Latest news with #UniversalDeclaration
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Russia accuses US of aiding terror groups, neo-Nazis, and widespread human rights violations
Russia and Belarus have released a joint report accusing the United States of grave human rights violations at home and abroad, including systemic racism, suppression of dissent, illegal detentions, and even supporting terrorist organizations. The unprecedented diplomatic document, published in June 2024 by both nations' foreign ministries, paints the US as a country that routinely ignores international law while projecting itself as a global defender of freedom. The report claims that the US government continues to promote itself as a guardian of universal human rights under the 1948 Universal Declaration and the 1993 Vienna Declaration. However, the Russian and Belarusian governments say the previous Biden administration has taken no real steps to expand the country's legal obligations under international human rights law and has withdrawn from international cooperation. Growing isolationist approach, supporting terrorism, and domestic challenges The report points to Washington's repeated refusals to grant access to United Nations human rights experts and declining invitations for official UN visits as evidence of a growing isolationist approach. Live Events Internationally, Russia and Belarus accuse the United States of abusing human rights rhetoric to justify its use of sanctions and military interventions. The report alleges that American intelligence agencies, working with private military contractors, have actively supported terrorist groups to advance US foreign policy interests. They also claim that US forces have operated abroad under the cover of counterterrorism, often leading to civilian casualties. Domestically, the US is accused of tolerating systemic racism, with minority communities allegedly facing continued police brutality, discrimination, and economic inequality. The report highlights the ongoing homelessness crisis and claims that migrants and incarcerated people, including children, face constant violations of their liberties. The safety of journalists, it says, is under threat, while political censorship of alternative viewpoints is reportedly growing on both traditional and social media platforms. The report also criticizes the Biden administration for failing to fulfill its promise to close the Guantanamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. A threat to Russian citizens The document goes further, accusing US law enforcement of targeting Russian citizens around the world, arresting them in third countries at the request of the US Department of Justice. It says these operations amount to arbitrary detentions and in some cases, lead to torture in so-called CIA 'black sites.' The report warns that no Russian citizen is safe from what it calls the 'gendarmerie' behavior of American authorities. Citing FBI statistics, the report draws attention to a sharp rise in hate crimes in the US, including 11,477 bias-motivated incidents in 2022, with nearly 3,697 targeting Jewish individuals. It claims that roughly 60 anti-Semitic and 50 anti-Muslim extremist groups are active in the country and that attacks on synagogues and mosques remain widespread. The Biden administration during its tenure has done little to curb neo-Nazi ideology and has even defended Ukraine's far-right factions by voting against annual UN resolutions condemning neo-Nazism, resolutions introduced by Russia. The US government has yet to formally respond to the allegations. Washington has long dismissed similar reports from Moscow and Minsk as politically motivated attacks designed to deflect attention from their records.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
A Double-Edged Sword: AI's Janus Face In The Sweltering Climate Crisis
Women in the image of a two-faced Janus. A woman with a staff, stick. A woman with outstretched ... More arms. Vector As floodwaters surge through Houston streets, heat waves scorch European cities and wildfires tear through German forests, we have to (finally) face the truth: our planet is crying out for radical solutions. In this crucible of climate crisis, the explosion of artificial intelligence emerges as both potential savior and additional threat, a modern Janus with faces turned simultaneously toward salvation and destruction. Climate change is real and we must come to grips with it, in a hybrid way. The paradox is electrifying. While AI offers never imagined tools to prevent and even heal climate change, its own environmental footprint threatens to undermine the very solutions it promises. Investing to tip the scale in favor of the Earth and society isn't about charity or idealism, it's a question of survival. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights establishes that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security. In a world where climate change threatens these fundamental rights, we must harness AI's power while confronting its costs. Prosocial AI refers to AI-systems that are tailored, trained, tested and targeted to bring out the best in and for people and planet – their time is now. Tiptoeing Around The Tipping Point Of No Return Our ecosystem is out of balance. Already certain Earth systems, from Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, via coral reefs to permafrost are at risk of crossing critical thresholds due to global warming. Triggering these tipping points any further could lead to catastrophic outcomes for the human species, including collapse of crop production systems and an accelerating cascade of failures across global ecosystems. One tipping point may trigger others. Their effects will ripple across our interconnected world, compounding economic, social and political stresses, similar to but far more severe than the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bright Face: AI As Climate Champion AI's pattern recognition capabilities offer immense potential for environmental sustainability. Its big benefit is that it can detect patterns in data, such as anomalies and similarities and use historic knowledge to accurately predict future outcomes. For example smart AI-powered grids can reduce energy waste by up to 20%, predicting demand patterns and optimizing renewable energy distribution. AI systems now also serve to track melting icebergs, predict extreme weather events and optimize energy consumption across entire cities. In agriculture, AI-driven precision farming techniques minimize water usage while maximizing crop yields, addressing both food security and water scarcity simultaneously. The technology's ability to process vast datasets enables breakthrough climate modeling. AI can identify subtle environmental changes that human researchers might miss, from early signs of ecosystem collapse to opportunities for carbon sequestration. Beyond prediction, AI modeling drives innovation in clean technology. Machine learning algorithms optimize solar panel positioning, design more efficient wind turbines and accelerate the development of next-generation batteries. In transportation, AI enables smart traffic management systems that reduce emissions by 30% in urban areas, while autonomous vehicles promise to cut transportation emissions through optimized routing and vehicle sharing. The Dark Face: AI's Environmental Burden Yet this promise comes at a cost. Training a single large AI model can consume thousands of megawatt hours of electricity and emit hundreds of tons of carbon dioxide. From 2024 to 2030, according to the IEA. The International Energy Agency estimates that global data centre electricity consumption in 2022 was 240-340 terawatt-hours, or around 1-1.3% of global final electricity demand, but this baseline masks explosive growth ahead. Between 2024 and 2030 data centre electricity consumption is expected to grow by around 15% per year, more than four times faster than the growth of total electricity consumption from all other sectors, or around 945 TWh, slightly more than the entire electricity consumption of Japan today. The environmental impact extends beyond energy consumption and carbon emissions. AI model training can also lead to the evaporation of an astonishing amount of freshwater into the atmosphere for data center heat rejection, potentially exacerbating stress on our already limited freshwater resources. This water consumption occurs precisely when climate change is intensifying droughts and water scarcity globally. Furthermore data centers are gigantic in size, taking up space that could be allocated for housing, agriculture and wildlife. Is AI infrastructure crowding out the people and planet it is supposed to serve? The inequality of this burden compounds the ethical crisis. Wealthy nations and corporations benefit from AI's capabilities while poorer communities disproportionately suffer from its environmental consequences. The same communities that have been bearing the biggest brunt of climate change for the past decade – from Pacific island nations to sub-Saharan Africa — now face additional pressures from AI's resource demands. A Pragmatic Path Forward Confronting this paradox requires neither blind optimism nor paralyzing despair, but strategic pragmatism. We share one planet and ultimately, everyone wins only if everyone wins. This isn't about technological determinism but about conscious choices that not only politicians, but consumers, citizens and CEOs must make. Designing solutions for a future-proof society does not entail black and white boxes. It is not a challenge that will be successfully tackled with an either- or mindset. Rather than heated debates about a world with AI and without, we might be well advised to systematically invest in AI development with sustainability as a core design principle, not an afterthought. This means prioritizing AI applications that deliver maximum climate benefit while minimizing environmental cost. The industry is on an unsustainable path, but there are ways to encourage responsible development of generative AI that supports environmental objectives. Regulation plays a central role. Just as we demand environmental impact assessments for major infrastructure projects, we need comprehensive environmental accountability for AI systems. This includes mandatory reporting of energy consumption and carbon emissions, coupled with binding targets for improvement. Both private sector and research communities must prioritize developing