Latest news with #TipperaryPeaceConvention
Irish Independent
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
New website to be launched for Tipperary Peace Convention
Deputy Canney is junior minister at the Department of Transport with responsibility for international and road transport, logistics, rail and ports. He will officially launch the new website for Tipperary Peace Convention on Tuesday, July 29, at 3.30pm at Tipperary Town Library, Tipperary Excel, Mitchell Street. The website has been designed by Alan Manning. Tipperary Peace Convention, established in 1983, is an organisation focused on promoting peace and humanitarian work, particularly through the annual Tipperary International Peace Award. The award recognises individuals or organisations that have made significant contributions to peace-building and conflict resolution. The Tipperary Peace Convention aims to promote peace through various activities, including music, discussion, and the recognition of individuals dedicated to peace. The convention also organises events like the Tipperary Song of Peace contest and commemorations for International Day of Peace and Christmas Peace Events. The annual Peace Award is the convention's most prominent activity, honouring those who have made notable contributions to peace, human rights, and humanitarian efforts. The award has been given to a diverse range of figures, including Seán McBride, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, President Bill Clinton, Senator George Mitchell, Dr Richard Haass, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Juan Manuel Santos, Ban Ki-moon, Malala Yousafzai, former Presidents Mary Robinson and Mary McAleese and organisations such as the Cluster Munitions Campaign and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). The most recent awardee was the Prime Minister of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The prime minister received the award at a ceremony at Ballykisteen Hotel on July 1. The convention also organises a Song of Peace Contest, with both international and Irish entries. This year's contest is taking place on Wednesday, August 20, at Templeneiry Church, Bansha, County Tipperary. The contest is taking place in conjunction with the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest.
Irish Examiner
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: Awarding peace prize to prime minister of Qatar is shameful
The Tipperary Peace Prize is Ireland's award for humanitarian work. The awarding of the prize to His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the prime minister of Qatar, is a dreadful insult to those who founded the Tipperary Peace Convention in 1983. The state of human rights in Qatar is a concern for several non-governmental organisations, such as Human Rights Watch, which reported in 2012 that hundreds of thousands of mostly South Asian migrant construction workers in Qatar risk serious exploitation and abuse, sometimes amounting to forced labour and death. Qatar is an authoritarian state and de facto absolute monarchy. Qatari law also does not permit the establishment of political bodies or trade unions. Awareness of human rights abuses in Qatar grew internationally after the country was chosen by Fifa to stage the 2022 World Cup. Domestic servants, who are often women from poorer African, South Asian, and South-East Asian countries, have little to no rights and often become victims of human and sex trafficking, including prostitution. Individual rights and civil liberties in general are also highly restrictive in Qatar, such as the freedom of association, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press. In addition, sodomy laws exist to punish offenders, for both males and females. Qatar's legal system is a mixture of civil law and Islamic Sharia law. Flogging and capital punishment are also enforced. Qatari authorities have been accused of allowing financiers who were on international blacklists to live freely in the country: 'There are US- and UN-designated terrorist financiers in Qatar that have not been acted against under Qatari law.' Accusations come from a wide variety of sources, including intelligence reports, government officials, and journalists. How any of the above meets the criteria for awarding such a prestigious humanitarian peace prize is beyond my comprehension. It is stomach-churning to think people of the magnitude of John Hume, Nelson Mandela, Ted Kennedy, and Mary Robinson have been placed alongside this despicable regime. Perhaps the members of the convention or those responsible would reconsider their decision to save further embarrassment for the proud people of Tipperary and, indeed, the country of Ireland. Muiris Walsh Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford All signs point to Trump becoming a tyrant We can now truly measure how much we have lost our way as a species when US president Donald Trump is nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It's a sick joke. Emboldened by Trump, Netanyahu sees no issue in presenting a post-war plan for Palestine that does not speak to a two-state solution but furthers the subjugation of Palestinians. Meanwhile, US commentators scratch their heads at how the passing of Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' is surely providing the Democrats with the perfect electoral stick to beat the Republicans at midterm. However, they are not considering the now plausible possibility that Trump may see elections and a functioning Congress as an unnecessary impediment to his absolute power. The recent military intervention in Los Angeles may have been a precursor for future fabricated emergencies to further consolidate his grip. Where is the EU in all of this? Lack of unanimity on the topic of Gaza and dealing with Trump has left it apparently impotent, while a dysfunctional UN Security Council further erodes the ability of UN agencies to provide support and security to the most vulnerable. With each passing day and the increased hardening of positions