Stories for May 2012
Chile debates legal status of ‘forcibly disappeared’ persons during Pinochet dictatorship
Amnesty International Chile made public its 2012 Annual Report on Human Rights last week putting a special emphasis on justice for victims of human rights atrocities committed during the military dictatorship that ruled the country from 1973-1990.
German opposition wants growth targets before supporting EU new fiscal pact
A top ally of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives appealed to the opposition Social Democrats and Greens to refrain from “playing political games” and back the government to endorse Europe's new fiscal pact and permanent bailout fund.
Sweden’s Saab invests in Brazil’s aerospace defence industry
Sweden's premier defense and security company, Saab, is strengthening its relationship with a Brazilian integrator of aero-structures. Saab, manufacturer of the Gripen jet fighter that has partnered in the past with the company Akaer, said it is now financially investing in the company.
Indonesia stops US beef imports because of a mad cow case in California
Indonesia has stopped imports of US beef, following a case of mad cow disease that was detected in California, reports Farming News Daily. Indonesia Agriculture Minister Suswono said the government had no time frame, but said the suspension applied to all beef shipped after April 24.
“Malvinas for Argentina and sea for Bolivia” battle cry at next OAS assembly
Bolivian president Evo Morales announced on Monday he will request at the coming Organization of American States, OAS General Assembly to be held in Cochabamba that the issues of Malvinas Argentine sovereignty and a sea outlet for Bolivia be discussed.
Peruvian government fights anti-Xstrata mine protestors: 2 dead and 50 injured
Two people were killed and 50 were injured in protests against Xstrata's Peruvian copper mine Tintaya on Monday, prompting the government to suspend freedom of assembly in a bid to break roadblocks isolating the mine.
Regional UN decolonization seminar in Quito with Syrian rapporteur
The UN Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, also known as the Special Committee of 24, will hold its regional Pacific seminar on decolonization in Quito, Ecuador, from 30 May to 1 June 2012.
UK former union leader beats Latam candidate and is next ILO director general
The United Nations International Labor Organization on Monday selected a former trade union leader, Guy Ryder of Britain, to become its new director general, a position that puts him at the forefront of an agency pushing to improve labor conditions around the world.
Argentine human rights lawyer to become FIFA first head of Ethics Committee
FIFA, the official international governing body of football is set to appoint top human rights lawyer Luis Moreno Ocampo as the first head of the new Ethics committee’s investigation arm.
Spain calls on Europe for a show of force “to dissipate any doubts about the Euro”
Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy called for a show of force from European authorities as his government sought ways to avoid tapping markets to fund the bailout of the nation’s third-biggest lender.
