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Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks’ Meeting With Indian NSA Ajit Doval, discusses bilateral ties

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Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks’ Meeting With Indian NSA Ajit Doval, discusses bilateral ties

Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks’ Meeting With Indian NSA Ajit Doval, discusses bilateral ties

Diplomat Times (Washington)- Deputy Secretary of Defense Dr. Kathleen Hicks met with Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval in Washington, D.C., today to discuss priorities for the U.S.-India bilateral defense partnership, to include strengthening policy and operational coordination in the Indo-Pacific region and increasing defense industrial cooperation between the two countries.

Deputy Secretary Hicks reiterated that building alliances and partnerships are a top priority for the department, and integral to the ongoing implementation of the U.S. National Defense Strategy.

The deputy secretary thanked NSA Doval for India’s leadership in the region and discussed avenues to deepen coordination between the U.S. and Indian militaries to address the region’s increasingly contested strategic environment.

The two also discussed opportunities to increase bilateral defense industrial cooperation through innovative joint endeavors between U.S. and Indian firms that support India’s unique operational requirements.

Deputy Secretary Hicks and National Security Advisor Doval said they look forward to making progress toward advancing the U.S-India defense partnership.

NSA Ajit Doval and US NSA Jake Sullivan launch India-US initiative on iCET

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NSA Ajit Doval and US NSA Jake Sullivan launch India-US initiative on iCET
Diplomat Times (WDC)-  NSA Ajit Doval on Tuesday met his US NSA Jake Sullivan to launch the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). The Indian Embassy in the United States has provided the information on its official Twitter handle.

The launch of the India-US initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his American counterpart Jake Sullivan is an important signal that the two countries are ready to break down barriers, foster ties in technology and bolster defence cooperation, experts said.

President Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) in May 2022 to elevate and expand our strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of our two countries.

The United States and India affirm that the ways in which technology is designed, developed, governed, and used should be shaped by our shared democratic values and respect for universal human rights. We are committed to fostering an open, accessible, and secure technology ecosystem, based on mutual trust and confidence, that will reinforce our democratic values and democratic institutions.

Today, the two National Security Advisors led the inaugural meeting of the iCET in Washington, DC. They were joined on the U.S. side by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Executive Secretary of the National Space Council, and senior officials from the Department of State, Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and the National Security Council.

On the Indian side, the Ambassador of India to the United States, the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, the Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications, the Scientific Advisor to the Defense Minister, the Director General of the Defense Research and Development Organization, and senior officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the National Security Council Secretariat participated.

The two sides discussed opportunities for greater cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, co-development and coproduction, and ways to deepen connectivity across our innovation ecosystems. They noted the value of establishing “innovation bridges” in key sectors, including through expos, hackathons, and pitch sessions.

They also identified the fields of biotechnology, advanced materials, and rare earth processing technology as areas for future cooperation.

“The holding of the inaugural iCET meeting between the Indian and US National Security Advisors is a major milestone for the relationship and signals that the two sides are ready to break down barriers to closer technology and defense cooperation,” Lisa Curtis, Senior Fellow and Director of the Indo-Pacific Security Programme at Centre for New American Security told PTI.

Curtis, a former CIA official, was deputy assistant to the president and NSC senior director for South and Central Asia from 2017 to 2021, during which she played a key role in shaping India-US ties.

“The launch of iCET is a pivotal moment in the US-India partnership,” Mukesh Aghi, president of US India Strategic and Partnership Forum (USISPF) told PTI. Completing the work on the long-awaited NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) earth observation satellite is an excellent example of how the US-India partnership in space can benefit the world.

The United States and India look forward to the next iCET meeting in New Delhi later in 2023. The National Security Councils of both countries will coordinate with their respective ministries, departments and agencies to work with their counterparts to advance cooperation, and to engage with stakeholders to deliver on ambitious objectives ahead of the next meeting.

