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Posts Tagged ‘Human Rights’

Commonwealth – Failure to Tackle Human Rights Issue A Disgrace

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Celtic League concerns about the record of the Commonwealth to tackle the appalling human rights record of some member States has been reiterated by a prominent United Kingdom Conservative and former government Minister.

It is almost four years now since the Celtic League published a comprehensive critique of human rights in Commonwealth States (see links).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2133

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2135

This week’s conference in Perth of Commonwealth Heads of Government provided an opportunity for the Commonwealth to confound its critics (such as Celtic League) however it funked the issue.

The organisation roundly refused to publish an `Eminent Persons Report’ (EPG) on human rights shortcomings in the 54 member States.

The EPG had recommended a course of action to deal with the problems via the creation of a new commissioner on the rule of law, democracy and human rights.

However the proposal was rejected prompting the outburst from Sir Malcolm Rifkind a British member of the group who said:

“The Commonwealth faces a very significant problem. It’s not a problem of hostility or antagonism, it’s more of a problem of indifference. Its purpose is being questioned, its relevance is being questioned and part of that is because its commitment to enforce the values for which it stands is becoming ambiguous in the eyes of many member states.”

He also branded the move a disgrace and suggested that the Commonwealth was increasingly a “private club of the governments or the secretariat”.

After the Perth debacle Commonwealth functions attended, often at great expense, by Government Ministers from the UK and Isle of Man will be seen as pointless junkets in many instances hosted by human rights bigots.

(This release compiled by the Director of Information, Bernard Moffatt).

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, General Secretary, Celtic League:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666

gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

30/10/11

Tags: Celtic League, Commonwealth, Human Rights
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Arms Traders Profit as Africa Suffers

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

As frantic appeals are launched to avoid a humanitarian crisis in the horn of Africa it is useful to remind ourselves that the other great curse that Africa faces is arms trading.

A detailed (AEFJN – AFRICA EUROPE FAITH AND JUSTICE NETWORK) report issued six months ago on the global arms trade into that continent is set out in this link:

http://www.aefjn.org/tl_files/aefjn-files/arms/arms_material%20eng/1101AEFJNRepo\rtArmsEurope_Africa_eng.pdf

A quick scan of the document throws up the by now `perennial link’ to the Isle of Man which along with other offshore jurisdictions is a familiar location for companies who aid and abet this trade.

What is disappointing is that these connections stretch back over thirty years.

In 2001 we reported (in the old Celtic News archive – unfortunately not now available on our current site) on arms trading links involving the son of former French President, Francois Mitterand, and other unrelated scandals.

Mitterand was among a number of French celebrities subsequently convicted of crimes eight years later related to $790 million in arms sales to Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos’s MPLA between 1993 and 1998, when it was fighting UNITA rebels in a devastating civil war.

Mitterrand was cleared of the accusation of illegal weapons sales, but an Angolan court found him guilty of taking a total of $2.6 million in covert payments from arms trader Pierre Falcone to pass on key Angolan contacts and protect Falcone’s interests. Falcone was reported to have a web of companies in Britain, Argentina, Canada and the Isle of Man.

In the 2001 Celtic News report which is set out below we referenced a string of other arms trading scandals involving the Isle of Man stretching back to the 1980s. What the recent AEFJN report shows is that sadly nothing has changed and as a community we still prosper from the misery inflicted on others.

CL NEWS (older archive) REPORT January 2001 set out below:
“MITTERAND ALLEGATIONS LATEST IN SERIES OF ARMS LINKS

New allegations linking the son of the late French president to arms trading in Africa indicate that Manx registered companies may still be involved in this deplorable trade. This despite assurances that loopholes allowing Arms Traders to operate from the Isle of Man would be plugged.

Once again the links alleging trading by companies operating from the Isle of Man with the arms trade in Africa have been exposed. Jean-Christophe Mitterand son of the late French president is accused of illegal arms trafficking and is said to have used a string of companies in various tax havens including Switzerland and the Isle of Man. This is the latest in a string of connections stretching back decades which have seen Manx based companies involved in arms trading and breaches of UN sanctions on the continent.

Last year a United Kingdom newspaper (1) exposed the use by British companies of offshore centres like the Isle of Man in arming the Rwanda Hutu militia. These militias were involved in several horrendous incidents including an attack on a group of British and American tourists. Eight of the party, including four Britons, were butchered.

This was not the first Rwanda link. In November 1996 documents seized in Rwanda from retreating Hutu militia revealed a tangled web of arms trafficking linked to the Isle of Man and other off-shore centres(2). The ‘Sandline’ episode also showed that arms traders were still using offshore jurisdictions in an effort to conceal their tracks.

What is perhaps disturbing about these Africa links is that they are not isolated incidents but stretch back over decades. There is indeed a culture of shadowy and sinister links which probably began at the time of Apartheid and the Rhodesia sanctions and have continued since.

In 1987 the United Kingdom Independent newspaper (3) revealed details of secret meetings between the Isle of Man government and Southern African business interests.

Also in 1987 first details of an aircraft leasing and transport operation similar to that cited in the recent news reports was revealed. The Observer newspaper (4) carried a report that a company with offices registered in the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Shannon freeport in the Irish Republic was engaged in leasing Hercules transport aircraft to a company called Southern Air Transport, based in Florida, which was at that time engaged in supplying arms to rebels fighting with UNITA against the Angolan government.

After the exposure of the Manx involvement in the Rwanda genocide the Celtic League called for law changes which would make it impossible for the arms dealers, who trade on the death and misery of hundreds of thousands of people, to operate here. The government responded with the Islands FSC announcing that loopholes would be closed (5). The loopholes however appear to still exist.

Have our calls and those of others (6) gone unheeded with more people dead? Why has no one been prosecuted for assisting in one of the worst genocides in the last decade (indeed century) the massacre of one million Tutsis. We should recognise also that, although the deathsof the European tourists last year were well publicised, the militias armed by these companies are still spreading a rain of murder, rape and destruction across the Central African region with weapons supplied at the time with the help of companies operating from the Isle of Man and other offshore centres.

The Mitterand connection in just the latest in a serious of allegations some proven about links between tax havens and the International arms trade it is past time an extensive International investigation was mounted to root out the merchants of death once and for all

J B Moffatt

04/01/01

Reference sources:

(1) UK Firms Armed Hutu Killers – Observer 7/3/99
(2) British Company Supplied Arms to Hutu Militia – Independent 18/11/96
(3) Island Accused in sanctions Scandal – Independent 22/1/97
(4) MP Linked to Firm in Pretoria Oil Deals May – Observer 1987?
(5) Rwanda FSC Acts Over Guns Supply – Isle of Man Courier 23/11/96
(6) Reform Needed to End Abuse – Editorial Manx Independent November 1996″

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

11/07/11

Tags: Africa, Arms Shipments, Human Rights, Isle of Man, Mannin
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Ireland: Human Rights Report Portrays Grim Picture

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

At the invitation of the Government, the independent expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty, Magdalena Sepúlveda Carmona, visited Ireland from 10 to 15 January 2011.

During this mission, the independent expert collected first-hand information on the human rights situation of people living in poverty and experiencing social exclusion.

She focused in particular on the impact of the recent economic and financial crises, and the Government’s efforts to alleviate poverty and social exclusion at domestic and international levels.

Her findings are documented in this report (see link):

http://www.eapn.ie/eapn/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Report-from-the-UN-Independen\t-Expert-on-Human-Rights-and-Extreme-Poverty-Ireland-May-2011.pdf

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

21/05/11

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

Tags: Éire, Human Rights, Ireland
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Dublin: Response From French Ambassador over Roma Expulsions

Sunday, September 19th, 2010

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

DUBLIN: RESPONSE FROM FRENCH AMBASSADOR OVER ROMA EXPULSIONS

There has been a detailed response from the French Embassy in Dublin to concerns expressed by the Celtic League about the forced expulsion of Roma people in France.

The full text of the response is set out below:

“AMBASSADE DE FRANCE EN IRLANDE
L’ ambassadeur

Dublin, 15 September 2010

Dear Mr. Moffatt,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 27 August 2010 in which you expressed concern at the recent repatriation of Roma by the French authorities.

The French government has recently reiterated that the freedom of movement of EU nationals is of paramount importance to France: it is a major achievement of the European enterprise, and especially so for those who experienced life behind the Iron Curtain. Moreover, it was one of the reasons President Chirac was the strongest advocate of EU membership for Romania and Bulgaria, when many had cast doubts over their readiness to join the EU.

As stated in EU directive 2004/38/CE, the freedom of movement of EU citizens is subject to conditions and limitations. Indeed, every EU citizen has the right to stay in another Member State and exercise his/her right of residence for an initial period of three months provided he/she does not become an unreasonable burden on the social assistance system.

In accordance with the Lisbon Treaty and EU values, each and every Member State has a responsibility to ensure the social and economic integration of its nationals. This integration policy requires long-term investment and daily effort. Member States cannot leave their neighbours conduct this policy on their behalf, even though European solidarity must be strengthened to help our partners confront particular difficulties. In this spirit of cooperation, bilateral meetings have been taking place over the last few weeks, notably between the French and Romanian authorities to address this issue.

The European dimension of Roma integration is obvious and must be taken in consideration in all Union policies. Contrary to media reports, no collective expulsion has been carried out by France. The measures taken do not target any particular nationality or ethnic group. European rules are applied in the same way to all EU nationals, regardless of their countries of origin. Today, attention is focused on Romanians and Bulgarians, but over 500 EU nationals were escorted to the French border in 2009. And other EU countries have had to deport EU nationals who do not comply with the 2004 directive.

Rest assured that France, a founding member of the EU, fully respects the conditions for the return of illegal Roma immigrants and will always act in compliance with European law.

It is high time EU Members became fully aware of the existence within our borders of a situation involving nine million Roma too often still living below the most basic standards of human dignify. We ought to react to this appalling situation. Doing nothing would mean turning our backs on the very values on which the EU is built.

I convey to you, dear Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Emmanuelle d’Achon”

The Ambassadors letter refers to the expulsions as `repatriation’. However this week the EU Justice Commissioner, Viviane Reding, has described them in more direct terms saying:

“Over the past weeks, the European Commission has been following very closely the developments in France regarding the Roma.

I personally have been appalled by a situation which gave the impression that people are being removed from a Member State of the European Union just because they belong to a certain ethnic minority. This is a situation I had thought Europe would not have to witness again after the Second World War.”

The full text of Commissioner Reding’s speech can be found here:

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/10/428&format=HTM\
L&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Iran: No Sanctions Breached But Govt. Silent On Human Rights Issue

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

IRAN: NO SANCTIONS BREACHED BUT GOVT. SILENT ON HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE

The Isle of Man Chief Minister has responded to a query from the Celtic League asking about the use by Iran of the Isle of Man Shipping Register.

In his reply Tony Brown MHK says:

“The Isle of Man is aware of the existence of ships owned by the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping line (IRISL) which are owned by Isle of Man companies, as it is aware of the involvement of Manx companies with ships owned elsewhere.

“The Isle of Man takes its commitments under UN and EU sanctions seriously. Evidence to date suggests that no person or company on the Island has acted in breach of any UN or EU sanctions, or any export or trade controls, in respect of IRISL or Iran in general. The Island cooperates fully with the relevant authorities in the UK and other counties in respect of sanctions measures”

Whilst the Celtic League welcome the Chief Minister’s assurance that no sanctions have been breached it is disappointing that the Manx government has failed to respond to our concerns about Iran’s human rights record (see link
below):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3446

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

10/09/10

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

Tags: Human Rights, Iran
Posted in News | No Comments »

MOD Probed On Overseas Recruitment

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

MOD PROBED ON OVERSEAS RECRUITMENT

A career in the British Army is that unpopular these days that the UnitedKingdom increasingly rely on recruitment of Nationals from other countries.

The Celtic League has been engaged in correspondence with the UK MOD about recruitment of Nationals from the Republic of Ireland.

The Irish government have told us that it is not illegal for a National of that State to make an individual choice to join an overseas Army.

However Irish law, specifically Section 312 of the Defence Act, makes it an offence to encourage a person to join a foreign army. We believe the UK MOD are `sailing close to the wind’ in relation to recruitment in Ireland and our correspondence to tease out the truth goes on (see below).

