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European court rules human rights violated by climate inaction

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A group of elderly Swiss women have achieved a significant victory in the European Court of Human Rights, marking the first climate case success in the court’s history. These women, primarily in their 70s, emphasized their vulnerability to the impacts of heatwaves associated with climate change due to their age and gender.

The court criticized Switzerland for its insufficient efforts in meeting emission reduction goals, deeming them inadequate. This ruling holds significance as it’s the first time the court has addressed the issue of global warming.

Greta Thunberg, the Swedish activist, joined in the celebration with other activists at the court in Strasbourg. One of the leaders of the Swiss women, Rosemarie Wydler-Walti, expressed disbelief at the victory, highlighting its magnitude.

The court’s decision carries legal weight and could potentially influence legislation in 46 European countries, including the UK. It found Switzerland in breach of its duties under the Convention concerning climate change, noting deficiencies in the country’s climate policies, such as failure to quantify reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

The group of Swiss women, known as KlimaSeniorinnen or Senior Women for Climate Protection, argued that they faced health risks during heatwaves in Switzerland and were unable to leave their homes. Data showed that March of the same year marked the world’s warmest, continuing a trend of record-breaking temperatures.

However, the court dismissed similar cases brought by Portuguese youths and a former French mayor, who also claimed that European governments were not acting swiftly enough to address climate change, thus violating their rights.

Elisabeth Smart, a member of KlimaSeniorinnen at 76 years old, highlighted her lifelong observations of climate change in Switzerland, having grown up on a farm. Despite the nine-year commitment to the case, she emphasized the innate drive within some individuals to take action rather than remain passive.

While governments worldwide have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions significantly, experts and activists warn that progress remains slow, jeopardizing efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

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Polish state TV host decries past anti-LGBT output

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A journalist working for Poland’s state broadcaster has publicly expressed remorse for the channel’s complicity in disseminating anti-LGBT sentiment. Wojciech Szelag, the host of TVP Info, acknowledged the channel’s role in perpetuating hateful rhetoric against the LGBT community over the course of several years. He recognized that LGBT individuals had been subjected to derogatory language and discrimination, emphasizing that they are not merely an abstract ideology but are people with specific identities, relationships, and experiences.

During the Guest of the Evening show, Szelag offered a heartfelt apology to two LGBT activists, Bart Staszewski and Maja Heban. He emphasized the importance of acknowledging the humanity of LGBT individuals, expressing regret for the hurtful language and narratives propagated by TVP Info. Staszewski, deeply moved by the apology, highlighted the significant impact of the channel’s previous actions on the lives of LGBT people in Poland.

Under the previous government led by the Law and Justice (PiS) party, TVP Info frequently broadcast content that vilified the LGBT community. PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski and his allies, including President Andrzej Duda, often condemned expressions of LGBT identity and promoted discriminatory rhetoric. However, since the new Prime Minister Donald Tusk assumed office, changes have been made to the broadcaster in an effort to depoliticize state media and promote more inclusive narratives.

The recent apology from TVP Info’s host reflects a broader shift in Poland’s media landscape, as the country grapples with issues of discrimination and intolerance. While the apology signifies a step towards acknowledging past wrongs, there is still much work to be done in fostering greater acceptance and understanding of the LGBT community in Polish society.

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Georgian Orthodox Church calls for Stalin religious icon to be changed

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The Georgian Orthodox Church has called for changes to an icon featuring Soviet leader Joseph Stalin displayed in a Tbilisi cathedral. The icon, depicting scenes from the life of Russian saint St Matrona of Moscow, includes an image of the saint blessing Stalin. The Georgian Patriarchate expressed concerns about the historical accuracy, stating there was “insufficient evidence” that St Matrona and Stalin ever met. The Patriarchate called on the donors of the icon, claimed to be the pro-Russian political party Alliance of Patriots, to make alterations, warning that they may intervene if necessary.

The icon gained prominence after opposition figure Giorgi Kandelaki criticized its presence, accusing it of attempting to portray one of history’s “biggest mass murderers” in a positive light. The controversy escalated when an activist, Nata Peradze, sprayed paint on the icon in protest. Peradze, who claimed Stalin’s actions had affected her family personally, faced backlash, including death threats and attacks on her property.

