By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Few countries are standing up to Myanmar, formerly Burma, for its mistreatment of the Muslim community known as Rohingya. On November 11, Gambia – the smallest nation in mainland Africa – came to the defense of the persecuted minority, filing a lawsuit with the Hague-based […]
Fulfil the Rights of Afro-descendants in Latin America and the Caribbean
Viewpoint by Natalia Kanem Following are extensive extracts from the Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem at the High-level Meeting on “Accelerating global action for the fulfilment of rights for Afro-descendant people in Latin America and the Caribbean”, San José, Costa Rica, in October 2019. NEW YORK (IDN-INPS) – Leave no one behind […]
The UN Experts Shining a Light on Human Rights Violations
By Sean Buchanan NEW YORK (IDN) – The experts who fan out across the world to research, hold consultations and gather information on a vast range of human rights violations often find themselves caught in the crosshairs of international and domestic politics. Independent of governments and institutions – including the UN’s Human Rights Council which […]
Fukuyama Expects People to Still Mark 1989 in 100 Years
Deutsche Welle Interview BERLIN (IDN-INPS) – “I think democracy has got a lot of strengths that may not be evident in the short run, but will play out over the longer run because the ability to change your leaders, ability to hold them accountable is really important,” American political scientist and writer Francis Fukuyama, author […]
Four Reasons the World Bank Should Engage More with Civil Society
Viewpoint by Patricia Moreira Patricia Moreira is Managing Director of Transparency International, the global civil society organisation at the forefront of the fight against corruption. This viewpoint originally appeared on the World Bank blog. BERLIN (IDN) – In recent years, we have witnessed a significant shift in approach of both the World Bank and International […]
India To Host the UN Conference on Migratory Species
By Rita Joshi BONN (IDN) – Based on an ancient Sanskrit saying, the theme ‘Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home’ will guide the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP13) in Gandhinagar, a planned city in the western Indian state of […]
Holocaust Is Not Long Ago and Not Far Away
Viewpoint by António Guterres Following are extensive extracts from UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ speech on 7 November 2019 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York which was marking the 81st anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom carried out by the Nazi regime. Underlining his continued fight to stamp out antisemitism, racism and other forms […]
Japan Between Cosmopolitanism and Ritualised Tradition
Viewpoint by Siegfried Knittel The writer studied German literature and political science. He now works as a freelance journalist and, since 2011, lives in Japan. This article first appeared on the website of International Politics and Society on 5 November 2019. TOKYO (IDN-INPS) – In Japan, harmony lies at the heart of everything, from politics […]
Russia and Africa Resolved on Concrete Actions in Trade and Investment
By Kester Kenn Klomegah MOSCOW (IDN) – After the first Russia-Africa Summit in the Black Sea city Sochi on October 23-24, Russia and Africa have resolved to move from mere intentions to concrete actions in raising the current bilateral trade and investment to appreciably higher levels in the coming years. As a first step, Russia […]
Military Attack Striking Students at Famed Ugandan University
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – As shocking images were viewed around the world of Ugandan police and soldiers beating and gassing students at the renowned Makerere University, President Yoweri Museveni was forced to acknowledge that his security forces were out of control. “The military is not trained to quell demonstrations,” […]