Perspectivas / Perspectives

Strasbourg, May 6.– Serious concerns persist regarding the human rights situation in the areas affected by the armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Georgia in August 2008, according to a report by Secretary-General Marija Pejčinović Burić presented to the Committee of Ministers and published on April 19.

The bi-annual report (covering the period November 2022–March 2023) on the conflict in Georgia highlighted that core issues concerning the human rights and humanitarian situation in the conflict-affected areas continue to see little progress. Various restrictions on freedom of movement and access to education and healthcare remain of serious concern, including in terms of their impact on vulnerable groups.

United Nations, Apr.30.– On April 26, 2023, women leaders from Afghanistan sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General expressing their concern regarding the statement made by the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on April 17, 2023. Ms. Mohammed announced that the UN would convene a conference of Special Envoys for Afghanistan in Doha on May 1 and 2 to provide an opportunity to “find baby steps to put us back on the pathway to recognition” of the Taliban.

The undersigned women leaders, human rights defenders, peacebuilders, and civil society representatives restated that Afghan women have unequivocally advised against granting formal recognition or legitimacy to the Taliban since August 2021. In the letter, Afghan women leaders urged the UN Secretary-General to ensure that all UN leadership and staff are clear and consistent with their messaging that human rights, including women’s rights and gender equality, must be front and center in all efforts to engender peace and security in Afghanistan.

The letter was sent five days in advance of the 1-2 May meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan in Doha.

Jimmy Lai is in prison in Hong Kong awaiting trial in September. While the outcome of the trial may be a foregone conclusion, Jimmy’s commitment to the cause of freedom and democracy for Hong Kong is an inspiration to all and reminds us that the fight for human freedom is always worth fighting.

Jimmy Lai personifies Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit, and this spirit, coupled with an embrace of freedom, unleashed economic prosperity for Hong Kongers. Jimmy’s native China enjoyed similar prosperity after undertaking an experiment with personal and economic freedoms, lifting an astounding 800 million Chinese out of poverty. Today, however, it’s a different story—and the stakes couldn’t be higher for Jimmy Lai, the citizens of Hong Kong, the people of China, and everyone seeking to be free around the world.

Because of China’s illegal occupation, the people of Tibet have lost the right to determine their own destiny. But forced into exile, the Dalai Lama has become a compassionate leader for the world and a source of endless inspiration to resolve the Tibet-China conflict.

When Xi Jinping took over as China’s top leader in 2012, there were hopes that his reputation as a moderate and his father’s relationship with the Dalai Lama would lead to a softening of policies. Instead, Xi has proven to be a hardliner whose indefinite rule began this past month, unforeseen a decade ago.

By controlling Tibet’s environment, China controls life not just for Tibetans—but for the nearly 2 billion people across Asia that depend on Tibet’s water, land, and other resources. China is constructing massive dams on Tibetan rivers at an unprecedented pace. This weaponization of water and pollution from construction threatens nearly two billion people across Asia who depend on Tibet’s water.

At least 50 Tibetans have been persecuted for defending their environment, with four known deaths—one peaceful protestor was shot and killed by Chinese forces and three more died in prison. To make way for highways, mining projects, and sprawling development, tens of thousands of Tibetan nomads have been pushed off their lands.