Showing posts with label TIBET. Show all posts

Thursday, 12 December 2024

INR | WESTERN EUROPE: Weekly updates

Switzerland reports $112 mil in frozen Syrian assets

The Swiss government stated Wednesday that 99 million Swiss francs ($112 million) worth of Syrian assets are now frozen in Switzerland, the majority of which have been barred for years.

Since Switzerland ratified European Union sanctions against Syria in May 2011, the majority of the amount has been frozen, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco).

In response to an EU move, Switzerland this week added three additional individuals to its list of individuals subject to sanctions relating to Syria.

Switzerland supports UN Gaza ceasefire resolution

Switzerland supported a successful resolution passed by the UN General Assembly that demanded the immediate release of the hostages and an unconditional, long-term peace in the Gaza Strip.

Late Thursday in New York, Switzerland and 157 other members approved the text. Despite 13 abstentions and nine votes against, including from the US and Israel, the resolution was approved.

UN General Assembly resolutions have political symbolic value but are not legally enforceable. The body passed identical resolutions twice last year, but this time the demands are more forceful and the language of the text is clearer.

Swiss parliament rejects UN migration pact

The parliament has decided that Switzerland should not ratify the UN Global Compact on Migration.

Even though the document is not legally obligatory on the Confederation's immigration policy, the House of Representatives rejected it on Thursday by a vote of 121 to 65, following the Senate's lead.

The Pact is a comprehensive framework for action to enhance international cooperation in the subject of migration, and it was adopted by the UN in December 2018.

Belgium ordered to pay reparations for colonial kidnappings

Five mixed-race ladies who were taken from their families during the Belgian Congo's colonial era were ordered to receive reparations from the government by a Belgian court.

According to a governmental policy, the women, who are now in their 70s, were taken from their mothers when they were young and placed in orphanages.

A "plan to systematically search for and abduct children born to a Black mother and a white father" was alleged by the court.

Judges declared the kidnappings "an inhumane act of persecution" and declared this a crime against humanity on Monday.

Tibetans in Switzerland and Liechtenstein Commemorate the 76th International Human Rights Day with Peaceful Demonstration

The Tibetan Community of Switzerland and Liechtenstein planned a nonviolent protest in front of the UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva on December 10, 2024, the 76th International Human Rights Day.

They encouraged the Chinese authorities to shut down permanent schools and demanded human rights in Tibet. After singing the Tibetan national song and organising a nonviolent march, the event started with a gathering in front of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights office in Geneva.

A representative from the Tibet Bureau in Geneva, Thinley Chukki, took part in the protest. They gathered in front of the world conference and then honoured the Tibetan martyrs with a moment of silence.

News Bits collected by [Region Head]:

Poulina Banerjee (BA IR 3rd year)

Uttam Roy (BA IR 3rd year)

Published By: Varsha Das (BA IR, 3rd year)

Austria Halts Asylum Processing for Syrians Following Assad’s Ouster

Austria’s caretaker government suspended the processing of asylum applications for Syrians after Syrian rebels seized Damascus, leading to President Bashar al-Assad's flight to Russia.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner announced plans for a "programme of orderly repatriation and deportation" to Syria, though no specific methods were disclosed.

The government also paused family reunification for Syrian refugees, affecting 1,146 pending applications.

The move reflects Austria’s conservative People's Party's hardline stance on immigration, which aligns with the policies of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO).

Austria Lifts Veto on Bulgaria and Romania’s Full Schengen Membership

Austria has lifted its veto on Bulgaria and Romania becoming full members of the Schengen free-travel area, clearing the way for EU interior ministers to formalize the decision.

Bulgaria and Romania had previously joined "Schengen Air" in March 2024, with air and maritime border checks lifted. The latest move allows land border entry into the Schengen zone.

Austria claims its initial veto prompted stronger border controls, resulting in a significant drop in illegal border crossings — from 70,000 interceptions last year to 4,000 this year.

The Austrian Interior Ministry framed the shift as a success in addressing illegal immigration, crediting its initial opposition for the enhanced border control measures.

Belgium Found Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity for Colonial-Era Abduction of Children in Congo

A Brussels appeals court ruled that Belgium committed crimes against humanity by kidnapping thousands of mixed-race children from their Black mothers during colonial rule in Congo (1908-1960). Five women, now in their 70s and 80s, were awarded €50,000 each as compensation for "moral damage" caused by their forced separation from their families.

Thousands of mixed-race children, known as métis, were taken from their mothers and placed in Catholic institutions where they were labeled "children of sin." The children suffered malnutrition, abuse, and loss of identity, with some being told their fathers were dead or that "the state" was their parent.

