NIAS Area Studies
PAKISTAN READER
Photo : Republic of Estonia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Monkeypox in Europe: Measures, recommendations and implications
By Ashwin Dhanabalan
What is Monkeypox?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Monkeypox is a virus belonging to the Orthopoxvirus genus of the Poxviridae family. The virus is a self-limited disease, and the symptoms last for two to four weeks but is only three to six per cent fatal. It is primarily transmitted through close contact with a carrier, which could be a human, animal, or material infected with the virus. However, it can also be transmitted from one person to another by “close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets and contaminated materials such as bedding.”
It occurs majorly in tropical rainforests, especially in the West African region, and is occasionally found in other regions due to migration. There is no proven effective treatment for the virus. However, it can be controlled using smallpox vaccines and other antivirals, which boost the antibodies to fight against the self-limited disease.
Where is it spreading in Europe?
On 23 May, according to WHO, the spread of Monkeypox in Europe was likely caused by two large sex rave parties that happened in Spain and Belgium. The virus, which was usually contained to Africa and other tropical regions, was restricted as an endemic only to animals. But, it has spread across the globe due to the latest outbreak. Until 23 May, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, France, the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, and Belgium have confirmed cases of Monkeypox in Europe.
Most of the cases have been connected to the two rave parties and other events held in Spain and Germany. In Germany, four cases were confirmed directly linked to exposure to the parties held in the Canary Islands and in Berlin. At the same time, Spain’s health officials are tracking the confirmed cases and checking if the outbreak was caused by the recent Gay Pride event and a Madrid sauna.
Preventive measures against the outbreak
The EU has been urging its members to take precautions on the outbreak by increasing contact tracking, availability of vaccines, finding possible treatments, and ways of diagnosing the cases. In addition, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has recommended a set of norms to be followed by members to focus on the quick identification of potential cases, management of the infected, and operational reporting on the new cases.
Antiviral and vaccine supplies are being stockpiled to combat the increasing monkeypox cases and to avoid shortages. The vaccine named Imvanex shot is approved by the US and Canada for protection against the Monkeypox virus but has only been approved by the EU to be used against cases of smallpox. The ECDC has also recommended managing pets at the houses of potentially infected people as it could lead to the transmission of the virus into the wildlife, which would then likely cause an endemic in Europe.
Recommendations by regional & international organisations
The ECDC has rolled out its preventive measures and recommendations to member states of the EU. Meanwhile, the European commission and the health emergency response and preparedness authority (HERA), the European medicines agency, and the ECDC have been jointly collaborating to prepare against the rising number of cases. Furthermore, the EU health security committee also announced a meeting to discuss the spread of the Monkeypox in Europe. The EU stated that it will also prepare an adequate stockpile of vaccines and work towards medical countermeasures as part of the mandate.
On 24 May, the UN stated that the outbreak could still be contained if the WHO and the member states worked towards containing the spread. The UN health emergency also warned of possible stigmatisation as cases were found primarily in men who have intercourse with men. But, clarified, that this was because they were more proactive in seeking healthcare advice than the others who might also be infected. The WHO head of the smallpox team, Dr Rosamund Lewis, also mentioned that even though there were potential vaccines against the virus developed 40 years ago, the stockpiles might have to be refreshed to counter the rising cases.
The implications of the spread
First, racist reporting. On 22 May, the UNAIDS expressed concerns about the public reporting and commentaries on the spread of smallpox in a stigmatizing manner. The organization said that the public reporting on the outbreak reinforced homophobic and racist stereotypes and exacerbated the stigma against LGBTI and African people.
Second, stigmatization among the LGBTQ community. Since the cases have been found dominantly among the bisexual, gay, and other men who have sex with men, the UN has warned of possible stigmatization. UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Matthew Kavanagh, in response, said: “We appreciate the LGBTI community for having led the way on raising awareness – and we reiterate that this disease can affect anyone.”
Third, discrimination towards the African people. An article in Quartz Africa highlighted the emergence of casual racism spilling over in the media due to Monkeypox cases. International media outlets used images of people from Africa to illustrate their news articles about the outbreak. The WHO said the virus was usually found in the tropics from Africa to the US. African journalists have been calling out the causal racism being used and warned them of the implications of racism that could be created due to their reporting. They further suggested using contemporary images from the outbreak in the UK or the US than older images from Africa.
