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Featured Article
UN Resolution 2250: Youth, Peace, & Security
Recognizing the threat to stability and development posed by the rise of radicalization among young people, the Security Council today urged Member States to consider ways to give youth a greater voice in decision-making at the local, national, regional and international levels.
Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2250 (2015), which defined youth as persons aged 18 through 29, the Council also urged Member States to consider setting up mechanisms that would enable young people to participate meaningfully in peace processes and dispute resolution.
Read UN Press Release >>
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Africa
BURUNDI: Violence continues in Bujumbura
On Wednesday, 97 protesters were released from prison following a series of negotiations between the Burundian government and representatives from the European Union. Several of those released were later killed in the Cibitoke neighborhood of Bujumbura. Witnesses indicate that at least a portion of the five victims in the attack had been released from prison that morning before being shot by men in police uniforms. Another man was killed on Tuesday night by attackers also seen wearing police uniforms. Reports indicate the EU had threatened to halt its allocation of aid to Burundi amid the growing violence and the tactics employed against opposition groups by the government. Following the release of the 97 protesters, the Interior Ministry refused to acknowledge a connection between the release of the protesters and ongoing negotiations with the EU representatives. Comment: The 97 released protesters represent a fraction of those that have been arrested in Burundi since President Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a third term in April. Opposition groups and news agencies have been shut down and censored since the protests began. The United Nations estimates that at least 240 people have been killed since April. (AP, New York Times, ReutersReuters)
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Violence threatens elections credibility
On Tuesday, the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) in Congo released a report detailing abuses committed by the Congolese government officials in the lead-up to next year’s national elections. From January to September 2015, UNJHRO observers documented 143 specific human rights violations and the arbitrary detention of at least 649 journalists, civil society activists, and political opponents. The UNJHRO report is the latest detailing a number of human rights abuses in DRC, as UNJHRO has previously criticized the government for utilizing excessive force, unlawful detention, and other intimidation tactics against opponents of President Joseph Kabila. UNJHRO also claimed that at least 20 people were executed in extrajudicial killings by state security forces during protests in January. Congolese Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe responded to UNJHRU by dismissing its accusations and asserting that the report was a method by which to discredit the government’s human rights record. Comment: Elections are scheduled for November 2016 in DRC, in which incumbent President Kabila is barred from running due to constitutional term limits. Kabila assumed the presidency in 2001 and won elections in 2006 and 2011. He has been accused by his opponents and critics of attempting to delay next year’s elections in order to stay in office. If Kabila respects the term limits, the elections could be the first peaceful transition of power in DRC’s history. (News24, Reuters, SABC)
ETHIOPIA: Population in need of food aid expected to rise in 2016
On Tuesday, the charity Save the Children announced that it expected the number of Ethiopians in need of immediate food aid to increase to 10.1 million next year. According to estimates from the Ethiopian government and Save the Children, 8.2 million of Ethiopia’s 94 million people received food aid in 2015. The UN has warned that those in need could increase to as high as 15 million next year. The current crisis is caused by the worst drought in 50 years in Ethiopia. The drought resulted in failed spring and summer rains, and has then worsened by a particularly strong El Niño weather effect. The emergency response could cost USD 1.4 billion, according to Save the Children’s estimate. The Ethiopian government has allocated between USD 150 million and USD 200 million to addressing the crisis, but its efforts remain underfunded and under resourced. Comment: The El Niño weather phenomenon is a warming of sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean and causes extreme droughts or heavy rains and flooding. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that over 210,000 people could be affected directly and more than 100,000 people forced to displace due to floods in Ethiopia. Last month, the United Nations Children’s Fund announced that 11 million children could face a number of health risks next year in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe due to the extreme weather effects of El Niño. (BBC, Reuters, Voice of America)
Researched/Written by Colin Treverton
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Americas
JAMAICA: Gay rights activist challenges constitutionality of anti-sodomy laws
On Wednesday, Maurice Tomlinson, a gay rights activist and lawyer, filed a claim in the Supreme Court of Judicature against the country’s anti-sodomy laws, arguing that they are unconstitutional, “fuels horrific violence” and homophobia, and hinders attempts to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS. Jamaica’s anti-sodomy laws criminalize consensual sex between men as “gross indecency,” and sodomy between people of any sex. Recent legislative developments have gone further, labeling those convicted of such offenses as “sex offenders,” requiring registration and monitoring among other potential penalties. According to gay rights activists, despite long-standing religiously based prejudice and discrimination against homosexuality, tolerance is beginning to spread across the island, as demonstrated by the peaceful observance of Jamaica’s first public gay pride celebration earlier this year. Activists hope that this case will further legislative and social acceptance of homosexuality in Jamaica. Comment: Analysts hope that the landmark case will move the recognition of LGBTI rights forward across the region and improve access to public health. The Caribbean has one of the highest HIV rates in the world, only falling behind sub-Saharan Africa, but widespread laws criminalizing homosexuality scare people away from accessing treatment, or participating in HIV prevention programs. (Jamaica Observer, AP, Jamaica Gleaner)
UNITED STATES: House of Representatives passes restrictions on visa waiver program
In a majority vote on Tuesday, the House of Representatives voted to impose restrictions on passport holders of member states in the U.S. visa waiver program. The bill will prevent Syrian and Iraqi nationals, and passport holders of visa waiver countries who have been to Iraq, Iran, Syria or Sudan since March 1, 2011 (the beginning of the Syrian civil war) from entering the U.S. under the waiver program. Those individuals will be required to undergo the traditional visa application process, which includes a face-to-face interview with officials at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The bill also requires waiver states to issue new passports containing an embedded chip with biometric data, report stolen or missing passports with Interpol, and share all information on suspected or known terrorists with the U.S. There are currently 38 countries in the visa waiver program, including long-standing U.S. allies France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Comment: According to the House of Representatives, the bill is an attempt to keep out travelers who may have been radicalized after visiting certain conflict zones. Representatives are concerned that the program would permit between 5,000 to 30,0000 potentially radicalized individuals to enter the U.S. Civil liberties groups have condemned it for discriminating against particular ethnic groups while the European Union (EU) has implied that, as the waiver program is reciprocal, U.S. citizens’ entry to the EU could also be affected. (Politico, Washington Post, NPR)
VENEZUELA: Opposition wins legislature for first time in seventeen years
In a major upset to President Maduro’s socialist government, the opposition party Democratic Unity (DU) won two-thirds majority in last Sunday’s congressional elections. With such a majority, the DU-led National Assembly can call a constituent assembly to write an entirely new constitution and propose constitutional reforms through referendum, which could threaten President Maduro’s extensive executive powers. Additionally, the two-thirds ‘supermajority’ can restructure the Central Bank and the judiciary, both of which are staffed by Maduro supporters. The first item on the opposition’s agenda is to deal with Venezuela’s economy, as triple-digit inflation and food shortages continue, and low oil prices have eliminated the government’s ability to import base necessities like medicine. Although empowered by the electoral win, the opposition faces difficulty in rolling back almost two decades of statist policies, and cannot expect cooperation from President Maduro, who has vowed to stop “the counter-revolutionary right” from taking over the country. Comment: Venezuela’s government opposition has not won a legislative or presidential election since the late Hugo Chávez took power in 1998, launching his personal Bolivarian Revolution. According to analysts, considered in light of the Perónist party’s defeat in Argentina’s presidential election last month, the Venezuelan opposition’s outcome indicates a shift away from leftist populism in South America. (teleSUR, Independent, Wall Street Journal)
Researched/Written by Stephanie Billingham
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East Asia & Pacific