more efficient AI architectures. Current large language models achieve impressive results but with massive inefficiency. Breakthrough research in neuromorphic computing, quantum machine learning and bio-inspired algorithms could deliver equivalent capabilities with orders of magnitude less energy consumption. Rights, Not Charity This isn't a matter of corporate social responsibility or environmental charity. It's about fundamental human rights. The right to life becomes meaningless in a world ravaged by climate change. The right to adequate living standards crumbles when AI's energy demands compete with basic human needs. The right to water becomes academic when AI data centers drain local aquifers. International law already recognizes these connections. The Paris Agreement acknowledges that climate action must respect human rights. The UN's Sustainable Development Goals explicitly link environmental sustainability with human dignity. What we need now is the political will to enforce these principles in AI development. Current governance structures are insufficient. A new multi-scale, proactive global governance agenda, with a pro-planetary rather than a political perspective is urgently required. A holistic understanding of people and planet is a win-win-win-win for the humans we are, the communities we belong to, the countries we are part of and the planet we depend on. AI can help, but humans must start. Social and technological tipping dynamics, like the rapid adoption of renewable energy can help reverse the trend — if leveraged strategically. Small actions can lead to large-scale, rapid transformations. But even small things must be started by someone, somewhere. A P.L.A.N.E.T. For Action Moving forward requires concrete action across six critical domains: Prioritize efficiency - Invest in AI architectures that deliver maximum climate benefit with minimum environmental cost. Choose precision over power, targeting specific climate solutions rather than general-purpose models. As consumers, be mindful of AI usage, every query counts. Legislate accountability - Establish mandatory environmental impact reporting for AI systems. Create binding emissions targets and enforce them through economic incentives and penalties. Demand transparency from AI companies about their energy consumption and environmental costs. Accelerate renewables - Commit to 100% renewable energy for AI infrastructure. Invest in grid-scale storage and transmission to support clean energy deployment. Support utilities and companies that prioritize clean energy for AI operations. Nurture innovation - Fund research into efficient AI architectures, quantum computing and bio-inspired algorithms. Support open-source development of climate-focused AI tools. Encourage on-device AI processing to reduce data center demand. Ensure equity - Guarantee that AI's climate solutions benefit all communities, especially those most vulnerable to climate change. Prevent AI development from exacerbating existing inequalities. Address the regressive impact of AI-driven electricity cost increases on low-income households. Take action now - Every day of delay compounds both the climate crisis and AI's environmental impact. The window for action is narrowing rapidly. Make conscious choices about AI usage, support sustainable AI development and hold companies accountable for their environmental footprint. Our Choice As Texas floods and European cities bake, as German forests burn and Pacific islands disappear, we face a fundamental choice. We can allow AI to become another driver of environmental destruction, or we can harness its power to heal our wounded planet. The technology exists. The knowledge exists. What remains is the will to act. The Janus face of AI forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth: the tools that could save us might also destroy us. But unlike the Roman god with his fixed dual nature, we have the power to choose which face of AI we nurture. In a world where climate change threatens the fundamental rights of billions, that choice isn't just about technology. It's about who we are as a species and what kind of future we'll leave behind. We have only one planet. It's time we started acting like it.
LBCI
11-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Presidency urges Lebanese media to act responsibly amid municipal elections
According to a statement released by the presidential media office, the Lebanese Presidency called on local media outlets to uphold national, legal, and ethical responsibility during the current sensitive period. It warned against unfounded accusations, fabrications, or false narratives targeting any foreign party friendly to Lebanon, particularly Arab nations, especially in matters that could verge on undermining national interests. While reaffirming its full commitment to the sanctity of freedom of expression, the Presidency reminded stakeholders that this right carries inherent obligations—truthfulness and respect for public order in a democratic society, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The statement concluded by stressing that any violation of these principles would not fall under protected speech but would instead be considered a clear and punishable offense.
