Tag: UN

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-Top News Afghanistan PAKISTAN

TALIB SUPPORT: Pak on Damage Control Mission At UN Forum

Led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan may send a jumbo delegation of nearly 40 diplomats to counter the widely-held perception that it has positioned top guns in the Haqqani network at the core of the Taliban regime. ..reports Rahul Kumar

Slammed for its blatant interference in micro-managing a pro-Pakistan government in Afghanistan, Pakistan has begun a major to damage control exercise rescue its reputation. Islamabads riposte includes a major diplomatic offensive at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to counter the widely-held perception that it has positioned top guns in the Haqqani network — known for engaging in international terrorism — at the core of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan.

Led by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan may send a jumbo delegation of nearly 40 diplomats to New York.

The 76th session of the UNGA, which will commence on September 14, will see as many as 83 heads of state, according to Volkan Bozkir, the current President of the UNGA. The face-to-face meeting assumes importance this year as the previous session had to be converted into an online meeting due to the pandemic.

Highly placed sources say, the Pakistani delegation will be led by Khan with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and foreign secretary Sohail Mahmood accompanying him. The other diplomats will be from its UN missions as well as its foreign ministry.

Imran Khan is slated to address the UNGA on September 24.

Also, top of the agenda are bilateral meetings to be held between September 21-24. These include meetings with the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres; the newly-elected president of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid and Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yousef Al-Othaimeen.

ALSO READ: Pakistan aims better start with Mullah Akhund as Afghan PM

Pakistan is believed to be fixing up bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of global powers–USA, Russia and China as well as with important Islamic nations Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, besides other countries.

Sources say that Pakistan is reaching out for meetings with other nations like the UK, Maldives–which will take over the UNGA presidentship, Ireland which holds the presidentship of the Security Council for the current month and a number of European nations.

This year’s UNGA meeting has been carefully planned as an in-person meeting after fear last year due to the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Washington has requested the UN to keep the meeting low profile due to the threat from the Delta variant of the coronavirus. The UN mission has already sent a letter to the 192 member nations to address the meeting through video mode instead of sending their delegations which might lead to organising side events. However, despite US protestations and warnings, well over 80 heads of states are planning to address the UNGA.

Experts believe that besides discussions on the Afghan situation and matters over recognition to the Taliban government, there could be high-level events on climate change and energy, food security, vaccines and racism.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

ALSO READ: Free Balochistan protest held against Pakistan in Hanover

ALSO READ: Beijing, Islamabad Target Hostile Militant Groups in Afghanistan

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-Top News Environment World News

UN urges immediate action to cool ‘season of fire and floods’

With “bold and decisive steps” towards a net-zero global economy by 2050, Mohammed said that the world could still limit global warming to within 1.5 degrees…reports Asian Lite News.

The United Nations (UN) on Monday underlined the importance of limiting temperature rise to the internationally agreed goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In the wake of extreme weather events increasingly impacting countries across the world, the annual UN climate conference will take place in Glasgow in November.

The entire planet is going through a season of fire and floods, primarily hurting fragile and vulnerable populations in rich and poor countries alike, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed told a high-level meeting on climate action.

Speaking via video message to the Dialogue on Accelerating Adaptation Solutions Ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the deputy UN chief noted already-visible impacts with a 1.2-degree rise.

“Countries and populations worldwide — particularly those most vulnerable and least responsible for the climate crisis — will experience even more devastating consequences,” she warned.

“The effects will reverberate through economies, communities and ecosystems, erasing development gains, deepening poverty, increasing migration and exacerbating tensions,” she added.

With “bold and decisive steps” towards a net-zero global economy by 2050, Mohammed said that the world could still limit global warming to within 1.5 degrees.

“Acting now is a question of climate justice. And we have the solutions,” she said, calling for a “massively scaled-up investment” in adaptation and resilience, and stressing the importance of simplifying rules and easing access for underprivileged countries, especially those in Africa.

With less than 80 days to COP26, the deputy UN chief urged the participants to “act boldly now for people and planet before it’s too late.”

ALSO READ-Climate & Environment minister visits ‘The Sustainable City’

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-Top News World News

Guterres ready to speak with Taliban

He said that the only leverage the international community has with the Taliban is its quest for legitimacy and all nations should be united and “speak with one voice” to be able to use this bargaining power…reports Asian Lite News.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that he is ready to talk to the Taliban that has taken over Afghanistan amid fears of widepread human rights abuses.

