Monday, 30 November 2020

 

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Deputy Prime Minister assures UK Government of Commitment to Ensure Peace and Security of People of Ethiopia

Thursday, 26th November 2020 

On Wednesday, 25th November 2020, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Mr Demeke Mekonnen, met and held discussions with his British counterpart, The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, to deliver a message from the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, H.E. Dr Abiy Ahmed.
 
The Deputy Prime Minister was visiting the UK as part of his wider trip to Europe, where he has been briefing officials on the current law enforcement operations taking place in Ethiopia.
 
During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke outlined the reform process initiated in Ethiopia two and a half years ago and the repeated Government efforts to encourage the TPLF leadership to be part and parcel of the popular democratisation process. However, the TPLF leadership proved unwilling to engage, instead opting to sow instability across the country by unlawfully training, arming, and financing extremist forces.
 
Deputy Prime Minister Demeke further briefed the Foreign Secretary on the necessity of the law enforcement operation in the Tigray region - on the one hand, emphasising the need to bring to justice the TPLF junta that attacked and killed members of the Ethiopian Defense Forces on 4th November 2020, and on the other, the attention being given to undertake the operation with maximum care to avoid civilian casualties. 
 
The Deputy Prime Minister also underlined the primary responsibility of the Federal Government to maintain the rule of law, ensure the peace and security of the people of Ethiopia, and protect and defend the constitution of the land.  
 
In this regard, he explained that a provisional administration had been set up in the Tigray region to address the urgent needs of the people and to strengthen the existing administrative structures at the district and local levels. 
 
With regards to the humanitarian situation, the Deputy Prime Minister assured the Foreign Secretary of the Federal Government’s commitment to responding to the needs of citizens in the Tigray Region. He explained that the Government had dispatched officials to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground and has put in place provisions of food and medicine for affected peoples in the Region. He further added that the Government was collaborating with UN agencies to ensure safe access to areas liberated from TLPF control. 
 
Efforts are also underway to support refugees who have fled to the Sudan to return to their communities and settle peacefully in their home country, the Deputy Prime Minister added, saying that the government stands ready to support all Ethiopians that have fled.
 
Finally, while respecting and appreciating the concern expressed by the Foreign Secretary, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke called for the understanding and support of the UK government in the efforts underway to maintain law and order in the country. Stating that these activities will have far-reaching implications in sustaining the reform process and safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the country, as well as the sub-region. 
 
…the government takes its responsibility to safeguard civilians seriously
 
During his visit to the UK, the Deputy Prime Minister also met with the British Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser and Deputy National Security Adviser, David Quarrey CMG.
 
The Deputy Prime Minister explained that the Federal Government took its responsibilities to safeguard civilians in conflict areas very seriously and had put in place all necessary measures to ensure minimal civilian casualties. He also confirmed that the Government’s preparations to guarantee humanitarian corridors in these areas were being finalised.
 
Recalling the indispensable role Ethiopia has played in promoting peace and security in the Region, Mr Quarrey expressed his hope that Ethiopia would continue to be a source of stability going forward.
 
Background:
 
Ethiopia’s relationship with the United Kingdom continues to be among the most dependable, mature and mutually beneficial of any that it enjoys with other countries. The UK has long been a trusted partner in Ethiopia, and over the centuries, Ethiopia has enjoyed close economic, diplomatic and cultural relations with the United Kingdom. Both countries collaborate on many issues of mutual concern at the regional and global levels. Both countries also continue to share a common vision of the kind of well-ordered global society that can ensure social justice, peace and prosperity.
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Dear IRR News Subscriber,

Last week, the IRR expressed our concern at the appointment of David Goodhart as a commissioner at the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Goodhart has in the past attacked diversity and opined about the need to understand ‘majority grievances’. His appointment could be a prelude to a new assault on equality laws and anti-discrimination legislation and is the latest in this government’s multi-pronged attack on organisations and initiatives seeking to combat structural racism. The other significant development is its new approach to regulatory bodies such as the EHRC. Having previously sought to starve these bodies out of existence through a defunding strategy, it has now moved on, arguably, to that of regulatory capture. Read more on our twitter thread and in Newsweek.

