International Issues May 2013

National Issues
International Issues
Barack Obama Signed the Violence against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 prosecutions of abusers, but now the Act made a stricter sentence for stalking under the federal law. Female genital mutilation Gishiri cutting Infibulation Foot binding Forced abortion Forced pregnancy Forced prostitution Human trafficking Marital rape Murder of pregnant women Rape Pregnancy Sexual slavery Sexual violence Violence against prostitutes
Signing of Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 The Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 was
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MAY 2013
The US President, Barack Obama on 7 March 2013 signed into law, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization 2013 in Washington. The Violence Against Women Act was first passed in 1994. Reauthorised since then, the new Act offers support to the organisations which serve to the victims of domestic violence. Usually, the local authorities are responsible for criminal
Under the original Violence Against Women Act, following issues are dealt with: Acid throwing Breast ironing Bride burning Dating abuse Domestic violence Domestic violence and pregnancy Dowry death Honor killing
Violence Against Women Act of 1994 The Violence Against Women Act of 1994 is primarily a US Federal Law which was signed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. The Act established the Office on Violence Against Women in the Department of Justice.
passed on the vote of 286 to 138. 199 Democrats joined 87 Republicans in the support of this reauthorization act of 1994 law. Changes Incorporated The new Act creates as well as expands the federal programs for helping local communities for the purpose of law enforcement as well as helping the victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. The most important feature was offering protection to the transgender, bisexual and gay victims of the domestic abuse. Pakistan Parliament passed Counter Terrorism Authority Bill by several organisations. existing adequate and timely efforts to counter terrorism and extremism. The bill must be passed by the Senate or upper house of parliament to become law. NACTA will be established within 90 days of the bill receiving presidential assent. Pakistan Government Completed its Historic Five Year Term Pakistans government made history on 16 March 2013, with the parliament becoming the first democratically chosen body to complete its five-year term. Pakistan has faced three military coups and persistent political turmoil. The election will be held within 60 days as per the constitution of Pakistan. Meanwhile, there will be an interim government to manage the affairs of the country. After the assassination of Benazir Bhutto on 27 December 2007, the parliamentary elections which were scheduled to be held in January were postponed until 18 February 2013. The PPP won the considerable victory, winning 121seats from all provinces in the Parliament, whilst the centre-right, Pakistan Muslim League managed to secure 91 seats from all over the country. China Unveiled Government Restructuring Plan
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Pakistans parliament on 9 March 2013 passed a bill for the setting up of a new organisation that is supposed to integrate counterterrorism efforts by different bodies in the wake of criticism of civilian law enforcement agencies by the powerful army. The bill for establishing the National CounterTerrorism Authority (NACTA) was passed by the National Assembly or lower house of parliament after incorporating some amendments suggested by lawmakers. Roles and Functions of National Counter-Terrorism Authority (NACTA) NACTA will be headed by the Prime Minister and will unify and coordinate national counter-terrorism and counter-extremism measures
It would present strategic policy options to the government to be considered and implemented by stakeholders. The board of NACTA will include the Interior, Finance and Defence Ministers, the Chief Ministers of all provinces and the chiefs of the InterServices Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau, Military Intelligence and Federal Investigation Agency. The authority will be assisted by an executive committee headed by the Interior Minister, and a national coordinator and a deputy will execute the boards policies and the governments instructions NACTA will also be responsible for conducting scientific studies on extremism and terrorism. It will coordinate with law enforcement agencies for taking action against elements involved in terrorism and extremism and play a key role in preparing national counterterrorism and extremism strategies. The authority will receive information and intelligence and disseminate the data to relevant stakeholders to formulate threat assessments with periodical reviews to be presented to the federal government for making
China on 10 March 2013 unveiled its Government Restructuring Plan, according to which the most powerful Railways Ministry will be dissolved, while the National Family Planning Commission will be merged with the Ministry of Health. It is said to be