by the world's autocrats, sources of hope lessen. Barry Walsh Blackrock, Cork Israel and US have lost their moral compass Surely we are witnessing the ultimate perverse irony. The leader of the state that has carried out ethnic cleansing, building to genocide, is proposing the leader of the country that has financially and militarily backed those very actions for the Nobel Peace Prize. No longer can we debate where the moral compass is — this is the smallest deviant circle without a compass. Billy Leonard Kilkee, Co Clare Nobel nomination is insult to previous winners The history of the Nobel Peace Prize tells us it has always been based on merit and, indeed, very few, if any, of its many illustrious recipients have been involved in controversy. It is a 'noble' prize, awarded to those who have devoted their lives to eliminating conflict; promoting harmony; upholding human dignity; eliminating poverty; providing aid, medical care, and food to downtrodden nations. Among its most recent recipients are Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev, Betty Williams, Mairead Corrigan, John Hume, Martin Luther King, and Mother Teresa — all deserving of the award. How nauseating then to witness from the White House a person wanted universally for war crimes nominating a convicted criminal for that very prize. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US president Donald Trump at the White House. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu could stop the war — he is the protagonist. Instead, he allows his army to indiscriminately, on a daily basis, murder women and children and deprive them of food and water. US president Donald Trump provides him with the weapons to carry out these atrocities, so in reality the charade in the White House is a ploy to have Trump nominated for the peace prize just to satisfy his vainglory. Trump has withdrawn from the World Health Organization; has cancelled USAid to the poorest countries; has detained those who oppose his policies; has created global economic chaos; and has deported, without trial, numbers of citizens to hell-hole prisons in other countries. Considering him for this prestigious prize would be an insult to previous nominees and a demeaning of the award. Joe Kennelly Inniscarra, Co Cork Seeking details on athletes Bill and Con Phibbs Recently, a committee has been formed to fully research and document the lives and times of famous athletic brothers Bill and Con Phibbs. Born in North Cork, the brothers came to live with their family at Bridestown in Kildinan, between Rathcormac and Glenville. In the 1880s and 1890s, the two brothers were among the leading athletes in Ireland. Bill travelled to the US in 1888 with the GAA's 'invasion' team. Con later worked in Scotland and was imprisoned for his Volunteer activity during the War of Independence. Bill died in 1939 and Con 10 years later. Both are buried in Glanworth. We are trying to contact any living relatives and also to get further family information and photographs if possible. If you can help, please contact me at foxyjohnarnold@ John Arnold Bartlemy, Co Cork Government must act now to stop Gaza horror Recently, I found myself in the back room of a small bar in North Cork. A silent television proved a distraction to conversation as it showed pictures of death and destruction in Gaza. An image of a motionless baby, body wrapped as if mummified, arms outstretched as if crucified, stopped us all. And then the baby opened its eyes. I say 'it' because this baby had no name by which I could comfort them. It was a statistic, a casualty, a victim. In witnessing this horror, all I could hear were the vain attempts to restrain tears and the screaming in my head. Why is this barbarity allowed to continue and why is Ireland doing so little in response? I accept that Ireland, as a contracting party to the Genocide Convention, has intervened in South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) but, under Article 1 of the convention, we are still obliged to prevent genocide while the protracted legal arguments proceed, not just seek justice after the fact. I do not know the tipping point for proof of genocide (Article 2) but there is general agreement among international lawyers that the 'lesser' sin of war crimes, at a minimum, are being daily inflicted on those under the control of Israel in Gaza and the West Bank. While the Irish Government's continuing paralysis on the Occupied Territories Bill persists, Israel acts with impunity and hundreds more innocent lives are lost. Since March 18, on average, 60 people a day have been killed by the Israel Defence Forces; starvation is a constant and access to safe drinking water is limited to about one in 10 of the population. And still the Government procrastinates and prevaricates, waiting on others to act. This, despite Taoiseach Micheál Martin's appraisal that Israel is 'committing genocide in Gaza right now' (Leaders' Questions, May 28). We know leadership to the east and west of us is cavalier towards the human rights of the people of Gaza and the West Bank, morally crippled by self-interests, including the sales of military equipment. Thankfully, we did not vote them into power but we did vote for the Irish Government based on its 2024 manifesto. People are dismayed by its vision for a diluted Occupied Territories Bill and all its inadequacies. If, as it claims, it is based on the 2024 ICJ Advisory Opinion, at least get on with it. Meanwhile, the use of Shannon Airport by the US military, supposedly for refuelling and resupplying, is a concern that successive governments have sidestepped for decades. The concern that the US military use it to deliver weapons to the IDF must be addressed. Who is accountable to the Oireachtas and the Irish people for policing US military use? Is the Government satisfied that the use of the airport is legal? To quote UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese: 'International law is as strong and as effective as the political will of member states to enforce it.' Why is Ireland doing so little in response? Eamon Croke Sandyford, Dublin
Qatar Tribune
02-07-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Cabinet congratulates PM on receiving Tipperary Int'l Peace Award, approves a slew of draft laws
QNA Doha Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Than chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting at the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday. Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HE Ibrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi said the Cabinet congratulated Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on receiving the Tipperary International Peace Award at a ceremony held in Ireland on Tuesday. The Cabinet affirmed that honouring the prime minister with this prestigious award - presented by the Tipperary Peace Convention to those who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of peace, justice and human rights around the world - is an appreciation and recognition of Qatar's effective and influential role in world peace, and its remarkable achievements in resolving many issues at the regional and international levels through mediation, dialogue and by maintaining balanced relations with all parties, based on the wise policy of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and hissound directives for a world in which peace prevails and in which the aspirations of peoples are fulfilled. The Cabinet also welcomed the peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which was signed in Washington D.C. The first steps of this agreement began in Doha with the tripartite meeting held on March 18, 2025, with the participation of the Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the presidents of the two countries. Qatari diplomatic efforts and the constructive role of the United States continued to complement these efforts, leading to the conclusion of the agreement that was widely welcomed regionally and internationally and received global acclaim for the Qatari and American roles in reaching it in order to achieve peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and to enhance security and stability in the Great Lakes region. The Cabinet then considered the topics on its agenda, where it took note of the Shura Council's approval of a draft law amending some provisions of Law on Combating Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing issued by Law No. 20 of 2019, a draft law amending some provisions of the Lawyers Law issued by Law No. 23 of 2006, and a draft law regulating the import and transit of rough diamonds. The Cabinet approved - in principle - a draft law to issue the national data and official statistics law and to publish it on the 'Sharek' platform to survey opinions on it. This draft law, which was prepared by the National Planning Council, comes in response to national and international developments in the fields of statistics and data management, and to replace Law No. 2 of 2011 on Official Statistics. The draft law aims to develop the national statistics and data system in accordance with approved strategies, policies and plans, raise the efficiency of official statistics and data collection processes, improve their quality and reliability, and enable the National Statistics Center and other partner agencies in the national statistical system to perform operations effectively to address the challenges associated with official data and statistics and strengthen their governance systems. The Council of Ministers also approved a draft Cabinet decision to form the real estate registration committee and define its operating procedures. This draft decision was prepared by the Ministry of Justice in implementation of the provisions of Law No. 5 of 2024 on real estate registration. The Cabinet also approved a draft Cabinet decision to establish a digital project committee in the government sector within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The Cabinet reviewed the Shura Council's proposals regarding the agricultural support mechanisms provided to local farms and the extent of their contribution to enhancing food security, and took the appropriate decision. The Cabinet took the necessary measures to ratify the Air Transport Agreement between the Government of Qatar and the Government of the United Arab Emirates and approve the proposal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to join the Nice Agreement on the international classification of goods and services for the purposes of the registration of marks of 1957, the proposal of the Qatar Central Bank to join the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), and the draft general agreement to connect the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) through the railway project. The Cabinet also took the necessary measures to ratify the draft basic contribution agreement between the Qatar Fund for Development in Qatar and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to support the IAEA's regular resources for the 2025-2026 period, the draft agreement between the Government of Qatar and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) regarding the establishment and financing of a regional office for the UNITAR in Qatar, the draft contribution agreement between Qatar through the Qatar Fund for Development and the United Nations Development Programme, and the draft agreement between the Ministry of Municipality in Qatar and the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences in China for cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture technology research. The Cabinet concluded its meeting by reviewing a report on the outcomes of the participation of Qatar's delegation, headed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS 2025), and a report on the results of the participation of Qatar's delegation, headed by the Minister of Social Development and Family in the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2025, and took appropriate decisions regarding them.
