Photo : Reuters/The Washington Post
14 September 2022, Wednesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #306
IN BRIEF
By Rishma Banerjee
FRANCE
France’s influential director in 1950’s Jean-Luc Goddard passes away
On 13 September, one of the world’s most iconic directors, Jean-Luc Godard, passed away at 91. He was a cinematographer, against the tradition of formulaic storytelling. Starting his career as a movie critic, Godard started directing movies in 1954 with “Operation Concrete” His movie, “Breathless” rejected conventional styles of narration, using frequent jump-cuts that mixed philosophical discussions with action scenes. His work was uncompromised to left-wing political views and has influenced some of global cinema’s greatest directors like Quentin Tarantino, Bernardo Bertolucci, Brian De Palma, and Jonathan Demme. Godard, passed away in Switzerland, where he was born and brought up. The medical report released in a statement by his family said that the director had “multiple invalidating pathologies” and had died by assisted suicide, which is legal in Switzerland. The president of the Swiss Cinematheque, Frederic Maire said: “There’s a bit of Godard in nearly all films today,” while Cannes Film Festival Director, Thierry Fremaux said: “…sad, sad — immensely so.” France’s president Emmanuel Macron also expressed his condolence, saying: “We have lost a national treasure, the eye of a genius.” (Jamey Keaton and Thomas Adamson, “Iconic French New Wave director Jean-Luc Godard dead at 91,” AP News, 13 September 2022)
National debate launched to legalize euthanasia
On 13 September, French President Emmanuel Macron launched a national debate on the possibility of legalising euthanasia. The debate to broaden end-of-life options comes after the state's National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE) ruled that "active assistance in dying" could apply to France if done under certified guidelines. A body of citizens will now be commissioned to coordinate with health care workers; local debates will be organized in several French regions. The government will also hold parallel discussions with parliamentarians from all political parties to find the broadest consensus, it will deliver its findings in March 2023, leading to a vote or a referendum in the parliament. While euthanasia is legal in Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland, under certain conditions. As per a law passed in 2016 in France, doctors are allowed to keep terminally ill patients sedated but assisted death is not yet legal. (“France launches national debate on legalising euthanasia,” Euronews, 13 September 2022)
HUNGARY
Hungary introduces stricter abortion laws
On 13 September, Hungary's government tightened its abortion rules. The new rules will require pregnant women to listen to the fetus’s heartbeat or other valid signs of life before having an abortion, thus making the process of pursuing a termination more bureaucratic. Doctors will have also to submit a report confirming that this has been done before issuing abortions. The new rules will come into effect from 15 September. Hungary’s government has blamed the low birth rates in the country on increased rates of women in higher education. The stricter abortion law is thus in keeping with the promotion of traditional family values as forwarded by Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s right-wing government. (Malu Cursino, “Hungary decrees tighter abortion rules,” BBC, 13 September 2022)
REGIONAL
WHO says 17 million people in Europe affected by long COVID
On 13 September, WHO’s new study finds that at least 17 million people in Europe were affected by “long COVID” in the first two years of the pandemic. The research was conducted by the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington's School of Medicine. It pertains to WHO’s Europe region, spanning 53 states and with a population of approximately 900 million people. The study found that around 10-20 per cent of all COVID-19 cases resulted in effects that lingered for at least three months with symptoms ranging from brain fog and breathlessness. It also found that women are twice more likely to be affected by “long COVID” than men. WHO announced an official partnership with a network called “long COVID” Europe that comprises 19 patient associations in member states across the European region. The two organizations will be addressing three goals. First, recognition of “long COVID” and knowledge sharing to equip all services. Second, to reduce the gap in research and reporting and third, rehabilitation based on evidence and effectiveness. (“At least 17 million people in the WHO European Region experienced long COVID in the first two years of the pandemic; millions may have to live with it for years to come,” who.int, 13 September 2022)
INTERNATIONAL
Namibia demands renegotiated genocide deal with Germany
On 13 September, Namibia’s Ovaherero Genocide Foundation (OGF) chairperson, Nandiuasora Mazeingo gave an interview to Deutsche Welle. He criticized Germany’s decision to not renegotiate the joint declaration with Namibia, on the genocide of the Herero and Nama people during the German colonization of Namibia. On the same issue, Namibia’s leader of the opposition party, the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), McHenry Venaani also spoke to Deutsche Welle about his open letter to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. However, the Foreign Affairs Ministry has said that while they respect Namibian society and politics, as a matter of principle, they do not respond to open letters. Both Mazeingo and Venaani are demanding a clear, legal recognition of the genocide, as they consider the existing aid deal worth EUR 1.1 billion to be paid over 30 years as an insult. (Jasko Rust, “Namibia genocide: Opposition demands new deal with Germany,” Deutsche Welle, 13 September 2022)
War in Ukraine: Day 202
By Sai Pranav
War on the Ground
On 13 September, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that close to 8000 square km were captured back by the Ukraine forces in the northeastern region of Kharkiv and “Stabilization measures” have half progressed.
On 12 September, according to Ukraine’s General Staff’s report, the success of Ukraine’s counteroffensive made the Russian forces command delay in deploying newly formed units. The recent losses had lowered the troop’s morale, and has led to distrust amongst the Russian command by the soldiers. The report said that the hesitation in deploying the newly formed units might give Ukraine a chance to recover and push the offensive.
On 13 September, Ukraine’s Head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, and NATO’s 12th Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen presented a recommendation for security guarantees in Ukraine. It involved various countries aligning themselves with Ukraine to create a strong military force that would enable Ukraine to win the war against Russia. The security guarantees also include intensive collaborative training with the EU and NATO. The joint framework document on strategic partnership will be called as Kyiv Security Treaty.
On the same day, the Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence, Main Directorate of Intelligence reported that Russian occupiers from Crimea and southern Ukraine were seen suddenly vacating the region after the losses from Ukraine’s counteroffensive. The Main Directorate of Intelligence stated: “.... representatives of the occupation administration of Crimea, FSB employees and commanders of some military units are secretly trying to sell their homes and urgently evacuate their relatives from the peninsula.” It observed that Russian authorities were also trying to hide information on their loss of Ukraine.
On 13 September, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Denmark’s Defence Minister, Morten Bødskov and Estonia’s Defence Minister, Hanno Pevkur. He thanked both countries for their financial, humanitarian and military aid. Estonia which had given 0.8 per cent of its GDP to Ukraine as aid, and Denmark helped strengthen Ukraine’s defence and provided various other assistance.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 13 September, Russia’s Presidential spokesperson Dimitry Peskov called out Ukraine’s forces for conducting violent acts against civilians in the Kharkiv region. He said that the people in Kharkiv region had faced torture and harsh treatment from Ukrainian army after Russia withdrew from the region. He added that Russian teachers who were affected by the Ukraine forces, were rescued back to Donetsk and Luhansk People’s republics by Russia. On the mobilization of the army, Peskov said that it was not on the current agenda of Russia’s special operation.
On the same day, Russia’s military and the Russian Air Force conducted multiple massive strikes on east, north and south Ukraine, resulting in 800 casualties on the Ukrainian side in a single day. The Defence Ministry of Russia declared, “As a result of the strikes, the losses among Ukrainian service members and foreign fighters exceeded 800 people killed and wounded,”. The Russian government also confirmed that until the objective of the special operation is completed, Russia will not leave Ukraine.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 13 September, the UK’s Defence Ministry reported in its daily update that the Russian force that withdrew from Kharkiv Oblast was the 1st Guards Tank Army, which comes under the Western Military District (WEMD). The 1 GTA is a specialized unit whose purpose was to protect Moscow against a possible attack from NATO. 1 GTA suffered severe losses in the initial battle and never recovered, even during the Ukrainian counteroffensive. According to the UK’s Ministry of Defence, Russia’s weapons against NATO are severely weakened.
On 13 September, in the press conference, when question on Ukraine’s counteroffensive, US President Joe Biden said: “It's clear the Ukrainians have made significant progress. But I think it's going to be a long haul.” The US intelligence reported on Russia’s secret fund transfer of USD 300 million to many political parties, organizations and two dozen countries to influence the political landscape and elections. It also accused Russia for posing “spurious allegations,” and spread of misinformation on operating biological weapons in Ukraine by the US.
The Global Fallouts
Implications of the Ukraine war
On 12 September, The UN High Commissioner for human rights, Nada Al-Nashif, said that the suffering of the Ukrainian people continues as the war progresses. She also highlighted that the grain ships leaving Ukraine’s port ensure they are reaching countries suffering from food insecurities. She also said that war should not let countries backtrack to using fossil fuels in times of fuel crisis. She urged all countries to consider the climate change factor and act appropriately.
On 13 September, the US banking giant Goldman Sachs forecasted that the gas prices in Europe would fall in the winter of 2022. The analysts in Goldman Sachs said that Europe will have stored 90 per cent energy for the winter by the end of October, exceeding their goal of 80 per cent storage on 01 November. Europe had reached out to other sources following Gazprom halting Nord Stream 1 indefinitely. According to Goldman Sachs, the advanced storage for winter will drop the gas price.
References
“RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, SEPTEMBER 12,” ISW, 12 September 2022
“Andriy Yermak and Anders Fogh Rasmussen present recommendations on security guarantees for Ukraine,” president.gov.ua, 13 September 2022
“The occupiers are urgently evacuating their families from Crimea and Southern Ukraine,” gur.gov.ua, 13 September 2022
“President of Ukraine held a meeting with the Defense Ministers of Denmark and Estonia,” president.gov.ua, 13 September 2022
“Kiev’s punitive operations against civilians in Kharkov Region outrageous — Kremlin,” TASS, 13 September 2022
“Mobilization in Russia is not on the agenda — Kremlin spokesman,” TASS, 13 September 2022
“European gas prices likely to fall sharply this winter, says Goldman Sachs,” The Guardian, 13 September 2022
The UK Ministry of Defence, “Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 13 September 2022,” Twitter, 13 September 2022
“Live Updates: Ukrainians in Recaptured Territory Work Toward Resuming Normal Life,” nytimes, 13 September 2022
“Remarks by President Biden After Voting at Local Polling Station,” Whitehouse.gov, 13 September 2022
“Ukraine’s suffering continues, acting UN rights chief tells Human Rights Council,” news.un.org, 12 September 2022