The European continent got together on October 10 to reiterate its commitment to work towards the universal abolition of the “Death Penalty” punishment. On the occasion of the World and European day against the death penalty, European Commission Vice President Jacques Barrot, Commissioner responsible for freedom, justice and security stated, “Europe has created a ‘de facto’ death penalty-free zone stretching from Iceland in the west to Vladivostok in the east and from Norway in the north to the south-east of Turkey – this is one of Europe's greatest achievements.”
"Nevertheless,” the Vice-President continued, "public debates within our societies demonstrate the need to reiterate, time and time again, that the abolition of the death penalty is an essential achievement for the respect for human dignity. This is the reason the European Commission works side by side with NGOs that are active in this field and supports abolitionist actions.”
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner commented: "I am proud of the EU's leading role in the international efforts to abolish the death penalty. Although over half the countries in the world have abolished the death penalty in law or practice, the global figures for its use remain much too high.”
Recognising the “plight of victims of violent crime,” the Commissioner observed that the “death penalty is not the solution,” adding, “on the contrary, it only serves to aggravate a culture of violence and retribution. The Commission is determined to work towards the universal abolition of the death penalty through all available diplomatic channels and as a leading donor in this field.”
The President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering said: "The European Day against the death penalty is the day on which we remember that the defence of human rights and the necessity of a justice system which is based on the respect of human rights and the dignity of the human being, is an essential part of our common values.”
The death penalty is a breach of fundamental human rights and failure to respect the dignity of the human being and the right to life. The European Parliament will fight against the death penalty under any circumstances everywhere in the world."
Signing a Joint Declaration with the Presidents of the European Parliament, of the Council and of the European Commission, on the EU side, and by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly, the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, PACE President Lluís Maria de Puig said, "To die by order of the state, decreed by a judge or a politician as punishment for a crime, is thankfully a thing of the past in Europe.”
"But human dignity demands that we put our arguments to those who still carry out this practice. Once a year, we join with others across the world to press for a global moratorium on executions. The tide is turning and one day, I am sure, the death penalty will pass into history," PACE President added.
Abolition of the death penalty is a condition of membership in the 47-nation Council of Europe, where no executions have taken place since 1997, the statement noted.
During 2007, at least 1,252 people were executed in 24 countries, and at least 3,347 people were sentenced to death in 51 countries. 88 percent of all known executions took place in five countries: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the US.
Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Norway. Show all posts
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Europe to get more gas
Commission to support Norwegian commitments
The European Commission will nod the government subsidies in the Norwegian case for the development of Carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a means to curb emissions from coal power plants by burying carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground, according to European energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs.
Outlining the Norway’s efforts, Norwegian Energy Minister Marie Haga Aslaug told journalists, “We have three concrete projects in Carbon capture and storage in the pipeline and it has been very useful to us to have a close cooperation with the Commission on these projects. Also in order to create an understanding that for the time being government funding is required in order to make these projects work out.”
Aiming to make the technology commercially viable, the Norwegian minister urged “some countries are willing to put governmental funding in a substantial way,” adding, “I am looking forward to the day when we have the technological breakthrough where we can have co2 not only from gas powered power plants but also coal powered power plants.”
“I’m optimistic that we’ll get a yes for a notification which is made for the test centre,” she said. Commenting on the subject at the joint press conference with Norwegian minister, Piebalgs told journalists, “I believe that state aid is eligible if it’s scrutinised according to the rules. It (may be) given as much as necessary if it corresponds to the conditions.” “We need this technology not only for the EU but also globally and Norwegian efforts are very much appreciated,” he said.
Commending the “high ambitions of the colleagues on the Continent,” about renewable energy sources, the Norwegian minister spoke of windmills saying, “We have decided to establish more formal cooperation in this field. The potential is huge but it’s still some years ahead of us.”
“Floating windmills which could be placed on any continental shelf and we see a great potential from floating windmills. As of now, we do not have the technology, it has to be developed and there are major issues that have to be resolved in terms of grid so we are speaking of the future. But I think it’s very important to develop all possibilities in the renewable fields,” added Norwegian minister.
Replying to a question “on gas export,” she said, “In the years to come we will have a decline in oil production but we will have an increase in gas production over the next decade and obviously the market on the Continent, first and foremost will receive that gas.”
Negating the possibility of building new gas pipelines to the European continent, the Norwegian minister emphatically told journalists, “Pipeline capacity will never stop our supply.” Norway is the second biggest gas supplier to the EU with 18 percent, compared to Russia with 23 percent.
Depending on developments with Russia, Piebalgs hoped that with projected deliveries of up to 125 to 140 billion cubic metres of gas by 2018-2020, “that could mean that, by that time, Norway could be the biggest supplier of gas for the European Union.”
The European Commission will nod the government subsidies in the Norwegian case for the development of Carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a means to curb emissions from coal power plants by burying carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground, according to European energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs.
Outlining the Norway’s efforts, Norwegian Energy Minister Marie Haga Aslaug told journalists, “We have three concrete projects in Carbon capture and storage in the pipeline and it has been very useful to us to have a close cooperation with the Commission on these projects. Also in order to create an understanding that for the time being government funding is required in order to make these projects work out.”
Aiming to make the technology commercially viable, the Norwegian minister urged “some countries are willing to put governmental funding in a substantial way,” adding, “I am looking forward to the day when we have the technological breakthrough where we can have co2 not only from gas powered power plants but also coal powered power plants.”
“I’m optimistic that we’ll get a yes for a notification which is made for the test centre,” she said. Commenting on the subject at the joint press conference with Norwegian minister, Piebalgs told journalists, “I believe that state aid is eligible if it’s scrutinised according to the rules. It (may be) given as much as necessary if it corresponds to the conditions.” “We need this technology not only for the EU but also globally and Norwegian efforts are very much appreciated,” he said.
Commending the “high ambitions of the colleagues on the Continent,” about renewable energy sources, the Norwegian minister spoke of windmills saying, “We have decided to establish more formal cooperation in this field. The potential is huge but it’s still some years ahead of us.”
“Floating windmills which could be placed on any continental shelf and we see a great potential from floating windmills. As of now, we do not have the technology, it has to be developed and there are major issues that have to be resolved in terms of grid so we are speaking of the future. But I think it’s very important to develop all possibilities in the renewable fields,” added Norwegian minister.
Replying to a question “on gas export,” she said, “In the years to come we will have a decline in oil production but we will have an increase in gas production over the next decade and obviously the market on the Continent, first and foremost will receive that gas.”
Negating the possibility of building new gas pipelines to the European continent, the Norwegian minister emphatically told journalists, “Pipeline capacity will never stop our supply.” Norway is the second biggest gas supplier to the EU with 18 percent, compared to Russia with 23 percent.
Depending on developments with Russia, Piebalgs hoped that with projected deliveries of up to 125 to 140 billion cubic metres of gas by 2018-2020, “that could mean that, by that time, Norway could be the biggest supplier of gas for the European Union.”
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Focus from seals to humans
Delegation highlights humane, historic side of hunting
Humans risk their lives for their livelihoods since the days of yore and the fact came alive with the death of four seal hunters in the icy North Atlantic waters recently.
While the protesters were trying to find more footage to prove the “inhumane” angle and a Canadian delegation was visiting Europe to nullify those efforts, the accident cut short this year’s hunt for the area of Iles-de-la-Madeleine as hunters left the ice floes out of respect for their lost comrades.
In the comparatively warmer labyrinth of European Union, a delegation from across the Atlantic, led by Loyola Sullivan, Canada’s Ambassador of Fisheries Conservation, argued the case of an “age-old” traditional way of life for seal hunters and the right to selfdetermination.
Echoing the sentiment, Paul Okalik, Premier, Government of Nunavut, told New Europe, “We are here to tell the truth and explain our story. When people open their eyes and ears they will understand that we are doing what every human on earth is doing - earning a living, eating and surviving.”
The visit came in the light of earlier reports that European Commissioner Stavros Dimas was considering a ban on seal products within the EU in the coming months.
Reiterating her earlier comments, Barbara Helfferich, the spokeswoman for commissioner Dimas, told journalists last week, “We are concerned about inhumane hunting of seals. We support sustainable hunting. We are preparing a paper, a communication that takes account of these issues and we hope to have something ready before June or before the summer to be correct.”
Asked to comment on the fact that the Canadian seal hunt is already on and the commission report is not expected before the summer, Helfferich said, “The season for Canada is on. It is limited to particular Canadian quota. Whatever we are doing, we are doing in general, we are not targeting any particular country. So I can not comment on season or not season.”
Confirming the visit of the Canadian delegation she said, “I have nothing more to say on the issue. Mr. Sullivan has been visiting the commission, the cabinet of Commissioner Dimas.”
Lamenting the negative publicity by vested interests, Sullivan told New Europe, “The bad publicity caused by misinformation is of great concern to us. Our job is to correct this misinformation to ensure the public have all the faces on the issue. Unfortunately, this misinformation is driven by various groups who use the seal harvest as a main method of raising money.”
Earlier at a press conference, Sullivan hinted at retaliatory action by Canada within the framework of World Trade Organization (WTO) in case the EU considers ban on seal products, “I believe strongly that there shouldn’t be restrictions on access to markets... The European Commission has an obligation to live up to their commitments. We hope they exercise that right.”