At a time when the very institutions that are meant to protect BME communities from systemic racism are being packed with appointees who either redefine institutional racism as failure to combat ‘extremist’ attitudes, or deny it exists at all, it is important to understand the long history of systemic racism in the UK and its continuation in the present day. Listen to IRR chair Colin Prescod draw attention to this history and the legacies of anti-racism in relation to Steve McQueen’s TV drama on the Mangrove 9, the first in his Small Axe series, aired this week on BBC One.

Next week we will be publishing a timely report on Deadly Crossings and the Militarisation of Britain’s Borders, detailing 296 border-related deaths in and around the English Channel since 1999 – an average of one death every 4 weeks. Featuring a timeline and interactive map, showing the deaths chronologically and geographically, the report hopes to give each person who has died an identity and a history. Sign up to the mailing list here to receive the report straight to your inbox.

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Friday, 20 November 2020

 

We’re extending free parking permits for NHS staff and key workers

Last night, at the council’s cabinet meeting, Cllr Margaret Mullane, our Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement, revealed that we will be extending our offer of free parking for NHS staff and key workers until the end of January 2021.

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, we have issued nearly 1,850 free parking permits, with over 1,350 handed out to NHS workers. 

So, if you currently have a free parking permit, we hope this news goes some way in letting you know how much the work you’ve been doing since the start of the pandemic is appreciated. 

If you believe you should have a free parking permit during the pandemic, you should contact the parking team by heading to www.lbbd.gov.uk/parking-permits.
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Thursday, 19 November 2020

 


Last week, the IRR expressed our concern at the appointment of David Goodhart as a commissioner at the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Goodhart has in the past attacked diversity and opined about the need to understand ‘majority grievances’. His appointment could be a prelude to a new assault on equality laws and anti-discrimination legislation and is the latest in this government’s multi-pronged attack on organisations and initiatives seeking to combat structural racism. The other significant development is its new approach to regulatory bodies such as the EHRC. Having previously sought to starve these bodies out of existence through a defunding strategy, it has now moved on, arguably, to that of regulatory capture. Read more on our twitter thread and in Newsweek.

At a time when the very institutions that are meant to protect BME communities from systemic racism are being packed with appointees who either redefine institutional racism as failure to combat ‘extremist’ attitudes, or deny it exists at all, it is important to understand the long history of systemic racism in the UK and its continuation in the present day. Listen to IRR chair Colin Prescod draw attention to this history and the legacies of anti-racism in relation to Steve McQueen’s TV drama on the Mangrove 9, the first in his Small Axe series, aired this week on BBC One.

Next week we will be publishing a timely report on Deadly Crossings and the Militarisation of Britain’s Borders, detailing 296 border-related deaths in and around the English Channel since 1999 – an average of one death every 4 weeks. Featuring a timeline and interactive map, showing the deaths chronologically and geographically, the report hopes to give each person who has died an identity and a history. Sign up to the mailing list here to receive the report straight to your inbox.

IRR News team

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Tuesday, 10 November 2020

 Police Officer Had Sex With Domestic Violence Victims While On Duty


A police officer had sex with two domestic violence victims while on duty and used the force's computer systems to track down two other women and send them texts of a sexual nature, the police watchdog has found. Malcolm Bennett, formerly of Northumbria Police, met both vulnerable women in his capacity as a constable, and drove their homes in a police vehicle while on duty and wearing his uniform. Five allegations of gross misconduct, including sexual activity on duty and unlawfully accessing police computer systems for information, were found proven at a disciplinary hearing held in private earlier this week, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said. The panel found that Bennett, who was based in Wallsend, North Tyneside, breached standards of honesty, integrity and confidentiality. Had he not already retired, Bennett would have been dismissed for gross misconduct, the watchdog said. He started a year-long sexual relationship with one of the women in September 2016. The other relationship began seven months later, in April.

Following the IOPC investigation, Bennett was charged with offences under the Data Protection Act and admitted them in August 2019 at North Tyneside Magistrates' Court, the police watchdog said. "Both women were clearly vulnerable and had been victims of domestic abuse," said IOPC regional director Miranda Biddle. He breached the high standards of professional behaviour expected of police officers and rightly would have been dismissed if still serving. We will continue to use our learning from such investigations and provide guidance to assist police forces to identify abuses of position for sexual purpose and inappropriate behaviour at the earliest opportunity."
After the hearing, Northumbria Police's head of professional standards, Superintendent Steve Ammari, said: "Malcolm Bennett abused his privileged position for his own selfish gains and his behaviour was completely unacceptable. We want to reassure the public that the actions of this individual are in no way representative of the officers and staff who every single day display the highest levels of professionalism and commitment to the communities we are proud to serve."

