Latest news with #ICERD
Russia Today
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Moscow seeks African solidarity against Russophobia
Moscow has urged African nations to support its efforts to combat discrimination against Russians, comparing the current state of affairs to the injustices endured by people in Africa during the colonial era. Russia's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Maria Zabolotskaya, made the appeal in an address at a forum marking the 60th anniversary of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) on Monday. The session was organized by the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. According to the speech, which was published on the website of the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN, the diplomat hailed the ICERD but criticized the failure to fully implement its principles decades after its adoption. 'Although apartheid regimes are a thing of the past, discrimination, as we know, has not disappeared,' Zabolotskaya stated, warning of a 'revival of discrimination in open forms' in the 21st century. She accused several European and Baltic states of adopting discriminatory policies targeting Russian-speaking populations, including denying voting rights and civil service eligibility to ethnic Russians labeled as 'non-citizens.' 'The policy of eradicating everything Russian, especially the Russian language, is being carried out in these countries and is being carried out in Ukraine. All this is happening with the complete indifference of the UN with all its human rights mechanisms,' the representative stated. 'Russians have always helped Africans fight colonialism and discrimination, and we count on the support of Africans in the fight against discrimination against Russians,' she added. She said Moscow is prepared to support all measures to counter the injustice, which also 'often deprives people of African descent of the opportunity for full and effective development.' Several African nations have acknowledged Russia's assistance during their struggles for independence from colonial rule and have also expressed support for Moscow's efforts to counter Western hegemony. Last year, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his country's independence from Britain in 1980 would not have succeeded without the help and solidarity of Russia and China.
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
CM announces free e-bikes for 2,200 players
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced free e-bikes for 2,200 players who won divisional competitions of Khelta Punjab Games 2025. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the games, she said the winning players would also be allowed free entry to the Horse and Cattle Show. "I want to see Punjab's players winning laurels at the international level," she added. The chief minister said, "Champions have to focus only on their sports activities and should not be misled at the hands of miscreants for creating chaos and unrest in the country. If someone asks you to create anarchy in our country, the youth should not lend an ear to them. If someone asks you to kill the Rangers, kill the police, burn the metro bus, throw petrol bombs, you should flatly refuse. If someone urges you to read, write, and study so as to make progress then he is your friend. Those who indulge in anti-state activities and persuade you to become their part are not your friends rather enemies." She added, "Whosoever induces you to set the country on fire, attack the institutions is your biggest enemy. Only Pakistan should be 'red line' of everyone. No step should be taken against our dear motherland. Every step should be taken for the progress and development of Pakistan." Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also met a delegation led by the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Olaf Skoog and discussed matters pertaining to the promotion of fundamental human rights, democracy and rule of law. She appreciated the European Union's continued partnership with Pakistan, especially Punjab on human rights issues. The EU delegation reiterated its commitment to continue supporting Punjab government for the protection of human rights. The CM said, "Pakistan is fully conforming to the United Nations human rights mechanisms. We adhere to the promotion of democracy, rule of law and human rights in Punjab. Practical steps are being undertaken for the welfare of minorities, women, children, differently-abled persons and other vulnerable segments in the province." She said, "Pakistan recently participated in an important UN review meeting on human rights. Pakistan successfully submitted its review under the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) in August 2024." She added, "Cooperation with the European Union for the promotion of fundamental human rights will be strengthened."
