George Floyd Protests Highlight Social Injustice, 'Endemic' Racial Bias in US, UN Official Says
The UN Human Rights chief went on to urge everyone "take a stand [and] speak up" against racism in the world, arguing that it's everyone's responsibility via a post on Twitter.
For a week now US cities have been rocked by large-scale protests against police brutality, negligence towards the black population, and those of colour following unarmed African American resident of Minneapolis, George Floyd, being killed by the police.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has stated that the protests, currently happening in the US, highlight a whole array of issues in American society. She noted that among them are not only police violence against people of colour, but also inequalities seen in health, education, employment, as well as "endemic racial discrimination".
States need not only to focus on the current impact of these disparities on groups and communities facing racial discrimination, but also on their root causes", Bachelet said addressing countries around the globe to work on the issue.
Bachelet stated that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a "devastating impact" on people of African descent and ethnic minorities, not only in the US, but also in the UK, Brazil, and France. She added that the virus simply exposed the underlying problems in these societies that have remained unresolved for "too long".
The UN Human Rights chief went on to urge everyone "take a stand [and] speak up" against racism in the world, arguing that it's everyone's responsibility via a post on Twitter.
Protests Engulf American Cities
Numerous US cities have been seeing major protests and violent riots for a week now, which started in the wake of the killing of an unarmed African American man, George Floyd, by Minneapolis police during his arrest. One of the police officers placed his knees on Floyd's neck and back, preventing him from breathing normally even as he begged for air.
What started as local protests in Minneapolis have spread from coast to coast, reaching Washington DC and the White House specifically, with many demonstrations turning violent and resulting in vandalism and looting sprees. While some mayors and governors have decided to call in the National Guard to stop the violence, others have refrained from doing so, drawing the ire of US President Donald Trump.
POTUS has condemned the lack of action by some local authorities and threatened to deploy "additional federal assets" in the form of troops if local police forces are unable to deal with the rioters. In addition to this, Trump has accused the Antifa movement of being the masterminds behind the riots and the violence during the protests, vowing to blacklist the group as a terrorist organisation.
Source: sputniknews.com
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
relevant news
Photo Exhibition "Unexplored Kazakhstan" Opened in the Bulgarian City of Plovdiv
Images | Kazakh MFA
At the initiative of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Plovdiv, the official opening of the thematic photo exhibition "Unexplored Kazakhstan" dedicated to the nature and tourism potential of our country took place on the Central Square of the city. The event was attended by the leadership of the city and the region, representatives of the local intelligentsia, the Kazakh diaspora, the Bulgarian public and the media, press service of the Kazakh MFA reports.
In his welcoming speech, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Bulgaria Viktor Temirbayev stressed that Kazakhstan is a country with an extremely rich history and culture, located in the heart of Eurasia, at the crossroads of the world's oldest civilizations, at the intersection of transport arteries, economic and social, cultural and ideological ties between East and West, South and North, between Europe and Asia. The Kazakh diplomat noted that all this served as a powerful foundation in the formation of modern Kazakhstan as a strong, independent and dynamically developing state.
In his welcoming speech, Deputy Mayor of Plovdiv Plamen Panov highlighted the achievements in the development of Kazakhstan, noted the high level of bilateral relations. In addition, the Deputy Mayor spoke highly about the fascinating nature of Kazakhstan.
In turn, Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan Plamen Panchev stressed that the vector of cultural and humanitarian cooperation between the regions of Kazakhstan and Bulgaria will continue to develop for the benefit of our people.
The guests of the event were able to enjoy photographs of unique nature, landscapes of picturesque landscapes, flora and fauna of Kazakhstan.
This photo exhibition will be open to residents and visitors of the city until April 30, 2024.
Plovdiv is the second largest city in Bulgaria, which is more than 8000 years old, leading its chronicle from prehistoric times to the present day, and is the most dynamically developing center of Southern Bulgaria.
The Honorary Consulate of Kazakhstan in Plovdiv has been open since December 15, 2023.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Over 300 babies born in flood-stricken areas in Kazakhstan
325 babies were born in the regions of Kazakhstan that declared recently a local state of emergency due to flooding. 387 pregnant women are under the doctor’s care, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Most babies were born in Kostanay, Aktobe and West Kazakhstan regions since the beginning of the floods, Aigerim Urazaliyeva, the Kazakh Healthcare Ministry’s official spokesperson, said.
5,035 children from flood-hit regions are staying at temporary shelters of which 62 were taken to hospitals.
She noted over 1,000 people sought psychological assistance.
7,617 flood victims have chronic diseases. All of them are monitored by health workers, she added.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
2 schools shifted to online learning amid flooding in N Kazakhstan
Images | Depositphotos
347 pupils of two schools switched to online learning amid flooding in North Kazakhstan, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Schools were temporarily shifted to online teaching in Zarechnyi and Pokrovka villages as the River Yessil overflowed.
All villagers of Zarechnyi were evacuated amid flood risks. Ice jams triggered flooding in Pokrovka village leaving tens of homes on Beregovaya Street underwater.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
First Kazakh Senate Speaker passes away
Images | senate.parlam.kz
An outstanding statesman, the first Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan (1996-1999), Baigeldi Omirbek has passed away today in Astana, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Senate’s press service.
Baigeldi Omirbek was born in 1939 in Dzhambul region, KazSSR.
Baigeldi Omirbek served as the deputy of the Parliament of Kazakhstan of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th convocations. He worked at the Senate for more than 16 years.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.
Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China officially opens in Beijing
Images | Kunsultan Otarbai/Kazinform
The Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China has been opened in a grand ceremony at the China National Opera House in Beijing, Kazinform News Agency reports.
As part of the ceremony, an ethno-auyl (village) and the cultural events are being presented before the China National Opera House building.
Addressing the guests and participants of the event were Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party Li Shulei, Kazakh Sport and Tourism Minister Yermek Marzhikpayev and Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Sun Yeli.
Opening the festive gala concert was the theatrical choreographic performance ‘Yer saltanaty’ by the soloists of the Abay Opera House, artists of the Astana Ballet Theatre and the ‘Shattyq’ Dance Theatre.
People's artist of Kazakhstan Roza Rymbaeva, honored artist of Kazakhstan Mayra Mukhamedkyzy, opera singer Zarina Altynbaeva, ethno-rock group ‘Ulytau’, choir group of Abai Kazakh State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater, ensembles ‘Serper’ and ‘Sazgen Sazy’ and the ballet troupe ‘Astana Ballet’ will take part in the concert dedicated to the opening of the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China.
This information may not be reproduced without reference to Kazakhstan Today. Copyright of materials of News Agency Kazakhstan Today.