Category Archives: Government Oppression

TOKYO/GENEVA (28 April 2023) A UN expert today urged the Japanese government to assume a greater leadership role to address the deteriorating crisis in Myanmar and step up pressure on the countrys military junta.

The international communitys response to the crisis in Myanmar is failing, and that failure has contributed to a lethal downward spiral that is devastating the lives of millions of people, said Tom Andrews, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar at the end of a 10-day official visit to Japan.

I came to Japan because I believe that this country has an essential role to play in resolving the crisis, Andrews said.

Japans leadership will be vital in recalibrating a failing international response to the crisis, he said. The UN expert called on Japan to work with regional and global allies to weaken the capacity of Myanmars military junta to attack its citizens.

In a statement(also in Japanese) delivered at the end of his visit, the Special Rapporteur raised the alarm about an impending humanitarian disaster in the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh. Without immediate additional funding, a decision to cut food rations by an additional 20% will be made in the next few weeks, reducing food rations to 27 cents per person per day. The cuts would also potentially eliminate food rations completely for hundreds of thousands.

This is an emergency. Further cuts will leave the Rohingya, already victims of genocidal attacks in Myanmar, at risk of starvation and drive thousands into boats and dangerous land routes in utter desperation, Andrews warned.

He called on the Government of Japan and all Member States to immediately increase humanitarian funding, including by redirecting funding from development programmes in Myanmar.

Referring to the worsening situation in Myanmar, Andrews said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who has led the junta since the February 2021 coup, had responded to widespread opposition to their rule with barbarism and oppression against the people of Myanmar. Arbitrary detention, torture and systematic attacks on villages have become hallmarks of the junta. The military is repeatedly attacking civilian populations throughout the country and has quite literally made war on the Myanmar people, the expert said.

He urged Japan to impose targeted economic sanctions on the Myanmar military and its key sources of funding, just as it is doing in response to the crisis in Ukraine.

Economic sanctions that deprive the junta of the resources required to operate its war-making machinery would weaken the capacity of the junta to attack its people, Andrews said.

The expert urged Japan to terminate a Ministry of Defence programme that continues to provide military training to military personnel from Myanmar, referencing credible reports linking previous trainees to military units that have committed atrocities against civilians.

Andrews called on the Government of Japan to clearly and consistently renounce the juntas plan to stage fraudulent national elections as a means of legitimising itself. It is not possible to hold a genuine election when opposition leaders are arrested, detained, tortured and executed; when key political parties have been dissolved; when it is illegal to criticise the junta; and when journalists are imprisoned for doing their job, he said.

The Special Rapporteur highlighted the upcoming G7 Summit in Hiroshima as an opportunity for Japan to shine a light on the situation in Myanmar before the world.

I urge Prime Minister Kishida to ensure that the Myanmar crisis is high on the G7 agenda and that a strong, unified message and action on Myanmar emerges from the Summit, the expert said.

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UN expert urges Japan to step up pressure on Myanmar junta - OHCHR

Conservative Member of Parliament Michael Chong is applauded as he rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on May 2, 2023.Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service on Tuesday confirmed to Conservative MP Michael Chong that he and his family were targeted by the Chinese government after he sponsored a parliamentary motion condemning Beijings conduct in Xinjiang as genocide, the MP says.

He said CSIS also confirmed that Zhao Wei, a Chinese diplomat in Canada, was involved.

The Globe and Mail first reported the situation on Monday, citing a top-secret CSIS intelligence assessment prepared in July 2021.

The briefing provided to Mr. Chong took place Tuesday in Ottawa.

Mr. Chong declined to identify the senior CSIS official who briefed him, but said the official told him he was authorized to read to him from the CSIS report quoted by The Globe because it relates to a threat to you and your family.

The Canadian government told Mr. Chong Tuesday it is investigating why he was not alerted about this.

Mr. Chong said the failure to notify him of Chinas targeting represents either a breakdown of the machinery of government or a political failure by the Liberal government.

He is also asking Commons Speaker Anthony Rota to find the Peoples Republic of China in contempt of Parliament for efforts to intimidate an MP.

The Globe and Mails report on the July, 2021 intelligence assessment by CSIS found Chinas intelligence service, the Ministry of State Security (MSS), has taken specific actions to target Canadian MPs linked to the February, 2021, parliamentary motion condemning Beijings oppression of Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities.

That motion, which passed, declared that Chinas conduct amounts to genocide.

The spy agency said an MSS officer sought information on an unnamed Canadian MPs relatives who may be located in the PRC [Peoples Republic of China], for further potential sanctions.

This effort, the CSIS report said, is almost certainly meant to make an example of this MP and deter others from taking anti-PRC positions.

A national-security source, whom The Globe did not name in the Monday story because they risk prosecution under the Security of Information Act, said the MP targeted was Mr. Chong, and that Mr. Zhao was working on this matter.

Mr. Zhao is listed in the Department of Global Affairs record of foreign diplomats as working in Chinas Toronto consulate. In February, The Globe reported that a national-security source described Mr. Zhao as a suspected intelligence actor.

The Globe reported Monday that according to the top-secret intelligence assessment from CSIS, China sees Canada as a high-priority target and employs incentives and punishment as part of a vast influence network directed at legislators, business executives and diaspora communities.

The report warned that Beijing is the foremost perpetrator of foreign interference in Canada. Its agents are unconcerned about repercussions, the report says, because of the lack of obstacles such as a foreign-influence registry.