Qatar Tribune
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Cabinet reviews Shura Council's proposals regarding agricultural support mechanisms provided to local farms
DOHA: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting at the Amiri Diwan. Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs HEIbrahim bin Ali Al Mohannadi stated the following: At the outset of the meeting and on the occasion of the adjournment of the fourth ordinary session of the first legislative term - corresponding to the 53rd annual session of the Shura Council - the Cabinet praised the spirit of constructive cooperation as well as the fruitful interaction between the legislative and executive authorities, which had a significant impact on the achievements made, especially at the legislative level, hearings and expression of desires that enriched government work for the good of the country and for the benefit of the nation and its citizens. Many important draft laws were approved in various economic, social and cultural fields, in line with the comprehensive growth witnessed by the country, under the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and in accordance with the guidance of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy. The Cabinet extended sincere congratulations to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani on receiving the Tipperary International Peace Award at a ceremony held in the Republic of Ireland. The Cabinet affirmed that honouring the prime minister with this prestigious award - presented by the Tipperary Peace Convention to those who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of peace, justice and human rights around the world - is an appreciation and recognition of the State of Qatar's effective and influential role in world peace, and its remarkable achievements in resolving many issues at the regional and international levels through mediation, dialogue and by maintaining balanced relations with all parties, based on the wise policy of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and His Highness' sound directives, for a world in which peace prevails and in which the aspirations of peoples are fulfilled. The Cabinet welcomed the peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was signed in Washington DC. The first steps of this agreement began in Doha with the tripartite meeting held on March 18, 2025, with the participation of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the presidents of the two countries. Qatari diplomatic efforts and the constructive role of the United States continued to complement these efforts, leading to the conclusion of the agreement that was widely welcomed regionally and internationally and received global acclaim for the Qatari and American roles in reaching it in order to achieve peace between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to enhance security and stability in the Great Lakes region. The Council of Ministers then considered the topics on its agenda, where the Cabinet took note of the Shura Council's approval of a draft law amending some provisions of Law on Combatting Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing issued by Law No. 20 of 2019, a draft law amending some provisions of the Lawyers Law issued by Law No. 23 of 2006, and a draft law regulating the import and transit of rough diamonds. The Cabinet approved - in principle - a draft law to issue the national data and official statistics law and to publish it on the 'Sharek' platform to survey opinions regarding it. This draft law, which was prepared by the National Planning Council, comes in response to national and international developments in the fields of statistics and data management, and to replace Law No. 2 of 2011 on Official Statistics. The draft law aims to develop the national statistics and data system in accordance with approved strategies, policies and plans, raise the efficiency of official statistics and data collection processes, improve their quality and reliability, and enable the National Statistics Center and other partner agencies in the national statistical system to perform operations effectively to address the challenges associated with official data and statistics and strengthen their governance systems. The Council of Ministers also approved a draft Cabinet decision to form the real estate registration committee and define its operating procedures. This draft decision was prepared by the Ministry of Justice in implementation of the provisions of Law No. 5 of 2024 on real estate registration. The Cabinet also approved a draft Cabinet decision to establish a digital project committee in the government sector within the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The Cabinet reviewed the Shura Council's proposals regarding the agricultural support mechanisms provided to local farms and the extent of their contribution to enhancing food security, and took the appropriate decision. The Cabinet decided to take the necessary measures to ratify the Air Transport Agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the