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the biggest reduction in the cabinetlevel entities since 1998. The major changes that will be seen in the Chinese Government after restructuring are as follows: The Ministry of Railways will be dissolved. The commercial functions of the Ministry of Railways will be taken over by the China Railway Corporation. The Ministry of Transport will be the in-charge of development and planning of the Chinese railways. The National Family Planning Commission will be merged with the Ministry of Health. It is important to note that National Family Planning Commission is that agency of China which controls the onechild policy. The new Government Restructuring Plan of China will have focus on boosting the food and drug safety by combining the responsibilities and duties of various agencies into the General Administration of Food and Drug. Newly formed administration will have the responsibility of taking over the duties of Food Safety Office of the State Council, State Food and Drug Administration, food supervision branch of the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine as well as the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. There will be a merger of two main media watchdogs- the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television as well as the General Administration of Press and Publication. There will also be a reorganisation of the National Oceanic Administration. It will come under Ministry of Land and Resources. Management over the maritime enforcement efforts which were performed by various agencies such as coastguard forces and customs will be consolidated within the Public Security Ministry. Fisheries enforcement will come under Agriculture Ministry. Apart from the Ministry of Railways, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission will also be dissolved. The responsibility of State Electricity Regulatory Commission will be taken over by the reorganised National Energy Administration. National Energy Administration will in turn remain under National Development and Reform Commission. Lebanon PM Najib Mikati announced Resignation Government still awaits its acceptance by the President, Michel Suleiman. With the resignation of the Government, Lebanon has entered into the political crisis and it has been suffering from the protests in Syria. The Syrian conflict had affected Lebanon by the emigration of the refugees from Syria to Lebanon, which was also responsible in the slowdown of the countrys economy and a surge of 67 percent in its budget deficit in 2012. Eurozone and IMF Agreed For 10 Billion Euros Cyprus Bailout Deal
The Prime Minister of Lebabon, Najib Mikati on 22 March 2013 announced resignation of his Government. The decision came after the cabinet failed to approve the commission to oversee elections, scheduled in June 2013 and refusal of the cabinet in extending the tenure of the Police Chief Major General Ashraf Rifi, who will retire in April 2013. The dispute was mainly created by the Shiite militant group Hezbollah that dominates the Parliament of Lebanon. The resignation of the
The Eurozone finance ministers and the International Monetary Fund signed a deal on 16 March 2013 in Brussels to aid Cyprus with a bailout worth 10 billion Euros. It is important to note that Cyprus is the fifth country to go to Eurozone for the financial aid because of sovereign debt crisis that kicked off in 2010. Other countries that reached Eurozone for financial aid before Cyprus are Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. However, the Eurozone agreed for the bailout agreement of up to 10 billion Euros, while Cyprus in 2012 had asked for around 17 billion Euros. The Eurozone Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund agreed on the terms which included one-time tax of 9.9 percent on Cypriot bank deposits of over 130000 Dollars or 100000 Euros as well as the tax of 6.75 percent on smaller deposits. Other elements of this deal demanded that Cyprus
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should raise the low corporate tax rate to 12.5 percent from its previous 10 percent apart from privatizing state assets as well as refurbishing the banks for making sure that money laundering is not done there. Major points of the deal are as follows: Under the deal, Cyprus agreed for increasing the nominal corporate tax rate to 12.5 percent, thus increasing it by 2.5 percent. An imposition of 9.9 percent one-time tax on the bank deposits above 100000 Euros in the banks will be done apart from the 6.75 percent tax on the smaller deposits. The tax on interest which will be generated by the deposits will also be levied. The tax measures taken will help in boosting the revenues of Cyprus apart from limiting the loan size which is required from Eurozone. Originally, Cyprus had estimated its requirement for 17 billion Euros, which was the amount that it required for restoration of its economy. Of this, 10 billion Euros was required for recapitalizing the banks while 7 billion Euros was required for the servicing debt as well