Source: Andy Gregory, Independent, https://is.gd/i6OBaP
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UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria

British Prime Minister - Boris Johnson has appointed the Member of Parliament (MP) representing Maidstone and The Weald - Helen Grant, as his Trade Envoy to Nigeria.

Nigeria is seen as one of the most important international markets for UK trade and investment opportunities as Britain leaves the EU on 31st December 2020. 

Nigeria is the largest and fastest growing economy in the African Continent, overtaking South Africa in 2016 and now ahead by a significant margin. 

With a population of 200 million, Nigeria shares a similar legal system, time-zone, national language and a long history of intertwined cultures. While official census figures indicate that there are at least 200,000 Nigerian nationals resident in the UK, unofficial sources put the number at a over a million including undocumented and dual-heritage citizens.  

Helen said: ‘I am absolutely delighted with my appointment as the Prime Minister’s UK Trade Envoy to Nigeria.  Both countries are close to my heart, my father being Nigerian and my mother English. And now I have an opportunity to employ my rich dual heritage to help magnify an already strong UK - Nigerian relationship for our mutual prosperity.

As the largest and fastest growing economy on the African Continent, the potential for trade and investment with Nigeria is stunning.  I will do my utmost to help develop that as part of our nation’s collective drive toward an outward looking global Britain.’

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Sunday, 8 November 2020

Victim named in Ilford murder

A man who died after being shot in Ilford has been named as detectives continue to appeal for witnesses and information.

30-year-old Jason Diallo was found suffering gunshot injuries after police were called to reports of a shooting in Balfour Road on Sunday night.

Officers and London Ambulance Service attended the scene but despite their efforts, Jason was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination at East Ham Mortuary gave cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head.

A murder investigation is underway led by Detective Chief Inspector Perry Benton of the Met’s Specialist Crime (Homicide) - he said: “Jason was attacked by the occupants of a car who shot him and left him dying in the street.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area and witnessed any part of this incident to get in touch. Were you driving in the vicinity of Balfour Road that night and have dash cam footage? If so, please check it and see if you’ve captured anything that could assist us.

“I would also ask local residents who have CCTV or Ring Doorbells to see if they have footage that could help us.

“My message to members of the local community is to come forward and tell my officers anything that could progress this investigation – Jason’s family deserve to know what happened and see those responsible held to account.”

Jason’s family paid tribute to him – they said: “Jason was a kind, gentle and loving man, who was an amazing husband and a devoted father to his two children who he absolutely adored. We cannot describe how sorely Jason will be missed by all of his family and everyone who knew and loved him.”

BCU Commander Stephen Clayman, from the Met’s East Area Command Unit, said: “My thoughts are with Jason’s family, especially his children, at this very sad time.

“I do appreciate that an incident like this will, of course, be of concern to the local community. It’s important to know that there is a specialist team who are conducting extensive enquiries into what happened in Balfour Road, and I know that they will be tireless in their efforts to track down those responsible.

“You will continue to see local officers out on patrol to provide reassurance and I encourage anyone who has a concern to speak to them. We will continue to bear down on violence in Redbridge by targeting certain areas with dedicated patrolling, focusing on those we believe are involved in violent crime and by working closely with the council.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the incident room on 0208 345 1570 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference 8011/01Nov.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

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Saturday, 7 November 2020

 

k vice president
Yahoo/Inbox

  • Sat, 7 Nov at 16:45
    Joe Biden will become the 46th president of the United States, CNN projects, after a victory in the state where he was born put him over the 270 electoral votes needed to win.


    With Pennsylvania's 20 electoral votes, Biden now has a total of 273 electoral votes.


    Before becoming the Democratic presidential nominee, Biden served as vice president under former President Barack Obama. He is also Delaware's longest-serving senator.
    Throughout his campaign, Biden has argued that the "soul of the nation" is at stake, and has promised that he would seek to heal a country fractured by Trump's presidency.

    Kamala Harris will be the country’s first female and first Black vice president

    Kamala Harris will be the United States’ next vice president, CNN projects.
    She will be the first woman to hold the office. She will also be the nation’s first Black and South Asian vice president.

    Harris, who has represented California in the Senate since 2017, is the daughter of Jamaican and Indian immigrants, and she grew up attending a Black Baptist church and a Hindu temple.
    She was the first Indian-American and second Black woman to serve as a senator.


