Month: July 2021

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The International Action Centre issues the following statement on: CAPE VERDE TAKES ON THE UNITED NATIONS

PRAIA, Cape Verde, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a decision on interim measures dated June 8, the United Nations Human Rights Committee called on Cape Verde to “refrain from extraditing Mr. Alex Saab to the United States of America” and to “take all necessary measures to ensure access to appropriate health care […] by independent and specialized physicians of his choice”. This decision ordering interim measures is the first urgent step resulting from the registration of a complaint filed by Alex Saab before United Nations Human Rights Committee.

In an interview on June 29, 2021, the Cape Verdean Prosecutor General, Mr Jose Luis Landim, makes a frontal attack on the United Nations, claiming that the UN Human Rights Committee does not have the competence to impose the suspension of the extradition of Alex Saab from Cape Verde to the United States of America.

Such a position is alarming and is a legal, strategic and ethical mistake.

First, this position is completely wrong in law. We would like to remind Mr Landim that Cape Verde has chosen to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since August 6, 1993 and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since May 19, 2000. It must therefore comply with its international obligations in good faith and fully respect the decisions of the expert body responsible for interpreting the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Rights Committee. Saying that the Committee does not have the power to request the suspension of an extradition that may expose someone to risks of irreparable harms and of violations of the right to life and right of physical integrity, is an unforgivable legal error totally incompatible with the rule of law.

Second, such a position is a frontal attack on the United Nations and the human rights that are at the heart of the values that the Organization defends. It sends a clear message to the world that Cape Verde can exercise its sovereignty to violate human rights while ignoring the norms of international human rights law to which it has subscribed and ignoring international decisions. In doing so, Cape Verde, after defying the ECOWAS Court of Justice which ordered it to release the arbitrarily detained Alex Saab, after violating Alex Saab’s diplomatic immunity as a Special Envoy and an Ambassador to the African Union, is taking a hostile stance towards the United Nations and placing itself on the outside of the international community.

Third, such a position is a mistake in terms of fundamental ethical values. By requesting the suspension of Alex Saab’s extradition pending the examination of the merits of the case, the Human Rights Committee was inviting Cape Verde to show humanity and common sense by considering that the extradition would be detrimental to the physical integrity and life of Alex Saab. The Committee did not take a political position, but a purely humanitarian one.

MEDIA Contact:
Sara Flounders
International Action Center
Https://www.iacenter.org
E-mail: iacenter@iacenter.org
Tel: +1 212-633-6646

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Open Society Foundations Commit $100 Million to Support Feminist Political Mobilization and Leadership

New York, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Open Society Foundations will invest more than $100 million over the next five years in strengthening a range of feminist-led movements and increasing their leadership across a broad range of sectors, from politics and the private sector to civil society and government.

The majority of the funding will help strengthen feminist organizations and funds around the world. Open Society is focused on growing transformative feminist political leadership through explicit investments in initiatives that support more women, transgender, and gender non-conforming people in positions of leadership in politics and governance. This includes support for expanding progressive multilateralism and feminist leadership in peace and security.

The investments will also boost efforts to ensure that women, girls, transgender, and gender non-conforming communities can make their own decisions about issues affecting their bodies and reproductive health care.

“Increased feminist leadership in all areas of public life is needed to ensure we build inclusive, peaceful, and open societies. That is why we are proud to announce a $100 million commitment to help expand such opportunities,” said Mark Malloch-Brown, president of the Open Society Foundations. “Philanthropy sits in a unique position to create a basis for women and girls to take on leadership responsibilities and mobilize their communities for progressive political change.”

Open Society will invest across several gender justice initiatives, including:

  • Developing and sustaining transformative feminist leaders in politics and governance, with a focus on leaders of minority identities
  • Strengthening feminist movements globally, particularly to combat rising authoritarianism
  • Strengthening feminist leadership in peace and security, with a priority on women under threat of political conflict, such as in Afghanistan
  • Improving access, rights, resources, and agency to make decisions about bodies and reproductive health care
  • Advancing economic justice and rights for women across the board by supporting their rights as workers and providers of care
  • Reshaping digital platforms to stop the targeted harassment of feminist activism online

Open Society announced the funding at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris. The forum is a global gathering for gender equality convened by U.N. Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, in partnership with youth and civil society. Open Society serves as the lead philanthropic actor of the Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership, which aims to strengthen women’s rights, voices, and agency across the globe.

