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The Herald Scotland
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
UN probes Scots judge-led body's 'breach' of international law
Now the Scottish Government will be expected to give answers to a UN committee about the complaint as part of a UK response over compliance. Scotland has since 2011, been found to be in breach of Article 9 of the Aarhus Convention, a binding piece of international legislation that guarantees the right to a healthy environment and enshrines people's rights to defend it in a court of law. The United Nations council which adopted the convention in 1998 gave the Scottish Government a deadline of October 1, 2024 for a plan of action to remove or cut the cost of access to justice as legal cases can often run into tens of thousands of pounds. The ERCS says that makes access to justice to protect the environment unaffordable and while there is a 'loser pays' rule, litigants are liable to pay their opponents fees if they lose their case. The Scottish Government asked the Scottish Civil Justice Council (SCJC) - a public body comprising predominantly senior judges and other members of the judiciary and legal profession which is responsible for keeping the civil justice system under scrutiny - to review the rules on the costs of court actions. Lord Pentland is at the centre of access to justice row (Image: NQ) But despite the review, a UK progress report at the end of last year confirmed the nation has not removed the cost barriers to justice despite the SCJC intervention. They say it continues to breach the convention as they "only made minor changes and no concrete commitments for future reform". In its formal complaint to the UN's Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee, ERCS argued that the SCJC's review has breached Article 8 of the Convention, which requires public bodies to consult the public when making certain laws that can significantly affect the environment. READ MORE: What is the senior judge-led group accused of international law breach? 50 Scots councils seek ministers summit on green energy 'wild west' 'Scots nature in crisis' as one in nine species at risk of extinction It argues that that means there was no say in ensuring that international law was met and that the legal system was affordable. They say the consultation would have required the SCJC to consider and respond to representations from the public. Now the Herald has learnt that the compliance committee has decided that the complaint has been found admissible on a preliminary basis for further investigation despite official opposition. Dr Ben Christman, ERCS's legal director said: 'The way we make decisions matters. Public participation is a critical part of creating fair and functional environmental laws. The Scottish Civil Justice Council failed to consult the public and, predictably, went on to produce legal expenses rules that do not comply with the Aarhus Convention's requirements. Former co-convener of the Scottish Greens, Maggie Chapman has criticised ministers over law breaches over access to justice (Image: NQ) 'We were glad to see that the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee saw through bad faith attempts to knock out our complaint. We hope that the Scottish Government will now respond to our concerns seriously.' The SCJC has denied that there has been a breach. And Scots community safety minister Siobhian Brown has said in a response to a question about the case: "The Scottish Government has every confidence in the work of the Scottish Civil Justice Council." The council is responsible for overseeing civil justice fairness and effectiveness and provides advice on rule changes and recommends improvements while keeping the system under constant review. It is typically made up of between 14 and 20 members and are appointed by its chairman, the most senior judge in Scotland and Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General, Lord Pentland or Scottish ministers. They are predominantly entrenched in Scottish law either as judges, sheriffs, advocates, solicitors or heading up administration. At least four are members of the judiciary including at least one judge from the Court of Session and a sheriff, as well as at least two practising advocates. Other senior judges include on the council are Lady Carmichael, who was appointed as a Senator of the College of Justice in 2016 and Lord Ericht, who became a judge of the Supreme Courts in 2016. The group further includes Malcolm Graham, chief executive of the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Services, Colin Lancaster, the chief executive of the Scottish Legal Aid Board (SLAB) It comes amidst growing concern about local democracy being overridden as some of Scotland's most scenic areas face up to hundreds of live renewable projects. A "once in a generation" convention of 53 community councils have been demanding a summit with energy ministers in a fight to