Stockholm sends a message to Copenhagen on water

Stockholm, Sweden: Negotiators working towards a global agreement on climate change in Copenhagen in December are to be told that “water is a key medium through which climate change impacts will be felt” and that “a strong and fair agreement on future global commitments on climate change measures—both mitigation and adaptation—is crucial in order to secure future water resource availability”.

WWF, which played a key role in the discussions leading to the Stockholm Statement as a key outcome of World Water Week, strongly endorsed the message which was greeted with a unanimous show of hands by delegates when presented by convenor the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI).

The statement identifies integrating land, water and forest management as the key to successful climate change adaptation and said that “ecosystem protection and sustainability is fundamental to adaptation and human development”.

Presenting the results of the discussions, WWF head of Freshwater Adaptation Dr John Matthews said that “water is not simply a sector, it is what we are made of”.

“Decisions about water infrastructure and management that we will live with for decades are being made now, all too often under policies and by institutions that were built on an assumption of a stable climate and have yet to adapt themselves,” Dr Matthews said.

“Adaptation measures now going forward in the negotiations are dangerously disconnected from what we are learning about successful climate adaptation and building climate resilience in the field.”

“This Stockholm Statement is important in linking the need for effective mitigation measures through which we can minimise the extent of climate change and core adaptation priorities that can minimise the impacts of climate.”

Dr Matthews said most elements of good adaptation practice were already known but more effort needed to be devoted to the assessment of regional, economic and social vulnerability to climate change impacts, and managing risk for extreme events. There was a need also to reduce the uncertainty in climate projections.

PARTIES PLEDGE TO CONTINUE UN-BACKED TALKS ON WESTERN SAHARA

The latest United Nations-backed talks between Morocco and the Frente Polisario over the disputed territory of Western Sahara have concluded with a commitment from both parties to continue negotiations as soon as possible.

The two-day discussions, held in the Austrian town of Duernstein on 10 and 11 August, took place in an "atmosphere of serious, frankness and mutual respect," according to a statement issued by the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Christopher Ross.

Mr. Ross will fix the date and venue of the next meeting in consultation with the parties.

Several rounds of talks between the two parties were held under UN auspices in 2007 and 2008 in New York but did not result in any substantial agreements.

Fighting broke out between Morocco and the Frente Polisario after Spain's colonial administration of Western Sahara ended in 1976. The UN mission there, known as MINURSO, is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire reached in September 1991 and organizing a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara.

Morocco has presented a plan for autonomy, while the Frente Polisario's position is that the territory's final status should be decided in a referendum on self-determination that includes independence as an option.

FIRST BATCH OF INFANTRY TROOPS FROM BURKINA FASO JOIN AFRICAN-UN FORCE IN DARFUR

New York, Aug 4 2009 1:00PM
The first infantry soldiers from Burkina Faso arrived today in Darfur to serve with the joint African Union-United Nations peacekeeping mission to the troubled Sudanese region, as more blue helmets from three other countries prepare to join the force soon as well.

An advance party of 134 soldiers arrived in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur state, with another 133 scheduled to arrive next Tuesday, according to the mission (known as <"http://unamid.unmissions.org/Default.aspx?tabid=888&ctl=Details&mid=1062&ItemID=5043">UNAMID). The remaining members of the infantry battalion – totalling more than 800 soldiers – are expected to be deployed by mid-September in El Geneina and Foro Baranga in West Darfur state.

Today's arrival means UNAMID now has 13,651 military personnel deployed across the region, or nearly 70 per cent of the authorized number of staff under the 2007 Security Council resolution setting up the force.

The mission also reported today that more troops from Ethiopia, Tanzania and Egypt are expected to be deployed in Darfur later this month, further boosting its strength.

The Security Council authorized the deployment of UNAMID to try to quell fighting and protect civilians in Darfur, where an estimated 300,000 have been killed and some 2.7 million others displaced from their homes since fighting erupted in 2003, pitting Government forces and allied Janjaweed militiamen against rebel groups.

Tokyo two Pre-trail hearings continue: A proper defence requires all the evidence says Greenpeace

Aomori, Japan, August 4, 2009 – While over three million visitors are hitting the streets of Aomori to see the colourful floats of the Nebuta festival, the Tokyo Two defence counsel is in court wrangling over the disclosure of important evidence.

