Community Affairs Consultants

December 14, 2016

ASIA:

Humanity's Shame

"I have said before that we have collectively failed the people of Syria. The Security Council has not exercised its preeminent responsibility with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security. History will not easily absolve us, but this failure compels us to do even more to offer the people of Aleppo our solidarity at this moment." United Nations(UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at Tuesday's Security Council meeting on the situation in Aleppo.

Humanity's shame is Aleppo, it is Syria, it is the increasing number of civilian and child deaths in conflicts and agitations from Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East, to Myanmar and other places in Asia to South Sudan, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and elsewhere in Africa along with all the other places worldwide where injustice, inequality and violence are wrecking the lives of good people.

Yes, the UN, other organizations and the alleged stalwarts of democracy, with their talks of freedom and of peace, have failed many people. They will continue to fail many more because the global community, apparently, does not have the will or the desire to usher in peace and stability.

Humanity's shame is inescapable despite the non-karma belief of many. Yet, it is for certain that with any action, there will be a reaction. Therefore, who knows what price humanity will pay for its failing?

December 13, 2016

ASIA:

Crimes Against Humanity in Aleppo, Syria - the Assassination of Civilians

The United Nations(UN) human rights office is confirming the summary execution of civilians, including children and women, by regime forces, in Aleppo, Syria. Reliable evidence regrettably confirms the on the spot assassination of 82 civilians by Syrian forces, the BBC-News reported.

Eastern Aleppo, which had been in rebel hands for some four-years, is being blasted into submission by the forces of Bashar al Assad, supported by heavy bombardment from Russian forces. The remaining thousands of civilians in eastern Aleppo, have been forced onto a small corner to the south. There, as regime forces enter, they are going house-to-house killing civilians on sight, the UN reported. Among the confirmed 82-assassinated civilians, 13 are children and 11 are women.

"We're filled with the deepest foreboding for those who remain in this hellish corner," of eastern Aleppo, remarked UN human rights office spokesman, Rupert Colville. Additional reports confirm bodies lying in the streets with residents afraid to remove them for fear of being shot on the spot. Moreover, other reports confirm the presence of children trapped in buildings that are under attack by regime forces.

Yet, the over powering forces of the Assad regime backed by Russia, have denied a truce for trapped civilians to be evacuated.

Aleppo has clearly fallen. The crimes against humanity being committed in Aleppo are not the first of the prolonged Syrian conflict. The gross failings by the international community and by the alleged stalwarts of freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law, to mitigate and to grant relief and solace to the Syrian people, are blemished scars upon the integrity of humankind to protect those who are frail and exposed to violence. Yet, sadly, there will be more Aleppos.

December 12, 2016

ASIA:

Of Democracy...

Democracy, whether or not by theory or by practice - implies rule by the majority - government of the people, by the people, for the people...that nations on a regular and timely basis would freely elect governments either directly or via representatives acting for the majority of the people. The majority vote getters would rule.

That said democracy has been the core of American foreign policy for many years with groups like the Peace Corps, USAID, the US Information Agency, the State Department and many other government agencies as wells as Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs), blazing the doctrine from villages to townships, to cities, to countries and to continents.

However, the preliminary results of the United States(US) Presidential Election 2016, has exposed an inherent flaw in the American democratic model that if formalized by others, would be criticized as counter to the true spirit of democracy. The Republic of the United States of America, in essence, allows for an Electoral College, and not the democratic popular choice of the people, to select the office of President.

Under ideal conditions, as it often has been in the past, the Presidential candidate gaining the majority of votes from citizens would also win the majority of votes from the Electoral College.

But 2016 has been anything but ideal. With compelling evidence that a foreign nation, Russia, meddled in the election on behalf of the Electoral College winner, an inevitable question must surface as to whether or not the result could stand given that the majority and the popular vote winner has tallied two million plus more votes than the Electoral College apparent winner.

If America stands by its antiquated agrarian provision that denies victory of the Executive Office to the winner of the majority and popular vote, and instead seats the Electoral College victor, then the United States of America is self-disqualifying itself from all future criticisms of any forms of government of other countries.

December 11, 2016

ASIA:

The Decline of the Forthcoming America

Ceteris Paribus, if all other things hold equal - the information, the evidence and the statements pertaining to the 2016 Presidential Election, the decline of the great United States(US) is forthcoming.

The unprecedented influence by Russia on the US elections, which has now been confirmed by the nation's spy agency, whose confirmation of the sovereignty breach has been categorized by the President-elect, as "ridiculous", affirmatively points to an era of declining American influence over world affairs, something not witnessed in modern times.

That Russia has been able to influence the US election without any consequences and without any condemnation from the President-elect, underscores the stark reality that Russia can now play puppet with the great United States of America at Vladimir Putin's will and whim.

