop of Vilnius Gintaras Grusas (Lithuania)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, elected in October 1991 as the 270th Archbishop of the 2000-year-old Church, addressed the audience in Athens by video from Istanbul. A wide range of hierarchs, archbishops and metropolitans from various EU countries, the UK and the United States also contributed to the debates about religious freedom with the audience.
The EU and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a fortress under siege 5
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is a devoted group of passionate leaders, relentlessly focused on protecting religious freedom for everyone and ensuring the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – the historical spiritual center of the world’s 300+ million Orthodox Christians. Most archons are Greek-American and constitute a sort of Praetorian Guard committed to the defence of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Greek Orthodox Churches in Turkey against President Erdogan. Their number is voluntarily limited to dedicatedinfluential philanthropist leaders: currently about 290 members from 22 countries.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was founded on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 10 March 1966 to support the Ecumenical Patriarchate as well as to contribute to its advancement and welfare.
Christianity under threat of suffocation in Turkey
The EU and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a fortress under siege 6
During the conference in Athens, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) in Brussels condemned the recent decision by the Turkish authorities to convert the Church of Saint Savior in Chora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Istanbul, into a mosque, saying in a statement “This step further dilutes the historical roots of the Christian presence in the country. Any interreligious dialogue initiative promoted by Turkish authorities loses credibility.”
The Church of Saint Savior in Chora, built in the fourth century, is an emblem of Eastern Christianity and a significant historical marker of the Christian presence in Turkey. It was converted into a mosque in the 16th century during the Ottoman Empire. It was designated a museum in 1945 and reopened for public display in 1958 after extensive restoration efforts by American art historians.
The inauguration ceremony of the Chora church as a mosque, held remotely by President Erdogan from Ankara, was broadcasted nationally. The event included prayers led by local worshipers and speeches by prominent religious figures, such as Istanbul’s mufti, Safi Arpaguş.
The EU and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, a fortress under siege 7
The U.S. State Department expressed deep concern about this new stroke of strength.
In 2020, President Erdogan and hundreds of worshipers participated in the first Muslim prayers held at the Hagia Sophia in 86 years, marking its redesignation as a mosque despite widespread international disapproval.
The COMECE in Brussels had then called the change of status of the Hagia Sophia “a blow to interreligious dialogue.” On that occasion, the bishops also pointed out Turkey’s ongoing issues with hate speech and threats against national, ethnic and religious minorities.
The conversions of churches into Islamic places of worship are viewed as strategic efforts by the Turkish president to consolidate support from his conservative and religious base amid the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
For more than 50 years, the Halki seminary, formally the Theological School of Halki, has been closed by the Turkish authorities. Founded on 1 October 1844 on the island of Halki (Heybeliada in Turkish), it was the main school of theology of the Eastern Orthodox Church’s Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople until the Turkish parliament enacted a law banning private higher education institutions in 1971. An international campaign to reopen this theological school is ongoing but has remained unsuccessful.
The Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church, security in Europe and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
Three religious capitals in Europe compete for leadership of Christianity: Rome (Holy See of the Roman Catholic Church), Moscow (Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church) and Istanbul (Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Eastern Orthodox Church/ Constantinople).
At the Archons’ Conference in Athens, Anthony J. Limberakis, the National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, vividly condemned Putin’s war of aggression on Ukraine, deplored that Orthodox fight against Orthodox and that Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church has blessed it as a holy war. “Nothing can justify a call to kill. Moscow Patriarchate violates God’s law and gravely discredits the Russian Orthodox Church in the eyes of the whole world and in history,” he said.
The Russian Orthodox Church is an accomplice of President Putin in the perpetration of war crimes and crimes against humanity, in the dismantling of the international order and the security architecture in Europe.
A collateral impact of such a policy is that a number of Orthodox churches in neighboring countries of Russia are trying to keep away from Moscow Patriarchate in various ways, though without breaking their canonical links, because they disagree with Patriarch Kirill or because their official status in other European states is under threat of being degraded or worse.
