Every Monday, the Research Trainees of the CERESE assess the news of the previous week. You can read their opinions below:

I like that the G20 Summit concluded with a declaration that deplores the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and demands the former’s complete and unconditional withdrawal from the latter’s territory. Through this declaration, most of the members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine, while stressing the immense human suffering it is causing and its exacerbating of existing fragilities in the global economy. Even the Indian Prime Minister called for the leaders to return to the path of ceasefire and diplomacy. On the other hand, China continued to refuse to label the military aggression as an “invasion” or “war”, and underlined their call for a ceasefire through dialogue, as well as their opposition to the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

I like that Albania recently joined the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, allowing the nation to deal with crucial issues such as climate change and natural disasters. The agreement awarding Albania full membership status in the EU’s disaster risk management system was signed by the Crisis Management Commissioner of the European Union, Janez Lenarcic, and the Defense Minister of Albania, Niko Peleshi. Albania has always struggled to deal with severe disasters. For example, over the previous three years, the EU Civil Protection Teams have aided the Balkan nation in the aftermath of the deadly November 2019 earthquake and the summer wildfires, too.

I dislike the November 13 terrorist attack in Istanbul, where six people were killed and 81 were injured. According to the Turkish authorities, PKK is behind the attack, even though the organization has denied any involvement. 17 people have been currently arrested. Among others, Alham Albashir, of Syrian descent, is accused of setting the bomb. The Greek government has offered its condolences to the Turkish people and condemned each and every kind of terrorism. On the other hand, the US’ condolences were rejected by the Turkish Interior Minister.

I dislike that Russian President Vladimir Putin removed ten members from the Presidential Human Rights Council. They were mainly human rights activists and journalists. The aforementioned were replaced with those promoting pro-Kremlin policies and the war in Ukraine. Russia’s Security Council, established in 2004 to guarantee and protect human rights in the country, is considered unsuccessful in balancing President Putin, because members have been ousted and replaced with pro-Kremlin and anti-rights figures, something that has already been obvious from the continuous violations.