Cicero Lounge

Singer Amy Winehouse has been added to the bill for the concert marking Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday in June.

The Back to Black star will join Leona Lewis, Queen and Dame Shirley Bassey at the London event, which will raise funds for Mandela's 46664 Aids charity.

"We are delighted Amy will be appearing at Hyde Park," said Tim Massey, 46664's international director.

The British government has adopted an official programme to support the human rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people in other countries.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued an 'LGBT Toolkit' to its 261 embassies, high commissions and other diplomatic posts.

The document lists PinkNews.co.uk as an online information resource about gay rights, the only news organisation on the list.

"The FCO fully supports equality in the enjoyment of human rights and the inadmissibility of discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation," the document states.

"This provides the focus of FCO work on this issue."

The kit contains information on the official British policy on gay rights and instructions in how to "provide added value to equality and non-discrimination work."

"Governments have an obligation to promote equality in the enjoyment of human rights, as well as not to discriminate in their application," the document states.

"Frequently there is discrimination in the enjoyment of key rights, even in countries where the criminal laws are neutral.

"Tackling this would require the building up of local coalitions of non-state actors to elaborate action plans for each country, as well as working locally with like-minded states.

"This would not just apply to issues like the state of the criminal law, but also to freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression and privacy.

"The FCO should identify, with the support of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and international LGBT groups like the International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA), countries where support from Posts and The British Council would provide added value to equality and non-discrimination work."

The British Council is a government department, independent of the FCO, that promotes British culture and educational relationships worldwide.

The 'toolkit' covers a wide range of issues, from decriminalisation, sexual health, reproductive rights and health education to bilateral work with other countries.

The document states that LGBT activists are often targets for persecution and that the FCO should ensure these people are "included among human rights defenders concerning whom the UK will lobby and will engage the support of other governments, especially EU members."

It says that initial discussions with the TUC suggest that countries of particular concern include Colombia, Egypt, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Nigeria, Uzbekistan and some of the new democracies of Eastern Europe.

Of particular interest to gay rights activists is this statement from the FCO:

"The nine countries that have a maximum penalty of death for consensual same sex relations are Iran, Iraq, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, UAE and Yemen.

"The ten countries that have a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for consensual same sex relations are Bangladesh, Barbados, Bhutan, Burma, Guyana, India, Maldives, Nepal, Singapore, and Uganda.

Town hall snoopers used controversial anti-terror powers to delve into the phone and email records of thousands of people last year.

They wanted to check for evidence of dog smuggling and storing petrol without permission  -  and even to trace a suspected bogus faith healer.

In one case they were inquiring into unburied animal carcasses.

Some councils are allowing middle-ranking staff to authorise covert operations under the controversial Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, which is intended for use 'in the interests of national security'.

Many of those spied upon will have no idea they have been subjected to surveillance, as those who are innocent have no right to know.

Last night Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: 'This is a stark demonstration of how the surveillance society has got out of control with the improper use of very broad powers  -  powers that the public would expect to be used only for serious crime and security threats.'

Using Freedom of Information laws, 152 local councils were asked if they were using the power to intercept details of who a person phoned or emailed plus when and where the call took place.

The answers revealed that town halls looked into the private data of 936 individuals and only 31 councils did not use these powers at all.

If the same pattern were repeated across the remaining 322 councils, it would make a totalof around 3,000 people having their phone and email records accessed by bureaucrats.

The Freedom of Information requests also revealed the range of offences councils have used the anti-terror law to probe.

Kent County Council carried out 23 telephone subscriber checks as part of probes into storing petrol without a licence and bringing a dog into the UK without putting it into quarantine.

Six of the 16 checks carried out by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council were intended to identify and locate a bogus faith healer.

Lewisham Borough Council's 18 checks included six on a rogue removal firm and one on a rogue pharmacist.

Bolton Council requested subscriber details for a mobile phone number in connection with a probe into unburied animal carcasses.

Councils insist they are using the powers properly to investigate or prevent a crime. But opponents said it proves RIPA, passed in 2000 by Labour to regulate spying and surveillance by police and the security services, is far too widely drawn.

Civil rights group Liberty said: 'You can care about serious crime and terrorism without throwing away our personal privacy with a snoopers' charter. 'The law must be reformed to require sign-off by judges, not self authorisation by over-zealous bureaucrats.'

RIPA also allows undercover council staff to watch individuals.

Operations can be justified on the grounds of anything from national security to 'protecting public health or public safety', 'preventing a crime' and 'protecting the economic well-being of the UK'.

This can cover dog fouling and even putting out a sack of rubbish on the wrong day.

The latest findings follow a string of alarming examples of how the anti-terror power is being used.

Poole council in Dorset spied on a family because it wrongly suspected the parents of abusing rules on school catchment areas.

In March 2008 some 50 representatives of the Bhopal survivors, including children, began the long walk - mo re than 800km - to New Delhi to seek a meeting with the Prime Minister.

They are now in New Delhi hoping for an opportunity to discuss a resolution of their major and long-standing concerns over the clean-up and remediation of the Bhopal site, and ongoing problems in relation to health, lack of clean water and lack of information. (Source : Amnesty)

The Indian Government refuses to acknowledge the problem by helping with the required measurements for providing adequately treated water. (Source: Cicero)

Dow Chemical Company (the company who took over from Union Carbide) has refused to help clean up the Bhopal site. Dow has said the following "What we cannot and will not do... is accept responsibility for the Bhopal accident." - CEO Michael Parker, 2002.) On it's website Dow Company said "the Dow position has not changed, despite public pressure." (Source: Cicero)

You can show your concern by writing to the following :

Dr. Manmohan Singh - Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Room No. 152
South Block New Delhi
110 001
India

Andrew N. Liveris
Dow Chemical Company
2030 Dow Center Midland,
MI 48674.
USA
Phone:989-636-1000.
Fax: 989-832-1556

The recent apparently rigged election results in Zimbabwe have once again served to highlight the grave humanitarian and security issues in that nation. Inflation stands at an astounding 1, 063 572% and shows no signs of stabilizing. There are shortages of basic foodstuffs, unemployment is now 80% and the World Food Program has once again had to launch a relief effort to ward of starvation among the population, who are also being ravaged by an AIDS epidemic which has infected up to 20% of the population. Since 2002 the population has decreased by four million people, through a combination of immigration and the AIDS crisis.
Many of these problems have been self inflicted by Robert Mugabe’s regime, whose disastrous land reform policies, economic mismanagement and brutal suppression of human rights have turned Zimbabwe from the breadbasket of Africa into a Country close to total economic collapse.

There have been repeated calls for direct International intervention to alleviate the suffering of the Zimbabwean people and even to forcefully remove the 84 year old Mugabe, despite the recent debacle of the Iraqi invasion and disastrous occupation.

During the aftermath of the cyclone in Myanmar, the French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, argued for direct humanitarian intervention, bypassing and defying the heads of the Burmese Military junta. Kouchner’s motion failed for precisely the same reasons as campaigns for intervention in Zimbabwe are ultimately doomed to failure, the refusal of neighbouring States to entertain the notion of Western troops near their borders. South Africa and other African States have refused to condemn Mugabe, often providing support at African summits and revelling in his firm opposition and derision of Britain and the West.

Although since the elections many have distanced themselves from Mugabe, they are unlikely to ever allow Western troops to use their Countries as a base for any kind of direct intervention against the Mugabe regime. In the Security Council China continues to support Zimbabwe, recently providing her with small arms and continued financial aid. With the discrediting of liberal intervention in Iraq any form of Military action from the West is highly unlikely. The best hope for Zimbabwe remains the MDC, who can still hope to win in the new poll on June 27th. Those in the West who wish to help the Zimbabwean people should do all they can to support movements for peaceful, democratic change within the Country, rather than demanding outside armed intervention that is both unrealistic and undesirable for the Zimbabwean people.

