Asia
China party congress concludes ahead of political and military leadership announcements
China’s Communist Party has concluded a week-long congress today ahead of the unveiling of its new leadership tomorrow. More than 2,200 delegates met to select a new Central Committee in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People – that committee will meet on Thursday to endorse China’s top decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee. The new line-up will be closely watched for signs of China’s future economic and political direction. In his closing statement, President Hu Jintao – who will be replaced in March 2013 – said the congress had “replaced older leaders with younger ones” and made decisions of “far-reaching historical significance”. Military leadership will also change hands, with at least seven new members joining China’s 11-member Central Military Commission, which oversees its armed forces and thus the world’s largest standing army. The Commission’s generals swear allegiance to the Communist Party and cannot take unilateral military action, but have the ear of the Chinese leadership and thus some influence. The military transition comes at a sensitive time for China, with tension present beneath several regional issues.
Middle East
Israel foreign ministry proposes ‘toppling’ Abbas over Palestine UN bid
A position paper by Israel’s foreign ministry says “toppling” President Mahmoud Abbas is “the only option” if Palestine’s bid for UN non-member state status is approved, though warns Israel “would have to pay the consequences”. Mr Abbas will submit his request to the UN General Assembly on 29 November, and will face strong opposition from Israel and the United States, who say an independent state can only be achieved through negotiations. The Israeli position paper, leaked to the BBC, is intended for internal use and has not been endorsed by Israel’s Foreign Minister Avigor Liberman. However, Mr Liberman was quoted last week by Israeli TV media saying he would ensure the Palestinian Authority “collapses” if its bid goes ahead, and describing Mr Abbas as an “obstacle that needs to be removed”.
UAE restricts online dissent
The United Arab Emirates has tightened its laws on internet use, making it a criminal offence to mock its rulers or organise unauthorised demonstrations. A presidential decree says anyone who creates or runs a website or uses the internet to deride or damage the state or its institutions faces imprisonment. Since March, UAE authorities have detained without charge more than 60 civil society activists, some of whom have ties to Islah – a local group that advocates greater adherence to Islamic precepts – including human rights lawyers, judges and student leaders. Government and police officials have said the crackdown is a response to a foreign-inspired Islamist plot that aims to overthrow the government. The crackdown on online dissent is one major section among many, with others focusing on issues such as online fraud, privacy protection, prostitution and pornography.
Europe
Austerity protests staged across Europe as EU 2013 budget talks in crisis
Workers from countries across the entire European Union are staging a series of protests and strikes against rising unemployment and austerity measures. General strikes in Spain and Portugal halted transport, businesses and schools and led to clashes between police and protesters in Madrid. Smaller strikes were reported in Greece, Italy and Belgium, and rallies have been planned in other countries. Hundreds of flights in Spain and Portugal have been cancelled. The Europe-wide action has been coordinated by the European Trade Union Confederation, a spokesman for whom said austerity is not working: “it’s increasing inequalities, it’s increasing the social instability in society and it’s not resolving the economic crisis”. Some 40 groups from 23 countries are involved in today’s demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the European Union has reached deadlock in talks on next year’s EU budget, with governments refusing demands for extra money. Euro MPs refused to attend talks last night because the governments – called the Council – refused to approve an extra €9bn ($12bn) in “emergency funding” for the year. The European Commission will now have to redraft the 2013 budget plan with the UK, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden are pushing hardest for the EU to rein in spending.
Woman dies after abortion request ‘refused’
The death of a woman who was 17 weeks pregnant has become the subject of two investigations at University Hospital Galway in the Republic of Ireland. According to her family, Savita Halappanavar was admitted at the hospital on 21 October, and asked several times over a three-day period for her pregnancy to be terminated due to severe back pain and the fact she had been found to be miscarrying. Her family claimed her requests were refused because there was a foetal heartbeat. She died on 28 October after a further two and a half days in pain. An autopsy discovered the cause was septicaemia.
Eurasia
Putin approves new Russia treason law
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law redefining treason in Russia amid fears it may be used to stifle dissent. Now, not only can Russians working for foreign intelligence be convicted, but also citizens who pass state secrets to any foreign organisation. Even if no secrets have been divulged, the treason charge may still be used, as there is a lot of room for arbitrary interpretation of its definition: it is sufficient for defendants to provide consultancy or “other assistance” to a foreign body “directed against Russia’s security”. Human Rights campaigners believe the aim of the legislation is to scare Russians into cutting links with Western non-governmental organisations, which have been active in supporting anti-Putin protest groups in Russia in recent years.
Australasia
UN: Australia asylum camp conditions ‘unbearable’
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has criticised conditions at Australia’s recently reopened offshore processing camp for asylum seekers. Since its reopening a little over a month ago, the camp has seen hunger strikes by some detainees in protest against living conditions and the length of their detention. Ms Pillay said such strikes were an “indication of the unbearable conditions under which they’re being held”. Under the offshore processing policy, asylum seekers are sent to processing centres away from the Australian mainland – currently to Nauru island and soon to Manus island in Papua New Guinea – while their claims are assessed. The policy is intended to deter people from paying people smugglers and making the dangerous journey to Australia by boat, which has seen dozens of deaths as inadequate craft fall apart in violent seas or on rocks. Speaking to ABC radio, Ms Pillay said “detention of asylum seekers should be the last resort, not the first.”
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