NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Alberto Lingria/Xinhua
By Advik S Mohan and Samruddhi Pathak
THE EU
Storm Boris hits central Europe, claims eight lives
On 15 September, close to eight dies in a drowning caused by floods in Poland, Austria, Romania and the Czech Republic. On 15 September, Werner Kogler, vice chancellor of Austria, informed that a firefighter had died due to heavy flooding and declared Vienna as a disaster area. Areas in eastern Vienna have been covered by three metres of snow while rail services have also been suspended in several areas of Austria. Simultaneously, Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Poland, also informed that one person has drowned in the KÅ‚odzko region. Almost 1,600 people have been evacuated from the KÅ‚odzko region so far. Polish authorities have also deployed its army to assist firefighters during the floods. A local river in KÅ‚odzko also rose to 6.7 metres. This water level has surpassed the record established in 1997 when heavy floods took at least 56 lives in the region. On 14 September, Poland closed its GoÅ‚kowice border with the Czech Republic after a river flooded its banks. Hungarian authorities have issued an alert for their citizens in Budapest and the Danube River recorded water levels up to 8.5 metres. Gergely Karácsony, the Mayor of Budapest, said, “One of the biggest floods of the past years is approaching Budapest.” The Czech Republic has registered a report for four missing individuals whose car is expected to have been swept by a flooded river in Lipová-lázne, a town in eastern Czech Republic. (Sam Jones, “‘Catastrophe of epic proportions’: eight drown in Europe amid heavy floods,” The Guardian, 15 September 2024)
Keir Starmer to discuss migration policies with Georgia Meloni
On 15 September, Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of the UK, told the media that he is interested in discussing migration laws with Georgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy. Their bilateral meeting will commence from 15 September. Migration is expected to be a priority among other discussions. Starmer is keen on exploring options for the UK to curb illegal migration. According to Starmer, Italy has managed to decrease illegal migration. Both countries wish to reduce migration through sea routes. So far in 2024, Frontex, European Union’s border security service, has recorded a drop of 64 per cent. In the first six months of 2024, 43,000 arrivals have been recorded compared to 1,58,000 in 2023. Meanwhile, the UK is still struggling to reduce arrivals from the English Channel. On 15 September, eight people died due to drowning of a boat in the English Channel which was trying to reach the UK. Italy has struck financial deals with Tunisia and Libya that aim to reduce illegal migration. The EU paid Tunisia EUR 105 million in 2023 to boost border security and train their coast guard. Italy gave patrol vessels and EUR 100 million to support small businesses in Tunisia. Italy has signed a similar deal with Libya wherein Italy will supply equipment to the Libyan coastguard. A similar deal was struck by the EU with Turkey in 2016 when the EU gave EUR six billion to boost border security. This resulted in drastic fall migrants’ arrival. Human Rights Watch, a human rights group, has accused the EU and Italy of compelling migrants to live in dangerous situations in which they are trying to flee. Tunisia is facing a deterioration in democracy which is causing citizens to seek refuge in other countries. Starmer and Meloni come from two opposites of the political spectrum. However, their bilateral meet is expected to result in productive deals and agreements, as per BBC. (“Mark Lowen, “Starmer to discuss migrant boat crossings with Meloni in Italy,” BBC, 15 September 2024)
FRANCE
Protest emerges in support of rape victim
On 14 September, The Guardian reported on widespread protests across France in support of a rape victim. Gisele Pelicot, the woman in question was drugged and raped by over 80 men over a decade, at the behest of her husband. In response, feminist groups organized protests around 30 cities in the country. Protesters informed they were rallying against the rape culture prevalent in France. They also stated the case of Pelicot would raise awareness over the issue. According to Deborah Poirier, a protestor, the case was “the height of horror.” Pelicot had been praised for her courage in demanding the trial to be held in public, rather than behind closed doors. On 12 September, the trial was suspended as Dominique Pelicot, the husband was taken ill. Dominique Pelicot had pleaded guilty earlier and is facing a trial alongside 50 other men accused of raping Gisele. (Kim Willsher, “‘It’s the height of horror’: protests in 30 French cities in support of Gisele Pelicot,” The Guardian, 14 September 2024)
GEORGIA
Georgia’s claim of EU membership is becoming a distant aspiration says an opinion in DW
On 15 September, Deutsche Welle published an editorial about the upcoming elections in Georgia and the polarising issues in the country. Georgia’s claim of EU membership is becoming a distant aspiration due to its tilt towards authoritarianism recently. In December 2023, Georgia was given EU membership candidate status. However, the process was soon put to a halt due to the Foreign Agents Bill that the national parliament of Georgia had passed. The law was in congruence with the Russian approach towards opposition leaders. Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia and a leader of the Georgian Dream Party, has even indicated that he will ban opposition parties if elected to power again. Elections in Georgia are due on 26 October. Opposition leaders have accused the Georgian Dream party of dragging Georgia into a war with Russia. Recently, all opposition parties have come together to oppose the Georgian Dream party’s anti-EU agenda. (Christian Trippe, “Georgia's elections: Will voters lean to the EU or Russia?,” Deutsche Welle, 15 September 2024)
