Photo : Cem Tekkesinoglu/Anadolu/picture alliance
22 January 2024, Monday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #736
In Brief
By Alka Bala and Rosemary Kurian
FRANCE
Three police officers suspended over brutal racial assault
On 20 January, BBC reported the suspended sentences of the three French policemen who had brutally assaulted Théo Luhaka leaving him with permanent disability and irreversible anal injuries. The three officers in February 2017, had assaulted Luhaka during a stop and search in Aulnay-sous-Bois, where he was also racially abused and spat at. Officer Marc-Antoine Castelain was handed a 12-month suspension for being found guilty of the assault whereas the other two officers, Jeremie Dulin and Tony Hochart, were handed a three-month suspension for intentional violence. (“Théo Luhaka: French police officers given suspended sentences for brutal assault,” BBC, 20 January 2024)
Temporary ban for commercial fishing in Bay of Biscay
On 20 January, according to the BBC, France announced a temporary ban on commercial fishing, starting 22 January till 20 February to protect dolphins. As French marine experts estimate the death of 9000 dolphins in the Bay of Biscay, each year due to being caught accidentally in fishing gear. All boats longer than 8m will be banned, putting 450 vessels out of fishing. This ban sparked criticism from fishermen, who fear the loss of their livelihood and the fishing industry estimated a loss of millions of euros. However, the French government has promised compensation, and according to Minister Christophe Béchu, “75% of losses would be covered and paid as quickly as possible." (“Bay of Biscay: France temporarily bans fishing to protect dolphins,” BBC, 20 January 2024)
RUSSIA
Communists gather for centenary of Lenin’s death
On 22 January, Deutsche Welle reported on the celebration of 100 years since the death of Vladimir Lenin, the founder of the USSR. Few communists gathered near Moscow’s Red Square, to pay their respects outside the mausoleum where Lenin lies, in a gathering led by Gennady Zyuganov, the General Secretary of the Russian Communist Party. Vladimir Putin’s absence was noted, as a critic of Lenin, blaming him for committing grave errors in dismantling Tsarist Russia. The opinion of the Russian population on Lenin is divided between a revolutionary saviour or a “ruthless despot.” (“Russian communists mark 100 years since Lenin's death,” Deutsche Welle, 22 January 2024)
SWITZERLAND
Swiss Councillor in India to finalise FTA
On 21 January, swissinfo reported on the meeting between Guy Parmelin, the head of the Swiss Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research and his Indian counterpart to reach an agreement of free trade between India and the EFTA countries. The negotiations for the agreement that went on for 16 years, concluded with agreements on patent protection and investment promotion among other things. The agreement would create jobs in India and encourage eco-friendly technology while also benefiting the poor, according to Parmelin. (“Swiss economics minister in India for final push on EFTA trade agreement,” swissinfo, 21 January 2024)
Footwear maker On criticised for making unethical profits
On 19 January, swissinfo reported on the steep growth of the Swiss footwear maker On, which prides itself of having Tennis legend Roger Federer as an investor, through unethical means. On has the fifth largest market capitalisation in the world and increased its net sales by 68.7 per cent in the first year. However, the Swiss consumer magazine Ktipp noted that On has exorbitant markups that cheat Swiss consumers by a minimum of 10 per cent. On is also known to pay its suppliers, mostly in Vietnam, an average minimum wage based on Vietnamese standards and below a living wage despite its steep profits. (Anand Chandrasekhar, “Is Swiss footwear brand On getting too greedy for its own good?,” swissinfo, 19 January 2024)
REGIONAL
The EU considers its Red Sea mission to deter Houthis
On 22 January, Deutsche Welle reported on a plan proposed by the EU to deter the Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea. After the US-UK strike against the Houthis in Yemen, the EU decided on an alternative maritime mission with a defensive nature, separate from the US-led ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian.’ The EU fears a greater escalation in the war if it interferes against the Iran-backed militants. The EU’s foreign diplomacy service, the European External Action Service, has suggested sending warships in the Red Sea to patrol the region. They recommend the reorientation of Agenor, an existing French mission in the Strait of Hormuz. Antonia Tajani, the Italian Foreign Minister, stated that the expansion of the Agenor mission is an easy solution. The EU, however, remains concerned about potential escalation of conflict, as well as a potential failure of the mission, which could make it look weak. (Ella Joyner, “Red Sea crisis: Can EU warships deter Houthi rebels?,” 22 January 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Putin’s potential visit to Pyongyang in the works
On 21 January, Deutsche Welle reported on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s potential visit to Pyongyang as North Korea’s state agency news (KNCA) reported the president’s willingness for the same when he met North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui in Moscow. KNCA also reported on the agreement of both nations for greater strategic and tactical cooperation, whereas Russia expressed its gratitude for North Korea’s support in its war against Ukraine. The US predicts a drastic change in the threat posed by both these countries if they continue seeking closer ties, while Russia acquiring ballistic missiles from North Korea has also raised concerns among the US and its allies. The KNCA is yet to release a date for Putin’s North Korea visit, however, it’s expected to take place in the foreseeable future. (“North Korea says Putin planning Pyongyang visit,” Deutsche Welle, 21 January 2024)
Russian aircraft crashes in Afghan’s Badakhshah province
On 21 January, according to Deutsche Welle, a Russian aircraft, presumed as a Russian charted ambulance is reported to have crashed in Badakhshah, a mountainous province sharing borders with China, Tajikistan and Pakistan. Four among the six onboard survived the crash, including the pilot, whereas two were reported dead by Taliban Officials. The flight was en route to Mosicw, via Uzbekistan from Thailand and had refuelled in India, according to their statement. The ambulance charter was a Dassault Falcon 10 jet, which was French-made in 1978. (“Russian plane crashes in northeastern Afghanistan mountains,” Deutsche Welle, 21 January 2024)
Four-man space crew lands on International Space Station
On 20 January, according to Deutsche Welle, the mission Ax-3, operated by Axionm Space, landed on the International Space Station. The four-man crew consisted of Axiom Commander Lopez-Algeria, a Spanish retired NASA executive, and the second in command, Walter Villadei, Italian Air Force Colonel. Joined by Marcus Wandt, who represented the European Space Agency, and Turkey’s first astronaut, Alper Gezeravci represented the Turkish Space Agency. Launched from NASA” Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, using the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule, the astronauts will spend two weeks on International Space Station ISS, studying the effects of microgravity on human beings among other things. (“Four-man crew arrives at ISS with Turkey's first astronaut,” Deutsche Welle, 20 January 2024)
EU & US near deal to allow police access to e-info to investigate cases
On 18 January, Politico reported on the decision between the EU and the US to reach a deal that would allow European police forces to access information from American tech forms to investigate cases. The agreement has had previous concerns over breach of privacy and potentially, civil rights. The US can already access information from major companies like Google, Amazon and Meta through its CLOUD Act (2018) while data requested from the EU take years to get approved. The concerns to the agreement include both a breach of privacy and potential by countries with democratic backsliding to misuse the powers. (Clothilde Goujard, “EU, US near deal on police access to online data,” Politico, 18 January 2024)