The United States and India underlined their commitment to working to resolve issues related to regulatory barriers and business and talent mobility in both countries through a standing mechanism under iCET

 

South Korea President Yoon hosts New Year’s luncheon for Diplomats in Korea

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South Korea President Yoon hosts New Year’s luncheon for Diplomats in Korea
South Korea President Yoon hosts New Year’s luncheon for Diplomats in Korea

Diplomat Times (Seoul) – At the presidential office, Senior Secretary to the President for Public Relations Kim Eun-hye told a briefing, “For the New Year’s luncheon for the Diplomatic Corps, President Yoon invited to Yeongbingwan diplomatic envoys and representatives of international organizations based in Korea.”

In his New Year’s address, the president thanked ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in the country for actively working to promote friendly relations with Korea.

For More Diplomat News 

He also asked for continuous support for and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific strategy, the nation’s independent regional diplomatic plan, and policy toward North Korea.

This was the first time for the president to host an invitational event for all foreign diplomats in Korea since his inauguration.

Attending the luncheon were 170 people including ambassadors from 108 countries, leaders of 15 global organizations, and leading government officials like Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and a deputy speaker of the 21st National Assembly.

Tteokguk (soup with thinly sliced rice cake), which is traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day, was served at the luncheon.

Will NATO Secretary’s Visit to South Korea be able to put pressure on North Korea

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Will NATO Secretary’s Visit to South Korea be able to put pressure on North Korea

South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol on Jan. 30 hosted talks with (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on pending issues in international security.

Diplomat Times (Seoul) –The Secretary General and President Yoon agreed on the need to keep pressure on North Korea to abandon its reckless missile and nuclear activities. They also discussed the importance of support for Ukraine’s self-defense, a principle enshrined in the UN Charter. Mr. Stoltenberg praised the Republic of Korea’s principled stance on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as its contributions to NATO’s humanitarian support for Ukraine. Noting that transatlantic and Indo-Pacific security are deeply interconnected, the Secretary General stressed the importance of like-minded democracies standing together to protect the international rules-based order.

Speaking to students at the CHEY Institute for Advanced Studies, Mr. Stoltenberg stressed that “what happens in Europe matters to the Indo-Pacific, and what happens in Asia matters to NATO.” He noted that NATO and the Republic of Korea share common values and concerns and underlined that the Alliance is committed to working with the Republic of Korea and other like-minded partners to promote peace and preserve the international rules-based order.

More About NATO News 

Meeting with Foreign Minister Park Jin on Sunday (29 January 2023), the Secretary General welcomed the Republic of Korea’s new Mission to NATO, which demonstrates the increased importance of the partnership between NATO and the Republic of Korea. The two leaders discussed Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine and shared concerns over North Korea. Mr. Stoltenberg condemned North Korea’s nuclear programme and reckless ballistic missile tests. “We also know that North Korea is providing military support to the Russian war efforts with rockets and missiles, and this just highlights how we are interconnected,” he said. The Secretary General said he looked forward to deepening cooperation between NATO and the Republic of Korea in areas including cyber defense, technology and arms control and non-proliferation.

Earlier on Sunday, the Secretary General laid a wreath at the Seoul National Cemetery in tribute to the thousands of veterans buried there.

Japan, other democracies to defend against China’s threat on international order : NATO

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Japan, other democracies to defend against China’s threat on international order : NATO
Japan, other democracies to defend against China’s threat on international order : NATO

Diplomat Times (Tokyo) – NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg sharply criticized China on Tuesday for “bullying its neighbors and threatening Taiwan” and stressed the need for Japan and other democracies to work together with the alliance to defend the international order.

Calling it a “critical moment for NATO and for Japan,” Stoltenberg, who is visiting Tokyo, said China and Russia are “leading an authoritarian pushback against international rules-based order.”

He said trans-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security are “deeply interconnected,” and a victory by Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine would send a message that authoritarian regimes can achieve their goals through brute force. “This is dangerous,” he said.