    These are the Presidents who have lost reelection

    President Trump’s reelection defeat makes him the 11th sitting president in US history to lose the White House in a general election campaign.
    Ten of those were outright reelection bids. Gerald Ford, who ascended to the presidency following Richard Nixon’s resignation, also lost his campaign to remain president in 1976.

    The last president to lose a reelection bid was George H.W. Bush in 1992.
    Grover Cleveland lost his reelection campaign in 1888 but won back the White House four years later by defeating sitting President Benjamin Harrison. He is the only president to have served two nonconsecutive terms.

    This list does not include sitting presidents who did not receive their party's nomination for the next general election.

    10 elected presidents lost their reelection campaigns:
    • John Adams (1797-1801; lost to Thomas Jefferson in 1800)
    • John Quincy Adams (1825-1829; lost to Andrew Jackson in 1828)
    • Martin Van Buren (1837-1841; lost to William Henry Harrison in 1840)
    • Grover Cleveland* (1885-1889; lost to Benjamin Harrison in 1888)
    • Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893; lost to Grover Cleveland in 1892)
    • William H. Taft (1909-1913; lost to Woodrow Wilson in 1912)
    • Herbert Hoover (1929-1933; lost to Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932)
    • Jimmy Carter (1977-1981; lost to Ronald Reagan in 1980)
    • George H.W. Bush (1989-1993; lost to Bill Clinton in 1992)
    • Donald Trump (2016-present; lost to Joe Biden in 2020)


    1 non-elected president lost in the following general election:
    • Gerald R. Ford** (1974-1977; lost to Jimmy Carter in 1976)

    *Cleveland later won a second, nonconsecutive term
    **Ford was not elected vice president or president
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Friday, 6 November 2020

 

Escalating Violence in Ethiopia’s Tigray Region
11/04/2020 05:47 PM EST

Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State

The United States is deeply concerned by reports that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front carried out attacks on Ethiopian National Defense Force bases in Ethiopia’s Tigray region on November 3.  We are saddened by the tragic loss of life and urge immediate action to restore the peace and de-escalate tensions.  The protection of civilian safety and security is essential.  We will continue to follow this situation closely.  The United States stands with the people of Ethiopia and will work with all who are committed to peace, prosperity, democracy, and the rule of law.

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Thursday, 5 November 2020

 

Wednesday, 4th November 2020


Office of Prime Minister’s statement on TPLF’s attack on Ethiopian National Defense Forces Base in Tigray
 
In the early hours of November 4, 2020, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) attacked the Ethiopian National Defense Forces Base located in Tigray region and attempted to rob the northern command of artillery and military equipment. The Northern command has been stationed in the Tigray region for more than two decades in service and protection of the people of Tigray from any threats.

It is to be recalled that in the past few weeks the TPLF has been arming and organizing irregular militias outside of the constitutionally mandated structure. The attack on the Northern Command has been premised on TPLF viewing the Ethiopian National Defense Forces as a foreign army rather than an army that has been protecting the people of Tigray for more than twenty years. Resultantly, TPLF has chosen to wage war in Dalshah.

Over the past months of continued provocation and incitement for violence by TPLF, the Federal Government has maintained a policy of extreme patience and caution in order to avoid any harm that such provocations would cause to the people of Tigray. In addition to Federal government provocation, the TPLF through Almeda Plc – a textiles manufacturing company based in the region – have been manufacturing military outfits resembling that of the Eritrean National Defense Forces, to implicate the Eritrean government in false claims of aggression against the people of Tigray.
While the Federal government has used all means to thwart a military engagement against the TPLF, a war however cannot be prevented only on the goodwill and decision of one side, but on the mutual choice for peace by both parties. The last red line has been crossed with this morning’s attacks and the Federal government is therefore forced into a military confrontation.

The Ethiopian National Defense Forces, under the direction of a Command Post, have been ordered to carry out their mission to save the country and the region from spiraling into instability.

