Russia’s Litany of Deliberate Murder, Violence and Death in Ukraine

Russia murdering children

The United Nations has confirmed 4,395 civilian deaths resulting from Russia’s outright war against Ukraine and injuries of 5,390 civilians. The statistical update covers the period from February 24 to June 12, according to the UNHCR. Among the dead are 275 children, as well as 451 among the wounded. The organization emphasizes that the real…

War Correspondents in Ukraine Pay Heavy Price for Telling Truth

Iryna Venediktova

Thirty-two journalists have been killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine. Official enquiries into all deadly incidents are continuing The Ukrainian Office of the Prosecutor General and regional prosecutors’ offices provide procedural guidance about criminal proceedings into crimes committed by Russian forces against 147 media representatives, including 28 foreign nationals. During the brutal Russian invasion of…

The Sofa Analyst

Mukhtar Ablyazov

“Politician, Kazakh entrepreneur and former owner of BTA Bank, the organiser of the DVK and the candidate for the post of Prime Minister of Kazakhstan” – such a description is flaunted on the YouTube channel of the world’s richest fugitive – fraudster Mukhtar Ablyazov, who is wanted in Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine on charges of…

Turkish Government Propaganda Targets Swedish MEP

Evin Incir

The Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament said it “strongly condemns the disinformation spread by Turkish government-controlled media against EU Member States and the attacks on European politicians, including S&D MEP Evin Incir.” The accusation that they took part in an armed struggle, that they are proxies of foreign organisations and that they…

Commission Reinforces Rules on Asset Recovery and Confiscation

EU Justice

The European Commission is proposing to add the violation of EU restrictive measures to the list of EU crimes.  The Commission is also proposing new reinforced rules on asset recovery and confiscation, which will also contribute to the implementation of EU restrictive measures. While the Russian aggression on Ukraine is ongoing, it is paramount that…

EESC Calls For Strengthening Schengen

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) says that with the threat of war at its doorstep, the Schengen area should be further strengthened through better police and judicial cooperation, with its internal borders kept open The war in Ukraine, which has caused an unprecedented flow of refugees to seek shelter in the EU, points to…

Hong Kong: The Tragic Arrest of Cardinal Zen (90)

Cardinal Zen

The Vatican should more forcefully oppose the arrest of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun, a retired Hong Kong archbishop who has courageously opposed human rights violations, and Western governments should sanction responsible Hong Kong officials, said Peter Zoehrer, Director of FOREF a Vienna-based, independent human rights organisation. “Cardinal Zen courageously risked his own freedom and security…

Russians attack Ukrainian journalists in Berlin

Berlin protests

On 9 May in Berlin, a Ukrainian 1+1 TV crew was attacked by Russians celebrating Victory Day. The incident unfolded in Treptow Park outside the Soviet Soldier memorial. According to TV host Natalia Moseichuk, the day earlier, on May 8, the Ukrainian diaspora together with Ukrainian diplomats laid wreaths and flowers at the memorial to…

John Lee Ka-Chiu Appointed as Chief Executive of Hong Kong

John Lee

Hong Kong’s Election Committee has selected John Lee Ka-chiu, the sole candidate to the post of Chief Executive on 8 May 2022. This was the first selection process since the imposition of the National Security Law and the implementation of sweeping changes in Hong Kong’s electoral system. Preceding his selection, Lee was vetted by the…

3 May World Press Freedom Day

World Press Freedom Day

On 3 May, the World Press Freedom Day, the European Parliament officially launched the call for submissions for entries to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism. The Prize rewards on a yearly basis outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union such as human dignity, freedom, democracy,…