“China is watching closely and learning lessons that may influence its future decisions,” Stoltenberg said at a joint news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

“China is substantially building up its military forces including nuclear weapons, bullying its neighbors and threatening Taiwan, trying to control critical infrastructure and spreading misinformation about NATO and the war in Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said. “China is not our adversary, but we must understand the scale of the challenge and work together to address it.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin discusses West’s oil price cap with Iraqi leader – Kremlin

Stoltenberg’s direct criticism of China contrasted with Kishida’s more indirect expression of opposition to any one-sided changes by force to the status quo in the East and South China Seas.

Stoltenberg’s direct criticism of China contrasted with Kishida’s more indirect expression of opposition to any one-sided changes by force to the status quo in the East and South China Seas.

Japan, already a close ally of the United States, has in recent years expanded its military ties with other Indo-Pacific nations as well as with Britain, Europe and NATO amid a growing security threat from China and North Korea.

It was quick to join in U.S.-led economic sanctions against Russia’s war in Ukraine and provided humanitarian aid and non-combative defense equipment for Ukrainians. That was mainly because of Japanese fear that Russian aggression in Europe could be reflected in Asia, where concerns are growing over growing Chinese assertiveness and escalating tensions over its claim to Taiwan.

At the news conference, Kishida welcomed NATO’s deepening interest and engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and announced that Japan will open a delegation office at NATO and plans to regularly attend council meetings and chiefs of defense meetings to promote closer communication between Japan and the alliance.

Kishida said he and Stoltenberg agreed to advance ties in areas such as cyberspace, space, disinformation, and critical and emerging technology.

In a joint statement issued later, the two leaders raised concern about Russia’s growing military cooperation with China, including joint drills around Japan’s coasts. They urged China to cooperate “constructively” with international efforts for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, and stressed the importance of “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met the Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Dmytro Kuleba

Japan’s government issued a new national security strategy in December stating its determination to build up its military and deploy long-range missiles to preempt enemy attacks, in a major break from its post-World War II principle that limited itself to self-defense. Japan also plans to nearly double its defense spending over five years and hopes to further ease restrictions on arms exports to strengthen its defense industry.

Japan, already a close ally of the United States, has in recent years expanded its military ties with other Indo-Pacific nations, Britain, Europe and NATO. — AP

On Wednesday, the Secretary General will meet with other senior officials, including Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. He will also deliver a speech to students at Keio University.

World Environment Council’s second environment award ceremony concluded in New Delhi

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World Environment Council’s second environment award ceremony concluded in New Delhi

Diplomat Times (New Delhi) – World Environment Council Delhi’s 2nd Environment Awards ceremony was successfully organized at India International Centre, Lodhi Garden, New Delhi.
On this auspicious occasion, many eminent environmentalists of India were honored with Paryavaran Bhushan, Paryavaran Shri and other national and international awards.
Awards were given to the excellently inspiring children’s/youth’s/people’s selfless work in the areas of environment protection and awareness in various states of India. Especially Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma was honored for his comprehensive work. The National Environment Awareness Award was given to 20 conscious workers across the country for their social service, education and research.
‘Paryavaran Bhushan’ and ‘Paryavaran Shri’ awards were given to the extraordinary work done in the field of water literacy and security by some truly Indian citizens at the national and international level.
All the awards were included with Medal, Trophy and Certificates. Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma, The Director of Biotech Council, Pant Nagar, Uttarakhand is an active science communicator. His exemplary and excellent work was appreciated by Padmashree awardee Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi. Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma expressed his gratitude towards the blessings of his parents and the guidance of teachers and elders as a source of inspiration for his achievement.
Professor Ganesh Channa, the founder-chairman of the World Environment Council, spoke with Diplomat Times Correspondent that the World Environment Council has been doing extensive work in the field of environmental protection at the world level for the past several years and has been partnering with the United Nations Council (UNESCO) in many environmental programs.
Among the ‘Environment Bhushan’ award winners were veteran environmentalists like Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi and Dr. Shivvaran Shukla.
Among the ‘Environment Shri’ award winning environmentalists were Shri. Vinay Kansal, Mr. Ajit Gokhale, Smt. Chitralekha Vaidya, Sh. Ramesh Goyal, Mr. Jagat Singh Chowdhary, Mr. There were environmental activists like Prashant Bhave. Honorees of the International Environment Awareness Awards include Mrs. Arna Wadhawan and Mr. Niranjan Dev was Bhardwaj.
In the ‘National Environment Awareness’ awards, Mr. Dheerajkumar, Mr. Amitkumar, Mr. Neeraj Wankhede, Mr. Vijay Patil, Smt. Geeta Venkatesan, Sh. Sachin Shinde, Mrs. Jaya Mishra, Dr. Vinay Agarwal, Dr. Manindra Mohan Sharma, Kumari Iha Dixit, St. Francis School were involved.
Dr. Meera Mishra and Shri. Nagraj Vannal were honored with Social Excellence Award. Mr. Shrikant Bhimashankar Gote contributed his service as an anchor of this national level award ceremony .