A window of opportunity for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople
In Ukraine, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) was established by a council under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople that convened in Kyiv on 15 December 2018 to sever all links with the Moscow Patriarchate. On 5 January 2019, Patriarch Bartholomew granted the OCU a tomos of autocephaly.
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church still in communion with the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC/ MP) has institutionally distanced itself as much as it could from Patriarch Kirill but without making secession. The UOC/MP continues its activities but more and more parishes are joining the OCU and draft laws have been tabled in parliament for reducing its status and even banning it.
In Latvia, the Orthodox Church of Latvia (OCL) seceded from the Patriarchate of Moscow and the Latvian parliament approved the full independence of the Church in September 2022 for security reasons.
“The state established the status of our Church as autocephalous. The state has determined that the Latvian Orthodox Church is legally independent from any ecclesiastical center located outside of Latvia, maintaining spiritual, prayerful and liturgical communion with all canonical Orthodox churches of the world,” the Orthodox Church of Latvia said.
As to the Latvian Orthodox Autonomous Church (LOAC), it had declared itself a part of the Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2011.
In Lithuania, Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has caused some stormy reverberations. Many priests have found adherence to Patriarch Kirill’s position in Russia’s war on Ukraine an impossible task.
A so-called “exarchate” is being created for the Orthodox Church of the Patriarchate of Constantinople so that dissenting clerics can be integrated in this structure. This will act as an alternative to the existing Lithuanian Archdiocese of Vilnius, which is subordinate to the Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. A scenario similar to the one in Ukraine.
In Estonia, the authorities decided in January 2024 not to renew the residence permit of Metropolitan Eugene, head of the Estonian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. His expulsion was justified by national security concerns as the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church had consistently supported the Kremlin’s aggression against Ukraine.
In April, Estonian Interior Minister Lauri Lääenemets and leader of the Social Democratic Party, announced on the ETV channel his intention to invite the parliament to recognize the Russian Orthodox Church as a terrorist organization in order to eventually ban its activities in the country.
Orthodox parishes will have the opportunity to join the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, as it happened in Ukraine after creating the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Under Estonian law, the Orthodox Church of Estonia (independent from Moscow) is already under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople as on 20 February 1996, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople had formally reactivated its 1923 canonical subordination.
Conclusions
The Orthodox Churches under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church/ Moscow Patriarchate are increasingly losing ground and influence in a number of countries along the Eastern EU border due both to deep internal theological disagreements with the support of Patriarch Kirill to Russia’s war on Ukraine and security issues by the concerned states.
While the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is under pressure in its historical lands, Turkey, it is expanding along the borders of the European Union as an increasing number of Orthodox Churches are severing their links with Russian Patriarch Kirill and looking for a safe haven in another Orthodox family. The geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe is providing a unique window of opportunity for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to attract more international attention and support.
Footnote: The author attended the 4th Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom” in Athens (26-29 May 2024)
The alert from the World Health Organization (WHO) follows the finding that more than four in five children “did not eat for a whole day at least once in the three days” ahead of a food insecurity survey.
“These are children under five who are not getting food all day,” said WHO spokesperson Dr. Margaret Harris. “So, you ask, ‘Are the supplies getting through?’ No, children are starving.”
Additional worrying data from the food insecurity snapshot survey indicated that almost all of the youngsters surveyed in Gaza now eat just two different food groups per day, when the WHO recommendation is at least five.
According to an update this week from the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, since mid-January, more than 93,400 children under five have been screened for malnutrition in Gaza; 7,280 were found to have acute malnutrition, including 5,604 with moderate acute malnutrition and 1,676 with severe acute malnutrition.
Preventable horrors
Echoing those concerns, OCHA highlighted the risk of deadly malnutrition and famine among Gaza’s most vulnerable individuals.
“I would say they are certainly not getting the amount that they desperately need to prevent a famine, to prevent all kind of horrors that we see. It’s very, very little that is going around at the moment,” said OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke.