Morocco World
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco's CNDH at SIEL 2025 Shapes Words as a Battleground for Human Rights
Rabat – The International Publishing and Book Fair (SIEL) in Rabat this year provided a dynamic space for discussing pressing human rights issues as the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) marked the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This milestone prompted the CNDH to gather thinkers, activists, and artists to debate the relevance of the Universal Declaration in today's rapidly changing world, under the discussion of their collective book titled 'Is the Universal Humanist Ideal Unfulfilled?' The panel focused not only on historical challenges but also on emerging ones, such as the impacts of climate change, digitalization, and sustainability. The contributions to a collective book produced for the occasion mirror diverse global perspectives on human rights, which sparked intense conversations about what has been achieved and what still needs to be done. CNDH's president on the roadblocks to progress Amina Bouayach, CNDH President, stood at the heart of these discussions and reflected on the current state of human rights globally. When asked about her contributions to the collective book and how things have changed since the 2022 CNDH human rights symposium, Bouayach did not hold back in pointing out the systemic barriers that persist. 'Since 2022, it has become clear that the human rights system faces severe challenges. These are not just ideological; they have become issues of funding and resources,' Bouayach stated, her tone serious. 'A 40% decrease in UN funds for human rights tells us a lot about the global priorities. This is a direct attack on human rights, particularly in the Global South.' Her words, underlining the complex nature of the struggle for human rights, resonated deeply. Bouayach also pointed out that these financial cutbacks threaten to marginalize efforts to protect vulnerable populations and undermine the work being done in Morocco and beyond. However, Bouayach was not entirely pessimistic. She acknowledged the efforts being made, noting that while challenges remain, 'there are dynamic actions underway to improve the human rights situation.' Morocco, she emphasized, continues to reaffirm its commitment to human rights. Women in the margins Cameroonian writer Djaili Amadou Amal also contributed to the collective book, bringing attention to the plight of women in her country and across Africa. When asked about her perspective on the feminine condition, Amal made a powerful statement about the struggles women face daily. 'Women have waited too long for change,' she lamented. 'When instability hits, women and girls are the first to suffer. And these are not just abstract figures – these are real lives, real tragedies.' Amal also drew attention to the troubling rise in forced and early marriages, a practice that continues to grow in many parts of the world. For Amal, the violence against women is not just physical, it is structural. 'Violence against women breeds other forms of violence. It is a societal issue that cannot be ignored,' she explained. She noted that without securing a rightful place for women in society, no country can achieve true progress. 'A society cannot develop unless women are given their rightful place,' Amal concluded, her words a powerful call to action for the future. Human rights revisited Mohammed Benmoussa, a Moroccan economist and researcher, took a more reflective approach, analyzing the origins of the human rights system. He pointed out that the expectations of the Universal Declaration, created in 1948, were somewhat utopian, especially when compared to today's harsh realities. For him, the key challenge now is not just respecting human rights but ensuring their practical application. 'The Universal Declaration set high expectations, but we are still facing issues of implementation. The main axes of human rights, respect, protection, and the guarantee of rights, remain elusive for many,' Benmoussa noted. He called for greater transparency and accountability from all stakeholders involved in human rights advocacy. 'Institutions must be held accountable, and public policies need to be applied effectively to move forward.' Culture as a driver of human rights At the CNDH booth, Mustapha Najmi, the Director of the Promotion of Human Rights at CNDH, shared the organization's broader vision for human rights engagement through cultural initiatives. 'This year, we chose culture and cultural expressions as a way to promote human rights,' Najmi explained during a conversation with Morocco World News (MWN). 'Culture can be a driver of development and a powerful tool for advocating human rights.' Najmi noted the inclusion of children in the CNDH's program at SIEL, noting that these young participants come from Morocco's twelve regions. Each day, they have the opportunity to express themselves creatively through art and literature, reinforcing the connection between culture and the promotion of human rights. In the afternoons, the booth offered various performances and discussions, including music from the Gharnati and Andalusian traditions, as well as slam poetry. These cultural expressions, Najmi believes, play a crucial role in advancing human rights by encouraging dialogue and fostering mutual understanding. 'The importance of cultural diversity and pluralism cannot be overstated,' Najmi continued. 