“From the challenges brought by COVID-19 to women and girls in the United States, to the changing peace and security circumstances in several countries, to the new opportunities in Chile and Argentina, and the new generation of emerging leaders in the African continent—we are experiencing unprecedented developments around the world,” said Kavita N. Ramdas, director of the Open Society Women’s Rights Program. “Open Society’s groundbreaking $100 million investment in feminist organizing and leadership will help ensure that more women, girls, transgender, and gender non-conforming people are able to fully engage and participate in the decision-making that affects their lives—from their homes and schools, to their workplaces and communities, to shaping constitutions and governments.”

Office of Communications
Open Society Foundations 
(212)-548-0668
media@opensocietyfoundations.org
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Chinese murderer sentenced to death

The Da Nang People’s Court has sentenced a Chinese man to death for strangling his compatriot to death and butchering her body for disposal.

Xiao Guiping, 28, admitted killing Bao Danping, 31, to evade a 61,000 USD gambling debt.

In addition to the sentence, Xiao had to pay more than 219 million VND (9,500 USD) in compensation to the victim’s family and provide 2 million VND (87 USD) each month for the victim’s two children until they reach the age of 18.

According to the indictment, on December 25, 2019, Xiao and his girlfriend Qin Li arrived in Da Nang city and resided in Khue My ward, Ngu Hanh Son district.

Xiao Guiping became acquainted with Bao Danping, an employee of Crown Casino, through Qin Li.

Learning that Xiao was a frequent gambler at the Crowne Plaza resort in Ngu Hanh Son district and won a lot of money, Bao asked Xiao to gamble with her money, the agreement was that they would split the proceeds and losses equally.

On December 26, 2019, Bao gave Xiao 45,000 USD to gamble and Xiao won 34,000 USD. Then Xiao returned 45,000 USD to Bao.

On February 4 and 5, 2020, Bao gave Xiao a total of 61,000 USD to continue gambling but he lost all.

On February 6 afternoon, Bao came to Xiao’s house to demand her money back.

The dispute escalated to the point that Xiao ended up killing her using a rope. The man then used a knife to butcher Bao’s body and placed the body parts in a suitcase and a bag. Later that night, Xiao threw the suitcase and the bag into Han River.

Bao’s body parts were founded by local fishermen the following day and Xiao was arrested a few hours later./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Hoi An named among top 10 picturesque car-free towns globally

Australian travel website Traveller has listed the ancient town of Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam among the top 10 most picturesque destinations in the world which are free of cars and motorbikes.

“Vietnam’s ubiquitous mopeds get short shrift in Hoi An’s Ancient Town, so wanderers can amble the cobblestoned streets, window shopping for silk and tailoring services without being cleaned up by passing motorcyclists,” said the website. Traveller noted that the 15th century port town is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage site which is greatly admired by guests for its French colonial architecture notable for its colourful lanterns and photo-worthy shop houses converted into coffee shops and bars. Other destinations on the list included Rottnest Island of Western Australia, the Medina of Fez of Morocco, Venice of Italy, Masdar City of the United Arab Emirates, Dubrovnik Old Town of Croatia, Princes Islands of Turkey, and Fire Island of the United States./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Vietnam, China sustain development trend in bilateral ties despite pandemic

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the development trend in Vietnam – China relations have still been sustained, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai.

The diplomat made the remark during an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (July 1).

He said the COVID-19 pandemic has strongly affected cooperation among all countries around the world, and Vietnam and China are no exception.

Prior to the outbreak, Party and State leaders of the two countries frequently paid mutual visits while direct exchanges between the Parties, governments, parliaments, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, ministries, sectors, localities, and socio-political organisations took place constantly.

The coronavirus pandemic has interrupted direct meetings and activities, tourism, aviation, and people-to-people exchange. However, those difficulties are just temporary, and the potential and demand for bilateral cooperation remain huge, Mai noted.

