Day: December 12, 2023

Tensions are rising between the Taliban and Central Asian states, with the latest flashpoint emerging over the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal. The Taliban’s reported intention to terminate the canal, a vital water resource for the region, has raised concerns about the potential humanitarian and geopolitical repercussions.

Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal:

 

The Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal, a key waterway running through the region, has historically played a crucial role in sustaining agricultural activities and ensuring water access for local communities. The Taliban’s proposal to end the canal has sparked anxiety among neighboring Central Asian states, intensifying the already complex dynamics in the region.

Taliban’s Stance

Reports suggest that the Taliban has expressed its desire to terminate the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal due to reasons that remain unclear. The move has raised suspicions about the group’s motives and has triggered alarm among the affected states, given the potential impact on agriculture, water supply, and the livelihoods of communities depending on the canal.

 

Central Asian States’ Response

Leaders of Central Asian states have voiced strong opposition to the Taliban’s proposal. The potential disruption of the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal poses a direct threat to the agricultural productivity of these countries and could lead to increased tensions in an already fragile geopolitical landscape.

The looming threat to the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal raises immediate humanitarian concerns. Disruption of the canal could result in water shortages, affecting crop yields and potentially leading to food insecurity for communities dependent on agriculture in the region. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and assessing potential avenues for intervention.

The escalating tension over the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal has broader geopolitical implications. Central Asian states are likely to seek diplomatic avenues to address the issue, while the international community may be compelled to engage in mediation efforts to prevent further destabilization in the region.

The situation adds another layer of complexity to the security challenges already facing the region. The potential for heightened tensions between the Taliban and Central Asian states underscores the need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address both the immediate threat to the Qosh Tepa Irrigation Canal and the broader security issues in the region.

United States commends Pashinyan and Aliyev for joint efforts towards peaceful future  ARMENPRESS

At its meeting on December 5-7, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe discussed the implementation of ECHR judgments by member states, including Georgia. The Committee published the European Court of Human Rights latest case-by-case decisions, including Georgian cases related to violence against LGBTI persons and domestic violence, as well as on two interstate cases Georgia v. Russia. 

Adoption of legislation “so that Georgian courts proactively take into account European Court
of Human Rights judgments in their deliberations” – is one of the twelve recommendations put forward by the European Commission to Georgia in its quest to obtain the EU candidate status.

In the case of Identoba and others v. Georgia, the Committee of Ministers expressed concern about the failure of State authorities to protect against homophobic or religiously motivated attacks, and in some cases official connivance and acquiescence in such acts, as well as police abuse with homophobic/transphobic bias. The Committee called for criminal liability for perpetrators, a zero-tolerance approach to hate-motivated violence, and the prioritization of the LGBTI community’s right to peaceful assembly. The Committee took note of consultations to improve the capacity of the police to investigate hate crimes.

The Committee “noted with regret that the adopted National Strategy for the Protection of Human Rights for 2022-2030 does not address adequately the needs of the LGBTI community and called upon the authorities to speed up the work of the implementing Action Plan and to effectively involve all the relevant stakeholders in the process to ensure that this document sets out comprehensive, inclusive and far-reaching measures to properly address the needs of the LGBTI people and religious minorities”.

The Committee “strongly called upon the authorities to demonstrate that enabling the LGBTI community to fully enjoy their right to peaceful assemblies is a clear priority through adopting concerted and effective organizational and preventive measures by the police to ensure safe conduct of the relevant gatherings.”

In the case of Tkhelidze v. Georgia, the Committee of Ministers addressed the states failure to protect women from domestic violence and the inadequate investigation into law enforcement authorities’. The Committee emphasized the urgency of prompt and thorough action to establish state responsibility in gender-based violence cases. While acknowledging legislative efforts against domestic violence, concerns were raised about femicide rates. The Committee urged independent, thorough investigations and highlighted insufficient redress in specific cases. It commended preventive measures like risk assessment tools but called for increased efforts to ensure their effective application.

Regarding the Georgia v. Russia (I) case involving violations in the arrest, detention, and expulsion of Georgian nationals in 2006-2007, the Committee deplored Russia’s lack of response and the failure to make the required payment of €11.9 million for just satisfaction and accrued interest. The Committee strongly urged compliance and underscored the ongoing accrual of default interest.

The Committee of Ministers has also examined the interstate Georgia v. Russia (II) case, related to the war between Georgia and the Russian Federation in August 2008, the European Court held in April 2023 that Russia was to pay the Georgian government over €129 million within three months. In an Interim Resolution* adopted, the Committee of Ministers noted that no payment has been made and the total amount owed by the Russian Federation, including interest accrued, stands at some €133.4 million. The Committee of Ministers again urged the Russian authorities to pay the sum without delay. It firmly reiterated its profound concern about the inability of Georgian nationals to return to their homes in Georgia’s occupied regions Tskhinvali and Abkhazia and its insistence that the Russian Federation, which has effective control over these regions, ensures without delay measures to prevent kidnapping, killing, torture or any other incident which impedes the free and safe movement of Georgian nationals and ensures the safe return of persons wishing to return to their homes.

Under Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights, judgments from the European Court of Human Rights are binding on the states concerned. The Committee of Ministers oversees the execution of judgments on the basis of information provided by the national authorities concerned, civil society organizations, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and other interested parties.

Also Read:

• 28/04/2023 – ECHR Orders Russia to Pay Over 129 Million Euros to Georgia
• 29/01/2021 – ECHR’s Georgia vs. Russia Judgment – Why It Matters and What Comes Next
• 16/12/2021 – ECHR Says Georgia Complicit in 2013 Mob Attack on LGBT Activists

In January–November 2023, the retail trade network sold 51.3 billion manats ($30.18 billion) worth of goods to consumers, including 28.7 billion manats ($16.88 billion) worth of food, beverage, and tobacco wares and 22.6 billion manats ($13.29 billion) wo

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet with US President Joe Biden on December 12, Report informs via Bild.

In January–November 2023, production in the oil and gas sector in Azerbaijan decreased by 1.9%, while it rose by 7.8% in the non-oil and gas sector, Report informs, citing the State Statistical Committee.

Asif Rustamov’s film “Cold As Marble” has been screened in Russia.