Its not known whether elected officials in Canada gained access to the report, which was produced by the agencys Intelligence Assessment Branch and dated July 20, 2021, several weeks before the federal election campaign got under way.

The assessment is presented as a baseline for understanding the intent, motives and scope of Beijings foreign interference in Canada.

The nine-page document, seen by The Globe and Mail, is the latest example of the warnings published by Canadas security service in recent years. Its marked top secret and for Canadian eyes only.

It said Canada needs to erect more obstacles to foreign interference. Absent real disincentives, such as a foreign-influence registry and indictments of foreign-interference actors, Chinese targeting of Canada is expected to continue and increase over time.

Threat actors almost certainly perceive their activities in Canada to be low-risk and high reward, the assessment said.

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CSIS confirms to MP that he and family were targeted by China - The Globe and Mail

Duvar English

Opposition Y (Good) Party chair Meral Akener has confirmed the allegations of the government having sent a bureaucrat to the mral Island to talk with jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah calan.

Akener said that the government had assigned someone from the judiciary for the task and that although she knew who it was, she would not reveal the name.

They (the rulership) have recently sent someone to mral, asked for help. I know who it is, someone who used another name (not to be exposed). It would be dishonorable for me to reveal (the name). If the person were a politician, I would say it (the name). They have sent someone from the judiciary. The person went there by changing their name, Akener told journalist Fatih Altayl on May 1 on Habertrk TV channel.

The allegations of a government delegation having held a meeting with calan initially came to the foreground with the reporting of journalist Amed Dicle on April 10. The journalist said that when the government could not get the answer they wanted during the meeting with calan, the jailed PKK leaders isolation was aggravated and disciplinary punishment was given.

On April 28, jailed former Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirta told the daily Cumhuriyet that the alleged meeting between the government and calan was also confirmed by my sources. When they (the rulership) couldnt get a result in mral, they have preferred to increase the oppression against Kurdish on the field and back up (Kurdish Islamist political party) HDA-PAR.

A similar confirmation came from journalist Murat Arel who said that the alleged meeting between senior bureaucrats and calan took place on March 28. Sources to whom you can ask this meeting are limited. They dont want to say anything with regards to the content (of the meeting). We dont know what they talked inside. What has been reflected in the press is that some offers were made and these offers were not accepted. When I asked (my resources about this), it was a meeting of this sort, Arel told Halk TV on April 28.

Presidential spokesperson brahim Kaln, however, denied the existence of such a meeting with calan.I would like to express that this claim is a clear lie. These are the claims made by certain circles to gain a political advantage. It is not possible for them to get a result from this. There was no meeting, Kaln said on April 26.

calan was arrested in 1999 and is serving a life sentence on mral Island located in the south of the Sea of Marmara.

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Opposition leader says govt sent a bureaucrat to talk with calan - Duvar English

Since the Supreme Court incorporated the First Amendment to apply to the states in 1925, conversations about the balance between free speech and other social values have intensified. Arguably the most contentious conflict exists between freedom of speech and egalitarian social values, creating issues when free speech causes harm to marginalized communities.

The First Amendment allows for broad protections of speech. For example, content-based restrictions on speech those that limit speech based on its message are subject to strict scrutiny, the highest level of judicial review. Any measure that restricts speech based on its content must serve a compelling governmental interest and be narrowly tailored to serve that purpose alone. When the government limits speech, it must do so in the least restrictive way possible.

There are only a few categorical exceptions to the content-based restrictions that are permitted under the First Amendment, such as true threats or criminal incitement. The Supreme Court has chosen to interpret these exceptions narrowly and has largely refused to expand the kind of speech that is not protected under First Amendment protections.

One court case that continues to trouble some Americans is Snyder v. Phelps, where the Supreme Court ruled in 2010 that the First Amendment shields speech that intentionally causes emotional distress. In Matal v. Tam, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the idea that hate speech does not count as a categorical exception to the First Amendment.

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As a result, government entities have little power to regulate even harmful speech. This is exacerbated in the university context when student organizations invite controversial individuals to speak on campus. Recent visits from speakers like Ben Shapiro and Matt Walsh have been met with calls for the University of Wisconsin to have them removed. Unless their speech reaches one of the categorical exceptions to the First Amendment, however, UW has little power to unilaterally prevent hateful speech.

To fully comprehend the complexity of freedom of speech, we must acknowledge the weight words carry. Words arent simply syllables strung together they have the power to mobilize ideologies and behaviors. As a result, freedom of speech can come into tension with social equality, as hateful speech perpetuates oppressive power structures.

Members of marginalized groups are often the recurring targets of hate speech. In fact, minority communities encompass more than 70% of the people targeted by hate crimes and hate speech on social media, according to the United Nations. This speech is exacerbated by unregulated speech on social media. After Elon Musk bought Twitter, reducing the regulation of hate speech on the platform, the use of the n-word on the platform increased by almost 500% within 12 hours, according to the Brookings Institution.

People who use their constitutional freedom to speak hatefully can impose tangible impacts on marginalized communities based on historical power imbalances that speech can perpetuate. When hateful expression is allowed in the name of free speech, it reinforces structures of oppression.

It is critical that UW responds to hateful speakers not only to acknowledge the harm their speech inflicts, but also to support impacted communities. In the context of broad free speech protections, UW has the responsibility to support students harmed by free speech without resorting to censorship.