as the operations of the government. Nicos Anastasiades Won Cyprus Presidential Elections Nicos Anastasiades, the centre-right DISY (the Democratic Rally) party leader won the presidential elections of Cyprus with 57.5 percent votes. The term of his office starts from 28 February 2013. Nicos Anastasiades had a very easy-going victory over Communist-backed Stavros Malas who secured 42.5 percent votes in the election. Major challenges to be faced by Nicos Anastasiades The major challenge that would be faced by Nicos Anastasiades is that Cyprus is standing on the verge of bankruptcy because of knock-on effect of the economic despair of Greece. Nicos Anastasiades after winning therefore declared that his first priority would be to reinstate the credibility of Cyprus. For this, he would favour deals with the foreign lenders. The economy of Cyprus is in recession. Back in July 2012, Cyprus had also asked European Union for bailout in order to shore up the banks. As a result of the bailout deal for Greece as well as restructuring of debts, private bondholders had to suffer losses, resulting in Cypruss banks losing 75 percent of the investments. New president Nicos Anastasiades would be required to finalise the deal with 16 countries which use Euro as the currency as well as with International Monetary Fund (IMF). The aim of the newly elected president would also be to exploit the immense natural gas, which in turn would bring energy as well as income. Japan and US agreed on Free Trade Auto Exception into negotiations. Both the Countries agreed in principle that the US will be able to keep tariffs on car imports 2.5 per cent for passenger cars and 25 per cent on trucks for at least five to 10 years under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). But the US auto sector is opposed to Japans entry, claiming Tokyo maintains non-tariff barriers on autos, and says a deal would give Japanese automakers unfettered access to their market, without allowing them the same chances. Japans agriculture lobby is also firmly opposed; fearing unprecedented foreign competition would devastate Japans small-scale farming sector and rural communities. Tokyo and Washington agreed in preparatory talks that there would be at least a five- to 10-year delay in the removal of import tariffs on autos the moratorium agreed in a recentlyenacted US-South Korea free trade agreement. Significance of the Free Trade Auto Exception The emerging pact could boost growth and set rules to govern trade in the dynamic but unwieldy region, which includes much of East Asia, as well as some American countries. The participation of both Japan and the US, the worlds two largest developed economies, would mean the pact covers nearly 40 per cent of the worlds economy. UAE Inaugurated Worlds Largest Solar Power Plant The oil-rich United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 17 March 2013 officially opened the worlds largest concentrated solar power plant. The solar power plant opened is the 600million dollar project which is aimed
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The two Pacific powers, Japan and US in the month of March 2013 agreed on exemptions for the auto industry in a thoughtful Pacific-wide free trade pact, with Japan showing its readiness to announce its entry
at providing electricity to 20000 homes. to 285 football pitches in the desert of the Western Region, some 120 kilometres southwest of Abu Dhabi. House of Commons Approved Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill 2012-2013 The British House of Commons voted on 5 February 2013 to pass Marriage (Same Sex Couples) theMarriage Bill 2012-2013 2012-2013, which legalise samesex marriage in UK. The bill received votes of 400 to 175. It is important to note that the bill is strongly supported by the Prime Minister David Cameron. The Bill was presented in the UK Parliament on 24 January 2013. The legislation applied to Wales and England. This would allow civil marriage between the couples of same sex. However, the Church of England as well as certain other faiths was exempted from the obligation of performing such ceremonies. Certain faith groups such as Quakers announced that legal right was required for performing the same-sex marriages. The bill will now have to pass in House of Lords. In the House of Commons, 127 out of 303 Conservative lawmakers voted in favour of the bill while 136 voted against it. 5 remained absent while 35 did not register their vote. Majority of the votes which approved the bill came from Labour Party, which is in opposition, as well as the Liberal Democrats, the centerleft party. These two parties are in coalition with the Conservatives. If the Bill is approved, it would put Britain on path of some of the other European nations such as Denmark, Netherlands and Spain, which open the marriage to the homosexuals. Uhuru Kenyatta won Kenya Presidency Uhuru Kenyatta, the Deputy Prime Minister who faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity, clinched victory in a tightly fought race for Kenyas presidency, on 9 March 2013. Uhuru Kenyatta needed over 50% of the national vote to avoid a run-off.