pause infrastructure projects. There were over 700 live applications in the Highland Council area alone, ranging from wind and hydro projects to energy storage and transmission grid plans. Councils convention chairman Helen Crawford at Balblair substation near Beauly (Image: Helen Crawford) Calls have been made for the Scottish Government to undertake an inquiry to address the cumulative impact of all major renewable energy infrastructure developments on the communities and landscape fearing projects "may hasten depopulation in some areas". Conservation charity John Muir Trust has previously spoken out of its concerns about the rights to justice after its attempt to challenge a windfarm development eight years ago led to it facing a near £700,000 bill, although this was eventually negotiated down to £275,000. The Trust settled out of court with the Perth-based energy company SSE and the Scottish government after its attempt to block a wind farm through a judicial review near Loch Ness failed. The dispute was over a wind farm at Stronelairg, which is in wild land in the Monadhliath mountains near Loch Ness. Consisting of 67 wind turbines, it was proposed by SSE in 2012 and granted by the Scottish government in June 2014. Glasgow had to exploit a loophole to bring the action in the name of a member who would qualify for legal aid. ERCS said it has had to resorting to questions under the Freedom of Information act on the SCJC process and any proposed new court costs rules. In response to an FOI request, the SCJC indicated in January 2023 that they intended to hold a public consultation on the new costs rules to inform decision-making "later in 2023". But in response to a chaser FOI request in October 2023, the SCJC decided against a consultation "to avoid undue resource impacts for potential respondents". And the ERCS say when the revised rules on Protective Expenses Orders - which limit a liability for costs in certain types of legal cases - came into force at the end of last year it was without public consultation and they say that they remain non-compliant with the Aarhus Convention. The Scottish Environment LINK (SEL) coalition of more than 30 leading charities said the SCJC failure was a "disappointing development which further damages accountability and the quality of environmental decision-making in Scotland". The SCJC has said that the latest amendments to the PEO rules was the first step in a process and that the review on costs as it relates to the sheriff court remains ongoing with a public consultation due to take place this year. Dr Shivali Fifield, ERCS's chief officer, said: "We submitted this complaint to uphold our right to participate in environmental decision-making. Scotland has been in breach of the Aarhus Convention's access to justice requirements since 2014. This is the third time the Scottish Civil Justice Council has reviewed rules on legal expenses and yet it remains prohibitively expensive to defend the environment in court. "Access to justice is not a favour, it is integral to our environmental human rights. We know that there is support for environmental justice across the political parties - and we will continue to hold the Scottish Government accountable until we see the barriers to justice removed." An analysis backed by Scotland's nature agency found wildlife is "in crisis" in 2023 with one in nine animals and plants being at risk of becoming extinct north of the border. A State of Nature Scotland analysis, backed by the [[Scottish Government]]'s [[Nature]]Scot agency and published by a partnership of over 50 nature and conservation organisations, warned the risk of extinction among some groups, such as vertebrates, is much higher at more than a third (36.5%). The most notable declines were with familiar birds such as swifts, curlews and lapwings which have declined by more than 60%. Kestrels have declined by more than 70%. A spokesperson for the Scottish Civil Justice Council said: 'The Scottish Civil Justice Council has approved its work programme for 2025/26, which has now been published. "As part of this , a priority for the coming year is to hold a public consultation on the extension of Protective Expenses Orders to the Sheriff Court. These orders allow litigants to limit the legal costs they might incur in the event they lose the case. The consultation is currently being finalised and we expect it to begin in the near future.' A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'The Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee is looking into a complaint, which says that the Scottish Civil Justice Council failed to ask the public for their views before changing rules about legal costs in environmental cas'The committee has decided the complaint is worth investigating further, but this is just a preliminary decision. They still need to follow more steps before making a final decision on whether to fully investigate. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.'
