Viewpoint by Tariq Rauf* “The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is an essential pillar of international peace and security, and the heart of the nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime. Its unique status is based on its near-universal membership, legally-binding obligations on disarmament, verifiable non-proliferation safeguards regime, and commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy”. UN Secretary-General […]
UN Committee Rewards Countries for Protecting Human Rights Despite COVID-19
By Jamshed Baruah GENEVA (IDN) — The Human Rights Committee periodically scrutinizes the implementation of the legal obligations of countries that have ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Despite the challenges to its work brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee was able to hold online follow-up reviews of 12 […]
Review Conference on Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Stalled due to Rising COVID-19 Infections
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS (IDN)— The United Nations, which has been brought to a virtual standstill because of an upsurge in coronavirus infections in New York City, has been forced to postpone a long-awaited 10th review conference (REVCON) of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), scheduled to take place 4-28 January. Diane Barnes, NGO Liaison […]
UN Chief Calls for Making Recovery ‘Our Resolution For 2022’
By UN News NEW YORK (IDN) — Together, let’s make recovery “for people, planet and prosperity” our resolution for 2022, the UN chief said in his message for the New Year. “The world welcomes 2022 with our hopes for the future being tested by deepening poverty and worsening inequality…an unequal distribution of COVID vaccines…climate commitments […]
Omicron Surge Forces Australia to Redefine COVID-19 Response
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — In July 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Australians to go out and get vaccinated as the Delta variant of COVID-19 spread across the world. They were assured that once double-vaccinated the lockdowns will be lifted. He said at the time “by Christmas Australia will be a different place” […]
Weaponizing Human Rights—Swiss on The Frontlines
By Sugeeswara Senadhira COLOMBO (IDN) — Many Sri Lankans seeking visas to Switzerland end up filling forms listing out all their personnel information including details about Police records, if any. A vast majority of Sinhalese end up with a curt denial of visas despite their clean records.
A Japan-US ‘Island Chain’ Threatens to Provoke Backlash from China and Russia
Viewpoint by M K Bhadrakumar * NEW DELHI (IDN) — A Kyodo News agency report on December 23 cited Japanese government sources to the effect that Tokyo and Washington have drawn up a draft joint operation plan that would enable the setup of an attack base along the Nansei island chain in Japan’s southwest in […]
Homage to the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Bishop Desmond Tutu
By Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury Former Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the UN Following is the text of a brief homage on December 26 for the Culture of Peace global network. Dear co-activists! Today the world has lost a precious treasure of humanity with the demise of Desmond Mpilo Tutu, globally respected and loved as […]
What the Sialkot Lynching Means For South Asia?
Viewpoint by Chulanee Attanayake and Chirayu Thakkar This article was issued by Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. COLOMBO | SINGAPORE (IDN) — On December 3, 2021, the South Asian headlines were dominated by the unfortunate lynching of a Sri Lankan factory manager, Priyantha Kumara. An Export Manager working in Pakistan […]
The US Conceding Alone Would Lead to Successful Negotiations
Viewpoint by Jonathan Power LUND, Sweden (IDN) — The negotiations over Iran’s supposed nuclear bomb-building abilities seem to be stuck in a rut. On December 27, they re-started once again. Given the detailed undertakings by Iran made in the agreement negotiated by the administration of President Barack Obama before President Donald Trump sabotaged it, it […]