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The solar power station which is named Shams 1 was inaugurated in Madinat Zayed by the President of UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The solar power plant was constructed over a three-year period by an international conglomerate, with UAEs Masdar having 60 percent stake, Frances Total having a 20 percent interest and Spains Abengoa which has a 20 percent stake. The plant covers 2.5 sq. kilometers (0.96 sq. miles) and has 768 panels with the capacity to produce 100 MW of clean energy. UAE is now producing 68 per cent of the total renewable energy produced by the members of Gulf Cooperation Council, a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf. Use of Solar Power Project With this new solar project, Masdar will be producing 10 per cent of worlds renewable energy The construction of Shams 1, a joint venture between Masdar, a company based in Abu Dhabi and international operatives such as Total and Abengoa, started in the third quarter of 2010 and will produce 100 Megawatt of electricity. The solar park features long lines of parabolic mirrors spread over an area equivalent
He received 50.07% to win the elections but the victory is being disputed by his main rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who has now unsuccessfully sought the presidency three times. Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is a controversial figure as he is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of crimes against humanity from his alleged role in the countrys 2007-2008 election. Kenya would become the second African country after Sudan to have a sitting president indicted by the ICC. With the win Uhuru Kenyatta will become the fourth president of Kenya. Khil Raj Regmi Sworn-In As the Prime Minister Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was sworn-in as the new Prime Minister of Nepal on 14 March 2013. Khil Raj Regmi will be the head of interim government which will have its elections by 21 June 2013. He took over the office from Baburam Bhattarai. Regmi will be the head of 11-member electoral government. Khil Raj Regmi, 63, took oath of the office and secrecy from the President Ram Baran Yadav after the top leaders of four main parties- the United Democratic Madhesi Front, Nepali Congress, Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist) and United Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists), reached the 11-
point understanding. In the meanwhile, Madhav Ghimire was chosen as the Home Minister as well as the External Affairs Minister. Hari Prasad Neupane was chosen as the Law and Justice and Labour Minister. The other eight ministers would be nominated by the aforementioned political parties. As per the agreement, all ministers need to be retired civil servants from special class. No active politician would be included in cabinet. It is for the first time in the political history of Nepal that any sitting Chief Justice was named as Head of the Government. Iran and Pakistan launched Gas Pipeline Project economic, political and security ties of the two nations. About the gas Pipeline Iran has constructed 900 km of the 1600-km pipeline on its soil. Both Iranian and Pakistani firms have undertaken the construction of the remaining part in Pakistan. The project is completed by mid-2014, as scheduled; Iran will export 21.5 million cubic metres of natural gas to Pakistan on daily basis. The work on the Iranian side is almost complete and on 11 March 2013 saw the construction work start on the Pakistani side. A total of 780km of pipeline is to be built in Pakistan by December 2014. Tehran has agreed to lend Islamabad 500 million, dollar a third of the estimated 1.5 billion dollar cost of the Pakistani section of the pipeline. Controversy with the Project The project provoked several warnings of sanctions from the US. Washington stated that the pipeline would enable Tehran to sell more gas, undermining efforts to step up pressure over its nuclear activities. As per US, if this deal is finalized for a proposed IranPakistan pipeline, it would raise serious concerns under our Iran Sanctions Act. US State Departments advise saying Pakistan to better look for other energy options instead of the Iran gas project. African Leaders signed UNBrokered Accord in DR Congo Regional African leaders from Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Republic and South Sudan signed UN-brokered accord which aims to bring peace to the troubled eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The deal was signed in the presence of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia. As many as 800000 people were displaced since rebel group M23 revolted against the DR Congo government in May 2012.The agreement, signed by leaders of the Great Lakes region, will result in setting up of special UN intervention brigade in eastern Congo. M23 Rebels
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari on 11 March 2013 launched a 7.5 billion dollar gas pipeline project which will link Irans gas pipeline to that of Pakistan. The inauguration ceremony of gas pipeline project was held in Irans Chabahar city and attended by ministers and senior officials from Iran and Pakistan. With the launch of pipeline Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad asserted that West has no right to obstruct Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project that has nothing to do with Irans nuclear issue. Both the president mentioned that the completion of the pipeline is in the interests of peace, security and progress of the two countries and is supposed to consolidate the