CHINA: UN Committee reports torture embedded in China’s criminal justice system
United Nations experts reported Wednesday that although China has made advances in instituting rule of law, torture and detention in secret prisons remains embedded in its criminal justice system. A large delegation from Beijing arrived in Geneva this week to present China’s progress in ending human rights abuses to the UN Committee Against Torture; China’s first appearance in front of the panel since 2008. The ten-person panel recognized that China has made advances, such as a new prohibition on the use of confessions extracted by torture, the abolition of re-education through labor, and the requirement of audio or video recordings of interrogations in major cases; however, it remains deeply concerned over multiple in-custody deaths of high-profile political prisoners, ongoing torture of dissidents, and the secret detention of people in secret prisons, including the reported detention and interrogation of 200 lawyers since July. The Chinese government denies the Committee’s allegations of continued torture, declaring that the Committee is basing its criticism on unfounded information. Comment: The detention and interrogation of the 200 lawyers is the latest development in a long line of reports concerning the abuse of lawyers working on cases of government accountability, and the defense of human rights activists and religious practitioners. There have also been credible reports from multiple sources that Tibetans in particular are facing torture, arbitrary detention, and disappearances. (New York Times,BBC,Reuters)
SOUTH KOREA: Navy fired upon Chinese vessel
On Tuesday, the South Korean navy fired warning shots at a Chinese vessel that crossed the Northern Limit line, a disputed waterway claimed by both North and South Korea. The ship was originally thought to be North Korean but was later discovered to be a Chinese patrol boat policing illegal Chinese fishing in South Korean waters. South Korea has fined or stopped up to 2,200 Chinese vessels for illegal fishing and previously asked the Chinese government to crackdown on the illegal activities. No injuries or damages were reported, but after the incident Chinese officials asked for assurances from the South Korean government that their ships would be guaranteed safe passage. Comment: The Northern Limit Line was drawn unilaterally by the UN at the end of the Korean War in 1953. Deadly clashes between the North and South Korean navies occurred in 1992, 2002, and 2009. (Business Insider, Asia Times, Defense News)
THAILAND: Islamic State terrorists suspected of planning attacks
Last Friday, a leaked Russian security memo revealed details concerning the arrival and movement of ten Syrians with suspected ties to self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) in Thailand. The ten suspects entered Thailand between October 15 and 31 and traveled throughout the country. The Russian Federal Security Service tracked the movement of the ten suspects before coordinating with the Thai government. The leaked memo was circulated among Thai security forces on November 27 and prompted an increase in security around Russian communities in Pattaya and Phuket. The Russian government considered Russian interests in Thailand to be the likely target for attack. On Tuesday, the Thai Interpol director announced that it did not find credible evidence of an imminent IS attack following the screening of current Syrian nationals in the country. The leaked document was deemed genuine by the Thai police force and circulated widely by the Thai media. Comment: Russia began conducting airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria on September 30. A Russian passenger jet was the target of a suspected IS bomb on October 31 over the Sinai Peninsula. Some reports indicate Russia’s intensified campaign against the Islamic State has made its global interests a key target for attack by IS militants. (CNN, Reuters,The Guardian)
Researched/Written by Josh Gazdik
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Europe & Central Asia
GREECE: Police transfer migrant refugees from Macedonia border to Athens
On Wednesday, 2,300 migrant refugees were transported by bus to the nation’s capital Athens, after spending almost three weeks at Idomeni, a Greek city that borders Macedonia. The government of Macedonia built a metal fence along its border with Greece that runs about 40 km (25 miles) long, and denied migrant refugees access into the country. Greek government authorities reported that the migrant refugees will be allowed to apply for asylum and will be housed at interim refugee camps until the government is able to screen and process security background checks. Comment: Greek authorities have openly opposed a new triage approach of determining status based on nationality, a method used by countries that enforce strict border security, like Macedonia that recently closed its borders. According to Daniel Esdras, head of the Greek office of the International Organization for Migration, the decision to categorize and accept refugees by nationality may not be considered “nice to categorize people like this, but what could you do?” The triage approach could provide a temporary solution to slow down the influx of migration into the country, but Greek authorities strongly oppose it since it goes against the principles of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that are mandated to help protect the rights and well-being of refugees and to provide refugees with safe asylum. (Reuters, BBC, NY Times)