“I’m ready to speak myself when it is clear with whom should I speak, for what purpose,” he said on Thursday at a briefing for reporters.

While answering a question about contacts with the Taliban, he said, “I have not spoken myself, but our people in Afghanistan are in close contact with the Taliban and very strongly conveying that message” of respect for human rights and preventing the use of the territory by terrorists.

Guterres said that he was in touch with Qatar, which has facilitated talks between the Taliban, the previous Afghan government and other countries and is now working on getting an inclusive government installed in Kabul.

“I was in close contact yesterday, the day before yesterday, with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar (Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani),” Guterres said. “We are following the Qatar Initiative and supporting it. Let’s hope that there will be a way for an inclusive government in Afghanistan.”

He said that the only leverage the international community has with the Taliban is its quest for legitimacy and all nations should be united and “speak with one voice” to be able to use this bargaining power.

The conditions that the Taliban would have to meet for recognition are “full respect for human rights, and, in particular, the question of women’s rights,” allowing the evacuation of people in danger, and assuring that the territory is never be used again by any terrorist organisation, he said.

Asked if he would seek from the Council a broader mandate in Afghanistan, Guterres said that it has to be reviewed but that it would depend on how the situation develops there.

“If we are successful on this (of getting Taliban agreement on the terms), I think there is a perspective for a renewal of the (Security Council) mandate with one kind of characteristics. If things go wrong, of course, we will have to look into a mandate adapted to whatever will come,” he said.

ALSO READ-Imran asks ministers to keep mum on Taliban takeover

READ MORE-Taliban and China stand on the same platform

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-Top News Asia News

UN concerned over humanitarian situation in Yemen

Heavy rains and flooding in Yemen have affected at least 28,000 people, according to initial estimates….reports Asian Lite News

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) expressed concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Yemen as a result of flooding and rise in Covid-19 cases.

Heavy rains and flooding in Yemen have affected at least 28,000 people, according to initial estimates. Humanitarian partners on the ground are conducting assessments and providing assistance, including shelter, food and health care, said OCHA, Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 cases have increased over recent days, triggering fears that the country is entering a third wave, it said.

So far, just over 310,000 vaccine doses have been administered, meaning that only 1 percent of the population has got their first dose. This takes place against a backdrop of dire humanitarian needs, conflict and the threat of famine, said OCHA.

More than half of Yemenis are facing crisis levels of food insecurity, and 5 million people are one step away from famine. As the value of the Yemeni rial continues to plummet, more and more Yemenis are being pushed to the brink, it said.

The $3.85-billion humanitarian response plan for Yemen is currently only 47 per cent funded. And most of the money available will run out in September, said OCHA. “Additional and predictable funding is urgently needed so that people can continue receiving the lifesaving assistance they need.”

ALSO READ: Yemen PM, US envoy discuss ceasefire initiative

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-Top News Afghanistan Asia News

UN Seeks Probe As Taliban Attack Kabul Compound

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

As the Taliban engaged in fierce clashes with Afghan security forces in Herat on July 30, the UN’s main compound in the city came under attack by rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called on the Taliban to undertake a full investigation and provide answers concerning a recent attack on its compound in Herat province.

As the Taliban engaged in fierce clashes with Afghan security forces in Herat on July 30, the UN’s main compound in the city came under attack by rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire, according to the UNAMA.

The Taliban is responsible for 2,978 civilian casualties (917 killed, and 2,061 injured) in the first six months of 2021. The war tactics by the Taliban include the use of IEDs, rocket fires, target killing, and ground battles

“So-called ‘anti-Government elements’ targeted entrances of the clearly marked UN facility with rocket-propelled grenades and gunfire just hours after Taliban fighters penetrated Herat city and clashed with Afghan security forces near UNAMA’s provincial headquarters,” the mission added.

The mission wrote on Twitter that perpetrators for “the attack that killed an Afghan guard needs to be held accountable”.

  Herat has been the scene of heavy fighting since early July 28 after Taliban launched a massive attack and tried to overrun the Afghan city.

  On Sunday, battles in the city resumed and entered its fourth day after reinforcement joined Afghan security forces and local Public Uprising Forces to prevent Taliban from advancing.

Civilian casualties

As many as 1,677 civilians were killed and 3,644 more were injured in Afghanistan in the first six months of this year, showing an 80 per cent increase of casualties compared to the same period in 2020, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) said.

