Fw: Fear of retaliation, prosecution hampers progress in Zimbabwe; Shell pays to end Nigeria rights abuse case

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The Ocean Trash article may bring enlightenment.

Fear of retaliation, prosecution hampers progress in Zimbabwe; Shell pays to end Nigeria rights abuse case

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June 9, 2009 | News covering the UN and the world

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Fear of retaliation, prosecution hampers progress in Zimbabwe

As Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai visits the U.S. on the difficult mission to raise funds for his troubled state, Zimbabwe President Mugabe is not doing him any favors by hosting Sudanese President al-Bashir -- an illustration of the Janus-faced power-sharing administration. Despite Tsvangirai's rise, many Zimbabweans who suffered at the hands of Mugabe and the Zanu-PF are still too afraid to return home, preferring to remain in safe houses. The Washington Post (6/9) , BBC (6/9) , The Christian Science Monitor (6/9)

Goldstone: Obstacles may scuttle Gaza abuse prosecution efforts World Bank looks for increased funding Ocean litter still a major problem, UN says Shell pays to end Nigeria rights-abuse case Action, rhetoric heat up on Korean Peninsula Career Center

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The reconciliation process remains delicate. I urge all Iraqis not to succumb to the politics of mistrust, intimidation, fear or revenge, but rather to work together to build on the positive achievements made so far."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Read the full story.

UN Dispatch: After reading today's Henry Kissinger op-ed in The Washington Post (he does seem to have those rather frequently, does he not?) on North Korea, I seemed to recall another one on the same subject from a couple months ago. Then, he seemed to be urging the Obama Administration to refrain from restarting the six-party talks just yet. A nuclear test and a couple more missile launches later, you'd expect him to sound the same skepticism, his much-ballyhooed talk of "no preconditions" notwithstanding. But, um... I count six here.

UN Dispatch

Goldstone: Obstacles may scuttle Gaza abuse prosecution effortsA United Nations investigation into human-rights abuses during Israel's recent military operation in the Gaza Strip is unlikely to result in any convictions as no court holds clear jurisdiction for prosecution, Judge Goldstone, the mission's leader, said today. The effort has been hampered by Israeli refusals to cooperate and the presence of Hamas security during witness interviews. BBC (6/9) , Google/The Associated Press (6/9)

World Bank looks for increased fundingWorld Bank President Zoellick is looking to wealthy countries to increase available aid as the lending institution faces unprecedented requests for help from developing countries battered by the global recession. The bank's major stakeholders approved plans in April to max out the institution's reserves during the next three years and asked Zoellick to assess whether additional funds would be needed. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (6/9)

Gates to meet with WHOMicrosoft founder and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation namesake Bill Gates, who has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to fund efforts to eradicate a variety of diseases, is visiting the World Health Organization to discuss HIV/AIDS, polio and swine flu. Los Angeles Times/The Associated Press (6/9)

Other News

India's poor make homes in tombs, mausoleumsThe Globe and Mail (Toronto) (6/9)

ICRC feeds increasing number of Zimbabwe prison populationIRINNews.org (6/8)

Ocean litter still a major problem, UN saysThe UN Environment Program revealed that, despite major initiatives by several nations, ocean trash still is a significant threat to coasts and ocean life. Better enforcement of existing laws, new educational outreach efforts and strong economic incentives will help curb the problem. CNN (6/8)

Environmentalists propose global climate change treaty elementsSignificant greenhouse gas emission cuts and $160 billion a year to help the poor cope with global-warming effects should be considered necessary elements to a new global climate change treaty ahead of negotiations in Copenhagen, dozens of prominent environmentalists said. The plan is likely to meet stiff resistance from most countries, but supporters hope it will provide a vision of the radical steps needed. AlertNet.org/Reuters (6/8)

Shell pays to end Nigeria rights-abuse caseRoyal Dutch Shell agreed Monday to a $15.5 million settlement to end legal proceedings surrounding the 1995 deaths of eight Nigerian activists, including prominent writer Ken Saro-Wiwa. The move came just days before a New York court was scheduled to hear the case and despite company claims of no wrongdoing. The New York Times (6/8) , /The Associated Press (6/8)

China requires censorship software on PCs sold in countryChina is requiring all personal computers sold within the country to come with software that blocks pornography and other unspecified sites -- programs that could be used expansively to ban information the Chinese government deems dangerous. Previous efforts by China to corral information companies such as Google, Microsoft and into participating in the country's censorship schemes have been successful because of the size of the Chinese market. The New York Times (6/8)

Action, rhetoric heat up on Korean PeninsulaSouth Korean officials announced sanctions on three major North Korean companies today, while North Korea warned of its willingness to use its nuclear weapons in an offensive strike. Tensions between the two are on the rise in the wake of Pyongyang's recent missile tests and the conviction of two American journalists. The New York Times (6/9)

Trials in Tanzania over murders of albinosSeven people have gone on trial in Tanzania for murdering albinos and using their body parts for witchcraft materials -- a practice whose clients are said to include wealthy businessmen. Though prejudice against albinos is common in Tanzania, violence directed against them is a new phenomenon. BBC (6/9)

Death of Gabon's longtime leader leaves political uncertaintyGabon will observe 30 days of official mourning after the Monday death of President Bongo, Africa's longest-serving head of state. The political opposition has begun to question whether elections to replace him will be free and fair. BBC (6/8)

Political diplomacy may be key to release of U.S. journalists from North KoreaNew Mexico Gov. Bill and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore have emerged as leading candidates in an effort to negotiate with North Korea for the release of two U.S. journalists who were reporting for Gore's Current TV network when they were arrested, charged and sentenced 12 years of hard labor for ambiguous crimes against the state. The diplomatic approach resembles previous situations in which North Korea has captured and released U.S. prisoners because of larger political currents. Los Angeles Times (6/9)

Economic woes may hand Ahmadinejad challenger victoryCampaigning ahead of Iran's presidential elections Friday has drawn the largest crowds in a decade, driven in a large part, analysts believe, by Iranians' concerns over government economic mismanagement. Iranian society is facing a growing crisis in which economic realities leave many unable to afford marriage or start a family. The New York Times (6/8) , TIME (6/9)

Lebanon vote may foretell regional shiftThe electoral victory of a U.S.-backed coalition over Hezbollah and its allies in Lebanese elections might prove be a tangible sign of a mood shift across the Arab and Muslim world in response to U.S. President Barack Obama's outreach. A U.S. policy shift to engage with all regional players, say analysts, blunted anti-American sentiment and raised fears of alignment with Iran and Syria. The New York Times (6/8)

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