tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10951508263683696302024-03-08T21:17:51.732+01:00Leo van DoesburgLeo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.comBlogger266125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-46590069417331551712022-08-08T13:23:00.003+02:002022-08-08T13:30:00.441+02:00Biases Attack Pro-Life and Pro-Family Organizations <p> </p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eIhxPmyrFRVk_K61V4avXzEBSXUYSclTDM8dggZJFeHT0K8NwN0qXtP2f9MqVOsp1aWz9Qdtw_-bZ9v4f9pwmYTL3qKdJDYTaRcB-3fbFKNGmp_Nlq7GBdk7hYrcXBysLmLgzLbf4_47YsPmAOwkldZG9W5y8P4u_cT_Ym1rlDWacO9H1dLe5zrUuw/s5601/AdobeStock_499115669.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3734" data-original-width="5601" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5eIhxPmyrFRVk_K61V4avXzEBSXUYSclTDM8dggZJFeHT0K8NwN0qXtP2f9MqVOsp1aWz9Qdtw_-bZ9v4f9pwmYTL3qKdJDYTaRcB-3fbFKNGmp_Nlq7GBdk7hYrcXBysLmLgzLbf4_47YsPmAOwkldZG9W5y8P4u_cT_Ym1rlDWacO9H1dLe5zrUuw/s320/AdobeStock_499115669.jpeg" width="320" /></a></b></div><b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-US">The debate on abortion was stirred up again after the recent leak of
the draft proposal of the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade. Mainly
negative reactions to this news circulated in the media. The debate on abortion
has become increasingly subjective where, particularly, the pro-life arguments
are marginalized and negatively framed. Last February, we saw this in the
European Parliament as well where the FEMM committee (Committee on Women’s
Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament) held a public </span></b></span><a></a><a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/committee-on-women-s-rights-and-gender-equality_20220210-1345-COMMITTEE-FEMM"><b><span lang="EN-US">hearing on the ‘Countering the anti-gender movement today to secure a
gender equal Europe tomorrow’</span></b></a><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-US">, a side event of the Future of Europe
Conference. As the title of the hearing suggests, this event was a one-sided
story on the topic, seeking to invalidate other opinions and attacking several
Christian organizations on their pro-life advocacy and promotion of Christian
values. The hearing displayed the immaturity of the debate on abortion and
gender issues. There is need for an open and democratic discussion at the
European level where opposing views meet and real dialogue takes place with
mutual respect and understanding, and in which all Europeans are represented.</span></b></span></div></b><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span><a name='more'></a></span> </span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(This article is made in collaboration with Koen Strijk)</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">During the hearing, several guest
speakers were invited to share on the topic: Martina Avanza (University of
Lausanne), Cianán Russell (ILGA Europe), Neil Datta (European Parliamentary
Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF)) and Tatev Huvhannisyan
(openDemocracy). Their speeches can be roughly summarized as an attack on the
way of operating and the funding of (what they call) the anti-gender groups.
Without an opportunity to defend themselves, and several persons and organizations
discredited, this hearing was a one-way conversation in which non-conforming
views on the related topics were deemed as invalid and a violation of human
rights.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What Do We Talk
About?</span></b></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Before discussing the hearing, we
want to highlight it is unclear what is meant with anti-gender movement. The
hearing’s guest speakers attribute anti-abortion, anti-women, and anti-LGBT
viewpoints to these movements, though, a definition of ‘anti-gender’ is not
provided – neither of ‘gender’. However, it is telling that the organizations
and people that are criticized and smeared uphold pro-life, marriage and family
values; and have a Christian or conservative character.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Speakers’ Reproaches: the Way of Operating and Funding</b></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">According to the invited speakers,
the anti-gender movement is well organized, professional and equipped with a
large transnational network. Their claim is that the anti-gender movement is
similar to the pro-life movement and uses the same network, making actions
appear as local activity by concerned citizens but being coordinated and
organized from above. They accuse the movement of scapegoating trans people,
provide disinformation, intimidation through lawsuits, and wanting to promote
capitalism, curtailing human rights and opposing democracy. Furthermore, the
speakers argue that the conservative movement plays the game on the cultural
level too. Not necessarily banning abortion or other gender-related issues but
making it “morally illegal” through cultural influence.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Political Strategies</span></b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">The speakers point as well to the
anti-gender movements’ political strategies. They claim that the groups seek
recognition from international institutions such as the EU and UN, and are
therefore present in the bases of these organisations in order to lobby and influence the Courts
and officials. One of the speakers, Martina Avanza, adds to this by contrasting the visible and radical strategy of people shouting their message of the top of
their lungs, and the invisible and respectable strategy of anti-gender movement implemented by decent organizations involved in government where they provide expertise on
related issues, for example. Avanza claims the respectable strategy is way more
harmful.</p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shady Funding</span></b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">The second stream of severe criticism
on anti-gender movements targets their finances. The funding is
controversial, according to the speakers. They point out that illiberal
governments such as Russia, Poland and Hungary financially support some of the
movements’ groups. The EU is also rebuked because it allegedly provides a significant
amount of money to the movement. How can the EU fund something incompatible
with human rights? In addition, the speakers claim that the financing is also nontransparent, referring to it as ‘dark money’. It is not always clear who
provides money to the movement.</p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Having summarized what was said at the hearing, we will now elaborate on the reasons why the hearing
poses a problem and is to be challenged.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Other Opinions, “Ought I be eliminated?”</b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">First of all, the hearing was one-sided in its message: opposing the pro-abortion and pro-gender movement is
morally wrong and should be fought. This is of course the result of having four
speakers with the same message. There was no consideration of other existing opinions
whatsoever. Moreover, the message of the event is that other opinions should
not exist at all. Speaker Cianán Russell called opposing views on gender
issues, presented in media outlets or by media personalities, invalid because
these views are disinformation and violations of human rights in Russell’s
view.</p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">MEPs’ Approval and Opposition</span></b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Members of the FEMM committee in
majority seemed to agree with the speakers. Samira Rafeala (Renew, the
Netherlands) referred to the anti-gender and prolife movement as having a
“despicable worldview” and Alice Kuhnke (Greens, Sweden) spoke of “hate”. MEPs
and speakers discussed with astonishment and abomination on how it could be
that women are involved in such movements.</p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">MEPs Margarita de la Pisa Carrión
(ECR, Spain) and Simona Baldassarre (ID, Italy) were the only ones in the
assembly to have a critical voice. De la Pisa Carrión, an outspoken prolife advocate,
criticized the hearing and the speakers for the polarizing, condemning and
undemocratic character: “I am, under your criteria, considered anti-gender.
Ought I disactivate myself? Ought I be eliminated?”. Baldassarre called the
meeting absurd, referred to the speakers to be “on one side of the debate” and
called for democracy within this discussion. Furthermore, both MEPs raised a
voice for the importance of family and the right to life.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Demonizing Narrative</b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A second problem is the hearing’s narrative of stigmatizing non-progressive movements. The objective was to demonize the anti-gender and
prolife movement and, even worse, the opinions of people not agreeing with the
‘progressive’ stream. The speakers and several MEPs used terms as ‘dangerous’,
‘the enemy’, ‘harmful’, ‘curtailing human rights’ and ‘anti-democratic’ when
referring to movements and opinions different from theirs. Martina Avanza,
basically, framed these anti-gender and prolife movements and organizations to
act as political snakes when she elaborated on the ‘respectable political
strategy’: first they play nice but they are harmful. In addition, Neil Datta (EPF)
claimed that some scholars see prolife and anti-gender movements as ‘uncivil
society’, and although there might be such scholars, </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-0-387-93996-4_6"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">the term ‘uncivil society’ is often
used to describe civil society organizations with values different than your
own</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, in which case this term is completely
subjective and means nothing. The association with controversial funding adds
to the shadiness attributed to the movements. Although, it is true that the
movement, and particularly the Christian organizations, should be very aware
and alert on their funding, it adds to the demonization of another opinion than
the speakers advocate.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Condemnation Without Trial</b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Finally, the hearing was problematic
because it shamed and condemned different individual persons and organizations
and by doing so depicting them as entirely evil. This was of course problematic
as there was no possibility for the accused people and organizations to defend
themselves. Besides, not only activists and organizations were attacked.</p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">EP President and Former MEP Smeared</span></b></span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Martina Avanza argued that the
European Parliament has sent a message to be anti-abortion compatible by having
Roberta Metsola elected as President and Carlo Casini as former member. Metsola
held anti-abortion views before being elected president of the EP. Carlo
Casini, who died in 2020, had an important role in the Italian prolife movement
as president of Movimento per la Vita and co-founder of One of Us, both prolife
organizations. Avanza smeared both Metsola and Casini and his movements in her
speech. MEP Simona Baldasserre fiercely criticized her on this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Christian Organizations
Accused</span></b></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Neil Datta (EPF) and Tatev Huvhannisyan (openDemocracy) indirectly
accused several organizations, including Christian ones, of either improper
behavior or controversial financial funding. It is a pity that some of these
organizations were shamed and marked as bad as they are well respected
organizations doing and financing good work.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">All Things Considered, Where is Democracy?</span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What also becomes clear in the last
three paragraphs is the undemocratic character of the FEMM Committee’s event in
the European Parliament. Anti-gender movements and opinions were set aside as
‘anti-democratic’ by guest speakers who all had the same message without any
counter arguments presented or a discussion to be held. Organizations and
individual persons were shamed and discredited without an opportunity to defend
themselves. The attribution of anti-democratic sentiments to others in such a
setting is almost ironic. The fact it took place in the European Parliament –
Europe’s House of Democracy – is saddening. The Parliament should facilitate
debate where opposing views meet and are discussed. One-sided symposiums is not
in any interest of the European citizenry.</span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">US Supreme Court’s Draft Proposal</span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The recent draft proposal of the Supreme Court to overturn <i>Roe v.
Wade</i> has stirred up the debate on abortion again. If the Supreme Court overturns <i>Roe v. Wade</i>, the responsibility to decide on the
legality of abortion will fall of individual States. The expectation is that in
multiple States abortion will either become illegal again or access to abortion
will be limited. In Europe, we witness diverse reactions to the news ranging
from calling it a </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://twitter.com/SophieintVeld/status/1521349566901149697?s=20&t=cVSROIoWQW4pq1tB8aIJTw"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">setback in women’s rights</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> to </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://twitter.com/hjaruissen/status/1521380956149530625?t=MVorhJOyLBh8PVb5zqSDvA&s=19"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">applauding the p<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlt103095864;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlt103095865;">r</span></span>oposal</span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlt103095865"></a><a name="_Hlt103095864"></a><!--[endif]--></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Again, this points out that visions and opinions on abortion differ.
Society and politicians are not all in favor, nor all against abortion. The
European Parliament should reflect these differences in visions and opinions. </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Conclusions</h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">FEMM committee chairman Robert Biedroń (S&D, Poland) said that the
hearing was in line with the position of the European Parliament, meaning the
EP has always supported women and human rights. However, there is need for a
civil and balanced debate in the European Parliament on the issues of gender
ideology and abortion. The EP is the house of the European Citizens. All its
opinions should be heard in the House. This was not at all the case in this
hearing on anti-gender movements for it was one-sided, demonizing opposing
views and discrediting to Christian organizations advocating prolife and family
values. </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">European Parliament and FEMM
committee, step up and engage in real debate and dialogue with respect and
understanding of opposing view and opinions. Represent the European citizens.
All of Europe’s citizens. Be the House you ought to be!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL"><a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/webstreaming/committee-on-women-s-rights-and-gender-equality_20220210-1345-COMMITTEE-FEMM"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Click h<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlt103096008;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlt103096009;">e</span></span>re</span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlt103096009"></a><a name="_Hlt103096008"></a><!--[endif]--></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> to watch the hearing on countering the anti-gender movement.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><div style="mso-element: comment-list;">
<!--[endif]-->
<div style="mso-element: comment;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript"><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-comment-author: "Leo van Doesburg"; mso-comment-providerid: "Windows Live"; mso-comment-userid: 3f28874bd8da4849;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a name="_msocom_1"></a><!--[endif]--></span>
<p class="MsoCommentText"><span class="MsoCommentReference"><span lang="NL" style="font-size: 8pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></span></span></p>
<!--[if !supportAnnotations]--></div>
<!--[endif]--></div>
</div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-84170752142604373362022-05-18T18:16:00.004+02:002022-05-20T22:32:31.457+02:00Antisemitic EU Sponsored Palestinian Textbooks: the EU Should Take Action!<p> </p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqFYOgzDXlNhbxnhB-yefbNJbaCW43N91f4vvVKTvg9b_EJaPTaxWMBvZ-4WJ9Ff_JSXFsvODuPbUjaSjrgaWBAkq4F0l-bggOw2rYS3gIias7YEgLhVnGDaRGEMhEPkDrBZvjqhIhy9pXv9jTtz68NOgHc0qb1x9ZUZJYBF1BUvHtcMfHppxSt4V3Q/s4000/AdobeStock_113523374%20(1).jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2674" data-original-width="4000" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqFYOgzDXlNhbxnhB-yefbNJbaCW43N91f4vvVKTvg9b_EJaPTaxWMBvZ-4WJ9Ff_JSXFsvODuPbUjaSjrgaWBAkq4F0l-bggOw2rYS3gIias7YEgLhVnGDaRGEMhEPkDrBZvjqhIhy9pXv9jTtz68NOgHc0qb1x9ZUZJYBF1BUvHtcMfHppxSt4V3Q/s320/AdobeStock_113523374%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB">MEPs raise concerns on the incitements to violence, terrorism, and
antisemitism in Palestinian schoolbooks in the disputed areas. </span></b></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://asimakopoulou.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-03-01-Letter-to-Commission-President-Palestinian-Textbooks-and-Amnesty-Report.pdf"><b><span lang="EN-GB">A group of 32 members of Parliament
addressed
a letter to EC President Ursula von der Leyen</span></b></a><a name="_Hlt99616733"></a><a name="_Hlt99616732"></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB"> in which they point at problematic content present in educational
materials that are used in Palestinian schools. Their call is strengthened by
an </span></b></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0144_EN.pdf"><b><span lang="EN-GB">adopted text in the EP which condemns
the textbooks</span></b></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB"><b> in which incitements to violence as well as hate and antisemitism are found, as several studies reported. The reoccurrence
is unacceptable and ongoing negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA)
have not achieved much. The European Commission and President Von der Leyen are
urged to include conditionality on funds to the PA, if necessary changes in
textbooks are not made. Furthermore, the letter criticizes the Commission for
failing to reject a </b></span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/israels-apartheid-against-palestinians-a-cruel-system-of-domination-and-a-crime-against-humanity/"><b><span lang="EN-GB">controversial report by Amnesty
International that characterizes Israel an apartheid state</span></b></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB">.</span></b></span></div></span></b></span></b></div><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span><a name='more'></a></span><span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Leo%20van%20Doesburg" datetime="2022-04-21T12:34"> </ins></span></span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This article is made in collaboration with Koen Strijk</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Antisemitic educational content in the Palestinian Authority has been a problem for years. Palestinian pupils learn to hate Jews
and emulate terrorists. While voices of concern were expressed, the European
Commission has been passive and failed to take effective action to counter the
schoolbook problem. Inaction on the problem does not only lead to Palestinian
children being educated to hate Israelis. It also means the continuation of the
Palestinian-Israeli conflict for the future generations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Textbook Studies, Dangerous Findings</span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Textbooks used in the Palestinian schools have been investigated for
years. </span></span><span lang="NL">Time </span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">and</span></span><span lang="NL"> again</span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">, </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/PA-MoE-Study-Cards-2021%E2%80%9322-Grades-1%E2%80%9311.pdf"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">research <span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlt99616688;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlt99616689;">p</span></span>resents</span></a><!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><a name="_Hlt99616689"></a><a name="_Hlt99616688"></a><!--[endif]--></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> a problematic picture of the schoolbooks’ content: promotion of
antisemitism, rejection of peace, absence of tolerance and coexistence,
encouragement of martyrdom and Jihad, violence, terror glorification and
justification, dangerous libel, erasure from Israel on the maps, dehumanization
and demonization of Israelis and the delegitimization of Jewish history and
self-determination. An EU-commissioned report conducted by the </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="http://www.gei.de/abteilungen/wissen-im-umbruch/analyse-palaestinensischer-schulbuecher-paltex.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Georg Eckert Institute</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> (GEI) pointed out that, although there have been ameliorations, </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://twitter.com/AJCTAI/status/1433790419733786626"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">violent and hateful schoolbooks</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> are present and fail to meet UNESCO Standards of peace, tolerance,
coexistence and non-violence.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Earlier Pledges without Changes</span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on textbooks is not new, calls
for EU attention and action have been advocated by MEPs several times. </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://twitter.com/lukasmandl/status/1403028450579988483?s=21"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Last summer, a letter was sent to
President Von der Leyen by a group of MEPs on this issue</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> containing a similar message as the recent letter. Despite pledges to
alter the content of textbooks by the Palestinian Authority, no significant
changes have been made. This was also confirmed by an IMPACT-se (an Israeli non-profit
organization that monitors the content of school textbooks) </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.impact-se.org/wp-content/uploads/PA-MoE-Study-Cards-2021%E2%80%9322-Grades-1%E2%80%9311.pdf"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">report </span></a>that confirmed this</span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. PA authorities reacted to the report by stating that the textbooks </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/despite-eu-vow-to-end-incitement-palestinian-textbooks-remain-unaltered-report/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">express a national narrative and
national identity</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. In last summer's letter, MEPs are
concerned with the inaction of the PA authorities underlining that “<i>years of
negotiations with the PA and repeated Commission pledges of “zero tolerance”
for antisemitism have unfortunately failed to bring about the desired change</i>”
and remind President Von der Leyen that <i>“asking the PA to revise these books
is not an imposition but a self-evident and non-negotiable duty”. </i>Last<i> </i>April,
during a </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/committee-on-budgetary-control_20220420-1645-COMMITTEE-CONT"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">meeting of the Committee on
Budgetary Control</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> the issue was heatedly debated. Among
others, </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://twitter.com/hjaruissen/status/1516869093302886401?s=20&t=w7eb6jqECZV7euPkk7lGSA"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> (ECR/ECPM, the Netherlands) and IAF European Parliament Chairman repeated
the message of latest letter to President Von der Leyen.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Funding? Fine, but with Conditionality</span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Palestinian educators are paid by European Union funds. As they teach
from books with the abovementioned content, the funding is incompatible with
and contradictory to EU values and the common goal of working toward peace.</span></span>. Consequently, the latest letter asks
the EC President to include a conditionality to the educational funding to the
Palestinian Authority. Without the PA adjusting the educational materials, the
possibility to reduce funding must be available. The letter does not call for a
complete stop of funding to the PA. On the contrary, the MEPs express they <i>“wholeheartedly
support EU funding for the PA”,</i> though they do not want EU taxpayers’ money
to be spend on incitement.</p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi,
</span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://twitter.com/OliverVarhelyi/status/1407039940505001993"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">who earlier considered the
conditionality of financial support</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">, allegedly made a </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.algemeiner.com/2022/03/23/palestinian-authority-official-confirms-freeze-on-millions-in-european-aid-over-textbook-concerns/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">proposal to withhold 10 million
euros of financial aid if reforms of the curriculum are not conducted</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. Moreover, </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/eu-aid-palestinian-authority-blocked-antisemitism-school-textbooks"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">several media outlets</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> report that </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/.premium-european-union-to-vote-on-conditioning-palestinian-aid-on-incitement-in-schools-1.10676546"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">over 200 million euros</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> of aid to the Palestinian Authority is frozen. Palestinian Foreign
Minister Al-Maliki made clear that he does not accept the conditionality
proposed by the Commissioner . However, Mr Varhelyi recently visited the disputed areas where he </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/commissioners/2019-2024/varhelyi/announcements/remarks-commissioner-varhelyi-after-meeting-palestinian-authority-representatives_en"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">reiterated the EU support of the
Palestinian people and the PA</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. The annual aid is to be continued. Since 2017, the EU’s bilateral
assistance to the disputed areas focused on governance reform; rule of law; access to
water and energy services and to sustainable economic development. </span></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/european-neighbourhood-policy/countries-region/palestine_en">In
2020, the EU gave 204 million directly to the Palestinian authority.</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">EU Strategy on Combating
Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life</span></span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The </span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/default/files/eu-strategy-on-combating-antisemitism-and-fostering-jewish-life_october2021_en.pdf"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">EU Strategy on Combating
Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> provides clear statements applicable to the
current case of the textbooks' antisemitic passages. In the Strategy, the EU
declares to promote full compliance of educational material with UNESCO
standards. It continues by stating that <i>“any material that goes against them
[UNESCO standards] risks undermining peace and co-existence and has no place in
textbooks or classrooms”</i>. Moreover, the Strategy also emphasizes that the EU
external funds may not be misallocated to activities that incite hatred and
violence, including against Jewish people. This is mentioned as one of the key
actions of the European Commission and the High Representative. Clearly, by
sponsoring antisemitic textbooks and failure to act, the EU does the opposite
of what it portrays to do in its policy and proves itself unreliable.</span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A Counter Letter from the Left</span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Leaders of the </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.socialistsanddemocrats.eu/sites/default/files/2022-03/Conditionality_to_the_EUs_financial_assistance_to_the_Palestinian_Authority_220325_v2.pdf"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">S&D, Greens/EFA, and The Left also
wrote a letter to Ursula von der Leyen</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> in response to the alleged proposal by Commissioner Varhelyi. The left-wing
politicians reject the conditionality of the financial assistance of the PA. They argue that the reduction of financial assets by which educators are paid would negatively
affect the right to education of Palestinian pupils and students, and
potentially be counterproductive as it opens opportunities for extremists which
will have negative consequences on the prospect of peace.
