Latest news with #international law
Irish Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, May 22nd: On Gaza, fox hunting and losing your keys
Sir, – Ireland has been outspoken in criticising the slaughter in Gaza, but words are not enough. International and EU law not only allows Ireland (and other EU member states) impose an immediate trade embargo on all Israeli imports but arguably requires EU states to do so. That a majority of EU member states have agreed 'to review' the EU Israel Trade Agreement is a step but not sufficient. The slaughter continues. Each member state must take action immediately. The EU cannot ignore the ICJ rulings on the actions of Israel, and in effect indirectly fund this war by supporting the economy of Israel. The EU buys more than 30 per cent of all Israeli exports and the immediate cessation would have impact that might save thousands of lives. The argument that decisions on trade are the exclusive competence of the EU Commission is subject to exceptions. READ MORE The general prohibition on restricting imports from other EU member states is subject to article 36 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) which allows restrictions justified on grounds of 'public policy'. There are already decisions of the European Court of Justice confirming the right of a member state to restrict imports based on public policy grounds. Whilst the exception will be interpreted restrictively, nevertheless member states enjoy discretion. Respect for international law is unquestionably a part of public policy in Ireland, as is the protection of our fundamental rights. Respect for fundamental rights has been endorsed by the European Court of Justice ruling that both the EU and member states are required to respect fundamental rights and that the protection of those rights is a legitimate interest which in principle justifies the restriction of the obligations imposed by European Union law such as the free movement of goods. It is in this context that the rules as interpreted by the International Court of Justice contained in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide are critically important. In January 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled on the war in Gaza and ordered Israel to 'take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts within the scope of article II of the Genocide Convention including in particular; to prevent deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part'. Ordering Israel to take immediate and effective measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance to address the adverse conditions of life faced by Palestinians in Gaza. These orders were reinforced subsequently requiring Israel to 'immediately halt its military offensive and any other action in the Rafah governorate which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about his physical destruction in whole or in part'. It is settled European case law that observance of international law is not merely a rhetorical statement but has specific legal obligations. The EU is bound by customary international law and EU law must be interpreted in light of international treaties, such as the treaty on Genocide which is binding on all member states insofar as they reflect customary international law. In the circumstances it is no longer acceptable for EU member states including Ireland to merely criticise the ongoing slaughter in Gaza, but it is incumbent on them all to immediately impose sanctions – as they have done on Russia for similar fundamental breaches of international law. It is noteworthy that even Vladimir Putin has not prohibited access to international aid organisations in the areas impacted by war. Even in the war-torn zone of Sudan international aid organisations have access. Israel stands in a unique position. Time to 'review' the trade agreement has long expired. – Yours, etc, PHILIP LEE, Glenageary, Co Dublin. Sir, – As a group of medical doctors, we would like to express our deep concern with regard to the ever worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We are particularly concerned for our medical and healthcare colleagues working in impossible situations there. Our colleagues are struggling daily with the collapse of the healthcare system, the destruction of hospitals and the death of their fellow healthcare workers. They are working with bombed hospitals, makeshift operating theatres, absence of essential medicines and the destruction of medical equipment. They are witnessing malnutrition, near famine conditions, destruction of water and sanitation systems. They operate on children without rudimentary pain relief. Simple basic treatment of infections, that we take for granted, is difficult enough to access, but treatment for serious illnesses such as cancer barely exists. The creation of field hospitals by various international NGOs does not compensate for the extensive loss of the healthcare infrastructure. Hospitals, healthcare workers and their patients are being targeted. This is all truly reprehensible and has no place in a supposedly civilised 21st century. We do not take sides in this war and we unreservedly condemn the killing by both Hamas and the Israel Defense Forces. However, we are deeply concerned as we witness the deteriorating situation, the killing of innocent people, the lack of respect for civilian life and the escalating humanitarian disaster. The First Geneva Convention states that there should be no 'obstacle to the humanitarian activities' and that wounded and sick 'shall be respected and protected in all circumstances'. Article 18 demands that medical units, ie hospitals and mobile