Photo : Joris van Gennip/Hollandse Hoogte/picture alliance
By Alka Bala
ESTONIA
State observes 75th anniversary of March deportations
On 25 March, according to ERR News, Estonia held commemorative ceremonies on Monday to observe the 75th anniversary of the March deportations. In March 1949, 22,000 people from Estonia and more than a total of 90,000 people from the Baltic states were deported to Siberia. Hanno Pevkur, Minister of Defense laid a wreath at the Victims of Communism Memorial, to remember the victims of the deportations. Traditions included lighting candles on Freedom Square in Tallinn and hoisting of mourning flags. The Estonian Memory Institute plans to establish informative plaques in multiple languages whereas a red light installation is to be projected on the seaward-facing side of the Patarei Sea Fortress. The Estonian National Museum in its permanent exhibition “Encounters” included items that deported people carried to Siberia (“Estonia marks 75th anniversary of March deportations,” ERR News, 25 March 2024)
FRANCE
Government increases security patrols post Moscow terror attacks
On 25 March, according to Deutsche Welle, France was reported to have increased its armed patrols in public places after the Moscow terrorist attacks which killed 137 people and injured 140. "Islamic State Khorasan Province" (IS-K) group claimed responsibility for the Moscow attacks. Afghanistan-based IS-K is one of the dangerous branches of the Islamic- State group responsible for the death of thousands in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Gabriel Attal, French Prime Minister stated on French security “We have decided to raise the Vigipirate state to its highest level: attack emergency.” France had been on high alert already as it awaits the Paris Olympics and Paralympics this year. (“France raises terror alert after Moscow theater attack,” Deutsche Welle, 25 March 2024)
LATVIA
Measures fo Russian citizens and supporters in Latvia
On 26 March, Eng.lsm.lv reported on the number of Russian citizens in Latvia who supported Putin in the Presidential elections. “De facto,” broadcast by Latvian Television aimed to shed light on steps taken to reduce Kremlin and war supporters in Latvia. The residency permit to stay in Latvia of the eligible voters was checked, and four people were ordered to be deported as their permits had expired. State language tests are also conducted for Russian citizens to prove their Latvian language skills. Russian citizens are also required to submit documents stating their views on Russia’s occupation of Ukraine. Some 100 Russian citizens who did not complete these forms were banned from their stay in Latvia. Russian citizens reported lying on the forms and questionnaires regarding Crimea and Donbas receiving their pensions. Since the beginning of the war, Latvia has blacklisted 79 Russian citizens and has banned them from entering Latvia. State Security Service of Latvia has indicated cases of Russian propaganda and misinformation regarding Latvia’s public authorities. (“What to do about Kremlin supporters in Latvia?,” Eng.lsm.lv, 25 March 2024)
THE UK
Thousands of nurses quit to work abroad
On 25 March, The Guardian reported on the large number of UK-registered foreign nurses leaving the UK to work abroad. The number of nurses moving abroad in 2022-23 reached a record 12,400, where most of them move to the US, New Zealand or Australia which provide higher wages for nurses. UK’s National Health Service is already understaffed and has around 40,000 vacancies which are usually filled by foreign nurses. According to the Royal College of Nursing (RNC), the increasing migration of nurses abroad is due to the decline in pay for nurses since 2010. Prof Pat Cullen, RCN’s chief executive and general secretary expressed his worries about the patient needs being unmet, poor pay and working conditions and stated that “UK’s healthcare services unable to compete on the world stage.. It’s no joke that nurse pay in the UK is joint bottom of 35 OECD countries.” Elaine Kelly, assistant director at Health Foundation’s research centre stated the costly nature of this brain rain, as “it cost the NHS about £10,000 to replace each foreign recruit who then moved elsewhere.” ( Dennis Campbell, “Thousands of foreign nurses a year leave UK to work abroad,” The Guardian, 25 March 2024)
REGIONAL
EU initiates investigations into tech giants Apple, Google, Meta
On 25 March, according to Deutsche Welle, the EU began a probe into the tech giants Apple, Google, and Meta based on their “non-compliance” with its Digital Markets Act. The law ensures that big tech companies provide consumers with more choices by practising fairer digital market rules. Thierry Breton EU's internal market commissioner expressed that solutions adopted by Alphabet (Google's parent company), Meta and Apple are not enough and should “respect their obligations for a fairer and more open digital space for European citizens and businesses.” These companies are liable to pay 10 per cent of their global turnover if found guilty in the investigation. The investigations have garnered criticism from the tech lobby as the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) called it a “worrying signal,” and that the EU was rushing into investigations. Oliver Bethell, Google’s director of competition remarked, “We will continue to defend our approach in the coming months.” (“EU probes Apple, Google, Meta under new digital law,” Deutsche Welle, 25 March 2024)
Data reveals France lagging behind the EU in accepting Ukrainian refugees
On 25 March, Politico reported on the data indicating the relocation of 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees to different countries of the European Union. EU’s “temporary protection” status allows refugees to live, work and study within EU borders. As of January, 64,720 Ukrainian refugees were present in France, whereas other countries like Germany and Poland had 1.2 million and one million refugees respectively. Data reveals that countries such as the Baltics, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Bulgaria are hosting 25 refugees per 1000 citizens, far more than France hosting fewer than 1 per 1000 citizens. French language, geographical proximity to Ukraine, refugee financial support, and community networks are factors that determine refugee relocation and France seems to lag behind these aspects for Ukrainians. French paperwork and long bureaucratic processes also act as hindrances for refugees. ( Hanne Cokelaere and Clea Caulcutt, “Why Ukraine’s refugees aren’t going to France,” Politico, 25 March 2024)
Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, and Malta voice their “readiness to recognise Palestine”
On 22 March, according to Euronews, leaders of Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and Malta discussed their “readiness to recognise Palestine”, and released a joint statement expressing “that the only way to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region is through implementation of a two-state solution.” Robert Golob, Slovenian Prime Minister stated that the political backing for Palestine could be strengthened in the United Nations in the next week. On 21 March, the EU unanimously called for a ceasefire in Gaza. Pedro Sánchez, Spanish Prime Minister expressed that recognition of statehood for Palestine is one of his main priorities in his foreign policy. He also stated how these four countries represented multiple sides of the political spectrum, as Spain and Malta have centre-left parties Slovenia is governed by a liberal party, and Ireland has a centre-right party. (Mared Gwyn Jones, “Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Malta say they are ready to recognise the State of Palestine,” Euronews, 25 March 2024)
EU’s nature restoration bill collapses as eight member states withdrew support
On 25 March, according to The Guardian, the EU’s nature restoration law on reversing the damage to terrestrial and aquatic wildlife was shelved as the eight member states withdrew their support. Virginijus Sinkevičius, European environment commissioner stated that shelving the bill would destroy the EU’s global reputation and most importantly highlighted that the EU would “ risk going to Cop16 absolutely empty-handed.” Teresa Ribera, Spanish Environment Minister stated that the EU “cannot afford” to abandon its green goals and it would be irresponsible to do so. The bill which had been in the making for two years, lost its momentum as Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy and Hungary opposed it and Austria, Belgium, Finland and Poland decided to abstain. Opposing countries believe the nature restoration law would burden the farmers who are already protesting throughout Europe against the EU’s green policies and trading practices. ( Lisa O’Carroll, “EU nature restoration laws face collapse as member states withdraw support,” The Guardian, 25 March 2024)
INTERNATIONAL
Blinken meets NATO’s “close Baltic allies”
On 25 March, Eng.lsm.lv reported on the meeting between Anthony Blinken US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of the three Baltic states Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Blinken stated the budgetary contributions by the Baltic countries to NATO and also added that their support for Ukraine has been “absolutely vital.” Krišjānis Kariņš, Latvia’s Foreign Minister expressed “We're deeply united in our basic values – freedom, democracy, the rule of law.” Referring to Russia’s war in Ukraine, he underscored that combined efforts of the Baltic states and NATO will prevent evil from spreading. (“Blinken: Baltic states are "leading the way in NATO,” Eng.lsm.lv, 25 March 2024)