UN says both Russia and Ukraine executed prisoners of war: Ukraine executed 25 Russian POWs, Russia executed 15 Ukrainian POWs

UN says both Russia and Ukraine executed prisoners of war: Ukraine executed 25 Russian POWs, Russia executed 15 Ukrainian POWs

    Friday, March 24, 2023   No comments

On the other hand, the United Nations on Friday accused Ukrainian and Russian forces of carrying out dozens of extrajudicial executions of prisoners of war since the start of the Russian war in Ukraine.

The head of the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Matilda Bogner, expressed "great concern" about the execution of "25 Russian prisoners of war" by the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as "the execution of 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war" by the Russians.

Bogner confirmed that the United Nations documented these executions of Russians, which were carried out by Ukrainian forces, "most often ... immediately after their capture on the battlefield."

She added that the United Nations is aware of 5 investigations conducted by Kiev related to 22 victims, but "we have not been informed of any prosecution of the perpetrators" of these crimes.

As for the Russian armed forces' execution of 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war "soon after their arrest," the official said that 11 of these operations were carried out by the Russian armed Wagner Group.

Iran condemns the suppression of demonstrators in France... and calls for non-use of violence

Iran condemns the suppression of demonstrators in France... and calls for non-use of violence

    Friday, March 24, 2023   No comments

 Today, Friday, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the suppression of peaceful demonstrators in the demonstrations taking place in the French streets.

In the details, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian wrote in a "tweet" on his account: "We strongly condemn the suppression of peaceful demonstrators and call on the French government to respect human rights and not use violence."

Simultaneously, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani, posted a new tweet to him on Twitter, in which he demanded that Paris speak to the French people and listen to their voice.

In his tweet, Kanaani attached a videotape that included footage of French protesters who set fire to the municipality of Bordeaux, and firefighters joined the protesters, noting that "whoever sows the wind reaps the storm."

The Iranian diplomat stressed that this kind of violence has nothing to do with sitting on the chair of morality and proselytizing to others, adding that the French protesters are waiting to watch the group clip of the European, Australian and Canadian ministers who support the French protest.

Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, announced that the topic of the episodes of the month of Ramadan will focus on women’s rights in Islamic law

Grand Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, announced that the topic of the episodes of the month of Ramadan will focus on women’s rights in Islamic law

    Friday, March 24, 2023   No comments

Sheikh of Al-Azhar, start the first episode by an attack on the colonial West, stressing that it is hostile to Islam. Because Islam stands against the aspirations of the new global colonialism.

This came in his daily Ramadan program, indicating that despite the large number of treatment of women's rights in Islamic law, and the repetition of the matter in explanation and statement and in response to objections and suspicions, the objections still float on the scene from time to time.

Al-Tayyib added that these objections do not base their backs on the logic of argument and proof, but are sophistical objections that are fueled by their promotion among Muslim women on Western agendas and with cunning plans and funds allocated to portray Islam in an ugly image to alienate people in the West and even alienate young people in the East.

He said that we do not know of a subject that has drained from the minds of thinkers, researchers, male and female researchers since the beginning of the last century until the present day what has been exhausted by the issue of women in Islam, pointing out that there are dozens or even hundreds of contemporary research, conferences and seminars that dealt with the issue of women in Islam and killed it in research, study and opinion, and despite that it remained The topic as if it had not been written by a pen or dealt with by thought before.

Al-Tayeb attributed the reason for this to the fact that the issue of women is the first in relation to the literature of Islam in the West, whether those who sympathize with Islam or those who hate it and who specialize in distorting its image, indicating that they return to it and resurrect it from its resting place whenever the reasons for modern colonialism call them to do so.

Al-Tayeb said that “Islam is the only rock upon which the aspirations of the new world order to impose its sovereignty on peoples, east and west, are shattered."

This development comes just months in the light of the role and reaction of Western governments and media to the protests that took place in Iran after the death of an Iran woman when she was in a police station answering a citation for improper head covering in public space.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's National Security Council, adds another scenario that could trigger a nuclear war: arresting the Russian President in another country

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's National Security Council, adds another scenario that could trigger a nuclear war: arresting the Russian President in another country

    Thursday, March 23, 2023   No comments

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's National Security Council, said on Thursday that any attempt to arrest President Vladimir Putin after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him would be tantamount to a declaration of war on Russia.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin on Friday, charging him with the war crime of forcibly deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. The court noted that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the matter.

Medvedev, a former president and staunch Putin ally, told Russian media that the ICC was a "worthless legal entity" that had never done anything significant. There are countries that do not recognize the court, including Russia, China and the United States.

Medvedev said that any attempt to arrest Putin would be tantamount to a declaration of war.