Furthermore, the letter calls the proposal stigmatising to the Palestinian
educational system at large, and a confirmation of the prejudice that
Palestinian hate of Israel is due to education and schooling instead of Israeli
occupation of Palestinian lands.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">They make it clear in their letter that
they side with the Palestinians and do not see the textbooks as problematic. Additionally,
they fail to recognize that raising the younger generation with the idea that
the other is to be fought and the use of violence is justified or even a duty exacerbates
conflicts and is not conducive to de-escalation. It may be appealing to side
with the weakest, however, leaving the opportunity to feed the younger
generation with hate will not lead to peace. </span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">EP
Condemns Palestinian Textbooks</span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">On May 4<sup>th</sup>, the European
Parliament finallj adopted </span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0144_EN.pdf"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">a report in which it officially
condemns the antisemitism in Palestinian textbooks and study cards</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. The EP calls for all EU funded
study materials and educational personnel to maintain the <a style="mso-comment-date: 20220511T1731; mso-comment-done: yes; mso-comment-reference: LK_5;">UNESCO standards</a>
of </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">peace, tolerance, co-existence, and
nonviolence. The report asks the Commission to closely scrutinize the PA and
the modification of the curriculum. Moreover, the report calls the EC to “fully
introduce the principle of conditionality” and to “ensure a legal framework
that provides for these support instruments” hereby following the suggestion
made in the letter to Von der Leyen by the 32 MEPs. The adopted report is a
boost for all those who fight antisemitism in Europe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">No EU Rejection of the Amnesty Report</span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">MEPs who support Israel, expressed also in their letter to Commission their
disappointment with the European Commission who has not rejected the
controversial report on Israel recently published by Amnesty International. The
report calls Israel an apartheid state. The document has been controversial
since its publication. Governments of the USA, UK, Canada, Germany and other EU
members states have rejected the report. Tellingly, </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-701167"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Israel’s Regional Cooperation
Minister Esawi Frej</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">, himself an Arab member of the
left-wing Meretz Party, responded to the Amnesty report by stating that <i>“Israel
has many problems that must be solved … but Israel is not an apartheid state.”
</i>The writers of the letter to Von der Leyen ask for an EU that is distancing
from the odious report.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Conclusion</span></h4>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">After new studies on the antisemitic, hateful, and violent content in
Palestinian schoolbooks, MEPs call on the Commission to act. For years the
Commission negotiated with the Palestinian Authorities to alter the content of
its textbook, however, time and again it appears no result was achieved. A
conditionality should be included in the financial aid mechanism: the
possibility to reduce funding on educational matters if alterations in
textbooks are not made. It cannot be that future generations of Palestinians
are educated to hate the other. This only worsens the conflict and makes the
prospect of peace in the region impossible. The parties on the left should face
the problem of the incitement, antisemitism, and hatred in Palestinian
schoolbooks, and stop with looking the other side or blaming the Israel as
left-wing MEPs have done in their counter letter and in the debate in the
Committee on Budgetary Control. Closing the eyes and inaction will not increase
the prospect of peace in the region and a stable and peaceful solution. The EU
must take further action on the textbook problem and ensure antisemitism
disappears from educational materials in the disputed areas<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Click </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://asimakopoulou.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2022-03-01-Letter-to-Commission-President-Palestinian-Textbooks-and-Amnesty-Report.pdf"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">here</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> to read the letter to EC President Ursula von der Leyen on behalf of 32
MEPs. <br />
Click </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.impact-se.org/reports-2/palestinian-territories/palestinian-authority/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">here</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> to read the IMPACT-se reports on antisemitic educational materials in the disputed areas.<br />
Click </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/committee-on-budgetary-control_20220420-1645-COMMITTEE-CONT"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">here</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> to watch the debate in the Committee on Budgetary Control.<br />
Click </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0144_EN.pdf"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">here</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> to read the report in which the EP condemns the Palestinian textbooks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: comment-list;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->
<hr align="left" class="msocomoff" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div style="mso-element: comment;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]-->
<div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_1" language="JavaScript"><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-comment-author: "Leo van Doesburg"; mso-comment-providerid: "Windows Live"; mso-comment-userid: 3f28874bd8da4849;"><!--[if !supportAnnotations]--><a name="_msocom_1"></a><!--[endif]--></span>
<p class="MsoCommentText"><br /></p></div></div><div style="mso-element: comment;"><div class="msocomtxt" id="_com_5" language="JavaScript">
<!--[if !supportAnnotations]--></div>
<!--[endif]--></div>
</div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-27777964657137660732022-04-22T12:20:00.004+02:002022-04-22T12:23:42.391+02:00Pornography: Harmful to Gender Equality, Human Rights and Particularly Dangerous to Young People<p> </p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCIww8uaT5cgDFOcpQe68XzQ9k8WeIg0Y2VYHLg7mGOeLsXreut4SERLpUnCQU_xvXTBKic_ntSR8pZUJs0NE683HMILLODj8nsta6I3hkvARqOPnqrkATDZPQkY6sy7T8eYLsJckUCoEfiMCw0EgoMByNQ_z-J1XGq1LYg1vLldn32plkjGLyvnUww/s5171/AdobeStock_242188777.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3824" data-original-width="5171" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCIww8uaT5cgDFOcpQe68XzQ9k8WeIg0Y2VYHLg7mGOeLsXreut4SERLpUnCQU_xvXTBKic_ntSR8pZUJs0NE683HMILLODj8nsta6I3hkvARqOPnqrkATDZPQkY6sy7T8eYLsJckUCoEfiMCw0EgoMByNQ_z-J1XGq1LYg1vLldn32plkjGLyvnUww/w200-h148/AdobeStock_242188777.jpeg" width="200" /></a></span></span></div><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>In the end of last year, a far-reaching resolution was adopted in the Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the “Gender Aspects and Human
Rights Implications of Pornography”. The </b></span></span><b><span lang="NL"><a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/files/29579/html"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">resolution</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> was accompanied by a </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/files/29521/html"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">report</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. The conclusion is clear: pornography and its industry are harmful. In
the resolution, the Parliamentary Assembly condemns pornography and calls upon
its members to protect human rights and gender equality, to ban public porn
advertisement and block porn websites in the workplace and public institutions
among others. The accompanying report extensively highlights the connection
between pornography and violence against women and human trafficking; and
stresses the negative effects on men, women, and particularly young people. Although
some critique and concern remain, this resolution and report should put the
issue of pornography back on the agenda and start a debate among politicians
and policymakers to rethink and reconsider the vision on pornography and its
impact on individuals and society.</span></span></b></div></span></span><p></p><a name='more'></a><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The resolution fiercely condemns pornography and its industry. Pornography
undermines gender equality and is dangerous to the development of young people.
The resolution calls for caution and measures regulating the distribution of
explicit sexual content and reiterates that, although pornography can be a form
of freedom of expression, this can be limited by law to protect the human
rights. The Assembly calls upon its members to introduce comprehensive
sexuality education, introduce warning systems on pornographic websites,
install porn filters in the workplace and public libraries and schools,
criminalize revenge porn, consider to ban public advertising of pornography and
to provide adequate services to people wanting to exit the porn industry and
people suffering from an addiction to pornography. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This article gives an overview of
the report written by rapporteur Frank Heinrich (EPP/CD, Germany) listing the
effects and impact of pornography and its industry and expanding on certain
points made. Following to the positive sides of the report, is a section with
critique and concern in order to challenge certain elements of the document and
to introduce lacking issues linked to pornography that deserve our attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Everyone watches it, right?</span></span></h2>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The report starts by acknowledging
the massive use and consumption of pornography in today’s society: six out of
ten men and four out of ten women consume pornography monthly, half of the
internet content is sex-related, and porn websites have more visits than
Netflix, Amazon and Twitter combined. The evolution of the internet has made sexually
explicit material easily accessible, more affordable and anonymous. Pornography
has become a mass phenomenon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As it a widespread problem. The
impact of pornography is large and should not be underestimated. It influences
our societies. Particularly among young people and children, it shapes the
attitudes and ideas on sex, sexuality and personal relationships, and has
impact on a person’s behavior and health. Inevitably, it also impacts the
general population. The report is rather clear and straightforward on the
negative effects of pornography on youngsters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The connection between sexual violence and porn is controversial in
society and media, but it is well documented”</span></span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The report gives adequate attention
to the relationship between the use and consumption of pornographic material
and violence, especially against females. “The connection between sexual
violence and porn is controversial in society and media, but it is well
documented”, the report says. Mainstream porn is violent and portrays
aggression and violence to be acceptable and desirable in a sexual and romantic
relationship. Frequent and excessive consumption of pornography – violent and
non-violent – is associated with sexual harassment, sexual coercion, tolerance
of unwanted sexual behavior and the support of violence against women. Young
users of (violent) pornography are more likely to support rape myths and feel
less emphatic of victims of sexual violence. Moreover, porn consumption is
considered a risk factor for sexual violence, offences, and aggression.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In addition to violence against women, pornography also contributes to
the depiction of women and girls as mere objects that are meant to be used to satisfy the sexual desires and needs of men.
Porn consumption is associated with this reduction of women to sexual objects
and young people appear to be more sensitive to this notion.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dissatisfaction, dysfunction and drug-like addiction</span></h2>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The report puts forward multiple effects of the consumption of
pornography. Some of them are widely known. It is known that porn consumption
has a negative association with the sexual satisfaction and attractiveness of
consumers themselves and their partners. The report draws the connection
between the increasing consumption of porn and the increasing number of
erectile dysfunctions among men younger than 30 years old and the increasing
demand of non-medical genital surgery among young women and girls.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The addiction to pornography appears to have similar negative effects on
the brain as addictions to drugs or gambling. Moreover, the report states that
a porn addiction can lead to desensitization which can cause the person’s need
for more extreme or violent content. One of the adopted PACE recommendations is the
call on member states to provide and promote counselling and support services
for people struggling with an addiction to pornography.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Porn: sex education</span></span></h2>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Young people’s idea on sex and
sexuality are very much influenced by pornography nowadays. This largely is the
result of the fact, that explicit sexual content has become their main source of
information on sexuality, because of the failing of school programs and the increasing
accessibility of pornographic materials. This is problematic as scholars and
experts have made it clear that pornography is not and cannot be a substitute for
sexual education.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Introduction of 'Comprehensive Sexuality Education'</span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The resolution calls on its members to ensure comprehensive sexuality
education for young people and children, as the report also recommends. It also calls that comprehensive sexuality education should be mandatory in school curricula and
must be made available as out-of-school programs. Later on in this article,
there is an elaboration on the issue of comprehensive sexuality education.</span></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Do we want this for the next generations?</span></span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The report has an extensive part on
the effects of pornography on young people and children. As mentioned earlier,
pornographic material is widespread and consumed massively. This is equally
true for young people: the majority of 15-year-old children have been exposed
to sexual explicit content, intentionally or unintentionally. Boys tend to be
exposed earlier to pornography and watch more images and also more extreme
images whereas girls have more involuntary encounters with pornography. These
encounters are often through pop-up’s and advertisement on internet websites. Unintentional
and unwanted exposure to pornography can do psychological and emotional harm
unto children and might have consequences in shaping their identities.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Copycat Behavior</span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Pornography tends to have an impact on young people’s behavior. They are
likely to copy what they see in pornographic content and expect themselves and
their partner to behave the same as performers do, particularly when the
performers are teens and match their age. This does not only lead to
unrealistic expectations of sex, but the effects can also be far more severe.
The consumption may cause youngsters to internalize the sexual scripts used in
pornography. Pornography where older men sexually interact with young girls
contributes to the sexual norm that very young girls – potentially minors – are
targets for sex and makes the sexualization of very young girls and women
acceptable, normative and desirable. Moreover, the sexual script often used in
porn in which no means yes, can teach young people problematic ideas on consent
and increase the development of sexual aggression. As mainstream pornography
tends to be violent, young people may see aggression acceptable and desirable
in a sexual and romantic relation and, in case of girls, feel pressured to
enjoy aggressive and degrading acts or, in case of boys, feel pressured to be
aggressive to fulfill their partners’ sexual desires.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another important point made in the report is that that pornography
negatively impacts the attitude on gender equality. Furthermore, it makes young
people more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior and unprotected sex.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Lacking Protection of Minors</span></span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Existing age restrictions are not effectively enforced, and children
have access to deviant and violent pornographic content. Rapporteur Frank
Heinrich is clear on the matter: when it comes to children the regulatory
bodies have the responsibility to protect them. The resolutions adopted by the
Assembly correspond to this notion as there is called for warning label systems
for pornographic websites on the potential harms of pornographic use and
consumption, the requirement of installed porn blocking internet filters in
public libraries and school, the consideration of banning public advertising of
pornography and the consideration of a countrywide age verification to access
pornography or a legal obligation for porn distribution companies to verify
age.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Human trafficking and pornography: not mentioned enough</span></span></h2>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An important issue the report raises
is the linkage between pornography and human trafficking. According to Anders Sunesson,
Swedish Ambassador at Large for Combating Trafficking in Persons: <i>“The interconnection between pornography and human trafficking is
not mentioned enough.”</i> Sexual exploitation is one of the most prominent
types of human trafficking, particularly in Europe. To prepare the report, rapporteur
Frank Heinrich attended a webinar on the subject with notable experts
(conclusions in the report are drawn from this webinar) in which he described the report as
<i>“a timely cry for help on behave of victims of trafficking for the purpose of
sexual exploitation”.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Enhancement of Human Trafficking
through Pornography</span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The report does not only acknowledge
there is a pornography-human traffic linkage, it also underlines that pornography
increases the demand for trafficking and it is used to groom victims and
normalize their abuse. Human traffickers produce pornographic material of their
victims to control and profit for them even if they are not under their
physical control. The emergence of the ‘dark web’, cryptocurrencies and
encrypted messaging platforms enables human trafficking for the sake of sexual
exploitation – including pornography – making it more profitable, widespread
and less prone to being detected. User generated websites and ‘camsex’ make it easier
to make money from the domestic sexual violence attributed to victims of human
trafficking. Kyle Hyland (Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action
against Trafficking of Human Beings) and Congressman Chris Smith (Special
Representative on Human Trafficking Issues of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
OSCE) emphasized the need for adequate funding for the sufficient
implementation of national and international law regulations to counter human
trafficking. At the moment, it is insufficiently and ill-funded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although the report contains a firm
and well described section on the relation between pornography and human
trafficking, the adopted resolution is rather tame by only calling unto its
members and associates to investigate the ‘possible’ link of pornography and
human trafficking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Some Critique & Concerns about the Council
of Europe report</span></h2>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The report discussed in this article
is a good report drawing firms conclusion on the negative effects of
pornography and its implications on human rights, however, there is also reason
for some criticism.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Hollow Words of Comprehensive Sexuality
Education (CSE)</span></span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The first concerning point pertains to the ‘comprehensive sexuality
education’ (CSE). As mentioned above, both the resolution and the report call
for CSE in school curricula as a counter measure to pornography as educational
tool on sex and sexuality. This means introducing CSE to all school curricula,
age-appropriate, scientific accurate and evidence-based and cover issues like
gender equality, prevention and protection form sexual violence and more. The
resolution highlights that CSE “should be the main source of information for
young people, which would prevent the spread of unreliable and potentially
harmful information by other sources”. CSE does seem appealing at first sight,
it might not be entirely. Firstly, CSE lacks a standard and therefore is just
as good as the one who teaches on the matter. It also provides an opportunity
to people with radical agendas to sexualize children. Where it is based on an
appropriate and proper standard, the concern could possibly be diminished. But
without any standard, ‘comprehensive sexuality education’ remains hollow words, only an appealing but empty term. Secondly, the resolution demands the CSE to
be mandatory for all pupils and students without any right to refusal. This clashes
with the freedom of conscience. Therefore, the resolution is too rigid and
should be challenged.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Controversial ‘Ethical Pornography’</span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Secondly, the report mentions ‘ethical pornography’ and portrays it more
or less as a “good version” of pornography. Ethical pornography is defined as
pornography made in a legal manner, respecting the rights of the performers,
providing good working conditions, showing both fantasy and real sex and
celebrating sexual diversity. However, the term ‘ethical pornography’ is controversial and should be challenged. As mentioned earlier in the report,
“pornography is made for mere profit” and it is made for the purpose of the
consumer’s pleasure. Ethical pornography still offers sex as a product
separated from mutuality of pleasure, responsibility, affection, and love.
Therefore, the outcome stays the same, whether it is ‘ethically’ produced or
not. Moreover, pornography users tend to turn to more extreme material over
time resulting in ethical pornography being a doorway to such content. The
report fails to address these points on ‘ethical pornography’ and this section
should have been more balanced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What about Marriage and Family Life?</span></span></h3>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another remark on the report is that there is no consideration on the
effects of pornography on marriage and family life. As marriage and family are
important institutions to our societies, it is appropriate to address the issue
shortly. The report does mention briefly that men who are porn consumers may
speak less affective of their wives, are less committed to their wives and
show infidelity more often. Other studies have shown that </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10508-016-0770-y"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">pornography use is negatively
related to marital quality</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Couples who use pornography report lower satisfaction with their
sex-life and decision-making as a couple. Moreover, dissatisfaction in marriage
is associated with porn consumption. </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224499.2017.1317709"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Divorce probabilities double for men
and women who start watching pornography</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Conversely, women who stop using pornography are less likely to get
divorced. In sum, multiple studies indicate the negative effects of pornography
for married couples and consequently this can have a serious impact on families
in our society. It is disappointing that the report does not address this issue.</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Conclusion</span></span></h2>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Overall, the PACE resolution and report
are beneficial. They draw a clear-cut but unpopular picture of pornography –
which is not communicated by media or among the general public. It
is however, well known by experts and scholars: pornography and its industry are
harmful to women, men, and particularly young people. Pornography fosters the
sexualization of (very young) women, degrading them to mere objects; fosters
and justifies violence against women; is connected with human trafficking; and
causes problems which negatively affect individuals’ romantic and sexual life
(such as erectile dysfunction, dissatisfaction with own and partner’s
appearance and sexual performance). The fact that young people often use
pornography as source of education on sex and sexuality does not only harm
themselves and their personal development but also endangers society as a whole
as new generations are affected by the false truths pornography depicts. It is
clear that pornography does harm human rights, particularly of those most
vulnerable such as women and children in difficult situations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This does not mean the resolution
and report are perfect, as there is still criticism and concern regarding the
above mentioned ‘comprehensive sexual education’, which remain hollow words
without a proper standard and there are also potentially opportunities for individuals to
sexualize young children; ‘ethical pornography’, which is just regular
pornography wrapped in nice paper; and the lack of describing the effects on
marriage and family life pornography has.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Though it is not flawless, the resolution
and report can be regarded as a boost to put pornography on the agenda and
foster the debate on its effects on individuals and society. The presented facts
deserve the attention of our politicians and policymakers. It is an invitation
to reconsider the current narratives on the matter and engage in an in-depth
discussion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Read the adopted PACE Report on ‘Gender aspects and human rights
implications of pornography’ by clicking on <a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/files/29521/html">this link</a></span></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<br />
Read the adopted PACE Resolutions on ‘Gender aspects and human rights
implications of pornography’ by clicking on </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://pace.coe.int/pdf/6a217ce4a21b7d68aa85061738aff4f3e240082055dc1dcfbca881e0891a6335/resolution%202412.pdf"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">this link</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<br />
Want to know more on the effects of pornography? </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://endsexualexploitation.org/issues/pornography/"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Click here</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-52735438970102749752022-04-11T17:13:00.017+02:002022-04-12T14:38:29.924+02:00New EP Resolution: Fighting Foreign Interference or Different Opinions?<p> </p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ywg0oltlJLxKkTr_ia0zmXW8KI3M0Me1bywVO8NFGP7xE03qe25VcbOgIlrOjnJvnNjIwBpkmhpXfoS7ruvSLAl51R8MklEt6Z2s7A8zUjEJOtb8dlq9pFPDdSOCvBeNeGytT4rP4go9j-kXx91AUF7oCGTr_CnStFRcwURIEt6NrlQAcdkEyApJRA/s5242/AdobeStock_294841411.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3744" data-original-width="5242" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Ywg0oltlJLxKkTr_ia0zmXW8KI3M0Me1bywVO8NFGP7xE03qe25VcbOgIlrOjnJvnNjIwBpkmhpXfoS7ruvSLAl51R8MklEt6Z2s7A8zUjEJOtb8dlq9pFPDdSOCvBeNeGytT4rP4go9j-kXx91AUF7oCGTr_CnStFRcwURIEt6NrlQAcdkEyApJRA/s320/AdobeStock_294841411.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>On the 9<sup>th</sup> of March, the European Parliament (EP) adopted a </span></b></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0064_EN.html"><b><span lang="EN-GB">resolution on ‘foreign interference
in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation’</span></b></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB">. Although the issue of foreign interference in EU politics is an
important topic, the resolution contains some problematic passages which might
have serious consequences for Christians and organizations advocating pro-life
and family values. These passages pertain to the depiction of opposing opinions
on controversial issues as disinformation and hate speech. Furthermore, the
resolution calls for measures against religious institutions when
instrumentalized to promote foreign states’ interest. Without proper and
irrefutable evidence, this risks to harm religious freedoms. Necessary
awareness on these matters is advised.</span></b></span></div></b><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span><a name='more'></a></span> </span></b></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In 2020, the EP installed the
Special Committee on Foreign Interference and Disinformation (INGE) which was
tasked with the examination of interference in the EU’s and EU countries
democratic processes by foreign states such as Russia and China. Sandra
Kalniete (EPP, Latvia) was appointed as the Committee’s rapporteur and drew up
a report on the matter. She assessed the topic from different angles such as
media and education, online platforms and cybersecurity. The report concluded
that foreign interference happens and most of the time we are unaware of it .
