Day: February 16, 2024

ISTANBUL: North Korea slammed the US special envoy for North Korean human rights issues Thursday with harshly worded insults, saying she is yet another tool to interfere in the internal affairs of nation states. Reacting to her Asia visit, Pyongyang said that 'by doing so, Julie Turner has proved herself to be number one in implementing the current US administration's illegal policy hostile to the DPRK,' state media reported. The DPRK, or Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is the official name of North Korea. According to the US State Department, Turner is on an official trip to Japan and South Korea until Feb. 22. The trip marks the 10th anniversary of the final release of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in North Korea. Turner was scheduled to meet with government representatives in Tokyo and Seoul as well as North Korean defectors. Reacting to Turner's past statements, the Korea Association for Human Rights Studies said in Pyongyang: 'Such rubbish let out by her…is nothing but ( bulls**t) by a human rights strangler and apostle of aggression embodying the chronic evil habit of the US (which is) accustomed to meddle in the internal affairs of sovereign states and speak ill of them.' It said the "human rights conspiratorial racket is the primary tool of aggression and political 'WMD' (weapons of mass destruction) for the US to interfere in the internal affairs of independent and sovereign states and bring down their social systems.' 'Human rights represent national rights, and national rights just mean sovereignty,' the association added. The COI was released in 2014, which held the North Korean government responsible for "widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights.' Source: Anadolu Agency

ISTANBUL: North Korea slammed the US special envoy for North Korean human rights issues Thursday with harshly worded insults, saying she is yet another tool to interfere in the internal affairs of nation states. Reacting to her Asia visit, Pyongyang said that 'by doing so, Julie Turner has proved herself to be number one in implementing the current US administration's illegal policy hostile to the DPRK,' state media reported. The DPRK, or Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is the official name of North Korea. According to the US State Department, Turner is on an official trip to Japan and South Korea until Feb. 22. The trip marks the 10th anniversary of the final release of the UN Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights in North Korea. Turner was scheduled to meet with government representatives in Tokyo and Seoul as well as North Korean defectors. Reacting to Turner's past statements, the Korea Association for Human Rights Studies said in Pyongyang: 'Such rubbish let out by her…is nothing but ( bulls**t) by a human rights strangler and apostle of aggression embodying the chronic evil habit of the US (which is) accustomed to meddle in the internal affairs of sovereign states and speak ill of them.' It said the "human rights conspiratorial racket is the primary tool of aggression and political 'WMD' (weapons of mass destruction) for the US to interfere in the internal affairs of independent and sovereign states and bring down their social systems.' 'Human rights represent national rights, and national rights just mean sovereignty,' the association added. The COI was released in 2014, which held the North Korean government responsible for "widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights.' Source: Anadolu Agency