And he continued, saying in a video he posted on Telegram, “What will that be? It will be a declaration of war on the Russian Federation... In that case, all our (war) assets, all our missiles, etc.... will fly towards the chancellery office and the Bundestag building," referring to the German parliament.

Russian officials deny war crimes were committed in Ukraine and say the West has ignored what they say are Ukrainian war crimes.

Medvedev described relations with the West as certainly at their worst.

He said nuclear risks were increasing, adding, "Every day that weapons are supplied to Ukraine from abroad brings the world closer to complete nuclear devastation."

Medvedev pointed out that the West now wants to divide Russia into a group of weak countries to steal its huge natural resources, he said.

The West denies it wants to destroy Russia and says it is helping Ukraine defend itself against colonial-style land grabs.

"Ukraine is part of Russia," Medvedev said, adding that most of present-day Ukraine was part of the Russian Empire.

  

Comparing Scenes from the Protests in the Garden of Prosperity and the Celebration of Nowruz in "Women-Oppressor" Iran

Comparing Scenes from the Protests in the Garden of Prosperity and the Celebration of Nowruz in "Women-Oppressor" Iran

    Thursday, March 23, 2023   No comments

In this week’s media review report, we would like to highlight the disparity in media coverage of social events when they happen in the West versus when the happen in Muslim-majority countries. We propose this media review because the constant and consistent negative coverage of protests in Muslim-majority countries and radio-silence when violent protests and brutal police handling of protesters in the Garden of Prosperity must be challenged as a matter of equity and as a matter of freeing the human rights discourse from political manipulation.

When protests in Iran were instrumentalized to portray yet another government in yet another Muslim-majority country as authoritarian regime ruling over an Islamic society still in need of the paternal protection of the civilized world, the progressives and liberals in the West jumped on the bandwagon. How could they be wrong if someone from somewhere stated in some social media platform that Iran executed 14,000 protesters? Reflexively, even politicians joined in. The Canada’s prime minister amplified the post and condemned Iran for not respecting the rights of peaceful protests.

Here we are weeks deep into the many “peaceful” protests across Europe, and in France, especially, with scenes of heavily armed police violently clashing with unarmed protesters. Yet, not a single Western government called for an end to the violence and the use of force against peaceful protesters.

This is not about using one case of protesters and counter-protesters’ measures to legitimize police brutality against civilians in any country or in all country. It is about the incessant, constant, consistent, and overwhelming media stream portraying violence happening in a Muslim-majority country as a normal event suggesting that Muslims are of violent nature, and the total blackout and abysmal coverage of protests in the West and the violent handling of protests in the West. It is the overwhelming negative coverage of Muslim-majority countries, the absence of any images or stories that depict positive aspects in Muslim-majority countries, and the lack of coverage of the violence that happens in the West that provide a bigoted narrative, and it is this negative narrative that produce a draft of history that is deeply flawed and cruel to people of the Global South.

Here is a glimpse of the deliberate selective coverage: during the same time when Iranian men and women, yes women, were celebrating the new Persian; the streets of Paris and other major French cities were literally on fire. The police were beating, dragging, and arresting protesters. No word of concern for the use of excessive force was uttered by any Western leaders.

When Iranians protested the death of an Iranian woman, all Western leaders reacted; they introduced resolution of condemnation in world organizations, and they imposed sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions. The world was told that Iran is no place for women to walk the streets without head coverings, and those who do risk arrest and death at the hand of the police. That is a damning narrative not just for Iran, but for Muslims in general.

But when there is evidence of Muslim women in Iran and elsewhere in Muslim-majority countries walking the streets, and celebrating holidays in public spaces wearing or not wearing a range of head coverings, such scenes are suppressed, because they provide a counter narrative to the one that has been portraying Muslims as "woman-oppressing" peoples.

On the edge of a nuclear confrontation: Putin warned that Britain's supply of Ukraine with depleted uranium stockpile will force Russia to insert nuclear component, too

On the edge of a nuclear confrontation: Putin warned that Britain's supply of Ukraine with depleted uranium stockpile will force Russia to insert nuclear component, too

    Wednesday, March 22, 2023   No comments

British Foreign Minister James Cleverly denied on Wednesday the existence of a nuclear escalation in the Ukrainian war, after Russian President Vladimir Putin's criticism of London regarding the supply of depleted uranium shells to Ukraine.

Britain confirmed on Monday that it will supply Ukraine with depleted uranium stockpile. The heavy metal is used in the formation of weapons because of its ability to penetrate tanks and armor easily.

But Putin did not discuss the British plans to send such ammunition yesterday, saying that Moscow will have to respond accordingly because such weapons contain "nuclear components".