Braving the pandemic-caused difficulties, with both sides’ resolve, goodwill, and common efforts, the Vietnamese and Chinese Parties, countries, and peoples have taken proactive and creative actions to minimise the epidemic’s negative impacts. As a result, the development trend in political relations has been maintained, economic and trade ties have enjoyed impressive growth, and cooperation in the COVID-19 fight has been carried out effectively.

The ambassador elaborated that high-level meetings have been organised in a flexible manner and political trust enhanced. For the first time since the normalisation of their ties in 1991, within less than half a year after a National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the top Party, State, Government, and parliamentary leaders of the countries have conducted many phone talks, reaching many important common perceptions about the intensification of the Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new context.

Economic and trade links remain a bright spot, he said, citing data as showing that in 2020, China continued to be the largest trading partner of Vietnam, which in turn ranked first in ASEAN and fourth in the world among trading partners of China.

Vietnam’s statistics show that bilateral trade topped 133.09 billion USD in 2020 and hit 64.04 billion USD in the first five months of 2021, respectively rising 13.8 percent and 44.3 percent year on year.

China registered 1.08 billion USD for 61 new investment projects in Vietnam between January and April this year, standing fourth among 67 countries and territories investing in the latter during the period. With 3,192 valid projects worth 19.63 billion USD in total, it currently ranks seventh among 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Mai added, cooperation in the COVID-19 combat has obtained substantive results. The two sides have been assisted each other with medical supplies at all the State, locality, and enterprise levels.

China also recently provided Vietnam with 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine and pledged to continue the vaccine provision via flexible forms so as to help the latter bring the pandemic under control soon, he said.

Besides, bilateral coordination at multilateral forums has been strengthened, and China has promised further support for Vietnam to fulfil the role of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020 – 2021.

The two countries agreed to join efforts to satisfactorily settle the outstanding problems in their relations, the diplomat remarked, noting that Chinese leaders affirmed the importance they attach to trade and investment ties with Vietnam and also expressed their wish to develop the neighbourliness and friendship in a substantive and effective manner to generate practical benefits for both peoples.

Regarding sea-related issues, the two sides agreed on the need to have good control of disagreements, satisfactorily deal with issues in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), so as to contribute to regional peace and stability, and promote the building of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, Mai said.

He held that in the time ahead, the countries’ relevant agencies should push ahead with effectively implementing the important common perceptions reached by their senior leaders, increase high-level meetings, gradually resume aviation, tourism, and people-to-people exchange on the basis of anti-pandemic requirements, and foster economic, trade, and investment ties in a more balanced, stable, and sustainable manner.

The ambassador voiced his belief that thanks to the existing cooperation foundation and joint efforts by both sides, the Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership will make greater strides in the time to come./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Vice President works with Ha Giang

Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan had a working session in the northern province of Ha Giang on June 30.

She also laid wreath and offered incense to martyrs at the Vi Xuyen National Martyrs’ Cemetery and a monument dedicated to fallen soldiers of the Vi Xuyen battlefield in the province’s Thanh Thuy commune.

The Vi Xuyen National Martyrs’ Cemetery is home to 1,847 graves of martyrs nationwide who laid down their lives to safeguard the country’s northern border.

During her meeting with leaders of Ha Giang and Vi Xuyen district in particular, Xuan underlined that there is a national border gate and various border crossings in Ha Giang province. Therefore, it needs to capitalise on the economic potential of the border areas and bolster trade with its neighbouring Chinese localities.

Of note, with its advantages, Ha Giang is also asked to further promote its images and foster infrastructure development and human resources training for tourism, in an attempt to turn tourism into a spearhead economic sector.

The Vice President presented 100 aid packages to poor families and policy beneficiaries, along with 200 gifts to disadvantaged students in Vi Xuyen district. She took the occasion to visit officers and soldiers at the Thanh Thuy international border gate post.

Amid the ravages of COVID-19, Ha Giang border guard must take the initiative in carrying out border protection duties in a timely and concerted manner, contributing to realising the dual targets of safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and border security and curbing the spread of the pandemic in border areas, Xuan stated./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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Gov’t convenes regular meeting to review activities in June, first half

The socio-economic situation in June and six months, and reviewing regulations hindering COVID-19 prevention and control are among matters for discussion at the Government’s regular meeting chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on July 1.

