Suspected Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels attacked Lhubirira Secondary School Friday night in Mpondwe, about 2 km from the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), killing at least 37 students, a security guard and three people of the local community, according to police and military sources.
The rebels, according to the military, burnt a school dormitory and also looted a food store. Among the victims, at least 17 students were burnt to death.
The militants abducted six students and forced them to carry the food, Felix Kulayigye, Uganda’s military spokesperson, told Xinhua by phone.
“We shall get them wherever they will be” and rescued the students, he added.
At least eight students who were sent to the hospital remain in critical condition, according to the police.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has sent a team of top military officers to investigate the incident.
Dick Olum, Uganda Peoples’ Defense Forces commander for the mountain division based in western Uganda, said in a televised address that the rebels were aided to cross into Uganda from neighboring DRC.
“Kindly help us to identify the boys who helped the ADF come here. We have got information that ADF [militants] came and spent two nights here before they attacked the school,” Olum said.
The military said in a statement that it was using both aerial and ground forces to pursue the attackers who could be retreating to Virunga National Park in the DRC.
“The planes have already arrived and deployed. They are going to search everywhere for these rebels,” Olum said.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued a statement after the attack, condemning the heinous attack and abduction of students and demanding their immediate release and safe return.
“Schools are a safe place for all learners and must never be attacked. We appeal to all those involved in the Friday attack to respect schools and the rights of every child to learn in a safe and protected environment,” said Munir Safieldin, UNICEF representative to Uganda, in the statement.
The ADF, which is a branch of the Islamic State in Central Africa, is a Ugandan rebel group that is holed up in the jungles of eastern DRC. The rebel group is blamed for causing havoc in villages in eastern DRC.
The Ugandan military and their Congolese counterparts launched joint operations against the rebel group in November 2021 shortly after the ADF launched bomb attacks in Kampala, the capital of Uganda.
Both the Sudanese army and the RSF announced on Sunday their agreement to the new 72-hour truce mediated by Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Eyewitnesses in southern Khartoum said armed clashes had stopped and warplanes activity significantly declined since the truce went into effect at 6 a.m. local time (0400 GMT) on Sunday.
“There is great stability. We do not hear sounds of gunfire, artillery or airstrikes,” an eyewitness in Omdurman, a major city west of Khartoum, told Xinhua.
The situation in Bahri (Khartoum North) city was also calm on Sunday after intensive clashes that took place in the city the day before.
In their statement, the warring parties agreed that during the cease-fire they would refrain from prohibited movements, attacks, use of military aircraft or drones, artillery strikes, reinforcement of positions and resupply of forces or seeking military advantage.
They also agreed to allow the unimpeded movement and delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the country.
According to the statement, should the parties fail to observe the 72-hour truce, the facilitators would be compelled to consider adjourning the Jeddah talks.
Since May 6, Saudi Arabia and the United States have been patronizing negotiations between the Sudanese warring parties in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. Several truces have been reached since then with the two sides accusing each other of violating them.
Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF in Khartoum and other areas since April 15, which has left over 3,000 people killed and more than 6,000 injured, Al-Hadath TV Channel reported on Saturday citing the Sudanese Minister of Health.
More than 1.9 million people have been displaced since the conflict began, fleeing to safer areas both inside and outside Sudan, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its latest update on Tuesday.
As of June 6, 1.4 million people had been internally displaced in Sudan and some 460,000 people, including refugees, asylum seekers and returnees, had crossed into neighboring countries, the OCHA said, citing the UN Refugee Agency.
The Minister of Interior, Alfred Gasana, while closing the symposium, said that persistent conflicts in Africa are customarily associated with different forms of social injustices, failure to address the basic human security needs and root causes of conflicts like marginalization; equal access to opportunities and resources, inclusiveness and equal protection by the laws, among others.