The ongoing trial against Greenpeace activists Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki has seen the prosecution work to conceal as much evidence as possible. This strategy appears to be running out of steam, however, as the Aomori court this week directed the prosecutor to disclose all evidence relating to the case to the judges, so they can decide if it is relevant for inclusion in the case.

Greenpeace is confident that when the judges read all of the prosecution's evidence they will not only see that Junichi and Toru are innocent of any crime, but that their actions were in the greater public interest as they sought to expose criminal embezzlement within the taxpayer-funded whaling industry.

"There is a growing international concern about the case of the Tokyo Two," said international human rights lawyer Richard Harvey. "This is not just about whaling, nor human rights in Japan. It is about the rights of all citizens to investigate and expose evidence of public officials suspected of corruption and embezzlement.

"International law requires that Junichi and Toru be allowed to present all documents and relevant evidence in the case so that the court and the public will have a clear understanding of the reasons for their actions," added Harvey.

"We in the international human rights community therefore look to the Aomori Court to ensure that all their rights of defence are respected and to make clear to the world that all they have ever sought to do was to expose public corruption."

Due to the issues surrounding the disclosure of evidence, the court has again extended the pre-trial process with another hearing on November 20.

While the court debates the disclosure of evidence, Greenpeace activists in traditional Japanese Yukata dress have distributed over 6,500 fans calling on the Japanese public to support a fair trial for the Junichi and Toru.

If this is to be a fair trial and the court is determined to uphold the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Japan is a party to, then Greenpeace hopes that it will order the full disclosure of all evidence related to the Tokyo Two case.

Greenpeace is an independent, global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment, and to promote peace.

TOP UN OFFICIAL LAUDS PAKISTAN’S GUINNESS WORLD RECORD FOR TREE PLANTING

The top United Nations environment official has lauded Pakistan's efforts in setting a Guinness World Record for planting over 500,000 trees in one day, part of the South Asian nation's pledge in the global Billion Tree Campaign.

In the record-breaking feat, 541,176 young mangrove saplings were planted in 24 hours by 300 volunteers on 15 July without using any mechanical equipment in the vast wetlands of the Indus River Delta in Thatta District, according to a news release issued by the UN Environment Programme (<"http://www.unep.org/">UNEP).

The event was part of Pakistan's pledge to plant 120 million trees in UNEP's Billion Tree Campaign, which seeks to plant 7 billion trees – or one for every person on the planet, with a bit to spare – by the end of 2009.

"The Billion Tree Campaign has been setting records since it was launched in 2006 as one avenue and conduit for global public concern over climate change," <"http://www.unep.org/Documents.Multilingual/Default.asp?DocumentID=593&ArticleID=6257&l=en">noted UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.

He added that Pakistan's Guinness World Record will contribute to the goal of 7 billion trees by December, when world leaders gather for the UN climate change conference in Denmark to "seal the deal" on a new global pact to succeed the Kyoto Protocol, which contains legally binding targets for reducing emissions.

"I am ever more confident that this record can be broken too and inspire governments to 'seal the deal' in Copenhagen in December," Mr. Steiner added.

With the destruction of natural forests emitting more greenhouse gases every year than the transport sector, planting trees – which absorb carbon dioxide and store nearly 300 gigatonnes of carbon in their biomass – is a crucial defence in the fight against global warming.

Mangroves, which are being cut down in Pakistan and other countries for fodder, fuel and timber, are particularly useful in carbon sequestration. In addition to providing a breeding ground for fish and other wildlife, mangroves protect coastlines from erosion as well as tsunamis.

The previous record for the most trees planted in a single day was held by India with 447,874 trees, UNEP noted.

US MUST ENSURE THAT PRIVATE CONTRACTORS DO NOT INFRINGE RIGHTS – UN EXPERTS

A group of United Nations independent experts on mercenaries today voiced concern over the limited scrutiny of private security contractors by the United States Government, calling on greater transparency to prevent impunity for human rights violations.

"The responsibility of the State to protect human rights does not stop with contracting or subcontracting," the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries, who wrapped up a two-week visit to the US, said in a statement.

The Group underscored that the State has the primary responsibility of ensuring that contractors respect human rights and are prosecuted in the event of violations.