Delivering an opening speech, Chinh highlighted the meeting’s importance to assessing socio-economic development between January and June and discussing tasks and solutions for the second half of the year.

Such key issues as COVID-19 prevention and control and measures to boost production and business will also be tabled, he notedThe one-day meeting will hear and mull over six reports on a range of issues in the first six months including the socio-economic situation; the Government’s direction and management; the implementation of key tasks for business climate and national competitiveness improvement; and laws and ordinances that causing obstacles for COVID-19 prevention and control.

A draft decision on criteria for classifying state-owned enterprises and their peers under ownership transformation, rearrangement, and divestment in the 2021-2025 period will also be touched upon./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

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GI certificate – a booster for lychee exports

Obtaining a certificate of Geographical Indication (GI) helps facilitate the export of thieu lychee to fastidious international markets like Japan, according to Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Anh Duong.

The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) has recently granted a certificate of Geographical Indication (GI) to lychees grown in Luc Ngan district, the northern province of Bac Giang, making it the first Vietnamese products to obtain the certificate in Japan.

Thieu lychee has already been granted geographical protection in six countries – China, Laos, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Australia. The fruit has been exported to many countries worldwide.

MAFF’s certification of geographical indication for Thieu lychees proves that the quality of the product meets international standards, Duong said.

Director of the provincial Department of Cultivation Dang Van Tang said for the Japanese market, Bac Giang continues to grow Thieu lychees in 19 cultivation areas which were granted codes in 2020.

The locality has proposed codes be granted to 11 more planting areas, lifting the total area of Thieu lychee serving export to Japan to about 219 ha, with output of around 1,500 tonnes.

Chairman of the Luc Ngan district People’s Committee La Van Nam said Luc Ngan has over 15,000 ha of land under Thieu lychee, mostly in Hong Giang, Tan Son, Quy Son, and Giap Son communes. Many cultivation areas are applying the Global Good Agricultural Practices (GlobalGAP) and Vietnamese Good Agricultural Practices (VietGAP), meeting requirements for domestic consumption and export.

According to the provincial Department of Industry and Trade, the province expects to harvest about 160,000 tonnes of the fruit in 2021.

Bac Giang exported 200 tonnes of Thieu lychee to Japan in 2020.

A year after Japan first opened its market to Vietnamese lychees, the export and consumption of the fruit have been going smoothly despite COVID-19, Vietnam’s trade office in the Northeast Asian country said.

Ta Duc Minh, Trade Counsellor of Vietnam in Japan, said that due to the impact of the pandemic, Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) didn’t send experts to monitor lychee packaging and sterilisation this year but instead authorised Vietnam’s plant quarantine agency to do so.

This helped save time and cost in preparing the lychees for export, creating better conditions for the fruit to enter Japan, he noted.

The first batch of Vietnamese lychees, under a contract signed between Japan’s Sunrise Farm and the Ameii Vietnam JSC, will arrive in Japan on May 23.

Vietnamese exporters plan to ship about 1,000 tonnes of fresh lychees, which are now in season, to Japan this year, Minh said, attributing that outcome partly to the trade office’s early implementation of promotional activities in Tokyo and many other localities around the country.

The trade office is continuing to coordinate with relevant agencies in Vietnam and distribution networks in Japan to step up these efforts, helping the fruit become more popular among Japanese consumers, the Trade Counsellor added.

Vietnam began negotiating lychee exports to Japan in 2014. After five years, on December 15, 2019, the MAFF announced that Japan had officially opened its market to Vietnamese lychees but also requested that the fruit undergo a strict plant quarantine process prior to export.

In early June 2020, an agricultural expert from Japan was sent to Vietnam to monitor fruit packaging and sterilisation, completing the final step required by Japan for lychees to be shipped to the market.

Thieu lychees have been exported to 30 countries such as China and the EU, Russia, the US and Canada.

Lychee is the fourth kind of fruit from Vietnam that has successfully made inroad into the Japanese market, following dragon fruit, mango and banana./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency