Second EU Day against Impunity

Brussels, 23 May 2017

Today, hosted by the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU in Brussels, the second EU Day against Impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes was held, co-organised by the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the EU Network for investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes (the Genocide Network).

The event’s emphasis was on stepping up collective action and cooperation within the European Union when fighting impunity. In attendance were practitioners, representatives from international criminal courts and tribunals, Member States, European institutions, international organisations and NGOs, academics and lawyers. The opening speech was delivered by the Ambassador of the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union, H.E. Marlene Bonnici.

The opening speech was delivered by the Ambassador of the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union, H.E. Marlene Bonnici, who said: ‘The universal respect for human rights and the rule of law must be the bedrock in the fight against impunity. At the same time, we must continue to raise international awareness of the importance of prosecuting those who commit genocide and crimes against humanity to the fullest extent possible.’

In the keynote speech of the President of Eurojust, Ms Michèle Coninsx, she said: ‘Experience shows that fighting impunity for the most heinous international crimes requires close cooperation between States to close impunity gaps and bring criminals to justice. Eurojust is proud to have been entrusted with hosting and supporting the Genocide Network since its start, back in 2004. The network has contributed to successful prosecutions of perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture.’

The other keynote speech was delivered by the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Ms Věra Jourová, who said: ‘We cannot let crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide go unpunished. We have to put an end to impunity. The contributions by Eurojust and the Genocide Network are crucial to facilitate cooperation within the EU to better prosecute such crimes.’

Photo: © Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU



Second EU Day against Impunity

Brussels, 23 May 2017

Today, hosted by the Permanent Representation of Malta to the EU in Brussels, the second EU Day against Impunity for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes was held, co-organised by the Maltese Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the European Commission, and the EU Network for investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes (the Genocide Network).

The event’s emphasis was on stepping up collective action and cooperation within the European Union when fighting impunity. In attendance were practitioners, representatives from international criminal courts and tribunals, Member States, European institutions, international organisations and NGOs, academics and lawyers. The opening speech was delivered by the Ambassador of the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union, H.E. Marlene Bonnici.

The opening speech was delivered by the Ambassador of the Permanent Representation of Malta to the European Union, H.E. Marlene Bonnici, who said: ‘The universal respect for human rights and the rule of law must be the bedrock in the fight against impunity. At the same time, we must continue to raise international awareness of the importance of prosecuting those who commit genocide and crimes against humanity to the fullest extent possible.’

In the keynote speech of the President of Eurojust, Ms Michèle Coninsx, she said: ‘Experience shows that fighting impunity for the most heinous international crimes requires close cooperation between States to close impunity gaps and bring criminals to justice. Eurojust is proud to have been entrusted with hosting and supporting the Genocide Network since its start, back in 2004. The network has contributed to successful prosecutions of perpetrators of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and torture.’

The other keynote speech was delivered by the Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Ms Věra Jourová, who said: ‘We cannot let crimes against humanity, war crimes or genocide go unpunished. We have to put an end to impunity. The contributions by Eurojust and the Genocide Network are crucial to facilitate cooperation within the EU to better prosecute such crimes.’

Photo: © Maltese Presidency of the Council of the EU



Ruth’s Holyrood statement on Manchester attack

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23 May 2017

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson MSP speaking during First Minister's Questions held in the Scottish parliament, Edinburgh today. 09 June 2016. Pic - Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament

Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has made a statement to the Scottish Parliament following the Manchester terror attack.

She joined other party leaders at Holyrood in condemning the attack, and paying tribute to the victims, emergency services and people of the city.

The full text of the statement is below:

Presiding Officer, let me first associate myself and my party with every word of the First Minister’s statement.

We extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to all the families of those murdered last night.

Our prayers, too, are with those who, as we speak, are being treated in hospital. Many of them with injuries which are life threatening.

Today the terrible personal cost of last night’s outrage is becoming clear – as the names of those who died begin to emerge.

We know that many of those affected are young – children, teenagers and young people experiencing the thrill of a night out.

A carefree evening. Ripped apart by terror.

Leaving behind parents, family, friends – asking why someone they don’t know, and with whom they had no quarrel, decided last night to target their daughter, their grandson, their sister.

We simply cannot imagine their pain today.

Nor can we contemplate how someone could deliberately choose to target innocent children and young people.

It simply feels beyond our comprehension. There are no words.

But as the Prime Minister said earlier today – and as the First Minister has too  – we must try to find them.

We must repeat – that we will not be beaten by the twisted ideology of terrorism.

We must repeat – that we will not ourselves descend into hatred or rage.

We will repeat and repeat and repeat that we stand tall. We stand together. We respond to every act of terror that strikes our nation by shouting from the rooftops that our values, our freedoms cannot and will not be diminished.

Values shared by people of all religions in this country, and of none.

The values of tolerance, openness and respect for one another.

Values of common humanity, bravery and generosity.

Which saw hundreds of police, paramedics, doctors and nurses work through the night to respond to a situation they could never have conceived.

Of householders and taxi drivers opening their homes and offering lifts to help those affected.

And let us all in this Parliament extend our solidarity with the people of Manchester.

Who, like the people of Paris, of London, of Brussels, of Nice have responded with courage and decency in the face of cowardice and evil.

Manchester will now be added to the grim roll call of those cities across Europe to have been affected by this terrorism.

And like those other cities, it will first cry, then grieve, and then continue with spirit unbroken – showing that terrorism will never ever win.

First Minister, we are informed today that the terrorist threat level across the UK remains at severe. What further reassurances can you give people that our exceptional police, defence and security personnel are doing all they can to keep us safe?



First Minister’s statement to the Scottish Parliament on the attack on Manchester

Below is the statement given by the First Minister to the Scottish Parliament regarding the terrible events in Manchester. 



Asia/Oceania anti-doping conference closes in China

Government representatives from Asia and Oceania have gathered in east China’s Hangzhou to discuss ways to boost international cooperation on anti-doping in sports.

More than 80 people from over 20 countries in the Asian and Oceanian region and relevant international organizations, such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), attended the 14th Asia/Oceania Region Intergovernmental Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport, which took place at the Zhejiang provincial capital on May 22 and 23.

Addressing the opening of the two-day meeting, Li Yingchuan, deputy minister of the State General Administration of Sport of China, stressed that the Chinese government has always adopted “zero tolerance” policy towards doping and pledged to strengthen collaboration with relevant parties including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other Asian/Oceanian countries in the fight against doping.

WADA officials introduced its future work plan at the meeting, and the participants exchanged opinions on enhancing cooperation.

Officials from Hangzhou municipal government also briefed the delegates on the city’s preparations for the 2022 Asian Games.