Day: July 10, 2023

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Council of Europe: Srebrenica genocide “dark chapter” in European history

The Council of Europe Monday said the Srebrenica genocide, in which 8,372 Bosnian Muslims, mainly men and boys, were brutally killed, “remains a dark chapter in Europe’s collective history.” “That a genocide was committed in Srebrenica is not a matter of opinion, it is a historical fact, legally established by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, the International Court of Justice, and domestic courts”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic, in a video statement today.

“Regrettably, many people are unaware of the genocide and some even deny it. This is an insult to the victims and a serious threat to justice and peace in the region. This culture of genocide denial must be eradicated,” she said.

“It is high time to recognize 11 July as an official International Day of Remembrance of the victims of the Srebrenica Genocide,” she stressed.

On 11 July 1995, Bosnian Serb units captured the town of Srebrenica in eastern Bosnia-Herzegovina. In less than two weeks, their forces systematically murdered more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslims.

Prior to the massacre, the UN had declared the besieged enclave of Srebrenica, in eastern Bosnia, a “safe area” under UN protection.

The Council of Europe based in the French city of Strasbourg is the continent’s leading human rights organization. It includes 46 European member states.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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Dutch PM Rutte to quit politics

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte Monday announced that he would leave politics after the next elections, following his government’s collapse last Friday.

Rutte told the Dutch parliament in a short statement that he would be quitting politics when the current caretaker period ends.

“On Sunday I decided that I will not be available as leader of the VVD party in the upcoming elections,” Rutte was quoted saying by the Dutch media today.

Rutte’s unexpected statement came at the start of a debate on Monday morning on the collapse of his cabinet last week, after the four parties in the coalition government were unable to agree on migration, Dutch news.nl website reported.

The VVD, led by Rutte, had demanded strict new curbs on asylum applications but coalition partners D66 and the ChristenUnie said the proposal went too far.

Rutte, who has been leading the Netherlands since 2010, is the longest-serving prime minister in the European country’s history.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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GCC in line with UN on Ukraine-Russia conflict – chief

The position of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states on the Russia-Ukraine war is aligned with established UN conventions and principles, the bloc’s chief Dr. Jassem Al-Bedaiwi said on Monday.

Gulf Arab states back the UN principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states, in addition to all mediation efforts aiming to resolve the Russia-Ukraine war, he told strategic ministerial-level talks between the Riyadh-based bloc and Moscow.

He spoke of the ripple effect the conflict has sparked across the entire world, particularly, the steep rise in global food prices that will only gradually go down in the event a UN -brokered Black Sea grain export deal is extended, he underlined.

The talks come at a time where the world is dealing with mounting challenges, chief among them food security, while the bloc supports “dialogue and diplomacy” as viable solutions to global conflicts, he added.

On ties with Moscow, the GCC secretary general cited progress in relations as evidenced by holding these “strategic” talks, while the fields of energy, trade and investment have seen a growing level of cooperation, he said.

Source: Kuwait News Agency

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NATO’s Stoltenberg in Vilnius for summit

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius on Monday, discussing final preparations for the NATO Summit with President Gitanas Nauseda.

According to a NATO statement, Stoltenberg said upon arrival that when NATO leaders meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, they will take further major steps to strengthen deterrence and defence.

This includes three new regional plans, backed by 300,000 troops on high readiness, and major capabilities across all domains, the statement noted.

“This sends a clear message that we will defend every inch of Lithuania, and every inch of Allied territory,” said Stoltenberg.

The NATO summit will take decisions on Ukraine, including a multi-year package of assistance, and upgraded political ties with a new NATO-Ukraine Council, he said, adding that the summit will also address Ukraine’s path towards NATO membership.

NATO leaders will also meet with close partners in Vilnius, including the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.

“This will be Finland’s first Summit as a NATO Ally, and we look forward to Sweden joining as soon as possible. I will meet with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Kristersson (of Sweden) later today as the next step in this process,” Stoltenberg pointed out.

Source: Kuwait News Agency