After Belgium's government apologized for its role in 2019, five survivors, including Lea Tavares Mujinga and Simone Ngalula, pursued legal action. Initially, a lower court rejected their claim in 2021, but they won on appeal in 2024, marking a landmark legal acknowledgment of Belgium’s colonial crimes.

The ruling is being hailed as a historic victory and a precedent in European legal history. It represents the first time a European court has condemned a colonial-era state for crimes against humanity, setting a legal precedent for addressing colonial injustices.

"The Belgian government took my youth away," said plaintiff Monique Bitu Bingi. The ruling offers some relief for survivors and their families, with many hoping it will prompt further accountability for colonial-era abuses.

French Government Collapses After No-Confidence Vote Against PM Michel Barnier

The French government has fallen after Prime Minister Michel Barnier was ousted in a no-confidence vote, the first such collapse since 1962. The motion, backed by 331 MPs, came just three months after Barnier’s appointment by President Emmanuel Macron.

The crisis was sparked when Barnier invoked special powers to pass a €60bn deficit-cutting budget, drawing opposition from the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) and far-right National Rally (RN), who called it "toxic" and undemocratic.

Barnier must resign but may remain as caretaker PM. President Macron faces pressure to appoint a successor quickly, especially with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump visiting Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral.

With no parliamentary majority and no new elections until July, the next prime minister will face similar challenges. While Macron is not directly affected, Marine Le Pen warned that ignoring voters' voices could increase calls for his resignation.

Russia to Halt Gas Supplies to Austria from Saturday: Key Highlights

Russia will suspend gas deliveries to Austria via Ukraine, effectively ending Moscow’s last significant gas flows to Europe. This move follows Ukraine’s refusal to extend its gas transit agreement with Gazprom, aimed at cutting Russia's war profits.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer assured citizens that no household will face heating issues, as gas storage is sufficient. Energy supplier OMV has prepared for the cut-off, securing imports from Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Hungary and Slovakia, which also rely on gas via Ukraine, will face changes. Hungary already imports gas via the TurkStream pipeline, while Slovakia will need to adjust its energy sources.

The gas suspension is seen as a strategic flex by Russia amid growing pressure for a Ukraine ceasefire. EU officials stated that member states have alternative supply options, reducing reliance on Russian gas.

Wednesday, 7 February 2024

INR | APAC: Weekly Updates

A new parliament is being elected in Pakistan. Prior to the vote, these are the major stakeholders.

On Thursday, Pakistan will hold elections to create a new parliament. The National Assembly, the lower chamber of parliament, has 266 seats up for grabs, with an additional 70 seats set aside for women and minorities. Not surprisingly, 44 political parties are fighting for a piece of these seats.
However, in a nation where military coups have overthrown civilian governments and where the army has controlled for half of its 76-year history, the decision-making power has frequently rested with the established elites.

Amid the Gaza War, Itochu of Japan will cease working with Elbit of Israel.

In the midst of the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, Itochu Corp.'s aviation division will terminate its strategic partnership with Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems by the end of February, an executive from the Japanese trading house announced on Monday.
Tsuyoshi Hachimura, the chief financial officer of Itochu, stated that the company intends to terminate the partnership following the World Court's decision last month to order Israel to stop "genocide" against Palestinians and increase aid to civilians.

India and the UAE will sign a bilateral investment treaty to advance their economic relations.

During a high-profile visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai on February 13–14, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will sign a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, bringing India and the UAE's economies closer together.
UAE is India's seventh-largest trading partner and the country's third-largest source of foreign direct investment into Bharat.
To put the BIT in context, the UAE became the only nation with which India has both a CEPA and BIT when the Modi cabinet approved the pact on February 1. Even though they don't have a BIT, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore have a CEPA with India.

Philippines will increase its military presence on Taiwan-facing islands

To strengthen Manila's capacity for territorial defence, the chief of defence for the Philippines has directed the military to increase the number of soldiers stationed at the northernmost islands close to Taiwan.
During his visit to naval installations in Taiwan on Tuesday, Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro also advocated for the construction of additional structures on the isolated Batanes islands, which are less than 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the country, according to the Philippine navy.

According to the IMF, Asia will propel global development in 2023.

Amid the generally depressing backdrop of the world economy's slow recovery, Asia and the Pacific region represents a relative bright light.
The region will provide around 70% of worldwide growth this year, as the Chart of the Week illustrates. This is a far higher percentage than in previous years.

Pakistan rocked by deadly blasts day before general elections, over 20 killed.