When a student group invites a speaker to campus who spreads harmful ideas, UW cannot prevent that. But, given that freedom of speech and freedom of protest are both protected by the First Amendment, UW also cannot prohibit counter-protests that may arise against speakers.

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There is a fundamental difference between freedom of speech and freedom of consequence. When a community reacts to a harmful speaker, that is an example of a logical repercussion for spreading ideas that hurt people. Not only are civilian protests against other forms of free speech a legal right, they should be encouraged to facilitate a healthy democracy. Community members who organize in response to harmful rhetoric can help foster discussion around why such hate should not be tolerated.

April 4, many UW students received an email with the subject line Homosexuality and Christ Talk this Thursday from Badger Catholic through the RSO outreach via All Students email address. The email invited students to attend an event with guest speaker Kim Zember.

Students receive these emails because they are enrolled at UW and because the organization is a Registered Student Organization. RSOs can send one email per semester to all students at a reduced fee. Students who wish to be removed from these mass emails can choose to do so under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA.

Before sending out the mass emails, UW reviews the text of the email to ensure RSOs are adhering to UWs policies. The Center for Leadership & Involvement has a responsibility to every campus organization to send these emails if they follow UWs policies. But UW also has a responsibility to its students, particularly those who are often the target of harmful speech, to condemn harmful speech being promoted by any RSO.

UW failed to identify or condemn Zember as an anti-LGBTQIA+ speaker. Unless speech constitutes true threats, incitement of criminal activity or another categorical exception to the First Amendment, UW cannot censor speakers. It is a public university and that would be a constitutional violation of free speech. But doing nothing in the face of hateful speakers is unacceptable.

For one, when vetting the text of the RSO Outreach emails, UW should consider whether it is misleading. The Badger Catholic email was vague and did not make clear the hateful content of Zembers message. When this is the case, UW should send out a supplemental email with more context about controversial speakers, including resources and community spaces to better prepare and support students in the face of hateful speech.

In the absence of UWs open condemnation of harmful speech, students can and should do something. We live in a democracy where everyone has the right to free speech. The cost of having this right is the persistent need to fight the expressions of bigotry it permits. Hateful expressions are not a consequence of the First Amendment as a conduit for ideas but a broader American culture that perpetuates these ideas in the first place.

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We live in a country where transgender people are victimized at staggering rates, a country founded on a distorted view of equality and a country built by enslaved people on stolen land. Our history has repeatedly empowered bigots to weaponize freedom of speech against vulnerable communities, and it is this not free speech that represents the root of hateful expression.

Fortunately, the same right that permits hateful rhetoric on campus also permits students to protest this rhetoric. Instead of calling on UW to censor hateful speakers, we must openly oppose harmful speech, share resources with one another, promote inclusive campus groups and build community around a shared goal of empowering marginalized groups.

Freedom of speech and social equality are not mutually exclusive. Instead of calling for censorship in the face of harmful speech, we must use the rights we have to engage in productive counterprotest. Within the framework of the First Amendment, members of a democracy have the ability and responsibility to respond when free speech is abused.

It is the wielding of free speech not the constraining of it that provides an avenue to push back against the hateful discourse the First Amendment allows.

The Badger Herald Editorial Board serves to represent the voice of the editorial department, distinct from the newsroom and does not necessarily reflect the views of each staff member.

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The Badger Herald Editorial Board: The bounds of free speech The ... - The Badger Herald

Worried by hike in petroleum products, the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is to set up taskforce of workers on Petroleum Products Monitoring.

The NLC Chairperson in Akwa Ibom, Comrade Sunny James disclosed this in his May Day speechto workers in the stateyesterday.

He said the monitoring was going to be in collaboration with government agency to stem the tide of unnecessary price increase and diversion of petroleum products by marketers in the State.

He said that labour would not hesitate to picket any filling station found culpable.

James decried a situation in the state where a litre of fuel goes between N240 to N270 as against the federal governments approved new pump price of N185 per litre.

He said it was worrisome that in spite of the state being oil producing state, some marketers even sell up to N400 per litre ncident the last two months.

He said that labour would no longer tolerate any such oppression of workers by shylock marketers for continuously inflicting pains on the people

Henceforth, we shall not hesitate to picket any filling station found culpable,in unnecessary price increases and diversion of their products meant for the state to unknown location will be resisted

We hereby insist that petro and other refined products must be sold at government approved price in Akwa Ibom going forward, James said.

The NLC chairperson called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Uyo office, to release and make funds available to commercial banks for payment at the counter and in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) to alleviate the suffering of the workers and masses.

He warned that the union would not tolerate any more act of impoverishment of workers and the Akwa Ibom people by Point of Sale (POS) agents who derived happiness in making naira to appreciate in the POS market.

James appealed to the Governor Udom Emmanuel to make funds available to assist the Local Government sector to clear all outstanding leave grant to primary school teachers and the local government workers to bring them at par with the State workers, who were expecting the payment of 2023 leave grant.

The state governor in an address assured the NLC that the consequential pensions adjustment of retirees was being worked on, and all outstanding pensions and the allowances of medical doctors on housemanship would be cleared before he vacates office on May 29.

Emmanuel said the disagreement on promotion arrears of 2011 2016 for teachers would be sorted out.

He added that government was waiting for the data on 7.5 per cent contributory pensions and would begin the process of refund as soon as the required information reaches the government.

I had a meeting with the pensioners who brought something to my attention. I stand on my promise that we would correct those issues of the pensioners if their joint report will be ready by that Wednesday (I have called a special meeting of exco members) and they promised me that the report would be ready.

We have done the 2022 promotion. 2022 promotion has been signed and I would be surprised if the Head of Service has not circulated that because that should go for implementation. 2023 promotion will be done after the appraisal of your performance in 2023.

So, I cant start now to promote you, hoping you would perform. You would perform first before I promote you.

On the issue of leave grant for primary school teachers, since we took over government and governance, every month, the state has been intervening in helping out at the third tier of government.

It is not the fault of the local government, it is the structure of our fiscal responsibility as a nation.

Whatever we do is a sacrifice on our part that we keep intervening in the local government area.

When this was brought to my notice, I said we are going to suspend a lot of projects as a state and intervene immediately.

I want to believe that beginning from tomorrow, people will start getting alert, Emmanuel said.

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AIbom NLC to Set up Monitoring Team on Petroleum Products - THISDAY Newspapers

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In an insightful piece on Star and Stripes, Professor Ivan Sascha Sheehan, the associate dean of the College of Public Affairs, analyzes the ongoing political turmoil in Iran, with a focus on the recent anti-government protests that erupted across the country. Despite the brutal crackdown by the regime, Iranians unwavering demand for civil and political liberties has not subsided. Prof. Sheehan examines the various political figures vying for power and presents a compelling argument against the return of the Pahlavi dictatorship. Instead, Sheehan advocates for the 10-point plan presented by Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, which promotes free and fair elections and the separation of religion from the state. As the debate about Irans future intensifies, the author reminds us that it is crucial to amplify the voices of Iranians fighting for freedom and democracy, not those seeking a return to an oppressive past.

Following is Prof. Sheehans article:

The Islamic Republic of Iran has posed a significant challenge for Western policymakers since the establishment of the theocracy by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini 44 years ago. But Iranians uncompromising pursuit of civil and political liberties may finally be paying off.

Though the latest round of anti-government protests were sparked by the killing of a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, by the so-called morality police for reportedly wearing a headscarf incorrectly in September 2022, the uprising quickly metastasized with Iranians taking to the streets to participate in a country-wide rebellion and insisting on the removal of the clerical regime in its entirety.

According to the leading pro-democracy opposition group, the Peoples Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), more than 750 people have been killed over the past seven months in the regimes latest crackdowns, with 30,000 others arrested. Although some media outlets report lower estimates of both figures, authorities in Tehran claimed in March to have granted amnesty to 22,000 people arrested during the anti-regime uprising, effectively confirming the MEKs accounts.

While the ayatollahs and their disinformation units try to present an image of normalcy, outrage, and defiance persist among ordinary Iranians. The countrys economic and social situation has worsened over the past six months, and indications are that unrest could re-emerge at any moment. The international community cannot afford a failure to understand the political sentiments that drive the peoples thirst for regime change.

As the West adjusts to new realities in Iran, the question of what the future holds has become ever more complicated. This is particularly so with marginal figures and bit players that have been largely inconsequential for years, situating themselves among the regimes credible opponents. Chief among them is Reza Pahlavi, the son of the Shah, who was deposed in 1979 and died two years later.

Although it is true that Iran during the Shahs era was vastly different than Iran today, it would be a mistake to conclude that it was a more humane or tolerant era or one that the Iranians wish to return to. The 1979 revolution was a genuine popular revolt motivated by years of accumulated indignation over the Shahs corruption and oppression. Most who were alive at the time including many who participated in the Shahs overthrow could not have anticipated that his removal would result in a nearly half-century of theocratic rule by mullahs who would themselves become despised.

But the Shahs lavish and brutal rule is hardly forgotten.

Just over a year before the revolution, The Village Voice observed that torture by the Shahs secret police was a national pastime in Iran. The Shah expanded the Pahlavi dynastys wealth by simply stealing it from his subjects. A large portion of that wealth was expatriated when he fled the throne, and it would be appropriate to ask whether it is being used to finance his sons travels and advocacy for the restoration of his familial dynasty today. In 1981, Reza Pahlavi vowed to pursue that goal in front of his fathers tomb.

Indeed, Pahlavi has shown no inclination to relinquish his ill-gotten gains or to account transparently for the extent of his fathers financial misdeeds. He has never acknowledged any of the crimes committed by the Shahs notorious secret police, SAVAK, much less disavowed them while positioning himself as a legitimate contender to lead the country after the next revolution. His ongoing defense of those wrongs, coupled with a regressive vision that contrasts sharply with the democratic objectives espoused by principled oppositionists that have been fighting the regime for four decades, mean that Western thought leaders can not take him seriously.

Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, who lost a sister to the Shah and another to the ayatollahs, has presented a 10-point plan for Irans future in the absence of the mullahs. It advocates for free and fair elections, separation of religion from the state, and legal safeguards on the rights of women and minorities, and it has already been endorsed by a diverse roster of prominent Western politicians on both sides of the Atlantic, including a bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in March.

As evidenced by social media clips and eyewitness accounts, residents of virtually every major city and town have taken up the chant of death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Supreme Leader, to make it clear that they reject dictatorship in all its forms and will only accept forward progress toward democracy for their country.

