thelucky8

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/18061316

Archived link

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday accused Russia of planning acts of "air terror" against airlines worldwide, including sabotage and diversion operations on Polish soil.

Tusk made those remarks during talks in Warsaw with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as almost a month after an Azerbaijani Airlines passenger plane crashed in western Kazakhstan after unsuccessfully trying to land in southern Russia.

"All I can say, and I will not go into details, but I can confirm the validity of these fears, is that Russia had planned acts of air terror, and not only against Poland, but against airlines all over the world," Tusk told reporters.

While it was not immediately clear what incidents the Polish prime minister was referencing, authorities in Azerbaijan have accused the Russian military of shooting at Azerbaijani Airlines Flight 8432 as it tried to land in the city of Grozny last month. Moscow has provided various explanations for the crash, which happened near Aktau, Kazakhstan, and killed 38 people.

Meanwhile, Tusk also pledged to accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession process as Poland holds the bloc's rotating presidency.

"The Polish presidency will break the impasse that has been evident in recent months," Tusk said. "And we will work together with Ukraine and our European partners... to speed up the accession process as much as possible," he added.

[...]

"The sooner Ukraine is in the EU, the sooner Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, the more we interact, the sooner the whole of Europe will get the geopolitical certainty it needs," the Ukrainian president Zelensky.

"Russia will not pass where there is our integration, our common strength, our respect," Zelensky added.

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/18061316

Archived link

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday accused Russia of planning acts of "air terror" against airlines worldwide, including sabotage and diversion operations on Polish soil.

Tusk made those remarks during talks in Warsaw with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as almost a month after an Azerbaijani Airlines passenger plane crashed in western Kazakhstan after unsuccessfully trying to land in southern Russia.

"All I can say, and I will not go into details, but I can confirm the validity of these fears, is that Russia had planned acts of air terror, and not only against Poland, but against airlines all over the world," Tusk told reporters.

While it was not immediately clear what incidents the Polish prime minister was referencing, authorities in Azerbaijan have accused the Russian military of shooting at Azerbaijani Airlines Flight 8432 as it tried to land in the city of Grozny last month. Moscow has provided various explanations for the crash, which happened near Aktau, Kazakhstan, and killed 38 people.

Meanwhile, Tusk also pledged to accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession process as Poland holds the bloc's rotating presidency.

"The Polish presidency will break the impasse that has been evident in recent months," Tusk said. "And we will work together with Ukraine and our European partners... to speed up the accession process as much as possible," he added.

[...]

"The sooner Ukraine is in the EU, the sooner Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, the more we interact, the sooner the whole of Europe will get the geopolitical certainty it needs," the Ukrainian president Zelensky.

"Russia will not pass where there is our integration, our common strength, our respect," Zelensky added.

Archived link

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on Wednesday accused Russia of planning acts of "air terror" against airlines worldwide, including sabotage and diversion operations on Polish soil.

Tusk made those remarks during talks in Warsaw with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as almost a month after an Azerbaijani Airlines passenger plane crashed in western Kazakhstan after unsuccessfully trying to land in southern Russia.

"All I can say, and I will not go into details, but I can confirm the validity of these fears, is that Russia had planned acts of air terror, and not only against Poland, but against airlines all over the world," Tusk told reporters.

While it was not immediately clear what incidents the Polish prime minister was referencing, authorities in Azerbaijan have accused the Russian military of shooting at Azerbaijani Airlines Flight 8432 as it tried to land in the city of Grozny last month. Moscow has provided various explanations for the crash, which happened near Aktau, Kazakhstan, and killed 38 people.

Meanwhile, Tusk also pledged to accelerate Ukraine’s EU accession process as Poland holds the bloc's rotating presidency.

"The Polish presidency will break the impasse that has been evident in recent months," Tusk said. "And we will work together with Ukraine and our European partners... to speed up the accession process as much as possible," he added.

[...]

"The sooner Ukraine is in the EU, the sooner Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, the more we interact, the sooner the whole of Europe will get the geopolitical certainty it needs," the Ukrainian president Zelensky.

"Russia will not pass where there is our integration, our common strength, our respect," Zelensky added.

Archived link

Of course, ordinary, non-LGBTQ+ victims of Putin’s regime are treated harshly too, but LGBTQ+ people are likely to face more brutality. What is truly horrifying is the deep-seated hatred and disgust toward LGBTQ+ people in Russian prisons, where individuals accused of “LGBTQ+ extremism” will eventually end up.

It is common knowledge that in Russian prisons, those even suspected of being gay are subjected to dehumanization, humiliation and sexual violence, both from fellow inmates and prison authorities. Vladimir Osechkin, a Russian-born human rights activist, claims that, according to his sources, Kotov, while in detention, was raped and had already been relegated to the ranks of prisoners with “low social status.”

Sexualized violence undoubtedly exists and has existed in penitentiary systems worldwide throughout history. Even before the Soviet Union, in tsarist prisons, sexualized violence among males was quite common: older inmates inflicted sexual violence on younger inmates.

Age, physical strength, prison status and one’s perceived masculine or feminine behavior, as well as resources, dictated who would be sexual prey and who would be sexual predator. If a youthful newcomer was raped by fellow prisoners, he would be rapidly incorporated into the prison’s social system as a “pederast,” at its lowest caste. After this status was set, he would become a prostitute, not to mention an object of attacks and abuse from other prisoners.

These practices continued in the Stalinist Gulag. Sexual violence among males was so widespread, and its role in establishing unofficial prison hierarchies so evident, that Gulag officials, after Stalin’s death, took measures to crack down on prison homosexual activity and homosexual violence.

[...]

In contrast to the late-Soviet and post-Soviet periods, in today’s Russia, sexual violence in prisons does not seem to bother officials much. In fact, not only are they not concerned about it, but they are willing to weaponize and harness it as a means of controlling prisoners and instilling fear in them.

The issue of widespread torture of prisoners, as well as prison authorities’ encouraging and condoning of sexual violence among male prisoners, gained prominence in Russia after Osechkin started to attract public attention to the issue. In 2012, the businessman-turned-human-rights-activist set up Gulagu.net, which has become a unique social networking site, where the relatives of abused prisoners can register their complaints, share information and seek assistance.

[...]

Die Regierung der Volksrepublik China hat auch im Jahr 2024 die Menschenrechte im ganzen Land systematisch unterdrückt, wie Human Rights Watch in seinem heute veröffentlichten World Report 2025 feststellt. Die Unterdrückung war in den tibetischen Gebieten und bei den Uigur*innen in Xinjiang besonders schwerwiegend. In Hongkong haben die Behörden die Grundfreiheiten weiter eingeschränkt.

Für die 546-seitige 35. Ausgabe des World Report nahm Human Rights Watch die Menschenrechtspraktiken in mehr als 100 Ländern unter die Lupe. In einem Großteil der Welt, so schreibt die geschäftsführende Direktorin Tirana Hassan in ihrem Einleitungsessay, gingen Regierungen repressiv gegen politische Oppositionelle, Aktivistinnen und Journalistinnen vor, nahmen sie unter fadenscheinigen Vorwänden fest und inhaftierten sie. Bewaffnete Gruppen und staatliche Streitkräfte töteten unrechtmäßig Zivilistinnen, vertrieben viele aus ihren Heimatorten und blockierten den Zugang zu humanitärer Hilfe. Bei vielen der über 70 nationalen Wahlen im Jahr 2024 konnten autoritäre Politikerinnen mit ihrer diskriminierenden Rhetorik und Politik Zugewinne verzeichnen.

[...]

• Die chinesische Regierung hat das Staatsgeheimnisgesetz überarbeitet und die Bestimmungen zur Umsetzung veröffentlicht, wodurch der bereits übermäßig umfangreiche Geltungsbereich des Gesetzes noch erweitert wurde. Wurden Dinge, wie z. B. Kritik an der Wirtschaft zuvor noch toleriert, stehen diese nun unter Strafe [...]

• Im März 2024 führte die Regierung in Hongkong ein neues nationales Sicherheitsgesetz ein, die „Safeguarding National Security Ordinance“, die friedliche Aktivitäten kriminalisiert, die Befugnisse der Polizei erweitert und die Rechte auf ein ordnungsgemäßes Verfahren schwächt. Im November verhängte ein Gericht in Hongkong unbegründete und harte Strafen gegen 45 Demokratieaktivist*innen.

• Hunderttausende Uigur*innen werden immer noch willkürlich festgenommen und inhaftiert, wobei die Misshandlungen gegen sie zu den anhaltenden Verbrechen gegen die Menschlichkeit der chinesischen Regierung in Xinjiang gehören. Im August berichtete das Büro des Hohen Kommissars der Vereinten Nationen für Menschenrechte, dass „viele problematische Gesetze und Richtlinien“, die im UN-Bericht über Xinjiang aus dem Jahr 2022 dokumentiert sind, immer noch in Kraft sind und angewendet werden.