Sport has the power to bring people together and promote the values of cooperation and peace. That was the main message of an event entitled 'Olympism for Peace', held under the auspices of the French Embassy in Cyprus at the Olympic House in Nicosia, in recognition of the Winds of Change bicommunal sailing project. In her opening speech, Ambassador of France in Cyprus Salina Grenet-Catalano said that the Winds of Change project is an inspiring example of the ability of sport to bring together and mobilize people to share values of unity and equality. She added that following the tradition of Olympic truce since Greek antiquity, France submitted last November a draft resolution for Olympic truce to the UN General Assembly, which was adopted with a very large majority and highlighted the principles of universality, non-discrimination, equality and autonomy of sport, aiming at preventing political fragmentation and making the Olympic games a symbol of global unity, so that sport can foster dialogue. She add ed that these values are essential in today's world where autocratic powers and extremism threaten the world order and democratic principles, at a time when Europe experiences a level of aggression, unseen since World War II, and a destructive conflict takes place a few miles from Cyprus in Gaza. 'Against these forces of hatred, violence and division, promoting the values of sport, peace and reconciliation is a duty more sacred than ever. That is why initiatives such as the Winds of Change project, driven by young people, should be highlighted and France will always be supportive to such initiatives' French Ambassador concluded. For her part, House Speaker Annita Demetriou said that the project sends an important message of unity, equality, peaceful settlement and the necessity to establish a safer and more prosperous future for Cyprus. She added that the project is a testament of the power of sport in fostering mutual understanding and sending messages to both communities of the island about the 'common u nlimited potential that can only be achieved through peace and cooperation'. 'The participation of members from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities symbolises the unity that should be and can be achieved through shared goals' Demetriou stressed, adding that their journey symbolises peace, prosperity and unity for a better future for all. Colin Stewart, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus, said that such events can bring communities together, adding that the Winds of Change initiative was not only valuable as an example of cooperation and sports' spirit, but it also symbolically represented the fact that Cypriots want a future, and this will have to be achieved by working together. He also said that the UN has recognized the importance of sports for peace and it does whatever it can in Cyprus to support and promote bicommunal activities as a way to create conditions that will lead to a solution, noting the importance of sport for building bridges between people. Nico sia Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis said in his address that sport has long been recognised for its ability to bring together people of different backgrounds, adding that it took a group of young people to remind us of the epitome of the Olympic spirit, friendship and peace. 'These values and hope sailed with you all around Cyprus, creating an image of a free and united Cyprus, which we hope to see soon', he added. Finally, Mayor of occupied Nicosia Mehmet Harmanci said that the project inspires us all to never step back on our goals, while, highlighting sports' contribution to peacebuilding efforts, he cited the example of the latest Cyprus Rally stage in Nicosia where racing cars drove through the buffer zone checkpoints for the first time and proposed the common organisation of a marathon race in Nicosia. Subsequently, Winds of Change Founder Sophia Papamichalopoulos presented the main milestones of the project and participation certificates were awarded to the project's ambassadors. The event concluded with a panel discussion on 'Olympism for Peace and the way forward', with the participation of representatives from the International Olympic Committee and the academia, as well as former Olympians. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Sport has the power to bring people together and promote the values of cooperation and peace. That was the main message of an event entitled 'Olympism for Peace', held under the auspices of the French Embassy in Cyprus at the Olympic House in Nicosia, in recognition of the Winds of Change bicommunal sailing project. In her opening speech, Ambassador of France in Cyprus Salina Grenet-Catalano said that the Winds of Change project is an inspiring example of the ability of sport to bring together and mobilize people to share values of unity and equality. She added that following the tradition of Olympic truce since Greek antiquity, France submitted last November a draft resolution for Olympic truce to the UN General Assembly, which was adopted with a very large majority and highlighted the principles of universality, non-discrimination, equality and autonomy of sport, aiming at preventing political fragmentation and making the Olympic games a symbol of global unity, so that sport can foster dialogue. She add ed that these values are essential in today's world where autocratic powers and extremism threaten the world order and democratic principles, at a time when Europe experiences a level of aggression, unseen since World War II, and a destructive conflict takes place a few miles from Cyprus in Gaza. 'Against these forces of hatred, violence and division, promoting the values of sport, peace and reconciliation is a duty more sacred than ever. That is why initiatives such as the Winds of Change project, driven by young people, should be highlighted and France will always be supportive to such initiatives' French Ambassador concluded. For her part, House Speaker Annita Demetriou said that the project sends an important message of unity, equality, peaceful settlement and the necessity to establish a safer and more prosperous future for Cyprus. She added that the project is a testament of the power of sport in fostering mutual understanding and sending messages to both communities of the island about the 'common u nlimited potential that can only be achieved through peace and cooperation'. 'The participation of members from both Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities symbolises the unity that should be and can be achieved through shared goals' Demetriou stressed, adding that their journey symbolises peace, prosperity and unity for a better future for all. Colin Stewart, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in Cyprus, said that such events can bring communities together, adding that the Winds of Change initiative was not only valuable as an example of cooperation and sports' spirit, but it also symbolically represented the fact that Cypriots want a future, and this will have to be achieved by working together. He also said that the UN has recognized the importance of sports for peace and it does whatever it can in Cyprus to support and promote bicommunal activities as a way to create conditions that will lead to a solution, noting the importance of sport for building bridges between people. Nico sia Mayor Constantinos Yiorkadjis said in his address that sport has long been recognised for its ability to bring together people of different backgrounds, adding that it took a group of young people to remind us of the epitome of the Olympic spirit, friendship and peace. 'These values and hope sailed with you all around Cyprus, creating an image of a free and united Cyprus, which we hope to see soon', he added. Finally, Mayor of occupied Nicosia Mehmet Harmanci said that the project inspires us all to never step back on our goals, while, highlighting sports' contribution to peacebuilding efforts, he cited the example of the latest Cyprus Rally stage in Nicosia where racing cars drove through the buffer zone checkpoints for the first time and proposed the common organisation of a marathon race in Nicosia. Subsequently, Winds of Change Founder Sophia Papamichalopoulos presented the main milestones of the project and participation certificates were awarded to the project's ambassadors. The event concluded with a panel discussion on 'Olympism for Peace and the way forward', with the participation of representatives from the International Olympic Committee and the academia, as well as former Olympians. Source: Cyprus News Agency

