Photo : Natur og ungdom
Photo : Natur og ungdom
By Padmashree Anandhan
FRANCE
Politico reports the changing trend in naval combat
On 10 April, Politico reported on the French navy’s shift in training from policing operations to gird. This comes as Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard, the commander of France’s carrier battle group says as a preparation against war. The navy’s mission have focused till now on blocking drug traffickers, combat illegal fishing and launching inflatable boats and detaining criminals. According to him the naval combat is shaping towards war, he added: “…we feel threatened on a more regular basis ... We now train for other missions, in particular what we call high-intensity warfare.” In the EU, France has been the only country with functional nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and it also hosts a battle group of nuclear submarines, frigates and Rafale fighter jets. This is expected to start mission in Mediterranean Sea which is seen as a adaptive move of the west as war in Gaza and Ukraine spill into Black Sea and Red Sea. (Laura Kayali, “France prepares for naval warfare against an enemy that ‘wants to destroy us’,” Politico, 10 April 2024)
HUNGARY
Agricultural minister calls EU to adopt modern agricultural policies
On 10 April, in a press conference, István Nagy, Hungary’s agricultural minister mentioned the change in community’s interest in the coming European Parliament election. He cited the Brussels agricultural policy as a threat to the farmers and food-security across Europe. He pushed for modern, competitive agricultural policies and promotion of value-added sectors to increase investments, and resources. He assured Hungary’s decision to allot subsidies and ensure equitable opportunities to ease the farmer situation. (“Brussels’ Agricultural Policy a Threat to European Food-Security, States Minister,” Hungary Today, 10 April 2024)
NORWAY
Sami activists protest demanding government to remove wind turbines
On 09 April, Sami activists gathered in protest to government’s failure to continue the wind turbines remain installed in the grazing land of the Sami group despite the Supreme Court decision. The protestors occupied the entrances of the Oil and Energy Ministry and also blocked the entrances of other ministries throughout 2023. This led to imposition of fines on denying to evacuate on police orders after continuous four days. The group also refused to pay fines but the court rules in favour of the protestors criticising the police for deciding to physically carry out the protestors. The protests emerge as the Norwegian Supreme Court declared the installation of wind turbines to be in violation of Sami’s human rights. (“Sami demonstrators cleared in court,” NewsinEnglish, 09 April 2024)
SWITZERLAND
ECHR finds the government to be disregarding climate policies risking right to life
On 09 April, European Court of Human Rights ruled in favour of a group of 2,000 Swiss women aged above 64 over climate change suit. The ruling is key to assert to what extent the European countries have violated the human rights of the people by not opting measures to address the climate change. The Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz (Association of Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland), the Swiss women group accused the government for its insufficient climate policies which have restricted guarantees and bars the citizen right to life. The lawsuit was joined by senior women between 55 and above who are under risk of dying from heat-related illness which are higher in number than older men. According to the court, it found the Swiss government not meeting the Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It also condemned the government for not considering the available evidence relating to climate change. This becomes a landmark event as ECHR has never intervened directly on climate change issue earlier. (Jacob Knutson, “Swiss women win landmark climate change ruling,” Axios, 09 April 2024)