Moreover, that the President-elect has not stood by the findings of the country's Central Intelligence Agency(CIA), affirms the forthcoming decline of the US.

However, there is redress. The President-elect is yet to take the oath of office as Commander-in-chief of all the US armed forces and agencies. The US Congress, the Electoral College and the Supreme Court hold special abilities to ensure the non-compromise to a foreign power of the United States Executive Branch. Only eight days remain before a key event leading to inauguration day, January 20, 2017

December 10, 2016

ASIA:

Human Rights Day - "Stand Up for Someone's Rights Today"

Today is Human Rights Day across the world - a day to commemorate the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations(UN) General Assembly.

And this year, the fitting theme put forward by the world body is: "Stand up for Someone's Rights Today". There are many people who need others to stand for them. If, a worrisome evolving trend that attacks the rights of many people holds firm, then, into 2017 and beyond, more and more people will be in need of others to stand for and with them in defense of the rights of humankind.

The rights of the Native Americans and other minorities in America, including Black people, Latinos, Women and members of the LGBT community, will need protecting in the future. The First Nations of Canada will need protection. Immigrants in Europe and in the United States(US), the Rohingya people of Myanmar, the human rights lawyers of China, the young independence seekers of Hong Kong, the various sects of India, Nepal, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Africa and all the tribes people of the globe, all will need someone to stand for their rights very soon.

Will each and everyone of you stand when necessary? Justice must be served, humanity must flourish, all peoples must be protected.

December 09, 2016

ASIA:

The Missing Men of Aleppo, Syria - a Prelude to a World Without a Rights Enforcer

The United Nations(UN) has confirmed that hundreds of civilian men, who crossed from rebel-held areas of Aleppo, Syria, into regime territory, have gone missing.

With no real enforcer of human rights in Syria, given the documented war crimes committed by the parties to the conflict there, the missing men represent an enlarging reality of a prelude to a world, within and afar from Syria's borders, without a rights enforcer in light of a possible isolationist foreign policy from a new Washington administration.

As reported by the BBC-News earlier today, Rupert Colville, the spokesman for the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, noted that some 100,000 people were still trapped in "ever-shrinking" rebel areas of eastern Aleppo. He said the world body had gathered evidence that "hundreds" of men had disappeared after leaving for government-held areas.

Concerns about the human rights of the missing men are troublesome, according to the UN representative:"Given the terrible record of arbitrary detention, torture and enforced disappearances by the Syrian government...", the BBC-News reported.

Men between ages 30 and 50 were separated from their families, the UN said, adding that other displaced people were being detained for questioning by the regime with many having their identity cards confiscated.

Yet, Syria's missing men could merely represent the unfolding of a larger span of rights abuses that become possible under any isolationist foreign policy by a new administration in Washington, DC. The UN and others will continue to monitor and to observe rights issues, but without any power of enforcement.

December 08, 2016

ASIA:

Vulnerable Giraffes at Risk of Extinction - Protection Needed

The Giraffe - that long slender-neck, graceful and spotted animal of the African savanna that remains a hit of safaris and at every zoo, fortunate enough to have one, is in danger of becoming extinct. Scientists have determined that the population of the tallest terrestrial animal has shrunk by nearly 40 percent in just 30 years, thus the giraffe is in need of protection.

The threat to the world's giraffe population was revealed yesterday at a biodiversity meeting in Mexico, where the International Union of the Conservation of Nature(IUCN) noted that giraffe population, which numbered between 151,000 and 163,000 in 1985, was now down to 97,562, the Associated Press(AP) reported.

As a result, the world's largest ruminant - the giraffe, has been placed on the official watch list of threatened and endangered species worldwide and its status has been classified as "vulnerable".

Co-chairs of the specialty group of biologists who put the giraffe on the IUCN Red List, Julian Fennessy and Noelle Kumpel, described the demise of the giraffe as a "silent extinction", while noting that planet Earth now has four-times as many pachyderms(elephants), as giraffes. In just 30 years, the giraffe moved up two notches on the endangered species ladder from a point of least concern species.

Scientists blame habitat loss for the extinction pressure placed upon the even-toed ungulate mammals. In some places of Africa, conflict is destroying the home of the giraffe and the encroachment of humans is also adding to the demise of the wild beauties.

Therefore, it is high time for greater protection be accorded to these beautiful creatures so as to ensure the continuity of the giraffe as a means to sustaining a full kaleidoscope of Earth's rich biodiversity.

December 07, 2016

ASIA:

The Death of a Rebellion - Syrian Rebels Withdraw from Aleppo

The dreams, the hopes and the desires to freedom from the tyrant Bashar al Assad in Syria, are quickly fading for rebel groups in Syria. After days of intense fighting, the rebels - out-gunned, out-planed and out-bombed by the Assad and Russian forces, have retreated out of 'old city' Aleppo.