Amid an increasingly urgent discussion of Irans future, policymakers and journalists must decide whose voices to amplify and whose voices to disregard. Iranians fighting for freedom have already made this choice and made it clear that they aspire to democracy, not a return to the Shah.

Ivan Sascha Sheehan is the associate dean of the College of Public Affairs and past executive director of the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Baltimore. Opinions expressed are his own.

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Amplifying Iranian Voices: The Call for Freedom and Democracy ... - National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)

Economic summits in Washington, DC rarely provoke much interest on the streets of Khartoum or Karachi. The Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank, held in the United States capital during April 10-16, were no exception.

Listening to the range of comments from ministers and other officials throughout the week, one could not help but wonder whether we will ever be able to resolve the many crises we are currently facing. As is often the case, talk was plenty in Washington, but answers were few.

Remember how, just a few short years ago, our leaders were determined to resolve what was deemed a pandemic of inequality? How they were all talking about tackling the rampant divides in our societies that COVID-19 laid bare?

Do you remember how they celebrated our essential workers, praised care and collectivism, and recognised the importance of well-funded public services and social safety nets?

Just three short years after the beginning of the pandemic, the hope and calls for a meaningful reset, for the global pandemic response to become a portal to a better world are a distant memory.

In fact, today we are in a new age of inequality. The rising cost of living, joblessness, underfunded and inadequate public services, and extreme weather events with devastating consequences are at the top of peoples ever-growing list of concerns.

And not only is anxiety and frustration reaching a peak, but people are also becoming increasingly aware that their governments, and the international financial institutions (IFIs) whose rules are shaping the economy on the streets, are not serving them. They are realising that as long as crushing debt repayments continue to be funded by austerity measures, with the poorest and the most marginalised bearing the brunt, their societies will remain in constant crisis and their lives in a state of precarity.

When the World Bank and the IMF experts talked about interest rates and slow growth last week in Washington, DC, their discussions appeared irrelevant to the daily reality of people struggling around the world, such as the Zambians who are forced to queue for staple foods on a regular basis. The two conversations, however, are well-connected. The crushing austerity measures that devastate Zambian households today like similar policies worldwide are exported from Washington in ideology, whether they are approved by the national government or not.

These days all our economic woes are blamed on a perfect global storm with four horsemen of inequality galloping towards us: rising inflation, record food and energy prices,and above all the war in Ukraine.

There is no doubt Russias offensive has darkened our outlook further. But what got us here was decades of policies and politics that have consistently served the rich and failed the poor. After all, inequality is not new it is baked into the system.

But now the crises have become so perilous, and public anger so widespread from London to Lagos that our leaders are being forced to act. Politicians in countries as diverse as Mexico, Zimbabwe, the US and Kenya are having to talk about taxing the rich. And it goes way beyond a national scale people are calling into question the very systems that underpin the global economy.

In response to the climate crisiss disproportionate impact on her country, Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced in November 2022 the Bridgetown Initiative, aimed at holding rich countries to account for their failed promises on climate finance. The proposal seeks to substantially tweak the global financial architecture to make a lot more money available for climate finance, allow more flexibility in how countries could spend it, and have the international financial institutions act as a guarantor for larger, more substantial private sector funding.

Keen to get in on the act, Emmanuel Macron will host a summit for A New Global Financial Pact on climate financing in June. A summit co-chaired by Macron, who is currently repressing trade unions to raise the retirement age against the wishes of the French population, already feels counterintuitive. He will be joined by Indias Narendra Modi, the current chair of the G20, whose involvement has rightly sparked further scepticism about where such a process will lead.

There is a fundamental question to be asked about this approach. Can those perpetuating the problem stay in the driving seat to create the solution? Those looking to fight the inequality crisis are struck by the fact that the people who are affected the most are not considered part of the solutions proposed by political leaders.

Our current situation demonstrates why the rich and powerful cannot continue to speak for the poorest and most marginalised. We cannot get out of this perfect storm if we allow the governing elites to blithely rewrite the rules while keeping intact the power dynamics that brought our societies to the brink of collapse in the first place.

Politicians need to understand that the clamour for systemic change is growing. People want to come up with their own solutions and build a new economic system in the process.

This is why when at the Spring Meetings, IMF Africa Director Abebe Selassie called for another Gleneagles moment (to echo the G8 summit in 2005 when aid and debt cancellation were on the rich countries agenda) to deal with the debt crisis looming on the continent, he missed the point.

We have crossed the Rubicon. Solutions and processes spearheaded by rich countries simply wont cut it there is no going back to business as usual.

The pandemic has left scars that will not heal. Our leaders may have forgotten the promises they made, but the ongoing inequality crisis that blights the lives of so many across the globe continues to defy this amnesia. The toxic combination of lower taxes on the richest and prioritising debt repayments over peoples basic needs and rights is unacceptable and fundamentally unfair.

Our biggest failure in the aftermath of the 2008 global financial crisis was not grasping the unique opportunity for systemic change that arose. We allowed those in charge, and those who were responsible for the crisis, to chart our way forward and guarantee more suffering and devastation.

We cannot allow history to repeat itself. The costs of continuing down this path have become too great.

Protesters on the streets in France, Peru, Ecuador and beyond are already saying enough is enough. Their cries are varied, from opposing attempts to raise the age of retirement and resisting government oppression to demanding fair pay and affordable child care. But the overall message is clear: People want systemic change.