The report calls for EU action on the topic. One of the sources of information
gathering for the report was through public hearings and consultation of
experts.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Pro-life movement attacked</b></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It was surprising that the INGE Committee together with the FEMM
Committee (Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality) organized a </span></span><span lang="NL"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/joint-femm-inge-public-hearing-on-financ/product-details/20210315CHE08502">hearing ‘foreign interference on the
financing of anti-choice organizations in the EU’</a></span></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/joint-femm-inge-public-hearing-on-financ/product-details/20210315CHE08502"> </a>in March 2021. However, the issue of ‘foreign interference’ was not
touched upon during the event. The hearing turned out to be an one-sided attack
on organizations that promote pro-life and family values by pro-abortion activists
who were invited to speak as ‘experts’. The event was used by the speakers to
discredit and harm ideological opponents in front of European politicians and
policymakers. Pro-life and family values organizations were shamed and accused
of providing and spreading of disinformation without a chance to defend
themselves. The event itself turned out to be harmful</span></span><a href="https://myecpm-my.sharepoint.com/personal/lk_ecpm_info/Documents/Documents/ECPM/ECPM%20General%20Documents/Blog%20Articles/INGE/Article%20EP%20Resolution%20Foreign%20Interference%20and%20Disinformation%20(INGE)%20Fin.docx#_edn1" name="_ednref1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. Besides, we should bear in mind that abortion is not an EU competence.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Further on in this article, we
elaborate on some concerning and problematic passages in the resolution that
need to be addressed.</p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Disinformation or different opinion?</b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">The first problematic issue is the
section that stipulates that the democratic processes on fundamental rights
topics such as gender, LGBTIQ+, sexual reproductive health and rights are being
targeted with disinformation campaigns which might harm human rights. The
problem with this section in the resolution is that the term disinformation on
gender and LGBTIQ+ topics is used for different viewpoints and opinions on
these issues. The narrative is that pro-life and family values advocacy is
disinformation, hate speech (see below) and a threat to human rights and
democracy. This could have the consequence that statements such as ‘abortion is
undesirable’ or ‘abortion is not a human right’ could be deemed as disinformation.
The efforts to silence other opinions is incompatible with the EU’s motto
‘Unity in diversity’ and with democratic values. Moreover, this exceeds the
mission of the INGE Committee as it does not have the competence to deal with
the substance of issues.</p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The resolution states that
perpetrators of the disinformation campaigns promote themselves as advocates of
traditional and conservative values and pushes them into a ‘shady funded’
frame. The European Parliament calls on the European Commission to implement
strategies to hinder the financing of people and organizations that spread
disinformation on the above-mentioned topics, and the creation of early warning
systems for the reporting and identification of such opinions is asked.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Hate speech, but what does it mean?</b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Secondly, the term ‘hate speech’ is used in the resolution. Recently, </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="http://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2022/03/new-european-commission-proposal-on.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">an article on hate speech was
published on this blog addressing the difficulties with the term</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">. The bottom-line problem with hate speech is that the term is vague and
subjective in its nature. Therefore, what can be considered hate speech or not
is disputable and largely victim to the person deciding on the case. This can
result in a process highly likable to be characterized by randomness –
everything can be hate speech or disinformation – which is of course
incompatible with the decent rule of law.</span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The Special Committee’s report
mentions hate speech several times and connects it with the freedom of expression:
“There is a fine line between the freedom of expression and the promotion of
disinformation and hate speech which should not be abused”. It is true that
there is a fine line between the freedom of expression and the promotion of
hate speech and disinformation but without a clear-cut, objective definition of
the term the drawers of that fine line rather than the exercisers of freedom of
expression can be considered abusers as they can censure speech. It is
dangerous to democracy and fundamental rights to draw a line between free
speech and hate speech if there is no definition of the latter. Everything can
be hate speech then and possibly be censured, or worse, be punished. In the
resolution, the European Parliament calls for action within a harmonized EU
legal framework against the spread of disinformation and hate speech,
particularly hate speech targeting minorities. The lightness by which this
issue is promoted in the resolution is highly worrying.</span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Measures against religious institutions only if
evidence is irrefutable</b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Finally, the resolution calls for action against religious institutions
used as instruments by state or non-state actor seeking to interfere in
European societies. The MEPs call for close monitoring of religious
institutions and “where appropriate and supported by evidence” actions against
the institutions such as the denial of funding. The resolution explicitly
mentions the Russian Orthodox Church and Salafi mosques as instruments of
Russian and Saudi interference in the EU and EU member states. It is true that
religious institutions can be misused by regimes or other actors to promote
their interests. It is sad and regrettable to see the Russian Orthodox Church
promoting the <a href="https://publicorthodoxy.org/2022/03/13/a-declaration-on-the-russian-world-russkii-mir-teaching/?fbclid=IwAR2LU8CFAUj3cLQSrAbXL_GqfVSvkiSr8N9kBkew5Bp48a-4zMVv4Yd7n_Y">“Russian
World” theory</a> as justification for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the
radical Islam promotion by Saudi <a href="https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2017/02/08/terrorism_watchdogwarnsagainstinfluenceofsalafistideology-1-2886412/">Salafi
mosques</a>.</p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">We stand for the principle of separation of church and state. The
European Union is built on this principle. Since the vast majority of European
citizens are religious – mostly Christians – the separation between state and
church is of major importance. The States should not misuse church or other
religious institutions for their political agendas. This equally counts for
Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the EU Member States or whatever country for that
matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it should be guaranteed
that before measures are taken, evidence of interference through religious
institutions is irrefutable. The separation of church and state also means that
the state is not interfering in the church or other religious institutions.
Therefore, actions based on suspicion or rumours and without proper proof of
interference must be always avoided. Moreover, churches and other religious
institutions, as full part of society and expression of citizens in society,
have the right to speak out on social and other issues in society and raise
their voice towards any government. This right is also a European right as
enshrined in Article 17.3 TFEU and it is important that this right continues to
be respected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Conclusion</b></p><p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">Foreign interference and disinformation are issues deserving to be
addressed. Certainly, in current times of war at the border of the European
Union, and where unsound and false information is spread by Russia. The
resolution adopted by the European Parliament addresses the issue and raises
several important points on the topic such as the importance of media,
journalism and education, cybersecurity, and online platforms. However, there are
problematic issues in the resolution. The Committee and its report have a
negative approach aiming to prevent and restrict pro-life and family value
advocacy instead of looking to protect freedoms to the largest extent as
possible. This approach is harmful to democracy. Opposing opinions on gender
and LGBTIQ+ issues can potentially be framed as disinformation; the term ‘hate
speech’ is used without a proper definition; and evidence against religious
institutions should be irrefutable. Awareness is needed on these issues, so
that freedom of expression and freedom of religion can prevail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="Standaard1" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-0064_EN.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Click here</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype1"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> to read the European Parliament’s resolution on Foreign Interference
and Disinformation.</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;"><!--[if !supportEndnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<p class="MsoEndnoteText"><a href="https://myecpm-my.sharepoint.com/personal/lk_ecpm_info/Documents/Documents/ECPM/ECPM%20General%20Documents/Blog%20Articles/INGE/Article%20EP%20Resolution%20Foreign%20Interference%20and%20Disinformation%20(INGE)%20Fin.docx#_ednref1" name="_edn1" style="mso-endnote-id: edn1;" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span lang="NL"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="NL" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 105%; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[i]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> Despite the attacks and
accusations towards several Christian organisations, the final report did not
draw any conclusions from the hearing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-43020745614935189092022-03-03T22:12:00.014+01:002022-03-03T22:25:31.890+01:00Human traffickers Prey on Ukrainian Refugees. What Immediate EU Actions are Needed? <p><br /></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKsXVheM4gwEZywjUfysx9TCQ8P8Z80N43F1Iq--GPGqbCEeFF56h4bpSLftfwcdfYtYwn6SSF_VpBjsEDNHn8Uz-Jt2P24t_JocGfym1QxeD9E4cC2PlQvCeGkCmKUoQ_ROfONR7fWeQ4gIb0kAjYsUWfwDGx7lqCNm0XvlBtbjLmotoXDbj4B4IEFg=s6000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKsXVheM4gwEZywjUfysx9TCQ8P8Z80N43F1Iq--GPGqbCEeFF56h4bpSLftfwcdfYtYwn6SSF_VpBjsEDNHn8Uz-Jt2P24t_JocGfym1QxeD9E4cC2PlQvCeGkCmKUoQ_ROfONR7fWeQ4gIb0kAjYsUWfwDGx7lqCNm0XvlBtbjLmotoXDbj4B4IEFg=w266-h177" width="266" /></a></span></span></div><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US">As war is waged in Ukraine, thousands and thousands of people seek safety
and cross the border in hope to find it. <a href="https://www.revive.nl/frits-rouvoet-live-vanaf-grens-oekraine-de-vluchtelingen-en-roemenen-hebben-ons-nu-nodig-mensenhandelaren-liggen-op-de-loer/">Humanitarian organizations at the Ukrainian-Romanian border are crying for help</a>, because </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">at the Romanian border, human traffickers prey on vulnerable Ukrainian
women, children, elderly and handicapped people. Also from organizations from the republic of Moldova I have received similar alarming signals. Already, accounts of missing people and rape have been reported. Help is needed to guarantee the protection of
refugees. The European Union is preparing different measures and actions to
help. Humanitarian organizations fear it takes too long, as help is needed
right away.</span></div></span><div><p></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Humanitarian organizations raise their voices of concern. Ukrainian
refugees are vulnerable to human traffickers and criminals seeking to lure them
into prostitution. The refugees often do not speak Romanian or English and do
not have a passport. As most of the refugees are women, children, elderly and
handicapped, the risk of falling victim to traffickers and smugglers poses a
serious threat.</span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Action at the European level</b></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The EU takes action on the current situation of refugees in Ukraine and
at its borders with neighboring countries. The recently adopted resolution </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2022-03-01_EN.html"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">2022/2564(RSP)</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> by the European Parliament stresses the special protection of
vulnerable refugees and reminds all member states of their responsibilities to
respect the fundamental rights of asylum seekers. Furthermore, the European
Commission and the French Presidency of the Council called for the activation
of the Temporal Protection Directive which must be approved by the Justice and
Home Affairs Council on Friday, March 4<sup>th</sup>. The </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32001L0055"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Temporal Protection Directive</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> provides minimum standards of protection and rights to displaced
persons for a period of one year, which can be extended. The Directive also allows
for access to suitable accommodation, social welfare, medical assistance, and
has provisions for family reunification.</span></span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;">The Justice and Home Affairs Council must take the decision to activate
the Temporal Protection Directive tomorrow, as it can help to reduce the risk
of refugees to be lured into human trafficking. Once received help, refugees
become less vulnerable.</p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b>Not enough. More action is needed</b></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The adopted resolution and the activation of the Temporal Protection Directive
can be helpful, however, more action is needed to ensure the protection of
Ukrainian refugees and keep them from exploitation by traffickers, smugglers
and other criminals.</span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US">The EU must urgently implement the </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2021:591:FIN&qid=1633242874386"><span lang="EN-US">Renewed Action Plan Against Migrant
Smuggling</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US">. This plan of action provides
several measures to counter migrant smuggling. It accommodates measures for the
identification of victims and provides support by EU agencies to member states
for this purpose. Measures to prevent families form separation are included, as
are search mechanisms to find missing migrants. The action plan also calls for
the sanctioning to those who employ illegal migrants. Also, the </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_1663"><span lang="EN-US">EU Strategy on the eradication of
human trafficking 2021-2025</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US"> contains several measures that should be implemented such as the
training for health care workers on the need of human trafficking victims.
Furthermore, the Commission must urgently proceed with assessing the imposition
of minimum EU rules for criminalizing the use of exploited services of
trafficking victims (especially on the field of sexual exploitation) as laid
down in the strategy.</span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These measures will help now and in the future victims of the war in
Ukraine. The EU should stay alert on their situation, continuously seeking
to ensure the protection and safety of these vulnerable women, children,
elderly and handicapped people. Local authorities, police forces and
humanitarian organizations are alert. The EU should be too!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(This article was written with help of Koen Struik and Lefteris Kaloterakis)</span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p></div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-53624908728750450552022-03-01T19:19:00.021+01:002022-03-01T20:43:03.631+01:00New European Commission Proposal on Hate speech: a Threat to Fundamental Freedoms?<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSEukdXNrj3F8wsOxN2dFybGbmqkMrJEhPHnBkyIRqaVcIBeTS5b0HbmU0KLUk55Cuxi_Xa3kP8OT8pWEki7HUulpDyKfsni5gA3eoXzvjIzjlKayfm2ixI9gsxMnvvyc0KrWve0ZGl5qYAnRPdhe859uZe_mzUbhIGlzPe5hmdA9b00c3CR8-yD4o6w=s1280" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSEukdXNrj3F8wsOxN2dFybGbmqkMrJEhPHnBkyIRqaVcIBeTS5b0HbmU0KLUk55Cuxi_Xa3kP8OT8pWEki7HUulpDyKfsni5gA3eoXzvjIzjlKayfm2ixI9gsxMnvvyc0KrWve0ZGl5qYAnRPdhe859uZe_mzUbhIGlzPe5hmdA9b00c3CR8-yD4o6w=w218-h218" width="218" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763;">On Friday 4</span></span><span style="color: #073763;"><sup style="text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="text-align: justify;"> of March, the Justice and Home Affairs Council will meet to discuss and vote on the <a href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/jha/2022/03/03-04/">European Commission’s proposal </a>to include hate
speech and hate crime onto the list of EU crimes of Article 83 of the Treaty on
the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). </span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span><a name='more'></a></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span>This might seem as a noble act on
behalf of the Commission. However, in its current form, the proposal poses a
threat to fundamental freedoms. The proposal neglects to define hate speech and hate crime in a clear-cut manner. This could have serious implications on
the freedom of speech and freedom of religion. It also potentially harms society,
and the Christian community in particular. We urge the Council members not to
accept the initiative in its current form.</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;">We will explore what the proposal is about, why the EC wants to
add hate speech and hate crime to the EU crimes list; and why this proposal is
not a good idea in its current form.</span></div><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #073763; font-family: inherit;"><b>SETTING THE SCENE: WHAT IS PROPOSED?</b></span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As mentioned above, the aim of the proposal is to include hate speech
and hate crimes in the list of EU crimes as laid down in article 83 of the
TFEU. To this moment, the list consist of terrorism, trafficking in human
beings and sexual exploitation of women and children, illicit drug trafficking,
illicit arms trafficking, money laundering, corruption, counterfeiting of means
of payment, computer crime and organized crime. Article 83 does not only
provide the abovementioned list of areas of crime. It also provides the
Council and European Parliament to adopt other areas of crime with a cross-border
dimension and to establish minimum rules concerning the definition of the
criminal offences and sanctions. The proposal aims at just that.</span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Current EU law does not have a legal definition of hate speech. The
proposal borrows its definition of hate speech from the 2008 </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32008F0913"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Framework Decision</span></a> on Combating Racism and Xenophobia</span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">: “the public incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group
or a member of such a group sharing a protected characteristic.” It further
characterizes hate speech by ‘bias motivation’ meaning that victims are
selected by the perpetrator based on the (perceived) association or connection
to a community or group with a shared protected characteristic, and hatred
being an intrinsic feature. </span></span><span lang="NL"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hate crimes are defined as any criminal offence, other than hate speech,
committed with a bias motivation with hatred being an intrinsic feature.</span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #073763;">EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S MOTIVATIONS: HATE IS HATE</span></b></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The communication of the initiative starts with a quote of EC President
Ursula von der Leyen from her State of the European Union address in September
2020: “Hate is hate – and no one should have to put up with it.” This indicates
the matter’s importance to the Commission. The commissioners come up with
several reasons why hate speech and hate crime should be identified as EU
crimes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First of all, the Commission considers hate speech and hate crime as an
‘area of crime’ compatible to article 83 of the TFEU given the special feature
by with the both are characterized, namely, hatred targeting persons or groups
(perceived as) sharing protected characteristics. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Secondly, hate speech and hate crime are particularly serious crimes
because they undermine the Union’s common values and rights as enshrined in </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/treaty/teu_2012/art_2/oj"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Article 2</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> and </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A12016M006"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Article 6</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> of the Treaty on the European Union and in the </span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/charter/pdf/text_en.pdf"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Charter of Fundamental Rights of the
European Union</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> (the Charter). Hate speech and hate
crime violate these values and rights and have harmful impacts on individuals,
their communities and society itself. </span></span><span lang="NL"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thirdly, according to the Commission, hate speech and hate crime have a
cross-border dimension. The internet is cross-border and it is evident that
hate speech is committed online. It spreads fast and is widely accessible to
everybody at all times. Hate speech and hate crime ideologies can develop internationally and can be shared online rapidly. Cross-border network members can
commit hate crimes in several countries. As cross-border crime is part of the
provision of article 83 of the TFEU, hate crime and hate speech should be on the
crime list, argues the EC.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Finally, the EC points out that there has been an increase hate crimes, particularly during the pandemic. Several member states have
criminalized hate speech and hate crime but to a varying degree. Only the
extension of the list of EU crimes can enable an effective and comprehensive
criminal law approach at EU level, along with a consistent protection of the
victims. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The initiative can also contribute to other EU policies as it is
supportive or complementary to the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025, the
strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life in the EU, the
LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025, the upcoming Directive to combat and
prevent violence against women and domestic violence, the strategy for the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, the strategy on victims’ rights
2020-2025 and the Victims’ Rights Directive.</span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">CRITICISM: THREATS TO FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS</span></b></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Critics of the European Commission’s initiative have raised several
concerns on its content. Most of the criticism is on hate speech as it can have
severe consequences on the freedom of speech. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Firstly, making hate speech an EU crime can have a negative impact on
the freedom of speech of EU citizens. Freedom of expression is one of the – if
not the most – important democratic freedoms and it is assured to EU citizens in
the Charter and in the European Convention on Human Rights. Limiting free
speech is contrary to these declarations. The European Court of Human Rights
(ECtHR) has a long-standing interpretation of freedom of expression: not
only inoffensive speech is protected but also speech which disturbs, shocks,
provokes, hurts and displeases. Although, freedom of expression is not
absolute, limits on speech should be exceptional and narrowly construed,
well-defined and proportionate, safeguarding the free exchange of ideas and
opinions. Hate speech laws are loosely worded and consequently highly
subjective. Therefore, hate speech laws potentially harm the freedom of
expression. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Secondly, the European Commission does not provide a sufficient
definition of what it wants to criminalize. In their proposal, hate speech is
characterized by bias motivation and hatred as intrinsic feature. However,
these terms remain vague, largely undefined and deeply subjective. Who defines
hatred if the law does not defines it properly? What does hatred mean if it is
subjective? This causes a slippery slope: everyday normal speech can be
labelled as hate speech and thereby a criminal offence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">UNESCO and the United Nations Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech
already pointed out that an universal definition of hate speech in unlikely to
be found. What is hateful is disputed and controversial. National cultural and
legal traditions are different; hate speech and hate crime are understood
differently across the EU. Therefore, legal harmonization in this field is not
to be expected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thirdly, criminalizing hate speech clashes with freedom of religion. EU
member states differ significantly to what extend certain characteristics are
protected or not. The European Commission might find itself in a difficult
situation finding consensus on what category to protect, particularly
categories of sex and sexuality. These are complicated categories for hate
speech, since Christianity, Islam and Judaism – the three main religions in
Europe – all have holy scriptures which might be considered hateful on topics
as marriage, binary sex, gender self-identification, or sexual orientation by
some people. Particularly for Christians, this is an dangerous issue. Recently,
</span></span><span lang="NL"><a href="https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2022/january/illegal-to-quote-the-bible-finnish-politician-fights-threat-to-free-speech-on-trial-for-posting-a-bible-verse"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">a Finnish politician was on trial
for quoting the Bible</span></a></span><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">. Legislation based on this proposal
could mean these situations will occur more often.</span></span><span lang="NL"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US">Fourthly, the large majority of hate crimes relate to relative small
offences with relatively little consequences. This should not be taken as a
downplay of hate crime offences and the implications they can have on victims.
However, in terms of objective harm, criminal intention, causation,
prosecutorial evidence, and sentencing, they are on a different level compared to
current EU crimes of terrorism, sexual and drug trafficking, and corruption.