The rebels have now ceded to the Syrian regime more than 75 percent of eastern Aleppo - a position, they have held for the past four years. Hopes are in flames in Aleppo as rebels beg for a five-day humanitarian truce to allow for the evacuation of civilians. Rebels now occupy a small area in the south of eastern Aleppo and it might not be long before they are routed by Assad and his ally, Russia's Vladimir Putin.

And so it has come to past that after the death of 500,000 people, including children and women - many in gas attacks and by barrel bombs, that the tyrant, Bashar al Assad, would continue his domination over Syria aided by Russia, with little fear of any opposition from the United States(US), especially in light of the apparent closeness between the US President-elect and Putin. With President Barack Obama leaving the White House in just over one-month, there is very little hope for the Syrian rebels. A violent insurgency may follow, however.

While France and other humanitarian powers might attempt to forge on with the fight against Assad as they attempt to serve justice for the crimes against humanity committed by Assad and his forces, very little might materialized without US support.

Therefore, today, humanity should mourn the Syrian dead and it must take responsibility for the gross miscarriage of justice and of the rule of law for what has transpired and for what else will continue to occur in the Levant. May God Bless and grant relief to all the children of conflicts. Amen!

December 06, 2016

ASIA:

Relief to the Sioux - a Government Stand-down at Standing Rock

The decision on Sunday by the United States(US) Army Corps of Engineers not to approve a permit to allow for the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline along a planned route, brings relief, even if temporary, to the Sioux people, who have been protesting the pipeline's possible environmental impact upon their lands.

However, President Barack Obama administration's blocking of the pipeline crossing under the Missouri River and over Sioux land, does not guarantee any long term relief to the Sioux, for with a non-environmental President-elect and money contracts about to be adversely effected with any delay in the completion of the pipeline, the Sioux and their supporters, might be forced back onto the battle lines again very soon.

As reported by the Los Angeles Times, pipeline owner, Energy Transfer Partners, has repeated assertions that it was not open to alternative routes and that the company was "fully committed to ensuring that this vital project is brought to completion and full expect(s) to complete construction of the pipeline without any additional rerouting...", the newspaper reported.

The company said nothing the Obama administration has done changes their plans. Apparently, the company is holding firm to its $2.5 billion investment to date and a January 01, 2017 deadline to get oil flowing in the pipeline or risk losing lucrative oil contracts, the Los Angeles Times added.

So the last stand at Standing Rock and its protests might not have been witnessed just yet, for despite pleas from the Sioux chief that protesters disband, most have remained. Relief to the Sioux might be short lived.

December 05, 2016

ASIA:

The European Sunday Decisions - Renzi Loses in Italy, a Green Wins in Austria

Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has tendered his resignation as expected after heavily losing a constitutional referendum, yesterday. In Austria, in the race for the ceremonial position of President, the leftist Green Party candidate, Alexander Van der Bellen, easily disposed of his far right wing opponent, thus calming immediate fears of a far right head of state in the European Union(EU).

The defeat of Renzi's constitutional reform, came as no surprise in Italy given this year's climate of failed referendums in the United Kingdom(UK), Colombia and a shocking upset in the Presidential Election in the United States(US).

Renzi gambled that Italians would do away with many years of having a bicameral legislature, would accept an easier path to enacting laws by eliminating or weakening the country's senate, so as to accord easier governance in order to deal with an impending banking and financial crisis. He was wrong. His measure was defeated by a 60/40 percentage split. Italy's president may ask him to stay in office for a transitional period, or he may be replaced immediate, or elections may be called to fill the office. Whatever happens, anti-EU parties in Italy have been strengthened with Renzi's lost.

Austria's new president-elect is the leftist Green Party candidate, Alexander Van der Bellen, who defeated the far right contender, Norbert Hofer, for a second time yesterday. Van der Bellen beat Hofer in an election last May by 30,000 votes, but that decision was vacated by the Austrian courts. The margin of victory increased to 300,000 votes yesterday as Austrians decisively rejected a far right state.

Yet, Europe's concerns and issues are far from being over as a crisis still looms in Italy, as right wing parties focus on other parliamentary elections in Austria and with upcoming votes in 2017 in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

December 04, 2016

ASIA:

Two European Decisions on a Sunday that Hold Broad Ramifications - the Italian and Austrian Votes

Italians are voting today on a referendum to accept or to deny constitutional changes offered up by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Austrians are deciding between left and right wing candidates for the ceremonial position of president.

The decisions made in both countries could have broad ramifications on the future of Europe that could witness a significant rise in right wing sentiments, parliamentarians and governments.

Italy's Renzi has bet his office as prime minister on achieving a "yes" vote on the referendum for constructional changes aimed to undermine the country's bicameral legislature - by eliminating, or by severely weakening the senate. Renzi hopes that constitutional changes would allow for more effective governance as Italy faces a possible financial and banking crisis. He said he would resign if he fails to get a yes vote and this could lead to major inroads by right wing candidates in Italy.