LATVIA: Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma resigns
On Monday, Laimdota Straujuma announced her resignation as the first female Prime Minister of Latvia. Straujuma was appointed in January 2014, and made the abrupt decision to step down after an internal campaign to get rid of her came to light within parliament. In a news conference held at the nation’s capital of Riga, Straujuma said she was leaving the government in good standing, but also acknowledged that the government needs political reform to include “new ideas, new input, and new energy” in order to continuously improve the work of the Latvian government. Comment: The parliament was clearly dissatisfied with Straujuma’s leadership. In a public statement, Straujuma admitted that she was “bowing down to pressure” in her decision to resign. (AP, Politico, EuroNews, The Baltic Times)
POLAND/UK: Prime Ministers meet to negotiate proposal on EU welfare reforms
On Thursday, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydio met in Warsaw, Poland to discuss a British reform plan to prevent welfare payments for EU migrants living in Britain over a four-year period. The UK reform plan is designed to protect economic stability, boost job creation and competitive markets in and around Europe, and restrict tax credits given to EU migrants that will aim to improve economic growth and stabilize the infrastructure in Europe, as well as to reduce the immigration populations throughout the UK. European leaders who oppose the proposal have stated that the reform plan is “discriminatory and violating the principle of freedom of movement” established by the EU. Comment: In a press statement to defend the reform plan, Cameron stated that he believes the British and Polish governments will reach an agreement. According to European Council President Donald Tusk, negotiating on European welfare reform is a “delicate” and difficult process, as the many political differences of the EU members involved must be considered. In response, David Cameron has declared an “in or out campaign” that claims Britain will leave the EU if there is a chance that the welfare reform negotiations for the UK fail. (The Telegraph, Reuters, EuroNews, BBC)
Researched/Written by Jessica Gaytan
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Middle East & North Africa
SAUDI ARABIA: 900 women run for office
More than 900 women are campaigning for public office in Saudi Arabia. The elections for municipal offices will take place on December 12 and will include female voters and candidates, in addition to male voters/candidates. Comment: Traditionally, Saudi Arabia is seen as an absolute monarchy with few democratic values, but in 2005 it took its first steps toward democracy by allowing male citizens to vote in municipal elections. Ten years later, women have been granted the right to vote as well and have now been allowed to run for public office. This is unprecedented in a country where women are forbidden to drive and are not allowed to travel or go to school without a male guardian present. This change comes after a 2011 order by the now deceased King Abdullah to grant women some opportunities for political participation. Although this is seen as the first step towards introducing democratic practices to Saudi Arabia, it should be noted that women are still far from equal. Female candidates are banned from talking to male voters. Even if elected, cultural and legal barriers may prevent women in municipal positions from engaging the males of their constituency. (Guardian, CNN, WP)
SYRIA: Syrian rebels leave Homs after ceasefire
Approximately 700 people, including Syrian rebels and their families, have begun to evacuate the al-Wair district in city of Homs after rebel groups reached a ceasefire with the Syrian government. Buses arrived on Wednesday to transport fighters and their families out of Homs to the rebel-held areas in the northwest province of Idlib. Most analysts note that the evacuation means that the entire city will return to government control and will boost the Assad regime’s strategic position. The UN-brokered deal will allow aid to reach parts of the city for the first time in nearly a year. The deal comes after a massive Syrian government offensive backed by Russian warplanes challenged rebels for control of the city. Comment: The loss of Homs carries symbolic importance to the revolution as it saw some of the first protests in 2011 that sparked the uprising. Analysts note that the general mood is that no one is winning, and Syrian residents are waiting to see if “a serious transitional process” is possible. Meanwhile, Russia, the U.S., and the UN will hold talks in Geneva on Friday to discuss an end to the conflict. (BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera)
