On Wednesday 4th March, the European Commission unveiled a “climate law” that would commit the EU nations to reducing their net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050 if it is approved by the European Parliament. The net zero target is already a EU goal, but this proposal would make it legally binding, yet activists and NGOs said more urgent action was needed to beat the climate crisis. The proposed … Read more →
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Greek soldiers fire tear gas to prevent thousands of people crossing the border from Turkey
Greek authorities have fired tear gas and staged military exercises using live ammunition along the country’s eastern borders in an effort to prevent thousands of migrants including young children crossing from Turkey, deepening a stand-off between Brussels and Ankara. On 1st March, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that his country would not be accepting any new asylum requests for a month after two days of clashes between border police … Read more →
Turkey attempts to force the EU’s hand by reopening borders into the bloc
A senior Turkish official has announced that the country will no longer stop refugees from reaching Europe. The announcement followed on from an emergency meeting held overnight (Thursday 27 February) as President Erdogan responded to the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in air strikes orchestrated by the Syrian Government. The attack brought the total number of Turkish security personnel killed in Idlib so far this month to 53. The Turkish … Read more →
U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, launches seven-point “Call to Action” on human rights at the opening of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council
The head of the United Nations used his opening speech of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council to launch a seven-point “Call to Action” on human rights. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the appeal to countries, businesses and all people to help renew and revive human rights across the globe in what marks the seventy-fifth anniversary year of the United Nations. Speaking during what is known as the … Read more →
Number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan exceeds 10,000 for the sixth year in a row
More than 10,000 civilians in Afghanistan were killed and injured last year, according to a new United Nations report that details record-high levels of civilian harm in the ongoing conflict. The report, entitled Afghanistan Annual Report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: 2019, documents 3,403 civilians killed and 6,989 injured – with the majority of the civilian casualties inflicted by anti-Government elements. It is the sixth year in a … Read more →
The Home Office launches new points based immigration system for the UK
On Wednesday 19 February, 2020, UK Home Secretary Priti Patel launched a new “points based” immigration system which will take effect from 1 January 2021. The new scheme delivers on the Conservative party’s electoral promise to end free movement and lower the levels of immigration into the UK – both key ‘vote leave’ campaign promises in the 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union. Under the new plans, … Read more →