Peace & Justice

Photo: Since no electoral process is perfect, advanced technologies are only introduced to keep malpractice to a bare minimum. Source: Techpoint Africa.

Nigeria: In Quest of An Electoral Law That Works for Voters

Viewpoint by Azu Ishiekwene

The writer is the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP newspaper based in Abuja, Nigeria.

ABUJA (IDN) — Kicking the can down the road is government art. Once politicians manoeuvre themselves into office, they govern by repeating the promises they made and hope that problems would go away. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.

For six years we’ve been trying to find an electoral law that works for voters. It doesn’t appear that we’re nearer a solution today than when we first started.

: Africa & ME Editor; OPINION; 24 July 2021

Photo: Ambassador Chen Xu. UN human rights council passes China's resolution calling for people-centered development for human rights. Source: Global Times.

China Counters Western 'Hypocrisy' At UNHRC With Development Rights Push

By Kalinga Seneviratne

SYDNEY | GENEVA (IDN) — China came out with its guns blazing at the recently concluded 47th sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) pointing out western hypocrisy on human rights, by particularly targeting Canada and Australia. China was supported on this counterattack by over 60 developing country members of the UN body.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 22 July 2021

Image: Conflicts in Africa by ethnic region. Source: Good Governance Africa

Wanted An International Court of Ethnic Disputes

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) — Just before he died at the end of the twentieth century, the great philosopher Isaiah Berlin said, "It was the worst century that Europe ever had. Worse, I suspect, even than the days of the Huns. And why? Because in our modern age nationalism is not resurgent; it never died. Neither did racism. They are the most powerful movements in the world today cutting across many social systems”.

: Jonathan Power; OPINION; 20 July 2021

Photo (Left to Right): Bandula Vithanarachchi of TTV Media Hub and Manish Uprety F.R.A.S. of ALCAP

ALCAP Ventures into Sri Lanka for Joint Movie Production

By Niba Mirza*

COLOMBO (IDN) — Sri Lanka which from time immemorial is linked to South America through the Indian Ocean is now also connected through Joint Movie/ Documentary co-production and audiovisual exchange.

The Asociación Latinoamericana de Comunicación Audiovisual Parlamentaria, ALCAP, or the Latin American Parliamentary Association of Audiovisual Communication, signed a MOU with TTV Media Hub of Sri Lanka so that bridges between Sri Lanka and South America can be diversified and strengthened via enhanced Audiovisual exchange and Joint Movie Production.

: Asia Editor; SUSTAINABILITY; Quality Education; 20 July 2021

Protests and Looting in South Africa on International Nelson Mandela Day

By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network

NEW YORK (IDN) — “It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build.” Those were the prophetic words of Nelson Mandela, for whom the United Nations designated July 18 as Nelson Mandela International Day to remember the life and legacy of a legendary global advocate for dignity, equality, justice and human rights.

: Global Information Network; THE WORLD; Africa; 19 July 2021

UN Determined to Counter Cyber Crime and Ensure Peace and Security

By J Nastranis

NEW YORK (IDN) — As digital advances continue to revolutionize human life, the United Nations has called for remaining "vigilant" about malicious technologies that "could imperil the security of future generations". Currently, there are over 4.6 billion internet users around the world.

: J Nastranis; SUSTAINABILITY; Peace & Justice; 19 July 2021

Photo: US troops leaving Afghanistan. Source: Daily News, Sri Lanka.

New Equations in South Asian Security with High Tension in Afghanistan

Viewpoint by Sugeeswara Senadhira

COLOMBO (IDN) — A transformation in the security dynamics in South Asia is taking place at such a fast rate that experts on regional security are totally confused and puzzled about the future scenario. The withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan, the gradual expansion of Taliban control in the country, India’s alleged secret talks with Taliban leaders in the Middle East, Pakistan’s growing concerns and the wait-and-watch attitude of China and Russia have added to the bewilderment and reluctance to forecast any possible outcome.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; OPINION; 17 July 2021

UNODC's First Global Research on Imprisonment Reveals Shocking Facts

By Reinhard Jacobsen

VIENNA (IDN | UNODC) — One in every three prisoners worldwide are held without a trial, which means that they have not been found guilty by any court of justice, according to the first global research data on prisons published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The research brief released ahead of Nelson Mandela International Day on July 18, examines the long-term trends of imprisonment.

: Reinhard Jacobsen; SUSTAINABILITY; Peace & Justice; 17 July 2021

Photo: A young market vendor sells peanuts in Urozgan, a central province of Afghanistan. © UNICEF/Omid Fazel

Afghanistan Faces Funding Shortfall Amid Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

By Radwan Jakeen

NEW YORK (IDN) — Nearly 18 million Afghans or half the population of the South Asian country require assistance. A third of the country is malnourished, while half of all children under five are experiencing acute malnutrition.

In view of this critical situation, Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan, has urged donors to step up support for the country.

: Radwan Jakeem; THE WORLD; South Asia; 15 July 2021

Photo: Thousands of supporters gather in Belgrade to mourn former Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic's death on March 18, 2006. Credit: Visual China Group (VCG).

Pressing Need for International Criminal Court 'With Teeth'

Viewpoint by Jonathan Power*

LUND, Sweden (IDN) — “Too little too late”. It’s as true of Bashar al-Assad as it was of Muammar Gadhafi, as it was of Saddam Hussein and Pol Pot. The problem always has been not lack of early warning but lack of early action.

We have known, literally for decades, that Syrian President Assad ran an intolerably repressive and amoral regime.