medical facilities, may in no circumstances be attacked. We, like many others, feel helpless but believe that this intolerable situation cannot be allowed to continue. As we hear reports of only a very limited number of trucks being allowed into Gaza in recent days, we add our voices to the call for immediate opening of the borders to allow the necessary supply of aid to get through. We call on our political leaders to do all in their power to bring this about. – Yours, etc, UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY GRADUATES 1984, including: Dr Laura Barker, Dr Ann Marie Connolly, Dr Alexandra Duncan, Dr Siobhán Graham, Dr Grace Kenny, Mr Dermot Lanigan, Dr Brian Lennon, Dr Geraldine O'Dea, Dr Christopher Rozario, Dr Brid Bourke, Dr Margaret Connolly, Dr Sean Connolly, Dr Khalid Dhafar. Sir, – Since the breakdown of the Trump-initiated ceasefire in Gaza, the Binyamin Netanyahu government's current action is beyond shocking. The shutting off of water and food supplies to the civilian population has continued for 11 weeks! The images of severely malnourished children prove that famine exists in Gaza. The tokenistic supply of aid by Netanyahu's government is an insult to the civilised world. These children need not just access to food and clean water, but to specialised teams with the expertise to renourish them through the critical refeeding phase, and to support their recovery, which will take months. They will not be helped by tokenistic numbers of lorries nor the 'private companies', which the US government claims will deliver aid at some time in the future. Unicef and other NGOs with the necessary expertise and supplies must be allowed immediate access which can only occur with an immediate ceasefire. Does Netanyahu expect any hostages still alive to survive in these circumstances? President Trump, please order a ceasefire today, and allow the UN agencies to do their job. – Yours, etc, SHEILA MACKEN, (Retired paediatrician), Clontarf, Dublin 3. Sir, – I am bound to wonder what threshold of harm must be reached before all governments withdraw all support – economic, military, diplomatic, cultural – to the state of Israel? – Yours, etc, CON LYNCH Schull, West Cork. Sir, – In the west of Ireland it is peaceful and sunny. Across the world, 14,000 babies may die of starvation in Gaza. What use are governments with power, if in times of most desperate and bleak, action is not taken? We march, protest and plead. – Yours, etc, PATRICK Ó LAOGHAIRE, Louisburgh, Co Mayo. Resetting political relationships Sir, – It is encouraging to see positive energy and goodwill finally translate into a concrete step forward in the UK-EU relationship, as reported by Mark Paul and Jack Power in ' UK declares 'new chapter' in relationship with EU '. The European Parliament has recently called for a fresh, more constructive approach to relations with the UK, following the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly in March. While the UK's red lines are well known, there is clear scope to improve the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), easing friction and unlocking mutual opportunities. With a comprehensive animal and plant health (SPS) agreement, mutual recognition of professional qualifications, renewed UK association with Erasmus+, electricity market integration, progress on fisheries, and alignment on emissions trading now within reach, much is at stake. The European Parliament, as co-legislator, and the Irish Government, must now hold both the commission and the UK government to their commitments under the new 'Common Understanding'. But we must also consider the broader geopolitical context. Russia's ongoing aggression in Ukraine, Donald Trump's recent antics on tariffs, and continued instability in the Middle East highlight the urgent need for closer co-ordination between like-minded allies. This is a moment of real potential for Ireland, the UK and the EU. The challenge now is to turn shared objectives into shared progress for people and businesses alike. – Yours, etc, NINA CARBERRY, MEP European Parliament, Brussels. Eurovision sour grapes Sir, – Perhaps Sarah Glennane (Letters , May 20th) can explain further, exactly what she means and implies by calling the Eurovision Song Contest 'a sorry affair, an insult to our songwriters'. Sour grapes or what? I thought it was a magnificent production. I thoroughly enjoyed it. – Yours, etc, ENA KEYE, Rathfarnham, Dublin14. A case of breaking and entering Sir, – Áine Ryan's Irishwoman's Diary (May 20th) about her penchant for losing / mislaying things reminded me of an incident decades back in Blackrock Bowling Club. A lovely lady-bowler, Aileen, asked me to help her with the unco-operative key /door-lock on her car – she was in a hurry and didn't mind how I opened the door. Eventually I managed to force it with a screwdriver, breaking the lock. When the same key wouldn't fit properly in the ignition, we decided to call her husband at his dental practice for some help. 'There's a problem with my key – it wouldn't unlock the door and doesn't fit in the ignition,' she said to him. 'Aileen,' he asked, 'what car is it you are having a problem with?' 'My red Mini,' she replied. 