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  • MIL-OSI Europe: REPORT containing a motion for a non-legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Implementing Protocol (2025-2030) to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark – A10-0103/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT NON-LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

    on the proposal for a Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Implementing Protocol (2025-2030) to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark

    (COM(2024)0479 – C10‑0227/2024 – 2024/0263M(NLE))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union, on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other (2025-2030) (14652/2024),

    – having regard to the Protocol on the implementation of the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union, on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other (2025-2030) (14781/2024),

    – having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 43(2) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C10‑0227/2024),

    – having regard to the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) between the European Union on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark on the other hand, and the Implementing Protocol thereto,

    – having regard to Article 62 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,

    – having regard to the Convention of the North-East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC),

    – having regard to the Convention of the North-West Atlantic Fisheries Organisation (NAFO),

    – having regard to the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR),

    – having regard to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,

    – having regard to the Agreement to prevent unregulated high seas fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean,

    – having regard to Protocol No 34 to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on special arrangements for Greenland,

    – having regard to the Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations,

    – having regard to the EU Competitiveness Compass,

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, and in particular Articles 29 and 31 thereof[1],

    – having regard to Regulation (EU) 2017/2403 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017 on the sustainable management of external fishing fleets, and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1006/2008[2],

    – having regard to Council Decision (EU) No 2021/1764 of 5 October 2021 on the association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union including relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other (Decision on the Overseas Association, including Greenland)[3],

    – having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 13 October 2021 entitled ‘A stronger EU engagement for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic’ (JOIN(2021)0027),

    – having regard to the ex ante and ex post evaluation study of the 2021-2024 protocol and of a possible new implementing protocol to the SFPA between the European Union and Greenland,

    – having regard to EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030,

    – having regard to the Commission communication of 19 February 2025 entitled ‘A Vision for Agriculture and Food – Shaping together an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations’ (COM(2025)0075),

    – having regard to the joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 24 June 2022 entitled ‘Setting the course for a sustainable blue planet – Joint Communication on the EU’s International Ocean Governance agenda’ (JOIN(2022)0028),

    – having regard to its non-legislative resolution of 5 October 2021 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of a Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union, on the one hand, and the Government of Greenland and the Government of Denmark, on the other hand, and the Implementing Protocol thereto[4],

    – having regard to the reports of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) entitled ‘Greenland Sea Ecosystem Overview’ of 2023, and ‘Greenland Sea Ecoregion – Fisheries Overview’ of 2024,

    – having regard to its legislative resolution of …[5] on the draft decision,

    – having regard to Rule 107(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

    – having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A10-0103/2025),

    A. whereas Greenland, as an autonomous territory, is responsible for managing its fisheries resources and regulating commercial fishing in Greenland and its exclusive economic zone, and for regulating who is allowed to fish in its waters;

    B. whereas Greenland’s fisheries comprise coastal fisheries and deep-sea fisheries;

    C. whereas 88 % of Greenland’s population identifies as Greenlandic Inuit;

    D. whereas small-scale coastal fisheries and subsistence fisheries form an integral part of the traditional culture, economy and social structure of Greenland’s coastal communities and of the Greenlandic Inuit people, providing both livelihoods, in particular for isolated settlements, and cultural heritage;

    E. whereas inshore fisheries are key to ensuring food security in Greenland and contribute to addressing social challenges;

    F. whereas the SFPA between the EU and Greenland is the second most significant fisheries agreement for the EU in financial terms; whereas, according to the findings and conclusions of the ex post evaluation, the SFPA and the Protocol thereto have significantly contributed to Greenland’s fisheries policy, in particular by enhancing cooperation and collaboration and supporting sustainable fisheries management, thus creating a mutually beneficial arrangement between the EU and Greenland;

    G. whereas the EU-Greenland SFPA and the EU-Norway agreement are closely interlinked, with the EU exchanging fishing opportunities in Greenland for access to Norwegian waters; whereas in recent years, following the exchange of quotas with Norway, fishing opportunities have been granted to around 10 Community vessels under the Protocol;

    H. whereas the EU maintains a close relationship with Greenland, including through the fisheries partnership agreement that has been in place since 1984; whereas Greenland is the overseas country and territory (OCT) that receives the most EU funding by far; whereas EU support to Greenland for the period from 2021 to 2027 comes to EUR 225 million, which is equivalent to the total amount received by the other 12 OCTs combined;

    I. whereas, according to scientists, the Arctic region is warming up almost four times faster than the rest of the world, with rapid increases in ice melt and implications for fish populations, marine ecosystems and coastal communities, as well as for the fishing industry and the livelihoods of fishers, which depend on Arctic waters;

    J. whereas healthy fish populations and marine ecosystems are crucial for resilience to the growing effects of climate change and for guaranteeing the future of coastal fishing communities;

    K. whereas the accelerating pace of global warming in the region underscores the urgent need for coordinated global action, including in fisheries;

    L. whereas Greenland efficiently manages fishing activities within its EEZ, with the Greenland Fisheries and Hunting Control Authority (GFJK) responsible for registering and monitoring both domestic and foreign catches and landings and for ensuring compliance with international control and enforcement agreements, while also facilitating daily data exchanges with the countries that have fisheries agreements with Greenland;

    M. whereas the evaluation of the previous protocol reveals that overfishing can be ruled out with certainty for only five of the fifteen stocks exploited under the Protocol, but that there is a lack of scientific data for some of the stocks, and four of them are regarded as still overexploited;

    N. whereas fishing opportunities are established by a joint committee on the basis of the best available scientific advice and the recommendations made by NAFO, NEAFC and ICES;

    O. whereas fisheries are a crucial economic sector for Greenland, providing a livelihood for many; whereas it is essential to ensure that fishing practices do not harm marine ecosystems, particularly given that according to ICES, the greatest physical disturbance of the seabed and benthic habitats in the Greenland Sea ecoregion is caused by mobile bottom-contacting fishing gear and there is a considerable overlap between the distribution of corals, sponges and sea pens and the areas trawled[6]; whereas to safeguard both the marine environment and the future of fisheries, it is vital that all forms of trawling are conducted in a manner that minimises damage to the seabed; whereas according to the ex post and ex ante evaluation study, the management measures applicable to EU vessels operating in Greenland, and the risk levels of EU vessels having negative impacts on ecosystems, mean that bycatch levels and impacts on ecosystems are minimal;

     

    P. whereas ICES also points out that other activities causing marine pollution, marine litter or underwater noise, as well as climate change, are having an impact on the marine ecosystems and upsetting the balance of the ecoregion;

    Q. whereas the European Union and Greenland, on behalf of Denmark, hold seats on NEAFC and NAFO;

    Context and general principles of the SFPA

    1. Notes the importance of the fisheries sector for Greenland, given that seafood exports account for over 90 % of the autonomous territory’s total exports, and that fishing and the fishing industry together account for 15 % of all jobs; highlights the great professionalism of Greenlandic people in the fishing sector and their extensive knowledge, skills and experience in fisheries management and maritime operations; notes that their deep-rooted expertise reflects a strong commitment to maintaining the economic and cultural significance of fisheries in Greenland; stresses that the share of Greenlandic total allowable catches (TACs) allocated to the EU under the Protocol is relatively small;

    2. Recalls Greenland’s geostrategic position within the Arctic region; underlines the importance of the SFPA for relations between the European Union and Greenland in the current geopolitical context, particularly in the light of the recent diplomatic and geopolitical tensions caused by the new US Government, but also given the reality of the climate crisis and its impact on the region;

    3. Highlights the importance of using the SFPA as a key framework for addressing common challenges such as the climate crisis and geopolitical, security and preparedness concerns, for promoting sustainable fisheries policy, scientific cooperation and environmental resilience in Arctic waters, and for fostering economic cooperation; points out the need to strengthen the EU’s Arctic policy and its cooperation with the Government of Greenland;

    4. Underlines that, while guaranteeing fishing opportunities for the EU fleet, the SFPA should contribute to the exploitation of fisheries resources within sustainable limits and the preservation of marine biodiversity in Greenland’s waters, in line with the standards laid down by the European Union and international forums such as regional fisheries management organisations, in order to achieve economic, social and environmental benefits; recalls that EU vessels are to fish only the available surplus, as established in Article 3 of the SFPA;

    5. Highlights that the agreement has provided benefits to both parties, including EU and Greenlandic stakeholders, particularly in terms of sustainability, transparency, equity, scientific research, capacity-building and national development;

    6. Points out that the sectoral support available under the Protocol will help the Government of Greenland to implement its national fisheries and maritime economy strategy, including in the fight against illegal, unreported and undeclared (IUU) fishing, while promoting decent working conditions for fishing activity;

    7. Notes that the new Protocol has been concluded for a term of six years, which means improved visibility for stakeholders, in particular the fisheries sector;

    8. Notes the increase in the total financial contribution paid by the European Union and the fees paid by fishing operators, which ensure that Greenland receives economic benefits from access rights to its waters and that EU vessels operate under regulated and monitored conditions, reducing risks of overfishing or environmental damage;

    9. Underlines the high value of the SFPA and that every EUR 1 invested from the EU budget in the compensation payment for access supports the creation of EUR 6.88 of added value, with EUR 4.32 for the EU and EUR 2.12 for Greenland;

    Sustainability of fisheries under the SFPA

    10. Welcomes the robust monitoring system, the comprehensive framework for managing bycatch and the ban on discards that apply in Greenland waters; considers positively the effort made in terms of controls of fishing operations and the presence of observers in these activities, to which the sectoral support provided under the SFPA has contributed; highlights that all catches, including bycatches and discards, must be recorded and reported by species according to the applicable Greenlandic legislation; acknowledges the fundamental role of observers in ensuring compliance with the applicable rules, contributing to transparency and supporting sustainable fisheries management in the region;

    11. Reaffirms its concerns regarding the lack of precise scientific data about the state of fish stocks, which are assessed with limited data or using a precautionary approach; regrets, in particular, the situation of the Northern prawn, targeted by both Greenland vessels and Community vessels (which account for a more marginal share); notes, in this respect, the positive step taken by reducing indicative annual fishing opportunities for several fish stocks on the basis of the available scientific data;

    12. Remains concerned by the exploitation of the Northern prawn, particularly in certain areas of West Greenland, where stocks have shown signs of decline as a result of fishing pressure, global warming and increased predation by cod; emphasises the importance of strengthening sustainable management measures, including adjusting catch quotas on the basis of scientific recommendations from ICES and NAFO, and of improving fishing practices to reduce bycatch and preserve the marine ecosystem; calls on the Commission to enhance cooperation with the Greenlandic authorities to ensure a sustainable and balanced exploitation of this resource, which is essential to the local economy;

    13. Reiterates that, on the basis of the SFPA, the Commission and Greenland should continue to apply a precautionary approach and use the best available scientific advice, including the scientific recommendations issued by the relevant regional fisheries management organisations, as a basis for setting annual fishing opportunities, while also taking into consideration the socio-economic aspects;

    14. Notes that a considerable share of the fishing opportunities granted to the European Union by Greenland go to Norwegian vessels in connection with the exchange of quotas; recalls that the same sustainability standards and fisheries control rules followed by EU vessels must apply to Norwegian vessels in order to ensure that they are treated equally;

    Improvement of scientific advice and data collection

    15. Recalls that reliable and robust data is required to calculate the available surplus; reiterates its concerns regarding the existing gaps for some stocks; recommends, in this regard, that particular attention be given to calculating available surpluses; welcomes the efforts of the fisheries sector to cooperate with scientific monitoring and data collection and invites the Commission to step up scientific and financial cooperation with Greenland, including, for instance, by continuing to support the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources;

    16. Underlines the limited availability of data about benthic habitats in the Greenland Sea ecoregion, such as habitats that could potentially be considered vulnerable marine ecosystems; stresses the need to obtain more comprehensive scientific data in order to map these habitats, to adopt appropriate measures, particularly technical and spatial measures aimed at mitigating the impact of fisheries on these ecosystems, and to encourage the reporting of encounters with vulnerable marine ecosystem species (VMEs) by vessels; invites the Greenlandic authorities to consider dedicating a share of sectoral support to consolidating the mapping and detection of VMEs;

    17. Recalls that use of vessel monitoring systems is crucial for monitoring fishing activities, as it allows the real-time tracking of fishing vessels, thus making it possible to monitor compliance with the applicable rules, including in sensitive marine areas;

    18. Calls on the Commission and on Greenland to provide a further assessment of the impacts on fish stocks of other activities affecting the ecosystems, such as maritime transport, seismological research, pollution and climate change;

    Support for fisheries policy in Greenland

    19. Notes that the SFPA has generated employment opportunities for Greenlandic nationals and that sectoral support is being implemented effectively, providing significant environmental, social and economic benefits to Greenland; underlines, nevertheless, the small share of landings carried out by the EU fleet in Greenland and the limited number of seafarers from Greenland signed on with EU vessels (five, according to the evaluation of the previous agreement, accounting for 2.5 % of total jobs);

    20. Recalls, in this regard, the limited number of EU vessels fishing in Greenland under the Protocol (8-10 vessels), and notes that the majority do not land in or visit Greenlandic ports; encourages operators to maintain good cooperation and further enhance employment opportunities; highlights that according to the ex ante and ex post evaluation study, there has been no reciprocal interest in establishing joint enterprises/ventures given the priorities of the private sector in Greenland and in EU Member States;

    21. Considers that the indirect added value delivered to Greenland’s economy by the Protocol has the potential to be higher than with previous protocols; believes that the goal is to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement for the EU and Greenland, and for Greenland to derive an overall benefit from such agreements through the sustainable development of fisheries and auxiliary sectors in Greenland, which will have a lasting positive impact on the local economy;

    22. Points out that resources for sectoral support under the previous protocol helped to strengthen Greenland’s scientific research and administrative capacity and contributed to better ocean governance in Greenland;

    23. Stresses the importance, for both sides, of respecting all the relevant international commitments when implementing the Protocol, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

    24. Welcomes, too, the fact that a significant share of the sectoral support paid under the previous protocol was used to step up the monitoring of fisheries, scientific research and data collection, administration and support for small-scale coastal fisheries;

    25. Encourages the Commission and Greenland, within the framework of the SFPA, to provide further support to Greenland’s small-scale coastal fisheries, in line with the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries and the priorities and needs of the Greenlandic authorities;

    26. Considers that sectoral support can contribute to securing the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities through such measures as, but not limited to, access to training, support for co-management in coastal areas or measures to adapt fishing activities to climate change and improve data, including data about their fishing effort;

    27. Supports the appropriate inclusion of Greenland’s fishing communities and civil society throughout the process leading to the adoption of the protocols, and stresses the importance of helping to ensure their participation in the implementation of the SFPA;

    28. Highlights that EU vessels fish beyond 12 nautical miles from the baseline of Greenland, which prevents competition with small-scale coastal fisheries;

    29. Encourages both parties to facilitate the exchange of best practices in arrangements for access to and preservation of fisheries resources;

    30. Notes Greenland’s willingness to develop its fisheries sector further; takes note of the recent reform of its fisheries legislation; highlights that the SFPA can support the continued development of Greenland’s fisheries policy; notes that this policy includes elements such as ensuring the long-term health and productivity of Greenland’s marine ecosystems and the distribution of fishing resources, including for coastal fisheries communities; recalls that Greenlandic lawmakers have exclusive competence for such developments;

    Regional governance of fisheries and challenges for the Arctic

    31. Underscores the importance of repositioning the fisheries agreement in the broader context of post-Brexit fisheries governance and regional fisheries management, relations between the European Union and Norway, and other coastal states, in the area of fisheries and the European Union’s policy on the Arctic; stresses the critical need to maintain a strong and productive partnership with Greenland and its Nordic neighbours;

    32. Encourages Greenland to continue strengthening its already strong transparency and cooperation within the framework of regional fisheries management organisations and agreements between coastal states for the management of certain stocks;

    33. Calls on the Commission to further utilise the opportunities that the Commission office in Nuuk provides, especially in terms of strengthening cooperation with the Greenlandic Government;

    34. Recalls the joint communication of 13 October 2021 entitled ‘A stronger EU engagement for a peaceful, sustainable and prosperous Arctic’;

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    35. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of Greenland.

    EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

    At the end of 2024, Greenland and the European Union signed a new Protocol implementing the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) (2025-2030). This is a mixed agreement that allows the European Union’s vessels to fish species such as cod, Greenland halibut, redfish and Northern prawn. In return, the European Union pays a financial contribution of EUR 17,296,857 per annum, comprising EUR 14,096,857 for access rights and EUR 3,200,000 for support and implementation of Greenland’s fisheries policy, plus the fees paid by vessel owners. In recent years, the fisheries agreement has allowed around 10 of the European Union’s vessels to operate in the autonomous territory’s waters. The new Protocol provides details of the rules and provisions governing this access.

     

    Fisheries in Greenland

     

    The fisheries sector is of central importance for Greenland in socio-economic and cultural terms. It accounts for 15% of the territory’s jobs and over 90% of its exports. Coastal fisheries mainly involve small vessels (dinghies), and sustain an economy and local jobs. Many remote Inuit communities rely on subsistence fishing. The territory also has a highly developed deep-sea fishing fleet, and has concluded fisheries agreements that allow foreign vessels to fish in the deep-sea fishing area. Greenland’s fisheries are suffering the effects of climate change on a vulnerable Arctic marine environment, with particular impacts on the species caught. Greenland has put measures in place to limit the impact of fisheries on the marine environment; these include a ban on discards, a plan for the management of bycatch etc.

     

    New Protocol implementing the SFPA

     

    The new Protocol that has been signed has a term of six years, providing stability and visibility for stakeholders. It contains provisions aimed at providing a framework for access to waters by European vessels and cooperation with Greenland: fishing opportunities, bycatch, scientific cooperation, monitoring, controls, surveillance, fishing areas, observers etc.

     

    A specific characteristic of the agreement is that catches are regulated on the basis of fishing opportunities that are set annually. Your rapporteur is concerned about the fact that, according to the ex-post evaluation, the TACs for several of the targeted species exceed the limits set on the basis of scientific advice. These proven cases of overfishing, or of uncertainty owing to a lack of data, pose a threat to fish populations and the sustainability of fisheries, as in the case of the Northern prawn. Several indicative fishing opportunities have been reduced. The second noteworthy point is linked to the need for additional data regarding the targeted species and marine ecosystems.

     

    The programming of sectoral support will be adopted in the three months following the application of the Protocol. The sectoral support allocated in recent years has made it possible to support research and scientific assessments, the administration of Greenland’s fisheries, controls and also small-scale coastal fisheries. This is assessed positively in the evaluation of the last Protocol.

     

    Findings and recommendations 

     

    In the context of current diplomatic tensions with the United States and the climate crisis in the Arctic, your rapporteur recalls the importance of the SFPA and relations between Greenland and the European Union in the area of fisheries. Through its sectoral support, the fisheries agreement offers assistance that is welcomed by the authorities and a number of civil society actors in Greenland. Positive developments include the increase in the financial contribution paid by the European Union, in the amount of sectoral support and in the fees paid by vessel owners.

     

    Your rapporteur invites the European Union to provide increased support to coastal fishing communities, with respect for the rights of the indigenous peoples and the FAO’s Guidelines for Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries. It is advisable to ensure that these peoples, as well as NGOs, are involved in the agreement. Another positive development is the European Union’s support in areas such as controls, the fight against IUU fishing, the collection of data and scientific research.

    Your rapporteur underlines the environmental challenges associated with the agreement. As already requested by Parliament in 2021, it is essential to continue efforts in relation to data collection and the fight against overfishing, by following the scientific advice for setting TACs in Greenland and allocating annual fishing opportunities to the European Union. Even though it fishes smaller quantities, the European Union must follow the precautionary principle. The definition of the surplus is controversial in certain cases. The fishing carried out by the European Union’s vessels furthermore has an impact on seabed ecosystems and the emphasis must be on identifying and protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems, with the sector’s help.

     

    Finally, your rapporteur asks for this fisheries agreement to be repositioned in the context of regional fisheries governance. Quota exchanges mean that post-Brexit relations with coastal countries, including Norway, are closely linked to the agreement. The European Union and Greenland must strengthen cooperation and transparency within the RFMOs and the agreements between coastal states. More broadly, the European Union must do more to protect species and the marine environment in the Arctic.

     

     

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Recruitment of children and adolescents by armed groups in Colombia – E-001758/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Fighting the recruitment of minors in armed conflicts remains among key EU’s priorities, in line with the 2003 Guidelines on Children and Armed Conflict, as updated in 2024[1],[2]. The EU regularly raises the issue of child and forced recruitment in Colombia in its bilateral dialogues as well as in multilateral fora[3].

    As part of the Group of Friends of United Nations Resolution 1612, the EU supports numerous projects on children and armed conflict in Colombia.

    An example is ‘Entornos protectores’, a project focused on providing guarantees and opportunities for children and adolescents at risk of recruitment/use by armed actors.

    This includes culturally sensitive education programmes, psychosocial support, and community-based early warning systems developed in collaboration with local leaders to prevent recruitment, particularly for indigenous communities and girls.

    The EU also supports disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes to rehabilitate former child recruits, providing vocational training and reintegration support in a conflict sensitive way.

    The EU continues to support human rights defenders in Colombia — including those focused on the rights of the child and on child recruitment — through different means such as the EU Protect Defenders Mechanism[4].

    The EU Delegation in Colombia is currently implementing human rights and civil society projects for a total budget of EUR 9 239 032. It is also expanding its partnerships with local actors to strengthen community-led conflict and recruitment prevention efforts.

    • [1] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2024/06/24/children-and-armed-conflicts-council-updates-eu-guidelines-and-approves-conclusions/.
    • [2] https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/2025/02/joint-statement-by-eeas-secretary-general-srsg-for-children-and-armed-conflict-on-the-international-day-against-the-use-of-child-soldiers/.
    • [3] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/un-new-york/eu-statement-%E2%80%93-un-peacebuilding-commission-ambassadorial-meeting-colombia_en.
    • [4] https://protectdefenders.eu/.
    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Murder of indigenous guards and ancestral wise men in Colombia – E-001750/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The rights of indigenous peoples are an integral part of the EU external human rights policy, as per the Council Conclusions on Indigenous Peoples of May 2017[1].

    The EU is committed to supporting indigenous peoples and their ancestral authorities as part of its human rights and peacebuilding strategy in Colombia, including in its dialogues with national authorities and through concrete action.

    Several EU-financed projects — including those within the framework of the #DefendamosLaVida campaign — are focused on the protection and empowerment of human rights defenders and social leaders in Colombia.

    Special attention is always placed on indigenous community territories, working closely with their organisations to strengthen their collective protection mechanisms.

    The EU Delegation in Colombia is currently implementing human rights and civil society projects for a total budget of EUR 9 239 032.

    The EU has made numerous public declarations[2] supporting the work of indigenous communities and demanding measures to protect them.

    These declarations also increase public awareness and contribute to reducing security risks. During the 15th EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue, the EU stressed the importance of recognising and respecting indigenous peoples’ self-governance and territorial autonomy as a key contribution to peacebuilding.

    • [1] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-8814-2017-INIT/en/pdf.
    • [2] https://x.com/GBertrand_UE/status/1897359034065559625, https://x.com/UEenColombia/status/1864416363164450838.
    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Case number SA.104638 – E-001536/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    As a matter of policy, the Commission does not comment on bilateral exchanges between the Commission and Member States or complainants at the stage of the preliminary investigation. Should the Commission decide to open a formal investigation procedure, communication on the proceedings will follow at that time.

    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Quarrying in Pentadaktylos destroying the natural environment and amending the regulation on trade across the Green Line – E-002402/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002402/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Costas Mavrides (S&D)

    The Pentadaktylos mountain range in the occupied part of Cyprus has suffered incalculable damage and irreparable alteration of the natural landscape due to uncontrolled and illegal quarrying, in gross violation of all principles of environmental management and protection. Rare local species of flora and fauna are at risk of total extinction. What is more, many products produced in the Occupied Territories, as well as illegally extracted aggregates, are not subject to environmental or other certifications and checks (relating to health, safety or working conditions), creating unequal and unfair competition, as similar undertakings in the free areas operate under strict control and face higher production costs in order to comply with legislation.

    In view of this, can the Commission say:

    • 1.Is Republic of Cyprus able to prohibit the entry of such products into free areas in order to protect legitimate businesses and ensure that environmental and other laws are upheld?
    • 2.Will it revise the Green Line Regulation to explicitly prohibit the transport of aggregates from the Occupied Territories, taking into account the serious impact thereof on the environment and on healthy competition in the market, and adapt the regulation’s provisions to safeguard the rights of natural and legal persons, including property rights, as in the EU’s other regulation on financial assistance to the Turkish Cypriot community in the Occupied Territories?

    Submitted: 14.6.2025

    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Questionable European intelligence service reports on an impending Russian attack on the EU as a pretext for debt-financed arms build-up programmes – E-001291/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The intelligence threats assessments of the Member States remain outside the remit of the Commission. Therefore, the Commission is not in a position to evaluate or assess them.

    The Commission officials, in their public statements, have been referring to open-source information in which Member States’ intelligence services assessed the probability of Russian aggressive actions against the EU as likely in a five-year perspective.

    Commission defence industry programmes and instruments aimed at boosting European defence are proposed in the context of growing threats to European security which are proliferating in a way that poses an acute challenge to the EU way of life. This was the case even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

    However, the Russian full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine has forced the EU and its partners to confront the reality of high-intensity war returning on the European continent on a scale never seen since 1945. Consequently, in the Commission assessment the only way the EU can ensure peace is to gain the ability to deter those who could harm the EU.

    Therefore, in March 2025, the Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President presented jointly the White Paper for European Readiness 2030[1] and the President of the Commission previously proposed the ReArm Europe Plan that lays down sound funding foundations to support a surge in defence.

    This long-term endeavour will enable the Member States to build up their armed forces to face any scenario, including the most extreme military contingencies.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025JC0120.
    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Measures to support people with Down syndrome and initiatives for the self-representation of people with disabilities – E-001954/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. The initiatives planned under the strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030[1] address the rights and needs of persons with disabilities in all their diversity, including people with Down syndrome. Promoting independent living and inclusion in the community are among the key objectives of the strategy, as well as inclusive and accessible education of all children with disabilities, including Down syndrome . While specific standards for social, educational or support services for persons with Down syndrome have not been issued, the Commission has provided guidance in various areas of life concerning them, such as independent living or employment, highlighting the importance of considering the diversity of disabilities[2].

    2. The Commission supports the participation in decision-making processes of persons with disabilities, including people with intellectual disabilities such as people with Down syndrome. For instance, the Guide of good electoral practices for citizens with disabilities[3], adopted as part of the Commission’s EU Citizenship Package, presents an overview of practices aiming to further improve participation of citizens with disabilities in the electoral process. The Commission involves organisations representing persons with intellectual disabilities such as people with Down syndrome through the Disability Platform[4], as well as on the occasion of the European Day of Persons with Disabilities[5]. In addition, to enhance the involvement of people with intellectual disabilities such as people with Down syndrome, the Commission is upscaling the use of easy-to-read formats across its information and consultation documents.

    • [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A52021DC0101.
    • [2] Commission Notice — Guidance on independent living and inclusion in the community of persons with disabilities in the context of EU funding, C/2024/7897 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/C/2024/7188/oj/eng.
    • [3] Guide of good electoral practices in Member States addressing the participation of citizens with disabilities in the electoral process https://commission.europa.eu/publications/guide-good-electoral-practices-member-states-addressing-participation-citizens-disabilities_en.
    • [4] Register of Commission expert groups and other similar entities https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/expert-groups/consult?lang=en&groupId=3820&newsTypeId=2.
    • [5] European Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 — https://employment-social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/european-day-persons-disabilities-2024-2024-11-28_en.
    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission President’s participation at the WEF – E-000243/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. On 20, 21 and 23 January 2025, the President of the Commission participated in the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. At the WEF 2025, the President of the Commission met with Her Excellency Karin Keller-Sutter, President of the Helvetic Confederation, and the President of the United States National Academy of Medicine.

    The President participated in the following events:

    — Opening remarks and question and answer (Q&A) session at ‘Deutsche Meets Davos’ Event;

    — Opening remarks and Q&A session ‘Europe‘s Competitiveness Compass: A Conversation with Ursula von der Leyen and International Business Council’;

    — Opening remarks at the launch of the Energy Transition Forum ‘All Hands on Deck for the Energy Transition’, together with the President of Peru;

    — Opening remarks and Q&A session at Financial Times lunch;

    — Remarks at the ‘Scaling Up Renewables in Africa’ high-level event, organised by Global Citizen as a follow up to the campaign launched with South Africa in November 2024.

    3. The President’s mission costs will be published on a dedicated website[1].

    2. At the WEF 2025, the President of the Commission delivered a keynote speech, where she addressed topics like competitiveness, simplification, decarbonization, energy supplies and the relations with China and the United States[2]. Following her address, she provided more details by replying to questions by Klaus Schwab, Founder and Chairman of the World Economic Forum. The keynote address and the exchange can be watched online[3].

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/transparencyinitiative/meetings/mission.do?host=a2c7c963-a9ad-4c47-aa73-4bb46b06dd5d.
    • [2] https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_25_285.
    • [3] https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-265956.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – General Court judgment in Case T-36/23 (Stevi and The New York Times v Commission) – P-001943/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is still analysing the judgment of the General Court and will comply with its duty to take the necessary measures to comply with the judgment in due course.

    In particular, since the General Court has found that the Commission should have provided a more precise explanation of its statement according to which it does not hold the requested documents, the Commission will review the situation in light of this finding and will adopt a new decision.

    The General Court has ordered the Commission to pay the costs of the case. Since they have not yet been liquidated, it is not possible to quantify them at this stage.

    The General Court does not put into question the Commission’s documents registration policy. These rules aim to ensure the integrity and validity of the Commission’s records and that important documents drafted or received by the Commission can be retrieved and eventually made accessible to interested EU citizens.

    The Commission will continue to strictly abide by the solid legal framework in place for access to documents. The Commission remains fully committed to maintaining openness, accountability and clear communication with all stakeholders, including EU institutions, civil society, and interest representatives.

    Last updated: 24 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – ‘Safe third country’ concept – E-002241/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002241/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Leoluca Orlando (Verts/ALE), Rudi Kennes (The Left), Mélissa Camara (Verts/ALE), Jaume Asens Llodrà (Verts/ALE), Ilaria Salis (The Left), Brando Benifei (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Saskia Bricmont (Verts/ALE), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Estrella Galán (The Left), Giorgio Gori (S&D), Emma Rafowicz (S&D), Evin Incir (S&D), Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Anna Strolenberg (Verts/ALE), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Pernando Barrena Arza (The Left), Chloé Ridel (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Nicola Zingaretti (S&D), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Marta Temido (S&D), Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Özlem Demirel (The Left), Fabienne Keller (Renew), Damien Carême (The Left), Per Clausen (The Left), Maria Walsh (PPE), Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D), Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Udo Bullmann (S&D), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Rima Hassan (The Left)

    The Commission has proposed a review of the ‘safe third country’ (STC) concept[1] that:

    – eliminates the mandatory connection between the applicant and the STC;

    – considers transit through an STC a sufficient link to apply the concept;

    – in the absence of a connection or transit, applies the concept if there is an agreement or arrangement with a third country that examines the asylum application;

    – eliminates the automatic suspensive effect of appeals against inadmissibility decisions that are based on the concept.

    However, the European Court of Human Rights’ case-law has repeatedly clarified that a transfer to a third country respects the ECHR only if the applicant has a significant connection with the country and if effective and accessible procedural safeguards are guaranteed.

    Therefore, how will the Commission:

    • 1.ensure that the application of the STC concept in the absence of a concrete link, and the abolition of the automatic suspensive effect of appeals, are compatible with international law, including Article 13 ECHR and Article 47 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which enshrine the right to an effective remedy?
    • 2.guarantee that such a broad interpretation of the STC concept will not lead to a systemic externalisation of asylum responsibilities, contrary to the spirit of the Common European Asylum System and the EU’s international obligations?

    Supporters[2]

    Submitted: 4.6.2025

    • [1] Proposal of 20 May 2025 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 as regards the application of the ‘safe third country’ concept (COM(2025)0259).
    • [2] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE), Benedetta Scuderi (Verts/ALE)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 23, 2025 [Image 6 of 11]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 23, 2025) Hospitalman Anthony Carretocardona conducts an eye exam for a local resident at Vaiola Hospital as part of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25) in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, June 23, 2025. PP-25 medical teams are providing free eye exams and prescription glasses at Vaiola Hospital and Mu’a Health Center while in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Courtesy Asset)

    Date Taken: 06.23.2025
    Date Posted: 06.23.2025 23:29
    Photo ID: 9128314
    VIRIN: 250623-N-RM599-9743
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    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 24, 2025 [Image 1 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 24, 2025) U.S. Navy Cmdr. Samantha Jennings, center, Family Nurse Practitioner deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), sits down with a local patient for a health consultation at Mu’a Health Centre during PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 24, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.24.2025
    Date Posted: 06.24.2025 14:58
    Photo ID: 9129426
    VIRIN: 250624-N-ED646-1522
    Resolution: 8007×5345
    Size: 7.24 MB
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
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  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Conducts Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 24, 2025 [Image 4 of 4]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 24, 2025) U.S. Navy Cmdr. Shirleen Sulatan, center, Nurse Practitioner deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), assists a local patient during a health consultation at Mu’a Health Centre as part of PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 24, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.24.2025
    Date Posted: 06.24.2025 14:58
    Photo ID: 9129430
    VIRIN: 250624-N-ED646-7460
    Resolution: 8500×5669
    Size: 8.41 MB
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  • MIL-OSI: Mountain America Foundation and Snow College Announce Winners of First-Generation Student Scholarship

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Five rural Utah students awarded scholarships to support academic journey and student success

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available in this link.

    EPHRAIM, Utah, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mountain America Credit Union, through the Mountain America Foundation and Snow College, have announced the five recipients of the Mountain America First-Generation College Student Scholarship for the 2025–2026 academic year. Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to support their higher education goals at Snow College.

    This newly established program reflects a joint commitment to improving educational access for first-generation college students. The scholarship is awarded to students who are the first in their families to attend college and who demonstrate strong academic potential, leadership qualities, and dedication to their communities.

    “These five students reflect the impressive characteristics we hoped to highlight through this partnership,” said Suzanne Oliver, executive director of the Mountain America Foundation. “Their stories and aspirations embody the spirit of this scholarship—resilience, ambition, and a commitment to building brighter futures not only for themselves, but for their families and communities.”

    The five scholarship winners for the 2025–2026 academic year are:

    • Malia Anderson, Snow College
    • Jeily Aquino, Piute High School
    • Kamron A. Byrd, Snow College
    • Adam Fitch, Manti High School
    • Iliana Rojas Vega, Snow College

    Sharlene Wells, senior vice president of public relations and organizational communications at Mountain America, presented certificates to recipients on June 12 to celebrate and highlight this achievement. Representatives from Snow College were also in attendance, including Brittany Cornelsen, director of student connection center and head of first year experience; Fernando Montaño, multicultural education and recruitment coordinator; and Cameron Brooks, executive director of advancement and government relations.

    This year’s announcement marks the successful launch of the Mountain America First-Generation College Student Scholarship program. With shared values of service, education, and community uplift, the Mountain America Foundation and Snow College are proud to support underrepresented students in reaching their educational goals.

    To learn more about Mountain America’s community involvement, visit macu.com/newsroom.

    About Mountain America Credit Union
    With more than 1 million members and $20 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 100 branches across multiple states, and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America—guiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Philip R. Lane: Monetary policy: new challenges

    Source: European Central Bank

    Speech by Philip R. Lane, Member of the Executive Board of the ECB, at the Barclays-CEPR Monetary Policy Forum 2025

    London, 24 June 2025

    Since the extraordinary inflation surges in 2021-2022, the primary challenge facing monetary policy has been to return inflation to target in a timely manner.[1] In terms of interest rate policy, this required a rapid hiking cycle from July 2022 to September 2023, followed by a “hold at peak” phase and then a gradual reversal of the restrictive stance starting in June 2024.[2] The gradualism in the easing phase reflected ongoing uncertainty about the speed of the disinflation process.

    While headline inflation is currently around the target, services inflation still has some distance to travel to make sure that inflation stabilises at the target on a sustainable basis. Still, there has been sufficient progress in returning inflation to target to consider that this monetary policy challenge is largely completed. This assessment is reinforced by the accumulating evidence that the remaining services disinflation is well on track: first, the projection errors for inflation, including for the services subcomponent, have been relatively small during the disinflation process; second, both the wage tracker data and survey indicators suggest that further deceleration in wage growth can be expected in both 2025 and 2026, facilitating further declines in services inflation.

    However, this disinflation challenge has been superseded by a new set of challenges and monetary policymakers have to make sure that the medium-term inflation target is protected in a volatile environment in which, amongst other factors, there is high uncertainty about the future of long-standing international trade system.[3] This uncertainty extends beyond the calibration of new tariff regimes and includes the possibility of a broader set of non-tariff barriers, a deeper intertwining of economic policies and security policies and possible revisions to the treatment of foreign portfolio investors and foreign direct investors. In addition to policy uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, such as Russia’s unjustified war against Ukraine and the tragic conflict in the Middle East, remain a major source of uncertainty. Reflecting these developments, we have seen high volatility in energy prices this year and substantial currency repricing. There has also been considerable financial market volatility.

    At the same time (and largely as an endogenous reaction to the changed security landscape), the fiscal outlook for the euro area has materially changed for the coming years, with the overall fiscal deficit looking set to remain above three per cent over the projection horizon. The near-term and medium-term implications for output and inflation of the structural changes associated with the green transition, the increasing business adoption of artificial intelligence applications and global shifts in comparative advantage are also highly uncertain, operating both on demand and supply with potentially different timelines.

    Especially under current conditions of high uncertainty, it is essential to remain data dependent and take a meeting-by-meeting approach in making monetary policy decisions, with no pre-commitment to any particular future rate path. In addition to observing how activity and inflation are actually behaving, data dependence also extends to the incoming data on policy settings outside the monetary domain, since shifts in international and domestic policy regimes are highly relevant for future inflation dynamics. In this environment, the primary task for monetary policy makers is to make sure that any temporary deviations from target do not turn into longer-term deviations.

    This orientation explains our June decision to cut rates by 25 basis points. The June projections were conditioned on a rate path that included a quarter-point reduction of the deposit facility rate (DFR) in June: model-based optimal policy simulations and an array of monetary policy feedback rules indicated a cut was appropriate under the baseline and also constituted a robust decision, remaining appropriate across a range of alternative future paths for inflation and the economy. By supporting the pricing pressure needed to generate target-consistent inflation in the medium-term, this cut helps ensure that the projected negative inflation deviation over the next eighteen months remains temporary and does not convert into a longer-term deviation of inflation from the target. This cut also guards against any uncertainty about our reaction function by demonstrating that we are determined to make sure that inflation returns to target in the medium term. This helps to underpin inflation expectations and avoid an unwarranted tightening in financial conditions.

    It is worth noting, in particular, that the robustness of the decision was also supported by a set of model-based optimal policy simulations conducted on various combinations of the trade scenarios discussed in the Eurosystem staff projections report, even when also factoring in upside scenarios for fiscal expenditure. By contrast, leaving the DFR on hold at 2.25 per cent could have triggered an adverse repricing of the forward curve and a revision in inflation expectations that would risk generating a more pronounced and longer-lasting undershoot of the inflation target. In turn, if this risk materialised, a stronger monetary reaction would ultimately be required.

    Looking ahead, our monetary policy will have to take into account not only the most likely path (the baseline) but also the risks to activity and inflation. To this end, it will be important to explore how alternative rate paths hold up in various plausible sensitivity and scenario analyses, in order to make sure we minimise the risk of extended deviations from our medium-term target.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Thales celebrates American Airlines 1st 787-9 aircraft flying with AVANT Up Inflight Entertainment System

    Source: Thales Group

    Headline: Thales celebrates American Airlines 1st 787-9 aircraft flying with AVANT Up Inflight Entertainment System

    On 5 June 2025, American’s premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft, equipped with Thales’ AVANT Up inflight entertainment (IFE) system, made its debut on its inaugural flight from Chicago O’Hare to Los Angeles followed by its inaugural Flagship Suite® service from Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow. American Airlines, the first oneworld alliance member to introduce this IFE system, expects a total of 30 of these premium aircraft to join its fleet by 2029.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon, America’s Most Reliable 5G Network, Launches Industry-Leading, AI Powered Customer Experience Innovations

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon, America’s Most Reliable 5G Network, Launches Industry-Leading, AI Powered Customer Experience Innovations

    NEW YORK – Verizon today announced its most significant customer experience transformation, designed to empower customers with easier, more personalized support. This evolution, a key component of Verizon’s multi-year consumer strategy, introduces immediate and ongoing enhancements across customer care, digital services, and retail, leading the industry across every service dimension, built on America’s largest, fastest and most reliable 5G network at home and on the go.

    “Today marks another significant step in our ongoing consumer business transformation journey that began two years ago,” said Hans Vestberg, Verizon Chairman and CEO. “We are setting a new standard for customer innovation by focusing on both people and technology, using the most advanced AI to make the customer experience simpler, faster, and more rewarding. We have created unprecedented value in mobile and home connectivity, and we are now redefining what our customers can expect from us, helping build loyalty, improve retention and drive long-term shareholder value.”

    “Our customers rely on us for the fastest and most reliable 5G at home and on the go, and for choice and predictability with myHome, myPlan and the Verizon Best Value Guarantee,” said Sowmyanarayan Sampath, Verizon Consumer CEO. “We’ve set these standards in what our customers have come to expect from us and today, we’re raising the bar for how we support them because we know they rely on us to power how they live, work and play, everyday.”

    This transformation represents Verizon’s commitment to earning and maintaining customer trust and loyalty. Key components of Verizon’s customer-first approach include:

    • First and only personalized customer service: The only carrier who provides a dedicated expert for complex issues, leveraging Google Cloud’s AI, including Google’s Gemini models. A new Customer Champion will ensure full resolution and keep the customer updated however they choose – via the My Verizon app, text messages or call backs. The goal: customers only need to call once, and we take it from there.
    • New 24/7 live support: Verizon is first to expand customer support call hours with live agents and introduce new 24/7 live chat support, catering to diverse customer schedules and preferences.
    • New, most technologically advanced app with cutting-edge AI. The new My Verizon app is the only telecom app designed to help customers maximize efficiency and value, complete with a new cutting-edge AI-powered Verizon Assistant and Savings Boost. The new, personalized experience provides greater transparency and control, giving consumers the ability to easily become a customer, manage upgrades, add new lines, ask billing questions, take advantage of savings and more.
    • The most stores for your community. Verizon now has the largest retail postpaid fleet in the industry and added close to 400 stores in the U.S. over the last two years. With 93% of the population now within 30 minutes of a Verizon store, Verizon is ensuring customers have ongoing, convenient access to in-person support.

    To kick off a summer of savings and rewards for its customers, Verizon is dropping 35,000 free prizes via Verizon Access, Verizon’s rewards platform available to all mobility and mobile broadband customers. Starting today, customers can score free tickets to some of the hottest concerts and events everyone is talking about like Beyonce, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga; plus premium giveaways, gift cards and merchandise from brands like Amazon, Disney and Starz. And, stop by any Verizon location across the country for more freebies available in store through June 30.

    Verizon’s customer transformation is built on the foundation of America’s fastest and most reliable 5G network at home and on the go. Customers enjoy choice and exclusive savings with myPlan and myHome, and have peace of mind on all in-market plans with a three-year price lock guarantee. Today, Verizon once again pushes the industry forward with major enhancements across stores, support and digital services designed with flexibility, transparency and service on the customers’ terms.

    Learn more here: verizon.com/wegotyou.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon launches new military benefit, providing even more flexibility

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon launches new military benefit, providing even more flexibility

    NEW YORK, N.Y. – Building on its commitment to the military community, Verizon has introduced a new short-term military suspension option designed to meet the unique needs of service members. Alongside exclusive discounts and benefits across mobile and home, Verizon is substantially improving flexibility, choice and value to those who serve.

    Military customers deployed for less than 90 days, even within Verizon’s coverage area, can now take advantage of Verizon’s new Military Short Term Suspend option. During deployment, the customer’s line will be temporarily suspended and charged $10/month or their monthly service price, whichever is lower.

    Additionally, long-term suspension options remain available for eligible customers on deployment from 90 days to 3 years, allowing them to avoid charges for services and features on the suspended line, including device payment installments, for the entire duration of the service suspension. For disconnection, customers have two options: they can either pay off the remaining balance or return their device in good working order to have the remaining installment balance waived. To learn more and check your eligibility, please visit verizon.com/support/military-veterans-faqs/

    These enhanced benefits are a part of Verizon’s customer experience transformation, announced earlier today, which aims to empower customers with simpler, more personalized support. This evolution, a key component of Verizon’s multi-year consumer plan, brings immediate and ongoing improvements to customer care, digital services, and retail, setting a new industry standard across every aspect of service.

    “We have set standards in network reliability, choice and innovation on behalf of customers, and are committed to continuously raising the bar on how we support their individual needs – which means reliability and flexibility so they can stay connected, on their terms,” said Sowmyanarayan Sampath, Verizon Consumer CEO. “Our military personnel in training or those on short-term domestic assignments deserve an option tailored to their needs.”

    Exclusive Offers and Benefits for Those Who Serve

    Eligible military customers can enjoy 4 lines starting at $25/line per month on Unlimited Welcome1 (plus taxes and fees) and Fios Home Internet from just $45/month with Auto Pay. By bundling mobile and home services, customers with the military discount can unlock an additional $15 in savings on Fios Home Internet for as low as $30/mo with Auto Pay2, while retaining myPlan benefits such as Verizon’s 3-year price lock guarantee (applicable to base monthly rate only), depending on the choice of plan.

    Verizon also provides career opportunities, competitive savings and exclusive benefits for military members, veterans and their families. These include:

    • 25% off accessories online and 10% off in-store
    • Dedicated parking at select Verizon retail locations
    • Premium phone setup experience at select locations
    • Extensive career tools and resources

    To learn more about these benefits, resources and Verizon’s investment in those who serve, please visit verizon.com/military.

    Special Pricing For Military Personnel With Tracfone

    Tracfone, a leading prepaid brand powered by Verizon’s award-winning network, is paving the way in the no-contract industry by honoring those who serve. Tracfone is proud to support veterans and active-duty personnel customers with 10% off all $20/mo or higher Unlimited Talk and Text Plans, providing even more value for those who serve. Veterans and active-duty personnel can easily verify their eligibility through secure ID.me, making it simple to start saving. For more information, visit Tracfone.com/deals/military-discount.

    1 For eligible military; approved verification documents req’d. Unlimited Welcome: $30/line/mo for 4 lines, less $20 account discount. Auto Pay and paper-free billing req’d. Unlimited 5G / 4G LTE: For Unlimited Welcome plan, in times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.

    2 For eligible military. Approved verification documents req’d. One offer per account. New Fios 300 Mbps customers receive a $5/mo. discount. Auto Pay: $10/mo. discount with Auto Pay & paper-free billing. Mobile + Home Discount: Enrollment req’d. for $15/mo discount. For existing postpaid mobile customers with a Verizon mobile plan (excludes prepaid, business and data-only plans) and Fios home internet. Fios 300 Mbps: $99 setup and other terms may apply. Availability varies. Subj. to credit approval. Wired and wireless speeds vary due to device limits, multiple users, network & other factors. See verizon.com/yourspeed for more info.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Indonesia: Police must release 75 people arrested in discriminatory raid on “gay party”

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Responding to the arrest of 75 people in a raid on a gathering described by police as a “gay party” in the Indonesian city of Bogor, near the capital city of Jakarta, Amnesty International Indonesia’s Deputy Director Wirya Adiwena said:

    “This discriminatory raid on a privately rented villa is a blatant violation of human rights and privacy that exemplifies the hostile environment for LGBTI people in Indonesia. This gathering violated no law and posed no threat.

    “The Indonesian authorities must end these hate-based and humiliating raids. No one should be subjected to arrest, intimidation or public shaming because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

    “The police must immediately release all those arrested. Indonesia’s government must also take urgent steps to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed by the police, and work toward creating an environment where LGBTI individuals and their allies can live free from fear and harassment.”

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: UK: Misrepresentations of Article 8 fuel hostility, mistrust and bad law

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Amnesty International is accusing successive UK governments of dismantling domestic safeguards against wrongful immigration decisions, forcing claimants to rely solely on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and then attacking Article 8 for the inevitable outcome: appeals allowed on Article 8 grounds rather than on previously established ministerial rules.

    In two new briefings published today, Amnesty details how political decisions and media distortions have misled the public about the role of Article 8, stoking hostility, undermining justice, and paving the way for damaging legal reforms.

    The briefings explain how post-2006 changes – including the removal of key protections in deportation decisions and the 2014 restriction of appeals to human rights grounds only – have made Article 8, the right to private and family life, the sole legal safeguard for many facing removal, even those with deep roots in the UK.

    Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme Director, said:

    “This is a classic Catch-22: governments dismantled their own safeguards, forcing people to rely on Article 8 and then blamed Article 8 for simply doing the job they required it to do.

    “People threatened with exile from their homes, families and communities after years, decades, even lifetimes in the UK, are left with only Article 8 to defend them. Lawyers and judges have no choice but to centre legal cases on it.

    “Article 8 has become a lightning rod for attacks on the European Convention, often based on myths that omit key facts or include absurd inventions about the significance of cats, chicken nuggets, or other nonsense.

    “When governments respond by proposing to limit human rights law, they validate false narratives, and conceal their role in creating the crisis now threatening fundamental justice.

    “We need leadership that tells the truth. Article 8 doesn’t block deportations; it blocks injustice. It says you can’t tear someone away from their child or partner without strong, proportionate reason. That’s not weakness. That’s decency. And it’s the law.

    “But the Government could reduce the pressure on Article 8, by reinstating rules that recognise the complex human realities behind immigration cases.”

    Not a loophole: Article 8 is the last line of defence

    Until 2006, deportation decisions took account of a person’s full circumstances including their age, long residence, family ties, and community links. But successive governments stripped away these safeguards, leaving human rights, especially Article 8, as often the only meaningful legal basis for appeal.

    Today, in most non-asylum immigration cases, Article 8 is the only legal protection left standing. For many, it’s the final barrier to unjust separation from loved ones.

    Absurd myths, real consequences

    Amnesty’s briefings expose how politicians and media figures have distorted judicial decisions misrepresenting rulings by highlighting trivial details and omitting core reasons. This creates the false impression that judges act irrationally or are out of touch.

    Examples include:

    1. Presenting irrelevant details (e.g. owning a pet, preferring a type of chicken nugget) as the basis for a ruling.
    2. Selectively reporting parts of decisions to give a misleading impression.

    One notorious case saw a former Home Secretary falsely claim that a man avoided deportation because of his cat. In fact, the real issue was his legally recognised relationship and the Home Office’s own failure to follow its policy.

    These myths help justify bad legislation and rules that obscure the human impact of government policy and leave courts and Article 8 as the sole defence against injustice. 

    Yvette Cooper’s review must confront – not compound – misrepresentations

    Amnesty is urging the Home Secretary to ensure that her review of Article 8’s role in immigration law starts with honesty and accuracy.

    Successive governments created this dependency on Article 8 by stripping away other safeguards. Any serious review must acknowledge this history, not add to the misinformation.

    Steve Valdez-Symonds said:

    “The Government is at a crossroads. It can restore fair, domestic rules so people aren’t forced to rely solely on Article 8. Or it can continue the pattern of blaming the law for its own failures. 

    “If ministers choose the latter, they fuel false hostility and undermine public trust in human rights altogether. That path leads to the legal Wild West, where no one’s rights are safe.”

    Amnesty’s recommendations

    To restore fairness, integrity, and public confidence, Amnesty International UK is calling for:

    1. Public correction of misleading narratives about Article 8 and deportation;
    2. Reinstatement of broader decision-making criteria including long residence, caregiving responsibilities, and community ties;
    3. Repeal of harmful laws, including:
    • Automatic deportation under the UK Borders Act 2007;
    • Appeal restrictions introduced in 2014;
    1. Protection from deportation for people with a right to British citizenship, especially those born or raised in the UK;
    2. Full and principled commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights in both policy and public messaging.

    Full briefings on Article 8 and Deportation and Article 8: Private and Family Life are available at https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/rmr-programme-specific-issues-brie…

     

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Misrepresentations of Article 8 fuel hostility, mistrust and bad law

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Amnesty International is accusing successive UK governments of dismantling domestic safeguards against wrongful immigration decisions, forcing claimants to rely solely on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and then attacking Article 8 for the inevitable outcome: appeals allowed on Article 8 grounds rather than on previously established ministerial rules.

     

    In two new briefings published today, Amnesty details how political decisions and media distortions have misled the public about the role of Article 8, stoking hostility, undermining justice, and paving the way for damaging legal reforms.

     

    The briefings explain how post-2006 changes – including the removal of key protections in deportation decisions and the 2014 restriction of appeals to human rights grounds only – have made Article 8, the right to private and family life, the sole legal safeguard for many facing removal, even those with deep roots in the UK.

     

    Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty UK’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Programme Director, said:

     

    “This is a classic Catch-22: governments dismantled their own safeguards, forcing people to rely on Article 8 and then blamed Article 8 for simply doing the job they required it to do.

     

    “People threatened with exile from their homes, families and communities after years, decades, even lifetimes in the UK, are left with only Article 8 to defend them. Lawyers and judges have no choice but to centre legal cases on it.

     

    “Article 8 has become a lightning rod for attacks on the European Convention, often based on myths that omit key facts or include absurd inventions about the significance of cats, chicken nuggets, or other nonsense.

     

    “When governments respond by proposing to limit human rights law, they validate false narratives, and conceal their role in creating the crisis now threatening fundamental justice.

     

    “We need leadership that tells the truth. Article 8 doesn’t block deportations; it blocks injustice. It says you can’t tear someone away from their child or partner without strong, proportionate reason. That’s not weakness. That’s decency. And it’s the law.

     

    “But the Government could reduce the pressure on Article 8, by reinstating rules that recognise the complex human realities behind immigration cases.”

     

    Not a loophole: Article 8 is the last line of defence

    Until 2006, deportation decisions took account of a person’s full circumstances including their age, long residence, family ties, and community links. But successive governments stripped away these safeguards, leaving human rights, especially Article 8, as often the only meaningful legal basis for appeal.

     

    Today, in most non-asylum immigration cases, Article 8 is the only legal protection left standing. For many, it’s the final barrier to unjust separation from loved ones.

     

    Absurd myths, real consequences

    Amnesty’s briefings expose how politicians and media figures have distorted judicial decisions misrepresenting rulings by highlighting trivial details and omitting core reasons. This creates the false impression that judges act irrationally or are out of touch.

     

    Examples include:

    1. Presenting irrelevant details (e.g. owning a pet, preferring a type of chicken nugget) as the basis for a ruling.
    2. Selectively reporting parts of decisions to give a misleading impression.

     

    One notorious case saw a former Home Secretary falsely claim that a man avoided deportation because of his cat. In fact, the real issue was his legally recognised relationship and the Home Office’s own failure to follow its policy.

     

    These myths help justify bad legislation and rules that obscure the human impact of government policy and leave courts and Article 8 as the sole defence against injustice.

     

    Yvette Cooper’s review must confront – not compound – misrepresentations

    Amnesty is urging the Home Secretary to ensure that her review of Article 8’s role in immigration law starts with honesty and accuracy.

     

    Successive governments created this dependency on Article 8 by stripping away other safeguards. Any serious review must acknowledge this history, not add to the misinformation.

     

    Steve Valdez-Symonds said:

     

    “The Government is at a crossroads. It can restore fair, domestic rules so people aren’t forced to rely solely on Article 8. Or it can continue the pattern of blaming the law for its own failures.

     

    “If ministers choose the latter, they fuel false hostility and undermine public trust in human rights altogether. That path leads to the legal Wild West, where no one’s rights are safe.”

     

    Amnesty’s recommendations

    To restore fairness, integrity, and public confidence, Amnesty International UK is calling for:

    1. Public correction of misleading narratives about Article 8 and deportation;
    2. Reinstatement of broader decision-making criteria including long residence, caregiving responsibilities, and community ties;
    3. Repeal of harmful laws, including:
    • Automatic deportation under the UK Borders Act 2007;
    • Appeal restrictions introduced in 2014;
    1. Protection from deportation for people with a right to British citizenship, especially those born or raised in the UK;
    2. Full and principled commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights in both policy and public messaging.

    Full briefings on Article 8 and Deportation and Article 8: Private and Family Life are available at https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/rmr-programme-specific-issues-brie…

     

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: What is gender? And why understanding it is important?

    Source: Amnesty International –

    It’s hard to miss the increasing debates around the word “gender”. The last few decades have seen historic gains in the struggle for equality of access to rights and opportunities for women and girls around the world. Though there is still a long way to go, some progress has been made towards recognizing the rights of LGBTI people.

    Yet, a dangerous “anti-gender” backlash is spreading, threatening the human rights of millions of people globally. Misinformation and disinformation are being weaponized to use “gender” to attack everything from comprehensive sexuality education and sports to LGBTI rights and sexual and reproductive rights.

    Recent political and legal pronouncements, including the UK Supreme Court’s disappointing judgment on the reading of UK’s Equality Act and US President Donald Trump’s Executive Orders seeking to “protect women from gender ideology” , among others, reveal an alarming backslide to repression, intolerance and discrimination.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall & the Trump Administration to Streamline the Prior Authorization Process in Medicare

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington – On Monday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined Department of Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in laying out six specific pillars of agreement on plans to improve patient outcomes and reduce administrative burdens in Medicare Advantage.
    “I am grateful for the Trump Administration’s support of my legislation, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, which will greatly benefit the speed and quality of care that our Seniors rely upon,” said Senator Marshall. “Likewise, I am proud to support the administration in its noble goal to streamline the prior authorization process and remove burdensome regulations from the patient-doctor relationship.”
    In the six pillars of agreement, the Trump Administration and Senator Marshall have the following overlap, thanks to the Senator’s Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act:
    Standardizing Electronic Prior Authorization – establishing an electronic prior authorization program and requiring MA plans to adopt electronic prior authorization capabilities.  
    Reducing the Scope of Claims Subject to Prior Authorization – streamlining the prior authorization process for routinely approved services.
    Ensuring Continuity of Care When Patients Change Plans – protecting patients from disruptions in care due to prior authorization requirements when transitioning plans
    Enhancing Communication and Transparency on Determinations – increasing transparency around prior authorization use.
    Expanding real-time responses – requiring HHS to review items and services eligible for real-time decisions.
    Ensuring Medical Review of Non-Approved Requests – ensuring prior authorization requests are reviewed by qualified medical personnel.
    Background:
    Senator Marshall reintroduced the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act in May 2025. The full text of the legislation can be found here.
    Prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services. However, the current system often results in multiple faxes or phone calls by clinicians, which takes time away from delivering care.
    Prior authorization continues to be the number-one administrative burden identified by health care providers, and nearly three out of four Medicare Advantage enrollees are subject to unnecessary delays due to the practice.
    The bill would codify and enhance elements of the Advancing Interoperability and Improving Prior Authorization Processes (e-PA) rule that was finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 17, 2024.
    Last Congress, the bill was supported by a super majority of members in the Senate (60) and a majority in the House (232), and was unanimously passed by the House in 2022.
    In 2018, the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raised concerns after an audit revealed that Medicare Advantage plans ultimately approved 75% of requests that were originally denied.
    In 2022, the HHS Office of Inspector General released a report finding that MA plans incorrectly denied beneficiaries’ access to services even though they met Medicare coverage rules.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Statement On The Third Anniversary Of The Dobbs Decision

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Today, on the third anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:
    “Three years ago, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court overturned women’s rights to bodily autonomy, privacy, and reproductive care. Since then, states across the country have criminalized abortion, threatened access to IVF, and denied millions of women access to basic medical care. And now, as part of President Trump’s so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’ the Trump administration and congressional Republicans are trying to bar Medicaid patients from seeking services like STI testing, cervical cancer screenings, and contraception at Planned Parenthood clinics. These attempts to strip women of their rights remain as disgusting today as they were three years ago.
    Despite ongoing attempts to restrict reproductive rights, most Americans believe that women should have the right to choose what to do with their bodies. The vast majority of state ballot initiatives regarding reproductive rights have passed in favor of expanding or protecting them enshrining these rights in state constitutions from New York to Missouri to Arizona.
    But relying on the states is not enough. We must continue to do everything we can to make sure every woman, regardless of where she lives, has access to safe, legal reproductive care. That’s why I support the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify a national right to abortion, restoring Roe v. Wade as the law of the land. I’m also fighting to pass federal legislation to guarantee access to contraception, IVF, and other health care and resources that are necessary to give women the reproductive choices they deserve.
    I will not stop fighting until every American regains the right to reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER: AS SUMMER SIZZLES, UPSTATE NY TOURISM FIZZLES – NEW DATA SHOWS TRUMP’S TARIFF WAR SLAMS UPSTATE NY, WITH CANADIAN BORDER CROSSINGS PLUMMETING 400,000 LAST MONTH, A 25% DECREASE FROM PREVIOUS…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
    With Summer Tourism Season Underway Across Upstate NY, New Data Shows Border Crossings Are Continuing To Plummet, Putting NY Main Streets At Risk, Jeopardizing Jobs & Restricting Summer Tourism Economy As A Result Of Trump’s Tariff War & Insulting Comments That Are Driving Away Canadian Visitors
    As Border Crossings Fall Further Amid Tariff Chaos, Schumer Says NY House Republicans Must Stand Up For Upstate NY And Main Street Hotels, Restaurants & Shops Across NY That Rely On Canadian Tourists And Are Seeing Major Hits To Their Bottom Lines
    Schumer: Upstate NY’s Main Streets Are Feeling The Heat Of Trump’s Damaging Tariff War 
    With summer tourism season underway across Upstate NY, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer revealed new data showing how Trump’s reckless tariff war continues to plummet at border crossings at all major land ports of entry in New York. As Canadians cancel trips to the United States because of Trump’s mistreatment of our closest ally and trading partner, new data shows nearly 400,000 fewer travelers crossed the Upstate NY-Canadian border via land in May 2025 compared to May 2024 according to CBP, a whopping nearly 25% decrease, which Schumer said threatens our regions’ Main Street businesses and tourism economy that rely on a summer boost.
    “As summer sizzles, Upstate NY tourism fizzles thanks to Trump’s reckless and damaging tariff war with Canada. Summer tourism season should be in full swing, but instead our small businesses and Main Streets are left sweating as reservations get cancelled & tourism from Canada continues to plummet,” said Senator Schumer. “This new data shows again how it is Upstate NY families paying the price for Trump’s tariff war and his insults hurled at our top-trading partner, Canada. From Buffalo to Watertown to Plattsburgh, our shops, hotels, restaurants, and thousands of good-paying jobs rely on summer tourism for success. NY House Republicans know Trump’s tariff war with Canada is hurting our communities, but even as the numbers show how badly this is hurting our businesses and jobs they refuse to act. House Republicans need to pass the bipartisan resolution the Senate has already acted on to end Trump’s destructive trade war with Canada, helping to restore our cherished friendly relationship with our next-door neighbor and major economic partner.”
    According to new data from CBP, Upstate NY & Canada saw approximately 1,144,524 border crossings in May, compared to 1,520,424 during the same month in 2024, a nearly 25% decrease across land (both road and bridge) crossings frequented by tourists. This is an even further from April 2025 which saw almost 290,000 fewer travelers, a nearly 22% decrease across ports of entry in NY.
    A breakdown bridge-by-bridge from the Bridge and Tunnel Operators Association of May 2025 crossings shows just how steeply tourism is declining across all the major bridge ports of entry between Upstate NY and Canada:

    NY-Canada Bridge

    Region

    May 2024 Auto Crossings

    May 2025 Auto Crossings

    Percentage Decline

    Peace Bridge

    Western NY

    423,080

    327,209

    -22.66%

    Rainbow Bridge

    Western NY

    203,067

    144,260

    -28.96%

    Lewiston-Queenstown Bridge

    Western NY

    239,954

    228,156

    -4.92%

    Whirlpool Rapids Bridge

    Western NY

    36,403

    27,183

    -25.33%

    Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge

    North Country

    48,723

    34,746

    -28.69%

    Thousand Islands Bridge

    North Country

    172,733

    140,600

    -18.6%

    Seaway Bridge

    North Country

    234,826

    224,657

    -4.33%

    Since taking office in January, Trump has damaged the United States’ relationship with Canada by threatening to annex Canada and levying 25% tariffs on Canadian goods. Schumer said this new data on major reductions in border crossings for the second month in a row shows Trump’s threats to annex Canada and tariff Canadian goods are directly impacting commerce between the two countries, including Canadian tourism across New York State.
    Schumer said he is fighting to end this unnecessary, damaging trade war with Canada and protect tourism, small businesses, and local jobs. Earlier this year, the Senate passed a bipartisan resolution to end tariffs on Canada, and Schumer said this new shocking data shows the urgency for House Republicans to take up and pass it as well. Senate Democrats are also pushing for tariff exemptions for small businesses and putting an end to Trump’s across-the-board tariffs. Schumer said ending this costly trade war is key to protecting American families from price increases and job losses as a result of tariffs on Canada.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Commend the Voices of Afghan Women and Girls Demanding Justice, Ask about Discriminatory Laws and Edicts and the Ban on Education

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today concluded its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Afghanistan, with Committee Experts extending profound appreciation to the women and girls of Afghanistan demanding justice, while raising concerns about the discriminatory laws and edicts imposed since the military takeover by the Taliban in 2021, and the ban on education. 

    Bandana Rana, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, extended profound appreciation to the women and girls of Afghanistan, whose voices continued to resonate across the world, demanding justice.  Another Expert urged all States parties to amplify the voices of Afghan women. 

    A Committee Expert said the dismantling of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and replacing it with the Ministry of Vice and Virtue was a violation of article 3.  The law on vice and virtue silenced women’s voices in public and muffled their voices in private.  A March 2024 announcement enforced public flogging, and there had been numerous women publicly flogged for crimes ranging from adultery to dress code violations.  The reinstation of the stoning edict constituted torture and violated the rights to women’s liberty. 

    Another Committee Expert said education was one of the most important conditions for securing women and girls’ rights to equality.  Hence, it was deeply concerning that all eight sub-articles under article 10 were being violated by the State party.  Following the de facto authorities order to close secondary schools in 2021, schools today remained closed.  A shocking 30 per cent of girls in the State party did not even receive primary education.  All Afghan women and girls were entitled to receive full education.  Another concern was that young boys and girls were sent to religious madrasas where the curriculum was aligned with the most extreme versions of Islam. 

    In response to these comments and questions, the delegation said the edicts imposed by the de facto authorities amounted to gender apartheid.  The discrimination that women in Afghanistan faced was unparalleled globally.  There were no laws ensuring human rights in the country.  Women had been left to view these values as unattainable.  The Taliban de facto authorities had stated that Sharia law was the applicable legal framework in Afghanistan.  The Taliban had abolished mechanisms promoting gender equality, and projects promoting gender equality had ceased operations. 

    The delegation said the issue of education had been at the forefront of all of Afghanistan’s struggles and the international community’s demands.  The international community had continually emphasised the need for schools to open, and now there was no hope this would occur. There were currently efforts to implement small-scale education programmes on the ground.  This was better than nothing but could not address a systematic ban and an increasing number of jihadi madrasas.  There needed to be a mechanism to push the education project into Afghanistan, going over the Taliban’s restrictions, using technology. 

    Introducing the report, Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said that during the last review before the Committee in 2020, the delegation had been led by a woman from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, which had since been abolished from the Government and replaced by the Ministry of Virtue and Vice.  Since August 2021, there had been over four years of systematic, widespread assault on every aspect of life of women and girls, a complete and total erasure and dehumanisation of women and girls in Afghanistan.

    The laws, policies and institutions that were once enacted to promote and protect women’s rights had been replaced with an intentionally designed edifice of oppression, including discriminatory edicts, decrees, declarations, orders, culminating in a so-called law on the promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice, Mr. Andisha said. 

    In closing remarks, Nahla Haidar, Committee Chair, said every member of the Committee was concerned and stood in solidarity with Afghanistan. This had been one of the most important considerations of a country report.  Ms. Haidar thanked all those from Afghanistan who came to share their views. 

    In his closing remarks, Mr. Andisha appreciated the opportunity to engage with the Committee. The Committee had created a vital pathway to ensure the voices of Afghan women and girls were heard.  Since August 2021, the situation for Afghan women and girls had deteriorated into a system of gender apartheid, which went against every article of the Convention.  It was time to listen, support and stand in solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan. They must be at the centre of every solution. 

    The delegation of Afghanistan was comprised of representatives of the National Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan; the Afghanistan Parliament; the Afghanistan Senate; the Ambassador of Afghanistan in Canada; the Ambassador of Afghanistan in Australia; the Ambassador of Afghanistan in Austria; the Administrative Reform Commission; Afghan diplomats; human rights activists; and the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women’s ninety-first session is being held from 16 June to 4 July.  All documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, 25 June to begin its consideration of the combined initial to fifth periodic reports of San Marino (CEDAW/C/SMR/1-5).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the fourth periodic report of Afghanistan (CEDAW/C/AFG/4).

    Presentation of Report

    NASIR AHMAD ANDISHA, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, thanked the Committee for undertaking this exceptional process despite the extraordinary situation in Afghanistan, where dark clouds overshadowed the lives of women and girls.  Afghanistan had ratified the Convention in 2003, without reservation, marking a landmark step forward for women’s rights in the country. 

    During the last review before the Committee in 2020, the delegation had been led by a woman from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, which had since been abolished from the Government and replaced by the Ministry of Virtue and Vice.  Since August 2021, there had been over four years of systematic, widespread assault on every aspect of life of women and girls, a complete and total erasure and dehumanisation of women and girls in Afghanistan.  The laws, policies and institutions that were once enacted to promote and protect women’s rights had been replaced with an intentionally designed edifice of oppression, including discriminatory edicts, decrees, declarations, orders, culminating in a so-called law on the promotion of virtue and the prevention of vice. 

    Despite challenges in the preparation of the report, it aimed to provide a comprehensive and accurate account of the situation on the ground since 15 August 2021, reflecting an inclusive and participatory approach.  The report strove to ensure the international community took effective action based on verified information by proposing concrete recommendations for the path forward.  These recommendations aimed to offer hope, a vision, and a path forward towards the transformation of Afghanistan’s society through practical pathways for change in the lives of women and girls at a time when the Taliban de facto authorities had called the situation of women and girls an ‘internal’ matter”.   

    The Committee would hear how girls who still could attend school felt they needed to make the desperate choice to end their lives or were forced into marriage.  The dialogue today aimed to fulfil Afghanistan’s commitment to the international system.  Regardless of the Taliban’s approach, Afghanistan was taking its commitments to the international system seriously. 

    SIMA SAMAR, Former President of the National Human Rights Commission, said the dialogue today was exceptional.  The staff of the Afghanistan embassy did not have to defend themselves regarding the implementation of the Convention in the country.  The Committee and the Ambassador were on the same page.  The situation in Afghanistan was exceptional. After the removal of the Taliban in 2001, use of the word gender apartheid had stopped, and everyone thought they would never have to deal with this regime again.  Unfortunately, there was no other definition for what was happening in Afghanistan today. 

    Afghanistan had a unique situation.  The de facto authority aimed to erase women from public life and put restrictions on women without accountability and justice; this was a key core of their policies. All protection mechanisms established over the past 20 years had been abolished by the Taliban.  Afghanistan was the only Islamic country which had ratified the Convention without reservation.  The normalisation of the present violations of the human rights situation in Afghanistan was a scary concept.  The way Afghanistan now treated women led to a continuation of conflict. 

    FAWZIA KOOFI, Former member of the Afghanistan Parliament, thanked the Committee for listening to the women and girls of Afghanistan.  The women before the Committee were in a unique and tragic position; they were here to represent a State but they did not have a State.  It was emotional and heart wrenching.  Since the Taliban returned to power, women had been systemically excluded from every sphere of political and public life.  All mechanisms enabling women to participate in governance had been dismantled.  The Ministry of Women’s Affairs had been abolished and replaced by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, which used the police to supress women’s autonomy. Women had been entirely excluded from the civil justice system.  Female prosecutors had been dismissed and faced security threats, particularly from former Taliban prisoners released on 15 August. 

    No female leaders were engaged in any decision-making processes at any level in Afghanistan. Women and girls were deliberately excluded from diplomatic negotiations and from international forums and engagements. Just one month after the Doha meeting, where no women were included, the law on vice and virtue was instigated, which effectively rendered women as second class citizens.  Girls could not attend school after a certain age but could attend madrasa schools which promoted radicalisation.  The Taliban needed to be held accountable for violations of the Convention. 

    SHUKRIA BARAKZAI, Former member of the Afghanistan Parliament, said today, Afghanistan was facing the worst system of gender apartheid. The de facto authorities had erased the legal identity of women and removed their presence from work and public life.  These were clear violations of international law and the Convention.  Yet despite this situation, Afghan women were showing resilience; their bravery must not go unnoticed.  The Committee was urged to recognise gender apartheid as a grave violation of the Convention; hold the de facto authorities accountable for systematic discrimination; and to support Afghan women inside and outside of the country. 

    In Iran, Afghan women could not buy food or use their credit cards.  Embassies had been shut down and were not providing simple documents. Recently, a new order was announced by the Taliban that female doctors and nurses could not go to their work without a male member of their family accompanying them (mahram).  The Convention should not just be a Convention, but an obligation. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, extended profound appreciation to the women and girls of Afghanistan, whose voices continued to resonate across the world demanding justice.  The dialogue transcended mere procedure; it unfolded against the stark reality of one of the gravest human rights catastrophes confronting women and girls.  It was hoped that today’s exchange would prove constructive, anchored in mutual respect, steadfast commitment to strengthening accountability for the rights of Afghan women and girls.

    Since the de facto authorities assumed control, Afghan women and girls had suffered an unprecedented and systematic obliteration of their rights.  The prohibition of girls’ education beyond primary school, limitation to access to justice and healthcare, the wholesale exclusion of women from public and civic participation, and the systematic dismantling of constitutional protections constituted flagrant violations of the Convention’s fundamental principles.

    The Committee bore a solemn obligation, a legal, international and moral imperative, to examine these developments with unflinching clarity and uncompromising resolve. The Committee remained steadfast in its openness to future engagement.  To the de facto authorities, to States wielding influence, and to the international community at large: silence was complicity, not neutrality. It was hoped that today’s dialogue would serve to deepen the accountability of all stakeholders, and galvanise a renewed and unified commitment to restore the inalienable human rights of Afghan women and girls. 

    Since the takeover in August 2021, the de facto authorities had issued a sweeping series of edicts and decrees that institutionalised gender-based discrimination, directly violating article 1 of the Convention.  This discrimination was systemic and far-reaching, affecting every aspect of public, political, social, economic and cultural life.  Women and girls were barred from secondary and tertiary education, excluded from most forms of employment, severely restricted in their freedom of movement, and denied participation in political and public life. The Committee expressed its profound concern regarding these deep and entrenched violations.  The abolition of Afghanistan’s 2004 Constitution, and the dismantling of key legislative protection, including the law on the elimination of violence against women, were grave violations of article 2.  The inconsistent and opaque application of religious and customary law reinforced patriarchal norms, especially in areas such as family law, inheritance, and protection from violence, further entrenching gender inequality.

    The Committee was deeply alarmed by the erosion of legal institutions and access to justice. The dissolution of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, closure of family courts, termination of women’s protection centres, and the cessation of legal aid services, dismantled essential accountability mechanisms for survivors of gender-based violence. Since August 2021, many non-governmental organizations had been forced to cease operations, suspend activities, or function underground.  Women human rights defenders were subjected to arbitrary detention, harassment and threats. 

    Prior to the 2021 takeover, Afghanistan had adopted a national action plan on United Nations Security Council resolution 1325, establishing a foundational framework for women’s participation in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and reconstruction.  This framework had now been dismantled.  Afghanistan currently ranked last on the global women, peace and security index, reflecting the acute deterioration in women’s inclusion, access to justice, and personal safety.  The Committee remained gravely concerned about the systematic and institutionalised discrimination endured by women and girls in Afghanistan, and urgently called upon the de facto authorities and the international community to intensify its efforts, and to uphold the rights of Afghan women and girls in compliance with the Convention.

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation had categorically rejected the Taliban’s assertion that its actions were based on Sharia law.  The 2004 Constitution had been dismantled by the Taliban.  Since August 2021, the Taliban had issued over 100 decrees which had the effect of segregating women and girls.  Every new decree aimed to further oppress women.  The Taliban had contravened every article in the Convention.  In its recommendations to the international community, the Committee was urged to refrain from normalising the Taliban’s activities; ensure any engagement with the Taliban de facto authorities was contingent on respect for the human rights of all, and promoted an equitable gender government; recognise and codify gender apartheid as an international crime; and adopt a new legitimate Constitution through a consultative process, among other measures. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the dismantling of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and replacing it with the Ministry of Vice and Virtue was a violation of article 3.  The law on vice and virtue silenced women’s voices in public and muffled their voices in private.  A March 2024 announcement enforced public flogging, and there had been numerous women publicly flogged for crimes ranging from adultery to dress code violations.  The reinstation of the stoning edict constituted torture and violated the rights to women’s liberty.  Impunity in the criminal justice system eroded international law.  There were numerous punishments of women being beaten with whips, for cases such as making eye contact with men who were not family members. 

    The application by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for arrest warrants broke new grounds, marking the first time gender persecution had been charged as a standalone charge.  Rape and other forms of sexual violence and forced marriage were violations of the Rome Statute.  These crimes may rise to the level of what was increasingly being recognised as a form of gender apartheid, which must be codified in the draft Convention on crimes against humanity.  All States parties were asked to amplify the voices of Afghan women. 

    Another Expert said the Committee expressed its deep concerns regarding the abolished efforts in the State party to increase women’s participation in public life through temporary special measures.  Between 2001 and 2021, several special measures were introduced by the previous government with the goal of achieving greater equality for women.  Among other policies, the election law reserved at least 25 per cent of the seats in each Provincial, District, and Village Council for female candidates.  Such laws and policies managed to increase the representation of women in Community Development Councils to almost 50 per cent in 2019 and in civil service from almost zero per cent during the previous regime (1996–2001) to 28 per cent in 2020. Yet, since taking power in 2021, the de facto authorities had dismantled all measures and programmes aimed at eliminating gender-based prejudices and promoting equality.

    The Committee called for all countries to employ whatever tools at their disposal to aid Afghan women and girls, including by putting in place special measures to deliver funding to local and international aid organizations, increasing quotas for resettlement of Afghani female refugees, and cooperating with neighbouring countries to ensure the safety of Afghani women in their territories.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The edicts imposed by the de facto authorities amounted to gender apartheid, the delegation said.  The discrimination that women in Afghanistan faced was unparalleled globally.  There were no laws ensuring human rights in the country.  Women had been left to view these values as unattainable.  The Taliban de facto authorities had stated that Sharia law was the applicable legal framework in Afghanistan.  The Taliban had abolished mechanisms promoting gender equality, and projects promoting gender equality had ceased operations.  All gender offices had been eliminated.  Women were left with no legal recourse.  Women faced considerable challenges to legal representation. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said Afghan women underwent the worst forms of violence.  The Committee was alarmed by information provided by United Nations Women, including that instances of gender-based violence against women and girls had increased substantially.  The decrees published by the de facto authorities had remained dead letters due to the culture of impunity surrounding these acts.  These harmful practices did not respect the implementation of article 5 of the Convention and were flagrant violations of international law. 

    Another Expert said Afghanistan continued to serve as a transit and destination country for forced labour and sexual exploitation.  Many women had been coerced into prostitution and forced marriage. There were now not merely inadequate trafficking efforts, but the creation of conditions which made trafficking inevitable.  The December 2024 ban on women attending medical institutions had eliminated their last pathway to higher education.  This systematic exclusion violated several articles of the Convention and created a desperate situation which drove women towards trafficking. 

    The criminalisation of trafficking victims was highly alarming.  Women and girls could be charged for “zina” (sex outside of marriage) after being forced into trafficking.  It was acknowledged that the de facto authorities issued a decree around trafficking, however, this decree was inadequate compared to previous legislative frameworks.  The previous government’s efforts to coordinate trafficking efforts had been dismantled and there were no forms of victim identification.  There could be no effective trafficking response without full restoration of women’s rights. 

    Responses by the Delegation 

     

    The delegation said Islam and Sharia recognised and supported the rights of women and girls. The Taliban de facto authorities had weaponised their interpretation of culture and religion and systematically restricted every part of women’s lives.  These interpretations undermined the agency of women and girls.  Space for women was being limited under the pretence of “culture”.  The term “gender apartheid” should be codified. 

    Women and girls made up the majority of trafficking victims inside and outside Afghanistan. The de facto authorities made no effort to stop these crimes; shelters had been shut down and systems to prosecute traffickers had been dismantled.  Girls faced a higher risk due to being denied their rights to education. Many women were especially vulnerable, including those who were internally displaced.  The recent statement by some countries in support of women in Afghanistan was welcomed.  The Committee was urged to recommend that the international community took strong actions to protect women at risk.  The right to live free from violence, exploitation and trafficking was not optional.   

    Digital abuse had not received proper attention, and this was something which needed to be addressed. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said previously, Afghan women had been active participants in politics, and by 2020 women comprised around one fifth of civil servants.  However, even during this period of progress, women had faced numerous threats in political life.  Women’s voices in peace processes remained largely ceremonial.  Since August 2021, the erasure of Afghan women from public and political life was deeply concerning.  The Expert condemned the dismantling of the Constitutional guarantee for 27 per cent of female political participation.  Not a single women served in the de facto administration. This stance starkly contravened the Convention.  The complete exclusion of women from the judiciary was extremely concerning. 

    Another Expert said the Committee was deeply concerned at the ongoing violations of Afghan women regarding their right to identity, including their inability to have access to identity documents.  Women in Afghanistan could not register the birth of their children and had to rely on a man to do it for them.  They were denied the possibility of transmitting their nationality to their children.  This situation was complicated when it came to women in situations of heightened risk. The lack of civil documentation affected a high percentage of women, putting them at a major risk of ending up as a victim of human trafficking.  There was a pressing need for States, multilateral organizations and those with a presence on the ground to work on a coordinated basis to support documents relating to civil documentation with a gender perspective. It was essential to roll out awareness raising campaigns targeting community and religious leaders. 

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee expressed concern regarding the exclusion of Afghan women from international discussions, including the Doha talks.  Refugee and asylum-seeking women must have access to gender sensitive asylum procedures. All host and transit States were urged to uphold their obligations under the Convention. 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said female representation across Afghanistan had previously been comprised of 35 per cent of women and was now at zero per cent.  Now that public space was completely closed to women, this space was only provided by the United Nations.  Recently, there had been reports that United Nations female staff were detained by the Taliban. 

    It was currently much more difficult for women in Afghanistan to receive a passport.  If they were single, then they needed a man to go with them to apply.  This had stripped women from fully enjoying their rights as country nationals.  It was difficult to see the de facto authorities appointing females to represent Afghanistan on an international level. 

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said education was one of the most important conditions for securing women and girls’ rights to equality.  Hence, it was deeply concerning that all eight sub-articles under article 10 were being violated by the State party.  In 2017, more than one third of the student population were girls.  The Constitution and national law provided the right to education without discrimination, and women regularly entered higher education. Following the de facto authorities order to close secondary schools in 2021, schools today remained closed.  A shocking 30 per cent of girls in the State party did not even receive primary education.  All Afghan women and girls were entitled to receive full education. 

    Another concern was that young boys and girls were sent to religious madrasas where the curriculum was aligned with the most extreme versions of Islam.  The exclusion of half the population from education aimed to erase women and girls from public and intellectual life.  These restrictions had led to a rise in early marriage and child labour, and deepened poverty in an already poor country.  The de-facto authorities must reverse all education bans and allow girls to receive an education; there must be pressure from the international community to ensure this occurred. 

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said host countries were obliged under the Convention to ensure equal education opportunities for Afghan girls who were refugees. 

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said the issue of education had been at the forefront of all of Afghanistan’s struggles and the international community’s demands.  The international community had continually emphasised the need for schools to open, and now there was no hope this would occur. There were currently efforts to implement small-scale education programmes on the ground.  This was better than nothing, but could not address a systematic ban and an increasing number of jihadi madrasas.  In a few years, there would be female Taliban supporters leaving these institutions.  There needed to be a mechanism to push the education project into Afghanistan, going over the Taliban’s restrictions, using technology. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the Committee expressed deep concern at the erosion of Afghan’s women’s right to work.  Most female civil servants had been barred from returning to their jobs since the de facto authorities assumed power in 2021.  In 2022, Afghan women were banned from working for non-governmental organizations, as well as United Nations organizations.  The requirement for a male guardian had resulted in women being stopped from commuting to work all together.  Women in formal labour dropped from around 14 per cent in 2021 to just five per cent in 2023.  Women headed households had been disproportionately impacted by poverty. This was a national development crisis requiring urgent international action.  The right to work was a core human right, fundamental to human dignity and social stability. 

    Responses by the Delegation 

     

    The delegation said the Taliban de facto authorities had banned women from working in non-governmental organizations.  The loss of this infrastructure had most severely affected the country’s most vulnerable.  Today the majority of Afghan women were excluded from income-generating activities. Unleashing women’s economic potential would unlock the future of the country.  Excluding women had cost the Afghan economy almost a billion dollars. Previously, women had been very active in the private sector and in the civil service.  It had been almost two years that women who had retired were not receiving their pensions, which made the situation even more difficult. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the Committee was concerned about the health situation of women in Afghanistan and their access to basic health services.  The systematic restrictive measures taken by the de facto authorities had seriously impacted women’s access to health care.  They faced greater barriers to accessing health care owing to scarce resources and cultural norms, which only allowed women to be treated by women.  Afghanistan had one of the highest child mortality rates in the world, with around 625 deaths per 100,000 births.  This rate was higher in rural and remote areas.  Women had reported high rates of bad mental health and accounted for the majority of suicide attempts.  The Taliban’s disregard of the health of women was a violation of the Convention. The de facto authorities must lift relevant restrictions to create a social and cultural environment conducive to women’s physical and mental health.  It was also hoped that the international community would call on Afghanistan to rebuild its healthcare system and reintroduce the training of female health care professionals. 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said access to health, and the reduction in maternal and child mortality had been areas where Afghanistan had made phenomenal progress before 2021. Unfortunately, the past four years of reversal had almost washed away all these achievements. 

    Reports of desperation, anxiety and suicide were widespread and worsening.  No mental health support was available to women. The ability of women to access medical treatment had been severely constricted, as they were denied healthcare without a male guardian.  Many women in rural areas died during childbirth due to a lack of resources. The number of female doctors and midwives had already been insufficient before the ban.  The closing of midwife schools could mean that in 10 years, there would be no trained midwives.  The Committee was urged to consider increasing offers to support medical and consulting services and create a safe space, shelter and support centre for those in exile.     

    Access to education was the strongest tool for empowerment; the Taliban was denying this access to restrict the empowerment of women and control them.  The connection between health and education was undeniable, as education gave women and girls the opportunity to choose their profession and their lives.  The radicalisation of girls in the family was also a frightening concept for the country. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    An Expert said following the Taliban takeover, sanitation and water infrastructure in Afghanistan had collapsed, drastically impacting women and girls.  The restriction of hammams had also restricted women’s hygiene.   