Last May, in Austria, left wing presidential candidate Alexander Van der Bellen, narrowly won the presidential election over right wing candidate, Norbert Hofer, but the decision was thrown out by the Austrian court because of irregularities. So today, both candidates are running in another close election.

As reported by the BBC-News earlier today, should Hofer win, he would become the European Union's(EU) first far-right head of state. His possible victory could embolden far-right parties all over Europe with France, Germany and the Netherlands all facing elections next year.

December 03, 2016

ASIA:

"Be Not Always"

The late pop music superstar Michael Jackson had a number of mega-hits in his lifetime - from "Ben" to "Thriller" to "Beat It" among many others. Yet, today, taking into account the conflict in Syria and uncertainties in the United States(US), the United Kingdom(UK), Italy and other places, a not too popular song of Jackson's comes to mind - "Be Not Always".

In the melancholy song, which happens to be my most favored Jackson hit, the superstar encouraged us "...please be not always...bow our heads in shame...bow our heads in blame 'cause time has made promises, just promises."

With respect to the child victims of conflicts, I've always related the following verse of Jackson's song: "Faces, did you see their faces, did they touch you, have you felt such pain - to have nothing, then lose hoping, is not life but lame? But time has made promises, just promises."

Michael Jackson further observed: "Mothers cry, babes die, helplessly in arms, while rockets fly and research lies in progress to become, but what of men, of flesh and blood - we turn our backs on life, how can we claim to stand for peace, when the races are in strife - destroying life."

He concluded: "...'cause time, time has made promises - death promises." Michael Jackson's "Be not always" should remind humanity to examine and of the consequences of the state of affairs everywhere.

December 02, 2016

ASIA:

The Coming Italian Referendum - a Constitutional and Fiscal Health Risk Placed before Voters

Italy faces a referendum vote on Sunday that holds consequences to the future constitutional and fiscal health of the European Union(EU) nation. Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has already said he would resign if his "yes" vote is defeated.

Italy's vote comes in the wake of recently failed referendums in the United Kingdom(UK) and in Colombia, South America as well as a shocking Presidential Election result in the United States(US). In the UK vote, the electorate surprisingly voted to leave the economic powerhouse, the EU, thus giving rise to a Brexit. In Colombia, in a narrow 50.2 percent vote, a peace deal was defeated, however, that deal has now been allowed because it was re-drawn and approved by the Congress instead of being given back to the people.

Among other things sought in Italy's constitutional referendum on Sunday, the prime minister is asking Italians to remove power from the country's Senate so that new laws would require only approval by the lower house of the Parliament. Presently, laws must be approved by both houses of Parliament.

Prime Minister Renzi believes a "yes" vote would allow easier governance permitting his government the ability to better manage Italy's unfolding economic troubles. Along with a stagnant economy, Italy's banking sector faces great pressure from bad debts and under performing loans. Renzi hopes that a constitutional change would best allow for the management of the economy.

However, should the prime minister fail in his bid for constitutional changes or should any of Italy's larger banks fail, Italy could face a financial crisis on Monday morning. In the mean time, Italians will have a say to approve or to deny the constitutional changes at referendum on Sunday.

December 01, 2016

ASIA:

Peace has Come to Colombia - the Farc Peace Deal is Ratified

Thanksgiving and an early peace for the yuletide season has come to the Latin American country of Colombia - the Congress has ratified the Government-Farc peace deal, thus providing the picturesque nation with the opportunity to live free of conflict for the first time in 52-years.

It was back in 1964 that an insurgency of peasants rose up in Colombia to fight for land rights among other things. Over the years, the Farc developed into a well armed group with unfortunate ties to drug trafficking. The human toll from the insurrection remained high with some 260,000 people dying in the half-century of conflict. Colombians hoped for peace and talks started to end the violence.

Although it took more than four-years of negotiations with Cuba and Norway acting as mediators to reach and to approve the peace deal, Colombia's President and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Juan Manuel Santos, remained resolute to effecting the peace even after the original peace deal was defeated in referendum on November 2 by 50.2 percent of Colombia voters.

Talks resumed on the peace deal in Havana, Cuba, immediately following the defeat of the peace referendum, seeking a compromise to appease the naysayers to the agreement. A full accounting and surrender of Farc assets were negotiated to compensate victims along with other provisions and the deal was agreed by the parties.

However, instead of sending the deal back to the people, it was agreed that the Colombia Congress would approve or deny the agreement. As reported by the BBC-News earlier today, one day after the pact was endorsed by the Senate, Colombia's lower house of lawmakers ratified the Farc Peace Agreement allowing peace to grace the plush hills and valleys of Colombia for the first time in 52-years. Viva Colombia!