May112017

UN experts urge India to restore internet and social media services in Jammu and Kashmir

United Nations
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11 May 2017 – Raising alarm over the impact of internet and social media restrictions imposed by authorities in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, United Nations human rights experts have called on the Government to protect the right to freedom of expression and to pursue an open and democratic dialogue to address the region’s social and political conflicts.

In a news release issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression and Michel Forst, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders stressed that the scope of the restrictions also undermined &#8220the Government’s stated aim of preventing dissemination of information that could lead to violence.&#8221

&#8220The internet and telecommunications bans have the character of collective punishment [and] fail to meet the standards required under international human rights law to limit freedom of expression,&#8221 said Mr. Kaye in the news release.

&#8220Denying such access disrupts the free exchange of ideas and the ability of individuals to connect with one another and associate peacefully on matters of shared concern,&#8221 added Mr. Forst.

The ban was imposed on 17 April following widespread student demonstrations.

According to information from the media and individuals in Kashmir, the Government blocked access to 22 websites and applications, including the messaging service WhatsApp, and social media Facebook and Twitter, noted the news release.

Denying such access disrupts the free exchange of ideas and the ability of individuals to connect with one another and associate peacefully on matters of shared concernSpecial Rapporetur Michel Forst

3G and 4G internet data services for mobile phones and other devices have also been suspended.

The news release also noted that since 2012, there have been an estimated 31 reported cases of social media and internet bans in the Indian state and such developments seemed to be a worrying pattern aimed at curbing protests and social unrest in the region.

&#8220We call on the Indian authorities to guarantee freedom of expression in Jammu and Kashmir and to seek a solution for the social and political conflicts of the region through an open, transparent and democratic dialogue,&#8221 the experts said.

Further in the release, the human rights experts also recalled the concerns raised by the UN Human Rights Council &#8211 the central inter-governmental body within the UN system responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe &#8211 over online disruptions and the call upon UN Member States to avoid such shutdowns.

Special Rapporteurs are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a specific human rights theme or a country situation. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.

May112017

Press release: Fine of £24,414 for fisheries offences

HM Government
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On 5 May 2017 Macduff Fishing Fleet Limited, owner of the scallop dredger “Cornelis Gert Jan” and its three masters Pawel Czerniak, Oliver Hughes and Robert Watt pleaded guilty to breaches of the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967 at Worthing Magistrates Court.

The court heard how the vessel was permitted to retain non-quota species as a bycatch of its main catch of scallops. However, it had fished on a number of occasions in an area known to contain mixed species where a bycatch of quota species was inevitable.

Investigations by the MMO identified that £6,000 worth of sole and anglerfish had been landed by the vessel in the period between 5 May 2015 and 26 November 2015. This was in breach of the vessel’s licence.

While it was acknowledged that the company had provided landing data in the form of log sheets and sales notes electronically during the period, the MMO system would not necessarily pick up on potential breaches of licence conditions. The Court accepted that it was, in any event, incumbent on the masters and owners to ensure they did not retain any species on their vessel which were prohibited by their licence.

Macduff Fishing Fleet Limited (vessel owner) were fined £12,000, with an additional fine of £6057.67 to the value of the fish involved in the offending, costs of £4,758.75 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Mr Hughes (vessel master) was fined £580, Mr Watt (vessel master) was fined £678 and Mr Czernia (vessel master) was fined £220.00. These fines included a victim surcharge.

May112017

Press release: Fine of £24,414 for fisheries offences

DEFRA
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On 5 May 2017 Macduff Fishing Fleet Limited, owner of the scallop dredger “Cornelis Gert Jan” and its three masters Pawel Czerniak, Oliver Hughes and Robert Watt pleaded guilty to breaches of the Sea Fish Conservation Act 1967 at Worthing Magistrates Court.

The court heard how the vessel was permitted to retain non-quota species as a bycatch of its main catch of scallops. However, it had fished on a number of occasions in an area known to contain mixed species where a bycatch of quota species was inevitable.

Investigations by the MMO identified that £6,000 worth of sole and anglerfish had been landed by the vessel in the period between 5 May 2015 and 26 November 2015. This was in breach of the vessel’s licence.

While it was acknowledged that the company had provided landing data in the form of log sheets and sales notes electronically during the period, the MMO system would not necessarily pick up on potential breaches of licence conditions. The Court accepted that it was, in any event, incumbent on the masters and owners to ensure they did not retain any species on their vessel which were prohibited by their licence.

Macduff Fishing Fleet Limited (vessel owner) were fined £12,000, with an additional fine of £6057.67 to the value of the fish involved in the offending, costs of £4,758.75 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Mr Hughes (vessel master) was fined £580, Mr Watt (vessel master) was fined £678 and Mr Czernia (vessel master) was fined £220.00. These fines included a victim surcharge.

May112017

International Arthur film showcases Wales during Year of Legends

Welsh Government
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During Wales Year of Legends, the new epic film from Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures – King Arthur: Legend of the Sword releases internationally 12 May and UK wide 19 May showcasing some of Wales epic landscapes which will inspire international audiences to find out more about Wales’ wealth of legends and links with Arthur.

Thursday 11 May 2017

In the lead up to the release date, Visit Wales has partnered with VisitBritain  on a digital campaign ‘Where Stories Become Legends’ which showcases legendary locations in King Arthur’s Britain to an international audience. The campaign features an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of writer/director/producer Guy Ritchie, writer/producer Lionel Wigram and the film’s stars Charlie Hunnam and Jude Law on location talking about the epic British landscapes used in King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and the emotions they inspire – film can be viewed on this link: Exclusive behind-the-scenes video on location for King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (external link).  

Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates, said: 

“The release of the film during our Year of Legends is perfect timing as we explore Wales’ many legends and bring the past to life this year.   

The film is a high profile showcase to Wales’ epic scenery as well as to our potential as a film location. This is the latest in a long line of high profile productions that have filmed on location in Wales, with support from Wales Screen, helping to boost local economies and promote the stunning locations on offer, internationally. 

I hope that the film will inspire many to visit us during our Year of Legends, and to take part in their own epic story during 2017.”

The locations from the film include Llyn Gwynant, Capel Curig and the  Wye Valley.

BAFTA Cymru and Pontio have secured a special preview screening of the new film ahead of the UK release date.   Audiences in Wales will have an opportunity to see the magic up on the big screen in the Pontio  Arts and Innovation Centre, Bangor, North Wales on Sunday 14 May at 8pm. 

This is the latest film to hit the cinema screens which has been filmed in Wales.  further information on other films featuring Wales can be found on this link: Epic film locations (external link). 

May112017

New figures show that Theresa May is failing millions of NHS patients – Jonathan Ashworth

Labour
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Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, commenting on

NHS England Combined
Performance Statistics

for March released today, said:

“Theresa May’s winter crisis is stretching into summer and it is
NHS patients who are paying the price. The Tories have caused chaos in A&E
and have admitted that waiting times are only going to continue to grow. The
truth is that standards of care for NHS patients have collapsed this winter
because years of Tory underinvestment have left staff unable to cope with
rising demand, and cuts to out of hospital care have left patients stuck in
hospital even when they’re well enough to go home.

“Thousands more people are waiting for A&E care and routine
treatment every week because of the failures of this Tory Government. Behind
every one of these statistics is a patient and their family in pain because of
Theresa May’s refusal to give the health service the funding it needs.

“At
this election only Labour are promising to give the NHS the funding it needs to
deliver the standards of care which patients expect. By guaranteeing and
upholding the standards of service to which patients are legally entitled under
the NHS Constitution Labour will help millions of people who are being failed
by Theresa May and the Conservative Government.”