By Jaya Ramachandran GENEVA (IDN) — The Japanese government should give unqualified, human rights and needs-based support to the more than 30,000 people still displaced 11 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. That approach must also apply to reconstruction in affected areas, said Cecilia Jiménez-Damary, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally […]
Warmongering Biggest Threat to Achieving SDGs
By Kalinga Seneviratne SYDNEY (IDN) — Welcome to our 13th issue of Sustainable Development Observer, which focuses on warmongering and sustainable development goals, prompted by an event I covered for IDN-InDepthNews from Kazakhstan—the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions—a gathering of over 300 religious leaders representing the Islamic, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and […]
Genocide Suspect Rebuffs International Court Trying Hate Speech Crimes
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — A Rwandan businessman and alleged genocidaire failed to appear in court, where he is being tried on charges of masterminding and financing the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Felicien Kabuga, 87, is accused of aiding and abetting hit squads who slaughtered ethnic Tutsis and with using a […]
Russia & China Face Draft Resolutions at the UN Rights Council
By A.L.A Azeez GENEVA (IDN) — At the current session ≈ of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, in addition to Sri Lanka, both Russia and China are facing a draft resolution and a draft decision, respectively. This must be the first time in HRC (or its predecessor—the Commission on Human Rights) that both […]
Late Archbishop Tutu’s Daughter Barred from Godfather’s Funeral
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu said she was “stunned” by the Church of England when they denied her the right to officiate at her godfather’s funeral because she is married to a woman. According to the Rev. Mpho Tutu van Furth, an […]
Kazakhstan, the Centre of a New Route of Global Relationships?
By Kalinga Seneviratne NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (IDN) — Pope Francis has raised the prospect of Kazakhstan becoming the centre of a new route connecting the East and West, but this time a route that builds on human relations and respect. Kazakhstan was once the meeting place of traders and travellers travelling from the East to the […]
World Religious Leaders to Discuss Creative Initiatives in Kazakh Capital
By Saniya Bulatkulova This article was published in The Astana Times NUR-SULTAN (IDN) — The five-meter-tall Peace Tree will be built at the capital’s Palace of Peace and Reconciliation as a symbol of the upcoming seventh Congress of World and Traditional Religions, scheduled for September 14-15, reports Khabar TV channel. The tree reflects the congress […]
Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders to Address Social Status of Women
Staff Report in The Astana Times NUR-SULTAN (IDN) — The seventh Congress of World and Traditional Religious Leaders, scheduled for September 14–15, will hold a special session devoted to the social status of women for the first time in the congress’s 20-year history, reported the congress’s press service on September 8. The congress will focus […]
Momentum Builds for Ukraine Defense Contact Group
By Jim Garamone , DOD News This article was issued by U.S. Department of Defense. RAMSTEIN, Germany (IDN) — U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said nations of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group are even “more united and resolved to keep up our support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself.” The secretary and […]
A Film Explores Fulani-Hausa Conflict in Nigeria’s Zamfara State
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — In a deeply disturbing new documentary, Nigerian journalist Yusuf Anka presents a devastating portrait of his country’s worst security crisis. In the north-western state of Zamfara, heavily armed bandit gangs raid villages, attack drivers, abduct children and kill anyone who resists. As seen through this […]