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5 November 2013
The UN working group on the use of mercenaries says there is a need for an international agreement to regulate the use and activities of private military, as national legislation is not sufficient. The use of private militaries creates risks for human rights, says Anton Kats, the Chairman-Rapporteur of the working group.
Among the problems with using these private militaries are the lack of effective and transparent mechanism and remedies for human rights violations and difficultly ensuring accountability for such violations of human rights. Although there are initiatives such as the International Code of Conduct, which has been incorporated by some states and companies to regulate the use of private militaries, they are not legally binding and thus are not enough to solve these problems.
Source: UN News Centre | UN expert group cites need for global instrument regulating private security companies
5 November 2013
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the decision of the government of the Netherlands to make a ‘major contribution’ to the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) by supplying personnel and equipment. The Netherlands committed four armed helicopters, other critical assets, and circa 380 military, police and civilian personnel.
In April 2013, the Security Council approved a 12,600-strong MINUSMA, authorising the blue helmets ‘to use all necessary means’ to carry out security-related stabilisation tasks, protect civilians, UN staff and cultural artifacts and create the conditions for provision of humanitarian aid. MINUSMA’s core task is to support the political process in Mali, in close coordination with the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.
Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call to member states for further assistance to the MINUSMA.
Source: United Nations | Secretary-General | Ban Ki-moon | Latest Statements | New York, 1 November 2013 - Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on MINUSMA
4 November 2013
Negotiations held in Hobart, Tasmania by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources failed to reach an agreement to protect the ocean ecosystem in the Antarctic. The United States and New Zealand proposed a 500,000 square mile reserve in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica. Australia, France, and the European Union proposed a network of protected areas in the eastern Antarctic region. Both proposals were blocked due to the resistance of Russia, China, and Ukraine. Agreement between twenty-four members of the Commission and the European Union is required for the adoption of a proposal.
The resisting states argue that such reserves would cut off their access to fish stocks and undermine the fishing industries. However, fisheries scientists state that the reserves would help protect and restore the ecosystem from depletion caused by overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Yuri Onodera, climate adviser for Friends of the Earth Japan and attendee at the conference, stated, ‘once again, national interests and politics are a hurdle to the international interest of protecting the environment.’
Source: New York Times | Talks on Antarctic Marine Reserve Fail to Reach Agreement
4 November 2013
Volker Roeben has published ‘Governing Shared Offshore Electricity Infrastructure in the Northern Seas’, in the International & Comparative Law Quarterly, Vol. 62, no. 4, October 2013. The abstract can be found here.
Source: International Law Reporter | Friday, November 1, 2013 | New Issue: International & Comparative Law Quarterly
31 October 2013
Head of the National Security Agency (NSA), General Keith B. Alexander stated, during the House Intelligence Committee meeting on NSA spying, that the phone records of European citizens were collected by allied spy services, rather than the NSA, and then subsequently turned over to the NSA. The Wall Street Journal reported that US officials stated that intelligence services in France and Spain collected phone records of their own citizens, which were then turned over to the NSA. Such information is collected by the US and NATO allies in the name of defending their countries and identifying national security threats.
The US has been recently criticised for its spying on European citizens and leaders, such as German Chancellor Angela Merkel. However, James R. Clapper Jr., director of national intelligence, at the same House Intelligence Committee meeting, stated that it is a ‘fundamental given’ that other countries, including allies, spy on the US as well. While spying on foreign leaders, according to Clapper, is a ‘basic pillar of American intelligence operations,’ other US officials suggest it is time to review that policy. Senator Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, declared that the US should not be collecting the phone calls and emails of friendly leaders. Furthermore, President Obama is prepared to order the NSA to stop spying on its allied leaders.
Source: The New York Times | N.S.A. Head Says European Data Was Collected by Allies
Source: Wall Street Journal | U.S. Says France, Spain Helped NSA Spying
Source: The Washington Post | NSA chief says NATO allies shared phone records with the U.S. spy agency