According to the AIHRC report , these killings took place in 1,594 different security incidents.

“Important to note that the total number of civilian casualties in the first six months of 2020 was

2,957, including 1,213 killed and 1,744 injured. A comparison of the abovementioned figures shows that civilian casualties have increased by 80 per cent in the first six months of 2021 compared with the first six months of 2020,” the report said.

The number of women civilian casualties in the first six months of 2021 is 504 in total which includes 154 killed, and 350 injured. The number of women civilian casualties in the first six months of 2020 was 297 in total which included 126 killed, and 171 injured.

According to AIHRC findings from armed conflicts in the country, out of the total number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan in the first six months of 2021, the Taliban is responsible for 56 per cent, pro-government forces are responsible for 15 per cent, Daesh is responsible for seven per cent, and unknown perpetrators are responsible for 22 per cent.

The Taliban is responsible for 2,978 civilian casualties (917 killed, and 2,061 injured) in the first six months of 2021. The war tactics by the Taliban include the use of IEDs, rocket fires, target killing, and ground battles, the report said.

The number of civilian casualties by the Taliban in the first six months of 2021 compared with the

same period in the previous year has been doubled. The Taliban was responsible for 1,438 civilian casualties (542 killed, and 896 injured) in the first six months of 2020.

Unknown perpetrators were responsible for another 1,190 civilian deaths and injuries in the first half of this year, including 425 civilians killed and 765 civilians injured. These attacks have not been claimed by any groups or individuals..

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-Top News PAKISTAN World News

India cautions UN on nomenclature of terrorism

Recalling that the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy was adopted by consensus 15 years ago, Amb Tirumurti said it was a major step forward in maintaining and achieving international peace and security…reports Asian Lite News.

India has cautioned that 20 years after the 9/11 terror attacks, there are attempts to divide terrorism into different categories by adopting new terminologies under the guise of ‘emerging threats’ such as racially and ethnically-motivated violent extremism, violent nationalism, right wing extremism etc.

Participating in the General Debate on the Adoption of Resolution on 7th Review of Global Counter Terrorism Strategy (GCTS), India’s Permanent representative to the United Nations TS Tirumurti said, “Do not take us back to the era of ‘Your Terrorists’ and ‘My Terrorists’”.

Reminding that before 9/11 happened, the world was divided into “Your Terrorists” or “My Terrorists”, he stated, it was only after 9/11 that we accepted that terrorism in one part of the world can directly impact another part of the world and we all came together to fight terrorism collectively.

“20 years later, we are now seeing attempts to divide us once again by adopting new terminologies under the guise of “emerging threats” such as racially and ethnically-motivated violent extremism, violent nationalism, right wing extremism, etc,” India’s Permanent Representative to UN noted.

“I do hope that member states do not forget history and divide terrorism again into different categories and take us back to the era of “Your Terrorists” and “My Terrorists” and erase the gains we have had over the last two decades,” he warned.

Recalling that the Global Counter Terrorism Strategy was adopted by consensus 15 years ago, Amb Tirumurti said it was a major step forward in maintaining and achieving international peace and security.

“The international community acknowledged that the threat of terrorism is grave and universal, and can only be defeated by collective efforts of all UN member states, without any exception,” India’s envoy to UN stated.

“It was agreed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be condemned, there cannot be any exception or justification for any act of terrorism, regardless of motivations behind such acts, and wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed,” he explained.

“It was also recognized that the menace of terrorism cannot be and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group,” Ambassador Tirumurti highlighted.

“However, it is essential for all member states to not only not squander the gains of what we have achieved so far but also ensure that we do not give the slightest opportunity to provide excuses or justification for terrorism, thereby diminishing our collective fight,” he warned.

“Justifying terrorism in any way, whether on grounds of religion, ideology, ethnicity or race, will only provide the necessary fodder for terrorists to enhance their activities even more,” India’s permanent representative to UN said.

Today, the most serious threats of terrorism, include the misuse of internet and social media for terrorist propaganda, radicalization and recruitment of cadre; misuse of new payment methods such as block-chain currencies, payment wallets, crowd funding platforms for financing of terrorism.

The serious threats of terrorism also include misuse of emerging technologies such as Drones, 3D printing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics for terrorist purposes have emerged and warrants collaborative actions from all member states.

