Tension Continues in Tibet's Ngaba, Parliament Appeals to the World: "The delegation expressed deep concern about military blockade imposed on the monastery, which has virtually turned the monastery into a jail. The delegation strongly disapprove it as the most undemocratic and uncivilized action on the part of the Chinese authorities.
'The Tibetan people's freedom of religion is threatened and their human rights grossly violated with over 300 monks forcibly taken away by the para-military forces to some unknown locations,' the delegation said.
'...the government authority instead of listening to the grievances of the people continues to use force and suppress the people', they added.
The appeal letter was send to the Embassy of France, Royal Danish Embassy, High Commission for Britain, Canadian High Commission, Embassy of Republic of Poland, Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium, Embassy of Austria, Embassy of the United States of America, Embassy of the Czech Republic, Australian High Commission, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Royal Norwegian Embassy and European Union Commission.
The foreign Embassies expressed their deep concern about the sufferings of the Tibetan people in Ngaba and assured their full support to bring an end to the repression."
Sept 21, 2015 International Day of Peace Celebration at Lyceum University Cavite, Philippines
Ambassador Zara Bayla Juan, Sailing for Peace #PeaceDay
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tensions escalate over the South China Sea
Tensions escalate over the South China Sea: "Geopolitical and military tensions have heightened sharply over the past four weeks in the South China Sea. China, Taiwan, and the Philippines have each escalated their rhetoric regarding the contested oil-rich Spratly Islands and deployed troops and military equipment to the region.
The Spratly Islands are claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Two-fifths of global sea traffic travels through the South China Sea. Control of the region is of vital strategic interest to both the United States and China.
In February, Forum Energy concluded a two-year survey of the oil and natural gas resources in the region. Philippine President Benigno Aquino gave approval to the corporation, owned by Philippine billionaire and key political ally, Manny Pangilinan, to begin drilling. On March 2, Chinese patrol boats accosted a vessel belonging to Forum Energy in disputed waters. The Philippine Navy sent two jets to confront the Chinese patrol boats. Relations between the Philippines and China worsened with China’s execution of three Filipino drug couriers on March 30."
The Spratly Islands are claimed in whole or in part by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Two-fifths of global sea traffic travels through the South China Sea. Control of the region is of vital strategic interest to both the United States and China.
In February, Forum Energy concluded a two-year survey of the oil and natural gas resources in the region. Philippine President Benigno Aquino gave approval to the corporation, owned by Philippine billionaire and key political ally, Manny Pangilinan, to begin drilling. On March 2, Chinese patrol boats accosted a vessel belonging to Forum Energy in disputed waters. The Philippine Navy sent two jets to confront the Chinese patrol boats. Relations between the Philippines and China worsened with China’s execution of three Filipino drug couriers on March 30."
Groundbreaking Trial for Congo War Crimes - AlertNet
Germany: Groundbreaking Trial for Congo War Crimes - AlertNet: "On May 4, 2011, judges in Stuttgart, Germany, will begin hearing evidence against Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musoni, respectively president and vice president of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (Forces D�mocratiques de Lib�ration du Rwanda, FDLR). The FDLR is a predominately Rwandan Hutu armed group that has been operating in eastern Congo, under various names, since 1994.
'The trial of Murwanashyaka and Musoni is a powerful statement that courts - even thousands of miles away from where the atrocities occurred - can play a decisive role in combating impunity,' said G�raldine Mattioli-Zeltner, international justice advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. 'The German authorities took an important step in carrying out their legal obligation to prosecute these horrific crimes.'
Both men were arrested on November 17, 2009, in Germany, where they had been living for several years. They are charged with 26 counts of crimes against humanity and 39 counts of war crimes allegedly committed by FDLR troops on Congolese territory between January 2008 and November 2009. These charges were brought under the German Code of Crimes Against International Law (CCAIL).They are also charged with belonging to a terrorist group."
