Author: Web Desk

The United Nations called for dismantling systemic racism against black people to avoid repeating incidents like the killing of George Floyd.

In a statement on Monday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said there must be no impunity, adding that trust needed to be built up and the voices of people of African descent must be heard. She underlined that the legacies of historic racism must be confronted through accountability and redress, pointing out that there is an opportunity for transformative change on racial justice and equality.

Source: Jordan News Agency

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, participated in a high-level meeting on International Cooperation under the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) in the Asia-Pacific Region, which was organised virtually today by the People’s Republic of China.

The meeting, which was chaired by Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reviewed the prospects of strengthening international cooperation in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of accelerating economic recovery from the crisis.

Addressing the meeting, the UAE top Diplomat extended his sincere thanks to the People’s Republic of China for organising this conference during these significant times, which, he said, will contribute to “shaping decades ahead, and determining the future route of our economy and societies.

“Historical studies show that epidemics and disasters, while causing unfortunate human losses and huge economic costs, have also been major turning points of social and economic changes for the better. Looking ahead requires us to move effectively from response to planning, and to work together towards progress and prosperity.”

Sheikh Abdullah added that the conference themes represent the main headlines of economic recovery and beyond. “Climate change, green investments and renewable energy are our top priorities today.

“It is clear that today we face a growing gap between the goals set to address climate change, and the investments required to achieve them, which demands joint efforts to ensure sustainability of supply chains and investment flows.”

He affirmed that the UAE believes in the importance of its cooperation with China, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Asian-Pacific countries as a key incentive to advance the climate change agenda.

“Our extraordinary interest in this field has led us to declare our desire to host the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2023. Here, I would like to reaffirm that this will be added to our efforts, which have previously resulted in hosting the International Renewable Energy Agency and strengthening our investments in renewable energy sector across the world.”

The UAE top diplomat added that achieving UAE’s ambitions in the next phase depends on working together with the international community to move forward. “It is essential to ensure the production and fair distribution of vaccines.

“The UAE and China have established a model strategic partnership in this regard, including an initiative to develop and produce “Hayat-Vax” vaccine in UAE. We are proud of what has been achieved, yet we still have much more to do.”

Concluding, Sheikh Abdullah expressed hope that the Belt and Road Initiative will play a significant role in ensuring the production and fair distribution of vaccines.

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation

US President Joe Biden stressed Friday that a two-state solution, a Palestinian state living side by side with Israel, is the only answer to the violence and to solve the conflict.

He also told a White House press conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in that there is no shift in his commitment to the security of Israel, but reiterated his support for the two-state solution.

Speaking hours after a ceasefire went into force ending 11 days of deadly Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip and Hamas-fired rockets on Israeli towns, the American president pledged to work with the international community to provide financial aid to rebuild the homes destroyed in the Israeli bombing of Gaza.

The violence was sparked by Israeli police attacks on worshippers in occupied East Jerusalem and an Israeli court order to evict dozens of Palestinian families from their homes in the Arab neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Biden said that Palestinians in Jerusalem must be respected and humanitarian aid must be delivered to Gaza as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Source: Jordan News Agency

A Palestinian journalist was killed and 9 others were injured as the Israeli army directly targeted reporters and media offices during its 11-day bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources in the blockaded enclave.

Press House Foundation said in a statement Saturday that the bombing led to the total destruction of the offices of 26 press institutions, adding that 7 others were partially damaged along with the homes of 15 journalists and 5 cars belonging to reporters or were used by news agencies or media organisations were destroyed.

It said that Israel also waged four cyber attacks against news websites and local radio stations in the Gaza Strip in disregard of the international humanitarian law, which clearly stipulates that journalists in armed conflict zones are civilians and that press institutions’ offices must be protected.

The foundation called on the international community to live up to its responsibility of defending the rights of journalists and called for an independent international investigation to hold Israel accountable for the breaches.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Sixteen Arab lawyers and jurists launched a committee to defend Palestine and its just cause through collecting evidence on violations committed by the Israeli occupation authorities in Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites.

Law Ambassadors founder, lawyer Ahmad Qteishat, told Petra in an interview on Saturday that the committee was launched in Amman and includes jurists from Qatar, Oman, Algeria, Kuwait, Lebanon, Palestine and Saudi Arabia, in addition to Jordan.

He said that the committee’s foundation is to provide legal support to the steadfastness of the Palestinians before international bodies and forums, adding that legal committees comprising lawyers and jurists from Arab countries will be set up to probe the Israeli attacks on the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the city of Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip and all Palestinian cities.

A committee of volunteer lawyers and jurists will be formed to probe facts and collect evidence that will be submitted to the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor, in coordination with the competent authorities and the relevant institutions, and file a lawsuit against the leaders of the Israeli occupation authority for committing war crimes and genocide, in accordance with the provisions of the Rome Statute, Qteishat said.

He also said that the committee will protest against social media administrations and file a lawsuit against their actions to block any mention of the right to defend sanctities and the rights of Palestinians, and he invited Arab jurists to join the voluntary committees.

Law Ambassadors is a voluntary initiative that seeks to empower government institutions and citizens and strengthen institutions to achieve justice, peace, sustainable development and spread legal awareness in society, he said.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Upon a royal directive, an injured Gaza child will be transferred to Jordan for treatment by the Royal Medical Services (RMS).

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti asked the RMS Saturday to move Farah Salim to Jordan after she made an appeal to His Majesty King Abdullah, the supreme commander, on social media.

She will arrive at the Al-Hussein Medical Centre for treatment by a specialized medical team.

The girl’s parents expressed their deep gratitude to the King for “this generous humanitarian gesture,” noting the Jordan Armed Forces’ medical and humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip for years.

Source: Jordan News Agency