Business Upturn
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
ERCS Emerges as India's Leading BIS Certification Partner for Copper & Steel Product Manufacturers
By Business Wire India Published on June 26, 2025, 10:53 IST New Delhi, Delhi, India: The growing demand for quality infrastructure and electrical products has increased focus on certified raw materials, particularly copper and steel products, integral to sectors such as power, telecom, and electronics. The new Quality Control Orders (QCOs) mandate BIS certification for a broad range of copper and steel items, for both Indian and foreign manufacturers. ERCS Private Limited is a reputed name in the field of compliance and certification, now established as a leading consultancy for BIS Certification. With a deep knowledge o f BIS and a history of over 1,000 manufacturers globally, ERCS continues to help manufacturers remain compliant and competitive in the Indian market. Copper & Steel Certification: One Step Closer to Atma Nirbharta The Indian government has now made BIS Certification mandatory for Steel products, Copper products (IS 191), Tin Ingots, Primary Lead, Refined Zinc, and Refined Nickel. The standards set out to improve reliability in terms of chemical composition and mechanical properties between batches. BIS certification for copper and steel products requires proper documentation, testing in a BIS-recognized laboratory, and factory inspection. While all of these things are quite important for a consistent level of public safety and product quality, they are difficult to work with if you have not been through the regulatory transition in India over the last couple of years. ERCS Private Limited is a well-known name in the field of BIS Certification for both steel and copper across the globe. ERCS, with its extensive experience in handling BIS certifications and other forms of regulatory authorisations, is enabling international manufacturers to tap into the potential of the Indian market, in anticipation of opportunities and challenges. Focused Compliance Approach According to Vipin Shukla, Director, ERCS, 'Compliance in India is a multi-level action. Our position is not just to merely document – we educate, guide, and simplify the process, which allows the manufacturers to continue with the production and market strategy while obtaining the certifications.' As directed by Vipin Shukla, he states: India is leading global standards for product compliance. For instance, copper and steel, important components used in high-conductivity applications such as transformers, motors, and wiring, will now be subject to focused regulation as the market becomes regulated, but not from scrutiny. ERCS acts as a bridge between copper and steel product manufacturers globally and which are then certified in India. Strategic Advantage Vipin Shukla further says, 'What we're looking at is a very precise and proactive advantage. Our clients depend on us not only to manage their certifications but also to keep them informed on new QCOs, amendments to BIS standards, and policy changes that could impact their business. If you want to know what makes us different, it is our role as a knowledge partner.' Trusted by Global Customers with a Global Footprint Today, ERCS operates across several countries and assists both Indian and foreign brands with BIS certification for copper and steel products. ERCS is a preferred certification partner for exporters to India, with multilingual team members, 24/7 documentation support, and country-specific compliance support. The ERCS website is also a compliance knowledge portal providing templates, timelines, checklists, and guidance on QCO updates. The Road Ahead: Fast, Inexpensive, and Compliant In addition to materials like copper, steel, tin, lead, zinc, and nickel, ERCS Private Limited also offers further compliance services, such as WPC ETA Certification, CRS Registration, BEE Star Labeling, and EPR Authorization. By specializing in these certifications and helping to simplify complicated regulatory processes, ERCS enables manufacturers to speed up their entry into the market, reducing risk and allowing them to focus on doing what they do best, making world-class products. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash Business Wire India, established in 2002, India's premier media distribution company ensures guaranteed media coverage through its network of 30+ cities and top news agencies.
Al-Ahram Weekly
16-03-2025
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian artisans weave Gaza anti-displacement tents in solidarity with Palestinians - Society
Al-Khayamiya Street (or Tentmakers Street), which has existed in the heart of Cairo for centuries, even before Israel's establishment, symbolizes solidarity as Egyptian artisans have crafted tents not only to mark the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan but also to provide shelter for displaced Palestinians in war-torn Gaza. 'We make tents with mixed feelings: support for the people of Gaza and pain for what they have endured,' a tentmaker in his thirties told Ahram Online. Khayamiya refers to a deeply rooted Egyptian art form derived from the word "khiyam" (tents), denoting the vibrant textiles used to craft large ceremonial canopies. Just after passing through Bab Zuweila, one of the last remaining gates of Old Cairo, a narrow street with a high roof comes into view — Al-Khayamiya Street. This historic open-air market and workshop has been the heart of Egypt's tentmaking craft since the Mamluk era (from 1250 to 1517). Amid the wooden-panelled workshops, the tentmaker who spoke anonymously to Ahram Online said he had shifted his skills to meet an urgent humanitarian need, crafting shelters for families displaced by 15 months of Israeli bombardments. 