Reflecting on the position of the Canadian government which is taking these EU trade action threats “very seriously,” Sullivan said, “(The Canadian government will defend) the legitimate sustainable, humane, economic activity for some of the most disadvantaged people in our country.”
Challenging the information being churned out by various sources about Canadian seal hunting, Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador said, “We have to keep doing what we’re doing now to ensure that the correct information gets out. We challenge those engaged in the debate to be responsible with regards to their research and to ensure that the information they are putting forward is correct.”
Earlier, one reliable Canadian government source familiar with the hunt had told New Europe, “The recommendations made in the recent report by the European Food Safety Authority (published in December 2007) uphold the legitimacy and humaneness of the hunting practices and techniques that are used, regulated and enforced in Canada’s annual commercial seal hunt. Canada has also supplied information to the authors of a study commissioned by the European Commission on the socio-economic and animal welfare aspects of seal hunting.”
Although Greenland, Norway, Russia and even the EU member state Finland take to seal hunting, it is only Canada’s annual culling of seals which attracts ire of international environmental campaigners and animal protection groups.
Humans risk their lives for their livelihoods since the days of yore and the fact came alive with the death of four seal hunters in the icy North Atlantic waters recently.
While the protesters were trying to find more footage to prove the “inhumane” angle and a Canadian delegation was visiting Europe to nullify those efforts, the accident cut short this year’s hunt for the area of Iles-de-la-Madeleine as hunters left the ice floes out of respect for their lost comrades.
In the comparatively warmer labyrinth of European Union, a delegation from across the Atlantic, led by Loyola Sullivan, Canada’s Ambassador of Fisheries Conservation, argued the case of an “age-old” traditional way of life for seal hunters and the right to selfdetermination.
Echoing the sentiment, Paul Okalik, Premier, Government of Nunavut, told New Europe, “We are here to tell the truth and explain our story. When people open their eyes and ears they will understand that we are doing what every human on earth is doing - earning a living, eating and surviving.”
The visit came in the light of earlier reports that European Commissioner Stavros Dimas was considering a ban on seal products within the EU in the coming months.
Reiterating her earlier comments, Barbara Helfferich, the spokeswoman for commissioner Dimas, told journalists last week, “We are concerned about inhumane hunting of seals. We support sustainable hunting. We are preparing a paper, a communication that takes account of these issues and we hope to have something ready before June or before the summer to be correct.”
Asked to comment on the fact that the Canadian seal hunt is already on and the commission report is not expected before the summer, Helfferich said, “The season for Canada is on. It is limited to particular Canadian quota. Whatever we are doing, we are doing in general, we are not targeting any particular country. So I can not comment on season or not season.”
Confirming the visit of the Canadian delegation she said, “I have nothing more to say on the issue. Mr. Sullivan has been visiting the commission, the cabinet of Commissioner Dimas.”
Lamenting the negative publicity by vested interests, Sullivan told New Europe, “The bad publicity caused by misinformation is of great concern to us. Our job is to correct this misinformation to ensure the public have all the faces on the issue. Unfortunately, this misinformation is driven by various groups who use the seal harvest as a main method of raising money.”
Earlier at a press conference, Sullivan hinted at retaliatory action by Canada within the framework of World Trade Organization (WTO) in case the EU considers ban on seal products, “I believe strongly that there shouldn’t be restrictions on access to markets... The European Commission has an obligation to live up to their commitments. We hope they exercise that right.”
Reflecting on the position of the Canadian government which is taking these EU trade action threats “very seriously,” Sullivan said, “(The Canadian government will defend) the legitimate sustainable, humane, economic activity for some of the most disadvantaged people in our country.”
Challenging the information being churned out by various sources about Canadian seal hunting, Kathy Dunderdale, Minister of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador said, “We have to keep doing what we’re doing now to ensure that the correct information gets out. We challenge those engaged in the debate to be responsible with regards to their research and to ensure that the information they are putting forward is correct.”
Earlier, one reliable Canadian government source familiar with the hunt had told New Europe, “The recommendations made in the recent report by the European Food Safety Authority (published in December 2007) uphold the legitimacy and humaneness of the hunting practices and techniques that are used, regulated and enforced in Canada’s annual commercial seal hunt. Canada has also supplied information to the authors of a study commissioned by the European Commission on the socio-economic and animal welfare aspects of seal hunting.”
Although Greenland, Norway, Russia and even the EU member state Finland take to seal hunting, it is only Canada’s annual culling of seals which attracts ire of international environmental campaigners and animal protection groups.
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