They are questioning the purpose and utility of institutions like the IMF and the World Bank that have come to be seen as the custodians of the neoliberal economic order. Formed almost 80 years ago, to help countries rebuild after the second world war, these institutions are dominated by rich countries at every level of their governance. Despite an attempt at a progressive rebranding in recent years, they continue to mete out the same failed neoliberal policy solutions. So their offers of help and economic interventions are increasingly causing public anger across the world, from Argentina and Tunisia to Sri Lanka and beyond.

This is the time to have an honest conversation about what is really at the root of our current crisis, and what real change should look like. That is why groups like Fight Inequality Alliance have begun calling for Peoples Alternatives.

Our current crisis makes it clear that we need systemic change and we need it fast. But we cannot leave the redesign of our economic system to the same governments and IFIs that are responsible for the current catastrophe this is really a job for the people.

They say economics is too important to be left to the economists. Well, it is also too important to be left to the politicians and the richest.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.

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As inequality deepens, who will rewrite the rules? - Al Jazeera English

George Orwell's books are a must-have for readers of all ages. His novels and essays explore the complexities of human society and the individual's place in it. His works offer thought-provoking insights into the world and our relationship with it. His writing is both entertaining and educational, and his characters are memorable and timeless. Whether you are looking for a lighthearted read or an in-depth exploration of the human condition, Books by George Orwell are sure to provide an engaging and thought-provoking experience.Buy his books today and explore the world through the eyes of one of the greatest authors of all time. So, what are you thinking? Buy the best George Orwell book or books and delve into a mesmerizing literary experience.List of the Best George Orwell Books1. Down and Out in Paris and LondonDown and Out in Paris and London is a powerful memoir by George Orwell. It is a record of Orwell's experiences living in poverty in both cities. The book covers a variety of topics, including the harsh realities of life in the slums, the exploitation of the working classes, and the difficulty of finding employment. Throughout, Orwell displays his wit and intelligence, as well as his compassion for the people he meets on his journey. He also demonstrates his deep understanding of the social and economic conditions of both cities, providing a unique look into a world rarely seen by outsiders. This book by George Orwell is an important work of social realism, and its insights remain relevant to this day.Buy Down and Out in Paris and London 2. Coming Up for AirComing Up for Air book by George Orwell is a novel about a middle-aged man in England who takes a break from his mundane life to go on a fishing trip. He revisits his hometown of Lower Binfield, which has changed drastically since he left as a young man. He finds himself reflecting on his life, his marriage and his regrets. He also finds himself in the middle of a war between his old beliefs and the new world he finds himself in. His journey of self-discovery is a poignant reminder of the importance of nostalgia and looking back on the past. It is a novel of hope and optimism, as the protagonist finds himself feeling more alive and connected to the world around him. In the end, he finds the courage to move forward and embrace the future, understanding that life is full of both joy and sorrow.Buy Coming Up for Air 3. Burmese DaysBurmese Days is a novel written by George Orwell and published in 1934. Set in Burma during the British colonial era, it tells the story of John Flory, a British imperial police officer, and his struggle to maintain his sense of morality while living in an oppressive and corrupt environment. Flory's moral dilemma is personified in the character of Dr Veraswami, a respected Burmese doctor who is discriminated against by the British authorities. The novel follows the events of the small town of Kyauktada and the struggles of the people living there, both Burmese and British, to survive in a difficult and oppressive system. The novel is a critique of British imperial rule in Burma and highlights the racism, inequality and exploitation that was inherent in the system. Despite being written almost a century ago, this book by George Orwell remains relevant today as it serves as a reminder of the power imbalances that still exist in the world.Buy Burmese Days 4. The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English GeniusThe Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius by George Orwell is a collection of essays that discuss the importance of socialism and the English genius as Orwell examines the current social and political state of England. The essays in this collection are divided into two parts - 'England Your England' and 'The Lion and the Unicorn'. In 'England Your England', Orwell examines the English culture and the influence of the class system on the country. In the second part, Orwell explores the idea of a socialist England and the need for the English people to embrace revolutionary ideas to achieve a better society. He discusses the importance of English pride and patriotism, and how socialism can be used to create a better nation. He also argues for a union between the working classes and the intellectual elite to create a better country. Overall, The Lion and the Unicorn book by George Orwell is an interesting read that offers a unique perspective on the social and political issues of England.Buy The Lion and the Unicorn: Socialism and the English Genius 5. The Road to Wigan PierThe Road to Wigan Pier, written by George Orwell in 1937, is a fascinating account of his journey through the industrial North of England. Orwells mission was to document the lives of the working-class people in the area, and the book is a powerful and often shocking insight into a world of poverty and deprivation. Through his vivid descriptions, Orwell captures the reality of life in the area, showing the poor living conditions and the harshness of labour. His observations are often laced with a heavy dose of social criticism, highlighting the injustices of the class system and the need for a fairer distribution of wealth. This George Orwell's book is a unique and powerful document of a bygone era, which remains relevant to this day.Buy The Road to Wigan Pier 6. Homage to CataloniaHomage to Catalonia is a memoir written by George Orwell, originally published in 1938. It details his experiences and observations during his time fighting in the Spanish Civil War. It is considered to be one of the most important works to come out of the conflict and gives a unique insight into the politics, culture and atmosphere of the time. Orwell's writing style is honest, and his book offers a candid view of the events that unfolded. Homage to Catalonia is a powerful book that is both informative and inspiring and has been praised for its thought-provoking and moving description of the Spanish Civil War. This George Orwell book provides a unique and powerful look at one of the most significant events of the 20th century.Buy Homage to Catalonia 7. Fascism and DemocracyGeorge Orwell famously said, Fascism is the worst form of government, except for all the others. He understood that while it was far from perfect, democracy was the best system available to the people. To Orwell, democracy was a form of government where the people had a say in how they were governed and their rights were respected. He believed that democracy was the best way to ensure the most freedom and equality for all citizens. On the other hand, he felt that fascism was a form of government that relied on the rule of a single leader or small group, who had absolute power and did not need to answer to anyone. Fascism also promoted a certain type of nationalism, where the interests of the nation came before individual rights. Orwell argued that fascism was a dangerous form of government because it undermined the rights of individuals, and often led to violent measures to maintain its power.Buy Fascism and Democracy 8. Politics and the English LanguageGeorge Orwell's essay "Politics and the English Language" examines the relationship between political writing and the English language. He argues that politicians often use language that is vague, circular, and meaningless to avoid taking a clear stance on an issue. He also asserts that the lack of clarity in political language leads to a lack of clarity in thought. Orwell believes that this practice is detrimental to democracy, as it prevents citizens from being able to properly engage with political discourse. He encourages writers to choose their words carefully, to be precise in their use of language, and to avoid using cliches and jargon. Overall, Orwell's essay is a warning against the use of language to mask or obscure the truth.Buy Politics and the English Language 9. 1984George Orwell's book 1984 is a cautionary tale about the dangers of totalitarianism. Set in a world where individual freedom and thought have been suppressed by an oppressive government, the novel follows Winston Smith, a government employee who begins to question the Party and its absolute control. His journey to rebel against the oppressive forces takes him to the brink of freedom and beyond, as he discovers the true power of the state and the power of the individual to oppose it. The novel serves as a warning of the potential for oppression and manipulation in modern society, and its themes of power, privacy and surveillance remain as relevant today as they were when it was first published in 1949.Buy 1984 10. Animal FarmAnimal Farm by George Orwell is a timeless classic which is set on a farm and follows the animals' rebellion against their oppressive human owners. The animals overthrow their owners and establish a new society based on the principles of Animalism. However, soon the animals begin to change their rules and the ideals of Animalism. Through this story, Orwell conveys the dangers of totalitarian systems and how easily those in power can become corrupted. The story is a powerful allegory for the Russian Revolution, and the characters represent real-life political figures. Animal Farm is a powerful and thought-provoking work which is still read and studied today. It explores the power of language, the corruption of power, and the dangers of a totalitarian society. The novel is an important reminder of the need for vigilance and caution in any society.Buy Animal FarmSimilar products for youFAQs related to the best George Orwell Books1. What is George Orwell most famous for?Ans. George Orwell was a masterful writer, combining humour and satire to drive his messages home. His books often explore difficult topics such as political oppression and totalitarianism, yet he still manages to make them accessible and enjoyable for readers. He also had a unique ability to create compelling characters that readers can relate to, making his stories come alive. 2. What is Orwell's main message?Ans. Orwell's main message is that totalitarianism, authoritarianism, and communism are oppressive forces that can lead to the destruction of individual freedom, human dignity, and democracy. He also emphasizes the importance of free thought and independent thought. 3. What is George Orwell's writing style?Ans. George Orwell's writing style is often described as clear and direct, with a strong moral and political stance. He often used simple language to convey complex ideas and used irony and satire to make his points. He was also known for his descriptive and evocative prose, as well as his use of symbolism and allegory.

