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.
Human rights worldwide Turkey/Belarus.
EP News, 09 july 2020
MEPs and EU Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell discussed about the EU’s Human Rights Annual Report for 2019, which provides insight into the EU’s action to stop the pushback against human rights worldwide. MEPs will also discuss with Josep Borrell both the situation in the Mediterranean and Turkey’s problematic role in the region and the situation in Belarus.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia nominates Mr Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri for post of WTO Director-General
WTO News, 08 july 2020
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on 8 July 2020, nominated Mr Mohammad Maziad Al-Tuwaijri for the post of WTO Director-General to succeed the current Director-General, Mr Roberto Azevêdo, who has announced he will step down on 31 August 2020.According to the timetable announced by the Chair of the General Council, David Walker, the nomination period will close on 8 July 2020.
Speech by the Secretary General to the Security Council on the situation in Libya
UN press release, 08 july 2020
“Time is not on our side in Libya. The conflict has entered a new phase with foreign interference reaching unprecedented levels, including in the delivery of sophisticated equipment and the number of mercenaries involved in the fighting. Since my Acting Special Representative last updated the Security Council on 19 May, we have witnessed the retreat of the Libyan National Army’s frontlines in Tripoli, the take-over by Government of National Accord of Al-Wutiya airbase, Tarhouna and Bani Walid”.
The Global Monitor of COVID19´s Impact on Democracy and Human Rights - A one-stop tool to hold governments to account
European Commission, 07 july 2020
The Covid-19 pandemic is not just a global public health crisis. It has huge implications for democracies and fundamental rights around the world.Some governments are restricting civil liberties freedoms, discriminating in enforcement of pandemic-related measures, limiting parliamentary and civic oversight, and exploiting opportunities for executive aggrandizement in the name of fighting the pandemic.
Multilateralism 2020: Secretary General publishes Annual Report
Council of Europe, 09 july 2020
The Council of Europe has proven to be an essential, indispensable guardian of human rights during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is one of the main conclusions of a new report by the Secretary General covering the Council of Europe’s actions since the Helsinki Ministerial Meeting in May 2019 and the organisation’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
Council of Europe’s anti-racism commission warns against racial profiling in policing
Council of Europe, 06 july 2020
The Council of Europe’s 47-member anti-racism commission, ECRI, warned against racial profiling, as well as systemic racism and inequalities, all of which are to be found in Europe. ECRI has called upon European governments to send strong messages and take determined action, even if these instances may only be isolated events, and reiterated that trust in the police by everyone in the society enhances safety for all.
Intercommunal violence, terrorist attacks inflame tensions in West Africa
UN News, 09 july 2020
Mohammed Ibn Chambas, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), said that despite “intense and sustained” efforts by concerned countries, violent extremists continue to attack security forces and civilians alike, with children recruited into fighting in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria. Presenting his latest report, the UNOWAS chief described security conditions as “extremely volatile”. In Burkina Faso alone, as of June, 921,000 people have been forced to flee, representing a 92 per cent rise over 2019 figures.
Main results - European Union Military Committee (EUMC)
EU Chiefs of Defence 9/07/2020
The European Union Military Committee met at the level of EU Chiefs of Defence (CHODs). General Claudio Graziano chaired the meeting. Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, addressed the EU Chiefs of Defence, that discussed among others: the EU's military operations and missions, the Strategic Compass, and the state of play of EU-NATO cooperation.