'It's through these cultural expressions that we can engage in a meaningful conversation about human rights and what needs to be done to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, enjoys these rights.' A call to renew human rights efforts As the discussions at SIEL 2025 unfolded , it was clear that while significant strides have been made, the journey toward full realization of human rights remains long and fraught with challenges. Bouayach's final words summed up the mood of the event: 'Cultural diversity and pluralism allow us to come together, to shape a more inclusive world. It is up to all of us to renew our commitment to human rights, now more than ever.' Through panels, cultural initiatives, and the collective contributions of activists, scholars, and artists, the CNDH continues to lead efforts to ensure that human rights are not just ideals, but realities lived by all. The convergence of these powerful conversations under the roof of SIEL's 30th edition fair serves as a reminder that literature is far more than a vehicle for storytelling, as it is a space where rights, identity, and resistance unfold. At this intersection, words carry the weight of lived experiences, challenge systems of injustice, and imagine alternative futures. Whether through Amadou Amal's urgent reflections on women's rights or through the poems and performances featured at the CNDH booth, literature becomes a witness, a refuge, and a form of action. Culture is not an accessory to human rights, it is their foundation. And in the context of a book fair, where readers and writers meet, this truth becomes impossible to ignore: every page read and every story shared can open the way for greater justice. This year's SIEL welcomed over 253,000 visitors during its first seven days, marking a 39% increase compared to the previous edition. Tags: Books and human rightsCNDHCNDH SIELhuman rightsSIELSIEL 2025
Arab Times
23-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
State security ... systems, laws
I recently wrote an article in which I called for the need to strengthen both our internal and external fronts in response to anticipated ambitions and demands and to prepare for all eventualities through solidarity with the regional community and wide cooperation with major powers. Along with the points I raised, it is imperative to make our systems and laws more humane and generous. This can only be achieved by expediting the full implementation of all provisions of human rights agreements, and ensuring they apply to both citizens and residents, regardless of the cost. The logical and humane principle dictates that, when necessary, all prohibitions should be overridden or disregarded, particularly when they concern the state's security, its people, and their very existence. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a historic document that defines the fundamental rights of all humankind. It stresses that all individuals are born equal in dignity and rights. It rejects discrimination based on race, color, sex, language, religion, political opinion, origin, or wealth. I have written more than ten articles about this Universal Declaration, yet no official has paid attention to them. Here, we find ourselves falling short of fully implementing the aforementioned principles. However, we must also highlight the positive actions, often stemming from noble Amiri directives to enhance women's participation in various decision-making bodies, after decades of neglect. Torture and cruel treatment must be prohibited in any state penal institution. I am unsure of the extent to which these matters are being fully implemented. We must recognize the legal personality of every individual before the law, without discrimination or distortion of the law. Everyone has the right to a fair trial, which should be accessible. However, nearly everyone complains about the slow pace of litigation and the appalling delays in issuing judgments, which is unjust. Human beings also have the right to live in a clean environment, but this right remains unfulfilled and is not a priority for the ineffective Environment Public Authority. Kuwait suffers from high levels of air pollution, despite its small population, few factories, and low levels of emissions from its refineries. It appears that addressing this threat is not a core concern of the relevant authorities due to their inability and lack of understanding. On the other hand, I have noticed a growing push to amend personal status laws, as announced by Minister of Justice Counselor Nasser Al- Sumait. These amendments pertain to the Family Court, domestic violence, juveniles, and children. There is also an increasing emphasis on the need to change laws to protect women, whether as wives, daughters, sisters, or mothers and to eliminate violence against them. However, it was disappointing that Al-Sumait stated there are many flaws in the current law that are not compatible with Islamic law, leading to encouragement and leniency in the divorce process. Dozens of issues that conflict with Islamic law have been ignored. The ministry's standards should be based on justice and humanity, not on anything else. The legal provision that grants a father only six hours, as is currently the case, to see his children on Fridays is inhumane and must be amended. It has no basis in Islamic law. The wife's right to request a divorce is a purely humanitarian issue and should not be changed under the pretext that it is not implemented in neighboring countries. How can we force a woman to live with someone she despises simply because the law in another country requires it? It was also commendable to raise the age of criminal responsibility for children from 7 to 10 years, but this is certainly not enough. How can children of that age be prosecuted for their actions? A more humane approach is needed, one that aligns with the developmental stage of the child being convicted. In addition, raising the minimum marriage age to 15 years for girls and 18 years for boys is a positive step. However, while this move may be seen as somewhat contrary to Islamic law, how is it permissible to violate Sharia law in this case but not in others? The decision to amend Article 153, which previously allowed a lenient sentence for perpetrators of heinous crimes under the pretext of defending a man's honor, was also significant. It is a positive change to reclassify such a crime as premeditated murder. As a small, wealthy country, Kuwait is surrounded by various threats. Ensuring our security requires strengthening our national unity and fully respecting and adhering to international law.
