Latest news with #selfdetermination
CBC
16-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
9 Ontario First Nations to speak Wednesday after challenging federal, provincial bills
Nine First Nations in Ontario that launched a constitutional challenge against a pair of federal and provincial laws meant to fast-track infrastructure projects are set to speak at Queen's Park at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The Indigenous communities said in the legal challenge filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that the federal law known as Bill C-5 and the Ontario law known as Bill 5 both represent a "clear and present danger" to the First Nations' self-determination rights to ways of life on their territories. CBC News will livestream the news conference here. Bill C-5 allows cabinet to quickly grant federal approvals for big projects deemed to be in the national interest such as mines, ports and pipelines by sidestepping existing laws, while Ontario's Bill 5 allows its cabinet to suspend provincial and municipal laws through the creation of so-called "special economic zones." The First Nations are asking the court for an injunction prohibiting the federal government from naming national interest projects and prohibition Ontario from implementing special economic zones.
Arab News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan vows political, diplomatic support for Kashmiris on Kashmir Martyrs' Day
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday vowed to extend Pakistan's diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir on Kashmir Martyrs' Day, calling for the resolution of the dispute as per the United Nations Security Council resolutions, state-run media reported. Pakistan marks Kashmir Martyrs' Day on July 13 every year to pay tribute to 22 Kashmiri protesters who were shot dead in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, in 1931 by soldiers of Maharaja Hari Singh, the Hindu ruler of the then princely state. Pakistan sees the day as a symbol of Kashmiris' struggle against what it says is illegal Indian occupation in the disputed Himalayan valley. Both India and Pakistan have fought three wars since 1947, with two of them over Kashmir. Both claim territory in full but administer only parts of it. 'The Kashmiri people have been and are sacrificing their lives in their legitimate struggle for the right to self-determination,' Sharif was quoted as saying by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). 'The government of Pakistan expresses its political, diplomatic and moral support in solidarity with the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, which is illegally occupied by India.' Every year on the occasion, special rallies, seminars, and conferences are held across Pakistan and Azad Kashmir to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir. India accuses Pakistan of backing separatist militants in the part of Kashmir it administers. Islamabad denies the allegations and says it only extends political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. The two countries engaged in the worst fighting between them in decades in May when gunmen shot dead 26 people, mostly tourists, in Indian-administered Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attack, which Pakistan strongly denied and called for an international probe into the incident. The two countries engaged in a military conflict for four days that killed over 70 people on both sides of the border before US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Delhi and Islamabad on May 10.
Arab News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan decries use of torture in Palestine, Kashmir on UN anti-torture day
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday expressed grave concern over the use of torture as a tool of repression in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Indian-administered Kashmir, accusing the 'occupying powers' of systematically inflicting abuse to suppress demands for self-determination. The statement came on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, marked each year on June 26 to promote the eradication of torture and support survivors. The UN General Assembly designated the day in 1997, coinciding with the anniversary of the 1987 entry into force of the UN Convention Against Torture. Human rights groups have long reported widespread abuse in both Palestine and Kashmir, including arbitrary detentions, custodial beatings and torture, particularly of young men and boys. 'The people of the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue to be subjected to the worst forms of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the occupying powers to suppress their right to self-determination,' the foreign office said in a statement. Reaffirming its commitment to human dignity and justice, Pakistan said it was strengthening legal reforms, institutional safeguards and oversight mechanisms to prevent torture and promote accountability. It also underscored its provision of medical, legal, and psycho-social support to victims. Citing the values of justice and compassion in religious teachings, the foreign ministry said any act of torture was incompatible with Islam and international law. Pakistan called on the international community to condemn what it described as systematic crimes by occupying forces and to take steps to hold them accountable.