As per the statement made by M23 rebels, they want to better the conditions for the people of eastern DR Cong, however UN says they are supported by Rwanda who are responsible for the countrys genocide in 1994. Bosco Ntaganda set up M23. He was an officer in the Rwandan army earlier. Afterwards, he left to join a rebel movement in DR Congo. He is accused of using child soldiers and he controls several mines in the east of the country. The M23 group briefly seized control of the city of Goma in November 2012 after carving out an area for themselves in North Kivu province. Congos government and rebels are holding talks in Uganda aimed at reaching an agreement on a range of issues. In January 2013, the rebels declared a unilateral ceasefire. An earlier attempt to reach a deal ended up in failure in December 2012 after the rebels accused President Joseph Kabila of
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failing to honour a deal to integrate rebels into the army. The regions mineral resources have been exploited by numerous groups and countries over the past 15 years and little has been aimed at improving DR Congos infrastructure. Pakistan Handed over Gwadar Port to China Ahmadinejad received a red carpet welcome by the President of Egypt, Mohamed Morsi. The Presidents of the two nations discussed on the ways to improve relations between them and to resolve the Syrian crisis without resorting to military intervention. During his visit to the al-Azhar, an ancient mosque, a shoe was thrown on Ahmadinejad by a Syrian protestor after which he managed to flee from there. Tehrans 1979 Islamic Revolution Latest World Press Freedom Index India dropped nine places to 140th rank in the list of 179 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index 2013, which is the lowest since 2002. India got this lowly rank because of increasing impunity for violence against journalists and internet censorship. Netherlands, Norway and Finland topped the list. The Press Freedom Index was released by world Press Freedom index for the year 2013. China got 173rd rank. Turkmenistan, North Korea and Eritrea were placed at the bottom of the list as has been in the last three years. As per the Press index report, there has been a decline in freedom of information in South Asia and the Indian subcontinent among Asia witnessed the sharpest deterioration in providing freedom and security for those involved in news reporting in 2012. In India considered as the worlds biggest democracy, the authorities insist on censoring the Web and impose numerous kinds of restrictions, while violence against journalists was not punished and the regions like Kashmir and Chhattisgarh are getting increasingly isolated. The Maldives crashed to 103rd place (-30) because of violence and threats against journalists in state television and private media regarded as Nasheed supporters by the coup leaders. Bangladesh more or less faces the same situation. Its journalists are targets of police violence frequently. They are not protected by authorities in case they face violence against them. Pakistan which ranked 159th is one of the worlds most dangerous nation for reporters. Nepal ranked 118th position. Reporters without Borders also published an annual global indicator of worldwide media freedom which coincided with the
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Pakistan in the last week of January 2013 approved the deal which transferred operational control of Gwadar port from Singapores PSA International to Chinese Overseas Port Holdings Ltd. Gwadar port is situated at a strategic location of the Arabian Sea and the mouth of the Persian Gulf. It is only 400 kilometres away from the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil supply route. Pakistan decision to hand over Gwadar port to China is a serious concern for India. It can be an attempt by China to encircle India. In addition to funding ports in Sri Lanka, China has also plans to build a port in Bangladesh. Ahmadinejad visited Egypt Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran on 5 February 2013 became the first Iranian leader to visit Egypt after Tehrans 1979 Islamic revolution. He flew into the Egyptian capital city Cairo for attending the summit of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) that started on 6 Feb 2013. Ahmadinejads visit to Egypt was scheduled to improve the ties between the two countries. During this historic visit to Egypt,
The Islamic Revolution of 1979 was the series of events that took place for overthrowing the Pahlavi dynasty under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, which was then replaced by the Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the revolution. Reason for Tensions between Iran and Egypt The relations between the two countries went sour since late 1970s, when Anwar Sadat (Egypt), the predecessor of Hosni Mubarak concluded a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 to became an ally with the Western Powers, namely Europe and United States. This was the time, when Iran stood against the influence of Western Power in the Middle East. The other reason for the tension is naming of a street in Tehran by the name of the Islamist, who was responsible for the assassination of Anwar Sadat in 1981.