Responding to questions about aid access obstacles, he reiterated that the Israeli authorities’ obligations under international humanitarian law to facilitate the delivery of aid “does not stop at the border. It does not stop when you drop off just a few metres across the border and then drive away and then leave it to humanitarians to drive through active combat zones – which they cannot do – to pick it up. So, to answer your question, no, the aid that is getting in, is not getting to the people.”
Amid ongoing reports of deadly Israeli bombardment across Gaza on Friday, humanitarians continued to stress that land crossings for aid convoys remain “the only way to get (aid) in at scale and at speed…We need more of these land crossings and we need them open and we need them safe for use to pick up the aid when it’s dropped off,” the OCHA spokesperson said.
Floating dock setback
Asked about the US military-built floating dock moored off Gaza’s coastline that has reportedly partially broken up in high seas, Mr. Laerke noted that “any and all ways of getting aid in is welcome, so when that reality is not working, that’s of course bad news…It was never realistic to be a major or the major pipeline of aid in. It could have been an addition, and we keep emphasising that.”
As part of its ongoing efforts to prevent life-threatening hunger in Gaza, the WHO reported that alongside partners and the local health authority, it continues to offer stabilization services for children suffering from the most life-threatening form of malnutrition.
To date, 68 children have received treatment, it said, but owing to the recent escalation of hostilities, the nutrition stabilization centre in Kamal Adwan Hospital in north Gaza is out of service.
Since 1 May, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) and partners reported that they had reached around 60,000 children under the age of five and 22,820 pregnant and breastfeeding women with 15 days’ worth of nutrient supplements to help stave off malnutrition.
Two of the latest fatalities were 16-year-old Ahmed Ashraf Hamidat and 17-year-old Mohammed Musa Al Bitar, both shot “at a distance of about 70 metres while running away after throwing stones and/or Molotov cocktails towards a[n Israeli] military post outside a settlement near Aqabat Jaber, CCTV footage shows”, said the High Commissioner’s Office, OHCHR.
The youngsters’ deaths, along with the killings of four more Palestinians by the Israeli army on Monday, brings the Palestinian toll to 505, since Hamas-led terror attacks in southern Israel sparked the war in Gaza, OHCHR said.
In the same period, 24 Israelis including eight who were Israeli Security Forces members, were killed in the West Bank and Israel in clashes or alleged attacks by Palestinians from the West Bank.
“As if the tragic events in Israel and then Gaza over the past eight months were not enough, the people of the occupied West Bank are also being subjected to day-after-day of unprecedented bloodshed. It is unfathomable that so many lives have been taken in such a wanton fashion,” the High Commissioner said.
“The killing, destruction and widespread human rights violations are unacceptable, and must cease immediately. Israel must not only adopt but enforce rules of engagement that are fully in line with applicable human rights norms and standards,” Mr. Türk continued. “Any allegation of unlawful killings must be thoroughly and independently investigated and those responsible held to account.”
Lethal force, the first resort
The UN rights chief noted that the killing of Palestinians had already reached a “record high” in the first nine months of last year, only to rise “sharply” after the 7 October attacks by Hamas-led fighters that left some 1,250 dead and more than 250 taken hostage.
“Since the start of 2024, almost 200 Palestinians have been killed by the ISF, compared with 113 and 50 killed in the same periods in 2023 and 2022 respectively,” the statement from the UN rights chief’s office said.
And despite the absence of armed hostilities in the occupied West Bank, the ISF carried out at least 29 operations “involving airstrikes by unmanned aerial vehicles or planes and the firing of ground-to-ground missiles on refugee camps and other densely populated areas”, it continued.
During these operations, 164 Palestinians were killed, including 35 children, according to OHCHR, which pointed to a “prevalence” of Palestinian victims shot in the upper part of the body and denied medical assistance.
This suggests “intent to kill in violation of the right to life, rather than a graduated application of force and an attempt to de-escalate tense situations…in cases where those shot clearly did not represent an imminent threat to life”, the UN rights office said.