'Since the start of the Israeli war, we have been making tents to send to Gaza … We hope they have reached our brothers there and provided some relief in their ordeal,' he said. His workshop and several others in this historic market have already sent thousands of tents to Gaza through intermediary traders. Once primarily known for its decorative Ramadan canopy tents, Khayamiya workshops now cater to a different demand: producing lifeline tents for Gaza's homeless and displaced population. These workshops have made a distinct type of tents, which have been mass-produced for over a year for the Palestinians. "These tents, made in Egypt, are sent to Gaza to provide shelter for its people," the worker said. During the Israeli war that began in October 2023, Egypt established camps in southern Gaza to support displaced Palestinians who fled their homes in the north of the strip, escaping Israeli bombardment. Moreover, Egypt established two camps in Gaza's Khan Younis, featuring hundreds of tents to shelter thousands of displaced Palestinians. Ahram Online also contacted the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERCS) for details on the number of tents it has built to shelter Palestinians in the war-torn strip, but it received no response until now. Saleh, 55, another workshop owner, told Ahram Online that at least five to six workshops in the area have been making tents for Gaza since the war began. "The speed of production depends on the size of the order. On average, a single workshop can produce 50 to 60 weekly tents," the experienced tentmaker explained. Tariq, 67, another veteran tentmaker with over 40 years of experience, emphasized that the production of tents for Gaza is carried out with exceptional precision and dedication. "The workers know these tents will shelter Palestinians in extremely harsh conditions," he expressed. "We manufacture them at a lower price, sometimes cutting costs by 30 to 40 percent, as a gesture of support for our brothers in Gaza," Tarek added. The veteran tentmaker highlighted that these efforts align with Egypt's support for Palestinians' right to remain in their historical homeland without being forcibly displaced. Since his inauguration on 20 January, President Donald Trump has repeatedly proposed a colonialist-style plan suggesting that the US takes control of Gaza, forcibly displaces its native population to Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations, and transforms the strip into a "Middle Eastern Riviera." Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected this proposal, stressing that establishing a Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the region. Despite high demand from charitable organizations such as the Resala Association and the Egyptian Red Crescent, Tarek noted that tent requests have recently declined in favour of mobile housing units, particularly after Trump's displacement proposal. "This is the least we can do for our people in Gaza — to help them remain on their land and prevent their forced displacement," the tentmaker affirmed. In response to this message, Reem Herzallah from the Gaza Strip told Ahram Online that Egyptians have always stood by Palestinians, particularly in rejecting forced displacement, and that this stance is nothing new to them. "If the Egyptians accept our displacement to their country, the Palestinian cause will be completely lost. That is why they strongly oppose it," Herzallah said from her tent in the Ard Al-Katiba area west of Gaza City. "We tell Egyptians to remain steadfast in their opposition to our displacement. We will not leave our land, and no one can force us to do so," Herzallah, who lost many relatives during Israel's 15-month war, emphasized. Egypt has formulated a plan for Gaza's early recovery and long-term reconstruction. This plan focuses on restoring essential infrastructure, addressing humanitarian needs, and ensuring Palestinian governance over Gaza as an integral part of the Palestinian territory. The Egyptian plan was adopted by all Arab nations at the Cairo Extraordinary Arab Summit in February, serving as a unified Arab response to Trum's displacement proposal. Since the ceasefire/prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas began on 19 January, Egypt has sent hundreds of trucks carrying food, water, and medicine to Gaza through the Rafah crossing to ease the dire conditions faced by 2.4 million Palestinians after months of complete Israeli blockade. The deal's first phase, spanning 42 days, stipulated that Israel cease bombing the strip, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. However, just hours after the first phase ended, Israel blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza and closed the crossings used for such relief efforts. This move, coming on the second day of Ramadan — the Muslims's holy month of fasting worldwide — has worsened the already critical humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian strip. "We are trying to manage, but our situation is difficult, especially since it is Ramadan, and we need more supplies for iftar and suhoor meals and other necessities," Herzallah stated, describing the harsh conditions. She also urged Arab nations and the international community to intensify their pressure on Israel to reopen the crossings and resume the flow of aid. Egypt has repeatedly condemned Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, denouncing using starvation as a weapon against civilians, especially during Ramadan. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
