AITJ Weekly Digest is a flexible but effective report that focus on what is happening in the world in the areas of our interest and concern such as foreign affairs, human rights, enlargement, relations between Africa and Europe and so on. Every week, this press review intends to provide an overview of news, updates and all new developments concerning the defence of human rights, the fight against impunity and international relations in the broadest sense.
Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič on World Humanitarian Day 2020
European commission Press release, 18 august 2020
“Ahead of World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to and champion all humanitarian workers saving lives and helping those less fortunate in times of crisis worldwide.Right now, during the coronavirus pandemic, humanitarians are working against all odds to deliver aid in even more difficult conditions”.
Statement by President von der Leyen at the joint press conference with President Michel, following the videoconference of the European Council members on the situation in Belarus
European commission Press release, 19 august 2020
“We are impressed by the courage of the people of Belarus. For exactly ten days, since the presidential elections took place, the people of Belarus have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers. They demand the release of all unlawfully detained prisoners. The prosecution of those responsible for police brutality. They want freedom of speech and assembly. And they want democracy and new presidential elections as these elections were neither fair nor free”
Lebanon: Statement by the Spokesperson on the judgment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon in the Ayyash et al. Case
EEAS News, 18 august 2020
On 18th August , the Special Tribunal for Lebanon pronounced the judgement in the Ayyash et al. case. The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was established by the United Nations Security Council in 2007 to try all those responsible for the terrorist bombing that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri
Giovanni in our memories
EUROPEAN DATA PROTECTION SUPERVISOR, 20 august 2020
On 20th August, the anniversary of Giovanni Buttarelli's death, we remember him with the publication of five short memories written by his colleagues at the EDPS.
Libya: UN human right chief appoints independent investigators to probe abuses
UN News, 19 august 2020
Amidst deteriorating security and the lack of a judicial system in the north African nation, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Michele Bachelet, has appointed Mohamed Auajjar from Morocco, Tracy Robinson from Jamaica and Chaloka Beyani from Zambia and the UK, to conduct an Independent Fact-Finding Mission. “This body of experts will serve as an essential mechanism to effectively address the widespread impunity for human rights violations and abuses committed, and can also serve as a deterrent to prevent further violations and contribute to peace and stability in the country”, she said.
Statement by Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Reynders on the Europe-Wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes
European commission News, 21 august 2020
Ahead of the Europe-Wide Day of Remembrance for the victims of all totalitarian and authoritarian regimes on 23 August, Vice-President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová and Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders.
UN rights office ‘appalled’ at violence against human rights defenders in the Philippines
UN News, 21 august 2020
“We are saddened and appalled by the ongoing violence and threats against human rights defenders in the Philippines, including the killing of two human rights defenders over the past two weeks,” Liz Throssell, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said at a regular media briefing.