By Dr Palitha Kohona (Former) Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China and (former) Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, COLOMBO | 25 May 2024 (IDN) — Sri Lanka celebrated the Vesak day 2024 last week with much pomp and ceremony in historic Matale where the Buddha’s teachings were first formally […]
UN Expert Calls for Probe on Allegations of Torturing Palestinians
By Rodney Reynolds UNITED NATIONS | 24 May 2024 (IDN) — The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Alice Jill Edwards, has urged the Government of Israel to investigate multiple allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment against detained Palestinians since 7 October 2023. “Persons deprived of liberty must always be treated humanely,” […]
The Automated Fortress Europe: No Place For Human Rights
By Fabio Chiusi* The writer is a Research Associate at the AlgorithmWatch NGO TURIN, Italy | 24 May 2024 (IDN) — 29,000 people have died in the Mediterranean over the past ten years while trying to reach the EU. You would think that the EU wanted this tragedy to stop and scientists across Europe were […]
Low-Income Countries Face Worst Debt Crisis Ever, says New Report
By Thalif Deen UNITED NATIONS | 23 May 2024 (IDN) — A new report on global economic governance says low-income countries are faced with the worst debt crisis they have ever encountered. Currently, debt service eats up over 50 per cent of public revenue in Kenya; over 60 per cent in Morocco and over 70 […]
US Rejects ICC on Afghan War Crimes but Seeks Its Support Against Russia
By Mohammad Ali Salih* LONDON | 23 May 2024 (IDN) — The Americans’ deep anger, official and popular, because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has been leading to: first, decisions to send heavy arms to Ukraine to liberate “every inch’ of its territory; second, increasing sanctions on Russia to make it “suffer forever;” and, […]
Why Is the ICC Prosecutor Seeking Arrest Warrants Against Israeli and Hamas Leaders?
By Rodney Reynolds UNITED NATIONS | May 21 2024 (IDN) — The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague is seeking arrest warrants on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and leaders of Hamas, on charges of war crimes in the 7-month-old war in Gaza. While the request must be approved […]
Congolese Bishops Decry ‘Trails of Murders’ in the City Of Goma
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | 20 May 2024 (IDN) — A despairing picture of the Democratic Republic of Congo was recently captured by a group of local bishops who condemned how “the dignity of the Congolese people is being undermined.” “The situation in and around (the capital city of) Goma is […]
The Quad, Maritime Security, and Climate Change
By Robert Mizo* This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission. NEW DELHI | 20 May 2024 (IDN) — The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, colloquially known as the Quad, was re-initiated in 2017 after almost a decade-long hiatus. The members of the informal minilateral—Australia, Japan, India, and the […]
South African President Backs National Health Plan For All
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | 19 May 2024 (IDN) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is promoting a long-awaited new law that would provide universal health care free of charge for all. It could lead to the biggest shake-up in the health sector since the end of the racist system of apartheid 30 […]
Microsoft Shuts Down Center in Lagos, Leaving Hundreds in the Lurch
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK | 19 May 2024 (IDN) — A Microsoft development center is shutting down in Lagos, where hundreds of staffers had nursed high hopes for training opportunities and the prospect of a good job in the high-tech industry. Just two years ago, the Development Center was opened with […]