Arab News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan warns global order under ‘immense strain' at UN Charter anniversary
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday warned of a global order under 'immense strain' as it raised concern over growing violations of international norms and rising unilateral military actions, while addressing the Forum of Small States in New York to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations Charter. The UN Charter, signed in San Francisco on June 26, 1945, laid the foundation for international peace, sovereignty and justice following World War II. Pakistan's remarks come as the world witnessed two major military crises in South Asia and the Middle East in the last two months. In May, nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan exchanged artillery fire, drones and missiles in a brief but intense conflict before reaching a ceasefire. Weeks later, Israel launched a large-scale military campaign against Iran, targeting uranium enrichment facilities and nuclear infrastructure in what Tehran called an unprovoked act of war. 'The UN Charter remains our moral compass and legal foundation,' Pakistan's Counsellor at the UN, Saima Saleem, said. 'Yet today, we confront a global order under immense strain— marked by a growing disregard for international law, persistent and emerging conflicts, and a disturbing resurgence of unilateralism.' 'The voices of the vulnerable— especially peoples under foreign occupation, like the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine— remain marginalized and their right to self-determination denied, despite the solemn promises of the Charter,' she added. Calling for 'inclusive multilateralism that delivers,' Saleem urged reforms to strengthen the UN's effectiveness, including revitalizing the General Assembly's authority and ensuring impartial implementation of Security Council resolutions. 'Selective application of international law and the UN Charter erodes faith in global governance. Its equal enforcement restores it,' Saleem said. She also called for concrete action to ensure sustainable development, digital cooperation, youth and gender inclusion, climate resilience and peaceful dispute resolution. 'Multilateralism remains humanity's best hope,' she said. 'It must be re-energized, not replaced.' The Forum of Small States is an informal group founded by Singapore in 1992. It offers a platform for smaller UN member states to coordinate positions and amplify their voices in global diplomacy. With over 100 members, it is now one of the largest informal blocs at the UN.
National Post
14-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
How the Haisla Nation became a model for Indigenous-led economic development
Chief Crystal Smith has been at the forefront of the Haisla Nation's transformation into a driving force in Canada's LNG sector. The First Nation, which is governed from Kitamaat Village in the northern coastal area of British Columbia, believes 'careful and appropriate economic development will bring our people necessary self-sufficiency,' according to their website. They have partnered with natural gas companies and now own a majority stake in Cedar LNG, a floating liquefied natural gas export facility that is being built off the North Coast. It will accept natural gas coming from the main Coastal GasLink pipeline and liquefy approximately 3.3 million tonnes per year for export to Asia. Smith spoke with National Post about what economic self-determination means, how the First Nation balances growth with cultural preservation, and what others can learn from their experience. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length. Article content Article content Can you share the Haisla Nation's vision for economic self-determination and how that has evolved over the years? Article content Article content Article content Our involvement in economic development started with a desire to no longer sit on the sidelines. Historically, major projects like aluminum smelters, pulp mills, and methanol facilities were built in our territory without our say — or benefit. We watched as others gained generational wealth while our people lived in poverty. Article content Thanks to leadership like Ellis Ross, we began learning everything about Aboriginal rights and title to leverage that knowledge. When I joined leadership in 2013, we focused on identifying acceptable projects. LNG emerged as the most vital opportunity, and our partnership with LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink was the beginning of something meaningful. It evolved into our own project — Cedar LNG — giving us not just participation but ownership. Article content What does 'success' mean to you and your community — economically, socially, and culturally? Article content Success is having a strong, independent nation with people who are mentally and spiritually strong — and who have opportunity. Since 2015, revenues from industry have helped us invest in healing from generational trauma and, perhaps most importantly, in revitalizing our culture and language. Article content What were the key factors that allowed the Haisla Nation to become a leader in LNG development? Article content One of the biggest was our use of Aboriginal rights and title case law. It gave us the legal grounding to protect our rights and assert our place in decision-making. We also built strong partnerships — not just with companies, but internally, by involving our own people with the technical expertise to evaluate projects on our terms. Article content Our people are always thinking seven generations ahead. Environmental concerns were top of mind. We hosted countless information sessions and brought in third-party experts — but what really mattered was having our own Haisla people, like Candice Wilson with a Masters in Environmental Sciences, review and explain the information in a way our members could trust. Article content In many ways. One of our proudest achievements is investing $5 million of our own-source revenue into a cultural and language department — the first of its kind for us. It employs 20 people who document and teach our culture. My twin sister is one of them, and hearing her sing in our language to our grandsons makes this work worth it.