References
“Monkeypox,” WHO, 19 May 2022
Maria Chenge, “Expert: Monkeypox likely spread by sex at 2 raves in Europe,” The Washington Post, 23 May 2022
Helen Collis, “As monkeypox cases rise, European countries urged to take extra steps,” POLITICO, 23 May 2022
“Monkeypox outbreak can still be contained, insists UN health agency,” UN NEWS, 24 May 2022
“UNAIDS warns that stigmatizing language on Monkeypox jeopardises public health,” UNAIDS, 22 May 2022
Alexander Onukwue, “Using Black people to illustrate monkeypox stories plays into a racist stereotype,” Quartz Africa, 24 May 2022
100 years of Estonia-Greece diplomatic relations: Four issues
By Padmashree Anandhan
On 19 May, on the completion of 100 years of diplomatic relations of Estonia and Greece, minister of foreign affairs, Eva-Maria Liimets said: “We value international law and the protection of democratic values and principles.” Eva-Maria appreciated Greece’s united stand for Ukraine and highlighted the well-connected bilateral cooperation between both in digital sector, and joint cyber defence contributions.
1. The historic linkages
First, historic link. After the declaration of independence on 24 February 1918, Greece recognised the Republic of Estonia de jure on 19 May 1922 through a letter from Greek foreign minister Georgios Baltatzi. The first bilateral agreement was on goods and shipping signed on 04 January 1927. Later post the fall of USSR Republic of Estonia was restored along with the diplomatic relations with Greece, as the Soviet annexation of Estonia was never accepted by Greece. In the next decade, with continued state visit exchanges in both Greece and Estonia, the relations boomed leading to a join cooperation in safeguarding the external borders of the EU. Since then, Estonia border guards have been helping Greece to protect its sea borders.
2. Demography
As per the ESPON 2020 research analysis, it projects a continued increase in the population in the Tallinn and hinterland, while a small increase in Tartu. It recommended restructuring of the oil shale industry and state-level policies to invest more towards infrastructure and improving the quality of life. Whereas Greece stands in contrast to Estonia with a growing ageing population. It composes of 24 per cent of the older population in the total count in the EU. The EU Green Deal policies provide both an option to make use of the “transition funds from the EU.
3. Digital cooperation
Estonia is well-known for adopting e-governance methods, online voting, and possessing advanced digital systems for public and private services. It is in dire need of technological automation to improve its manufacturing and digitalising its industries, similarly, Greece also faces the issue in tech automation, hence the collaboration between the both in terms of technology building and evolving digital systems would be an area to further its relations.
4. Economic cooperation
Fourth, economic cooperation. Although Estonia and Greece have not signed any recent economic deals apart from security cooperation, the bilateral relations are observed to have been at peak in 1999. Both have signed close to four agreements for cultural, educational, and scientific cooperation, maritime transport, international passenger and goods transport, memorandum of bilateral Economic cooperation, and tourism.
References
“Estonia and Greece celebrate centenary of diplomatic relations today,” Republic of Estonia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2022
“Estonia and Greece: 100 Years of Diplomatic Relations,” Republic of Estonia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 19 May 2022
“Territorial patterns and relations in Estonia,” Espon.eu, December 2020
War in Ukraine: Day 90
By Rishma Banerjee
War on the Ground
On 24 May, in a video address to the World Economic Forum, President Zelenskyy has said that the only Russian official he is willing to meet in order to negotiate is President Putin. He expressed his unwillingness to accept meetings with anyone else regarding how to end the war.
As Russia’s offensive in the Sievierodonetsk region rises, the governor of Luhansk has said that it might be too late to evacuate the civilians from the area. Severe bombardment has been reported in the region, which has been surrounded by Russian forces. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba said that 15,000 residents are estimated to be in hiding in the shelters in the city and governor Sergiy Haidai has advised people to not try to escape, but rather stay in the shelters. This is because he believes, given the intensity of Russia’s shelling it will not be possible to gather people and safely evacuate them. The defence ministry reported that Russia’s forces have been trying to break through into Popasna, to capture Bakhmut, along with Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk. This will put the entirety of Luhansk under Russia’s control. A defence ministry spokesperson also said that the battles in the east can determine what the fate and outcome of the war finally will be.
Denis Pushilin, the head of the breakaway region of the Donetsk People's Republic in Russia has said that they are trying to work with Russia to form a tribunal to try to the Fighters captured from Azovstal Steel Plant.
Ukraine’s armed forces, are coordinating an effort to send back the bodies of Russian soldiers, who lost their lives in the war. These bodies are being excavated from underneath the rubble of the towns. They are using DNA testing as well as tattoos to identify their nationality. It was reported that the authorities are hoping to send the bodies back in a chilled train, in exchange for prisoners of war.
On 24 May, Kharkiv restarted their underground metro service. The underground was being used as a bomb shelter for the last three months, but now, is finally set to resume service. This possibly marks one of Ukraine’s military's greatest successes in the last few weeks, as they have been successful in pushing Russia’s forces out of the city’s range.
On 24 May, the results from a poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology were revealed. It said that 82 per cent of the Ukrainian respondents did not want to hand over any part of their territory to Russia, as a part of any peace deal. This means that they are okay with war getting prolonged, but they do not want peace in exchange for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
The Moscow View:
Claims by Russia
On 24 May, the secretary of the Security Council in Russia, Nikolai Patrushev said that they will not be bothered by ultimatums when it comes to obtaining their goals in Ukraine. He reiterated that all the objectives outlined by President Putin will be achieved, and will be done without chasing any deadlines. This was reiterated by defence minister Sergei Shoigu, as who said that the slowing down of the offensive was a deliberate move on Russia’s part to give the civilians enough time to evacuate and also to avoid civilian casualties.
Amidst deteriorating relations between Russia and western countries, Russia has said that they will ban the usage of the services of Russian surrogate mothers. Parliamentarian Vasily Piskaryov said that so far around 40,000 babies born out of surrogacy are being raised by foreigners. The Russian Parliament also passed a bill that gives prosecutors the power to close western news agencies, if their parent countries have been “unfriendly” to Russia.
The defence ministry said that they have completed the de-mining of the Azov seaport. In a statement, they said since the forces captured Mariupol and the port, they have removed mines from the port itself as well at the nearby waters.
On 24 May, Kremlin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov opened up about the Italian Peace Plan. Italian foreign minister Luigi Di Maio has said that they prepared a tentative peace plan,and also discussed it with the UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, but Peskov said that they have not seen it yet. He also mentioned that he was hoping it would be delivered to them soon through diplomatic channels.
The West view:
Responses from the US and Europe
On 24 MayAt the meeting of the Quad grouping in Tokyo, US president Biden said that the Ukraine war is far more than a European issue, it was rather an issue of global consequence. He also said that Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, draws light on the fundamental issues of international order, sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Germany’s finance minister, Christian Lindner said that it will be impossible to estimate what the cost of reconstruction and rebuilding the will be. He said that this will be especially difficult since the Ukraine has hardly been talking about reconstruction, as their priority is stopping Russia’s offensive and the removal of the Russian forces from Ukraine’s territory. Linder added that much of the responsibility for providing reconstruction-related aid to Ukraine falls on Europe.
Canada’s defence minister, Anita Anand reported that they have bought 20,000 rounds of NATO standard artillery ammunition from the US. This ammunition, worth USD 76.32 million, will be sent to Ukraine to support their war efforts.
President of Poland Andrzej Duda spoke about the food shortage crisis, at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He said that Ukraine’s inability to export its grains will have wider consequences on Europe as it might force people from North Africa to migrate to Europe, creating a huge imbalance.
Hungary’s president Victor Orban said that they have introduced the amendment about the emergency powers to deal with the challenges and fallouts from the Ukraine War. Also, in a letter to the president of the European Council, Orban said that they should not be discussing the EU embargoes on Russia, at the summit, next week. He said that since it was unlikely that the bloc will come up with a solution until the current issues are resolved, discussing them would be rather ‘counterproductive.’
The Head of the European Commission also agreed with the same narrative and said that the summit might not be the best place to negotiate with the member states. Von der Leyen also said that Russia is leveraging the impending food shortage, and will be using it as a weapon in the war. She mentioned that they are using food the same way they use energy, as they know that this will have global repercussions.
The Global Fallouts:
Implications of the Ukraine war
China’s defence ministry reported that as part of an annual military exercise, China and Russa have conducted their first patrol since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in February. The air forced of the two countries conducted a joint aerial patrol over the Sea of Japan, the Western Pacific and the East China Sea.
On 24 May, South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa said that the sanctions on Russia were resulting in the bystander countries suffering the most. During his meeting with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz, he said that the African Union was also preparing to foster talks between Moscow and Kyiv in this regard. At a joint news conference, Scholz however, said that it was unacceptable for any country to side with Russia, when it comes to the Ukraine war. This may have been a subtle reference to South Africa's abstention from a UN resolution condemning the war.