GREECE
Left- wing party leader removed from post over lack of ideological affiliation
On 13 September, The Guardian reported on the removal of Stefanos Kasselakis, the leader of the left-wing opposition party Syriza from his position. The central committee of Syriza announced Kasselakis was removed in a non-confidence motion. Kasselakis had faced criticism since taking over as Syriza leader in 2023, over his lack of ideological affiliation and perceived right-wing populism. He had planned to transform the left-wing party into a “big tent” party with centrist views as well. Dimitris Psarras, a left-wing writer stated Kasselakis had disregarded the decision-making organs in Syriza during his tenure, and run the party like a company. Pavlos Polakis, a former supporter of Kasselakis stated it had been a mistake to support him. Syriza had fallen in the poll ratings as well, in third place at 9.3 per cent. On the other hand, Kasselakis argued the decision to remove him was through a “secret ballot,” and against the will of the party members. Psarras stated it was too early to rule Kasselakis out of the political scene. ( Helena Smith, “Greece’s leftwing Syriza party ousts leader Stefanos Kasselakis,” The Guardian, 13 September 2024)
ITALY
Prosecutors demand six-year jail term for Matteo Salvini
On 14 September, Georgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, posted on X: “It is unbelievable that a minister of the Italian Republic risks six years in prison for doing his job.” The case dates back to 2019 when Matteo Salvini, the current deputy Prime Minister of Italy, who was then the Interior Minister of Italy, stopped a boat with migrants on board from docking in Lampedusa. The boat had picked up 147 migrants from the Libyan coast. Geri Ferrara, the primary prosecutor, filed a case in Sicily court raising the issue of endangering migrants’ lives. Meanwhile, crew members of the boat have stated that the decision by Salvini to stop the boat from docking resulted in deterioration in sanitation facilities and migrants’ living conditions. Ferrara said: “It is human rights that must prevail in our fortunately democratic system.” If Salvini is convicted of the case, he could be blocked from holding any government office in future. He has been charged with offences like kidnapping and dereliction of duty. The number of migrants arriving in Italy through sea routes had significantly reduced in 2019 in comparison to previous years. He had implemented the ‘closed ports’ policy to tackle illegal migration in 2019, as the Interior Minister. Replying to the charges filed, Salvini has replied saying, “Italy could no longer be the refugee camp for all of Europe.” Salvini is a leader of the Northern League Party, which opposes illegal migration in Italy. The party is also part of the ruling coalition in Italy. Italy sees the highest number of migrants through sea routes. Most migrants come from the African continent. (Christy Cooney, “Italy deputy PM faces possible jail time for blocking migrant boat,” BBC, 15 September 2024)
SERBIA
President announces to resume mandatory military service
On 15 September, Aleksandar Vucic, President of Serbia, announced that he had signed an agreement to bring back the mandatory military service that was abolished in 2011. During his speech, he said: “I hope you all understand how much we need a strong army, how much we need to purchase and manufacture more weapons.” His objective behind the decision is deterrence. For the bill of mandatory military service to be passed, Vucic will need a majority in both the government and the parliament where his party holds a strong majority. As per the agreement, the service will be compulsory for men while it will be voluntary for women and the duration will be 60 plus 15 days. Meanwhile, human rights groups have expressed their dissent towards the decision since the decision might tilt the country towards authoritarianism. (Timothy Jones, “Serbia plans to bring back compulsory military service,” Deutsche Welle, 15 September 2024)
THE UK
Meta to use Facebook and Instagram posts for training AI
On 13 September, an article in The Guardian informed the tech company Meta planned to go ahead with plans to use UK Facebook and Instagram posts for training Artificial Intelligence(AI). Meta informed it had “engaged positively” with the International Commissioner’s Office (ICO) over the plan. The ICO informed it had decided to monitor the experiment, instead of regulatory approval. Stephen Almond, the Executive Director for Regulatory Risk of the ICO stated organizations using generative AI models for data needed to be transparent. However, privacy advocacy groups had raised alarm regarding the plans. Open Rights Group (ORG), a privacy campaigner accused Meta of turning individuals into “involuntary test subjects”. Meta had accused the EU of hampering AI development, with its refusal to allow EU citizens’ posts to be used for AI training. On 13 September, Meta confirmed plans to use publicly shared posts to train AI models were being resumed, for Facebook and Instagram users in the UK. The company also informed no usage of private messages and content from minors. ( Matthew Weaver, “Meta to push on with plans to use UK Facebook and Instagram posts to train AIi,” The Guardian, 13 September 2024)