Acknowledging that the matter of religious “phobias” finds mention in the current document, he said we are once again constrained to point out that this listing has been selective and confined only to the three Abrahamic religions.

Terrorism.

Ambassador Tirumurti pointed out that the august body has once again failed to acknowledge the rise of hatred and violent terrorist attacks against other religions, inter alia, Buddhism, Sikhism and Hinduism.

He said there needs to make a distinction between countries which are pluralistic and those which resort to sectarian violence and trample over minority rights.

The continued absence of a universally agreed definition of terrorism is detrimental to our shared goal of eliminating it. The current strategy fails to resolve the stalemate preventing the adoption of a comprehensive convention on international terrorism, which India has championed.

ALSO READ-‘Some leveraging cyber skills for cross-border terrorism’

READ MORE-SCO nations vow to cooperate against terrorism

(India News Network)

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-Top News India News

Indian envoy to UN co-hosts special event on 2030 agenda

The event held on June 23 – Accelerating Citizen-Centric Energy Transition – was co-hosted with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy…reports Asian Lite News

Ambassador of India to United Nations T S Tirumurti has expressed happiness over co-hosting a special event at the United Nations HLDE 2021 on India’s efforts to achieve the 2030 agenda.

The event held on June 23 – Accelerating Citizen-Centric Energy Transition – was co-hosted with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) at UN’s High-level Dialogue on Energy 2021.

“Delighted to co-host with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), “Accelerating Citizen-Centric Energy Transition” -Special event at United Nation HLDE 2021 on India’s efforts to achieve 2030 Agenda. India selected Global Champion for Energy Transition Track. Only G20 member on course for Paris Agreement target,” the Ambassador said in a tweet on Friday.

According to a UN statement on June 23, countries that hosted the programme along with India included Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Nigeria, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

“The global effort to mobilize actions and commitments to achieve clean, affordable energy for all by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050 is accelerating. At the Ministerial Thematic Forums taking place this week–a major milestone on the road to the High-level Dialogue on Energy–new commitments and plans have been announced by countries, businesses, youth, civil society groups and foundations that show greater resolve to ensure that everyone has access to clean, renewable energy and to reach net-zero emissions,” the statement said. (ANI)

ALSO READ: ‘India can be global leader in green buildings’

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-Top News Technology

India refutes UN concerns on IT rules

The Rapporteurs from the Special Procedures Branch of the Human Rights Council had said that the new IT rules do not conform to human rights norms…reports Asian Lite News.

Highlighting that India’s democratic credentials are well recognised, India’s Permanent Mission to United Nations in Geneva on Sunday strongly refuted concerns raised by UN Special Rapporteurs on India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Noting that the right to freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed under the Indian Constitution, the Indian Mission said that an independent judiciary and a robust media are part of India’s democratic structure.

The mission was responding to a joint communication from the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy.

The Rapporteurs from the Special Procedures Branch of the Human Rights Council had said that the new IT rules do not conform to human rights norms.

According an official Indian statement quoting a letter from the Indian Permanent Mission to UN in Geneva, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting undertook broad consultations in 2018 with various stakeholders.

This included individuals, civil society, industry association and organizations and invited public comments to prepare the draft Rules, the Indian Mission told the UN Council.

Thereafter an inter-ministerial meeting had discussed in detail the comments received in detail and, accordingly, the Rules were finalized, it added.

Discussing the salient features of India’s IT Rules, 2021, Indian Mission said the rules are designed to empower ordinary users of social media.

The victims of abuse at social media platforms shall have a forum for redressal of their grievances, it said drawing attention of the concerned special rapporteurs.

The Indian Permanent Mission to UN in Geneva recalled the enactment of new IT Rules had become necessary due to widespread concerns about issues relating to increased instances of abuse of social media and digital platforms.

Such abuse included inducement for recruitment of terrorists, circulation of obscene content, spread of disharmony, financial frauds, incitement of violence, public order etc. it added.

The Indian Mission to UN in Geneva called the concerns alleging potential implications for freedom of expression that the new IT Rules will entail as highly misplaced.

On the traceability of the first originator of the information, it may be noted that the new IT Rules seeks only limited information, it explained.

Criticise us but don’t lecture us on democracy: Ravi Shankar Prasad on Twitter’s non-compliance with new IT Rules. (ANI)

Only when a message already in public circulation is giving rise to violence, impinging on the unity and integrity of India, depicting a woman in a bad light, or sexual abuse of a child and when no other intrusive options are working, only then the significant social media intermediary will be required to disclose as to who started the message, clarified the Indian Mission.