release of its 2013 Press Freedom Index. This new analytic tool is helpful in measuring the overall level of freedom of information in the world and the performance of the worlds governments in their response to Press freedom. China became the Worlds Fifth-Largest Arms Exporter A Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in the Month of March 2013 mentioned China as the worlds fifth largest arms exporter. The other four Arms exporter in Chronological order US-30 Percent Russia 26 Percent Germany -7 Percent France- 6 Percent The reason of China Being top most arms exporter is evident from the fact that the volume of Chinese weapons exports rose by 162 percent in the five years 2008-2012, compared to the previous five-year period. Earlier the country was eighth in ranking and it climbed to fifth with an increase in international arms exports from 2 percent to 5 percent. The report also revealed that the largest buyer of Chinese weapons was Pakistan, which accounted for 55 percent of the countrys exports, followed by Myanmar with 8 percent and Bangladesh with 7 percent. A number of recent deals indicate that China is establishing itself as a significant arms supplier to a growing number of important recipient states. Such deals include the sale of three frigates to Algeria, eight transport aircraft to Venezuela and 54 tanks to Morocco. The US with 30 percent of global export volume remains the worlds top arms exporter during the 2008-2012 periods. Russia stands in Second Position with 26 percent export while at third and fourth is Germany and France with 7 and 6 percent export volume. Another major evident as per the report is that Asia dominated the global imports of weapons, with the top five importers all located in that region. The Top 5 Arms Importers in 2008-2012 (Share of International Imports) 1. India -12 percent 2. China - 6 percent 3. Pakistan - 5 percent 4. South Korea -5 percent 5. Singapore -4 percent Hamadi Jebali Resigned office as the PM from December 2011 to 19 February 2013. He was also the Secretary-General of the Ennahda Movement which is the Islamist party in Tunisia. He belonged to the Ennahda Movement political party of Tunisia. He is a member of the Islamist Ennahda party. Court of Arbitration gave a go ahead to India on Kishanganga Project The Court of Arbitration at The Hague on 18 February 2013 allowed India to go ahead with the Construction of the Kishanganga hydro-electric project in Gurez valley near Bandipura in North Kashmir, the court rejected the plea of Pakistan that the construction was a violation of 1960 Indus Water Treaty. The Court of Arbitration, chaired by Stephen M. Schwebel in its orders stated that India can move ahead with the diversion of water plans of Kishanganga that is a tributary of Jhelum, for generation of hydro-electric power. But it restrained India from adoption of the drawdown technique of flushing for clearing the sedimentation of the run-of-the river project that had been designed and asked it to adopt a different technique for generation of 330 MW power facilities. The Court had also demanded the environmental flows statistics of the project. Bhaswati Mukherjee, Indian Ambassador and her Pakistani counterpart Fauzia Mazhar Sana received the Judgment of the Court at The Hague. Pakistan initiated the arbitration against India with a charge that India violated the provisions of the Water Treaty between the two countries. But India denied the charges forced on to it by explain that the country reserved its rights to divert the water from one of the tributaries of Jhelum to another.