(Robert Dean, a freelance academic researcher who has a Master's degree in International Relations from Manchester University has written the following guest article. Rob looks at why the hopes for intervention in Zimbabwe have been killed off)

Posted by Greater Manchester Fabians at 21:37

Thousands of Manchester United fans are celebrating after their team clinched European glory in Moscow. In a tight, but thrilling, all-English Champions League Final, the Reds ran out winners after a nail-biting penalty shoot-out.

As United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar saved the final penalty at 1.35am local time there were scenes of joy and despair in the stands - but so far there have been no reports of trouble either inside or outside the stadium.

Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for United only for England international Frank Lampard to equalise on the stroke of half-time.

Chelsea's 21,000 travelling fans endured seeing their side hit the woodwork twice and striker Didier Drogba sent off. Seconds after United became the champions of Europe for the third time in their history Sir Alex Ferguson said: "That is the first penalty shoot-out I have ever won."

In lashing rain triumphant captain Rio Ferdinand held aloft the biggest prize in European club football at the Luzhniki Stadium. The team were led up to collect the trophy by Manchester United legend and England World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton.

The 42,000 fans now face a long journey home - many of them will leave the stadium and be taken directly to the airport for either a joyous or subdued flight.

'It is now essential that we receive a timetable for Guantánamo's closure' - Ming Campbell

Sir Menzies Campbell has this evening spoken of the 'essential' need to close the notorious military prison at Guantánamo Bay in Cuba after meeting members of the US government in Washington today as part of an Amnesty International delegation to the US capital.

The comments came on the first day of his three-day trip to discuss ways of closing the prison and allow fair trials or safe releases for the roughly 270 Guantánamo detainees still held.

The former Liberal Democrat leader, who is Vice Chair of the All Party Group on Rendition as well as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, has also been raising the issue of 'extraordinary rendition' flights and secret 'war on terror' detentions with the US government.

After meetings today with US government officials, Sir Menzies said:

'Today I was told that the US government intends to close the camp 'as soon as possible', but this is not good enough.

'We've heard these promises on numerous occasions from both Republican and Democrat leaders, yet we are now well into the seventh year of Guantánamo's shameful existence.

'The time for talking is over and the time for action is long overdue. It is now essential that we receive a timetable for Guantánamo's closure.'

Holographic quantum technology and acoustic sniper sensors may sound like the stuff of science fiction films - but they are actually new defence technologies which could soon be destined for the battlefield.

They were just a few of the gadgets and technologies on show at the Future Soldier event, held today at London's National Army Museum to coincide with National Science and Engineering Week (7-16 March).

The event demonstrated how UK defence firms and the Ministry of Defence are drawing on science and engineering to develop cutting edge equipment for the Armed Forces. Some technologies are already providing troops with a battle-winning edge on operations; others will need further development and some may be overtaken by new technologies before they make it to the field.

The event was opened by Baroness Ann Taylor, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, who said:

"All around us we can see how advances in science, engineering and technology affect our everyday lives. Defence is no exception. Members of the Armed Forces are increasingly interacting with ever more sophisticated technology as part of their job.

"There is already a huge difference between the personal equipment a British infantryman used in Kosovo back in 1999 and what they are using now in Afghanistan. We have come a long way - largely because we are working closely with the defence industry to exploit new technologies to protect and empower our people on the frontline. The threats they face are continually evolving and we have to continue to meet the challenge of keeping one step ahead."

The Future Soldier event is one of a number of events being held by the UK defence sector to mark National Science and Engineering Week.

Amnesty International has launched an urgent appeal for a university professor in Saudi Arabia who has been sentenced to 150 lashes and eight months’ imprisonment for meeting a woman in a coffee shop.
Article:

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=17748

Posted: 12 May 2008

All political leaders in Lebanon must clearly instruct their supporters to refrain from recklessly carrying out attacks in heavily-populated areas that endanger civilians uninvolved in the clashes, Amnesty International said today.

The organisation  also implored leaders to ensure that any person within their custody is treated humanely and is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment.

Amnesty International called on the Lebanese authorities to ensure proper investigations into the killing and any other abuses of those not involved in the armed clashes that broke out last week between members of pro- and anti-government armed groups.  

Amnesty International said:

"Political leaders must ensure that anyone within their ranks suspected of having committed human rights abuses is handed over to proper judicial authorities to be investigated and brought to justice in full compliance with international human rights standards.'

Posted: 15 May 2008

Nearly eight out of ten people (79%) in Great Britain think the government should support a worldwide ban on cluster bombs according to a new YouGov poll released today.
Findings from the poll commissioned by Amnesty International, Landmine Action and Oxfam also indicate that more than six out of ten people (62%) believe that the UK Government cannot claim to act as a force for good in the world if it fails to adopt the treaty.
These findings come days before a major conference in Dublin where world leaders will finalise the text of an international treaty to ban the use and stockpiling of cluster munitions.
Landmine Action's Director, Simon Conway said:
'The polling is clear; people recognise that if Britain is to be a force for good in the world, the government should totally ban these weapons - no exemptions, no loopholes.'

The latest version of the Royal Navy's Tomahawk land attack missile (TLAM) has been declared operational - three months earlier than planned.

Used to arm submarines, the new Tomahawk Block IV missile is considerably more capable than its predecessors. It has a significantly reduced response time and can fly further, striking land targets from the sea up to one thousand miles away with even greater precision. They are able to re-target or safely abort in flight and can relay images en route. The missile was first successfully test fired from a Royal Navy submarine last June.

Source : MoD/GNN

The MOD announced today that a Public Inquiry will be held into the death of Baha Mousa, who died in British custody in September 2003.

The Defence Secretary, Des Browne, said:

"A Public Inquiry into the death of Baha Mousa is the right thing to do. It will reassure the public that we are leaving no stone unturned in investigating his tragic death. The Army has nothing to hide in this respect and is keen to learn all the lessons it can from this terrible incident."

Source : MoD/GNN

In response to recent bombings in Jaipur the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband recently said:

"Today's bombings in Jaipur have shown again the horrific destruction which terrorism brings. My thoughts are with the families of the victims and with those injured. There can never be any justification for acts of indiscriminate violence such as these, and I utterly condemn those who have perpetrated today's attacks. The UK stands will continue to stand with the Government and people of India against terrorism in all its manifestations."

Press Office, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AL

COI ref 160820P

Following the impact of Cyclone Nargis on Burma, which killed tens of thousands of people and displaced around a million more, Amnesty International is calling urgently on the government to open its borders to relief workers and ensure aid is provided on the basis of need without discrimination.

Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International's Burma researcher, said: 'red tape in providing visas is costing lives, while some donors are delaying aid in the fear that it will be siphoned off to the arm,  the government should now provide access and assurances to international relief workers.'

Former Guantánamo detainee Murat Kurnaz launches his powerful book 'Five Years of My Life: an Innocent Man in Guantánamo' at an Amnesty International event in the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Thursday May 8th, 6.30pm, Black Box Café, Hill St, Belfast.
Article:
http://www.amnesty.org.uk/news_details.asp?NewsID=17751

The mission structure of Grand Theft Auto IV is considerably different from previous games in the series. Rockstar North are aiming to give players more freedom, more choice, and a greater sense of control over their character's destiny. The game still follows a narrative path, but it's quite different in the sense that the story can be told in a number of different ways, depending on the player's actions.

On 24 April 2008, the NATO Public Diplomacy Division and the Kingdom of Bahrain will co-organise an International Conference on "NATO-Bahrain Relations and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative", which will take place in Manama.

