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30 September 2013
In an op-ed in the Jerusalem Post, Eugene Kontorovich explains that the European Union knowingly and purposefully provides substantial direct financial assistance to settlements in Turkish-occupied Northern Cyprus. Kontorovich, professor at Northwestern University School of Law, argues that there is a contradiction between the EU position in regard to the occupied Palestinian territories and occupied territories in Cyprus. Whereas with regard to the former, the EU has stated that international law mandates its guidelines that prevent EU money from benefiting occupied Palestinian territories, with regard to the latter, the EU funds an occupied EU member state, without mentioning any international legal question about such funding.
Source: The Jerusalem Post | How the EU directly funds settlements in occupied territory
27 September 2013
In his speech to the UN General Assembly, Prime Minister of the Central African Republic (CAR) Nicolas Tiangaye addressed the planned AU-led force to restore peace and stability in his country. He called on the UN to play an increased role and accord the mandate, and the international community to provide the necessary financial, material and logistic support, since ‘the international community has the obligation to provide it with financial, material and logistical means to confront the numerous challenges that my country faces.’
Source: UN News Centre | Central African Republic premier at UN calls for urgent action to end violent conflict
27 September 2013
The UN Security Council, meeting at the ministerial level, voiced its grave concern at the illicit transfer, destabilising accumulation and misuse of light weapons and small arms, that perpetuate conflict and instability worldwide and cause significant loss of life. It adopted a resolution on small arms (by a vote of 14 in favour, with Russia abstaining) and urged the further strengthening of cooperation and information sharing to combat the problem.
Maria Cristina Perceval (permanent representative of Argentina to the UN) stated that it was the international community’s responsibility to put an end to the challenge posed by the illicit trafficking of light weapons and small arms. The essence of real multilateralism was working together in shared responsibility.
The UN Secretary-General furthermore called on states to sign and ratify the Arms Trade Treaty, the treaty regulating the international trade in conventional arms (e.g. small arms, but also tanks and combat aircrafts).
Source: UN News Centre | Security Council urges strengthened efforts to tackle small arms scourge
Source: United Nations Security Council | 7036th Meeting (PM) | SC/11131 | Security Council adopts first-ever Resolution dedicated to questions of small arms, light weapons | 26 September 2013
27 September 2013
On 27 September 2013, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change published its fifth report on climate change. The report says that scientists are 95 percent certain that humans are the ‘dominant cause’ of global warming since the 1950s.
The panel warns that continued emissions of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and changes in all aspects of the climate system. To contain these changes will require ‘substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions’.
Source: BBC | IPCC climate report: humans 'dominant cause' of warming
27 September 2013
There is a growing number of European Union member states that use private security firms to guard migrant detention centres. The largest market is found in the United Kingdom, but other countries, such as Greece, are increasingly contracting private security firms as well.
The outsourcing of such services leads to a blurring of the division of tasks between private security firms and the national police and may therefore raise questions about accountability if things go wrong.
Source: EU Observer | Private security firms cash in on guarding EU borders