'The trial of Murwanashyaka and Musoni is a powerful statement that courts - even thousands of miles away from where the atrocities occurred - can play a decisive role in combating impunity,' said G�raldine Mattioli-Zeltner, international justice advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. 'The German authorities took an important step in carrying out their legal obligation to prosecute these horrific crimes.'
Both men were arrested on November 17, 2009, in Germany, where they had been living for several years. They are charged with 26 counts of crimes against humanity and 39 counts of war crimes allegedly committed by FDLR troops on Congolese territory between January 2008 and November 2009. These charges were brought under the German Code of Crimes Against International Law (CCAIL).They are also charged with belonging to a terrorist group."
Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan endanger journalists, report says
The Canadian Press: Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan endanger journalists, report says: "A report by the International Federation of Journalists said threat levels to journalists also remain high in conflict-ridden areas of India's remote northeast, the Himalayan region of Kashmir and central India, where Maoist rebels have stepped up a decades-old insurgency.
The report titled 'Free Speech in Peril: press freedom in South Asia' also examines the threats and challenges faced by the media in Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives. It was released in New Delhi on Tuesday to mark World Press Freedom Day.
An upsurge in violence in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan has made the region among the most hazardous in the world for reporters, said Sukumar Murlidharan, the report's editor.
'Both sides of the conflict — the Baluch nationalist forces seeking to break free of the federal government, and the army and the paramilitary that have been deployed in strength to defeat the secessionist movement, have been known to pick on journalists with little respect for their status as noncombatants,' Murlidharan said.
He said the situation was the same in Pakistan's north, where killings, abductions and injuries from suicide bombings pose a major threat to reporters, contributing to the death of 14 journalists over the past year."
The report titled 'Free Speech in Peril: press freedom in South Asia' also examines the threats and challenges faced by the media in Bangladesh, Bhutan and the Maldives. It was released in New Delhi on Tuesday to mark World Press Freedom Day.
An upsurge in violence in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan has made the region among the most hazardous in the world for reporters, said Sukumar Murlidharan, the report's editor.
'Both sides of the conflict — the Baluch nationalist forces seeking to break free of the federal government, and the army and the paramilitary that have been deployed in strength to defeat the secessionist movement, have been known to pick on journalists with little respect for their status as noncombatants,' Murlidharan said.
He said the situation was the same in Pakistan's north, where killings, abductions and injuries from suicide bombings pose a major threat to reporters, contributing to the death of 14 journalists over the past year."
TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Philippines
PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines: "TABUK CITY, Kalinga, May 2 (PIA) - - Acting promptly to prevent armed conflict between residents living on the disputed land located at the boundaries of Pinukpuk, Kalinga, and Tuao in Cagayan, the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) decided to dispatch a composite peacekeeping force from the Philippine National Police and the Army to address to address the looming problem.
Barangay Pinococ, whose residents are a mix of Kalingas and Cagayanos, is being claimed by both Pinukpuk and Tuao with each imposing sanctions, which,according to Regional Trial Court staff John Dongui-is, is like a “pill box” that could explode anytime.
Governor Jocel Baac, who is also the PPOC chairman said “we must act now” as he appealed to the committee members to share the burden of peacekeeping in this particular community since the same will become a provincial problem and everyone will be affected if not solved early."
Barangay Pinococ, whose residents are a mix of Kalingas and Cagayanos, is being claimed by both Pinukpuk and Tuao with each imposing sanctions, which,according to Regional Trial Court staff John Dongui-is, is like a “pill box” that could explode anytime.
Governor Jocel Baac, who is also the PPOC chairman said “we must act now” as he appealed to the committee members to share the burden of peacekeeping in this particular community since the same will become a provincial problem and everyone will be affected if not solved early."
Who Are The Roma? (SLIDESHOW) - International Business Times
click to see slideshow Who Are The Roma? (SLIDESHOW) - International Business Times: "Roma have lived in Greece since the late 14th century and now number about 350,000. They are the largest ethnic minority group in the country and are known as “Tsiganes.” According to the Pelekas.com website, 'most Greek Roma are indigent, living either as nomads seeking seasonal employment, or in makeshift settlements with no infrastructure whatsoever.'