"There is no nuclear escalation," Cleverly added at the launch ceremony of the British International Technology Strategy. The only country in the world that talks about nuclear issues is Russia. There is no threat to Russia. It's all about helping Ukraine defend itself."

And he continued, "I must make sure that everyone understands that the word uranium mentioned in the context of depleted uranium reserves is not nuclear reserves, but purely conventional reserves."

Britain has been using depleted uranium in anti-armor missiles for decades and does not consider these missiles to have nuclear capabilities. It is also known that Russia has reserves containing depleted uranium.

The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, who is one of LeBoutine's close allies, said on Wednesday that Russia will reject the British decision to supply Belarus with a stockpile containing "real uranium".

He told the journalists in a video clip, "We need to retreat from this madness." As soon as this stockpile explodes at the locations of the Russian forces, there will be a terrible reaction, it will be a lesson for the entire planet.

He added, "Russia does not have depleted uranium, only... we have to slow down the pace of this trend towards escalating the conflict and moving towards a peaceful settlement".

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Britain's decision to supply Ukraine with depleted uranium mines raises the situation to new and dangerous levels.

Media Review: The American magazine "Foreign Affairs" talks about that the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia can change the region

Media Review: The American magazine "Foreign Affairs" talks about that the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia can change the region

    Wednesday, March 22, 2023   No comments

The American "Foreign Affairs" magazine, in an analysis of the Iran-Saudi deal, said that the rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia could change the region, and that the United States "can no longer simply demand the Arab allies to separate from China." and unity behind the leaders to fight against Iran".

The report stated that the historic agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with the initiative of China, "is capable of changing the Middle East", by re-aligning the major powers, "and replacing the current Arab-Iranian divisions with a complex network of relations", which will help to weave the region within "China's global ambitions".

The report explained that for China, this agreement is a "big leap" in the competition with the United States, because the latter tried to be the mediator between the two countries, but the Saudis believed that the involvement of China is "the guarantee for the continuation of the deal with Iran".

"Foreign Affairs" stated that "if the deal is fully implemented, Tehran and Riyadh will agree once again" because according to the new agreement, both sides will reopen the embassies, and the Saudi government will stop supporting the international Iranian television channel, "which Tehran bears the responsibility of the local opposition". .

In addition to that, the Houthis, according to the magazine, committed to a ceasefire in Yemen, agreed upon in April 2022, and based on that, the official peace agreement to end the war there.

The agreement also calls for the strengthening of economic and diplomatic relations between Iran and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and for Iran and its Arab partners to start discussions on building a new regional security framework, with China continuing to supervise all these steps.

The report points out that "it is possible that the Iran-Saudi deal alone is one of the most important competitions in the region, and will lead to the expansion of economic relations across the Gulf, so that Iran will no longer stand alone to face the alliance of the Arab regimes and Israel, and the United States hopes to take on the difficult task of containment of Tehran".

And the magazine believed that "instead, the agreement has the ability to bring Iran closer to its Arab neighbors, and to achieve gradual stability in relations in the region", pointing out that "underlining this promise, the commitment of the Saudi Finance Minister, Mohammad Al-Jadaan, that if things go well We agree, because Saudi Arabia is prone to exploiting the Iranian economy.

Later, before the actual Iranian president, an invitation to visit Riyadh at an unspecified date, in another indication of the intention of the sides to "strengthen relations".

And these steps will have important implications, asserts the "Foreign Affairs" magazine, as "Firstly, for Iran, the transformation of its policies from strengthening its interests in Europe and the United States to strengthening its interests in the Arab world has so far restored relations with the Emirates, Kuwait, and now Saudi Arabia. It extends to Bahrain and Egypt.

According to the report, "Iran's better relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council countries will reduce the threat, which has been formed by the official normalization agreements of some Arab countries, which was facilitated by the administration of former US President Donald Trump".

And secondly, regarding Saudi Arabia, "Riyadh's demonstration that if the American policy does not serve the interests of Saudi Arabia, then the Saudis will not be indebted to the alliance".

And thirdly, regarding China, "Foreign Affairs" asserts that the region is "important to China's Belt and Road Initiative, and the development of this corridor will allow China to bypass the Strait of Malacca, in the face of the formidable fleet built by the United States and its allies, and to strengthen these strategic priorities, Beijing is now ready to challenge Washington." I am the age of influence in Asharq Al-Awsat".

He points out the convergence of the broader strategic interests of China, Iran and Saudi Arabia, adding that "Beijing's breakthrough with Iran and Saudi Arabia is likely to be the basis of a new geopolitical reality in the Middle East".