The concern that the Rules may be misused deliberately to make a large number of complaints so as to overwhelm the grievance redressal mechanisms created by social media platforms is also misplaced, exaggerated and disingenuous and shows lack of willingness to address the grievances of the users of these media platforms while using their data to earn revenues, it added.

The Government of India fully recognises and respects the right of privacy, as pronounced by the Supreme Court of India in K.S. Puttusamy case, India’s Permanent Mission informed in the letter.

Privacy is the core element of an individual’s existence and, in light of this, the new IT Rules seeks information only on a message that is already in circulation that resulted in an offence, it added.

The Rules have framed in exercise of the statutory powers of the IT Act, fully taking into account the principles of reasonableness and proportionality, the Indian High Commission said in the letter.

It may be recalled that the UN Special Rapporteurs had written to Indian government saying that the IT Rules, 2021 notified by India do not confirm to the human rights norms.

In the Mandates of the Special Rapporteurs, they also “recalled” in a report that restrictions to freedom of expression must never be invoked as a justification for the muzzling of any advocacy of multi-party democracy, democratic tenets and human rights. (INN)

ALSO READ-Govt refuses to exempt mainstream media from new IT Rules

READ MORE-UN experts voice concern over new IT rules

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-Top News China USA

Need to fight against China’s influence in UN: US Official

Thomas-Greenfield said Washington paying its UN dues was a first step to countering China’s growing UN influence…reports Asian Lite News

The United States needs to “fight” against Chinese harmful influence in the United Nations and needs to build an alliance to investigate the source of COVID-19 as well address human rights abuses in Xinjiang, a senior US official told Congress.

“They exert enormous influence in the United Nations, and it’s malign … influence that promotes an authoritarian approach to multilateralism,” US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “We need to fight that every step of the way.”

Greenfield said that the United States shied away from multilateral engagement in the last four years, as a result, Beijing and other countries have taken leadership posts at a number of inter-governmental organisations.

“During the last four years, the United States shied away from multilateral engagement, ceding America’s historic leadership and damaging our standing with the international community,” said Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York and the committee’s chairman.

ALSO READ: India re-charts its economic ties with China

Thomas-Greenfield said Washington paying its UN dues was a first step to countering China’s growing UN influence, even as Washington pushes for reforms at the 75-year organisation. Beijing has repeatedly chided Washington over its arrears.

China has moved aggressively to boost its influence at the global body, securing top positions for its nationals at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the International Telecommunication Union and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation as well as junior spots within the UN Secretariat.

“We are regularly engaged on the genocide issue of the Uygurs and raising that at the Security Council,” she told the committee.

“I’m also appalled that we have to sit next to some of the world’s worst human rights abusers, when we’re sitting in the council,” she added. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Pentagon flags China’s increasing military activities

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-Top News Asia News World

Pak diplomats in Geneva face rights abuse charges

The Swissinfo reported that Pakistani officials misused the legitimation card, a special card that diplomats give to their employees and that is issued by the Swiss mission. The officials forced them to agree to work more than 10 hours a week without any compensation

Pakistani embassy diplomats in Geneva have been accused of not paying six Filipino workers for more than 20 years, Swissinfo reported.

These workers accuse the Pakistani mission of violating an assurance. As per the deal, they are eligible to get a proper wage, accommodation and social security.

The Swissinfo reported that Pakistani officials misused the legitimation card, a special card that diplomats give to their employees and that is issued by the Swiss mission. The officials forced them to agree to work more than 10 hours a week without any compensation.

They had to work for other people also to make enough money to survive in a city like Geneva.

A formal complaint has been filed at the Geneva Public Prosecutor’s Office with the assistance from Inter-professional Trade Union.

“For decades, these domestic workers have been silenced by their fear of losing their residence status,” Mirella Falco, head of the SIT workers union, told Swissinfo. “If they are dismissed, they have two months to find another diplomatic employer. If not, they have no choice but to leave or go underground.”

Employees have petitioned Switzerland’s Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis through SIT. In their letter, they expressed their displeasure with the atrocities they had endured and requested the support from Switzerland.

The union is encouraging the government to take steps to put a halt to these abuses, including tightening the regulations governing working conditions and residence permits in the diplomatic community.