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Discover the Brilliance of George Orwell: Books That Will Inspire You - Economic Times

Members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions stage a rally in Yeouido on Monday, as part of activities to commemorate Labor Day. (Yonhap)

Tens of thousands of workers took to the streets nationwide on Monday in South Korea to mark Labor Day with protests against labor reforms being pushed by the Yoon Suk Yeol government.

Workers belonging to the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions and the Federation of Korea Trade Unions -- the countrys two major umbrella labor organizations -- participated in large-scale rallies across the country, including in the metropolitan cities of Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Gwangju and the southern island of Jeju.

Unionized workers called for improving working conditions and raising the minimum wage, as well as voicing opposition to anti-worker measures pursued by the Yoon government such as revisions of the Serious Disaster Punishment Act and the pension system.

The KCTU staged a rally at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul from 2 p.m., where members shouted slogans such as the Yoon Suk Yeol administration should step down. The union confederation declared its plan to stage a general strike in July if the Yoon government fails to meet their demands over labor issues.

A union member attempted to set himself on fire in Chuncheon this morning since the government has oppressed union activities. The stronger the oppression, the harder we will work, a KCTU leader said in front of protesters at Gwanghwamun Square during the rally.

After gathering, the KCTU members marched toward three key locations in Seoul -- the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, the Seoul Regional Employment and Labor Office in Jung-gu and the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu.

Members of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions take part in a rally near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on Monday, as part of activities to commemorate Labor Day, also known as International Workers' Day. (No Kyung-min/ The Korea Herald)

At the same time, members of the FKTU converged on Yeouido in the vicinity of the National Assembly for a large-scale rally called the "2023 National Labor Congress." FKTU members marched down Yeouidaero chanting slogans that included stop regressive labor reforms.