This transformation represents a "historical challenge for the United States, as Washington can no longer simply demand the Arab allies to separate from China and unite behind the leadership to fight against Iran."

And the American report concluded that "this approach is old and does not match the current needs of the allies", and as one of the Saudi officials said, "the United States failed to understand that we cannot be allies at the expense of our interests", as the Saudis no longer see that their interests are theirs. The war with Iran or the confrontation with China.

China's President Xi Jinping: "changes have not happened since 100 years ago. When Russia and China come together, they will lead this change"

China's President Xi Jinping: "changes have not happened since 100 years ago. When Russia and China come together, they will lead this change"

    Wednesday, March 22, 2023   No comments

China's President Xi Jinping, Russia, on Wednesday, later expressed the country's solidarity with Moscow in the West, noting that the country's position on the war in Ukraine is a "neutral position".

Before leaving, Xi said that "changes have not happened since 100 years ago. When Russia and China come together, they will lead this change."

Butin's words: "I agree with you". Xi added: "Take care of yourself, my dear friend, please."

Regarding the visit, the statement issued by Beijing said that "the two leaders share the view that this relationship has far exceeded the bilateral scope, and has gained great importance for the world scene and the future of mankind."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a statement to the online Kremlin magazine that Russia and China are working to establish a "more just and democratic" world system with multiple poles.

He added that "this system must be based on the central role of the United Nations and the Security Council subordinate to it, international law, the objectives of the United Nations Charter and principles".

Regarding Ukraine, Putin praised the Chinese president for the peace plan he proposed last month and blamed Kiev and the West for rejecting it.

The Chinese leader arrived in Moscow on March 20, in his first foreign tour since the re-election of the third presidential term. The Russian and Chinese presidents signed documents to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, yesterday, Tuesday, in Moscow.

The former national security adviser in the White House, John Bolton, has said that "the alliance relations between Russia and China are a real problem for the Western countries, regardless of what is happening in Ukraine."

He added that the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Moscow "will force the Western countries to think about their security", claiming that China has supported Russia since the beginning of the special military operation in Ukraine, and did not try to remain neutral.

Replicating US State Department practice, China's Foreign Ministery issues a report on "The State of Democracy in the United States: 2022"

Replicating US State Department practice, China's Foreign Ministery issues a report on "The State of Democracy in the United States: 2022"

    Monday, March 20, 2023   No comments

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a report entitled "The State of Democracy in the United States: 2022" on Monday. The report collects a multitude of facts, media comments and expert opinions to present a complete and real picture of American democracy over the year.

The full text of The State of Democracy in the United States report is published by Chinese FM and many Chinese media outlet. A PDF version is linked below.

From Moscow, Russia, Chinese president: "complex problems have no simple solutions"

From Moscow, Russia, Chinese president: "complex problems have no simple solutions"

    Monday, March 20, 2023   No comments

Chinese President Xi Jinping said, upon his arrival today, Monday, in Moscow, that "China is ready to stand by Russia to protect international law," stressing that his visit "will be fruitful and give a new impetus to the development of relations between the two countries."

And the Kremlin announced today, Monday, that the Chinese president and his Russian counterpart will discuss the plan proposed by Beijing to settle the conflict in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, "The topics mentioned in this (Chinese) plan on Ukraine will form part of the talks," adding that "the United States insists on its existing positions to continue fueling the conflict, obstructing the reduction of hostilities, and continuing to flood Ukraine with weapons."

Referring to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Chinese president said that "complex problems have no simple solutions," but there will be a way out if there is equal dialogue.

In an article by the Russian RIA Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspapers, Xi said that Beijing is convinced that a "rational way out" of the Ukrainian crisis will be found if everyone is guided by the concept of common, integrated and sustainable security, and they continue dialogue and consultations "in an equal, prudent and pragmatic manner."

He also noted that since the beginning of last year "there has been a complete aggravation of the Ukrainian crisis." "China has always taken an objective and impartial stance, and is making active efforts to promote reconciliation and peace negotiations," the Chinese president said.

The Chinese president also addressed the trade relations between China and Russia, stressing that "they need to increase the volume and quality of cooperation in the field of investment and trade." China-Russia trade in Jan-Feb soars 36.4% so far this year.

In the same context, the Chinese newspaper "Global Times" quoted the Chinese Foreign Ministry as saying that "China calls on the United States to stop blaming Beijing for the alleged arms supplies to Russia, and to start acting constructively on the issue of the crisis in Ukraine."

"China does not send weapons to the battlefield in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but the United States does," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin was quoted as saying.

He also indicated that it is time for the United States to stop "fanning the flames and pointing fingers" on this issue, and "must play a constructive role in the Ukrainian crisis, not the other way around."