Opinion – Page 19 – The Singapore Post

Security Council trying again for first COVID-19 resolution

7Jul

By News DeskNo Comments

Security Council trying again for first COVID-19 resolution

TANZANIA, Tanzania - The U.N. Security Council is trying again to reach agreement on its first resolution on COVID-19 since the coronavirus started circling the global in February, after a lengthy dispute between the U.S. and China over mentioning the World Health Organization. A revised draft resolution by France and China was submitted for a vote Tuesday and the result is expected to be announced on Wednesday. The draft resolution backs Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ March 23 call for global cease-fires to tackle the pandemic, and demands an “immediate cessation of hostilities” in all conflicts on its agenda including Syria, Yemen, Libya, South Sudan and Congo. It calls on all warring parties “to engage immediately in a durable humanitarian pause for at least 90 consecutive days”

5Jul

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Opinion

Pakistan struggles with China, CPEC

Since 2018, Pakistan has been well aware that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is going to wreck its finances and societal structures. And now, even after two years, the Imran Khan led government is saying all is well. Two years back, a 15-year master plan of CPEC revealed that Pakistan will be fully subjugated by China under the current terms and conditions of the project.The plan spells out in detail what Chinese intentions and priorities are in Pakistan for the next 15 years. It may be recalled that China has decided to invest $62 billion for the CPEC project. Under the plan, thousands of acres of agricultural land will be leased out to Chinese enterprises in Pakistan to set up “demonstration projects” in areas ranging from seed varieties to irrigation technology. A system o

Cambodia to probe activist Wanchalearm’s ‘abduction’

5Jul

By Our NewsroomNo Comments

Opinion, World

Cambodia to probe activist Wanchalearm’s ‘abduction’

Cambodia to probe activist Wanchalearm’s ‘abduction’ A protester points at pictures of the allegedly kidnaped activist Wanchalearm Satsaksit pasted outside the Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok on Monday. (AFP photo) Cambodian police said Tuesday they will investigate the alleged disappearance of a self-exiled Thai activist, denying any involvement in what a rights group claimed was an abduction. Pro-democracy activist Wanchalearm Satsksit, a sharp critic of the Thai government, was dragged into a car in broad daylight last week in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW), which cited witnesses and security camera footage. "I would like to confirm that Cambodian authorities and police did not arrest that individual," National Police spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeu

2Jul

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Opinion

New domicile law in Jammu & Kashmir

In view of the removal of Article 370 of Indian constitution by the Indian parliament on August 5 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs recently issued an order that substitutes the term “permanent resident” with “domiciles of UT of J&K” (new Kashmir domicile law). This has become a matter of concern in both Jammu region and Kashmir valley, which are now constituent parts of the newly created Union Territory of J&K.The new Kashmir domicile law, effectively speaking, takes the power of defining “permanent resident” from the erstwhile assembly of the state of Jammu & Kashmir, and introduces a new category of “domiciles” of the Union Territory of J&K.The new law allows entry of nonresidents (defined by the now revoked Article 35A) into the state along with giving them access to t

China tries to pacify kin of unsung PLA soldiers killed in LAC face-off

2Jul

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

China, Opinion

China tries to pacify kin of unsung PLA soldiers killed in LAC face-off

In a failed attempt to please its citizens, China on June 22 attempted to pacify the aggrieved families of the Chinese soldiers killed in clashes with Indian troops along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC), without any official recognition from Beijing.Hu Xijin, editor of Global Times, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime’s mouthpiece, wrote that “the dead have been treated with the highest respect in the military, and that information will eventually be reported to society at the right time, so that heroes can be honored and remembered as they deserve”.The editorial came two days after a video emerged from China showing that the families of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel were outraged by the fact that unlike Indian soldiers, their martyrs had received no honour and no

30Jun

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Opinion

Creeping religiosity in Pakistan

It is not by accident that the dark forces of bigotry and obscurantism have become stronger than ever in Pakistan. The regularization of madressahs and the reform of their curriculam were given top priority in the National Action Plan of 2014. While that plan remains unimplemented due to the obduracy of the religious lobby, some school textbooks will not be published unless they are approved and cleared by a religious body. Where is the sanction for this extraordinary decision?It sounds strange that even after 40 years of effort by Ziaul Haq and his successors to impose their version of Islam on the people, a law has to be enacted and executive orders issued to persuade young people to study the Quran Sharif. Now, if there are any hearts in which the fear of God should be planted, then the...

‘What white privilege?’ ‘Why can’t you be more civil?’ Some FAQs about racism and answers you may find challenging

30Jun

By Our NewsroomNo Comments

Opinion, World

‘What white privilege?’ ‘Why can’t you be more civil?’ Some FAQs about racism and answers you may find challenging

If only Quebec Premier François Legault, who denied the existence of systemic racism and slavery in Canada this week, had read “Hanging of Angélique: The Untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the Burning of Old Montréal,” by Afua Cooper. Not even at their most public moments of deep and layered crises can Black people go without having their experiences erased, their reality denied. Ontario Premier Doug Ford denied the existence of systemic racism in the province although he did roll that back Wednesday. Denial is essential to keep any supremacist system running for the benefit of some, to the detriment of others. By keeping the public discourse focused at the level of “does racism exist?” denial demands no change, no reflection, no accountability. Denial is complicity. When it comes to

Security law puts Hong Kong pastors at risk of being extradited to China: Watchdog

29Jun

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

China, Opinion

Security law puts Hong Kong pastors at risk of being extradited to China: Watchdog

As China plans to go ahead with the imposition of draconian national security law on Hong Kong, pastors including pro-democracy activists and religious leaders face a risk of being extradited to mainland China for trial, a US-based Christian watchdog has warned."Under such laws, vocal Hong Kong clergy who have been supportive of Hong Kong's democracy movement, such as Cardinal Joseph Zen and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, could be extradited to mainland China to be tried, since Beijing considers them to be threats to the regime," International Christian Concern (ICC) said in a statement."Other hundreds of protestant leaders or Christian organizations who have actively spoken out against the Hong Kong government might face the same fate, since Beijing has said it considers the mass p...

Pakistan Still On FATF Grey List: When Will This ‘Farce’ End?

29Jun

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Opinion

Pakistan Still On FATF Grey List: When Will This ‘Farce’ End?

While the rest of the world was busy dealing with lockdowns and COVID-19 related medical news, Islamabad and its army used this 'suspended' time to ‘clean their house’ and deal with a couple of hot issues. In their own way, of course.And the hottest issue on the table was the FATF meeting. June has come, and again, Pakistan will try and avoid being blacklisted by the FATF. So naturally, Pakistan must keep its house in order.Due to the increasing scrutiny on the activities of the terror groups in Pakistan by the FATF, the the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has, in the last few months, been tirelessly working towards shifting the training camps of groups like the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad to Afghanistan.Further, with Taliban’s influence growing in Afghanistan, especially afte

29Jun

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Opinion

Creeping silence

It is not new to hear about the curbed academic freedom in Pakistan. What is somewhat new is the frequency with which lecturers, professors, researchers, students, and even writers feel threatened now in both private and public-sector universities. These threats are of multiple nature and presumably emanate from various quarters.For Pakistan, it is essential that people everywhere are encouraged – and especially young people – to think critically and come up with ways to tackle the problems that have darkened the lives of so many in the country. Social inequality, bigotry, ethnic division and other kinds of hate are problems which we simply cannot ignore for long. Yet people who are able to effectively convey the meaning of critical thinking and dissent, in many nations, are being weeded o

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