Africa, he said, has been experiencing a number of transnational organized crimes such as terrorism, cybercrimes, drug trafficking, smuggling of migrants, human trafficking, money laundering, trafficking in firearms, and counterfeit of goods, among others.
“In re-thinking of a peaceful and secure Africa, there is always a compelling need to address all the social injustices-related root causes of conflicts in order to effectively foster justice for sustainable peace and security on the continent.
It requires restructuring various continental and regional judicial mechanisms dealing with crimes affecting peace and security; building strong and fair judicial systems that are responsive to the citizens’ needs; and promoting good collaboration of justice practitioners with security and law enforcement organs,” Minister Gasana said.
{{Panelists }}
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Felix Namuhoranye, in his insight on community-based violence as an approach to crime prevention–the RNP experience; said that the goal of modern policing is preventing crimes, not just catching criminals.
In his view, effective police forces have low arrest rates because their communities have low crime rates.
To achieve the required effectiveness in crime prevention, he added, the police needs to engage the public in matters of policing.
“The post-genocide policing landscape warranted a drastic paradigm shift from traditional policing to a more pro-active, preventive and pro-people approach to law enforcement. In the tragic past, the Genocidal regime had used law enforcement agencies, among other state capabilities, to perpetrate the genocide,” IGP Namuhoranye said
Embracing community policing, he said, started with doing away with three major traditional policing shortfalls; aggressive and dehumanizing policing, unnecessary social distance (lack of engagement) between the police and communities they serve; and reactive policing with minimum responsiveness.
Dr. Jurgen Stock, Interpol Secretary General, said that transnational crime thrives when law enforcement stops at the border.
“International police cooperation is the single most effective tool to deprive them (criminals) of that opportunity. In Africa, and across the world, the threat landscape is constantly evolving, which requires adapting and seizing all opportunities available,” Dr. Stock said.
Prosecutor General, Aimable Havugiyaremye, in exploring justice system reform for peaceful society–the case of Rwanda; said that the 1959-1994 injustice and impunity in Rwanda was the definition of leadership at the time.
“Stopping the Genocide against the Tutsi was not the end of the struggle but rather a new chapter towards transformation, including reforming the justice sector in a completely destroyed country of people with no hope, traumatized and with broken hearts,” Havugiyaremye said.
He added: “The principle was not to react with bitterness but to seek transformation of the suffering into a creative workforce; eradicate the culture of impunity and build the rule of law; national ownership of its development programmes-homegrown solutions- such as Gacaca courts; having a national identity as Rwandans not defined on ethnic lines.”
Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, underscored that without justice there can’t be reconciliation, rebuilding and peace.
“Our collective pledge is not to forget to hold accountable perpetuators of Genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Accountability to prevent crimes is important not only to obtain justice for the victims and rebuild trust in justice and security institutions, but also prevent recurrence and build the foundation of safer societies and peaceful co-existence,” Nderitu said.
She added: “Rwanda is an example of strong foundation of justice system that seeks to end impunity and to ensure that all perpetuators are held accountable. 29 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, significant steps towards justice and accountability have been achieved both in Rwandan courts and before the international criminal tribunal, even if more remains to be done.”
She urged all states to ensure that all possible efforts are undertaken to bring the roaming genocidiares to justice and to give justice to victims.
The recent arrest of Fulgence Kayishema, she observed, means so much for the victims, survivors and respect for their dignity, safety and long lasting peace.
Dr. Alphonse Muleefu, the acting Principal for the University of Rwanda-College of Arts and Social Science (CASS), explored justice as an evolution and nexus to peace and security.
He observed that most internal conflicts result from social injustice such as exclusion… adding that distributive justice is key to peace and justice.
He also pointed out that external interference will not address the issues at hand because they are “normatively driven.”
The Permanent Secretary in Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, Yves Iradukunda, said that although technology has helped in economic growth and financial inclusion, among others, it has amplified criminality.
In his view on globalization and criminality in Africa–the double face of technological advancements; lack of awareness and preparedness put institutions are high risk.