Excavations are currently carried out by the Committee on missing persons (CMP) at seven sites in the areas under control of the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied areas to locate remains of missing Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus News Agency has learned from the office of the Greek Cypriot member in CMP that one unit is carrying out excavations in occupied Nicosia, in the wider area of the Central Prisons department. In 2015, two graves were located with the remains of a total of 30 people who were identified and returned to their beloved. There is information about a third grave and work is being done there. But there are difficulties in the excavations as the area has changed and new buildings were constructed since 1974. The information says that soldiers are buried there from the Nicosia area. In occupied Karavas, a well is being excavated but no remains were found and CMP's forensic unit will be move to another area in the occupied Lapithos. An excavation effort in Kythrea yielded no results. Efforts are continuing with another unit in Aloa. An exhumation was carried out there and remains of 31 people were found in the past, but now work continues. In the occupied Trachonas, efforts are also continuing and so far, remains of one individual were located. Archeologists are carrying out excavations in Lapithos since December 2023 when a bone fragment was discovered. In the Republic of Cyprus one unit is conducting excavations in the area of Kalavasos, specifically in two wells where there is information about missing Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown. A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning to their relatives the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots, who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963-1964 and in 1974. According to statistical data published on the CMP website by December 31, 2023, out of 2002 missing persons 1,228 were exhumed and 1,044 were identified. Out of 1510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 751 were identified and 759 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons 293 were identified and 199 are still missing. Source: Cyprus News Agency ANKARA: The EU's head of foreign policy urged the Israeli government Friday not to take military action on Rafah city in southern Gaza, where over 1 million uprooted Palestinians have sought refuge from relentless attacks by Tel Aviv. "The European Union is very concerned about Israeli government plans for a possible ground operation in Rafah, where well over a million Palestinians are currently sheltering from the fighting," Josep Borrell said in an official statement. While reiterating "the right of Israel to defend itself," Borrell said Brussels "asks the Israeli Government not to take military action in Rafah that would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the urgently needed provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance." He called on Tel Aviv to ensure the protection of all civilians in line with international humanitarian law, and to respect the Jan. 26 order of the International Court of Justice, which he noted is legally binding. Israel stands accused of gen ocide at the ICJ, which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Borrell also called on Palestinian group Hamas to release all hostages in Gaza. Since a cross-border incursion by Hamas on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, the Israeli offensive into Gaza has killed more than 28,600 people and caused mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Despite international outcry, Israel plans a ground invasion of Rafah, which holds about 1.4 million refugees. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "fight until complete victory and this includes a powerful action in Rafah." Source: Anadolu Agency

Excavations are currently carried out by the Committee on missing persons (CMP) at seven sites in the areas under control of the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied areas to locate remains of missing Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus News Agency has learned from the office of the Greek Cypriot member in CMP that one unit is carrying out excavations in occupied Nicosia, in the wider area of the Central Prisons department. In 2015, two graves were located with the remains of a total of 30 people who were identified and returned to their beloved. There is information about a third grave and work is being done there. But there are difficulties in the excavations as the area has changed and new buildings were constructed since 1974. The information says that soldiers are buried there from the Nicosia area. In occupied Karavas, a well is being excavated but no remains were found and CMP's forensic unit will be move to another area in the occupied Lapithos. An excavation effort in Kythrea yielded no results. Efforts are continuing with another unit in Aloa. An exhumation was carried out there and remains of 31 people were found in the past, but now work continues. In the occupied Trachonas, efforts are also continuing and so far, remains of one individual were located. Archeologists are carrying out excavations in Lapithos since December 2023 when a bone fragment was discovered. In the Republic of Cyprus one unit is conducting excavations in the area of Kalavasos, specifically in two wells where there is information about missing Turkish Cypriots. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkish troops invaded and occupied 37% of its territory. Since then, the fate of hundreds of people remains unknown. A Committee on Missing Persons has been established, upon agreement between the leaders of the two communities, with the scope of exhuming, identifying and returning to their relatives the remains of 492 Turkish Cypriots and 1,510 Greek Cypriots, who went missing during the inter-communal fighting of 1963-1964 and in 1974. According to statistical data published on the CMP website by December 31, 2023, out of 2002 missing persons 1,228 were exhumed and 1,044 were identified. Out of 1510 Greek Cypriot missing persons 751 were identified and 759 are still missing. Out of 492 Turkish Cypriot missing persons 293 were identified and 199 are still missing. Source: Cyprus News Agency ANKARA: The EU's head of foreign policy urged the Israeli government Friday not to take military action on Rafah city in southern Gaza, where over 1 million uprooted Palestinians have sought refuge from relentless attacks by Tel Aviv. "The European Union is very concerned about Israeli government plans for a possible ground operation in Rafah, where well over a million Palestinians are currently sheltering from the fighting," Josep Borrell said in an official statement. While reiterating "the right of Israel to defend itself," Borrell said Brussels "asks the Israeli Government not to take military action in Rafah that would worsen an already catastrophic humanitarian situation and prevent the urgently needed provision of basic services and humanitarian assistance." He called on Tel Aviv to ensure the protection of all civilians in line with international humanitarian law, and to respect the Jan. 26 order of the International Court of Justice, which he noted is legally binding. Israel stands accused of gen ocide at the ICJ, which in an interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza. Borrell also called on Palestinian group Hamas to release all hostages in Gaza. Since a cross-border incursion by Hamas on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, the Israeli offensive into Gaza has killed more than 28,600 people and caused mass destruction and shortages of necessities. The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN. Despite international outcry, Israel plans a ground invasion of Rafah, which holds about 1.4 million refugees. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to "fight until complete victory and this includes a powerful action in Rafah." Source: Anadolu Agency