The Patriarchate clarified its stance on the depiction of historical figures in icons, stating that it does not necessarily imply glorification. Stalin’s legacy in Georgia is complex, with some taking pride in his rise from a humble background in the country to ruling the Soviet Union and playing a crucial role in defeating Nazi Germany. However, many Georgians reject the Soviet legacy and condemn the atrocities committed during Stalin’s regime.

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Russia Pushes for Designation of “Extremist” Status for LGBT Movement

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Russia’s Ministry of Justice has officially requested the Supreme Court to classify the “international LGBT public movement” as extremist, leaving the scope of this classification ambiguous – whether it targets the entire LGBT community or specific organizations within it. The ministry contends that the movement has engaged in what it deems as extremist activities, including the incitement of “social and religious strife.” If approved, this move could expose LGBT activists to criminal prosecution, following the pattern of the Russian government’s use of the “extremist” label against rights groups and opposition entities in the past.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to review the motion on November 30, potentially leading to a ban that would significantly impede the operations of LGBT organizations and put activists at serious legal risk. Critics view this as a potential populist maneuver, strategically timed to gain support ahead of an upcoming presidential election, where Vladimir Putin is widely anticipated to run for a fifth term. Under Putin’s leadership, Russia has intensified its crackdown on LGBT activism, framing it as an attack on “traditional Russian values.” This crackdown notably escalated after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Recent legislative measures further demonstrate this trend, with a December law expanding the prohibition of “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations” to all age groups, equating positive depictions of same-sex relationships with activities like distributing pornography or promoting violence. In July, additional legislation banned gender reassignment surgery, exacerbating concerns about transgender rights in the country. Despite official claims that “non-traditional sexual relations” are not banned in Russia, this latest move deepens existing concerns within the already vulnerable LGBT community.

The LGBT community in Russia faces dual pressures from both the state and homophobic/transphobic groups, often resulting in physical attacks against activists. Dilya Gafurova, the head of an LGBT charity who has left Russia, highlighted that the authorities aim not only to erase the community from the public sphere but also to formally ban it as a social group. Despite these challenges, Gafurova affirmed the community’s determination to continue the fight for their rights and visibility.

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Daniel Ellsberg: Pentagon Papers whistleblower dies aged 92

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Daniel Ellsberg, the renowned whistleblower who exposed the truth about US involvement in the Vietnam War through the release of the Pentagon Papers, has passed away at the age of 92. He died at his home in Kensington, California, after battling pancreatic cancer. Ellsberg’s actions in leaking the classified documents in 1971 earned him the nickname “the most dangerous man in America” and led to a significant legal battle with the Nixon administration, as they attempted to prevent the publication of the papers in the New York Times.

Despite facing espionage charges, Ellsberg was eventually cleared, and his actions had a profound impact on public opinion regarding the Vietnam War. The Pentagon Papers revealed government deceptions and contributed to the eventual end of the war, as well as playing a role in President Nixon’s downfall. Ellsberg’s courageous act set a precedent for future whistleblowers and established a protection for freedom of the press under the First Amendment.

Throughout his life, Ellsberg remained a vocal critic of government overreach and military interventions. His decision to leak the Pentagon Papers was motivated by his belief that the public’s awareness of the truth could help bring an end to the war. He continued his advocacy for government accountability and transparency in subsequent years, inspiring subsequent whistleblowers like Julian Assange and Edward Snowden.

In recent interviews, even while battling pancreatic cancer, Ellsberg emphasized the importance of whistleblowing and the potential impact it can have in situations where the stakes are high. He believed that even in the face of significant risks, exposing the truth was an obligation when the survival of civilization and the well-being of billions of people were at stake.

Daniel Ellsberg’s legacy as a truth-teller, anti-war activist, and champion of whistleblowers will be remembered by many. His courageous actions and unwavering commitment to revealing the truth have had a lasting impact on government transparency and the public’s right to know.

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