“We have to deploy the right policies and regulatory framework to govern artificial intelligence, and ethical guidelines that guide our IT experts,” Iradukunda said.
Jean Philbert Nsengimana, the Chief Digital Advisor at Africa CDC, said that Africa ,which lost at least 10 percent of its GDP to cybercrime, last year, continues to face big heists today affecting mainly the banking, retail and manufacturing sectors.
“How do we make state actors to address this serious threat? The conventional tools are being consumed by criminals and we have to always think about being ahead of criminals, and that goes with radical capacity building and ethical considerations, but also to think of serious penalties, rehabilitation and employing unconventional methods including utilizing the skills of those apprehended in addressing the problem instead of penalizing,” Nsengimana said.
In response to fake news and misinformation, particularly in regards to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he argued that volume matters more than just quality, and that helps in the generation of Artificial Intelligence.
Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) spokesperson, in his touch on ‘terrorism and violent extremism in Africa-trends and responses; said that this remains the main security threat in Africa affecting the Sahel region, north and west Africa, Somalia and Mozambique.
“All groups are motivated by the need to form Islamic states, institute sharia law, quest for control of territory and resources, and are grouped around tribal and religious sense of ownership.
This is a result of governance failure, none governance inclusion and failure to maintain state balance,” Brig. Gen Rwivanga said.
Inclusion, integration and involvement, he pointed out, are at the centre of Rwanda’s governance. “Strategic, operational layer–prevent and pursue–and participating in actions–human security and community development activities–that win hearts and minds of the people. These are ideals of Rwanda security agencies both in and out of the country where they operate.”
e-SIM, short for embedded SIM, is a revolutionary technology that replaces the physical SIM card with an integrated chip within the smartphone. This new technology allows smartphone users to activate their SIM profile digitally, eliminating the need for a physical SIM card, and simplifying the process of switching between different local and international network operators.
Emmanuel Hamez, Airtel Rwanda’s Managing Director, expressed excitement about bringing this cutting-edge SIM technology to the Rwandan market. He stated, “We are thrilled to introduce e-SIMs to Rwanda as this will empower our customers with a new level of convenience and flexibility that was previously not available to them. This innovative technology will eliminate the frustration that users often face when physical SIM cards get damaged or lost. e-SIM makes mobile connectivity more accessible and hassle-free for everyone.”
Some of the key advantages of e-SIM technology are (1) the ability to use multiple SIM profiles on a single device means customers can easily switch between personal and business phone numbers without the hassle of physically changing SIM cards, (2) e-SIM is in line with environmental best practices as it is planet-friendly with zero waste and zero carbon emission, and (3) frequent travelers to Rwanda can seamlessly connect to the Airtel network upon arrival.
Mr. Hamez highlighted that the e-SIM activation process remains in line with the Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and guidelines set by the regulatory authorities. He invited all customers to get their e-SIM profiles activated by visiting one of our service centers countrywide.
To determine if a smartphone is e-SIM compatible, a customer can simply check in advance by dialing *#06# and look for their device to display an Electronic ID number (EID) on the pop-up menu.
Customers with compatible devices can get their physical SIM card swapped for an e-SIM for free at any Airtel Service Center. Once activated, Airtel Rwanda customers will be able to enjoy the benefits of e-SIM both within the country and while roaming internationally.
{{About Airtel Africa}}
Airtel Africa is a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, with a presence in 14 countries in Africa, primarily in East Africa and Central and West Africa.
Airtel Africa offers an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.
Speaking at the event held on 15th June 2023, the ambassador emphasized the country’s legacy of acceptance, coexistence, and harmony among people of diverse faiths.
Through his visit, Amb. Alqahtani aimed to inspire and empower the students, igniting their commitment to building a more tolerant and peaceful world.
{{Understanding tolerance}}
At the core of Ambassador Alqahtani’s message was the concept of tolerance.
As he said, tolerance goes beyond being a moral duty noting that it is a political and legal obligation, fostering harmony in diversity.
It paves the way for peace by recognizing the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of others. The world observes the International Day of Tolerance each year on 16th November, emphasizing the importance of this virtue in creating a culture of peace.
{{Seven pillars of National Tolerance Program}}
In 2016, the UAE government introduced the seven pillars of the national tolerance program, shaping the country’s commitment to tolerance and acceptance.
These pillars include Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and ethics, Islam, the UAE’s Constitution, international conventions, common values, humanity, and archeology and history. By embracing these pillars, the UAE strives to build a society that cherishes diversity and cultivates a spirit of inclusivity.
{{Cultural Cornerstone: Sheikh Zayed’s Vision}}
Amb. Alqahtani went on to explain that the UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, played a pivotal role in promoting tolerance and harmony.
As he said, Sheikh Zayed called upon people to embrace tolerance, acceptance, and coexistence, irrespective of color, religion, or beliefs. T
This cultural cornerstone forms the bedrock of the UAE’s national identity since 1971, with adherence to moderate Islam and the promotion of diversity, openness, and religious tolerance.
“The UAE is a nation of tolerance, peace, cultural diversity & coexistence, with over 200 nationalities living peacefully and prosperously side by side,” he noted.
{{Pope Francis’ Historic Visit and the Document of Human Fraternity}}
A significant milestone in the UAE’s journey of tolerance was the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis in 2019.
As the first pontiff ever to visit the Arabian Peninsula, Pope Francis met with the Grand Imam Sheikh of al-Azhar Dr. Ahmed al-Tayyib.
Together, they signed the Document of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. This document denounces the use of religion to justify violence and opposes all forms of extremism.
It signifies the UAE’s commitment to fostering peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.
{{The Abrahamic House of Fraternity}}
To further promote interfaith dialogue, the UAE proposed the Abrahamic House of Fraternity.
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share a history connected to the patriarch Abraham, making them Abrahamic religions. The Abrahamic House of Fraternity, located in Abu Dhabi, stands as a physical representation of the Document of Human Fraternity.
Amb. Alqahtani disclosed that this interfaith complex which houses a church, a mosque, a synagogue, and a secular welcome center was completed and officially opened to UAE Residents and visitors of different faiths in March this year.
It serves as a space for dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.
By sharing the UAE’s journey and its commitment to tolerance and coexistence, Amb. Alqahtani left a lasting impact on the young minds, inspiring them to embrace diversity and build a harmonious future.
After the interactive discussions, Amb. Hazza Alqahtani awarded six academically best performing students from ESSI with smart tablets.
He made the disclosure on Thursday, June 15, 2023, during his interaction with students and teachers at the Islamic Secondary School for Sciences (ESSI) located at the Islamic Cultural Center in Nyamirambo, Nyarugenge District of Kigali City, where he shared the UAE’s efforts in combating violent extremism and terrorism.
“The UAE is dedicated to supporting moderate Islam and countering extremist interpretations of the faith. The country is leading efforts to promote inclusion and compassion through Islam, countering the root cause of extremism and disrupting the messages that lead to radicalization,” he noted.
Amb. Alqahtani highlighted the UAE Government’s consistent demonstration of its commitment to inclusion since unification, implementing laws that protect religious freedom and programs that foster interfaith understanding.
He emphasized that the values of inclusion, mutual respect, and religious freedom have been ingrained in the UAE’s DNA since the country’s founding in 1971 when people of countless faiths and more than 200 nationalities began living together, side by side, in harmony.
Amb. Alqahtani explained that the UAE government advocates fighting extremism through strict enforcement of counter-terrorist financing laws and regulations. Additionally, they are focused on disrupting the recruitment of foreign fighters, preventing extremist exploitation of the internet and social media, and challenging the use of religious centers to promote hatred and violence.
These efforts are complemented by the UAE General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments, which works closely with religious leaders in the UAE to monitor and prevent extremist preaching in religious centers. The authority provides guidelines for all Friday sermons and monitors compliance in mosques to prevent extremist teaching.
Furthermore, Amb. Alqahtani disclosed that the UAE criminalizes any acts that stoke religious hatred or insult religion through any form of expression, including speech, the written word, books, pamphlets, or online media platforms.
“Internationally, the UAE has strongly supported regional and international efforts in coastal West Africa and the Sahel, including through contributions to the G5 Sahel Joint Force and its membership in the Global Coalition against Da’esh. It has also supported the establishment of the Coalition’s Africa Focus Group, which will work to counter the threat posed by Da’esh and Al-Qaeda across Africa,” he stated.
Another significant initiative is the joint financial counter-terrorism task force between the UAE and the United States, which enhances cooperation, coordination, and information sharing to shut down illicit financing networks and cut off the flow of funds to extremists.
“The task force helps block funding to extremists from individuals or black market sales of oil and prevents access to the international banking system,” said Amb. Alqahtani.
After the interactive discussions, Amb. Hazza Alqahtani awarded six academically best performing students from ESSI with smart tablets.
Mutimura, an experienced banker and former Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Bank of Kigali, will be taking over from Robin Bairstow, who will be transitioning to a new role within the group.
Bairstow has played a pivotal role in spearheading the growth of I&M Bank for over seven years.
His leadership saw the bank going public in 2017, overseeing the successful implementation of the new Finacle Core Banking System, and facilitating the construction and relocation to a remarkable new head office building in Kigali.
Among others, Bairstow has been a strong advocate for digitization, revolutionizing processes such as digital onboarding and loans applications. These efforts have expanded access to finance through a blockchain-powered mobile money application.
Under his tenure, I&M Bank has been recognized with numerous industry awards for its exceptional governance, product innovation, diversity, and inclusion. A statement from I&M Bank emphasizes the importance of cultural transformation in achieving these accolades, resulting in outstanding levels of staff engagement.
Bairstow’s successor, Mutimura, brings with him more than 16 years of experience in the financial services sector and has made significant contributions to the success of the organizations he has been part of. His journey began at I&M Bank Rwanda in 2007 as a Development Finance Officer.
He steadily climbed the ranks, holding positions such as Credit Manager, Head of Retail Banking, and eventually Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking until 2020 when he joined Bank of Kigali.
During his time as the Chief Commercial Officer at Bank of Kigali, Mutimura played a pivotal role in driving the development and implementation of the commercial strategy. He ensured the availability and distribution of competitive products, led strategic marketing efforts, managed relationships, and optimized channel utilization.
Mutimura holds a Master’s Degree in Development Economics from Louvain la Neuve & Namur University in Belgium, as well as a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the former National University of Rwanda. Additionally, he has completed a Leadership Program at Strathmore University and the Senior Executive Program at Harvard Business School. Mutimura is also a certified credit professional (Omega Performance) and possesses a strong passion for organizational leadership.
Bonaventure Niyibizi, Board Chairman of I&M Rwanda Plc, expressed gratitude to Bairstow for his exemplary service and guidance during his tenure as the CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda Plc. Niyibizi highlighted the remarkable growth of the bank, with assets expanding threefold and net revenue market share increasing by 35%. Bairstow’s influential role as the leader of the Rwanda Bankers’ Association was also commended.
Niyibizi also extended a warm welcome to Mutimura, expressing delight in his return to I&M Rwanda to lead the business in the ongoing growth strategy.
Kihara Maina, Regional CEO of I&M Group Plc, commented on the new appointment, stating that Mr. Benjamin Mutimura is the ideal leader to drive the ambitious growth plans of the Imara 3.0 strategy.
Maina praised Mutimura’s business expertise and determination in taking I&M Bank Rwanda to new heights of growth and development. Maina also expressed gratitude to Bairstow for his dedicated service and leadership, highlighting the opportunity to tap into his extensive experience within the Group.
What Chinese President Xi Jinping wrote in his congratulatory letter to the Forum on Global Human Rights Governance that opened in Beijing on Wednesday spoke again of the importance China has attached to the global human rights cause.
For decades, China has been committed to raising the well-being of its people while improving global human rights governance, both of which are highly acclaimed by the international community.
{{BREATHTAKING TRANSFORMATION}}
Villagers of Daliang Mountain in Sichuan Province, southwestern China, endured a life of poverty six years ago, grappling with an unstable power supply and a lack of essential electrical appliances.
But things have changed. Now the road to the village has been rebuilt, and impoverished villagers have been relocated to newly built houses equipped with electric cookers and washing machines.
“It is such a tremendous change. I would never have dreamed of it,” rejoiced Boli Muqie, a villager in the mountainous area.
The breathtaking transformation is possible because of China’s poverty alleviation work, which eliminated absolute poverty by February 2021. It has lifted more than 700 million of its people out of poverty over the past 40-plus years of reform and opening up, significantly contributing to the cause of human rights worldwide.
Apart from that, China has established the world’s largest systems of education, social security and healthcare, ensuring that its population’s basic needs are met. It also promoted equal rights and special protection for specific groups, including ethnic minorities, women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
One of the best examples can be found in northwestern China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where ethnic groups have adequate access to education, healthcare and cultural events.
Rural schools here, refurbished and with improved teaching, have helped many students gain admission to higher education, said Sanam Ibrayim, a teacher at a rural school in Xinjiang.
In the eyes of many, China’s people-centered advancement is a significant human rights feat, setting a new benchmark.
Former Prime Minister of Guyana Moses Nagamootoo said China’s concept of people-centered human rights could be illuminating to other countries.
Leonardo Santos Simao, former foreign minister of Mozambique, said China has ensured its people’s political, economic, social and cultural rights during its development.
{{A COUNTRY WITH THE MOVES}}
“Thanks to a good production in rice obtained due to a training session on varieties of Chinese rice in general and hybrid rice in particular, members of our cooperative are enjoying socially and economically,” said Emmanuel Nizigiyimana, a Burundian in his 30s.
Nizigiyimana, chairman of a cooperative based in Burundi’s Bubanza Province, was one of the students receiving training in rice farming under the leadership of a Chinese rice farming expert named Yang Huade.
The production that was less than four tonnes with the local rice variety per hectare has now been increased to nine to 10 tonnes per hectare with the Chinese rice, Nizigiyimana said. “The Chinese rice varieties are also resistant to diseases contrary to local varieties.”
The training has provided valuable insight into the impact of China’s initiatives dedicated to protecting and promoting the right to live and develop. These efforts have been instrumental in improving the well-being of people in countries across the globe.
Take the Belt and Road Initiative. Proposed by China in 2013, it has generated nearly 1 trillion U.S. dollars in investment, created some 420,000 jobs worldwide, and helped lift nearly 40 million people out of poverty in a decade. A World Bank report said the initiative could boost trade by 2.8 to 9.7 percent for participating countries and by 1.7 to 6.2 percent for the whole world.
Furthermore, the Global Development Initiative (GDI) put forward by China in September 2021 has gained support from more than 100 countries and several international organizations, including the United Nations. Nearly 70 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the initiative. In April last year, China proposed another initiative, the Global Security Initiative, to promote common security.
China said it would work hard to contribute its wisdom and solutions to the cause of peace and development for all humanity. In this regard, China practices what it preaches, said Keith Bennett, a long-term China specialist and vice chair of Britain’s 48 Group Club.
Bennett said that China can put forward proposals, mechanisms and solutions that have global appeal.
{{ENRICHING GLOBAL CAUSE}}
In early November 2017, the Committee of Disarmament and International Security of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly approved two draft resolutions on preventing an arms race in outer space. Both incorporated for the first time the phrase “building a community of shared future for mankind.”
Since then, the vision put forward by China has been written into more UN resolutions and has become an essential component of the global human rights discourse.
Based on this vision, China has cultivated an outlook on human rights with “people” as the center, “development” as the driving force and “a life of contentment” as the goal through continuous progress, enriching the global human rights cause.
China conforms to a people-centered approach, which envisions a “global five-in-one” comprising “politics, security, economy, culture and ecology,” said Maria Francesca Staiano, director of the Center on China Studies of the International Relations Institute of the National University of La Plata.
“They are key points of the UN human rights protections, which are in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and human rights,” she said.
True. To promote common development for advancing universal human rights, China put forward the GDI, advocating action-oriented approaches that address developing countries’ most pressing livelihood needs. It has also called for upholding genuine multilateralism and the basic norms of international relations to promote and protect human rights through dialogue and cooperation.
Meanwhile, recognizing the importance of inclusiveness, China proposed the Global Civilization Initiative in mid-March, urging the international community to respect the diversity of civilizations and the different paths of human rights development.
Saikat Bhattacharya, an assistant professor at New Integrated Public University in India, said building a community with a shared future for humanity champions the equality of countries regardless of their size. It strengthens state-to-state relations and promotes living with dignity.
“The international community needs the contribution of China in global human rights governance,” said Micol Savia, permanent representative of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers to the United Nations in Geneva.
China, a country with long history and culture, is a significant player in international relations, she added.
Jointly hosted by the Information Office of the State Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the China International Development Cooperation Agency, the forum attracted over 300 participants from nearly 100 countries and international organizations, including United Nations (UN) agencies.
In a congratulatory letter to the forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that China stands for safeguarding human rights with security, advocates for promoting human rights with development, and stands for advancing human rights with cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and equality.
Xi’s letter was read out at the forum’s opening ceremony by Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. Li himself delivered a keynote speech.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the forum, Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, noted that human rights are an achievement of humanity and a symbol of progress. Respect for and protection of human rights is a basic principle of modern civilization, and the unwavering goal of the CPC.
{{HIGHLIGHTING INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION}}
In his congratulatory letter, Xi said that China is ready to work with the rest of the world to act on the principles enshrined in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, push for greater fairness, justice, reason, and inclusiveness in global human rights governance, and promote the development of a human community with a shared future.
The advancement of global human rights causes can only be realized with the combined efforts of all members of the international society. Many participants have emphasized this point when sharing opinions at the forum.
“We should spare no effort to ensure that the people of the world are the main actor, promoter, and beneficiary of the cause of human rights,” said Saint Cyr Mazangue, commissioner for international cooperation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Central African Republic. He added that major countries must take responsibility in this regard.
In terms of international human rights cooperation, many participants underlined the role of the UN and its principles regarding human rights.
Liu Xinsheng, a human rights expert with the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee, said in his speech that abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter is of paramount importance in global human rights management.
He added that developing countries should be given more support to be involved in global governance and explore paths to promote democracy and the rule of law to advance the healthy development of global human rights governance.
{{ACKNOWLEDGING CHINA’S OUTLOOK}}
At the forum, many experts acknowledged China’s outlook on respecting and protecting human rights, noting it can provide new insight into the solution to global human rights challenges.
Robert Lawrence Kuhn, chairman of the Kuhn Foundation, noted in his speech that China’s outlook on human rights is manifested in the manner Chinese people participate in national governance, particularly the whole-process people’s democracy.
The CPC’s call is to expand the orderly political participation of the people, to strengthen the protection of human rights and the rule of law, and to ensure that the people enjoy extensive rights and freedoms in accordance with the law, said Kuhn, adding that enhancing whole-process people’s democracy enhances human rights.
In addition, participants also discussed China’s view on human rights reflected in its diplomacy, particularly in the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI).