Three new non-party-political peers recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission were announced yesterday.

Phil Hope, Minister for the Third Sector, today appointed Baroness Jill Pitkeathly OBE as the Chair of the new Office of the Third Sector's (OTS) Advisory Body. Reporting to the Minister her role will be to drive forward the work of the Body, and be an honest broker and informed voice for the sector.
Article:
http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=365081&NewsAreaID=2

With a spectacular protest action of the Chaos Computer Club (CCC) against the progressive recovery of biometric data. In der aktuellen Ausgabe der Clubzeitschrift Die Datenschleuder veröffentlichen die Hacker den Fingerabdruck von Bundesinnenminister Wolfgang Schäuble. In the current edition of the club magazine The Datenschleuder publish the hacker's fingerprint by German Interior Minister Wolfgang Schauble.

Die Hacker wollen sich damit gegen die zunehmende Erfassung biometrischer Daten zur Wehr setzen. The hackers want to be against the increasing collection of biometric data to defend themselves. Besonders die Speicherung der Fingerabdrücke im E-Pass stößt dem CCC übel auf. Especially the storage of fingerprints in the E-Pass bad encounters the CCC. "Wir wollen mit der Veröffentlichung ein warnendes Zeichen setzen", erklärt CCC-Sprecher Dirk Engling gegenüber heise online. "We want to work with the publication of a warning signal," explains CCC spokesman Dirk Engling towards heise online. Fingerabdrücke seien nicht so sicher, wie die Politik behauptet, erklärt Engling: "Sie gehören in keine sicherheitskritische Anwendung – und erst recht nicht in den E-Pass." Fingerprints were not so sure how the policy claims Engling said: "They do not belong in safety application - and certainly not in the E-Pass."

Die Hacker haben es nicht beim Abdruck von Schäubles Fingerabdruck belassen – dem Heft liegt auch eine fertige Fingerabdruck-Attrappe bei. The hacker did not at the footprint of Schäuble's fingerprint respectively - the issue is also a completed fingerprint dummy. Die dünne Folie kann auf die Fingerkuppe geklebt werden, um zum Beispiel Fingerabdruckscanner zu täuschen. The thin foil is glued to the tip of the finger, for example, fingerprint scanners to deceive. "Wir empfehlen, die Abdrücke bei erkennungsdienstlichen Behandlungen, bei der Einreise in die USA, bei der Zwischenlandung in Heathrow , aber auch im örtlichen Supermarkt und – prophylaktisch – beim Berühren möglichst vieler Glasflächen zu benutzen" sagt Engling. "We recommend that the imprints on erkennungsdienstlichen treatments, a visa to enter the United States, for the intermediate landing at Heathrow, but also in the local supermarket, and - prophylactically - at the touch of many possible glass surfaces using" says Engling.

A new report published by Amnesty International "Safe Schools - Every Girls Right" has shown that thousands of girls across the world fear going to school for fear of sexual harassment; violent attacks, or bullying. The report describes how even in some Islamic countries schools for Girls have actually been burnt down.

As Pakistan prepares to swear-in a new parliament, Amnesty International today called on the country's new leaders to repair the fallout from the state of emergency imposed in November 2007.

In its latest document, Pakistan: Repairing the damage: ensuring robust human rights safeguards, Amnesty International examines the damage done to constitutional safeguards and the key role played by an independent judiciary in the protection of human rights.

Following the killing of eight students Israeli students in a religious school in Jerusalem by a Palestinian from East Palestine who was later shot by armed Israeli forces.

The man was  believed to be part of a previously unknown group calling itself "Phalange of Free Men of Galilee - Groups of the Martyr Imad Mughniya and the Gaza Martyrswho" . Human Rights groups have condemned the killing of the Israeli civilians and called on the Israeli Government and it's armed forces to show restrain against reprised attack on civilian Palestinians.