The May Day rallies came amid growing disputes over President Yoon's proposed labor reform measures. Yoon and the countrys two biggest umbrella trade unions have been at loggerheads over the various labor reform plans put forward by the government.

The Yoon government had proposed a plan to permit a workweek of up to 69 hours. However, after the plan was met with a near-revolt by not only labor unions but also the countrys young people, the government has backed away from the plan.

Yoon, a prosecutor-turned-politician, has been tough on illegal acts committed by labor unions as a wider part of his labor union reforms. Yoon has demanded trade unions boost their financial transparency while denouncing some construction unions' practices of receiving kickbacks and some labor unions' political campaigns.

The Yoon administration is now pursuing a plan to impose criminal punishment on labor unions if they commit unfair acts, such as violating the rights of other unions or workers, or interfering with normal business operations.

The Yoon government is interfering with union activities. I attended this rally to protest against this, a member of the Korean Construction Workers' Union in his 50s, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Korea Herald at Gwanghwamun Square.

I came to the rally because I am very dissatisfied with Yoons measures for labor reform, including extending the maximum hours to be worked in a week, another anonymous worker at the Korea Post said.

The two major union confederations spoke with one voice criticizing Yoons labor reform plans.

The FKTU will embark on a long journey of relentless struggle against the labor policy of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration. The FKTU declares an all-out struggle against the government's anti-worker labor reforms, said Kim Dong-myung, one of the heads of the FKTU, during an opening speech.

Rallies organized by the KCTU and FKTU in Seoul drew around 35,000 people, according to the South Korean police, whereas the two umbrella unions estimated that approximately 60,000 workers participated in the rallies.

Some 170 police units were dispatched to the areas where workers marched down to minimize the traffic jam. The rallies reportedly were held peacefully without any clashes.

Meanwhile, Yoon on Monday underscored that he will ensure working environments where all workers can work freely and receive fair compensation to uphold the dignity of laborers as stipulated in the country's Constitution.

The government will strive to protect the weak in the labor market and ensure that the value of labor is respected. To that end, the government as well as workers and employers should all work together, Yoon said in his message marking International Workers' Day.

By Lee Jaeeun (jenn@heraldcorp.com)No Kyung-min (minmin@heraldcorp.com)

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Tens of thousands hold Labor Day rallies nationwide - The Korea Herald

PRAYAGRAJ: Addressing a poll meeting in the Allahabad West constituency, which was once dominated by the deceased gangster-politician Atiq Ahmad, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday implied that nature was a potent equalizer that ensured justice. He expressed his concern that Prayagraj, a place where people seek justice from oppression and wrongdoing, had become a hub of injustice and oppression in the past."Some people had turned Prayagraj, where people suffering from injustice and atrocities come with a desire for justice, into a land of injustice and atrocities," Adityanath said addressing the meeting in the former Samajwadi Party MLA's constituency. "But this nature doesn't commit an atrocity on anyone, nor does it accept an atrocity. It settles scores for everyone," he said, without naming anyone.On April 15, Ahmad and his brother Ashraf were fatally shot by three men who disguised themselves as media personnel while the police were escorting them to a hospital in Prayagraj for a medical examination. Ahmad was one of the accused in the murder of Umesh Pal, a crucial witness in the 2005 killing of BSP MLA Raju Pal.Umesh Pal was gunned down in broad daylight along with his two security guards outside his home in the Dhoomanganj area of Prayagraj on February 24, which had raised serious concerns about the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh. In response, Adityanath had promised in the assembly to eradicate the mafia in the state.Later, at his public meetings, he has stressed on the "improvement" in law and order during the term of the BJP government in the state. On Tuesday, the last day of campaigning for the first phase of urban local body polls to be held on May 4, the chief minister said, "It's the same Uttar Pradesh where festivals were celebrated in the shadow of fear and terror. But today festivals bring prosperity. Today there is no curfew, no riots in the state." "Today, there is no terror of eve teasers in cities. Today, our cities are becoming safe cities. Girls can go to school safely, businessmen can do business. Today, the youth do not have 'tamancha' (country-made pistols) in their hands, they have tablets," he said. He said those who used to grab properties of the poor and extorted money from traders have been forced to surrender to the law. "Today, the state traders welfare board is giving a security insurance of Rs 10 lakh to traders." Adityanath said his government has focused on empowerment of people rather than appeasement. "Everyone has developed in our government," he said. "Today, Uttar Pradesh is moving beyond the dynasty-based and casteist-minded parties with a thought of nationalism. UP is scaling new heights of development now." The chief minister was campaigning for BJP mayoral candidate Umesh Chandra Ganesh Kesarwani at the Leaders Press Ground. Deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Jal Shakti Minister Swatantra Dev Singh, Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, Allahabad Lok Sabha MP Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Phulpur MP Keshari Devi Patel, Kaushambi MP Vinod Sonkar, outgoing mayor Abhilasha Gupta Nandi and several MLAs were present during the election meeting. Prayagraj Municipal Corporation polls will be held in the first phase. The second phase of the urban local body polls will be held on May 11 and the counting of votes will be done on May 13.Watch UP CM Adityanath on slain gangster Atiq Ahmad's turf: 'Nature doesn't commit atrocity on anyone, nor does it accept atrocity'

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Nature has way of settling scores, says UP CM Yogi Adityanath on Atiq Ahmad's turf - Times of India