Dubai’s Kanoo Group Sees Opportunities to Invest in India, China

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Dubai’s Kanoo Group Sees Opportunities to Invest in India, China

Dubai’s Kanoo Group Sees Opportunities to Invest in India, China

Bloomberg- Kanoo Group is benefitting from a strong rebound in the United Arab Emirates’ economy.

Dubai-based conglomerate Kanoo Group is looking at opportunities to invest across the Middle East, and in India and China next year, tapping growing economies with strong returns, according to Chairman Mishal Kanoo.

The family-owned company, with interests spanning shipping, real estate, financial services and energy, sees potential in sectors including artificial intelligence and clean energy, Kanoo said in an interview with Bloomberg TV on Friday. “Each country has a different industry that they are really good at.”

Kanoo Group, which is benefitting from a strong rebound in the United Arab Emirates’ economy and higher oil prices earlier this year, is also holding internal talks about whether to sell units of the business in an initial public offering.

“There are some benefits of going public because then there is more structure, more governance and more regulatory oversight,” he said. “On the other hand we also have issues we do as a family that we couldn’t do anymore and we’d have to be much more transparent, which a lot of families might not be ready for at this present time.”

If Kanoo Group were to go ahead with an offering, the company would likely sell shares division by division, he said. But, currently a share sale is unlikely, he said.

The Middle East has emerged as a hotspot for initial public offerings, buoyed by rising oil prices and investor inflows at the start of the year. More than $20 billion has been raised so far from share sales, putting the region on course for its second-best year on record “- eclipsed only by 2019, which saw Aramco’s $29.4 billion IPO, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

About Kanoo Group 

Established in 1890, Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (YBA Kanoo) started from a humble trading and shipping enterprise founded in Bahrain by Haji Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo. From Bahrain, the business spread to Saudi Arabia in the 1930s.

In 1967, Hamed Kanoo came from Saudi Arabia to the UAE to expand the family business. Having successfully established Yusuf Bin Ahmed Kanoo (YBA Kanoo)’s operations in Khafji in the Kingdom, the company asked him to replicate the same in the UAE too. With only 5 people, including him, Hamed Kanoo put-up The Kanoo Group as a trade name in the UAE Map.

At present, The Kanoo Group operates in the UAE and Oman, with Mishal Hamed Kanoo serving as the Chairman, and over 1,200 employees working for its divisions.

The Kanoo family remained true to their early values. This adherence to ethics and beliefs made them an essential component of the regional business life.

After successfully establishing YBA Kanoo’s operations in Khafji in Saudi Arabia, late Hamed Kanoo was asked to conquer the UAE market as well. Hamed, along with 4 other members, successfully put the Kanoo name in the UAE Map in 1967—making him the Founding Father of The Kanoo Group.

One of the first industries that Kanoo excelled at was shipping. No one could have predicted that it would challenge the monopoly of long-established British companies and would become the largest regional shipping agency in the Middle East. Kanoo Shipping is one of the founders of S5 Agency World Ltd. and was the first Arab shipping agency in the region in 1911. At present, Kanoo Shipping operates in 20 countries and in all principal ports and offshore tanker loading terminals around the Arabian Peninsula, including Iraq. It handles 20,000 port calls every year, which covers all ports in the Suez to India range.

 

Bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed at UN headquarters : Minister of MEA (GOI) Jaishankar was present along with UN Secretary at Inauguration Ceremony

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Bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed at UN headquarters : Minister of MEA (GOI) Jaishankar was present along with UN Secretary at Inauguration Ceremony
Bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed at UN headquarters : Minister of MEA (GOI) Jaishankar was present along with UN Secretary at Inauguration Ceremony

New York – Bust of Mahatma Gandhi installed at UN headquarters New York.

External Minister  Dr. S. Jaishankar (GOI) was present on this Inauguration Ceremony. The bust of Mahatma Gandhi, which has been placed in the “prestigious” North Lawn of the UN building, is a gift from India to the United Nations as India gets ready for UNSC presidency.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres was present at Inauguration Ceremony for Mahatma Gandhi Bust they have spoken about Mahatma Gandhi.

It’s a great pleasure to join you today to mark the installation of this bust of Mahatma Gandhi. I thank the government and Permanent Mission of India for donating this tribute to one of the giants of the modern age.

My visit to India earlier this year reminded me that there are few people in history who are so aligned with the goals and values of the United Nations as Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi-ji’s anti-imperialist vision was foundational for the United Nations. As the Charter states, our Organization is built on the principle of “equal rights and self-determination of peoples”. Indeed, the drafters of the Charter took great inspiration from Gandhi’s message of peace, non-violence, and tolerance.

Gandhi’s success in mobilizing millions for anti-colonial resistance, while adhering to the principles of non-violence, inspired people across the world.

But Gandhi is not only a historical figure. His visionary ideas and values, including his concern for justice and social transformation, continue to resonate today.

Many of his ideas prefigured the concept of sustainable development – including his view that “poverty is the worst form of violence”. His belief that societies should be judged on their record of uplifting the most vulnerable holds important lessons for today’s leaders.

He renamed those considered “untouchable” as “Harijan” or “Children of God”, and considered the campaign against caste discrimination to be as important as the struggle against colonialism.

Gandhi was one of the first to recognize the dangers of the plunder and destruction of our environment, observing that the earth, the air, the land and the water are not an inheritance from our forefathers, but on loan from our children. He was a famous supporter of sustainable local products like khadi – India’s homespun cotton.

He championed women in politics and rejected discriminatory practices of all kinds.

Gandhi was an uncompromising advocate for peaceful co-existence, non-discrimination, and pluralism.

Recognizing that diversity is one of India’s greatest assets, he strove for harmonious relations between religions, cultures and communities.

The focus of his life was pressing for social and political reform through non-violent resistance, while creating a culture of peace.

His legacy is everywhere, including in the daily work of the United Nations around the world for equality, solidarity and empowerment.

Once again, I thank the Government of India for its generous donation of this bust.

I hope its installation here at the Headquarters of the United Nations will remind us of the values Gandhi upheld, and to which we remain committed.

About the Bust 

The bust, designed by renowned Indian sculptor Padma Shree awardee Ram Sutar, who also designed the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat.

The bust of Mahatma Gandhi is the first Gandhi sculpture to be installed at the United Nations headquarters, which proudly displays gifts and artifacts from all over the world.

The other Indian gift on display at the United Nations Headquarters is an 11th-century black-stone statue of ‘Surya,’ the Sun God, which was donated on July 26, 1982. The statue is dated from the late Pala period and is currently on display in the Conference Building, was given to the UN as a gift by then-Prime Minister late Indira Gandhi. The sculpture was accepted on behalf of the United Nations by then-Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar.

Israel refusal to grant visas to UN staff could impact aid work: UN

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Israel refusal to grant visas to UN staff could impact aid work: UN

Israel refusal to grant visas to UN staff could impact aid work: UN

Middle East – The United Nations expressed concerns, Thursday, that Israel’s refusal to grant entry visas to UN personnel could affect humanitarian work in Palestine, Anadolu News Agency reports.

Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said it could have a significant long-term effect on the humanitarian community’s ability to support Palestinians in need.

“We’re, of course, remaining engaged with the Israeli authorities on this issue and we hope it does get resolved,” he added.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry refused to issue visas to officials from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), accusing employees from the aid agency of “under-counting” the number of Israeli civilians who are killed or injured in “Palestinian terror attacks”.

Israel withheld entry visas for newly appointed personnel of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in the Occupied Territories, Palestinian news agency, Wafa reported. With the latest obstruction, this brings the number of OCHA staff documenting Israeli human rights violations who have been denied entry to 20.

UN spokesperson, Stephane, expressed concerns that this would have significant long-term ramifications on OCHA’s ability and that of the broader humanitarian community to support Palestinians in need. “The impact of this on OCHA’s work in planning the humanitarian response for 2023 is already being felt,” Stephane is reported saying.

The ministry said: “OCHA is accused of reporting the killing or harming of Israeli civilians under disputed circumstances while taking reports of Palestinian casualties at face value and assigning blame to Israel, including in clashes between IDF forces and Palestinian militants.”

 

International Human Rights Day : 10 December 2022

Shasi Kumar
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International Human Rights Day : 10 December 2022

International Human Rights Day : 10 December 2022

New Delhi – Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December annually across the world. This Day came into existence on December 10, 1948, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations. This day is observed every year across the world, as it empowers us all. The day also acknowledges the advocates and defenders of human rights around the world.

The theme of the day:

The theme for Human Rights Day 2021 is “EQUALITY – Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.” This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to ‘Equality’ and Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”

History of the day:

United Nations General Assembly also known as UNGA adopted the UDHR  i.e Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the year 1948 on this very day. This was adopted with an agenda to eradicate the feeling of alienation from any person’s life due to the colour of his/her skin, the background of their community or culture, etc. The movement gained popularity instantly and almost 200,000 human rights stamps were ordered in advance from the United Nations Postal Administration in the year 1952.

Human Rights Speech : By United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk 

Human rights violations anywhere concern all of us, everywhere. As journalists, every day, you play an incredibly important role in ensuring that large-scale human suffering does not go unreported and that the demands of the people are amplified so that those with the power, influence and the funds hear it to make a difference.

You will have seen my statement on Ukraine on Wednesday, and today I want to highlight for you a few other crises. In fact situations that have serious effects, and somehow have been forgotten. But don’t make the headlines.

Among these is Haiti. A crisis that has now actually forced its way back into the headlines. It cannot be ignored. This is a country where armed gangs, reportedly supported by economic and political elites, control more than 60% of the capital. Where some 4.7 million face acute hunger. Since the beginning of this year, a staggering 1,448 people have been killed, 1,145 injured and 1,005 kidnapped by gangs.

And remember that behind each of these numbers are entire families and communities that are torn apart by the violence. Gang members are also using sexual violence to instill fear and exert control over the population, as a report issued in October by the Human Rights Service of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) highlighted.

This is a multifaceted and protracted crisis. But solutions exist. They require political courage and responsibility at a national and international level. The root causes of the crisis, especially social inequalities, rampant corruption, collusion between powerful elites and gang leaders, and endemic impunity, must be addressed.  It is unconscionable that there are people benefiting from this endemic insecurity and the suffering of Haitians.

These – and many other crisis situations that have faded from the headlines – not only have severe consequences for the people directly affected, but are likely to have ripple effects across borders, and risk further de-stabilizing their regions.

One thing they – and so many other crises – have in common is disregard for human rights.

And globally, we are also seeing a crisis of trust. The rise in social movements and protests, across all regions, is a clear sign of the corrosiveness of institutions that are supposed to serve people.

The world cannot afford for its leaders to consider human rights only as an afterthought or – worse – an instrument of geopolitics.

What greater lesson did we glean from COVID-19 – and the climate emergency – than just how interdependent we truly are? That’s really a big lesson.

Via : OHCHR | IHRDF 

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