In spite of mechanisms created by US authorities to better monitor private military and security companies (PMSCs), "there is very little information accessible to the public on the scope and type of contracts," they noted.

The intention by the US to increase the number of contractors to match the troop surge in Afghanistan is also a source of concern since it "may further dilute the distinction between military and civilian personnel, an obligation under international law," said Shaista Shameem, the Group's Chairperson-Rapporteur.

There is also a trend towards "an extensive privatization of the war," she said, but added that the US Government has assured the UN experts that it does not relinquish its State authority of the legitimate use of force.

The Group is also concerned over the US Administration's recent objection to a prohibition in next year's defence funding bill of the use of contractors in interrogating people detained during or after hostilities.

"In light of the alleged involvement of PMSGs in the ill-treatment of detainees in US custody, the Working Group calls on the US Government to reconsider its initial position," today's press release said.

The experts also appealed for greater public access to information on the scope, type and value of contracts which "are not subject to scrutiny from the US Congress and Government, due to classified information," stressing that the Department of Justice must take action to ensure that contractors' violations of rights are punished.

To date, 17 cases involving contractors are under investigation and at least seven convictions have resulted.

Further, the Group underscored the need for a global oversight and monitoring body, with the US playing a major role in setting up a potential international pact to regulate the use of private contractors for security functions.

Created in 2006 by the Commission on Human Rights, the Group comprises five experts, serving in their personal capacities. Aside from Ms. Shameem, they are Alexander Nikitin, Amada Benavides de Pérez, José Luis Gómez del Prado and Najat Al-Hajjaji.

LONDON appointed by Aegis to secure sponsorship for Rwandan genocide survivors campaign

LONDON has been appointed by the Aegis Trust – an independent, international organisation that is dedicated to eliminating genocide – to secure a sponsor for the charity’s “Candles for Rwanda” campaign.

The online Candles for Rwanda global campaign marks the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide and is being primarily driven by a series of viral films which show prominent celebrities, politicians and diplomats lighting candles in memory of those who lost their lives. The films, which aim to encourage donations, feature individuals including Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, Sandra Bullock and David Cameron. The films can all be viewed at www.candlesforrwanda.org/donate and on YouTube.

LONDON is working with Aegis Trust to secure corporate sponsorship for the initiative and to develop the online campaign in order to maximise public awareness and increase the number of donations made.

Commenting on their appointment, Michael Moszynski, CEO of LONDON said:

“Aegis Trust has achieved an amazing coup in securing the support of some of the most prominent people on the planet for this very important initiative. However without corporate sponsors to secure funding of £250,000 to promote global awareness of the initiative, people will not know about the campaign or how to donate.

This is a global issue and a global campaign so as a new type of global agency we are giving our time at no cost to do what we can do to help spread the word. I would like to personally appeal for an individual, media owner or company to come forward to help make this happen. ”

Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust, said:

“The backing of prominent world figures for Candles for Rwanda has created an opportunity to change the lives of people still suffering from one of the international scandals of the past two decades. They are not sitting with a begging bowl. But we owe it to them to lend a hand in rebuilding their lives and their country. There couldn’t be a better partner than LONDON behind this; I know with support from sponsors something special can happen.”

Darfur rebel hands himself over to ICC

The Aegis Trust welcomes the arrival in the Hague of Bahar Idriss Abu Garda, leader of the United Redemption Front (URF), in response to the summons issued under seal by the International Criminal Court on 7 May for his suspected role in the attack on the African Union base at Haskanita, North Darfur, in October 2007. This is the first time that an individual charged with crimes under international law has presented himself to court in response to a summons.

"Attacks on peacekeepers can never be tolerated and those responsible must be brought to justice," says Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust. "Abu Garda's arrival in the Hague increases the pressure on others to follow suit, not least the Sudanese Government, which has so far refused even to recognise the authority of the ICC, never mind send any of the suspects in its ranks to the Hague."

Abu Garda is one of the three rebel commanders previously subject to sealed indictments for the Haskanita attack, in which twelve AU peacekeepers were killed. It is widely believed that the URF is not the only rebel group facing the sealed indictments. The other suspects have yet to come forward, although the leaders of all the major rebel groups in Darfur have made statements of intent to cooperate with the ICC - most explicitly in a short film released through the Sudan Tribune on 2 March this year (see http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article30331).