23-01-2020 The assassination of Iranian General Suleimani by an American Reaper drone has led to rising tensions in the Middle East. The same weekend in Libya, a rocket fired by an Emirati drone killed dozens of government recruits.
Humanitarian Disarmament17-01-2020 Over the past weeks the tensions between the US and Iran escalated with the assassination of general Qasem Suleimani, head of the Iranian al-Quds force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandes, deputy commander of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Iran retaliated with missile attacks on US military targets. The tragic downing of the Ukrainian plane showed how civilians are at risk and disregarded in this escalation.
Middle East15-01-2020 Six managers of mining company Drummond have been interrogated in a criminal investigation that has recently been started by the Colombian public prosecution. A total of 12 new testimonies shed light on the alleged links between Drummond and paramilitaries that are deemed responsible for many deaths and displacements in the region in the 1996-2006 period. Displaced communities have reacted by emphasizing their right to remedy and the need for a dialogue between mining companies and victims on truth and reconciliation.
Natural Resources, Conflict & Human Rights, Colombia13-01-2020 Anna Timmerman, a born optimist who wants to touch people’s lives, has started work in her new role as PAX’s new General Director. Timmerman has fought for human rights both privately and professionally and will continue to do so at PAX. Hein Bosman spoke with her recently about peace, getting life lessons from her young children and the impact of the digital era on societies worldwide.
The Netherlands24-12-2019 Russian and Syrian planes cause death and destruction in the towns and villages in southern Idlib, Syria. Targets of the attacks include houses, bakeries, and market places. Civilians who try to escape the violence are attacked and shot at on the roads they hoped would lead to safety.
Middle East19-12-2019 As we celebrate Christmas and look forward to a new year, it’s a good time to reflect on the year that was.
12-12-2019 Amidst growing awareness of the linkages between environment, peace and security, PAX and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) were invited by the governments of Estonia, Germany, Kuwait, and Peru to brief UN Security Council members at an Arria-formula meeting on protection of the environment in armed conflict (PERAC) on December 9, 2019.
Humanitarian Disarmament09-12-2019 PAX joins forces with other international and Syrian organizations in call for transparency and justice for the thousands of missing and detained people in Syria.
Middle East05-12-2019 Despite many issues concerning the use of armed drones, discussions are absent on the legal, ethical, and strategic aspects of using them. “While the EU is taking ambitious steps to improve defence cooperation and capabilities, it risks losing sight of sustainable solutions for security issues”, says Foeke Postma, senior program officer at PAX. “This becomes especially clear when looking at the EU’s development of armed drones.”
Humanitarian Disarmament28-11-2019 Of the ten largest Dutch pension funds, nine invest a total of more than one billion euros in dubious weapons manufacturers.
Humanitarian Disarmament