Pelekas adds: 'Living in a legal limbo, [Greek] Gypsy populations attempting to settle down have repeatedly faced social prejudice and harassment. In recent years, as land has become more expensive, forced and often illegal evictions of Gypsies from long-standing settlements by order of municipal authorities have become more frequent. '
It is estimated that 80 percent of Greek Gypsies are illiterate.
During the Athens Summer Olympics of 2004, Roma families and encampments were reportedly cleared out and bulldozed, respectively, by Greek authorities, in order to provide space for athletic events (and most likely to remove the poor Gypsies from public view)."
Pelekas adds: 'Living in a legal limbo, [Greek] Gypsy populations attempting to settle down have repeatedly faced social prejudice and harassment. In recent years, as land has become more expensive, forced and often illegal evictions of Gypsies from long-standing settlements by order of municipal authorities have become more frequent. '
It is estimated that 80 percent of Greek Gypsies are illiterate.
During the Athens Summer Olympics of 2004, Roma families and encampments were reportedly cleared out and bulldozed, respectively, by Greek authorities, in order to provide space for athletic events (and most likely to remove the poor Gypsies from public view)."
Bin Laden's Death Not to Change Plan of UN Mission in Afghanistan: Spokesman
Bin Laden's Death Not to Change Plan of UN Mission in Afghanistan: Spokesman: "After the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden, the strategy of the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) remains consistent in urging a political solution for the Islamic republic, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said on Monday.
'The strategy in Afghanistan is very clear: there must be a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan,' Nesirky said, adding that 'armed conflict will not ultimately resolve political differences in the country.'
Nesirky pointed out that catching the mastermind of terrorism is an opportunity to move toward dialogue, and noted that the UN will continue to support Afghan-led peace efforts.
UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon earlier on Monday hailed bin Laden's death as a 'watershed moment' in the global anti-terror campaign, and once again condemned terrorism in all its forms.
The secretary-general said that the UN would continue to lead the global campaign against terrorism, drawing from the counter- terrorism strategy adopted by the UN General Assembly."
'The strategy in Afghanistan is very clear: there must be a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan,' Nesirky said, adding that 'armed conflict will not ultimately resolve political differences in the country.'
Nesirky pointed out that catching the mastermind of terrorism is an opportunity to move toward dialogue, and noted that the UN will continue to support Afghan-led peace efforts.
UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon earlier on Monday hailed bin Laden's death as a 'watershed moment' in the global anti-terror campaign, and once again condemned terrorism in all its forms.
The secretary-general said that the UN would continue to lead the global campaign against terrorism, drawing from the counter- terrorism strategy adopted by the UN General Assembly."
Complementary elections kick off in Sudan's South Kordofan State
Complementary elections kick off in Sudan's South Kordofan State: "KHARTOUM, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The polling of the legislative and executive complementary elections in Sudan's South Kordofan State started Monday amid concerns that the elections could lead to armed conflicts between the north and south Sudan.
The elections maintain great importance as the oil-rich South Kordofan State has been a war scene between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP) for over two decades, besides its position as a commercial gateway and a social bond between the north and south Sudan.
Over 600,000 voters are expected to head to the polling stations to select a state governor from among three candidates, Ahmed Haroun from the NCP, Abdul-Aziz Al-Hilo from the SPLM and independent candidate Telephone Koko.
Head of the state's higher elections committee Adam Abdin Ismail told reporters Monday that the committee has received all the necessary materials and the National Elections Commission (NEC) has trained 32 polling officers for the geographical constituencies and 666 chairpersons for 555 constituencies.
He stressed the keenness of the state's election committee to conduct fair and transparent elections, explaining that the NEC has issued 10,000 monitor cards for local political parties and 37 cards for foreign observers supervised by the Carter Center."
The elections maintain great importance as the oil-rich South Kordofan State has been a war scene between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the National Congress Party (NCP) for over two decades, besides its position as a commercial gateway and a social bond between the north and south Sudan.