'Your Mini is maroon,' he reminded her, 'and it's in for a service today. You drove my car. Is there a silver BMW anywhere near the red Mini?' There was. – Yours, etc, MICHAEL KEEGAN, Booterstown, Co Dublin. Sir, – It was concerning to read the list of early signs and symptoms of Dementia in 'Dementia is just one part of who they are. My husband's underlying personality hasn't really changed' (Health & Family, May 20th). Then three pages on, it was a tonic to read Áine Ryan's Irishwoman's Diary and to be able to reassure oneself that generally all is right with your world. God Bless Áine Ryan! – Yours, etc, MARTIN CROTTY, Blackrock, Co Louth. Shedding tiers Sir, – With reference to the excellent and timely article ' What lessons are there from over 30 years ago for today?' by Judith Harford & Brian Fleming (May 20th) they remind us that the important proposal to establish a 'middle tier' of governance to manage the education system at regional or local level was 'quietly abandoned'. This was to the disappointment of many and resulted in other consequent developments being shelved in the years since then. I cannot help wondering if this tier had then been put in place, would we still be witnessing the serious shortages in both mainstream and special needs provision that are just now placing enormous pressure on those affected? And would the system today be more responsive and nimble in identifying and meeting varying local educational needs in both sectors, as it was intended to be? – Yours, etc, DESMOND SWAN, Emeritus Professor of Education, UCD. Fox hunting Bill and politicians Sir, – On May 27th the first attempt in Ireland's history to have fox hunting banned here will be made in the Dáil. Ruth Coppinger TD will move the Animal Health and Welfare (Ban on Fox Hunting) Bill 2025, which seeks to amend existing law under which this cruel practice is permitted. How the Bill proceeds through the Oireachtas will depend on the level of support it gets from TDs and Senators. Given the current focus on the need to preserve what's left of our wildlife heritage I hope that each of them will, on this occasion, put the welfare of this beautiful wild dog before narrow political considerations. The fox has a central nervous system similar to that of any domestic canine. It feels pain in exactly the same way, so the claim by the blood sport lobby that it 'enjoys' the chase is unfounded, like the other claims it makes in defence of an activity that Oscar Wilde described as the 'unspeakable in full pursuit of the uneatable'. The pro-hunt case is self-contradictory. On the one hand it asserts that hunting with hounds keeps down fox numbers, while also claiming that it's humane because very few foxes are caught! Its claim to be performing pest-control is undermined by the practice of introducing cubs to areas where foxes have become scarce to ensure that the hunts have enough of them to chase. None of us would like our pet dog – or any dog – to suffer intense pain or distress. We would, if we could, intervene to help the animal or call a vet. We should also, I suggest, come to the aid of the humble fox. As with bull fighting and bear baiting, a love of tradition is cited as a reason for allowing this blot on the countryside. But nothing can justify causing an animal to suffer just for fun. Fox hunting should have no place in 2025 when nature is under siege from climate change, pollution and habitat loss, and at a time when the majority of people no longer equate organised animal cruelty with 'sport'. – Yours, etc, JOHN FITZGERALD, Callan, Co Kilkenny.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Transcript: Sen. Chris Van Hollen on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," May 18, 2025
The following is the transcript of an interview with Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Democrat of Maryland, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on May 18, 2025. MARGARET BRENNAN: And we are back now with Maryland Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen. Good morning and good to have you here. SEN. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN: Good to be here, Margaret. MARGARET BRENNAN: We just showed some reporting from our colleague, Debora Patta, with incredible pictures from our- our shooter inside of Gaza, Marwan. It's hard to look at pictures of children in that level of starvation. You have said the Israeli government is starving civilians, and the U.S. is complicit in the gross violation of international law. The U.N.'s begging to go in. The Israeli government says they don't want to work with the U.N. here. They want to work with this Gaza Humanitarian Foundation that's just being set up. What do you know about this? Should there be U.S. support for it? SEN. VAN HOLLEN: So Margaret, you're right. It's very hard to look at those pictures, and the United States has been complicit. President Trump was in the region and really did nothing, said virtually nothing about what's happening in Gaza, which is on- on fire. We're in 77th day of a full blockade. Two million Palestinians are starving. This is collective punishment that is clearly illegal under international law. And this other idea that's been cooked up, either by the Israelis or by the Trump administration, is clearly not fit for purpose when it comes to trying to address this burgeoning famine. And all it will do is further allow food to be used as a weapon of the war. So I hope the United States will back off this plan. None of the credible international organizations have said that they will participate because it violates, you know, international norms and how it's structured. And so I hope the United States will back off and immediately call today to allow the trucks right now that have food to be able to come, provide food to starving people. These are provided by international aid organizations. MARGARET BRENNAN: Is there anything that the United States can do in terms of leverage? You were- you've been bipartisan in your criticism. You said that what happened in Gaza is a black stain on Joe Biden's legacy as president. You are criticizing the current administration for not doing more here. What leverage is there? I mean, is what you're saying falling on any ears that want to listen? SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Well, I've had conversations with some people in- in the Trump administration and made clear that they need to do more. One of the very obvious things they could do is President Trump today could call upon the Netanyahu government to let aid in. I mean, the President acknowledged there are people starving in Gaza the other day. He said so. But why hasn't he called on Netanyahu to let the aid in? Let's just start with that. MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, We'll follow the diplomacy that Steve Witkoff is leading. I want to ask you about what's happening here at home. The Treasury Secretary this morning, is dismissing the news that Moody's credit rating agency downgraded America's credit, the first time since 1917 now all three agencies have said the US fiscal situation is unsustainable. Moody specifically said the upcoming bills and spending reductions won't make a difference. You're an appropriator. You are in a position of power here. What is going to happen with Capitol Hill and the President's agenda? Is it going to be much of a fight? Is there going to be anyone pushing back because of this? SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Oh, yes, Margaret. What you're seeing is the Republican plan, the Trump plan is essentially to give these huge tax cuts to very wealthy people and corporations at the expense of everybody else. They're going to cut Medicaid, they're going to cut food and nutrition programs, but even after those cuts-- MARGARET BRENNAN: --They say they are not, as you know-- SEN. VAN HOLLEN: --but even- well, it's in their current House bill. They have $700 billion in Medicaid cuts and 300 billion in food nutrition programs in the House bill now. I mean, they can always change it. But even after that, they're going to- this will result in a huge spike in the national debt. And so that's why Moody's is warning people that we're going down this road, and it will have a direct harmful impact on every American, because what it will do is drive up interest rates. Right? Just like the Trump across-the-board tariffs are raising prices, so will these big deficits and debts they incur. MARGARET BRENNAN: Moody's also says, though, that this has been cumulative, which means Democrats bear some responsibility for the situation we find ourselves in now. SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Just on that point, I put forward a variety of plans to close tax loopholes for the very rich to begin to address the deficit problem. MARGARET BRENNAN: Speaking of responsibility, I'm sure you've been tracking all the headlines and the conversation about President Biden and what happened with that debriefing of him by the Special Counsel Hur during that Justice Department investigation of his mishandling of classified information. No charges were brought, but the audio of that was obtained by Axios, and it- you hear the president halting at times. Remember Hur was the one who said President Biden was a sympathetic, well meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, and Democrats really pushed back at the time at that saying that sounded very political. In hindsight, do you think Democrats were too willing to look the other way? SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Well, hindsight is 20/20. We know a lot more now than we knew then. I can just say personally, I had limited interactions with President Biden at the time. He came to the Key Bridge in Maryland when it collapsed, and we had a good conversation. So hindsight is 20/20. Obviously, if we could redo this tape and play it over again, we would do things differently. MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you feel like you have to explain and defend that now? I mean, there was a piece in The Washington Post from Dan Balz who said Democrats are either- were either covering up then or covering their behinds now. SEN. VAN HOLLEN: No- well- look- I mean, I think we can acknowledge that this was a- people overlooked a serious problem or were just not aware. MARGARET BRENNAN: Willingly? SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Well, I don't- I can only speak for myself. I didn't- I wasn't aware of this, but we are focused on the future right now. I mean, right- right now we have the Republican tax plan, which is a giveaway to the rich. We have- you know, we didn't talk about it, but Donald Trump's visit to the Middle East, my view, is the overall narrative here was selling out US national interests for the private gain of his family business. He essentially gave away the crown jewels of American AI and semiconductor technology to the Gulf in exchange, in exchange, it looks like, for a $2 billion investment in the Trump family stablecoin venture. MARGARET BRENNAN: Another topic. But on this point, I hear you want to look forward. I do too. But don't Democrats have to reckon with this and say to the public that the answer to that question- you know? SEN. VAN HOLLEN: I think we've all acknowledged that if we had the benefit of hindsight, we would have done things differently. I don't know if all of us have. I recognize that, but at this point, it seems to me, the American people are much more interested in the conversation as to the future of our country and the damage that Elon Musk and Donald Trump are doing every day. MARGARET BRENNAN: Senator Van Hollen, thank you for your time today. SEN. VAN HOLLEN: Good to be with you. MARGARET BRENNAN: We'll be back in a moment.