United Arab Emirates and approve the proposal of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to join the Nice Agreement on the international classification of goods and services for the purposes of the registration of marks of 1957, the proposal of the Qatar Central Bank to join the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), the draft general agreement to connect the countries of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) through the railway project, the draft basic contribution agreement between the Qatar Fund for Development in the State of Qatar and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to support the IAEA's regular resources for the 2025-2026 period, the draft agreement between the Government of the State of Qatar and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) regarding the establishment and financing of a regional office for the UNITAR in the State of Qatar, the draft contribution agreement between the State of Qatar through the Qatar Fund for Development and the United Nations Development Program, and the draft agreement between the Ministry of Municipality in the State of Qatar and the Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences in the People's Republic of China for cooperation in the field of fisheries and aquaculture technology research. The Cabinet concluded its meeting by reviewing a report on the outcomes of the participation of the State of Qatar's delegation, headed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in the Conference of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS 2025), and a report on the results of the participation of the State of Qatar's delegation, headed by the Minister of Social Development and Family in the Arab Forum for Sustainable Development 2025, and took appropriate decisions regarding them.
Qatar Tribune
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Qatar will remain a voice of calm, a partner in peace: PM
The prime minister confirmed that today, he doesn't speak about his own story, but about the story of the proud people of Qatar, adding that many often ask him about Qatar's motives, from Gaza to Afghanistan, from Lebanon to Ukraine. Some claim that what Qatar does is driven by self-interest. This could not be further from the truth, continuing that what Qatar does is not merely transactional, it is transformational. It is not a tactical manoeuvre, but a reflection of the national identity, shaped by the culture, driven by the faith, enshrined in Qatar's constitution, and inspired by its leadership. The PM added that this award comes at a critical moment, adding that just one week ago, Qatar was subjected to a direct missile attack, a clear response to recklessness that threatens peace and stability in the region. He added that while Qatar's air defences fulfilled their duty, its diplomats worked tirelessly to secure a ceasefire by dawn. That moment was not one of retaliation, but one governed by wisdom and restraint, he added. The PM clarified that Qatar chose restraint from a position of strength, not weakness, because it placed the stability of its region and the well-being of its people above fiery rhetoric and displays of force. He continued that Qatar has repeatedly warned of the dangers of regional conflict escalation, and that Israel's reckless behaviour could lead to an unbearable intensification of the conflict. The price of ignoring these warnings is not paid in Gaza alone, but across the region. Nowhere is this tragedy more evident than in Gaza. The images coming from there are unbearable, and the losses are beyond description. Yet, despite this devastation, HH the Amir has remained steadfast in his commitment to the people of Gaza, through continued aid, sincere efforts for peace, and defending their dignity in international forums. Their suffering weighs on the conscience, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs mentioned, but it also strengthens the resolve. Even in the face of provocation, even under attack, Qatar remains committed to peace, not as a slogan, but as a duty. The PM added that Qatar's armed forces bravely protect the state's sovereignty, the diplomats quietly build bridges, and through it all, the people of Qatar stand united, mentioning Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) saying : 'Shall I not inform you of something more excellent in degree than prayer, fasting, and charity? It is putting things right between people.' He addressed the next generation with a message, asking them not to think that peace is naive, it is harder than war, but it is worth every effort. It is stronger than cynicism and louder than violence, as he described. On behalf of the people of Qatar, the prime minister thanked the Tipperary Peace Convention for this recognition, adding that on their behalf, he accepts it with humility and with renewed commitment that Qatar will remain a voice of calm, a partner in peace, and a friend to all who believe that dialogue must triumph over destruction, asking the world to remain faithful to this cause.