Over 600,000 voters are expected to head to the polling stations to select a state governor from among three candidates, Ahmed Haroun from the NCP, Abdul-Aziz Al-Hilo from the SPLM and independent candidate Telephone Koko.
Head of the state's higher elections committee Adam Abdin Ismail told reporters Monday that the committee has received all the necessary materials and the National Elections Commission (NEC) has trained 32 polling officers for the geographical constituencies and 666 chairpersons for 555 constituencies.
He stressed the keenness of the state's election committee to conduct fair and transparent elections, explaining that the NEC has issued 10,000 monitor cards for local political parties and 37 cards for foreign observers supervised by the Carter Center."
China announces naval buildup to enforce claims -- 2011/may/3
Manila Standard Today -- China announces naval buildup to enforce claims -- 2011/may/3: "BEIJING—China says it is adding 36 new ships in five years to beef up the enforcement of the country’s vast maritime claims in the South China Sea.
China Marine Surveillance says it will add 1,000 officers this year to raise staffing to 10,000 and will buy 36 new ships over the next five years.
The official China Daily reported Monday that the agency now had 300 vessels of all types, along with 10 aircraft.
The paper said the increased capacity was needed to deal with a rising number of disputes involving China and other countries that share overlapping claims to the waters and island groups in the South China and East China seas.
The Philippines said in March that it planned to acquire patrol ships, aircraft and an air defense radar system to assert its claims.
Last month, Taiwan announced that the more than 100 coast guard troops stationed in a disputed area of the South China Sea would be trained by the Defense Ministry’s elite Marine Corps to carry out sea combat.
Some or all of the Spratly Islands and their surrounding waters are claimed by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei."
China Marine Surveillance says it will add 1,000 officers this year to raise staffing to 10,000 and will buy 36 new ships over the next five years.
The official China Daily reported Monday that the agency now had 300 vessels of all types, along with 10 aircraft.
The paper said the increased capacity was needed to deal with a rising number of disputes involving China and other countries that share overlapping claims to the waters and island groups in the South China and East China seas.
The Philippines said in March that it planned to acquire patrol ships, aircraft and an air defense radar system to assert its claims.
Last month, Taiwan announced that the more than 100 coast guard troops stationed in a disputed area of the South China Sea would be trained by the Defense Ministry’s elite Marine Corps to carry out sea combat.
Some or all of the Spratly Islands and their surrounding waters are claimed by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei."
"al Qaeda funded Abu Sayyaf
United by plot: John Paul II rises, Bin Laden falls on same day - World - GMA News Online - Latest Philippine News: "al Qaeda funded Abu Sayyaf
Aside from plotting terrorist attacks, al Qaeda was purportedly instrumental in funneling funds to Abu Sayyaf, which ensured the group’s survival.
A Manila Times article in 2001 reported that both the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were receiving funding from Bin Laden, but the MILF said most of the money went to “building mosques, clinics and schools in many poor Muslim provinces.'
This was later confirmed by then Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva who said he was certain that the Abu Sayyaf could not have operated for so long without the help of Bin Laden's al Qaeda network.
The one who had allegedly channeled al Qaeda money toward various terrorist efforts in the southern Philippines was Mohamed Jamal Khalifa, who was married to Bin Laden’s half-sister, Shaikha al-Attas."
Aside from plotting terrorist attacks, al Qaeda was purportedly instrumental in funneling funds to Abu Sayyaf, which ensured the group’s survival.
A Manila Times article in 2001 reported that both the Abu Sayyaf and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) were receiving funding from Bin Laden, but the MILF said most of the money went to “building mosques, clinics and schools in many poor Muslim provinces.'
This was later confirmed by then Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Diomedio Villanueva who said he was certain that the Abu Sayyaf could not have operated for so long without the help of Bin Laden's al Qaeda network.
The one who had allegedly channeled al Qaeda money toward various terrorist efforts in the southern Philippines was Mohamed Jamal Khalifa, who was married to Bin Laden’s half-sister, Shaikha al-Attas."
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