• Tibetische Exilmedien erhielten Videomaterial, das Hunderte Mönche und Dorfbewohner*innen im Bezirk Derge in Sichuan zeigt, die gegen den Bau eines Staudamms protestieren, der historische Klöster und zahlreiche tibetische Dörfer überfluten wird. Berichten zufolge wurden Hunderte Demonstrierende festgenommen; die meisten wurden zwar wieder freigelassen, aber eine unbekannte Anzahl, darunter Mönche und Dorfoberhäupter, sind nach wie vor verschwunden.

[...]

Die Datenschutzorganisation Noyb hat heute Beschwerden gegen TikTok, AliExpress, SHEIN, Temu, WeChat und Xiaomi wegen unrechtmäßiger Datentransfers nach China eingereicht. Vier der Unternehmen geben offen zu, dass sie persönliche Daten nach China schicken, der Rest spricht von undefinierten “Drittländern”. Keines der Unternehmen hat die Auskunftsersuchen der Betroffenen vollständig beantwortet. Man kann deshalb davon ausgehen, dass dies auch China inkludiert.

Das EU-Recht ist jedoch eindeutig: Datentransfers in Länder außerhalb der EU sind nur dann zulässig, wenn das Zielland den Datenschutz nicht untergräbt. China ist jedoch ein autoritärer Überwachungsstaat. Unternehmen können EU-Daten daher realistischerweise nicht vor dem Zugriff durch chinesische Behörden schützen.

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/18057351

Archived link

• China increases its aggressive tactics in the South China Sea, with the Philippines becoming a major target
• Philippine ships face increasing harassment, including blockades, ramming, and non-lethal weapons such as lasers and water cannons
• This large-scale maritime occupation infringes Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, displaying China’s growing confidence and belligerence

In recent years, we’ve seen China become more confident and confrontational, especially in the South China Sea region. Their aggressive tactics have intensified, with the Philippines now standing out as a primary target.

China is making full use of its considerable maritime power, pushing boundaries and displaying no signs of backing down – quite literally. There has been a marked increase in instances where Chinese ships have obstructed, rammed or swarmed the vessels of the island nation. Sounds like something from a pirate movie, doesn’t it? But this isn’t fiction.

[...]

Infringement of Philippine Waters

The South China Sea also plays host to the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone (or EEZ). This basically means that the Philippines has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources in this area. It’s akin to having your own backyard, where you should be free to do what you need without interference.

However, what Manila now faces is a large-scale maritime invasion by what can only be described as a hostile imperial power. This is similar to having a territorial bully walk into your backyard and claim it as its own.

[...]

To sum it up, the situation in the South China Sea reflects China’s rising audacity. [China's] belligerent maneuvers, particularly towards the Philippines, reveal a scenario of maritime machismo in full swing. In a world that so often extols the virtues of peace, diplomacy and respect for international boundaries, what China is doing is downright audacious.

With each swarming event, each blockade, and every powerful laser beam, the tension mounts further. However, the world watches and waits, hoping for a resolution that respects international law and the sanctity of sovereign waters.

[...]

Archived link

• China increases its aggressive tactics in the South China Sea, with the Philippines becoming a major target
• Philippine ships face increasing harassment, including blockades, ramming, and non-lethal weapons such as lasers and water cannons
• This large-scale maritime occupation infringes Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, displaying China’s growing confidence and belligerence

In recent years, we’ve seen China become more confident and confrontational, especially in the South China Sea region. Their aggressive tactics have intensified, with the Philippines now standing out as a primary target.

China is making full use of its considerable maritime power, pushing boundaries and displaying no signs of backing down – quite literally. There has been a marked increase in instances where Chinese ships have obstructed, rammed or swarmed the vessels of the island nation. Sounds like something from a pirate movie, doesn’t it? But this isn’t fiction.

[...]

Infringement of Philippine Waters

The South China Sea also plays host to the Philippines’ internationally recognized exclusive economic zone (or EEZ). This basically means that the Philippines has special rights over the exploration and use of marine resources in this area. It’s akin to having your own backyard, where you should be free to do what you need without interference.

However, what Manila now faces is a large-scale maritime invasion by what can only be described as a hostile imperial power. This is similar to having a territorial bully walk into your backyard and claim it as its own.

[...]

To sum it up, the situation in the South China Sea reflects China’s rising audacity. [China's] belligerent maneuvers, particularly towards the Philippines, reveal a scenario of maritime machismo in full swing. In a world that so often extols the virtues of peace, diplomacy and respect for international boundaries, what China is doing is downright audacious.

With each swarming event, each blockade, and every powerful laser beam, the tension mounts further. However, the world watches and waits, hoping for a resolution that respects international law and the sanctity of sovereign waters.

[...]

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/18057223

Archived link

The Central Tibetan Administration [CTA], also known as the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, has announced plans to publish a comprehensive book and map documenting the original Tibetan names of places and boundaries. This initiative, aimed at countering China’s escalating cartographic aggression, was disclosed by CTA President Penpa Tsering during an interview with Hindustan Times.

President Tsering [...] explained the challenges and scope of the project, noting that the complexity would vary depending on the depth of research undertaken. “The work on the map is under process, and much will depend on to what level we need to go to find out the original names in Tibetan. If we restrict it only to townships, the task becomes much easier. Maybe we will begin by focusing on townships and later expand it to include villages, and that involves a lot of work.”

[...]

Prominent international media organisations, including The Guardian, AFP, ANI, and NDTV, have been criticised for using the term “Xizang” in their reports. A recent example involved coverage of the devastating earthquake in Dingri County, Shigatse Prefecture, which claimed 134 lives, injured 337, and destroyed thousands of homes. These reports prominently featured the Chinese term, drawing criticisms from the Tibetan community.

In another instance, the Musée du quai Branly in France faced backlash for using “Xizang” in its catalogue of Tibetan artefacts. Following strong opposition from the Tibetan community, supporters, and activist groups like Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) in France, the museum eventually removed the term. Scholars argued that the use of “Xizang” aligns with China’s official narrative and diminishes Tibet’s cultural and historical autonomy.

[...]

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/18057111

Archived link

[...]

While the Supreme Court continues to consider the constitutionality of the TikTok ban, it is clear that TikTok presents serious and unique national security and human rights concerns. The platform’s parent company, ByteDance, is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has a record of coercing the private sector into conducting censorship and surveillance at home and abroad. The risks of TikTok being exploited by the CCP for malign purposes—for instance, to access personal data to track journalists or shape the information environment in the United States in the event of a national crisis—are very real and need to be taken seriously.

[...]

A better approach to protecting rights and security would be to adopt legislation that strengthens data privacy, platform transparency, and cybersecurity. This would force TikTok to operate more responsibly and better protect Americans’ data, while shedding light on the influence that ByteDance and the CCP have over the platform. This approach would also help address challenges raised by other social media platforms, including those with similar ties to authoritarian states.

[...]

Archived link

The Central Tibetan Administration [CTA], also known as the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, has announced plans to publish a comprehensive book and map documenting the original Tibetan names of places and boundaries. This initiative, aimed at countering China’s escalating cartographic aggression, was disclosed by CTA President Penpa Tsering during an interview with Hindustan Times.

President Tsering [...] explained the challenges and scope of the project, noting that the complexity would vary depending on the depth of research undertaken. “The work on the map is under process, and much will depend on to what level we need to go to find out the original names in Tibetan. If we restrict it only to townships, the task becomes much easier. Maybe we will begin by focusing on townships and later expand it to include villages, and that involves a lot of work.”

[...]

Prominent international media organisations, including The Guardian, AFP, ANI, and NDTV, have been criticised for using the term “Xizang” in their reports. A recent example involved coverage of the devastating earthquake in Dingri County, Shigatse Prefecture, which claimed 134 lives, injured 337, and destroyed thousands of homes. These reports prominently featured the Chinese term, drawing criticisms from the Tibetan community.

In another instance, the Musée du quai Branly in France faced backlash for using “Xizang” in its catalogue of Tibetan artefacts. Following strong opposition from the Tibetan community, supporters, and activist groups like Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) in France, the museum eventually removed the term. Scholars argued that the use of “Xizang” aligns with China’s official narrative and diminishes Tibet’s cultural and historical autonomy.

[...]

Archived link

[...]

While the Supreme Court continues to consider the constitutionality of the TikTok ban, it is clear that TikTok presents serious and unique national security and human rights concerns. The platform’s parent company, ByteDance, is beholden to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has a record of coercing the private sector into conducting censorship and surveillance at home and abroad. The risks of TikTok being exploited by the CCP for malign purposes—for instance, to access personal data to track journalists or shape the information environment in the United States in the event of a national crisis—are very real and need to be taken seriously.

[...]

A better approach to protecting rights and security would be to adopt legislation that strengthens data privacy, platform transparency, and cybersecurity. This would force TikTok to operate more responsibly and better protect Americans’ data, while shedding light on the influence that ByteDance and the CCP have over the platform. This approach would also help address challenges raised by other social media platforms, including those with similar ties to authoritarian states.

[...]