Archive for ‘Asia’

19/02/2021

‘The World Can Tackle the Climate, Biodiversity and Pollution Crises Together to Secure a Sustainable Future, Prevent Future Pandemics’

Human Wrongs Watch

New UNEP synthesis provides blueprint to urgently solve planetary emergencies and secure humanity’s future

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Pixabay / 18 Feb 2021

Nairobi, 18 February 2021 (UNEP)*The world can transform its relationship with nature and tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises together to secure a sustainable future and prevent future pandemics, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that offers a comprehensive blueprint for addressing our triple planetary emergency.

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17/02/2021

Walmart among US Retail Giants Selling Beef Linked to Amazon Destruction

Human Wrongs Watch

By Andrew Wasley and Alexandra Heal | The Bureau of Investigative Journalism – TRANSCEND Media Service*

Campaigners Call for Major Grocers to Cut Ties with Controversial Brazilian Meat Firm JBS

Walmart, Costco and Kroger are selling Brazilian beef products imported by JBS – the world’s largest meat company – which we previously revealed has been embroiled in a string of deforestation allegations.  

Three of America’s biggest grocery chains are selling Brazilian beef produced by a controversial meat company which has been linked to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest, an investigation by the Bureau has revealed.

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17/02/2021

“Why Was I Ever Born”– Righting the Wrong

Human Wrongs Watch

Dr. Alon Ben-Meir is a professor of international relations at the Center for Global Affairs at NYU. He teaches courses on international negotiation and Middle Eastern studies.

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The US announcement revoking the previous administration’s terrorist designation of Yemen’s Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, will provide “profound relief” to millions in the country, who depend on international assistance and imports for their survival, the UN Spokesperson said on February 7, 2021. Credit: WFP/Reem Nada

NEW YORK, Feb 17 2021 (IPS)* – The bombing continues unabated. The explosions are heard in the distance. A family with seven children is cowering in fear in a corner of their shack, not daring to step out, dreading instant death from shrapnel or a sniper’s bullet.

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17/02/2021

Q&A: Lesbos Lead Contamination

17/02/2021

Myanmar Crisis: ‘Terrified’ UN Rights Human Rights Expert Sounds Alarm ahead of Expected Protests

Human Wrongs Watch

17 February 2021 (UN News)*The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar has warned of the potential for a sharp uptick in violence on Wednesday, as protests continue against the 1 February military takeover of the government. 

Unsplash/Kyle Petzer | A pagoda at dawn in downtown Yangon, the commercial hub of Myanmar.

Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said in a statement that he is “terrified” that violence could break out, as additional soldiers have been deployed in towns and cities, including the commercial hub Yangon, where demonstrations are planned, following reports that a “secretive trial” of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint began on Tuesday [16 February 2021].

“In the past, such troop movements preceded killings, disappearances, and detentions on a mass scale,” he said. 

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16/02/2021

Anti-Asian Violence in US Demands Response

Human Wrongs Watch

By Seashia Vang and Erika Nguyen  Human Rights Watch*

Federal and Local Governments Should Invest in Community Safety

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Decorative lanterns hang above Mott street in Manhattan’s Chinatown district before the start of the Chinese Lunar New Year, New York, NY, February 9, 2021.  © 2021 Photo by Anthony Behar/Sipa via AP Images

Cities across the United States are seeing numerous unprovoked attacks against Asian-Americans, particularly older people, according to a new study by a coalition documenting and addressing anti-Asian hate and discrimination.

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16/02/2021

IP, Vaccine Imperialism Cause Death and Suffering, Delay Recovery

Human Wrongs Watch

SYDNEY and KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 16 2021 (IPS)* – Vaccine developers’ refusal to share publicly funded vaccine research findings is stalling broader, affordable vaccinations which would more rapidly contain COVID-19 contagion. The pandemic had infected at least 109 million people worldwide, causing over 2.4 million deaths as of mid-February.

Anis Chowdhury

Avoidable delays in preventive vaccination are imposing terrible burdens on the world economy and human welfare, with economic disruption demanding more relief and recovery measures. They have cost US$28 trillion in lost output globally, with developed countries contracting by 7% in 2020.

Avoidable vaccination delays
National capacities to cope with the pandemic have been largely determined by means and power.

Thus, access to COVID-19 tests, treatments, personal protective equipment and other pandemic supplies has been severely lacking in most African and other poor countries.

At current vaccination rates, it would take “not one or two years, but six years” to reach 75% global coverage, currently considered the minimum to achieve ‘herd immunity’ against COVID-19.

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16/02/2021

COVID-19, Just One Symptom of the Damages Human Activity Has Caused; Extraction and Consumption of Nature’s Resources Have Also Resulted in Crises of Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss..

UN Environment Assembly sets stage for green recovery

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REUTERS/Pilar Olivares / 15 Feb 2021

15 February 2021 (UNEP)* — In addition to the tragic loss of life, COVID-19 has rolled back decades of progress on poverty, gender and health. It has exposed social and economic inequalities and the inextricable link between human and planetary health.

The pandemic is just one symptom of the damage that human activity has caused. The extraction and consumption of nature’s resources have also resulted in crises of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and growing volumes of pollution and waste.

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15/02/2021

Why Victoria Nuland Is Dangerous and Should Not Be Confirmed

Human Wrongs Watch

By Rick Sterling – TRANSCEND Media Service*

Victoria Nuland exemplifies the neocons who have led US foreign policy from one disaster to another for the past 30 years while evading accountability. It is a bad sign that President Joe Biden has nominated Victoria Nuland for the third highest position at the State Department, Under Secretary for Political Affairs.

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Rick Sterling

As a top-level appointee, Victoria Nuland must be confirmed by the US Senate.  There is a campaign to Stop her confirmation.

The following review of her work shows why Victoria Nuland is incompetent, highly dangerous and should not be confirmed.

Afghanistan and Iraq

From 2000 to 2003, Nuland was US permanent representative to NATO as the Bush administration attacked then invaded Afghanistan. The Afghan government offered to work with the US remove Al Qaeda, but this was rejected.

After Al Qaeda was defeated, the US could have left Afghanistan but instead stayed, established semi-permanent bases, split the country, and is still fighting there two decades later.

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15/02/2021

Remember the Norilsk Oil Spill? Well, the Polluters Will Pay

What happened?

On May 29, 2020 over 20 thousand tons of diesel leaked into the water and soil from a storage tank owned by Norilsk Nickel near Norilsk, turning the Ambarnaya River red. According to official data, the oil spill in Norilsk is the largest ever in the polar Arctic. Norilsk Nickel were taken to a local court for the damage by the Rosprirodnadzor (the Federal Service for the Supervision of Natural Resources), a regulator which is part of the Ministry of Natural Resources in Russia.

© Anonymous / Greenpeace

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