The National
07-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Egypt and Greece aim to turn historic ties into 'strategic partnership'
Greece and Egypt, bound by historical ties, upgraded their relations to a 'strategic partnership' on Wednesday and are aiming for stability in the Eastern Mediterranean. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi met Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens. In a joint statement, they said their ties were 'deeply rooted in history' and 'defined by our strong commitment to the values of peace and the full respect of international law'. They also declared a joint stance on the need to respect international law to promote peace in Gaza, which borders Egypt and is viewed in Cairo as part of the Arab nation's security sphere. 'The first priority is for hostilities to stop and restore the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians,' Mr Mitsotakis said. He said Greece supported an Arab-backed plan laid out by Egypt for the reconstruction of postwar Gaza. Migration was also high up agenda of talks. European governments have long been worried about the risk of instability in Egypt, a country of 106 million people where economic adversity has pushed increasing numbers to migrate. Egypt has since 2016 largely shut off illegal migration from its northern coast, but the Greek islands of Crete and Gavdos have experienced a steep rise in migrant arrivals, mostly from Afghanistan and Egypt. The European Union last year announced a €7.4 billion ($8.4 billion) funding package and an upgraded relationship with Egypt, as part of a push to cut down migrant flows. Egypt has under Mr El Sisi – in office since 2014 – sought closer relations with both Greece and its ally Cyprus. The alliance between the three was rooted in their common desire to develop the natural gas-rich Eastern Mediterranean into a regional energy centre. Politically, the alliance had an anti-Turkish slant rooted in Greece's historical rivalry with Turkey and latter's occupation since 1974 of a third of Cyprus. However, Egypt's recent rapprochement with Turkey after a decade of tension appears to have eased the anti-Turkish undertone of the alliance, with Cairo and Ankara co-operating on regional issues, like the Gaza war, and easing its anti-Greek rhetoric. The Egyptian and Greek leaders on Wednesday also reaffirmed their commitment to a proposed undersea electricity interconnector designed to transport renewable energy from North Africa to Europe. The planned 3,000-megawatt capacity cable will stretch nearly 1,000km across the Eastern Mediterranean and has secured backing from the EU, making it eligible for significant bloc funding. 'This will allow both Greece and Europe to import low-cost energy – primarily wind energy, which you are able to produce very competitively – and export it to Europe,' Mr Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. The project, estimated to cost around €4 billion ($4.5 billion), is expected to become operational within five years, a timeline set by both governments. It aims to transmit solar and wind-generated power developed specifically for the project in Egypt, with private sector involvement led by Greece's Copelouzos Group. 'It's not just a bilateral matter – it's a strategic regional project, as it creates a direct link that will extend to Europe via Greece,' Mr El Sisi said. 'We count on the European Union's support for this major initiative.' The EU has expressed strong interest in expanding energy partnerships with non-member countries to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on Russian energy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. 'Greece is a steadfast ally of Egypt, including on matters concerning your country's relationship with the European Union,' Mr Mitsotakis said, underlining Athens' role in fostering closer EU-Egypt ties. The talks in Athens concluded with agreements to explore additional energy co-operation, facilitate expanded seasonal employment of Egyptian workers in Greece, and enhance collaboration across financial, defence, and cultural sectors. With additional reporting by Reuters and the Associated Press
CBC
06-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Amnesty International chief on the fight for human rights
Dr. Agnès Callamard has been a leader in the human rights sector for decades, and since 2021 has worked in the role of Secretary General for Amnesty International. She joins the show to discuss doing human rights work at this difficult historical moment, the future of international law, Canada's role on the world stage, the question of genocide, and some of the lessons that can be drawn from the world's most precarious frontiers.