References
“Zelenskiy says Putin is the only Russian official he is willing to meet with to discuss how to end the war – as it happened,” The Guardian, 24 May 2022
Peter Beaumont, “Too late to evacuate civilians in face of Russian attack, says Luhansk official,” The Guardian, 24 May 2022
“Battles in east could decide Ukraine's fate, Kyiv says,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Donetsk leader says Azovstal fighters' trial to be open to Western representatives, Interfax reports,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Ukraine gathers Russian dead in chilled train for prisoner exchange,” Reuters, 25 May 2022
“After three months underground, Kharkiv residents move as metro reopens,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Most Ukrainians oppose territorial concessions, poll shows,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Russia not 'chasing deadlines' in Ukraine, says security hawk,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Russia moves to bar foreigners from using its surrogate mothers,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Russian parliament passes bill allowing Moscow to close Western news bureaus,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Russia says it has completed demining of Azov Sea port of Mariupol,” Reuters, 25 May 2022
“Russia says Ukraine war slowdown is deliberate, Zelenskiy mocks 'pathetic' comments,” Reuters, 25 May 2022
“Russia has not seen Italian peace plan for Ukraine,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Ukraine a global issue, not regional one, Biden says in Asia,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Canada buys ammunition from U.S. to send to Ukraine - defense minister,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Full cost of rebuilding Ukraine impossible to quantify, says German Finance Minister,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Ukraine war could lead to food shortages in Africa, migration problems, says Polish president,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Hungary's government gets emergency powers due to Ukraine war, PM Orban says,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“Hungary's Orban says EU summit should not discuss oil sanctions next week,” Reuters, 24 May, 2022
“EU summit unlikely to find solution on Russia oil embargo, von der Leyen says,” Reuters, 24 May, 2022
“EU's von der Leyen says Russia is using food supplies as a weapon,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“China and Russia hold first military exercise since Ukraine invasion,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
Andreas Rinke, “S.Africa's Ramaphosa: Russia sanctions hurt "bystander" countries,” Reuters, 24 May, 2022
“Germany's Scholz says unacceptable to side with Russia on Ukraine war,” Reuters, 24 May 2022
“War in Ukraine: Latest updates,” BBC Live, 24 May 2022
IN BRIEF
By Emmanuel Royan
FRANCE
Feminists protest against the retention of rape accused minister in the new cabinet
On 24 May, the feminist organization Observatory of Sexist and Sexual Violence in Politics held a protest in Paris as the minister for solidarity and persons with disabilities, Damien Abad, was retained. Abad was reassigned his post despite the rape allegations against him. The feminist group also accused president Emmanuel Macron of breaking his pledge to end violence against women by retaining a minister who was accused of rape. The spokesperson for the government, Olivia Grégoire, stated that, like in his first term, combatting violence against women and girls will be a priority for Macron's second term. However, she added that Abad would remain in government and that the judicial system would determine the truth. (Angelique Chrisafis, “Macron accused of betraying pledge to stamp out violence against women,” The Guardian, 24 May 2022)
GEORGIA
Republican governor wins over Trump-backed leader
On 24 May, Georgia’s governor Brian Kemp secured the Republican nomination for a second term, defeating a Trump-backed primary opposition candidate. This lead to Kemp handing the former US president his greatest electoral setback of the 2022 primaries. Despite Trump's efforts to remove Kemp and secretary of state Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Republicans handed him his worst loss yet in his bid to play kingmaker in this year's US midterm elections. Kemp defeated former US senator David Perdue, who was endorsed by Trump, by a margin of 73 per cent to 22 per cent. Voters supported Kemp's conservative policy record, which includes a broad set of voting restrictions passed in 2021. (Shane Goldmacher and Maya King, “Brian Kemp trounces Trump-backed David Perdue in a Republican primary battle for Georgia governor,” BBC, 24 May 2022)
THE UK
Mining company accepts bribery and corruption charges
On 24 May, the mining and commodities trading firm Glencore pleaded guilty to bribery charges in a Westminster Magistrates’ Court and is willing to pay USD 1.5 billion as a settlement. It also admitted to one count of conspiracy to manipulate commodities prices in connection with past market activity, particularly US fuel oil markets. The UK Serious Fraud Office (SFO) reported that it had discovered “profit-driven bribery and corruption” in Glencore Energy UK’s oil operations in five African countries. Between 2011 and 2016, the company’s agents and employees paid bribes totaling more than USD 25 million in exchange for preferential access to oil. According to the report, the bribes were paid in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and South Sudan. (“Mining giant pleads guilty to UK bribery charges,” BBC, 24 May 2022)
Aberdeen’s transition to green energy impacts engineering students
On 24 May, BBC examined the evolving oil industry of the North Sea and its repercussions. Scotland's Aberdeen city was forced to abandon a sector that has provided half a million employees and immeasurable riches to the region as it faced a climate emergency. After the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1960s, Aberdeen boomed. The city now aspires to be a renewable energy capital and a paradigm for how carbon-dependent cities might adapt. Drilling and well-engineering students at Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University (RGU) are still hopeful of pursuing a career in the oil and gas industry. However, most students come from countries where energy transition is not high on the political agenda, and many do not intend to stay in Scotland after graduation. ( Kevin Keane & Nichola Rutherford, “The changing face of the North Sea oil industry,” BBC, 24 May 2022