According to the Electric Power Research Institute’s recent findings, data centers in the United States could consume as much as 9% of the nation’s total electricity by the end of the decade, which is a significant increase compared to today’s levels.
Servers in a data center – illustrative photo. Image credit: imgix via Unsplash, free license
This surge in energy usage is attributed to the substantial investments made by technology companies in expanding their computing facilities. The institute’s analysis indicates that the annual growth rate of electricity consumption by data centers could range from 3.7% to 15% through 2030, depending on factors such as the adoption rate of technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI) and the energy efficiency measures implemented in new data centers.
The escalating demand for electricity by data centers, coupled with the expansion of domestic manufacturing and the electrification of transportation, is driving growth in the US electricity industry after two decades of stagnant growth. These facilities use large amounts of power to support high-intensity computing operations and cooling systems. For instance, the electricity consumption of a single large data center is equivalent to that required to power 750,000 homes, while even relatively small data centers consume the equivalent electricity of 50,000 homes.
The projected doubling of power consumption by data centers raises concerns about the strain it may place on the country’s electric grid, potentially resulting in higher electricity bills and increased risk of power outages.
With the rapid adoption of generative AI applications, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which debuted in 2022, the energy demands of data centers are expected to escalate further. While initial estimates suggested that ChatGPT searches consumed roughly ten times more electricity than typical Google searches, the proliferation of generative AI for creating multimedia content like movies and music could exponentially increase power requirements.
The Electric Power Research Institute emphasizes the importance of enhancing energy efficiency measures in data centers and investing in grid infrastructure to accommodate the growing power demands. The concentration of 80% of the 2023 US data center load in just 15 states, notably Virginia and Texas, signifies the need for strategic planning and resource allocation to address the rapidly changing energy consumption patterns.
For comparison, in 2022, data centres in the European Union consumed an estimated 45–65 TWh of electricity, which corresponds to approximately 1.8–2.6% of the total regional electricity consumption. Interestingly, the top four data centre markets – Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Ireland – accounted for nearly two-thirds of the entire region’s data centre energy use, despite representing less than 40% of the population.
University professors, government officials, parliamentarians and religious representatives participated in a day-long conference where they discussed the current challenges to religious freedom.
KingNewsWire // Brussels, Brussels, Belgium, 3rd Jun 2024 – On Thursday, May 30th, the international conference on freedom of religion in Italy and the world, titled “Freedom of Belief and Religious Recognition: Current State and Perspectives,” was held in the auditorium of the Church of Scientology in Rome. It was organized with the collaboration of the Observatory on Religious Entities, Ecclesiastical Heritage, and Non-Profit Organizations of the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli.”
The conference consisted of two international roundtables in the morning moderated by Prof. Alfonso Celotto, professor of constitutional law at the University of Roma Tre, and two national ones moderated by Prof. Antonio Fuccillo, professor of ecclesiastical and intercultural law at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli.”
The first panel had as speakers Senator Lorena Rios Cuéllar, former director of religious affairs of the Colombian government; Prof. José Daniel Pelayo Olmedo, deputy director general for the coordination and promotion of religious freedom of the Spanish government; and Dr. Gary Vachicouras, Orthodox Christian theologian (Chambésy, Geneva).
This panel outlined the situation in Colombia, a secular but not atheist state with a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion both individually and collectively. It then covered that of Spain, where there are 26,000 religious groups registered in the Register of Religious Bodies. For the Greek-born Prof. Vachicouras, societies are increasingly facing religious plurality and the resulting problems. The solution to conflicts, he stated, is acceptance of the principle of freedom of belief. The panel showed how three countries with different traditions (Colombia, Spain, and Greece) have recognized their religious entities, including Scientology, within a framework of great freedom and inclusion.
The second panel included U.S. attorney and constitutional expert Austin Hepworth; Prof. Juan Ferreiro Galguera, professor of church law at the University of Oviedo, Spain; and Prof. Vincent Berger, former jurisconsult at the European Court of Human Rights.