Federal Council of Ministers declares State of Emergency in Tigray Region

In its 21st Extraordinary Session held today, on the 4th of November 2020, the Council of Ministers has decreed a state of emergency in accordance with article 93(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The Council of Ministers has decreed the state of emergency:
  • recognizing the constitutional responsibility of the state to maintain the country’s peace, the safety and security of its citizens and to prevent acts that may lead the country to further unrest and instability; 
  • recognizing that illegal and violent activities within the National Regional State of Tigray are endangering the constitution and constitutional order, public peace and security, specially threatening the country’s sovereignty, seriously impeding the Federal Government from discharging its constitutional responsibility in the Region, violating decisions of the House of Federation, and 
  • understanding that this situation has reached a level where it cannot be prevented and controlled through the regular law enforcement mechanism; 
The State of Emergency is decreed for a period of six months and a State of Emergency Task Force to be led by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, composed of representatives from pertinent institutions and accountable to the Prime Minister has been established through the State of Emergency decree. 

The State of Emergency Shall be applicable throughout the National Regional State of Tigray. The State of Emergency Taskforce may through directives expand or restrict the geographic scope of application of the decree. Detailed information regarding the State of Emergency on a regular basis will be provided in due course. 

On recent violence in the Oromia Region…

The heinous identity-based attacks, which took place in the West Wellega Zone on 1st November, are the calculated actions of disgruntled political forces and militant groups hell bent on seizing political power at all costs, including at the expense of the state itself. These attacks only aim to foment further bloodshed, driving wedges between communities that have lived in harmony for millennia. 

The Government of Ethiopia condemns these actions and those responsible for them in the strongest possible terms, while expressing its profound condolences to the families of those affected.

Investigations into these incidents are ongoing, the results of which will determine the extent of the attacks and the number of casualties. As we speak, the security forces have been deployed to the area and are taking all proportional measures to bring those responsible to justice and to re-establish peace and security.

Though these forces seek to divide us, and to derail the reforms that we have embarked on, the people, and the Government of Ethiopia, will always prevail. These attacks will not break the spirit or will of the Ethiopian people.

The House of Peoples' Representatives has called on the government to take conclusive and immediate action against the perpetrators of atrocities on the Amhara ethnic group if the country is to remain united. 

Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives, Honourable Tagesse Chafo, said the aim of both internal and external anti-peace forces is to disintegrate the country. "We must stand together, save the country from this threat and not give them a chance to achieve what they want " he said.

On the progress of the AU-led GERD Negotiations…

It is to be recalled that Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt concluded the last round of AU-led tripartite talks over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on 28th August 2020, with the understanding that talks would reconvene in September. 

Unfortunately, the September talks, set to be held under the chairmanship of the Republic of Sudan, did not take place.

Following this unexpected pause in negotiations, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and current Chairperson of the AU, in consultation with the Heads of State and Government of the three countries, called for a resumption of the talks in mid-October.

Accordingly, ministerial talks comprising the ministers of water and foreign affairs of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt were held on 1st November 2020. The talks resulted in agreement that the three countries would assign six experts, two from each country, to discuss in further detail the modalities of upcoming talks and on the role of the AU’s experts going forward. The experts are expected to submit their findings to the ministers in the next round of talks slated to take place on 3rd November 2020.

As from the beginning, Ethiopia remains committed to successful conclusion of the AU-led tripartite negotiations. These negotiations represent the ideal opportunity for the three countries to constructively debate and reach consensus on the outstanding issues on this matter. 

Ethiopia, once again, calls on all its partners to strengthen their support for the AU-led process as the ideal platform to bring about a sustainable win-win agreement on the GERD. 

2021 National Elections Update

It is to be recalled that the National Electoral Board (NEBE), in its statement of April 1st 2020 announced its recommendation to postpone national elections due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

The sixth national elections, which had been scheduled to take place on 29th August 2020, were subsequently postponed following deliberations by a Council of Constitutional Interpretation (CCI), overseen by the House of Federation.

On 30th October 2020, in line with the recommendations tabled by the Minister of Health, Her Excellency, Dr Lia Tadesse, in her address to Parliament of 18th September 2020, the Board proposed that the postponed national elections be held in Spring 2021.

The Board has subsequently been engaged in a series of consultative meetings with political parties, civil society organisations, media and government organs in order to discuss the mode and manner in which the electoral process will take place. Additionally, the Board has requested a further 1.1 billion birr (approximately £22 million GBP) in funding to ensure the implementation of all necessary precautions against COVID-19.

The Board has also proposed a tentative schedule as follows:
  • December – January: Training for polling officers
  • January – February: Voter Registration 
  • February: Candidate Registration
  • February – Final week of Election: Campaigning
 
---ENDS---
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