Chinese fishing fleets in Indian Ocean accused of abuses
5/5/2024: A recent investigation has revealed evidence that China's distant-water fishing fleet commits environmental and labour abuses in the southwest Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa. The report by the Environmental Justice Foundation also finds that entering a fishing zone reserved for local fishers is another common illegal behaviour.
Source: DW
Amnesty report unhappy with African states on human rights
4/5/2024: In its annual international report Amnesty International says that African governments continue to be largely indifferent to calls to tackle impunity over human rights, thereby disregarding the rule of law. Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Kenya are named in the report.
Source: The East African
2024 World Press Freedom Index – journalism under political pressure
3/5/2024: Of the five indicators used to compile the rankings in the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, it is the political indicator that has fallen most. The Index reveals a worrying decline in support and respect for media autonomy and an increase in pressure from the state or other political actors.
Source: Reporters Without Borders
Tensions rise over new climate finance goal
25/4/2024: Updating the $100 billion annual climate finance promise for poorer countries is the most important decision expected to be taken at this year’s climate summit. Negotiators remain at odds over how large the overall sum should be, and whether the list of donor countries should include China.
Source: Climate Home News
UK-Rwanda asylum law: UN leaders warn of harmful consequences
23/4/2024: Following the passage of the “Safety of Rwanda” Bill by the UK Parliament, the UN High Commissioners for Refugees and for Human Rights point out that it changes nothing about conditions in Rwanda. They fear that the Bill will restrict the UK courts from proper scrutiny of removal decisions, leaving asylum-seekers with limited room to appeal.
Source: The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Global military spending surges amid war and insecurity
22/4/2024: Total global military expenditure reached $2,443 billion in 2023, an increase of 6.8 per cent in real terms from 2022. This was the steepest year-on-year increase since 2009 according to new data on global military spending published today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Source: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Europe’s indifference to Rwanda’s atrocities is costing Congolese lives
19/4/2024: A decade ago, Europe responded to Rwanda’s incursions into the Democratic Republic of Congo with sanctions. Today, it’s turning a blind eye – with devastating consequences for the Congolese. Rwanda continues to receive unprecedented sums from Europe and the UK for development, despite evidence that the M23 rebel group has again led a military assault in eastern DRC.
Source: African Arguments
War in Sudan is ‘a crisis of epic proportions’ as atrocities abound
19/4/2024: Top UN and African Union officials have warned the Security Council that the world must rethink the way it supports the Sudanese people. Efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in the year-long war have been hampered by the support that rival armies obtain from outside Sudan, flouting the Council’s sanctions regime. Meanwhile, extreme food insecurity has prompted UN agencies to launch a famine prevention plan.
Source: UN News
Mixed results in UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for all
19/4/2024: The global population with access to electricity has increased from 87 per cent to 91 per cent since 2015 but this progress has not been shared equitably. The goal of energy for all requires more funding and international cooperation.
Source: UN News
Global billionaires’ tax rises up political agenda
19/4/2024: The finance ministers of Brazil and France are promoting a tax on US-dollar billionaires of at least 2% of their wealth each year, with the $250 billion it could raise going to tackle poverty, hunger and climate change. A proposal will be presented to G20 finance ministers when they meet in July.
Source: Climate Home News