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Hamadi Jebali resigned from the office of the Prime Minister of Tunisia on 19 February 2013 after his attempt to end a political standoff by formation of a Government of Technocrats failed. Hamadi Jebali was trying to create coalition because of the political crisis which took birth by killing of Chokri Belaid, the opposition leader. A cabinet of apolitical technocrats was proposed by Jebali to suppress the disorder created after the assassination of the secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid on 6 February 2013. Belaid, an outspoken critic of the government and a leaning lawyer was shot dead and his death created a situation of mass protests across the nation. Assassination of Chokri Belaid on 6 February 2013 led to mass protests as well as resignations from the coalition government of Tunisia. About Hamadi Jebali Hamadi Jebali is the Tunisian Islamist politician, who remained in
Issues for Pakistan from its Perspective: Pakistan on 17 May 2010 raised objections on the making of the Kishanganga Hydro-power project for which it demanded setting up of the Court of Arbitration. The issues raised by Pakistan in the Court of Arbitration: The project is being developed at the downstreams of Kishanganga River that is known by the name Neelam in Pakistan and is a tributary of Jhelum. India is diverting the waters of the river from the dam site to Bonar Madmati Nallah that is another tributary of Jhelum. India planned to use modern drawdown flushing technique for sedimentation management in the dam. The technique requires waters to be brought below the dead storage level (as per the treaty the water can be reduced below the dead storage level only in cases of unforeseen emergency) and was this plan was accepted by the neutral expert during the Bahlihar dispute with Pakistan. In June 2011, the members from the Court of Arbitration, The Hague visited India as well as Pakistan for inspection of the site. Brief Provisions of Indus Waters Treaty 1960 Rivers (Ravi, Beas and Sutlej and their tributaries) and threes Western Rivers (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab and their tributaries). ii. The Indus Waters Treaty 1960 was signed on 19.09.1960 between India and Pakistan. It is however effective from 01.04.1960. iii. Under the Treaty, the waters of Eastern Rivers are allocated to India. India is under obligation to let flow the waters of the Western Rivers except for the following uses: (a) Domestic Use (b) Non-consumptive use (c) Agricultural use as specified (d) Generation of hydroelectric power as specified iv. The Commissioners of the Indus Waters may discuss the questions arising under the Treaty under Article IX of the Treaty related to Settlement of Differences and Disputes and in the case of non-resolution, take further action under this Article for resolution through a Neutral Expert, negotiators or Court of Arbitration. Articles under Consideration: Article III (2): Let flow all waters of the Western Rivers and not permit any interference with the water Article IV (6): Both the countries require use of the best endeavors at each others end for maintenance of natural channels of the rivers and should avoid all the steps that may obstruct the flow of these rivers creating a material damage at the end of any of the two parties. As per Pakistan, the diversion of the water of Kishanganga as well as implementation of the drawdown flushing technique at Kishanganga project as well as other hydroelectric plants were the violation of the Treat signed in 1960, named Indus Water Treaty. Kishanganga Project Kishanganga hydro-electric power project is a 330 MW project under its construction phase on the Kishanganga River and is developed by the National Power Corporation in Gurez Valley, near Bandipura in North Kashmir. The work on the project started in the year 1992. The Kishanganga hydro-electric project is a 3600 crore project. Kishanganga is called Neelam in Pakistan. Permanent Court of Arbitration The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) was established during the First Hague Peace Conference 1899 by a treaty. It is an intergovernmental organization (IGO) that provides a variety of dispute resolution services to the international community. It provides resolution to the disputes related to intergovernmental organizations, states, state entities and private parties. PCA is located in The Hague, Netherland. PCA provides services for the resolution of disputes involving various combinations of states, state entities, intergovernmental organisations, and private parties. The PCA can assist in the selection of arbitrators, and may be called upon to designate or act as appointing authority. US and South Korea Started Joint Annual Military Drills
i. The Indus system of rivers comprises three Eastern
The US as well as South Korea