In his speech, renowned Zambian scholar Fredrick Mutesa discussed the relationship between the GDI and the rights to development. He hailed the implementation of the GDI as another vivid example of China’s endeavor to promote the development of a human community with a shared future.
Speaking of the GSI, Crispin Kaheru, Commissioner of the Uganda Human Rights Commission, said it seeks to promote dialogue over confrontation and partnerships over alliances, but, more importantly, it seeks to encourage win-win situations over zero-sum game settlements. “China is not only proposing the way but also sharing its experiences,” he added.
{{HUMAN RIGHTS IN DIGITAL AGE}}
At the forum, participants also paid attention to the new opportunities and challenges brought by rapidly developing digital technology to global human rights governance.
Shi Anbin, professor of the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University, noted in the critical period of digital governance, countries in the Global South should continue the South-South cooperation, deepen international technological exchanges and cooperation, and stimulate internal innovations.
Besides posing challenges, digital technology also empowered countries to advance human rights in many aspects. Maria Francesca Staiano, a coordinator with the China Research Center of the School of Law and Social Sciences of Argentina’s La Plata National University, introduced in her speech how Argentina utilized digital technology to improve education for the people and alleviate poverty.
She expressed hope that China will engage in increasing cooperation with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean in fields including digital technology to make new contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goal.
Father’s Day serves as an opportunity to honor and celebrate the significance of fatherhood, paternal bonds with both male and female children, and the influence of fathers and father figures in society. While the global community has embraced this day as an important occasion on their national calendars, it is equally important to acknowledge the contrast between fatherhood and fatherlessness.
Numerous studies suggest that children with involved and loving fathers are more likely to excel in school, possess healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk activities such as drug use, absenteeism, and criminal behavior. A present and engaged father serves as a child’s first role model and lays the foundation for good leadership.
Conversely, research shows that fatherlessness contributes to various social issues. Common indicators of the direct impact of fatherlessness include poverty, substance abuse, poor physical and emotional health, lower educational attainment, crime, and an increased likelihood of early sexual activity and teen pregnancy, among other detrimental effects.
Addressing the positive impact of fatherhood or the negative consequences of fatherlessness (which can result from various factors such as geopolitical unrest, divorce, or teenage pregnancies) is a delicate challenge that society faces.
Key organizations with shared interests on providing a solution to this societal issue are joining forces to celebrate the role of Fathers this coming Father’s Day, Sunday 18th June 2023, as part of the regular “Mentoring Walk & Environment” programs.
The Mentoring Walk to be held at Nyandungu Eco-Park by joint partners, KORA Coaching Group, Bourbon Coffee, Old Mutual and IGIHE will be held under the theme “From Trauma to Triumph”.
Partner organizations aim to bring together seasoned, young fathers and aspiring fathers who will participate in a guided Mentoring Walk and Talk by the ponds of the recently restored Wetland.
A select number of role models and father figures are set to provide a valuable inspiration for achieving a healthy balance of physical and mental well-being through meaningful intergenerational exchanges.
Studies have shown that physical activity positively influences emotions and decision-making as an integral part of personal leadership. Old Mutual Rwanda, part of a pan-African leading Insurance Company present in 13 countries will provide further insights into the benefits of fitness and health coverage during the event.
KORA Coaching Group, the lead partner and developer of the Mentoring Walk programs, will facilitate the speed mentoring session to ensure knowledge transfer and accelerated transformation through its internationally certified professional KORA Coaches.
Guests are anticipated to be made up of over 60% young mentees to align with Rwanda’s demography. The participating Youth representatives will be encouraged to share their personal journeys at the end of Walk & Talk speed mentoring session over a breakfast.
As the resident operator of Nyandungu restaurant, Bourbon Coffee will host all celebrating guests and serve its flagship Rwandan coffee alongside a selected breakfast menu featuring their popular baked goods and fruits.