Consequently, hate speech and hate crime do not meet the requirements to be
added to the list of EU crimes. </span></span><span lang="NL"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">Additionally, if hate speech and hate crime were to be
added to the list of Article 83, does this mean that people suspected of hate
speech will have the same treatment as terrorists and human traffickers? Will every country have the possibility to prosecute them? The proposal of the
European Commission lacks an explanation on these questions.</span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #073763;">CONCLUSION</span></b></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After consideration of the European Commission’s proposal to extend the
list of EU crimes with hate speech and hate crime (article 83 TFEU) and taking
into account the criticism this proposal meets, this proposal is not acceptable
in its current form and the Justice and Home Affairs Council should block the
initiative on their meeting on Friday, March 4<sup>th</sup>.</span></span><span lang="NL"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although the aim of the Commission is noble, and their intentions are
probably sincere, the proposal insufficiently defines hate speech and hate
crime. As recognized by the Charter, the European Convention on Human Rights
and many – if not all – member states’ constitutions, the freedom of expression
is a fundamental right, crucial for democracy and the spread of ideas and
opinions, protected by law and, therefore, limitations should remain to a
minimum. Freedom of religion is of major importance to individuals, groups and to our societies. Both fundamental freedoms cannot be guaranteed with the current
proposal and thus threatened. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If speech is to be limited, its limitations should be narrowly
construed, well-defined and proportionate. The current proposal does not meet
these criteria as the definition of the two phenomena remains vague, subjective
and undefined. Agreement on the current proposal could mean disproportionate
impact on the fundamental freedoms of the European citizenry. </span></span><span lang="NL"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Standaard" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify;"><span class="Standaardalinea-lettertype"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(This article was made with help of Koen Strijk and Lefteris Kaloterakis)</span></span></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-81239551619550519532020-12-31T17:42:00.006+01:002020-12-31T17:57:06.853+01:00The Sun is Rising, The Dawn is coming<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC6EtSprHoJQGfUsqlV8H1wgyDpTIx6_KTJoKLOtt0PGM_MDSZDVnqg-FT1l8UdbmQNPqs-9X_mB05ArgjLnvGlYPxePRxTYnQxVwuJ-Kvp48LK-tAhQy0ehtzrCQ8Wnnpylw27qJuyRT/s1022/new+years+message.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1022" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBC6EtSprHoJQGfUsqlV8H1wgyDpTIx6_KTJoKLOtt0PGM_MDSZDVnqg-FT1l8UdbmQNPqs-9X_mB05ArgjLnvGlYPxePRxTYnQxVwuJ-Kvp48LK-tAhQy0ehtzrCQ8Wnnpylw27qJuyRT/s320/new+years+message.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Within a few hours, the
year 2020 will be ended. For many, this year probably was a very difficult one.
It was determined by the Covid-19 pandemic which may have caused you moments
of sadness, fear or even anger. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were limited in doing things we normally like doing. Even meeting our loved ones during
Easter and Christmas was a challenge for many this year. Such limitations can
give us a feeling that we are living in a dark days. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But even during these times Christmas still exists, although we celebrated it
differently this year. We still were reminded of the birth of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph were
taken away from their loved ones and had to go to that city. And when they
arrived to Bethlehem, there was no place for Mary to give birth at, and there
were no family or loved ones to welcome the baby. Perhaps a few animals in the
stable. How lonely this couple could have felt? Nevertheless, God brought
shepherds and wise men to comfort them in these difficult circumstances. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We can learn from the birth of Jesus that in whatever difficult circumstances we are or will be, God wants to comfort us, to help
us, and to bring us light and relief. He wants to be with us and to give us a new
perspective on our life, even if our life is found in darkness and distress. God wants to become part of our life and to provide us with a new perspective and a
new beginning of our relationship with Him and with others. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we can read in Luke 1:77-79 : </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">"to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of
their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun
will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the
shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace" </i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The sun is rising and dawn is coming. </div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">I wish you a blessed and happy 2021</span></b></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: x-large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-79513955282504557812020-11-27T21:05:00.001+01:002020-11-27T21:12:49.618+01:00Sharp Rise in the Violence against Women. What Can We Do?<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu4k10vn5F2sg3dm_l00XOZbBiVBdvUCZy1O31NoNq1lc-EGXEwV5FGkTvAkamuzShdQg-DPm9iNXNhA05bRq7P6Yhw3TxYXLqVt1UjZQSa4YM4d5yO3BR5l7SoPz5bO0ZbkxjKj-bNty/s1280/thumbnail_domestic+violence+in+pandemic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIu4k10vn5F2sg3dm_l00XOZbBiVBdvUCZy1O31NoNq1lc-EGXEwV5FGkTvAkamuzShdQg-DPm9iNXNhA05bRq7P6Yhw3TxYXLqVt1UjZQSa4YM4d5yO3BR5l7SoPz5bO0ZbkxjKj-bNty/w320-h213/thumbnail_domestic+violence+in+pandemic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Last week we marked the International Day for
the Elimination of Violence against Women. Globally, 1 in 3 women experiences
abuse or violence in her lifetime, and that is true for Europe as well. Looking
at the statistics, the situation is worrying. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic,
figures indicate a sharp rise in domestic violence and in sexual abuse and
exploitation.</div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">In Romania, Aurora Martin from the National
Agency for Equal Opportunities between women and men, invited me as a keynote
speaker in two important virtual events. One event was a workshop on “Gender
Equality: Opportunities and Challenges”, part of a larger anniversary event of
the Dimitrie Cantemir Christian University. The second event was focused on
“Women’s Safety in Public and Private Spaces”, organized by the Romanian Institute
for Human Rights and the National Agency for Equal Opportunities between women
and men. Below you will find my contribution to the two events, as well as a
list of recommendations to facilitate the reintegration of survivors.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Violence against Women in Public and Private
Spaces<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">W</span><span lang="EN-US">omen face challenges
to their safety and integrity in public as well as in private. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I</span><span lang="EN-US">n public
spaces, women face all kinds of degrading attitudes, from cat-calling to
inappropriate touching, from (verbal and sexual) harassment to online death
threats. The reasons for that sort of behaviour can range from embedded
misogyny to education to societal models.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of
Women<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Another even
more terrible phenomenon taking place partially in public is human trafficking
and sex slavery. We can </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">see</span><span lang="EN-US"> the women on the side of the road or the women in the windows in
red light districts, even though we haven’t witnessed the entire process that
took them there. Trafficking in Human Beings disproportionally affects women
and girls, which makes this a gender equality issue as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Fighting human
trafficking, especially sex trafficking, is something I and the <a href="http://www.ecpm.info/">organization</a> I am part of have been involved
for many years at an European level. Through reports in</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> the </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Parliamentary
Assembly of the Council of Europe</span></a>, organizing events for <a href="https://ecpm.info/events/on-the-first-lines.html">students and NGOs</a>,
training sessions for professionals, raising-awareness campaigns etc. we made
every effort to fight this on several fronts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The numbers in
the last <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/anti-trafficking/eu-policy/third-report-progress-made-fight-against-trafficking-human-beings_en">report</a>
of the Anti-trafficking Directive are not encouraging, however. More than
14,000 victims of human trafficking have been recorded in the EU in 2017-2018. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -7.1pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">Nearly 75% of all victims were
women and children, sexual exploitation being one of the main purposes behind
trafficking (two-thirds). The real number of victims is most likely higher, as
many victims remain undetected. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -7.1pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">· </span></span><span lang="EN-US">Even though this report is for
2017-2018, every year the numbers increase, so we can conclude that this year
the numbers could be even higher.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -7.1pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">The top five EU countries as
regards to citizenship of trafficking victims by absolute numbers were Romania,
Hungary, France, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 14.2pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-align: justify; text-indent: -7.1pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-US">In Romania, there is a 16%
increase in the number of victims of human trafficking registered in the first
part of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to <a href="https://anitp.mai.gov.ro/ro/docs/studii/Analiza%20sem%201%202020.pdf">ANITP</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US">What can be
done about these alarming statistics?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">In the
Netherlands, where I come from, there is currently a big discussion about the
effects of 20 years of legalisation of prostitution. The consensus is that this
law did not meet the expectations. The persons active in prostitution have not
been sufficiently protected, prosecutions of traffickers continue to be low,
and the number of victims of sex trafficking continues to be high.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Criminalization or Regulation?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The battle
against sexual exploitation is only truly effective if the client is held legally
responsible. This is also the position of the European Commission regarding
those clients who knowingly use services provided by victims of human
trafficking (<a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32011L0036">2011
EU <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A</span>nti-Trafficking <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">D</span>irective</a> and <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/20181204_com-2018-777-report_en.pdf">2018
European Commission <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">R</span>eport
on <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">P</span>rogress <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">M</span>ade in the <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">F</span>ight <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A</span>gainst Trafficking in Human Beings</a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">). </span><span lang="EN-US">The best way to
combat human trafficking is to keep the client fully responsible and to
criminalize the purchase of sexual services - this is what is called the Nordic
Model.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">This approach
has been proven successful in different countries like Sweden, Norway, Iceland,
Ireland, France, Canada and Israel.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The other side
of this discussion is what happens in private to women. Abuse can range from
domestic violence, to psychological and/ or verbal abuse, to rape. Here, I will
focus on the first.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">COVID-19 Pandemic Caused a Spike in Domestic
Violence<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">The COVID</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">-</span><span lang="EN-US">19 </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">p</span><span lang="EN-US">andemic caused
an increase in cases of domestic violence all across Europe, according to
emerging data made public by <a href="https://eurogender.eige.europa.eu/system/files/events-files/cepol_tna_domestic_violence_covid19.pdf">CEPOL</a>,
<a href="https://www.euronews.com/2020/05/07/who-deeply-troubled-by-spike-in-domestic-violence-in-locked-down-europe">WHO</a>
and <a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/in-focus-gender-equality-in-covid-19-response/violence-against-women-during-covid-19">UN-Women</a>.
The enforced quarantine, curfews, lockdowns, travel restrictions and
limitations on public life, although necessary, had a few devastating effects:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">T</span><span lang="EN-US">he victim may be trapped at home with her perpetrator. Use of
alcohol (which has increased during the pandemic) has often increased the
volatility of the situation. In this case, it is often impossible for the
victim to reach out for help, since the perpetrator is physically present all
the time.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I</span><span lang="EN-US">dentifying victims is more challenging. Usually, those who report
cases of domestic violence are close family or friends, which in times of the
pandemic have been restricted from visiting. The victim’s movements are also
reduced, which means co-workers, neighbours or professionals are prevented from
noticing signs of abuse on the face or the body of the victim.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">M</span><span lang="EN-US">any women shelters, helplines and women services have been deemed
non-essential during the first lockdown and had to give</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> up space or resources for treating COVID-19
patients. In many cases, funding or support for NGOs that help women stopped
coming or were diverted elsewhere.</span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Thankfully, governments and authorities noticed
the sharp rise in cases of violence against women in the first part of this
year and they began correcting course and mitigating the effects.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Reintegration of Survivors of Human Trafficking
and Sexual Abuse<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Having worked on these issues for a long time,
I realized that a big component missing from this fight against violence and
exploitation is rehabilitation and the reintegration of the survivors in
society. Therefore, after holding various meetings and roundtables with NGOs,
politicians and institutions on this matter, we put together a pilot project
for reintegration. I am glad to announce it has been recently tabled in the
Gender Equality and Women’s Rights (the FEMM) </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/femm/home/highlights"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Committee</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> in the European Parliament.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">It focuses on:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Research on the organizations that
are involved in the reintegration projects<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Brainstorm sessions with NGOs in
different Member States</span></li><li>Organizing round table discussions
with representatives of NGOs, institutions, governmental representatives, and
politicians in the Member States</li><li>Drafting a report with conclusions
and recommendations on how to implement this and steps to be taken.</li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The support for the reintegration of human
trafficking survivors or domestic violence victims is even more important
because of the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Traffickers exploit
economic vulnerabilities when recruiting and grooming victims. A violent spouse
who also lost his job or was fired because of this crisis is going to act even
more violently. If there is not a robust support system in place for these
vulnerable women, we are expecting this “shadow pandemic” to increase.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Recommendations for Reintegration of Survivors
in Romania<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">As mentioned before, following meetings and
brainstorming sessions with NGOs and those on the front lines, here are some
recommendations that came out and which could be applied in other countries as
well:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">A better collaboration,
communication and coordination among the various NGOs active in this field,
especially regarding prevention and integration. And between NGOs and the governmental
agencies. The integrated approach of the Exit Programs in the Netherlands could
be a good model. Updating/ Creating national referral mechanisms. Including
churches and religious organizations in the broader efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">De-stigmatization of victims and
survivors. There is great prejudice and discrimination towards women who were
caught is sex trafficking or prostitution. Most of the times, it was NOT a
choice, but they were forced, or their vulnerabilities were exploited. Raising
awareness about labels and referring to them instead as “victims” or “survivors
of human trafficking” can make a big difference.</span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -18pt;">An increase in support of all kinds:</span></li></ul><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">FINANCIAL: For example, in Romania,
persons who are trapped in prostitutions are often caught and confronted with
large fines. If a person wants to leave the prostitution and to reintegrate, it
would be good to “freeze” the fines a person got while active in the sex
industry or re-naming/re-classifying the category for the fine (so that it
doesn’t say “prostitution”). That way, the survivor maintains her dignity when
an employer is notified about garnishing her salary to pay the fine. The fines
could even be forgiven in cases when the victim successfully completed a
reintegration program. Also, when a trafficker is convicted, his victims should
be immediately and automatically provided with restitution; a gov. fund needs
to be set up for this.</span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">PSYCHOLOGICAL: it goes without
saying that victims of human trafficking and domestic violence are in great
need of professional psychological counselling.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">EMPLOYMENT: develop private-public
partnerships that offer jobs to survivors. Offer job training and skill
development during exit programs.</span> </p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">EDUCATION: develop educational
programs as part of the exit strategy. Often it is not easy for survivors to go
back to school and they may be unskilled or unprepared for the workforce.</span> </p><p><span style="text-align: justify;">HOUSING: the biggest obstacle in
exiting the sex industry or leaving an abusive household is the lack of a place
to live. Shelters are many times insufficient and undignified. Like I said
before, funding is insufficient or sporadic. More needs to be done here.</span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"></p><ul><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Training law enforcement,
prosecutors, judges and politicians in a victim-centric approach. </span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Avoid
re-victimization (by treating her as a criminal or by using derogatory
language) or shaming the survivor. In the definition for human trafficking, it
is mentioned “<i>exploitation of a vulnerability</i>” as a means that leads to
trafficking. </span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Authorities need to be trained in recognizing these
vulnerabilities and counteracting them. </span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Case proceedings should be shortened to
facilitate the victim’s ability to move forward and to receive justice.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><p></p><br /><p></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-22982371098435371822020-11-18T17:24:00.008+01:002020-11-18T21:20:46.251+01:00Growing Concerns About Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Children. Action Needed Now<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvazwOZYk_oQmuxJO70DanJQ0a1lzPtcoJ5U4i9byM9gEEzkCpZQDnPYp2pP_u5YORLc0FQcyxC4HndyUp-Rlmb0OB0HDi5O_0hxsmlpz-8gbW71iC-grXWfU5T7QeMtpl_z8L6-zdlcQN/s2048/42E6C29A1.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvazwOZYk_oQmuxJO70DanJQ0a1lzPtcoJ5U4i9byM9gEEzkCpZQDnPYp2pP_u5YORLc0FQcyxC4HndyUp-Rlmb0OB0HDi5O_0hxsmlpz-8gbW71iC-grXWfU5T7QeMtpl_z8L6-zdlcQN/s320/42E6C29A1.jpeg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">Today is the <a href="https://www.coe.int/en/web/children/2020-edition">European Day on the Protectionof Children</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>against Sexual Exploitation
and Sexual Abuse, an initiative by the Council of Europe. This year’s European
Day focuses on preventing risky behaviour by children through child
self-generated sexual images and/or videos. The COVID crisis has unfortunately
exacerbated the problem of child sexual abuse, as the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/20200724_com-2020-607-commission-communication_en.pdf">"EU Strategy for a Most Effective Fight Against Child Sex Abuse"</a> highlighted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children are spending more time than before
online, possibly unsupervised. While this has allowed them to continue their
studies and not fall behind in the education process, there are signs that they
are at an <a href="https://www.unicef.org/media/67396/file/COVID-19%20and%20Its%20Implications%20for%20Protecting%20Children%20Online.pdf">increased risk</a> of encountering predators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">Actions to address these problems are
therefore needed. To that end, on the 9th of December, <a href="https://ecpm.info/">ECPM</a> Member of the European Parliament <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/197436/HELMUT_GEUKING/home">Helmut Geuking</a>, as co-chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on
Demographic Challenges, Family-Work Balance and Youth Transitions, will organize
an online discussion on “Fighting the Oversexualisation of Children and Harmful
Internet Content”. But what has been done at the European level to fight
against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse and is this enough? My colleague
Lefteris Kaloterakis investigated the topic and found some interesting
information.</span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">The implementation of the Lanzarote
Convention</h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">The European Day on the Protection of
Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse aims to raise public
awareness on sexual abuse of children, open up a debate on the topic and
promote the implementation of the <a href="https://www.coe.int/en/web/children/lanzarote-convention">Lanzarote Convention</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Convention is a legally binding
instrument that compels states in Europe and beyond to criminalize all forms of
sexual abuse of children.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="en-BE">Protection of children against harmful
online content</span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">This year’s European Day focuses on
preventing risky behaviour by children through child self-generated sexual
images and/or videos. This theme was deemed necessary as more and more children
engage in sharing explicit images or videos of themselves online,
underestimating the risks. Therefore, the Council of Europe believes that
comprehensive prevention programmes must be set up to avoid such behaviour.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE"><b>PACE report on “Fighting the
Oversexualisation of Children"</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">Moreover, the <a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/">Parliamentary Assembly of theCouncil of Europe</a> (PACE)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>has raised on
many occasions the issue of online exploitation of children and the pervasive
culture that enables this phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For example, the report on <a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/files/22805">"Fighting the Oversexualization of Children"</a> (rapporteur Valeriu Ghiletchi (EPP, Moldova)) and the adopted resolution
(2119/2016)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>highlight the negative
consequences of the oversexualisation and objectification of children by the
media, marketing campaigns as well as television programs. It specifically
underlines the fact that young boys and girls are a significant target group
for the promotion of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products. As children are
the recipients of these messages, they feel the pressure to conform to the
beauty ideals presented to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally,
the adopted resolution asks Council of Europe Member States to study in depth
the effects of the oversexualization of children, take legislative action to
limit the inappropriate depiction of children in the media and advertising
sectors and adopt policies to inform, educate and remind parents of the dangers
their children face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">In conjunction, a new motion for resolution
has been tabled in PACE in February of this year by MP Dimitri Houbron (ALDE,
France) titled <a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/files/28606">“For an Assessment of the Means and Provisions to CombatChildren’s Exposure to Pornographic Content”</a><a href="https://pace.coe.int/en/files/28606"> </a>
(Doc 15077). It calls for strengthening the protection of minors from
exposure to pornography, “one of the causes of sexism and persistent inequality
between women and men.” Additionally, a report is currently being prepared in
PACE titled <a href="http://www.assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=27526&lang=en#:~:text=Pornography%20has%20been%20found%20to,attempt%20to%20reach%20gender%20equality.">“Gender aspects and human rights implications of pornography”</a> (Doc.
14864) . Although it is not directly focused on children, it underlines the
significantly negative effect pornography has on the wellbeing of society.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="en-BE">Fighting the sexual abuse and exploitation
of children as well as child pornography at an EU level</span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">At an EU level, the main legal instrument
at our disposal is the Directive 2011/93/EU on <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32011L0093">“Combating the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography”</a> (13 December 2011).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Directive clearly defines several
offences related to the online exploitation of children and child pornography
and sets penalties of at least five years of imprisonment for offenders.
Moreover, the 2018 <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2018/1808/oj">“Audio-visual Media Services Directive”</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>clearly stipulates in article 6a that “Member
States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that audio-visual media
services provided by media service providers under their jurisdiction which may
impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors are only made
available in such a way as to ensure that minors will not normally hear or see
them” adding that “The most harmful content, such as gratuitous violence and
pornography, shall be subject to the strictest measures.”.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="en-BE">Consequences of the Covid-19 crisis</span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">The COVID – 19 health crisis aggravated the
problem of child sex abuse, especially on the internet front. The <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/20200724_com-2020-607-commission-communication_en.pdf">“EU Strategy for a More Effective Fight Against Child Sex Abuse”</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>outlines immediate and long-term steps that
will be taken. In the long term, legislation will be proposed that will require
online service providers to detect known child abuse material and report the
material to public authorities, something which until now was done on a
voluntary basis. This piece of legislation will be proposed in the second
quarter of 2021, but it will take some time before it comes into force.</span></p>
<h4 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="en-BE">Immediate actions that need to be taken</span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">As mentioned above, currently, several
technology companies voluntarily operate sophisticated detection tools that
help flag child sexual abuse material and child grooming attempts in Europe and
around the world. However, the incoming introduction of the<a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2018.321.01.0036.01.ENG"> European Electronic
Communications Code</a><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2018.321.01.0036.01.ENG"> </a> may make such tools
illegal after December 2020. This will happen because the Communications Code
expands the scope of the <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX%3A32002L0058">E-Privacy Directive</a>
which is currently in force. The expansion aims to include in the Directive inter – personal
communications services such as messenger services and email. This will
strengthen the privacy of users on one hand, but at the same time it could
leave the door open for abuse (for example, “grooming”) to take place under the
guise of “privacy rights”. Because the E-Privacy Directive does not contain a
legal basis or requirement for gathering data on inappropriate content aimed at
children, the electronic communication service providers are effectively unable
to continue doing so. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">To solve this problem, the Commission
proposed a stop-gap measure stated in the <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-security/20200724_com-2020-607-commission-communication_en.pdf">“EU Strategy for a More EffectiveFight Against Child Sex Abuse”</a> which would ensure that providers of electronic
communication services can continue their current voluntary practices of
detecting in their systems instances of child sexual abuse after December 2020,
and until a comprehensive amendment is included in the Communications Code. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">However, many EU-based and international
children’s organizations have expressed deep concerns that the Commission’s
attempt to solve the problem will not succeed. For the Commission’s proposal to
come into force, agreement is needed by the Council of Ministers and the
European Parliament. The organizations are concerned because some MEPs have
opposed the stop-gap measure, citing privacy and data protection concerns,
despite the fact that the proposed solution of the European Commission has a
very narrow application, making it illegal to use the detection tools for any
purpose other than identifying online sexual abuse. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="en-BE">In a<a href="http://www.childpact.org/2020/10/13/the-victims-voices-must-be-heard-a-letter-to-the-libe-committee-of-the-european-parliament/"> letter</a><a href="http://www.childpact.org/2020/10/13/the-victims-voices-must-be-heard-a-letter-to-the-libe-committee-of-the-european-parliament/"> </a>
to the LIBE Committee of the European Parliament, children organizations
from around the world underlined the importance of the detection tools adding
that they are an example of a highly successful private – public partnership.
They also highlight that the EU institutions must find a solution for this
problem as soon as possible. I believe that every effort must be made in the
coming weeks so that this issue is resolved. We must protect children who are
vulnerable, without compromising the right to privacy of law-abiding citizens. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-43987353317364809792020-10-23T11:59:00.025+02:002020-10-23T18:15:20.569+02:00The Consequences of COVID Pandemic and Reintegration of Human Trafficking Survivors<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_1h" style="padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql rrkovp55 a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="display: block; font-family: inherit; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="color: var(--primary-text); margin: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSrNgVyishY1Pa7X9YgPpyCU1eJ1xX3G5RFGQv-DdSJN30fukY6URO3ieoyj8h1nSPS2A7AJzo8NYAq1Vjtqe-_qxJViI3KllzOux5ElKsTSwFA-r0iCfIr11XX7-Cbk7bmjjtNIQ7l-1/s1080/not+for+sale+photo+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpSrNgVyishY1Pa7X9YgPpyCU1eJ1xX3G5RFGQv-DdSJN30fukY6URO3ieoyj8h1nSPS2A7AJzo8NYAq1Vjtqe-_qxJViI3KllzOux5ElKsTSwFA-r0iCfIr11XX7-Cbk7bmjjtNIQ7l-1/s320/not+for+sale+photo+2.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the framework of the European Anti-Trafficking Day, I was invited as a speaker to a large online conference on "Combating Human Trafficking - a Continued Struggle, adapted to the new context generated by the COVID-19 Pandemic". </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This conference was organized by the Parliamentary Group for the Fight Against Human Trafficking in the Romanian Parliament.</span></div></span></div></span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><b><span><br /></span></b></span></span></u></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">See here my presentation:</span><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="296" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YhYLUrjtZDs" width="582" youtube-src-id="YhYLUrjtZDs"></iframe></div><span><br /></span></b></span></span></u></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><u style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><b><span>Some of the other speakers were</span></b></span><b style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit;">:</b></span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></u></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="color: var(--primary-text); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Angel TÎLVĂR</span>,</b> coordinator of the Parliamentary Group for the Fight against human trafficking,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Valiant RICHEY, OSCE Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Bogdan DESPESCU</span></b>, Secretary of State, Police Chief-Quaestor of Police, Ministry of Internal Affairs,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Cornel FERUȚĂ</span>,</b> Secretary of State for Global Affairs and Diplomatic Strategies Ministry of Foreign Affairs,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Cristina-Ionela IURIŞNIŢI</span></b>, Chair of the Committee on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Olivier ONIDI</span></b>, EU Anti-trafficking Coordinator,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Gabriela SCUTEA</span></b>, Prosecutor General of the Prosecutor's Office attached to the High Court of Cassation and Justice, Public Ministry of Romania,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Andrei FURDUI</span></b>, Director, Directorate for Crime Prevention, Ministry of Justice,</span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Maximilian-Axel NICOLAE</span>,</b> Chief Police Commissioner, Director, National Agency against Trafficking in Persons (ANITP)</span></div></div></span></div></div></div></div><p></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-67493136279984206412020-09-22T20:08:00.001+02:002020-09-24T12:42:54.057+02:00Strong Support for Law Protecting Pregnant Women in Slovakia<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cw-l31ZN5xPrHWXht5Idz0xZyVe2qTPJLVvNVzbwKA1W8CZesJ60RmZ070AYv3STPgWcxJs9E9iyE_iSWcAXr7Whxq5PlUtYKm7sxAIjvLs2eMmlswGSRt5oY_Vja9S6syLdangLeD-l/s923/krestanska+unia+photo.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="556" data-original-width="923" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cw-l31ZN5xPrHWXht5Idz0xZyVe2qTPJLVvNVzbwKA1W8CZesJ60RmZ070AYv3STPgWcxJs9E9iyE_iSWcAXr7Whxq5PlUtYKm7sxAIjvLs2eMmlswGSRt5oY_Vja9S6syLdangLeD-l/s320/krestanska+unia+photo.png" width="320" /></a></div>Despite opposition
from activists pro-choice organisations, the new law proposal has drawn a large
positive attention worldwide.<a href="https://zaborska.sk/168-organizacii-podporuje/"> In total, 135 international organisations and 33 Slovakian organisations have signed a letter of support</a> for the Slovakian legislative
initiative that aims to strengthen the protection of pregnant women. This law
has been initiated by a team of 13 Deputies from O’Lano and the Krestanska Unia
(Christian Union). You can find a summary of this law <a href="http://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2020/09/new-law-proposal-strengthens-freedom-to.html">here</a> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The
signatories come not only from many European countries, but also from Latin
America and Africa; it is remarkable the support coming from all over the
world.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The full
text of the letter is as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">To whom it
may concern <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">We, the
undersigned NGOs, are writing to ask the Members of the Slovak Parliament to
support the Draft Law which Amends and Supplements Act No. 576/2004 Coll. of
Laws on Healthcare, Healthcare-related Services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">The
protection of life, health and human dignity which this law aims at doing, is a
principle vested in international human rights law, as well as multiple
international and regional treaties. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">Slovakia
ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990; the
preamble of the Convention states the following (emphasis added): <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;"><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">‘[T]he
child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special
safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as
after birth</span></i><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">The unborn
child is a living human being since the moment of conception. As stated by the
European Court of Human Rights in Vo v. France, the unborn child ”<i>belongs to
the human race</i>.” In this capacity, the unborn child is entitled to all
human rights as the other members of the human family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">While the
right to life is a fundamental human right, there is no right to abortion in
international human rights law; in Europe, the Grand Chamber of the European
Court of Human Rights upheld this on numerous occasions. Furthermore, with
regard to regulations in the area of access to abortion, the European Court of
Human Rights has held that the <i>’woman’s right to respect for her private
life must be weighed against other competing rights and freedoms invoked
including those of the unborn child</i>.” This approach has been followed in
a multitude of cases. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">The
maintenance and strengthening of these safeguards, such as a waiting period,
and advertising bans, are well within the realm of what is legal, on a domestic
scale and certainly under international law. The extension of the waiting
period allows for proper consideration and respect – not ‘demeaning women as
competent-decision makers’, but rather giving them the necessary time and tools
to discern upon a crucial decision to take. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: inherit;">For all
these reasons, we strongly encourage the Members of the Slovak Parliament to
vote in favour of the legislative proposal, thus upholding the dignity and the
right to life of the unborn children, as well as the right of women to take an
informed choice. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-1525088771990044012020-09-21T17:48:00.008+02:002020-09-22T12:38:35.439+02:00New Law Proposal strengthens the Freedom to Choose in Slovakia <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkQnHKIBrHWnZ-_6oBsTTAo8gIddERj-fNDbL6hVBGfG_tK41e8rtO3Vm8X4IPVu0T9K1EVtTnrk4aNPLEdwqY8TCb5TbR1PtPwiZmfV9T-R2fwb5Du7QpO3C_pz2O_aTmBw8g1YFh0_P/s2048/anticipation-baby-beautiful-160624.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1367" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWkQnHKIBrHWnZ-_6oBsTTAo8gIddERj-fNDbL6hVBGfG_tK41e8rtO3Vm8X4IPVu0T9K1EVtTnrk4aNPLEdwqY8TCb5TbR1PtPwiZmfV9T-R2fwb5Du7QpO3C_pz2O_aTmBw8g1YFh0_P/w214-h320/anticipation-baby-beautiful-160624.jpg" width="214" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>W<span style="text-align: justify;">omen who are unintentionally getting
pregnant can face a lot of pressure to terminate their pregnancy. There can be
economic pressure in providing for the child, but also pressure from partner,
family or teachers. A new law is being voted in Slovakia this week which
updates the current legislative framework, the main goal being to help women
make informed choices and to increase support for them. This law has been
initiated by Member of Parliament Anna Záborská (Christian Union, Slovakia).</span></b></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In order to reduce the economic
pressure on pregnant women, the law proposes the following:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Possibility to obtain financial
support after the 4<sup>th</sup> month of pregnancy to cover for increased
expenses due to the pregnancy.</span></span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Governmental financial help from
childbirth, with no administrative barriers (until now the child had to be
alive at least 28 days after birth to be eligible for financial support). The
law is also proposing to extend financial aid to all children born in Slovakia.<o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The financial help in case of birth
of child with severe disabilities is increased by four times. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li><li><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Creating a new state social service
for mothers who lost their accommodation due to their unplanned pregnancy. This
social service would be in charge of providing emergency accommodation where women
could live with their new-born child for three years. <o:p></o:p></span></span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For women to be able to make an
informed decision, the law asks they be provided with more information on
economic, social, and psychological help that can be obtained by women either
from the state or from various NGOs. In addition, the new law<a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a>
increases the mandatory waiting period from 48 to 96 hours so that a woman can
have the time to reflect and process all the information she receives from her
doctor and others before proceeding with an abortion. It also expands the
existence of a mandatory waiting period to all cases except when a woman’s
health or life is at immediate risk.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The law has been criticized by several
civil society actors who claim that this law aims to “block women’s access to
safe abortion”<a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> as
the state wants to financially support only the termination of pregnancy based
on health grounds. However, we must not forget about the right of life for the
unborn child and take that into account when we legislate on this topic.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Protecting life and human dignity is
a principle underlined in international human rights law as well as in multiple
treaties.<a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">[</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">3</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;">]</span></span></span></span></a>
<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/professionalinterest/pages/crc.aspx">The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child</a> stipulates
that “[T]he child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs
special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, <b>before </b>as
well as <b>after</b> birth.” Moreover, the European Court of Human Rights, in a
case where a French woman (Mrs Vo) accused a doctor of unintentionally killing
her unborn child due to negligence, affirmed that the unborn deserves protection
and that “<i>it may be regarded as common ground between States that the
embryo/foetus belongs to the human race</i>.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a>
This means that the court affirmed that the foetus is worthy of some level of
protection.<a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a>
Additionally, with regard to “access to
abortion” the European Court of Human Rights has held that the “<i>woman’s
right to respect for her private life must be weighed against other competing
rights and freedoms invoked including those of the unborn child</i>.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-GB" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This law offers a holistic approach
to this topic. Together with giving every possible moral and financial support
to the mothers, it also takes into consideration the life of the unborn babies
they carry. I believe it is the fairest and most humane approach. It is also in line with international law, human dignity
and the human rights and Christian values that underpin our European
democracies.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br clear="all" />
</span><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Draft Law which Amends and Supplements Act No. 576/2004 Coll. of
Laws on Healthcare, Healthcare-related Services, and on Amending and
Supplementing Certain Acts as Amended, and which Amends and Supplements Certain
Acts (Print no. 154, 19.06.2020)</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> http://moznostvolby.sk/analyza-4-poslaneckych-navrhov/</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Article 2.1 of the </span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US">European
Convention of Human Rights</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">, Article 2.1 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
and Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="font-family: inherit;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span lang="FR-BE" style="font-family: inherit;">Vo vs France par. 84 https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/fre#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-61887%22]}</span></p></div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">ADF
International Contribution to the General Discussion on the preparation for
General Comment No.36 Article 6 of the ICCPR: Right to life p.3 http://adfinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ADF-International-Submission-on-Art.-6-ICCPR.pdf<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn7" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/leova/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/L0BDGMAD/Draft%20blog%20article%20(002).docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn7;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> A, B </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">and</span><span lang="EN-US"> C v. I</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">reland
par. 213 https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22001-102332%22]}</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-62934166553092267242020-08-18T15:33:00.008+02:002020-09-22T12:52:57.918+02:00Lessons Learned from the Belarussian Protestors<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:HyphenationZone>21</w:HyphenationZone>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>NL</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:Standaardtabel;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaOILx2ZamgGNlUAi4y0K2AWbg0SHGEnw8j0KBvT4NCGVVRd2zzG417rsT9fvuC9cHd6Q_KqUVO0sV54N2SfWHNtqcdk9cjCzR3kZPTXNMiaFoz6ztmi-TzIuivc05N1FVjlYFlHYDUXM/s1428/belarus+photo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1428" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaOILx2ZamgGNlUAi4y0K2AWbg0SHGEnw8j0KBvT4NCGVVRd2zzG417rsT9fvuC9cHd6Q_KqUVO0sV54N2SfWHNtqcdk9cjCzR3kZPTXNMiaFoz6ztmi-TzIuivc05N1FVjlYFlHYDUXM/w200-h134/belarus+photo.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The
protests in Belarus are impressive. Usually, when protests happen, people tend
to become agitated and get angry and violent. Property gets destroyed.
Sometimes even, authorities play a role in instigating them. <br />
<br /><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But
not in #Belarus. Although the police has been using excessive force against
protesters, and there are evidences of the torture of protestors in prison, the people of Belarus remained calm, but determined. Especially
brave, since public gatherings have been banned in Belarus since 2011. It is
also admirable the care people take of public property, even picking up garbage
after the protests.</span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
The second thing worth noting is that all these people contesting the results
of the latest presidential elections did not give into the pressure to lean one
way or another. They are not protesting for the West or against Russia; it
hasn’t become politicized. There aren’t any EU flags at the protests after the
elections (very different from Ukraine a few years ago); they are carrying the
white-red-white flag which people see as the real flag of Belarus. <br />
<br />
The people in the streets of Belarus are committed to their country and its
prosperity. They demand new and fair elections. They are a wonderful example of
a democratic exercise, even in an authoritarian-run country. We can learn a lot
from them.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p></p>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-11599339546741800312020-08-07T22:25:00.005+02:002020-08-08T10:55:51.984+02:00A CHALLENGE TO “EUROPE’S LAST DICTATOR”<h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span lang=""><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamdni5mzNRMlSd1Oez4wazabgnppdZLH6vXsEyRbYNt8-OkqcvXPpP9dlVPyVOsjnBUKAf2RYK8XtLl8axHBDJGEXM006_i5504RWNnWR7jiHYmAExc9gLhfd-PmaBI-oUnUHYJWgbZ4b/s2048/osman-yunus-bekcan-2b9PU1g_UYM-unsplash.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamdni5mzNRMlSd1Oez4wazabgnppdZLH6vXsEyRbYNt8-OkqcvXPpP9dlVPyVOsjnBUKAf2RYK8XtLl8axHBDJGEXM006_i5504RWNnWR7jiHYmAExc9gLhfd-PmaBI-oUnUHYJWgbZ4b/w640-h480/osman-yunus-bekcan-2b9PU1g_UYM-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>An Update on the
Runup to Presidential Elections in Belarus</span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang=""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The republic of
Belarus is getting ready for presidential elections. They are scheduled to take
place on the 9th of August. Authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko is
running again for president; often dubbed “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/02/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-europes-last-dictator">Europe’s last dictator</a>”, he is expected to win (as he did in the 2001, 2006, 2010
and in the 2015 elections). The regime is infamous for its human rights
violations and the authoritarian style of governance of the <a href="https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/belarus">Lukashenko administration</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Economic
Intelligence Unit Democracy Index 2019 (EIU), the country is ranked as
<a href="https://www.eiu.com/topic/democracy-index">“authoritarian”</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The abuses concern
journalists, civil society activists and independent media as well as ordinary
citizens who protest. In 2012, I already wrote an <a href="http://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2012/01/urgent-appeal-of-bcd-with-respect-to.html">article</a> on the human rights
situation in Belarus when I visited one of the constituency congresses of our
friends from the Belarusian Christian Democracy party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, nothing has changed since.
Recently, the ECPYouth (the youth movement of the ECPM) <a href="https://twitter.com/ECPYouth/status/1275693681933238273?s=20">urged</a> President
Alexander Lukashenko and the Belarusian government to “<i>stop further
detentions, arrests, disruptions of peaceful demonstrations and punishments of
their own citizens for their rightful social and political activism</i>” and “<i>fully
sympathizes with the Belarusian civil society in their effort to have free and
fair democratic elections, and an independent state, which guarantees
protection of rights and freedoms of their citizens</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the elections draw near, human rights
violations, intimidation and pressure on the opposition intensifies. This
article seeks to analyze the current situation and contribute to the debate on
what the West’s response to the behavior of this regime should be</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="">SILENCING THE
OPPOSSITION LEADS TO SURGE IN POLITICAL MOBILISATION</span></b></p><b>
</b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">While the
official Belarusian polls for the upcoming presidential election show an 82,6%
victory for Lukashenko, unofficial Russian <a href="https://twitter.com/EuropeElects/status/1288602981408165888?s=19">polls </a>forecast the results for
Lukashenko under 50% and a tie in the second round between him and the
opposition candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya. The reason for this discrepancy is
the fact that independent polling is <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/alexander-lukashenko-belarus-election-2020-svetlana-tikhanovskaya-a9642746.html">illegal </a>in Belarus, another fact that
reveals the true face of this regime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These violations also took place in previous presidential elections.
Every four years, the electoral process is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_gphOHIqTU">characterized</a> by the bad treatment
and arrests of dissidents and members of the opposition as well as by fraudulent
practices. According to the <i>Right to Choose </i>campaign, most
representatives from opposition parties were excluded from the election
commissions, violating previous recommendations by the Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">The authorities
also violated recommendations regarding the rights of candidates and
transparency guarantees. Several presidential candidates have been <a href="https://www.neweurope.eu/article/more-belarusian-opposition-leaders-jailed-as-pre-election-crackdown-widens/">arrested</a>
including Viktar Babaryka, a high-profile banker, and blogger and activist Sergei
Tikhanovsky. They both had managed to have a significant presence in the polls.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya (the wife of the arrested candidate Sergei Tikhanovsky)
decided to continue her husband’s campaign. She also received the support of Viktar
Babaryka and Valer Tsapkala (a prominent businessman) making herself a key
candidate for the opposition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one of
her rallies, she was <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/women-lead-the-charge-against-lukashenka-in-belarus/30743179.html?fbclid=IwAR20oU3gz6fb8xQA4dfnbRRU9Hg6p8UCMawvaHYMPJ02XEd4b19ZbUpcHe0">joined</a> by Tsapkala’s wife and Babaryka’s campaign manager,
the three women representing the opposition candidates who were barred from
participating in the elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">Christian
politicians were targeted as well. The co-chair of the Belarusian Christian
Democrats (BCD) and long-standing political activist, Pavel Seviarynets, was
arrested on 7 June 2020. According to testimonies that were shared with ECPM
privately and <a href="https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur49/2639/2020/en/">reported
by Amnesty International</a>, he is being mistreated in jail and is expected to
remain in prison at least for the next two months . Another BCD leader- Volha
Kavalkova (who also ran for the presidential elections)- was <a href="https://bchd.info/15009-pressure-on-volha-kavalkova-increases.html">restricted
from traveling abroad</a> and from driving her car by the Belarusian
courts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other BCD activists faced
persecution just for taking part in the election process and for attending
campaign rallies. Some are already in prison. According to the human rights organization
Viasna, between May and June 2020, 90 people received a total of 1,093 days of
arrest under administrative articles used for political persecution. Moreover, according to information that wash shared with ECPM, 102 people received fines totaling about 86,000 rubles (approx. 32,000 Euros). In
total, from May to July, <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/aleksander-lukashenko-belarus-coronavirus-covid19-pandemic-election/">more
than 650 citizens have been arrested</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">Interestingly, in
this climate of fear, repression and arrests, the explosion of coronavirus
cases in Belarus acted as a catalyst for citizen mobilization. Lukashenko <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/belarus-lukashenko-is-defying-the-coronavirus-and-putin/">dismissed</a>
the pandemic as “psychosis” and recommended treating it by drinking vodka and
having saunas. The government’s mismanagement of the coronavirus crisis led people
who previously viewed themselves as apolitical to start getting involved in the
election process, to adopt preventive measures voluntarily and to participate
in a growing number of civic initiatives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">Although
Lukashenko is expected to win the elections aided by the state apparatus he
completely controls, the opposition poses for him a significant challenge
(maybe for the first time in 26 years). According to Balki Begumhan <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/balki-begumhan-bayhan-763548">Bayhan</a>, a
PhD candidate at Coventry University whose research focuses on authoritarian
regimes and the factors that lead to their development, “<i>there may even be a
chance of the election going to the <a href="https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2020/07/10/the-2020-presidential-election-in-belarus-lukashenkos-moment-of-reckoning/">second round</a>. Even in this scenario,
however, there is a strong chance of Lukashenko winning, considering the other
types of foul play which typically take place in the country’s elections</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless the outcome, the election process
this time around certainly reveals the fragility of the Belarusian regime. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span lang=""><o:p></o:p></span><span lang="">GEOPOLITICAL IMPLICATIONS</span></b>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">Besides troubles
at home, Lukashenko is struggling internationally, as well. The Russia –
Belarus relations have been <a href="https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/28556/deteriorating-belarus-russia-relations-could-put-minsk-in-play-for-the-west">deteriorating</a> for a while now, caused mainly by
Russia’s threats to Belarus’ sovereignty. That, in turn, led to financial
difficulties for Belarus. For many years, Belarus enjoyed close ties with the
Russian Federation. After the events in Ukraine in 2014, Belarus has a special
strategic importance to Russia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In case
of war with NATO, Belarus could ensure access for Russian troops to the Suwalki
corridor, a 60 mile stretch of the Polish-Lithuanian border, cutting off Baltic
states from the rest of NATO. For a decade, Minsk had been receiving discounted
Russian oil and exporting refined petroleum products to Russia. However, the
sanctions imposed on Russia after the annexation of Crimea led to a decrease in
the economic assistance to Belarus. At the same time, the Russian government
sought to tightly integrate the two countries’ defense apparatuses into a joint
command center (following a model used in the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and
South Ossetia in Georgia). There is also an effort on behalf of Russia to
integrate the two countries’ tax, customs and civil codes. President Lukashenko
has resisted all these Russian efforts. He is not interested in a military
confrontation with the West in which Belarus would be the frontline. Earlier
this year, Russia suspended oil and gas supplies to the country. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">The tension in
Russian – Belarusian relations led the Minsk government to appeal to the West.
In September 2019, Belarus and the US announced plans to exchange <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/us-belarus-plan-to-restore-ambassadors-after-11-year-freeze/a-50468211">ambassadors</a>. Belarus
is also strategically important to the West. Therefore, the Belarusian
situation presents Western governments with a dilemma: should they try to come
closer to the Lukashenko regime for geopolitical gains despite its appalling
human rights record or allow it to fall under the Russian sphere of influence? Brian
Whitmore, Director of the Russia Program at the Center for European Policy
Analysis <a href="https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/28556/deteriorating-belarus-russia-relations-could-put-minsk-in-play-for-the-west">argues</a> that the right course of action is to continue assisting anti –
government civil society organizations in Belarus and at the same time to make
sure Moscow understands that any attempt to violate Belarusian sovereignty
would lead to Russia being sanctioned again. Currently, Belarus’ relationship
with the West is strained, mainly because of Western support for pro-democracy
anti-government civil society actors in the country. Although Belarus is
included in EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the EU has imposed an
arms <a href="https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/eastern-partnership/belarus/?fbclid=IwAR29d6UZ5Msd1GLmBN1I6L_1DES4ZLpWSX42eC_ctoGCHCWSPNMNFri__4M">embargo</a>, a ban on the export of goods for internal repression, an asset
freeze and a travel ban against four people listed in connection with the
unresolved disappearances of two opposition politicians in 1999 and in 2000.
Additionally, Belarus remains the only country in greater Europe that is not a
<a href="https://belarusdigest.com/story/should-belarus-join-the-council-of-europe/">member</a> of the Council of Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang=""><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="">CONCLUSION</span></b>
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="">I believe that
any policy towards Belarus should place the protection of human rights above
any other interest and that Western governments should exert more pressure on
Belarus and give more support to civil society organizations on the ground. For
the first time in almost three decades, the Belarusian people are challenging
Lukashenko’s authoritarian regime and demanding change. Hence, the presidential
elections this month must be closely monitored and the West needs to be swift in
condemning the fraudulent practices of the government. Belarus’ only path to
normalization of ties with the EU is through free and fair elections, and by
respecting fundamental human rights.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang=""><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="text-align: left;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@osilost?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: left;">Osman Yunus Bekcan</a><span style="text-align: left;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/belarus?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: left;">Unsplash</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br />Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-12436563266756667952020-07-01T13:57:00.003+02:002020-07-20T15:55:42.818+02:00Will the New Law in Montenegro on Religious Communities limit Freedom of Religion or Belief? <div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiocCiNeBU9Ke1WgxT5LXXeZAKrnFH4fB7SJMGipj7Rt-5esEPuQQBXUpVgy6fz58RLS1EVMj7noTT875-AOrBxX50uzCbH4L9OPNF7HaoRSKIG27Boy4U0RWS60Z2HmrNbHQoh1JedZr/s1600/ender-vatan-WpbdvzbSzvs-unsplash.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiiocCiNeBU9Ke1WgxT5LXXeZAKrnFH4fB7SJMGipj7Rt-5esEPuQQBXUpVgy6fz58RLS1EVMj7noTT875-AOrBxX50uzCbH4L9OPNF7HaoRSKIG27Boy4U0RWS60Z2HmrNbHQoh1JedZr/w313-h235/ender-vatan-WpbdvzbSzvs-unsplash.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="inherit"><span>ECPM MEPs expressed their concerns about the new law on religious communities that was adopted in Montenegro in the beginning of this year. In a </span><a href="https://ecpm.info/news/declaration-on-the-new-law-in-montenegro-regarding-religious-minorities.html">statement</a><span>, they call on the government of Montenegro to abide by and implement the recommendations of the </span><a href="https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/?pdf=CDL-AD%282019%29010-e">Venice Commission</a> <span> and to refrain from using violence against its citizens. It also asked the European Commission to closely monitor the performance of the government of Montenegro regarding freedom of religion, as it constitutes an essential element of the EU accession. </span><br /></font><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">But what has happened in Montenegro? Why does this new law raise concerns on the Freedom of Religion in Montenegro? Read <font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2020/07/will-new-law-in-montenegro-on-religious.html#more">here </a>an analysis of my colleague Lefteris Kaloterakis. </span></font><br />
<a name='more'></a><font face="inherit"><br />
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">(By Lefteris Kaloterakis) </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">On December 27, 2019, the Parliament of
Montenegro adopted a <a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/Parliament-of-Montenegro,-Law-on-Freedom-of-Religion-or-Beliefs-and-Legal-Status-of-Religious-Communities,-27-December-2019.pdf">law</a> titled “Freedom of Religion or Belief and Legal Status
of Religious Communities” , which came into effect on January 8, 2020. The fact
that a law dealing with the legal recognition of all religious communities is
enacted is a positive step for a country that aspires to be a member of the
European Union. However, the way it was prepared and passed in Parliament
raises concerns that the authorities attempt to show favouritism towards a
certain religious entity.<o:p></o:p></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">Indeed, the Serbian Orthodox Church of
Montenegro, the oldest religious institution in the country (its<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seat is in Belgrade) is disapproving of this
law. However, the government was eager to swiftly push it through parliament.
The prime minister <a href="http://www.gov.me/en/News/199410/Government-establishes-Bill-on-Freedom-of-Religion-or-Beliefs-and-Legal-Status-of-Religious-Communities.html">stated</a> that the law “represents the final step on the
historical path of cultural emancipation of Montenegro”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The law was voted in a contentious
atmosphere. It was passed at 3 am after 12 members of the opposition were taken
into <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlhpxeqPzKE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR19E1hr-27ATTp6Rp6t5g3FLkFgfxSErJVIA26hnfMtQv04XjrlxBhW1LM">custody</a>.</font></span></div>
<font face="inherit"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
</font><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">The law was also
<a href="https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/?pdf=CDL-AD%282019%29010-e">examined </a>during its preparation by the European Commission for Democracy Through Law of the Council of
Europe (the <a href="https://www.venice.coe.int/WebForms/pages/?p=01_Presentation">Venice Commission</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Commission stated that the law is a <a href="https://balkaninsight.com/2019/06/25/european-legal-experts-back-montenegro-religious-freedom-law/#:~:text=The%20Venice%20Commission%2C%20a%20Council,representatives%20of%20religious%20communities%2C%20amid">“step forward”</a> compared with previous versions but asked the government to proceed with consultations of the public
and of the different religious communities noting that the consultations that
had already taken place were limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Venice Commission as well as several civil society actors raised
several points of concern:<o:p></o:p></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
first purpose of the law is to regulate the registration and legal recognition
of all religious communities in Montenegro. The new registration system is
rather complicated and contradictory and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>some of its provisions seem to discriminate against the Serbian Orthodox
Church, while favouring the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, a religious entity
that was formed recently and is not recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
For example, it asks churches that have a seat abroad (as is the case with the
Serbian Orthodox Church of Montenegro) to follow a more complex path to
registration. At the same time, the law states that registration is optional
(Article 19). The Venice Commission welcomed the fact that the registration is
optional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a principle enshrined
in their <a href="https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2014)023-e">guidelines</a> on the legal personality of religious or belief
communities<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>– a religious institution
should not be obliged to seek legal personality if it does not wish to do so.
However, they <a href="https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/?pdf=CDL-AD%282019%29010-e">expressed concern</a> over the wording of article 25/3 of the<a href="http://media.aclj.org/pdf/Parliament-of-Montenegro,-Law-on-Freedom-of-Religion-or-Beliefs-and-Legal-Status-of-Religious-Communities,-27-December-2019.pdf"> law</a> which refers to the registration of churches with their seat abroad. For them it is unclear whether the language used is an implicit pressure on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the Serbian
Orthodox Church to register.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other
recognized churches with their seat in Montenegro, will have to follow a simpler
process and will be entered in the records of “existing religious communities”.<o:p></o:p></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
second point of contention is church estate and property. Unless clear evidence
of ownership is supplied, the State will claim it. The Serbian Orthodox Church
claims that this stipulation targets them as well and that the government of
Montenegro intends to nationalize its property. On the other hand, the
authorities maintain<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that during the
civil war, several properties were registered either to the Serbian Orthodox
Church or to individual churches without a valid legal basis. The Venice Commission
examined the arguments of both sides and underlined that the Montenegrin state is the one to decide to whom belongs what. However, they asked the authorities to ensure
that a church institution will be allowed to use property that has been
declared state property. Although the government gave verbal assurances to the
Venice Commission delegation that this will be permitted, they failed to
include adequate provisions in the text of the law.<o:p></o:p></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Finally,
the law was criticized on two points regarding religious education. Firstly,
while the right of parents to educate their children according to their beliefs
is recognized, it has to be done with respect for the “psychological integrity
of the child”(Art.52) and only up to age eleven. Once the child is twelve years
old, the child decides for him/herself. Secondly, no religious community or
group can establish a religious primary school (as that is compulsory and
state-mandated)<o:p></o:p></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">I believe that the government of Montenegro
must dispel any impression that they wish to treat unequally the Serbian
Orthodox Church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The government of a
modern European country should not be showing bias in its relationships with
religious groups. Side-lining a church that has deep historical roots in the
country will not help Montenegro secure its place in western institutions. <o:p></o:p></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">As part of the accession negotiations with the
EU, Montenegro will have to fulfil — among others — a specific benchmark
related to strengthening the effective application and enforcement of human
rights and alignment of its legal framework with the EU acquis and
international human rights standards (<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/countries/detailed-country-information/montenegro_en">Chapter 23 - Judiciary and fundamentalrights</a>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes effective
protection of the right to property and freedom of religion. Of course,
regulating religious institutions is a competence of Montenegro, but it should
be done in an inclusive way. Excessive violence, vague definitions in the law
and unwise statements may exacerbate anti – western feelings in the country.<o:p></o:p></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">Therefore, all recommendations issued by the
Venice Commission for this law must be taken into account. This will probably
mean amending the current law after an adequate and transparent consultation
process with all stakeholders involved. The government must also refrain from
using excessive violence. Finally, the European Commission needs to closely
monitor the performance of the government of Montenegro regarding freedom of
religion, as it constitutes an essential element of the EU Accession process. </font></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><o:p></o:p></font></span>Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@endervatan">Ender Vatan</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/montenegro-church?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a></div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-79351447963901964272020-06-19T20:26:00.001+02:002020-07-20T15:47:27.733+02:00Will the needed EU Recovery Fund result in a better or a bigger Europe?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctYBhCg5DVVMjhy-y8CybOlve-53lyObltUUsmZEAMaQV-l12PakE_I8ELbgcGvFrC708e8JaUeqe4iUOKCMduZeHepT9Fb8l8S4MP8llNmIwb1gU1ysizXUarzUoyh25X9WDBRoeotY6/s1600/pic+next+generation.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="850" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctYBhCg5DVVMjhy-y8CybOlve-53lyObltUUsmZEAMaQV-l12PakE_I8ELbgcGvFrC708e8JaUeqe4iUOKCMduZeHepT9Fb8l8S4MP8llNmIwb1gU1ysizXUarzUoyh25X9WDBRoeotY6/w166-h313/pic+next+generation.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><span><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><b>Today the European Council discussed a </b></span><b><a href="https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/health/coronavirus-response/recovery-plan-europe_en">proposal</a>
drafted by the European Commission for the economic recovery in Europe in the aftermath of coronavirus.
The Recovery Plan is two-fold: (1) Next Generation EU is a new recovery
instrument of €750 billion which will boost the EU budget with new
financing raised on the financial markets for 2021-2024, an instrument
which is part of the larger (2) Multiannual Financial Framework
2021-2027 of more than €1 Trillion. But how does the European Commission want to realize this? And will it contribute to a better Europe or a bigger Europe? See <a href="https://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2020/06/eu-wants-to-raise-direct-taces-critical.html">here </a>a critical analysis on this Proposal</b></font></span></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<font face="inherit"><span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">The European
Commission presented its <b>plan for post COVID 19 recovery</b> in the EU in
the end of May.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> </span></span></span></span><br /></font>
<font face="inherit"><br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">We identified three issues of <b>particular concern</b>. These are the proposal
that the Commission itself would raise taxes, the proposals regarding support
for companies and the general issue of the size of the budget.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">The
centerpiece of the proposal is the <b>"Next Generation EU" financial
instrument</b>. It will have an emergency nature and will be funded through an <b>increase
in the amount of money the Commission itself can raise through different means</b>.
This will allow the Commission to use its credit rating to <b>borrow €750
billion on the financial markets</b>. Through this emergency instrument, <b>the
EU will provide €500 billion in grants to countries hit hardest by the
pandemic, such as Spain and Italy, and make another €250 billion available as
loans</b>. Using the emergency instrument and an increased budget for the
coming years, the Commission <b>hopes to fuel a total amount of 3 trillion
Euros to different recovery projects</b>. This proposal comes after the
Chancellor Merkel and President Macron presented their own plan earlier in May.
It called for the creation of a <b>500 billion recovery fund</b>.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a>
Both plans were met with skepticism by some European Member States. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">Discussions
on the Commission proposal commenced today at
the <b>European Council video-conference</b>. However, it is unlikely that a final
decision will be reached in the coming weeks.</span><b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">We strive for a European solution that will ensure that money will reach European
societies</span></b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">. It must also be <b>in line with the constitutional
requirements of each Member State</b>. As mentioned above, the Commission
proposal calls for <b>an increase to the “own resources ceiling”</b> which is
the amounts the Commission itself can raise through different means. The
"own resources" is <b>one of the pillars of EU's revenue</b> (the
other 2 being the previous year's surplus and other sources of revenue, mainly
fines and taxes on salaries.). <b>The Commission proposal asks for an amendment
of the “own resources system” to include among others on new EU-wide tax on
large companies.</b> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">The <b>legal
basis</b> for the "own resources" system is the <b>2007 "Council
Decision</b> on the system of the European Communities’ own resources".<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a>
Article 2 Paragraph 2 of the 2007 Council Decision states that: <i>"Revenue
deriving from any <b>new charges</b> introduced within the framework of a
common policy, in accordance with the EC Treaty or the Euratom Treaty, provided
that the procedure laid down in <b>Article 269 of the EC Treaty</b> or in
Article 173 of the Euratom Treaty has been followed, shall also constitute own
resources entered in the general budget of the European Union". </i><b>Article
269</b> of the EC treaty (the one referenced in the Article 2 of the Council
Decision on "own resources") states that<i> <b>"The Council,
acting unanimously on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the
European Parliament, shall lay down provisions relating to the system of own
resources of the Community, which it shall recommend to the Member States for
adoption in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements."<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></b></span></span></span></a></b></i> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">This means
that <b>any change to the “own resources” system must be unanimously accepted
at Council level. It then must be approved by the Member States in accordance
with their constitutional requirements</b>. The term constitutional is especially
important here. It means that in some Member States it might even require <b>a
referendum</b> (Denmark, Ireland), which is not a particularly good idea during
a health crisis.</span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">For this
reason, <b>We cannot support the proposal for taxation by the EU of large
companies. </b>The <b>EU is not a state</b> and is not seen as such by the
peoples of Europe and <b>should therefore not overtake this competence from the
Member States.</b> Moreover, <b>the process of realizing this proposal will
cause a significant delay in getting an agreement for the EU Budget</b>. The <b>current
emergency does not allow for such a delay</b>. we suggest that <b>EU
Member States cooperate in setting minimal taxation of multinationals at the
national level and put together more energy in combating tax evasion by large
companies.</b> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">The
Commission has put forward a <b>wide-ranging plan on how the money raised will
be spent.</b> There are <b>measures to support European economies</b>. For
example, there is new <b>Recovery and Resilience Facility</b> which will be the
centrepiece of the recovery plan. It will have a <b>budget of 560 billion
distributed in grants and loans</b>. <b>Member States will design their own
tailored national recovery plans that will have to be approved</b>. The
Facility will <b>ensure</b> that these investments and reforms focus on the
challenges and investment needs related to the green and digital transitions. <b>Each
plan will outline investment and reform priorities and present the investment
packages to be financed under the facility.</b> Financial support will be
released in <b>instalments</b> based on projects in fulfilling predefined
progress <b>benchmarks.</b> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">The
Commission is also <b>proposing to strengthen Invest EU</b> to <b>mobilise
private investment in strategic projects across the Union</b>. They are
proposing a new <b>Solvency Support Instrument</b> to provide urgent support to
sound companies put at risk by the crisis. This instrument will help <b>mobilise
private resources to provide urgent support to European companies</b>. Another
element of the proposal is the <b>Strategic Investment Facility</b>. It will
support projects contributing to <b>building value chains across the EU</b> and
<b>enhancing the autonomy</b> of the Union’s single market. There are also <b>measures
to strengthen the Single Market</b> and <b>make sure the EU deals with future
emergencies</b>.</span><b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">Some of the
above mentioned proposals are in the right direction.</span></b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">
Especially, the Strategic Investment Facility and the focus on green
technologies. It is also good that the Commission proposes that money will go
to <b>“sound” </b>companies. One must wonder however, <b>why even so – called
“sound” companies are so vulnerable</b>. We believe that <b>we must examine the
whole architecture of our system</b> and ask ourselves where money given through
the ECB since 2012 went. We do not only need to limit support to sound
companies but also <b>ensure that support will contribute to a healthier
economy and sound business practice.</b></span><b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">The current
situation exposed a vulnerable system<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></b></span></span></span></a>.
The Eurozone banks had not been tested for such extreme scenarios</span></b><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">.
Bail outs of large companies are bailing out the shareholders and bond holders.
We have currently a system where <b>we must make more and more debt to keep it
afloat</b>. The ECB has recently decided to buy an additional 870 billion of
assets. However, <b>the more assets the ECB is purchasing, the more it is
assuming bigger risks</b>. Moreover, either the Merkel-Macron plan or the
Commission proposal call for the <b>creation of new debt</b> and its eventual
distribution among European countries (even if payment will be in the coming
decades).</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">But even if
the Commission proposals go through, <b>we must ensure that the money reaches
companies that need it and have a positive effect on societies</b>. Since 2012
the ECB has been spending large amounts</span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">through quantitative easing to help
European economies. However, <b>not all this money reached companies that
needed it.</b> A lot was <b>absorbed by banks</b> to offset their own balances.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">In addition,
there has been a continuing development in which <b>profits of large companies
were not invested in the real economy but were extracted by actors in the
financial sector</b>. Even more, <b>hedge funds</b> and <b>venture capital investors</b>
<b>took a lot of capital out of companies</b> and left many companies indebted
regardless of whether they had healthy turnovers or not. A lot of capital and
profits was <b>slushed out of Europe to offshore tax havens</b> in this
development. CEO’s were rewarded for enacting these policies with
disproportionate bonuses.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">This means
that ECB programs did not reach the real economy and that simultaneously a lot
of capital was extracted from the real economy. This dual development <b>contributed
to the vulnerability of our societies that manifested itself during the health
crisis</b>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span>Therefore, this
time, we need to ensure that </span><b>the money will not disappear from
Europe through outsourcing</b><span>. This will strengthen the strategic capacity of
the EU. Companies that receive investment through EU instruments need to meet
clear benchmarks so that </span><b>only companies that work in a decent manner are
eligible for this support</b><span>. These companies should have </span><b>good and
family-friendly employment practices</b><span>, </span><b>just salaries</b><span>, </span><b>sound
finances</b><span> and </span><b>protect the environment</b><span>. Additionally, these companies should
</span><b>not be allowed to distribute their dividends</b><span> or </span><b>buy back their own
shares in times of crisis<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></b></span></span></span></a></b><span>.
SME’s need therefore to be prioritised in EU investment programs.</span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">We believe that
it is vital to raise this issue now. If this time, the money invested will not
reach European societies, <b>more will be needed in the future</b>. And the
next time money is asked, <b>many Member States may face an unwilling
electorate that refuses to contribute. </b>This will have certainly <b>many
negative implications for the future of the European project. Which brings us
to our final concern regarding the total size of the package.</b> </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">It is obvious
that <b>there is need for European solidarity</b> and that a compromise must be
found that will have the support from all EU Member States. <b>We cannot ignore
the serious challenge that southern European countries face.</b> Ignoring the
pain of these societies will endanger the support for the EU. Simultaneously we
<b>need to ensure that the political support in northern Europe for the EU does
not erode either to such an extent that it endangers the public support of EU
membership.</b> The <b>right balance</b> must be struck in the size and shape
and general conditions that underpin the final agreed package as well in how
the package will be financed.</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">We have noted
that in European societies there are serious emotions flaring up. This can be
seen in opinion polling as well as in public and parliamentary debates. Sometimes
these emotions are fed by cultural prejudices and factual misconceptions. The
coronacrisis and the subsequent emotional debates on the EU budget <b>underline
the need to find more ways for real conversations between our societies.</b> The
EU stands out globally by emphasizing our common human dignity. We believe that
this is in essence <b>a Christian notion that has defined Europe and the EU</b>.
This notion has only become more relevant and important in this crisis. Our
common human dignity should be guiding our debates on the budget and we should
aim for a budget that will lead to an economy that reflects this notion better
and will lead to a more humane Europe. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><font face="inherit"><span><span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></font></div><div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<font face="inherit"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[1]</span></span></span></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2020%3A442%3AFIN">https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM%3A2020%3A442%3AFIN</a></span>
</font></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<font face="inherit"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[2]</span></span></span></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/19/germany-buckles-to-france-on-coronavirus-recovery-plan-267814">https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/19/germany-buckles-to-france-on-coronavirus-recovery-plan-267814</a></span>
</font></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<font face="inherit"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[3]</span></span></span></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32007D0436&from=EN">https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32007D0436&from=EN</a></span>
</font></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<font face="inherit"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn4;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[4]</span></span></span></span></a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:11997E269&from=EN">https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:11997E269&from=EN</a></span>
</font></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<font face="inherit"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn5;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[5]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">More details on this vulnerability and what created it can be found in
this Sallux webinar on ‘Business and Financial Markets Post-Corona’: : <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-PjJm5xiw4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-PjJm5xiw4</a></span>
</span></font></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<font face="inherit"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=1095150826368369630#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn6;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">[6]</span></span></span></span></a><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="https://www.christenunie.nl/blog/2020/05/28/ChristenUnie-wil-Nationale-Bedrijven-Garantie?fbclid=IwAR1mMORIKhr2Dr5BmbtLumTZaIjq6_7aE02RLN2xHIYUQkxVcEr8s31VMkQ"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">This is what ECPM Member Party
Christen Unie proposed for the Dutch economy</span></a></span><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></font><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-24751833524258744852020-05-08T23:49:00.003+02:002020-07-20T15:44:04.756+02:00EU Petition calls for more concrete actions against the rise of antisemitism<div class="separator"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nkW-H0iBgaWMxr43j8C2Mu-GZi46aFznd8A_UiklJYpuLAFekWLaZCsq2b5v4JjQF9SljaTS85iYwHD5oSfU338mpiHErQicIVhzynjZG72y1-AdQdaa_8JqZiFmPxdIGZWSoHThZxjV/s1600/anti-semitism-2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0nkW-H0iBgaWMxr43j8C2Mu-GZi46aFznd8A_UiklJYpuLAFekWLaZCsq2b5v4JjQF9SljaTS85iYwHD5oSfU338mpiHErQicIVhzynjZG72y1-AdQdaa_8JqZiFmPxdIGZWSoHThZxjV/w313-h208/anti-semitism-2.jpg" width="313" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">This year, we celebrate the 75<sup>th</sup>
anniversary from the end of the Second World War and the surrender of Nazi
Germany to the allied forces. However, as allied troops liberated Europe, they
came across the horrible atrocities of the Holocaust. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39062221">Around two thirds ofEuropean Jewry were murdered</a>. Their memory should lead
us to do everything in our power to never allow such savage acts to take place again. </span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">Unfortunately, we are witnesses to a rise in
antisemitic acts across Europe. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">In 2018, the Fundamental Rights Agency of the
EU (FRA) conducted a <a href="https://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra_uploads/fra-2018-experiences-and-perceptions-of-antisemitism-survey_en.pdf">big survey on discrimination and hatecrime against Jews</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The survey covered
12 Member States, where the vast majority of EU’s estimated Jewish population
live (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the
Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom). It was the biggest
survey of Jewish people ever conducted worldwide. Over one third of all
respondents (39 %) experienced some form of antisemitic harassment. Antisemitic
acts originate from across the political spectrum. When asked to describe the
perpetrator, the respondents, in 31 % of the cases identified the perpetrator
as someone they do not know, in 30 % as someone with Muslim extremist views,
and in 21 % of cases as someone with left-wing political views.</span><br />
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">Additionally, it is very worrying that most
respondents (79 %) who experienced antisemitic harassment in the five years
before the survey, did not report the most serious incident to the police or to
any other organisation. Almost half of them (49%), said that they did not
report the incident because they believed that nothing would have changed had
they done so.</span><br />
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">Because of these worrying developments on a European
level, the ECPM decided to support <a href="http://www.stopantisemitism.eu/">an EU petition</a> that asks for concrete
actions against the rise of antisemitism. The EU petition is in 23 different languages used as official language in EU Member States. We ask for measures to guarantee the
safety of Jewish communities and for the removal of any barriers for the
reporting of antisemitic acts. Finally, we call for special attention to the
Holocaust and the contribution of the Jewish communities in the field of
education.</span></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">The generation that lived through the Second World War
and the Holocaust is gradually passing way. The duty therefore falls on us, the
newer generations, to ensure that such atrocities do not take place again in
Europe and anywhere in the world. The European institutions as well as each
Member State must take action so that the phrase we frequently use for the
Holocaust “never again” is not a mere slogan.</font></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit"><font size="3">If you are an EU citizen and you want to raise your voice against antisemitism, you can sign the EU petition </font><a href="http://www.stopantisemitism.eu/">here</a>.</font></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-42342340077351595732020-03-21T14:04:00.002+01:002020-07-20T15:42:17.284+02:00WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY 2020 – A CALL FOR ACTION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmVlN2IA9vB7E4FYDJFV6cn6eVkWQu2UnGrFaAjDJ2IGNGQBcfR3ZibWjKTFv3WZg5qcvw5EHjono8j4X5ZdT8hjHpryYIPyvzmraaApD8fcBkJzFgnAg8NftKcKVWSeaxmTB2UIouoAa/s1600/3556366.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmVlN2IA9vB7E4FYDJFV6cn6eVkWQu2UnGrFaAjDJ2IGNGQBcfR3ZibWjKTFv3WZg5qcvw5EHjono8j4X5ZdT8hjHpryYIPyvzmraaApD8fcBkJzFgnAg8NftKcKVWSeaxmTB2UIouoAa/s200/3556366.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">On the 21st of March, we are celebrating the </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.worlddownsyndromeday2.org/"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">World Down Syndrome Day</span></a></span></u><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">Unfortunately</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">, the </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">c</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">orona virus crisis we are currently
facing has left its impact on the different celebrations that were planned.
Nevertheless, it remains an important </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">cause to mark</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> and it is good to discuss our responsibilities</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> towards</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> our fellow human beings with Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome and to evaluate the European
policies. It is encouraging that 108 Members of the European Parliament
signed a declaration that demands better rights for persons with Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome giving an important call to
action.</span></font><br />
<a name='more'></a><span lang="" style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">The World Down Syndrome Day was established in 2012 by
the </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.worlddownsyndromeday2.org/about-wdsd"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">United Nations</span></a></span></u><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">, although it had been observed
since</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> 2006 in
many countries around the world. Consequently, a resolution was adopted at the
United Nations that formally established the 21st of March as a day of
celebration for the rights of people with Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome. This day signifies the
uniqueness of our fellow citizens with the triplication of the 21st chromosome</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">, a genetic disorder known as</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome. It is an opportunity for
all of us to think if we are doing enough for persons with disabilities.</span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">For me, every life is worthy to live and
every human being’s existence matters. This applies especially to
persons with disabilities. People with special abilities are an
indispensable part of our societies even if they have a physical or mental
disability. One issue of big concern is the misuse of Non – Invasive Prenatal
Blood Tests (NIPT), which has lead to an increase of abortions of babies with
Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome. For example, an article
published </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">o</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">n the </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.genethique.org/en/down-syndrome-and-non-invasive-prenatal-testing-nipt-50-increase-uk-abortions-last-decade-71068.html#.XnS0VIhKjb1"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">G</span></a><a href="http://www.genethique.org/en/down-syndrome-and-non-invasive-prenatal-testing-nipt-50-increase-uk-abortions-last-decade-71068.html#.XnS0VIhKjb1"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">ènéthique</span></a></span></u><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> website last year showed that
in the United Kingdom the number of babies with Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome that were aborted, increased
by 50% over a decade. Three years ago, ECPM had raised the issue during
the celebration of the World Down Syndrome Day at the</span><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2017/03/we-do-not-want-down-free-society-but.html"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> European Parliament</span></a></span></u><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">. We made a </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://ecpm.info/news/prenatal-testing-for-down-syndrome.html"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">statement</span></a></span></u><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> against the use of NIPT as a
tool against Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome.
Important technological advances like NIPT should be instead </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">used</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> for conditions that can
successfully be treated in the womb. Therefore, tests that target Down </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">yndrome and encourage abortions
should be stopped and their use must be regulated. We need a Down-friendly
society, not a Down-free society.</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">Besides</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">, all</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> European Union </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">m</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">ember </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">tates have the obligation to uphold
the rights of persons with disabilities. This obligation stems from the
membership to the </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities.html"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">UN Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities</span></a></span></u><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">(called </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">UN Convention</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> hereafter).</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> Member </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">tates must take bold steps to
enhance the individual autonomy of people with </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">physical </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">disabilities as well</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> as of</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> those with intellectual
disabilities. This means pursuing educational policies that entail </span><u><span style="color: blue; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.ndss.org/advocate/ndss-legislative-agenda/education/"><span lang="" style="color: blue; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">inclusive educational
programs</span></a></span></u><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">. These programs ensure that all students, regardless
of ability</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"> are accepted as equal members of
their school community. They give students the opportunity to participate
alongside peers in activities.</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">Moreover, we should also do more to enhance the
representation of people with disabilities </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">i</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">n political institutions, even those
with intellectual disabilities. Of course, there are not any easy solutions in
this sphere. However, a consultation process within </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">m</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">ember </span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;">tates must be initiated.</span><span lang="" style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">Children and adults with Down </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">yndrome have a special
worth and an inherent dignity. They have a special contribution to our
societies. We must all find ways to make our societies more inclusive and
friendly for people with Down </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">yndrome. They are a source of joy for all
of us and a valuable element of the fabric of our societies.</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><b><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">European Declaration</span></b><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><font face="inherit"><b><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">It is therefore encouraging that 108
Members of the European Parliament, from across the political spectrum and
coming from over 26 countries</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> signed a<a href="https://eufortrisomy21.eu/declaration/"> declaration</a> that demands that
persons with Down </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">s</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">yndrome are treated in fairer way. The
declaration calls on governments and EU institutions to support autonomy rising
projects such as inclusive educational programs, independent living projects as
well as health research programs with therapeutic goals. </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
The co-signatories further demand that the rights of persons with disabilities
and the UN Convention are mainstreamed in all European policies and programs,
including on health, employment and inclusive education. Finally, the
declaration calls to respect and promote the individual autonomy of persons
with </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">physical
</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">disabilities
and intellectual disabilities. </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
World Down Syndrome Day also highlights the daily challenges persons with Down
Syndrome have to cope with. They should not face discrimination be it in
employment, representation</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> or</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> political life. The
declaration also confirms that persons with disabilities, including persons
with intellectual disability</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">,</span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> have the right to be fully included and
to participate on an equal basis in the society. </span><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
We can not agree more with this, but unfortunately I believe we still have a
long way to go.</span></font></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="" style="line-height: 17.12px;"><span><font face="inherit" size="2">Children photo created by freepik - <a href="http://www.freepik.com/">www.freepik.com</a></font></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;"></span></span>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-15544651099186194092020-02-27T16:41:00.001+01:002020-07-20T15:39:37.375+02:00 Council of Europe asks for the Respect for Freedom of Religion or Belief on the Workplace<div class="separator"><strike style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="170" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDnmJGN8VWeMKKh1wKBpErNm_E6t4o0YC2hGnP1qVXZN7TQnpawhpuMxu88upGetf2Ti-l8PrumsEabA1z3LvQJjOPn5Xy_zPgPOQLQqxND2guppy_IZPLSoAswGyZWkndUS3RDfMLF_x/w194-h250/stier%252C%252Bdavor%252Bivo.jpeg" width="194" /></strike></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE) has reaffirmed that Member States has an
obligation to ensure non-discrimination in the workplace based on the grounds
or religion or belief in an adopted <a href="http://semantic-pace.net/tools/pdf.aspx?doc=aHR0cDovL2Fzc2VtYmx5LmNvZS5pbnQvbncveG1sL1hSZWYvWDJILURXLWV4dHIuYXNwP2ZpbGVpZD0yODU1NiZsYW5nPUVO&xsl=aHR0cDovL3NlbWFudGljcGFjZS5uZXQvWHNsdC9QZGYvWFJlZi1XRC1BVC1YTUwyUERGLnhzbA==&xsltparams=ZmlsZWlkPTI4NTU2">resolution</a>, based on the <a href="http://semantic-pace.net/tools/pdf.aspx?doc=aHR0cDovL2Fzc2VtYmx5LmNvZS5pbnQvbncveG1sL1hSZWYvWDJILURXLWV4dHIuYXNwP2ZpbGVpZD0yODMyMiZsYW5nPUVO&xsl=aHR0cDovL3NlbWFudGljcGFjZS5uZXQvWHNsdC9QZGYvWFJlZi1XRC1BVC1YTUwyUERGLnhzbA==&xsltparams=ZmlsZWlkPTI4MzIy">report</a><a href="http://semantic-pace.net/tools/pdf.aspx?doc=aHR0cDovL2Fzc2VtYmx5LmNvZS5pbnQvbncveG1sL1hSZWYvWDJILURXLWV4dHIuYXNwP2ZpbGVpZD0yODMyMiZsYW5nPUVO&xsl=aHR0cDovL3NlbWFudGljcGFjZS5uZXQvWHNsdC9QZGYvWFJlZi1XRC1BVC1YTUwyUERGLnhzbA==&xsltparams=ZmlsZWlkPTI4MzIy"> </a> of Davo Stier (EPP/CD). PACE called on Member
States to <i>“promote a culture of tolerance and ‘living together' in a
religiously pluralist society”</i>, while ensuring that <i>“the right to freedom of
thought, conscience and religion is respected”.</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The fact that freedom of
religion and conscience on the workplace has been reaffirmed is a very positive
development. This is in line with previous resolutions and international
documents that are calling the Member States to promote reasonable
accommodation. It is an <i>"adjustment made in a system to accommodate or make an
individual exception based on a proven need"</i>. The United Nations use this term
in the <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/article-2-definitions.html">Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities</a>"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>supporting the view that refusal to make
accommodation results in discrimination. Although as a concept, reasonable
accommodation was first mentioned in relations to the rights of people in
disabilities, it is now used to describe similar arrangements based on
religion, culture etc.</span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<font face="inherit"><span><span>(Article written by Leo van
Doesburg with the help of Lefteris Kaloterakis)</span></span><br />
</font><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span><span><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="color: #45818e; line-height: 107%;"><b><u>Reasonable Accommodation</u></b></span></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">In North America, the concept
of reasonable accommodation has also been successfully applied to religion or
belief. Additionally, an adopted <a href="http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+TA+P8-TA-2016-0360+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN">resolution</a> of the European Parliament on the application of Council Directive (2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000) on "Establishing a Framework for Equal Treatment in Employment and Occupation" (2015/2116(INI)) recognizes that <i><b>“a duty of reasonable
accommodation for all grounds of discrimination - including therefore religion
and belief-should be laid down in EU and national law, provided that does not
impose a disproportionate burden on employers or service providers”</b></i>. </font></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span><span><u><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><b>The importance of Reasonable Accommodation</b></span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="color: #45818e;"> </span></span></u></span></span><br />
<span><span style="line-height: 107%;">The importance of reasonable
accommodation was also acknowledged in the above-mentioned 2000 EC <a href="http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:32000L0078:en:HTML">Directive</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>on equal treatment in occupation. This Directive stipulates that:
<i>“<b>in the case of occupational activities within churches and other public or
private organizations the ethos of which is based on religion or belief, a
difference of treatment based on a person’s religion or belief shall not
constitute discrimination…”</b></i><b>. </b>This means that the principle of reasonable accommodation can be applied both to institutions and to individuals. For example, a Christian school can employ teachers that share the school's system of beliefs. They can employ who they choose even id this means that on this sphere there is deviation from the concept of non-disrimination. This is a reasonable, genuine and justified request. It also deals with a particulare case and is not imposing a dispropriate burden on the society. </span></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Moreover, as it was mentioned
earlier, several other PACE reports called Member States to promote reasonable
accommodation. This was underlined also in the resolution that was adopted last
month (paragraph 2). For example, (<a href="https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=21549&lang=en">Resolution 2036</a> (2015)) on “Tackling Intolerance
and Discrimination in Europe with a Special Focus on Christians”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>called upon member states of the Council of
Europe <i>“<b>to <a href="https://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-parliamentary-assembly-of-council.html">promote reasonable accommodation</a> within the principle of indirect
discrimination so as to ensure that the rights of all individuals under their
jurisdiction to freedom of religion or belief is respected..”</b></i>. Additionally, in
<a href="http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-DocDetails-EN.asp?FileID=18055&lang=EN">Resolution 1846</a> (2011) on “Combating all Forms of Discrimination Based on Religion”,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>member states were asked to
<b><i>“strive to accommodate the needs of different religions and beliefs in a
pluralist<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>society, provided that any
such measures do not infringe the rights of others”</i>. </b></span></span><br />
<span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Another <a href="https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=22199&lang=en">resolution </a>(2076 (2015)) on “Freedom of Religion and Living Together in a Democratic Society”, invited member states <b><i>to ensure that religious communities and their members
are able, in compliance with the law, to manage welfare and education
institutions</i></b>. Additionally, the <a href="http://semantic-pace.net/tools/pdf.aspx?doc=aHR0cDovL2Fzc2VtYmx5LmNvZS5pbnQvbncveG1sL1hSZWYvWDJILURXLWV4dHIuYXNwP2ZpbGVpZD0xNzkwOSZsYW5nPUVO&xsl=aHR0cDovL3NlbWFudGljcGFjZS5uZXQvWHNsdC9QZGYvWFJlZi1XRC1BVC1YTUwyUERGLnhzbA==&xsltparams=ZmlsZWlkPTE3OTA5">resolution</a> (1763(2010)) on the "Right to Conscientious Objection in Lawful Medical Care" underlined the r<b><i>ight of medical professionals to refuse to perform medical procedures that go against their conscience </i></b>(e.g. abortion). Finally, the report of PACE titled “The Protection of the Rights
of Parents and Children Belonging to Religious<a href="https://leovandoesburg.blogspot.com/2017/05/council-of-europe-report-protects.html"> Minorities</a> ” (<a href="https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=23719&lang=en">Resolution 2163</a>
(2017)) , affirmed the importance of the use of the concept of reasonable
accommodation in education asking Council of Europe Member States to adopt it.