Attorney Hepworth explained how the principle of religious freedom is applied in the U.S., also recalling the 1948 U.S.-Italy Friendship Treaty on automatic mutual recognition of entities, including religious ones. Prof. Ferreiro Galguera explained the difference between the secular state that respects religious phenomena and the cooperation with it as it happens in Spain, and the secularist state that instead prevents it, as it happens in France.
Prof. Berger asserted that the state’s tolerance of a religious denomination should not replace its full recognition, and he recalled the remedies offered by the ECHR on limitations of religious freedom, with the possibility of recourse to the Strasbourg Court as well.
Italian situation of religious freedom under analysis
The speakers at the first section of this panel were Prof. Maria D’Arienzo, professor of ecclesiastical, canonical, and confessional law at the University “Federico II” of Naples; Prof. Gianfranco Macrì, professor of intercultural law at the University of Salerno; and Prof. Francesco Sorvillo, associate professor of Law and Religions at the University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli.”
The peculiarity of the Italian normative situation emerged, in that the Constitution addresses religious freedom in 4 specific articles and in 5 with a more general approach, yet it still lacks a law on religious denominations, still having to refer to Law No. 1159, which dates back to 1929, and which concerns “admitted denominations” in the “Kingdom of Italy”, a law that predates the republican democracy that is Italy today.
The second section of this panel featured the editor-in-chief of “bitterwinter.org” and journalist for the “Journal of CESNUR,” Dr. Marco Respinti; Dr. Nader Akkad, religious affairs advisor of the Grand Mosque of Rome; and Mother Anastasia, legal advisor of the Romanian Orthodox Diocese.
Dr. Respinti explained how the media perceive religiosity and their own responsibility on how it is perceived in society. Dr. Akkad emphasized the importance of dialogue between members of different faiths, while Mother Anastasia spoke about the difficulty of the Romanian Orthodox Church working on recognition in Italy for over 13 years.
What emerged overall was the need for greater attention to the religious phenomenon for accomplished regulation not only at the level of individuals but also of organizations in their relations with states.
“Freedom of religion and respect for the beliefs of others have always been principles of fundamental importance to the Church of Scientology,” recalled Lina Pirotta, representative of the Church of Scientology Italy, in her welcome address to the conference participants.
The Creed of the Church of Scientology itself, written in 1954 by the religion’s founder, L. Ron Hubbard, among other points states, “We of the Church believe that all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance.”
It is within this framework that the Church of Scientology has strongly supported this conference, collaborating with domestic and foreign experts to make it happen in order to provide a clearer picture of the state of freedom of belief in Italy and other countries, and the possible solutions that could help make, of this fundamental right, a fulfilled reality, favoring its development.
One of the fundamental human rights is the right to the sexual use of one’s own body, without being subjected to humiliation for reasons of trafficking, prostitution, religious, political or war conflicts.
In March 2024, Sofi Oksanen, a Finnish author born in Jyväskylä in 1977, stated in her book “Twice in the same river” that her great-aunt was not born mute, but that she lost her voice at the beginning of the second Soviet occupation of Estonia, after being interrogated and tortured, after being savagely raped all night long, she never said anything but Yes, let me. She never married, never had children, never had a love affair. She lived as her mother until the end of her days…It’s not marginal, it’s not something that is happening once in a while: Russia has normalized sexual violence as a weapon of war in Ukraine.(1)
Amnesty International in March 23 issued a report in which its Secretary General Agnés Callamard commented: “Time and again, women suffer the worst consequences of the brutality of war. They are permanently on the front lines of conflict, as soldiers and combatants, doctors and nurses, volunteers, peace activists, caretakers of their communities and families, internally displaced persons, refugees and, all too often, victims and survivors… Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is no exception. Women are at greater risk of sexual and gender-based violence and serious health problems, yet they are forced to make life-and-death decisions for their families. At the same time, women are often excluded from decision-making processes, and their needs remain unmet and their rights unprotected.” (2)
In the same report, a Hispanic aid worker named Marina also commented that …sexual abuse is a serious problem for women. I received training, and we were told that there were cases in which [also] children, after evacuation, showed signs of having suffered sexual abuse.