A day before parliamentary elections two bombs were exploded at the election office of an independent candidate in the Balochistan province of pakistan. The blasts have resulted in 22 deaths and over two dozen injuries.
The election commissioner has asked the chief secretary and inspector general of balochistan to take action against those behind the attacks.

Chinese Warships ‘Threaten’ Japan’s Aircraft To ‘Get Out’ Of Senkaku Airspace; Tokyo Names China As Enemy For The 1st Time

The senkaku island, claimed by China but controlled by Japan, has been getting warnings from the china coast Guard warships since last month. There are concerns that Japan's self defense Forces planes may breach Chinese territorial airspace known as Diaoyu in China.
Chinese military warships have previously asked Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force planes to depart the area close to the Senkaku Islands.
Tokyo has refuted the claims by stating such warnings are totally unacceptable without making a public move.

Maldives at high risk of foreign debt distress, warns IMF amid Male’s growing ties with China

The international monetary fund has warned that Maldives is at a high risk of debt distress after Male borrowed heavily from China and shifted the alliance from India under president Mohamed Muizzu.
Muizzu assumed power last year after defeating pro india president Ibrahim Mohamed Sulih.he made his first international trip to beijing after assuming office and thanked china for its selfless assistance for development funds.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/maldives-at-high-risk-of-foreign-debt-distress-warns-imf-amid-males-growing-ties-with-china/articleshow/107492188.cms

Sri Lanka debt restructuring makes slow progress even with 1.6% growth rate in Q3 of 2023

Ranil Wickremesinghe, president of Sri lanka, gave a speech on the 6th of February hinting that the restructuring of the country’s debt might take longer than expected even though there's a signal towards the positive shift in a cash -stripped economy with a surplus.
Delivering the ‘Statement of Government Policy’ on the first day of the Fifth Session of the Ninth Parliament, Mr. Wickremesinghe said the finalization of debt restructuring could be completed by the first half of the year, which is going beyond the earlier anticipation for it to be completed within the first quarter.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-debt-restructuring-makes-slow-progress-even-with-16-growth-rate-in-q3-of-2023/article67821021.ece

China, U.S. hold economic talks as trade issues heat up on the campaign trail

Chinese and US officials had talks on monday and tuesday regarding their economies and addressing their concerts.
There are reports that if Donald Trump wins the presidential elections he would raise tariffs and this has shaken the investor sentiment in china.

Indonesian rebels say they're ready to free a New Zealand pilot taken hostage a year ago

A rebel faction in Indonesia's Papua, led by Egianus Kogoya, has ordered the release of New Zealand pilot Phillip Mehrtens, kidnapped a year ago.
The TPNPB central command cited human rights concerns and pledged to return Mehrtens through UN channels.

Trapped orcas escape from drift ice near Japan

A pod of killer whales, trapped by drift ice near Japan's northern island, seems to have escaped successfully. Officials responded after a fisherman spotted them off Hokkaido.
Drone footage showed the stranded orcas close together, prompting public concern and calls for help. However, officials reported the whales appeared to have moved away, likely finding gaps in the ice to escape. Some showed signs of bleeding from attempts to break free.

A Chinese anti-fraud app, the National Anti-Fraud Centre, is under scrutiny for its potential use in monitoring Tibetans.

While primarily aimed at preventing scams, the app's capabilities include accessing texts, call logs, and photos, raising concerns about surveillance.
Reports suggest Tibetans are being compelled to download it, raising human rights concerns amidst China's increased surveillance efforts in politically sensitive regions like Tibet.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-68213529

Chinese travellers stranded as winter storms throw Lunar New Year travel into chaos

Blizzards and freezing rain disrupt Lunar New Year travel in China, leaving millions stranded amid cancelled flights and trains.
The festival marks the busiest travel period in China, with many workers making their only trip home all year.
Efforts are underway to clear roads and restore transportation services amidst the challenging conditions.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/06/blizzards-disrupt-lunar-new-year-travel-for-millions-in-china

Japan, Italy Agree on Security Cooperation; Meloni Takes Up G7

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni affirmed close cooperation for the upcoming Group of Seven summit in Italy in June. They agreed on a director general-level meeting in March to deepen security collaboration
This marks Italy's first prime ministerial visit to Japan since 2015. They pledged to build on Japan's G7 presidency outcomes, emphasizing the rule of law. Both leaders also discussed defence and security cooperation, including joint naval exercises and a joint fighter aircraft development project.
They expressed support for Ukraine and vowed to address China's assertive actions and Middle East issues.

VIJIGISHU '24