REGIONAL: Amnesty International slams West for reckless arms trading
A new report from Amnesty International found that the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) has built a considerable portion of its military arsenal from U.S.-made weapons. The report claims that IS acquired most of its munitions from raiding weapons depots of the Iraqi army, particularly after their defeat in Mosul in 2014. Additionally, weapons captured on the battlefield, defection, and illicit trade has helped to keep their supplies well stocked. Such equipment includes trucks, armored vehicles, tanks, mortars, anti-tank missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and small arms. Despite the influx of new weaponry, the bulk of IS’s arsenal is made up of older Soviet-era weapons brought to Iraq during the Iran-Iraq War (1980-88) and the U.S. occupation (2003-07). Comment: According to Patrick Wilcken, researcher at Amnesty International, “poor regulations and lack of oversight of the immense arms flow into Iraq…have given IS…a bonanza of unprecedented access to firepower.” Wilcken notes that this ultimately reflects a practice of irresponsible arms transfer; the Pentagon insists that it closely monitors equipment provided to its partners. This finding comes amid remarks by the Obama administration that local forces will continue to receive assistance in the form of weapons, coalition backed airstrikes and training from U.S Special Operations Forces. Analysts fear that unregulated arms flows are only exacerbating the situation. (CNN, RT, Amnesty Int.)
Researched/Written by Josh Gazdik
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South Asia
AFGHANISTAN: Taliban attacks Kandahar airport
On Tuesday, the Taliban attacked the Kandahar airfield, and in the fighting up to 50 people, most of them civilians, were killed. The airfield, which is the largest military compound in southern Afghanistan, houses CIA, NATO and Afghan military personnel. Reports say the Afghan army was able to successfully repel the attack. During the fighting, the Taliban seized several civilian hostages. The attack is the latest in a series of increasingly aggressive attacks by the Taliban and comes amid worries about the effectiveness of President Ghani’s administration ability to address security issues. Comment: In September the Taliban briefly seized the city of Kunduz, the largest city captured since the 2001 American led invasion. The attack comes amidst fighting within the Afghan Taliban over the succession of its leader. Reports say the infighting is leaving dozens of Afghan Taliban dead. (BBC,NYT,Asia Times,The Guardian)
INDIA/PAKISTAN: Countries agree to resume high level bilateral talks
On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and India issued a joint statement announcing the countries will resume high level comprehensive peace talks. The talks will include security issues such as counter terrorism and Kashmir, as well as economic and trade issues. The Wednesday announcement comes after months of multiple ceasefire violations that have left dozens dead and was preceded by several rounds of discrete discussions including a meeting last Sunday between both countries’ national security advisors in Bangkok to discuss regional and domestic security issues. Previous talks stalled in August over disagreements about the agenda; Pakistan demanded Kashmir be addressed while India insisted Kashmir could not be discussed unless Pakistan focused on counterterrorism. Comment: The Kashmir territory has long been an area of violent conflict between India and Pakistan and is widely cited as the main obstacle to normalized relations between the two countries. (BBC,Dawn,The Hindu)
INDIA: BJP leads protests in Assam state
On Wednesday, thousands of BJP workers marched on Dispur the capital of Assam state protesting the rule of the Indian National Congress party and the chief minister Tarun Gogoi, who has held the office of chief minister of Assam state for 14 consecutive years. Protests intensified after the National Congress suspended six BJP members of the legislative assembly and arrested several of the party’s leaders. The protestors are demanding an end to corruption and misrule by the National Congress and Gogoi. The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protestors as the police chief said the protestors were not given permission to march. The police actions left dozens injured. It was reported that after the police blocked many BJP members from joining the protests, those members then blocked highways in their home districts in solidarity. Comment: Gogoi charged the BJP of purposely disrupting law and order within Assam state and that they are trying to cover up their failure at the polls. (Northeast Today,NDTV,Economic Times)
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