In an interesting study by Diego Alberto Zapata Gonzales, Professor of Law at San Ignacio de Loyola University of Peru (USIL) and Stephani Violeta Paliza Obando, Licentiate in International Relations at the same University, entitled: Sexual Violence as an International Crime in the Russian-Ukrainian Conflict, 2014-2022, makes a detailed study of which crimes are committed in such conflicts and considering them as war crimes against vulnerable persons, citing some of the conclusions of the International Criminal Court.
Likewise, this study clearly cites a study by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published on March 16, 2017, where 31 emblematic cases related to sexual assaults are specified. The study is entitled: Sexual Violence in Eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2020: Crimea and Donbas.
Some of the findings of the study leave no room for doubt: Thus, during the period under study, Russian armed forces illegally confined large numbers of civilians of all ages, including local authorities, government personnel, veterans of the Ukrainian forces, volunteers and random civilians. The report identified that, Russian forces implemented long interrogation sessions, sometimes lasting days, which were mixed with threats, intimidation, ill-treatment, sexual violence and torture, in order to obtain information about Ukrainian forces and their positions, or to identify collaborators of Ukrainian forces, many of these acts were witnessed by children forced to witness these heinous crimes (Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine 2022, 14).
…Similarly, the Commission documented cases of rape against victims between the ages of 4 and 80 committed by Russian forces in territories under their control, these persons were assaulted in their own homes or abducted and raped in unoccupied dwellings, mostly involving torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, and even war crimes, and the Commission continues to investigate to determine the extent to which such crimes constitute widespread patterns (Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine 2022, 16). (3)
An article by EuroEFE (Euroactiv), also conducted in March 2023 and entitled: War rapes threaten women in occupied Ukraine, states that… Ukraine remains under threat from the use of rape as a weapon of war in the territories occupied by Russian forces in the east and south of the country, where the invading army is at large and could be repeating abuses like those Kiev has been discovering with the liberation of its territories.(4)
171 cases of sexual violence
In a report of the Prosecutor’s Office of the country, the case of 171 rapes occurred in a certain period of time. This document was made public in March 2023 by the Ukrainian First Lady Olama Zelenska. It included cases of women, children and men.
The difficulty of collecting cases, especially from some areas already completely controlled by the Russian army, is very difficult. It is believed by international organizations and NGOs that the cases of sexual assault are exponentially higher than those that have been collected. And returning to the Finnish writer who gave rise to this article, Sofi Oksanen, one could argue in her own words, published in this 2024, that …sexual violence traumatizes and tears apart families and entire communities, which is why it is such a popular instrument of conquest and why Russia continues to use it.
Can rape be planned as a weapon of war? For this writer, yes. She also argues that rape can become a tool for committing genocide. Many of the interviewees, victims of sexual assault, were told by Russian soldiers that they would continue to be raped until they no longer wanted to have sex with Ukrainian men or that they would be deprived of the desire to have children with these men. Words comparable to those of many Russian politicians when they claim that Ukraine is not a nation, that it is not a country, and that they do not even exist. When someone does not exist, they can certainly be exterminated without any problem. Another question is why the International Criminal Court does not initiate with the same haste a case against RUSSIA, as it is doing against Israel. Perhaps the sexual violations in Ukraine are only a lesser evil.
Bibliography:
(1) ABC, Culture, March 15, 2024, p. 42-43. (2) https://www.amnesty.org/es/latest/news/2023/03/ukraine-women-face-grave-risks-as-russias-full-scale-invasion-enters-its-second-year/ (3) https://revista-estudios.revistas.deusto.es/article/view/2796/3453 (4) https://euroefe.euractiv.es/section/exteriores-y-defensa/news/las-violaciones-de-guerra-amenazan-a-las-mujeres-en-la-ucrania-ocupada/
