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Febbraio 2018 - page 10

CHR: Duterte’s ‘42 virgins’ joke strips women of dignity, human rights

in FAR EAST by

The Commission on Human Rights strongly denounced President Rodrigo Duterte’s joke of making virgins as a “come-on” to promote tourism in the country, calling it an appalling remark. In fact, Duterte, after declaring himself “half-Muslim,” during his last day in India, suggested in jest that the ISIS does not have a monopoly of making promises about virgins: claimed that Islamic State extremists lure followers with the promise of “42 virgins” in heaven; “The come-on is that if you die a martyr, you go to heaven with 42 virgins waiting for you. If I could just make it a come-on also for those who’d like to go to my country(..)” he said. CHR called on the government to uphold laws that protect women from violence and discrimination such as the Women in Development and National Building Act, Magna Carta of Women and Anti-Sexual Harassment Law. It also urged the public to stand up for women’s rights and reject violence and discrimination of all forms.

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Malaysia will not entertain Sabah claims, foreign minister says

in FAR EAST/POLITICS by

“The Government of Malaysia reiterates its position that Malaysia does not recognise and will not entertain any claims by any party on Sabah”, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia YB Dato’ Sri Anifah Haji Aman on Wednesday said in a press statement. This is the answer to the Philipino Senate President Aquilino Pimentel claim to inclusing of Sabah in the Philippine territory as part of the country’s shift to a federal system of government. Under Pimentel’s proposal for a new federal government, as reported by ANC, the Philippines will be divided into 12 federal states: Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas, Western Visayas, Minparom, Northern Mindanao, Southern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro. Sabah could be the 13th federal state while Metro Manila would be the “federal capital”. The Sulu sultanate used to rule over parts of southern Philippines and Sabah. In 1963, the British government transferred Sabah to the Federation of Malaysia, but the Philippines claims that Sabah was only leased, not ceded, to the British North Borneo Co. Malaysia, however, maintains that the international community has been recognizing Sabah as part of its territory since the formation of the federation in 1963. “Sabah is recognised by the United Nations and the international community as part of Malaysia since the formation of the Federation on 16 September 1963”, Anifah said. “Therefore, statements such as these will only expose the ignorance of history and international law of those who make them, as well as potentially harming the excellent bilateral relations which Malaysia and the Philippines currently enjoy”, he added.

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North Korea’s ambassador to China makes first official appearance in two months

in ASIA/POLITICS by

North Korea’s ambassador to Beijing, Ji Jae-ryong, made his first public appearance in roughly two months, prompting speculation about warming relations between China and North Korea and whether some kind of important development or event is in the works. Ji reportedly shook hands and exchanged greetings with South Korean Ambassador Noh Young-min. Noh told Ji that he hoped the inter-Korean talks that resumed ahead of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics will continue. Ji said in response that he hoped the Pyeongchang Olympics would be a success, according to sources.

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North Korea likely making solid-fuel rocket engines at Hamhung factory: 38 North

in ASIA by

According to an analysis posted on Tuesday by 38 North, the specialist website on North Korean affairs, large solid-fuel rocket engines for North Korea’s ballistic missile program are most likely being made at a factory complex near Hamhung. The factory’s existence is said to underscore the importance of solid-fuel engines in the modernization of Pyongyang’s ballistic missile forces. “North Korea has been working on developing solid-propellant missiles because they can be transported, stored and prepared for launch more quickly than liquid-fueled systems.

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Breaking: Suicide bomber hits Borno IDPs camp, many feared dead

in AFRICA by

Several persons (17 confirmed) have been feared dead as suspected Boko Haram suicide bomber, Wednesday, attacked the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp in Dalori, Borno state. According to the statement, “Multiple suicide bomb attacks involving two suicide bombers at Dalori quarters near Dalori IDP camp”.

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Montenegro: €30 million loans from World Bank

in ECONOMY/EUROPE by

The World Bank has approved a loan worth €30 million to finance the project of agricultural development MIDAS 2 that will increase the economic activity in rural areas as well as opening job positions. The final objective is that of improving the competitiveness of agriculture and fishery. The original project MIDAS started in 2009 has contributed to the reinforcement of institutions to provide support and services in the sectors of food safety, animal health, and rural development.

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Al-Jamali confirmed the Arab League support to Libya

in AFRICA/POLITICS by

The head of the Presidential Council Al-Serraj met the Arab League envoy to Libya Salah Al-Din Al-Jamali. According to the statement of the Information Office of the Presidential Council, Al-Jamali said that the Arab League will support Libya in its process of reconciliation with all the assistance and cooperation also to the initiative of the UN envoy Salamè, in order to help the country to achieve unity and security. He also added that the Arab League will assist Libya in the electoral process, cooperating with the United Nations. During the meeting he invited Serraj to attend the Arab Summit, set for next March in Riyadh.

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Japan seeking policy talks with China before leaders’ visits

in ASIA/POLITICS by

Japan is proposing fresh dialogue with China in several specific fields to prepare for the potential resumption of reciprocal leaders’ visits. It is a significant thaw in Japan-China relations, that are showing signs of improvement: Neither Abe nor Xi has held talks in the format of an official visit to the other’s country since they both took office in 2012. Frameworks will concern the climate change and how best to reduce emissions; the nuclear disarmament to reduce tensions over the fundamental difference in their position (Japan is sheltered by the U.S. “nuclear umbrella”, while China has its own nuclear arsenal); the common ground about counterterrorism.

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Japan: government to test safety of burying radioactive soil this spring

in ASIA/ENERGY by

The government plans to conduct a demonstration project sometime this spring to test the safety of burying waste generated by decontamination work following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, the Environment Ministry said Wednesday. In the project, soil waste from eastern and northeastern areas of the country other than Fukushima Prefecture will be covered with uncontaminated soil at sites in the village of Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture, and the town of Nasu, Tochigi Prefecture, with radioactivity levels around the locations being measured. The project will be carried out on the premises of the Tokai Research and Development Center’s Nuclear Science Research Institute in Tokai and at a public space in Nasu.

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Commercial relations with Israeli settlements in the West Bank

in ECONOMY/MIDLE EAST/POLITICS by

The United Nations Human Rights Office said it had identified 206 companies that so far have commercial relations with Israeli settlements in the West Bank, where it claims that violations against Palestinians are “pervasive and devastating”. The report is politically sensitive because the companies mentioned by the UN could be targeted for boycotts or divestments aimed at strengthening the pressure on Israel and its settlements, which many countries regard as illegal. Most of these companies are based in Israel or its settlements (143), the second largest group in the United States (22), the rest in 19 other countries. The report, which did not indicate the companies claimed that the work in the database production on the companies will not involve a judicial process of any kind. The mandate of the UN office was only to identify the companies involved in the construction and surveillance of settlements, including transport services and banking and financial transactions that may raise human rights concerns. The violations associated with the settlement according to the report affect every aspect of Palestinian life, including freedom of religion, movement and education, as well as lack of access to land, water and livelihood.

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