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started their annual military drills called Key Resolve on 11 March 2013 despite tensions with North Korea in context with the UN sanctions vote. The annual military drills came just a few days after UN approved the new sanctions on North Korea after it carried out the nuclear test in February 2013. The nuclear test in February 2013 was the third test of the communist country. It came after the successful launch of three-stage rocket in December 2012, which was actually the banned test of missile technology. The UN sanctions came after the underground nuclear test of North Korea on 12 February 2013. These were the fourth set of UN sanctions imposed since the first nuclear test of North Korea in 2006. US-South Korea joint drills The joint drills carried out by US and South Korea are called Key Resolve. These will last for two weeks and will include over 13000 troops. Apart from Key Resolve, another joint drill called Foal Eagle was on its way since the starting of March 2013. Key Resolve is primarily a computer-simulated exercise which also involves mobilisation of over 10000 South Koreans as well as 3500 US military personnel. Both these exercises take place annually which prompt strong reactions from North Korea. Nepal and United States Decided to Conduct Joint Military Exercises decided to conduct the military exercises jointly in the last week of March 2013. The joint military exercises will also include other countries such as India. The joint military exercises are called Shanti Prayas-2 or Peace Initiatives and these will be conducted in Panchkhal, 50 km east of Kathmandu from 25 March 2013 to 7 April 2013. The Armies of Nepal and the US, apart from other countries announced participating in this drill, which is said to be the latest in AsiaPacific region. This drill is designed for promotion of security as well as regional peace, while also enhancing the peacekeeping capabilities as well as capacity of the nations which participate in Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI). GPOI is the initiative of G8 nations for increasing the operations for peace support across the worldwide. The training which will be conducted during the joint military exercises will includevignette based staff training exercise as well as field training exercise. Vignette Based Staff Training Exercise The Staff Training Exercise will include Nepal Army officers apart from the officers from countries such as Rwanda, South Korea, Canada, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Australia, Bangladesh, Philippines, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Paraguay, Japan and Jordan. The purpose of the training would be to refine the staff skills of the military officers who primarily function in UN peacekeeping missions across the world. Field Training Exercise The field training exercise on the other hand, will be conducted by the armies from Nepal, Philippines, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Rwanda, Paraguay, Indonesia, Japan and Jordan. This training will be offered by international cadre of instructors who have wide training experience in peacekeeping. Also the personnel from the US Pacific Command will facilitate the training. The purpose of the training would be enhancement of basic skills which are required while conducting the peacekeeping operations like convoy operations, checkpoint operations as well as patrolling. Worlds First Mercury Treaty adopted by 140 Countries An international treaty that legally binds the nation to limit the use of health hazardous mercury was adopted by 140 nations in the third week of January 2013 at Geneva. The treaty would be signed in Minamata, Japan, in October 2013 to honour the inhabitants of town who have suffered the consequences of serious mercury contamination for decades The treaty that was reached after four years of difficult negotiations will aim at Reduction of global emission levels of the toxic heavy metal or the quick silver Reduce the production and the use of mercury in industrial processes and product production To cut mercury pollution from utility plants, mining, a host of products and industrial processes, and set enforceable limits as well as to encourage alternatives where mercury in not used or released Making of the Treaty Switzerland and Norway pushed forward for making of an
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Nepal and United States
international treaty to limit the emission of Mercury in the atmosphere. The two nations came up with the plans of reducing the emission of mercury decades ago and it was finalized after a long conference in Geneva held in February 2013. Impact of Mercury on Human Being The natural element Mercury cannot be created or destroyed, but is released in air, water and land from different activities like coal powder plants, gold mining activities as well as electrical goods and other consumer products. Mercury enters the food-chain via fish and poses a threat to the living being more likely to pregnant women and children. As per the data released by the World Health Organisation intake of mercury or any of its compounds to any limit is not safe and it may lead to memory loss, language impairment and kidney damage.
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MAY 2013

International Issues May 2013

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International Issues May 2013

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National Issues

i. The Indus system of rivers comprises three Eastern

The US as well as South Korea

Nepal and United States

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