In the recommendations to the Council of Ministers of the Council of Europe
(that were adopted), i<b><i>t is recommended that “guidelines on how member States
should effectively provide reasonable accommodation” are drawn up. </i></b></span></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span><span style="color: #45818e; line-height: 107%;"><b><u>Attempts to frame the report</u></b></span></span><br />
<span><span style="line-height: 107%;">Even though reasonable
accommodation was endorsed several times in PACE reports as a useful tool, some
Members attempted to frame the concept as controversial. At the plenary
discussion, it was claimed that use of the concept of reasonable accommodation
in the field of religion, could lead to discrimination against other groups,
like the LGBTI community. However, this issue was discussed at length during
the preparation process of the report. At a public hearing that took place in
Strasbourg last October, Professor <a href="https://departments.bryant.edu/history-and-social-sciences/faculty/alidadi-katayoun">Katayoun Alidadi</a>, a scholar with significant
experience on the topic,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>underlined that
there is<b> <a href="http://www.assembly.coe.int/LifeRay/JUR/Pdf/TextesProvisoires/2019/20191210-">no conflict</a> </b>between reasonable accommodation for religious minorities
and the rights of LGBTI persons. </span></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span><span><br /></span></span>
<span><span style="color: #45818e; line-height: 107%;"><b><u>Conclusions of the final report</u></b></span></span><br />
<span><span style="line-height: 107%;">The conclusion is that the final report was an excellent
opportunity to highlight again the importance of the principle of Reasonable Accommodation. Reasonable
accommodation does not mean the refusal of the rights of others. As MP Edward
Leigh (ECR, UK) pointed out during the <a href="https://vodmanager.coe.int/coe/webcast/coe/2020-01-29-1/lang">debate</a>, <i>“[reasonable accommodation] is a
moderate, sensible compromise”</i>. My hope is that <b>more European countries will
incorporate in law provisions that lead to the reasonable accommodation of
religious beliefs</b>. This will bring us one step closer to societies where people
adhering to different worldviews, cultures or religions <b>live together in
harmony mutually respecting one another.</b></span></span></font><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-50319222287084418692019-12-31T16:25:00.002+01:002020-07-20T15:34:41.665+02:00New Year’s Message<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DoNotShowComments/>
<w:DoNotShowInsertionsAndDeletions/>
<w:DoNotShowPropertyChanges/>
<w:HyphenationZone>21</w:HyphenationZone>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>NL</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: medium none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDP2wIRVDUzdj5_C31TNd3Cm7qGVxPCGKcet9AbIAb_pFpSMD8y77V3_K6I5Jx8s7HC_nyDXc6zzDugKOR7zYiwh1mEznaREs788zMHnDUHxh-3NNbM_mQSqsUy_tItKW-a4ZSbDz0C1y/s1600/new+years+message+photo.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="646" data-original-width="635" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDP2wIRVDUzdj5_C31TNd3Cm7qGVxPCGKcet9AbIAb_pFpSMD8y77V3_K6I5Jx8s7HC_nyDXc6zzDugKOR7zYiwh1mEznaREs788zMHnDUHxh-3NNbM_mQSqsUy_tItKW-a4ZSbDz0C1y/w245-h250/new+years+message+photo.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black;">The politics of 2019
was </span>focused a lot on<span style="color: black;"> environmental issues and climate change. </span>However,<span style="color: black;"> I saw as well that th</span>is<span style="color: black;"> </span>issue
is <span style="color: black;">becoming</span> radicalized, with political
far left and right opposing each other and using it in their political agendas<span style="color: black;">. As </span>Christians we are guided by the Word of God. In
this year's message I like to explore a bit more on the theme of environment and climate change and what we can learn from the Holy
Scriptures.</font></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><b><span lang="" style="color: black;"><font face="inherit">God the Creator</font></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black;">When I explore the </span>B<span style="color: black;">ible, the first thing I notice is how blessed
we are by the fact that God created the </span>h<span style="color: black;">eaven
and the earth,</span> with <span style="color: black;">forests, mountains, </span>and<span style="color: black;"> oceans</span>, and <span style="color: black;">their rich
life. </span>God the Creator deserves all the glory and praise, as prophet
Nehemiah mentions.</font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><i><span lang="" style="color: black;">“Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above
all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the
highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it,
the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the
multitudes of heaven worship you” </span></i><i>(Nehemiah 9:6)</i></font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><b><span lang="" style="color: black;">Human being </span></b><b>a<span style="color: black;"> collaborator with God</span></b></font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black;">At last God,
created the human being and established him in the Garden of Eden as a steward</span> <span style="color: black;">(Genesis 2:15). He did not want the man to be
alone. For this reason he created a helpe</span>r<span style="color: black;">. It
is therefore good to jointly take care </span>of<span style="color: black;"> the
creation. </span>The man<span style="color: black;"> also received a special
mandate, to </span>give names to all living creatures. <span style="color: black;">(Genesis
1:19-20)</span></font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black;">We observe that
there is a special relationship between God, humankind and the Creation. <b>God is the ruler over the </b></span><b>h<span style="color: black;">eaven and earth</span>, and <span style="color: black;">we
are assigned to be good stewards/administrators </span>of<span style="color: black;"> </span>H<span style="color: black;">is creation</span>; <span style="color: black;">all in collaboration with God Who gives life and brings it </span>to<span style="color: black;"> fruition. Th</span>us, </b>whatever is one’s view on the Climate Change, we are taught to be
responsible for God’s Creation.</font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><b><span lang="" style="color: black;"><font face="inherit">Responsibility for the earth</font></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: black;">However, the fall
of Man brought sin, evil, and selfishness into the world. </span>Humankind has tried to usurp the position of the creator. <span style="color: black;">Consequently, this affected the way we treat the
environment. </span>We deploit our<span style="color: black;"> natural resource</span>s,
use plastic excessively, and <span style="color: black;">pollut</span>e<span style="color: black;"> our environment and oceans. As a result, the Creation is </span>getting<span style="color: black;"> destroyed for our own gain</span>.</font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit"><b><span lang="" style="color: black;">How do we want to reflect on this in politics and our person</span></b><b>al lives<span style="color: black;">? </span></b></font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><font face="inherit">Since wise stewardship is a
biblical assignment, <span style="color: black;">I believe that in all our
economic policies we should consider </span>the<span style="color: black;">
impact </span>we<span style="color: black;"> </span>make<span style="color: black;">
on God’s creation. Although member states of EU have responsibilities of their
own, I believe that the EU</span> can<span style="color: black;"> be a driving
force</span> to jointly achieve <span style="color: black;">a sustainable Europe</span>.
For instance, EU can <span style="color: black;">allocate funds in </span>environmental
<span style="color: black;">research and innovation</span> and create incentives
for sustainable businesses<span style="color: black;">. We should be car</span>eful
that the EU does not use the Climate Crisis as a tool to try to just take more
power on areas that could harm the
subsidiarity of their Member States. However this does not take our
responsibility for the Creation away and a good balanced should be found.</font></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><span lang="" style="color: black;"><font face="inherit">The need for our
responsibility for our Creation is also well-summarized by the ECPYouth, the
youth organization of the ECPM. In their Odessa Declaration, they declared: <b><i>“Our
Social responsibility to improve living conditions and society implies also to
be respectful of the earth and nature which is God’s creation as well. Research
and innovation should be encouraged in order to protect the environment and
maintain a balance between technological advances and the preservation of
nature.” </i></b></font></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br />
<span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">Concerning our lives, we are entrusted different
responsibilities. At the end of this year, I think it is good to reflect a bit
to what extend the hectics of our lives and the successes and economic progress
we are pursuing are affecting our lives, Also, how they are affecting our relations and the world in
which we are living.</span></span></span></font></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br />
<span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;">As we move into 2020, let us remember that each
of us is a creation of God. Let us be good stewards, managing well of whatever
is entrusted to us our families, jobs, studies, our countries but also the
environment we are living in. All in service and honor of our Creator. </span></span></span></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span><span lang="" style="line-height: 107%;"><font face="inherit">I wish you all a blessed 2020</font></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-border-shadow: yes; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_gjdgxs"></a></span></div>
Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-75325000109425398362019-12-24T14:25:00.004+01:002020-07-20T15:31:31.970+02:00Christmas Greeting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa3cJ57ge73dBlKKA6Fxa7oxAL_WBswrwVLFEvN5693gRE8G-g6N6akRIRrG6P2gXWVdqQT8iV6NiACPVHVxeLfdFQMEP6yGqyMbT813GBglAvM76TELO7fFOP6dOwE6DOlM6MKGCBfEJ/s1600/kerstkaart+2019.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1600" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIa3cJ57ge73dBlKKA6Fxa7oxAL_WBswrwVLFEvN5693gRE8G-g6N6akRIRrG6P2gXWVdqQT8iV6NiACPVHVxeLfdFQMEP6yGqyMbT813GBglAvM76TELO7fFOP6dOwE6DOlM6MKGCBfEJ/w625-h323/kerstkaart+2019.jpg" width="625" /></a></div>
<br />Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-45817796143264552622019-02-12T15:04:00.003+01:002020-07-20T15:31:12.607+02:00ECPM European Campaign Launch 20 February, Mariott Grand Place 12h30<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><font color="#38761d">"WHY VOTING CHRISTIAN MATTERS?"</font></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="inherit" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepjWrGLs1EEV0mcZU9g5uO4qMoMYImj_ljw0ca_9JOYoMfBNv5XNsj2Mdz0XbpeHRdkdqVrXd4rw7Hh_V6Tt64nld1wVly-ihyphenhyphenMCwtH-B57iTKQhrhLIqNA0GSvsd0XdWx0hC8f32QyXV/s1600/52337587_10156417769734317_4836817763018211328_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1440" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhepjWrGLs1EEV0mcZU9g5uO4qMoMYImj_ljw0ca_9JOYoMfBNv5XNsj2Mdz0XbpeHRdkdqVrXd4rw7Hh_V6Tt64nld1wVly-ihyphenhyphenMCwtH-B57iTKQhrhLIqNA0GSvsd0XdWx0hC8f32QyXV/w625-h349/52337587_10156417769734317_4836817763018211328_o.jpg" width="625" /></a></font></div>
<font face="inherit"><br />
</font><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 6px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<font face="inherit"><b> Date</b>: 20th February 2019</font></div>
<font face="inherit"><div class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">
<b> Time</b>: 12.30 – 17.30</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;">
<b> Venue:</b> Hotel Mariott Grand Place, Rue Auguste Orts 3-7/Grand Place, Brussels, 1000 Belgium</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
The European Christian Political Movement (ECPM) is the <b>only</b> European political party with an explicit Christian profile. To contribute to the wellbeing of the people in Europe, the ECPM united parties and politicians around Christian values to generate political solutions to EU’s key problems. Unlike other European parties, the ECPM focuses on the human being in its relationship to God, other people and the creation. We see this relational thinking as the heart of Christian-democracy.</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
The manifesto will include priorities for the future MEPs who will represent ECPM in the next European Parliament:</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
• Promoting the Christian roots of Europe;</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
• Reforming the EU, Focus on Community instead of Union;</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
• Priority for Family based on a marriage between one man and one woman</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
• Protecting Human Dignity and promoting pro-life policies.</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
• Fighting Modern Slavery and Human trafficking</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
• Outward looking foreign policy. Solving problems where they start</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
• Freedom and Security. Defending external borders of the EU</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
The manifesto will be introduced by the President of the ECPM and current MEP <b>Branislav Škripek </b>(Slovakia), other MEPs and candidate<b> Marek Jurek</b> (Poland), <b>Peter van Dalen</b> and <b>Bert Jan Ruissen</b> (Netherlands), <b>Arne Gericke</b> (Germany), <b>Jean-Frédéric Poisson</b> (France), L<b>adislav Ilcic</b> (Croatia) and other prominent members from Spain, Portugal and Malta.</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
Lunch buffet will be served starting from 12:30. A coffee break will take place at 15:00.</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
For more information, please contact <b>Lefteris Kaloterakis:</b></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
Email: lk@ecpm.info</div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px; text-align: justify;">
Tel: +32(0)22301300</div>
</div>
================================================================<br />
</font><div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 4.5pt;">
<span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;"><b><font face="inherit">AGENDA</font></b></span></div>
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;"><b></b><br /></span>
<span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;">12h30-13h30 Lunch buffet</span><span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;"><br /></span><br />
<span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;">13h30
- 15h00</span><br />
</font><ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Opening by President of the ECPM</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Campaign presentation + introduction of the
Slogan.</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Presentation Manifesto with panel of current
MEP's</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Introduction of candidates and signing of the
Manifesto</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Press conference.</font></span></li>
</ul>
<font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;">15h00
- 15h30</span><br />
</font><div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">
Coffee Break, time for photo and video moments.</font></span></div>
<font face="inherit"><br />
</font><div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span lang="" style="color: #1d2129; margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">15h30
- 17h30</font></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Presentation of the new Sallux publication,
Strong Nations, Confederate Europe</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">How we involve Christian in voting.</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">ECPYouth's participation in the campaign.</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Music and closing prayer.</font></span></li>
<li style="color: #1d2129; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px;"><span lang="" style="margin: 0px;"><font face="inherit">Cocktail</font></span></li>
</ul>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-51375466049792297412019-01-10T13:22:00.003+01:002020-07-20T15:27:58.398+02:00Council of Europe: Palliative Care is a Human Right!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Gunb-E5iVPrV01SmqC-Mm2kuedR37eMzSbARxn219WN0Qj9qcxBHfvbdoxnwRvMUSByngSH7QBWdXOcswo8mM8QglEUPxaO3p32o-CClmPX5TGrtnZUZrKMUkLyJG0Ff_FVjMbt7O5V/s1600/palliative+care.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="638" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_Gunb-E5iVPrV01SmqC-Mm2kuedR37eMzSbARxn219WN0Qj9qcxBHfvbdoxnwRvMUSByngSH7QBWdXOcswo8mM8QglEUPxaO3p32o-CClmPX5TGrtnZUZrKMUkLyJG0Ff_FVjMbt7O5V/s200/palliative+care.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<b><font face="inherit">At the end of 2018, ECPM Member and<span style="color: #000015;"> Senator Rónán Mullen</span>'s report in the Council of Europe on Providing Palliative Care has been adopted the end of last year. This report affirms that Palliative Care is fundamental to human dignity and a component of the human right to health. Palliative care aims at the quality of life of both patients and their families. The Council of Europe asks the Member States to recognize palliative care as a human right and fully integrate it into their health-care<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"> system and to dedicate the necessary resources to it. </span></font></b></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;"><font face="inherit">The Assembly deeply regrets that on the organisation of palliative care, hundreds of thousands of people in Europe still do not have access to appropriate palliative care services and is concerned about the lack of access to appropriate pain relief leading to situations in which patients suffer for months and even years and experience avoidable painful deaths. </font></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: block; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px 0px 6px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><font face="inherit">
Furthermore, the Governments should remove all obstacles that restrict access to pain-relieving medication in the context of palliative care, and ensure adequate training on palliative care for health-care professionals. They should also provide comprehensive support for informal caregivers, including respite services. </font><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;"><font face="inherit">
Further is palliative care about dying with dignity and NOT about the dignity to die. They follow the definition of the WHO that the starting point of palliative care which "affirms life, regards dying as a normal process and intends neither to hasten nor to postpone death" </font></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;"><font face="inherit">
Or as Pope Francis said on the meeting of the "World Medical Association" on "end of life issues" 16 November 2017: "And even if we know that we cannot always guarantee healing or a cure, we can and must always care for the living, without ourselves shortening their life, but also without futilely resisting their death. This approach is reflected in palliative care.... as it opposes what makes death most terrifying and unwelcome - pain and loneliness</font></div><div style="margin: 6px 0px;"><font face="inherit"><br /></font></div><div style="margin: 6px 0px;"><font face="inherit">Click<a href="http://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-DocDetails-EN.asp?FileID=25214&lang=EN"> here</a> for the report and resolution</font></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;"><font face="inherit">
Click <a href="https://eapcnet.wordpress.com/2018/12/07/council-of-europe-launches-latest-report-on-palliative-care-in-europe/">here</a> for an article of the European Association of Palliative Care on this report</font></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyPOY4xBpl-RZP2pI3LuR_-Nk6cUemLtxVZ0Kj_6VAm60pIUpDzzRJwxbkatQkAxfXcl6tiGWd0BoJhyFukW7VyQC-Ln9LlkTgiP2mehHt3su8j9NLsIb4WQxDW1D9B5yB3N0M4GxsF_l/s1600/palliative+care+4.jpg" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; clear: right; color: #0066cc; float: right; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></a><font face="inherit">Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154979929599317&type=1&l=8561ce3159">here </a>for a link with pictures of the meeting in the Council of Europe organized by Senator Mullen in collaboration with Sallux with representatives of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development of the Council of Europe, the European Association of Palliative Care and ADF International. This meeting was organized as preparation for the report</font></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;">
<font face="inherit"><br /></font></div>
<div style="margin: 6px 0px;"><font face="inherit">
Photos: As a preparation for the report, Rónán Mullen organized in collaboration with Sallux, the think tank of the ECPM, a meeting with representatives of the secretariate of the Committee on Social Affairs, Health and Sustainable Development of the Council of Europe, European Association of Palliative Care and ADF International</font></div></div>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-48900534102244779462018-12-31T18:15:00.003+01:002020-07-20T15:24:22.742+02:00New Year's Message <span><font face="inherit"><span class="text"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">“Do not conform to the pattern of
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect
will” </span></i></span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Romans 2:12</span></span></font></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX9aKIlhovhboKy5le3AQyqrRWrEWfyzXNPuxrmU60cQ9bMdr-KJ4k0vLbaeE-mtki-d27B6FLSM17Y0R_it_0L7QsK1F6lfOd-KGkjAFyN0t-N6Q_Fj669lzVRCU7U6Kfj4BVFac8yBG/s1600/photo+christmas+2019.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1445" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX9aKIlhovhboKy5le3AQyqrRWrEWfyzXNPuxrmU60cQ9bMdr-KJ4k0vLbaeE-mtki-d27B6FLSM17Y0R_it_0L7QsK1F6lfOd-KGkjAFyN0t-N6Q_Fj669lzVRCU7U6Kfj4BVFac8yBG/s200/photo+christmas+2019.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span><font face="inherit">Th<span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">e year 2018 was a year full of events. It was for me a challenging but
also a blessed year. First of all, the ECPM has continued to grow. New parties
and individual Members of Parliament have joined the ECPM, and even with
stricter regulations, ECPM is able to continue to operate as one of the ten
European parties. Besides this, I am thankful for the work of our members and
partners in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Many
resolutions and reports have been adopted this year which sought to promote human dignity. One of the highlights was the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights exactly on the same date this Declaration has been ratified by the United Nations.
This document names the fundamental human rights, like the right to life, but
also of family, freedom of religion or belief and the fights against slavery.
Many of them you will find in the spearheads and the vision documents of the
ECPM.</span></span></span></font></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span><span class="text"><font face="inherit"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The year of 2018 taught me as well that politics became more complicated
and more stigmatized. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see a rise of
dogmatism on the left-liberal side and of populism on the far right side of
the political spectrum.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></b></font></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><font face="inherit">Dogmatism on the left</font></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The left-liberal side has become more and more dogmatic. Their dogmatism
is based on the “individual autonomy” of a human being. They believe that politicians should focus
on eliminating every aspect that could limit the individual choice of a person,
whether this is good or not, or whether this even could harm the dignity of
another. New rights are created like the right for a woman to do an abortion or
the right to die in cases of euthanasia, which can go against the fundamental
right to life. The latest development is the promoting of the gender ideology
which is founded on the idea that a gender of a human being is not biologically
established by birth, but that it is an identity a person has or will have.
Someone should have the right to establish even their own gender, even if this
goes against nature and is highly questionable if accepting a change in gender
really will help a person. It is interesting that there are lately so many Europe-wide television programs that try to promote this unscientific idea of
the basics of human being instead of the fact that we are created as man or woman. The problem is
that they want their ideologies to be transposed in legislation and imposed on societies and everyone. Other opinions on these issues are seen as intolerant or
discriminatory.</span></span></span><br /></font>
<br />
<span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><font face="inherit">In the name of tolerance, equality and non-discrimination, the political climate has become
intolerant and discriminatory against Christian and other organizations that defend
the traditional family, or want to protect the life of the unborn or other
existing human rights. Reports were written where these organizations are
framed as anti-rights, anti-choice and as neo-conservatives. Using also unfounded and crazy conspiracy theories, they try to frame these organizations in order to silence them and overlook their input in debates. Their dogmas have to be accepted
by everyone and enshrined in policies. This will have consequences for the
freedom of conscience for Christians and other religious people or people with
conscience objections in certain professions (like doctors and midwives) who do
not want to do an abortion or do not want to do euthanasia, but also for
registrars who are for example not able to marry same-sex couples).</font></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><font face="inherit">Populism on the far right</font></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<font face="inherit"><span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Another development is the rise of populism on the far right. I believe that
the growth of individualism, the breaking down of communities, the increased secularist tendencies, the growing influence of Islam and the refugee crisis, cause an
identity vacuum for many. Populist parties on the right side, are jumping in
this vacuum and focus on nationalism and on the Christian identity of a country
and its people. Christianity is then not based on faith, but merely used as an aspect of cultural identity, especially against the Islam that is seen more as a
political ideology. In some countries, these right populistic movements are
also supporting the traditional family or the protection of life. This makes it complicated to establish our positions. Should we as Christians collaborate
with these far right movements on certain such as family and life, despite the fact that they do not respect the human dignity of refugees and the freedom of religion or
belief of all religions in society? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">These two simultaneous tendencies complicate the political environment. At the same time, we are framed and excluded more and more by the left, and some of
our Christian values are misused by the far right for their agenda of protecting
national and people’s identity. Collaborating with the left-liberals can result
in compromising on our values, collaborating with the right will frame us as (far)
right-wing politicians.</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></b></span></span></font><br />
<br />
<span><span class="text"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><font face="inherit">How should we act? </font></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><font face="inherit">The apostle Paul gave us the answer in Romans 12. He tells us there to
not conform to the pattern to the world. The basis is in our faith in Jesus
Christ. Our faith renews our minds and focuses on God and the other person. Our
faith should determine our actions in politics. We must not be distracted by or
being focused on the dogmatic politics of the left or the populist politics on
the right. As Pope Leo XIII and Abraham Kuyper (two basic thinkers that
influenced Christian Democracy) asserted, we should not focus on the left or
right, but concentrate our attention towards the middle way. This middle way is based on our “Imago
Dei”, on the fact that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. My
basis for politics is not the freedom FROM everything that can limit the
individual autonomy of a human being, but the freedom TO love God and to love
the other: to protect the weak and fragile in our society and to strive for
justice.</font></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<font face="inherit"><span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Or as is written: <i>“He (=God) has shown you what is good, o mortal.</i></span></span><i><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">And what does the </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span lang="" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Lord</span></span></i><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><i> require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly<sup>
</sup>with your God.”</i> (Micah 6:8)</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span><span class="text"><span lang="" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">I wish you a blessed and joyful 2019!</span></span></span></font></div>
Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1095150826368369630.post-56809729534998788412018-12-24T15:48:00.002+01:002020-07-20T15:11:06.088+02:00Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXAqN0pysEOhJ5C5dzCYDwUn_Sk5snCQkdxacML7K_WEWU0BRgdnmKbdVZLKSK7aYB-NlgEe6T2T_31Clhok3GZdeczVdCyKHIE6uJ-mOfvkSwae3-oVCvsqZAFhEZdzXYOSL3kf7-Xlq/s1600/Illustration_sans_titre.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="842" data-original-width="1600" height="329" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqXAqN0pysEOhJ5C5dzCYDwUn_Sk5snCQkdxacML7K_WEWU0BRgdnmKbdVZLKSK7aYB-NlgEe6T2T_31Clhok3GZdeczVdCyKHIE6uJ-mOfvkSwae3-oVCvsqZAFhEZdzXYOSL3kf7-Xlq/w625-h329/Illustration_sans_titre.jpg" width="625" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><font size="2">Click on the picture to enlarge</font></span></div></span>Leo van Doesburghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04311571577205487253noreply@blogger.com0