“Mr Richard Hills
Headquarters
(British) Army Recruitment and training Division
Trenchard Lines
Upavon
Pewsey
Wiltshire SN9 6BE

28/0810

Dear Mr Hills,

I write with reference to the concern raised with you about the recruitment of Nationals of the Republic of Ireland into the British Armed Forces. I have your reply dated 3rd June 2010 (D/ARTD/1/3/1-75862).

You will recall that the specific point we raised with you was that it was an offence under the laws of Ireland to encourage a person to join a foreign army (Section 312 of the Defence Act 1954). The issue had been highlighted following the circulation of information about `opportunities’ for a career in the British army by a careers office in Ireland.

I am disappointed that you do not believe that your web site as currently structured, i.e. citing `citizenship’ of the Republic of Ireland as making
persons eligible for membership of the Armed Forces, could be construed as encouraging citizens of a neighbouring State through
either ignorance or ineptitude to break the laws of their country. However I am reassured by your comment that potential recruits should ensure they seek information `through a careers office in Britain’.

There is one outstanding issue that you could shed light on. I note from your website that applicants for the services could be subject to normal careers checks. I wondered how the MOD (British Army) are able to follow-up on any information supplied by an applicant from the Republic of Ireland without cross-referencing data supplied with individuals or agencies in that country. I do hope that the UK military have not been doing this as if they have done so it would appear that they are soliciting citizens of a neighbouring State to breach section 312 of the Defence Act 1954.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours Sincerely,

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information”

Travellers: EU Disquiet Over Stonehaven Incident

Monday, August 9th, 2010

The European Commission has said that it shares the concern of the Celtic League about ongoing discrimination against Roma/Travellers. The League had written to express disquiet over racist attacks on Travellers near Stonehaven in Scotland recently and eviction notices served on the group (see link).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3416

The text of the response from the Commission is set out below;

“Dear Mr Moffatt,

Thank you for your letter on 23/07, in which you updated the Travellers`
situation in the United Kingdom.

We are aware of the case in Stonehaven which is very worrying, like in some
other Member States.

The European Commission takes the situation of Roma people (Travellers) in
Europe very seriously. We have, in particular during the last two years,
strengthened our efforts to make the available legal and financial instruments for Roma inclusion as well as the different policies in key areas (such as education, employment, social inclusion, the access to health and housing) more effective. Since it is obvious that deeply entrenched problems, which have not just one root cause, cannot be solved with simple solutions.

Reminding you, that any sustainable solution needs the full co-operation of
national governments, local authorities, other key players as well as the Roma communities and their NGOs. The 2nd European Roma Summit, which took place in Cordoba on 8-9 April 2010 took stock of the developments during the past two years and renewed the commitment of the EU and of Member States to reinforce the framework of a tight co-operation. This commitment was reinforced by the Employment, Social Policy health and Consumer Affaires Council Conclusions of 7 June, which invite the Commission and the Member States to advance the social and economic integration of Roma people in close cooperation and in accordance
with their respective competences.

As it stated in my previous letter, the Commission Communication on the social and economic integration of Roma people adopted on 7 April, outlines an ambitious plan for action for the next years, stressing the human rights dimension of the inclusion.

With regard to the third element of your proposal to focus on the development of Roma people in rural areas who are active in the agricultural sector I would like to inform you that the European Commission has started already in 2009 to organize bilateral meetings at high level between the national governments and the Commission on more effective use of the three biggest EU funds (European Regional Development Fund, European Social Fund, and European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development). These meetings aim at encouraging Member States to make
a more targeted use of EU Structural Funds for Roma inclusion. The next
bilateral meeting will take place in October 2010 in Romania.

For more detailed information on this communication and on our activities,
please visit our website: http://ec.europa.eu/roma.

Due to an internal re-structuring, I let you know, that the antidiscrimination
aspect of the Roma/Travellers` integration falls within the competence of
Commissioner Reding, therefore I propose to you to get in contact with them who will provide proper follow-up.

Yours sincerely,

Gabriella Kovács

Assistant
Cabinet of Mr. László Andor, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion European Commission”

Racist Attacks On Travellers Raised With EU

Monday, August 9th, 2010

The Celtic League has reiterated concerns to the EU Commission about the
victimisation and harassment of members of the Roma/Traveller community in the United Kingdom.

The latest move comes following eviction moves against a Traveller site in N E Scotland which came just hours after the Travellers had complained about racist attacks.

Equalities Commissioner, Lazlo Andor, has been urged to raise the matter with the British government (See below):

“Laszlo Andor
European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
European Commission
B – 1049 Brussels
(Belgium)

14/07/10

Dear Commissioner Andor,

We wrote to you earlier this year to outline our concern at the ongoing
harassment and victimisation of members of the Roma/Traveller community in the United Kingdom.

In your reply you requested additional information which we furnished to your Office.

Obviously, the Celtic League welcomed the commitments you gave that the
Employment, Social affairs and Equal Opportunities Office, shared our concerns and was committed to bringing about real progress in relation to social inclusion for the Roma/Traveller community.

I am sorry to say that if anything in the past few months the situation for
these people in the British Isles has deteriorated. In Ireland a new report has
identified very negative attitudes towards Irish Travellers by the settled
community.

In the United Kingdom harassment continues and the most disturbing case occurred earlier this month (near Stonehaven in North East Scotland) when just hours after a Traveller site had expressed concern to police about racial attacks and abuse the local authority was granted an eviction notice against the Travellers.

News report here:

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/1808660?UserKey=#ixzz0tMgaD77I

We do urge you to raise the issue of ongoing harassment and victimisation of the Traveller community with the UK authorities.

Yours sincerely

J B Moffatt (Mr)”

New Report Criticises Prejudices Towards Travellers

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Echoing concerns articulated by a Celtic League report twenty years ago (Human Rights on the Celtic Fringe) a new hard-hitting report has said the failure of Irish society to emancipate Irish Travellers must rank as one of the most serious social embarrassments since the establishment of the State.

The report sets out a range of steps which can be implemented to reverse the current situation calling for iniatives on accomodation, job opportunities and social health improvements to increase the life expectancy of travellers which is currently lower than the settled community.

The author of `Emancipation of the Travelling People: A Report on the Attitudes and Prejudices of the Irish People towards the Travellers Based on a National Social Survey 2007-2008′, Fr Micheál Mac Gréil, said that statistics in the report “confirms the appalling plight of this native Irish minority.”

Earlier this year the Celtic League called on the European Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Lazlo Andor, to initiate positive action to address discrimination against the Roma and Irish Traveller
community in the British Isles (related links below):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3373
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3323
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3315
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2923

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

08/07/10

Tags: Human Rights, Irish Travellers
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Irish Government Respond On Traveller Discrimination Concerns

Friday, May 14th, 2010

The Irish government have responded to concerns expressed by the Celtic League about discrimination against the Irish Traveller community in Britain. (See links to earlier reports on Celtic News below):

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2923
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3315

In his response Minister for Foreign Affairs, Michéal Martin, has assured the League of the governments support for the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain. He says:

“Thank you for your letter of 6 February, to Minister Michéal Martin, regarding the negative portrayal of the Irish Traveller community in the press. The Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf. The Irish Embassy in London remains in regular contact with representatives of the Irish traveller community in Britain.

The Irish Traveller Movement in Britain provides advocacy to Irish Traveller groups across Britain, they have taken a leading role in monitoring and addressing inflammatory or discriminatory press coverage of Irish Travellers.
Under the Emigrant Support Programme, over the past six years, the Irish Government has provided almost €500,000 to support the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain. We also fund a significant number of other organisations which work at a more local level to provide assistance and support to Irish Travellers in
Britain.”

In respect of a related issue concerning UN calls for Ireland to recognize Travellers as an ethnic group the Minister has ref the League to Communities Minister, Pat Carey saying:

“With regards to the other issue you raised, that of the UN call for Ireland to recognize Travellers as an ethnic minority group, the Department for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs are the responsible Department in this regard. I
would suggest that you contact Minister Pat Carey directly..”

See additional related items on Celtic News at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3323
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2706

J B Moffatt (Mr)
Director of Information
Celtic League

11/05/10

Tags: Human Rights, Travellers
Posted in News | No Comments »