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the policies of the Taliban directly attacked the mental health of women in Afghanistan.  Young girls also did not receive iron tablets from the schools under Taliban rule, and periods were considered taboo.  Vaccinations had now been banned and Afghanistan was the only country with cases of polio. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    An Expert said it was alarming that over 90 per cent of the population had been plunged into poverty.  Women were banished from economic activity and struggled to meet basic needs.  The economy had sharply declined.  It was perturbing that only 6.8 per cent of women had a personal or joint bank account, compared to 21 per cent of men. There was grave concern that the lockout of women and girls from businesses had stifled the economy.  The international community and private sector trading partners were urged to increase pressure to uphold women and girls as critical contributors to the economy. 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said since the Taliban’s military takeover, all economic activity by women had ceased after it had been driven underground or was conducted by male intermediaries.  Women-led households were confronting impossible choices, including forced marriage or the sale of children.  Families were trading household belongings or their daughters for survival.  There was no functioning social safety net; pensions had been stripped away.  Women were increasingly barred from inheriting or owning land, homes or other assets.  Over 40 public libraries and community art centres had been shut down since April. Female artists had fled to exile and those who remained lived in fear.  Women’s access to financial resources needed to be enhanced, as did women’s access to cultural opportunities.  These were essential to rebuilding Afghanistan. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    An Expert said rural women no longer had access to land or credit and had been nearly totally erased from public spaces.  The Committee was alarmed about the near collapse of maternal and reproductive healthcare in rural areas.  Women with disabilities faced systemic neglect and heightened exposure to abuse. The Committee was also concerned about the forced and mass return of Afghan nationals from Iran and Pakistan since 2023.  The plight of child widows and orphaned girls in rural regions was also alarming.  This violation represented a widespread denial of the rights recognised under the Convention.  Women and girls were also being excluded from technology, including artificial intelligence. 

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the discrimination faced by women in Afghanistan was even worse for rural women, and those from diverse ethnic groups.  Women human rights defenders were especially at risk.  Rural women were also hit harder by climate change and disasters, with no system to help them recover.  The Committee was urged to ensure that women and civil society inside Afghanistan were able to participate in the development of strategies conducive to the Convention.  Even a cell phone in Afghanistan was not considered personal property; all communications were checked.  All Afghan women were facing the same type of discrimination, whatever their ethnicity, religion or where they lived.  The Olympic Committee in Afghanistan was under the control of the Taliban; the Committee was called on to show support for Afghan athletes, who were largely based outside of Afghanistan. 

    Questions by a Committee Expert

    A Committee Expert said the access of women to inheritance was an area where there had been modest progress.  Courts were currently led by male religious leaders.  Forced marriage and child marriage were other concerning areas. Divorce for women had become almost impossible in practice.  Gender-based violence in Afghanistan had increased significantly in a context of impunity.  The authorities were recommended to establish basic guarantees for women and girls in line with international human rights standards.  The explicit prohibition needed to be outlined, and 18 needed to be laid out as the minimum age for marriage. 

    Responses by the Delegation

     

    The delegation said the arbitrary arrests of women human rights defenders and activists further undermined the Convention.  Nearly 80 per cent of young women were now excluded from education and employment opportunities.  As such, forced and child marriage increased significantly.  Forced marriage denied women autonomy and led to gender-based violence and risk of death.  The international community was urged to support grassroots organizations working for women’s equality, especially women-led organizations. 

    The decline of gender equality was a global trend.  It was hard for Afghan women and girls to find their way; sometimes they were banned by their own international allies.  How could the women make themselves relevant?  The Committee had a huge responsibility in this regard.  Due urgency had not been given while Afghanistan was losing generations of women.  There needed to be space for the people of Afghanistan to create their own narrative for their country.  Women should be put in the driving seat; they knew how to fix their country. 

    The Taliban had engaged in acts of polygamy with underage girls.  They had cancelled all court orders for women seeking divorce. There was no longer a body to make law in Afghanistan and there was no Constitution.  The Committee must be more than a monitoring body; it needed to be a defender of justice.  Afghan women needed more than a statement; they needed action. 

    Closing Remarks

    NAHLA HAIDAR, Committee Chair, said every member of the Committee was concerned and stood in solidarity with Afghanistan.  The Committee Experts did not represent Governments, but they could speak to all States parties.  Within their limited authority and mandate, they were doing all they possibly could to carry the voices of the women in Afghanistan to those who could take action. It was frustrating when the Committee’s concluding observations did not translate into action.  The action was not necessarily in the hands of the Committee, but they would pave the way for it.  This had been one of the most important considerations of a country report. Ms. Haidar thanked all those from Afghanistan who came to share their views. 

    BANDANA RANA, Committee Expert and Country Rapporteur, said the Committee would do everything within its mandate to improve the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.  The Committee called on the de facto authorities to restore women’s rights as a matter of urgency, and for the international community’s support.  Ms. Rana thanked all those from Afghanistan who had shared their experiences with the Committee. 

    SIMA SAMAR, Former President of the National Human Rights Commission, thanked the Committee for protecting women’s rights around the world.  Having a lack of female representation was a threat to peace and security.  Ms. Samar thanked the Committee Experts for their solidarity with the women of Afghanistan. 

    NASIR AHMAD ANDISHA, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations Office at Geneva, said he appreciated the opportunity to engage with the Committee. The Committee had created a vital pathway to ensure the voices of Afghan women and girls were heard.  Since August 2021, the situation for Afghan women and girls had deteriorated into a system of gender apartheid, which went against every article of the Convention.  Afghanistan’s women and girls may be denied their dignity, but they were the strongest advocates of human rights. 

    The Committee was urged to expand its procedures in response to the situation in Afghanistan, including to cooperate with the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which allowed for individual complaints.  States were urged to establish a gender response and accountability mechanism.  The human rights system should improve coordination across the United Nations system, with a view to promoting and protecting human rights.  It was time to listen, support and stand in solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan.  They must be at the centre of every solution. 

    ___________

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

    CEDAW25.017E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK holds reception to welcome new companies in Hong Kong and celebrate 25 years of impact (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         ​Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) hosted a reception today (June 24) for new establishments of international and Mainland businesses in Hong Kong. An occasion to thank businesses for their trust and support in Hong Kong’s business environment, the event attracted nearly 350 senior representatives from companies worldwide. The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, officiated at the ceremony, reaffirming Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” connecting the Mainland and the rest of the world. He also encouraged companies to seize the myriad opportunities in Hong Kong to expand globally.

         In his keynote speech, Mr Lee said that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong enjoys the advantages of being connected to both the Mainland and the rest of the world, offering an open and easy place to do business, a long and established tradition of the rule of law, and a simple and low tax regime. Mr Lee highlighted that as the world’s freest economy and one of the world’s top three international financial centres, Hong Kong’s global competitiveness has risen two places to rank third globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025, marking the second consecutive year of such advancement from its seventh place two years ago. In the recent World Investment Report released by the United Nations Trade and Development, the city has moved up to the third place in terms of foreign direct investment inflows. Mr Lee said that the Government will continue to co-ordinate the practical needs of enterprises across different sectors, enabling them to develop their business overseas through Hong Kong’s multinational supply chain management centre and explore new strategic blue oceans for development.

         This year, the reception not only expressed appreciation to the attending companies for their contributions to Hong Kong, but was also held to mark a significant milestone – the 25th anniversary of InvestHK. The department premiered its 25th anniversary video, celebrating its achievements and economic impact over the past quarter century, in the presence of Mr Lee; the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan; the Permanent Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Ms Maggie Wong, and other distinguished guests.

         The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, thanked InvestHK’s clients, partners, stakeholders, and other government bureaux and departments for their staunch support. She said, “For a quarter-century, we have helped international companies from around the world establish, grow, thrive here and beyond, to Mainland China and Asia. We are also the launchpad for Mainland companies to go global. InvestHK actively promotes two-way foreign direct investment between China and the rest of the world, using Hong Kong as a platform. Looking forward, we will continue to connect markets, empower growth, and create long-term value through two-way investment.”

         For photos of the reception, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327068792.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: iFLYTEK and Xunfei Healthcare launches Hong Kong office to drive AI innovation ecosystem (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    iFLYTEK and Xunfei Healthcare launches Hong Kong office to drive AI innovation ecosystem (with photo) 
         The Director-General of OASES, Mr Peter Yan, attended the inauguration ceremony and stated, “iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare has achieved remarkable success in the field of AI. Its technological applications are closely aligned with Hong Kong’s  direction for I&T development. The company’s decision to establish its international headquarters and research institute in Hong Kong will contribute significantly to the development of the local industry chains such as AI and models. With particular regard to smart healthcare, it is expected to enhance the efficiency and quality of healthcare services, ultimately benefitting a broader patient population. OASES will continue to support strategic enterprises in expanding their presence in Hong Kong and help build the city into a globally competitive I&T hub.”
     
         The Chairman of the Board of iFLYTEK Co Ltd, Dr Liu Qingfeng, stated, “With its world-class scientific research infrastructure and vibrant innovation ecosystem, Hong Kong provides an ideal regional strategic base for iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare. Going forward, we will deepen collaborations with local universities and institutions to strengthen technology exchange and broaden applications. We also plan to actively expand into Southeast Asia, ‘Belt and Road’ markets, and other overseas regions to promote AI technology on a global scale.”
     
         iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare continues to drive breakthroughs through innovative algorithms and has achieved significant results in various fields, including smart education, smart healthcare, and intelligent office solutions.
         ???
         For more information about iFLYTEK – Xunfei Healthcare, please visit: www.iflytek.comIssued at HKT 19:58

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 123 arrested in ImmD anti-illegal worker focused operations (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    123 arrested in ImmD anti-illegal worker focused operations  
    The ImmD has long been highly vigilant against the problem of illegal employment and has taken vigorous and effective enforcement actions. In the past month and a half, the ImmD has mounted intelligence-led focused operations against illegal employment in the catering, cleaning and renovation industries. From May 19 to June 23, ImmD investigators conducted raids at 815 targeted locations across various districts in Hong Kong, resulting in the arrest of 89 illegal workers, 31 employers and three aiders and abettors. During an operation targeting the catering industry, ImmD investigators employed strategies including decoy operations at targeted restaurants, and conducted focused investigations at popular gathering spots for food delivery riders across multiple districts. A total of 60 illegal workers related to the catering industry were arrested, including dishwashers, kitchen workers, waiters, waitresses and food delivery riders. Furthermore, the ImmD conducted operations at housing estates and premises under renovation across various districts, arresting 14 illegal workers engaged in renovation and cleaning work.
     
    The arrested illegal workers, aged between 21 and 67, comprised 45 non-ethnic Chinese persons (21 men and 24 women, including 14 men and nine women holding recognisance forms prohibiting them from taking any employment) and 44 Mainlanders (12 men and 32 women). Among the illegal workers arrested, 18 persons were suspected of using and being in possession of forged Hong Kong identity cards, while three persons were suspected of using and being in possession of another person’s identity card. Additionally, 34 Hong Kong residents (18 men and 16 women) were arrested for suspected involvement in employing illegal workers or aiding and abetting others in breaching their conditions of stay in Hong Kong.
     
    Among the arrested illegal workers, 58 persons have been prosecuted for offences under the Immigration Ordinance, including breach of conditions of stay, using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card, and taking employment while being an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land. Among them, 46 persons have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 54 days to 22 months. The enforcement actions are ongoing, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests or prosecutions.
     
    The spokesman said that the ImmD will continue to combat illegal employment activities. The ImmD is committed to combating illegal employment by illegal immigrants, visitors, foreign domestic helpers, and imported workers bound by specific employment conditions in order to protect the local labour market. If illegal activities are suspected, citizens may contact the ImmD’s dedicated hotline (2824 1551), email (anti_crime@immd.gov.hkIssued at HKT 19:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interior designer and contractor fined $260,000 in total for contravention of Buildings Ordinance

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         â€‹An interior designer and a contractor were fined $260,000 in total at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts today (June 24), for contravention of the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO).

         â€‹The case involved the removal of part of a structural wall in a unit at The Capitol, Lohas Park, between 2022 and 2023. An investigation by the Buildings Department (BD) found that the interior designer and the contractor responsible for the renovation of the unit concerned knowingly carried out the works without prior approval and consent from the BD, thereby contravening section 40(1AA) of the BO. Moreover, the removal of part of the structural wall by the contractor was carried out in such a manner as was likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property, thereby contravening section 40(2B)(b) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action under the BO against the interior designer and the contractor in May last year. The interior designer and the contractor were convicted and fined $60,000 and $200,000 respectively at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court today.

         â€‹In addition, the BD has also instigated prosecution action against the owner of the concerned unit for contravening sections 40(1AA) and 40(2B)(b) of the BO. The hearing is adjourned to August 28.

         â€‹A spokesman for the BD said that any person who intends to carry out alteration and addition works should consult building professionals for advice, including the feasibility of the works, and where necessary, apply for approval and consent from the BD to ensure building safety and compliance with the Buildings Ordinance (BO). Building professionals and contractors are required to carefully examine the approved plans and other relevant documents to observe the relevant requirements under the BO, and to ascertain whether prior approval from the BD should be obtained before commencement of the works to ensure the safety of the occupants and the structural safety of the building.

         â€‹Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) of the BO (i.e. commences or carries out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD) shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of $400,000 and to imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.

         â€‹Pursuant to section 40(2B)(b) of the BO, any person directly concerned with the relevant building works, who carries out or authorises or permits such works to be carried out, in such manner that it is likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property, shall be guilty of an offence and liable upon conviction to a fine of $1,000,000 and to imprisonment for three years.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –