Tag: Human rights

YouTube: Inquisition-style verdict

Blog, freedom of speech, Human rights, International, World

Brussels 24.09.2026 Today I have recevied one more vague letter regarding the reasons for closing my channel for 90 days. Plenty of words without any evidence of violation. (Image: courtesy Portuguese Gravity)
Here is the “final answer” from the YouTube:
“Thank you for taking time to write back.
“I understand that you strongly disagree with our enforcement decision and are seeking a specific breakdown of which aspect of the policy your video violated, especially when comparing your content to major news networks.
“As previously stated, your video was reviewed by our Trust and Safety team and found to violate our policy regarding violent extremists or criminal organizations. When a video is removed under this policy, it means the content was found to be produced by, or was glorifying, violent criminal or terrorist organizations.
“While we recognize that you are reporting on a global news event as a journalist, our internal specialists evaluated your specific video and determined that the way the content was presented did not meet the strict requirements for an Educational, Documentary, Scientific, or Artistic (EDSA) exception.
“For security reasons, we do not provide line-by-line breakdowns or timestamps of policy violations, nor do we debate comparisons with other channels’ content. If you believe other channels are violating our policies, we encourage you to use the reporting tool on those specific videos.
“Because the specialized team has fully reviewed your appeal and their decision is final, we will not be conducting another review or overturning this strike. As we have provided all the available context regarding this enforcement, we consider this specific matter closed and cannot offer any further escalations.”

As you see from the text above there is no explanation offered for the decision to deprive me of freedom of speech for 90 days. The shutting down of my YouTube channel for three months leads to a total loss of the audience. There is a clear intention to damage, and destroy me as an influencer.
Why? Why leave exactly the same information with the TV channels unhindered? I have an explanation: we, the creators, are used to attracting audiences, and are being removed as soon as we start competing with the TV channels.
In the piece destroyed by the YouTube censors I have informed the audiences about the death of Prigozhin in the plane crash earlier than the big broadcasters, and quoted competent sources – PMC Wagner themselves.
Meanwhile the TV channels are failing miserably, losing trust of the spectators, who are switching to more trusted sources as bloggers, and influencers.

https://platform.x.com/widgets.js

As you see the TV channels entered the digital platforms, and tried to collect missing views in this format, cutting their news production in shorter videos, mimicKing the style of bloggers, and podcasters.

If comparing the situation with the words of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan the structure of the “foodchain” is as follows: welcoming the newcomers who are potential audience for the TV Channels presented on the platform; attract them by the original content of the creators, let them grow until a few of them are becoming competitors, and they erase them.
My channel was silenced after I got 125K subscribers, and millions of views.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has frequently emphasized that supporting and empowering newcomers is a core priority for the platform. Since taking over as CEO in 2023, Mohan has focused on growing the creator economy and expanding monetization so that hundreds of thousands of new creators can earn money for the first time. In his official annual strategy letters and interviews, Mohan’s approach to welcoming new voices on the platform. Yes, they are the spectators, and soon as they are competitive creators representing the alternative to the TV Channels they are kicked out.
Look at me now!

YouTube: my channel arrest for “intentions”?!

Politics, World, Conflict, Human rights, International, Blog, freedom of speech

Brussels 23.09.2026 Today I received an answer from YouTube support which remained vague. The relation between my announcement of death of the boss of the “criminal organisation”*, and the accusations of the Community Rules violations are not established. All the other announcements of the same event stayd on display on YouTube. The event was reported globaly considered of pulibc importance.
YouTube answer: “We understand your concerns regarding the recent policy action taken on your video, especially given your long-standing career in international journalism and the presence of similar reporting across major news outlets.

Content intended to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations is not allowed on YouTube. These organizations are not allowed to use YouTube for any purpose, including recruitment. In some cases, we may make exceptions for content with educational, documentary, scientific or artistic context, including content that is in the public’s interest.

We may terminate your channel or account for repeated violations of the Community Guidelines or Terms of Service. We may also terminate your channel or account after a single case of severe abuse, or when the channel is dedicated to a policy violation. We may prevent repeat offenders from taking policy trainings in the future. Learn more about channel or account terminations.

I understand your frustration, but please know that we have thoroughly investigated your request and, I’m afraid there is nothing more I can add at this stage. ”

My answer today:
“Thank you for your answer.
However it doesn’t contain specific information about the grounds of the measure taken against me.
You write: ““Content intended to praise, promote, or aid violent extremist or criminal organizations is not allowed on YouTube”, pointing to three unacceptable intentions:

Intention to praise criminal organizations
Intention to promote criminal organizations
Intention to aid criminal organizations

Which of them did you apply to my video?
Taking into consideration the gravity of the stigma YouTube cast on me as a journalist, these accusations can not be taken lightly.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan has already made a number of public promises to improve the system, and I count on his promises.
So far I haven’t received any explanation how the rule you have quoted correlates with the information I had released on the death of the boss of the criminal organisation on August 23, 2023 three years ago.

It was reported on a global scale, and all the other announcements of the same event are left on YouTube display unhindered. I have already sent you a list of the TV channels presented on your platform with exactly the same information.”

Please find the information in my preiouvs posts.
Those who would like to stand for freedom of speech, can sing a petition below:
https://www.change.org/p/stop-neal-mohan-from-being-ceo-of-youtube?source_location=topics_page

Общая ситуация со свободой слова в Европе – описание здесь:

Ukraine: accession and hurdles

Blog, Conflict, EU, Human rights, Politics

Brussels 25.06.2024 The EU today held the first Intergovernmental Conference at ministerial level to open accession negotiations with Ukraine.

This follows the decision by the European Council on 14-15 December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine, and the approval by the Council of the Negotiating Framework for the negotiations with Ukraine on 21 June, in accordance with the revised enlargement methodology.

The EU delegation was led by Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Belgium, accompanied by Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi. The delegation of Ukraine was led by Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna.

The EU reiterated its resolute condemnation of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and stated its readiness to continue to support Ukraine and its people against Russia’s ongoing war for as long as it takes and as intensely as needed.

The EU underlined that Ukraine is already a close partner of the EU.  Its Association Agreement with the EU, which also includes the far-reaching Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, entered into force in 2017 and has been provisionally applied since 2014. It is the basis for extensive cooperation between the EU and Ukraine in a broad range of areas. The EU and Ukraine are closely aligned on foreign and security policy, and the EU encourages Ukraine to continue its positive trend towards full alignment with the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The EU has now invited the Commission to continue to assess the state of preparedness of Ukraine for opening negotiations in specific areas and identify the issues that will most likely come up in the negotiations, starting with the fundamentals’ cluster which, in accordance with the Negotiating Framework, will be opened first.

As a future member state, Ukraine will be expected to continue to adhere to the values listed in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union, namely the respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities.

At present there are a number of questions regarding the human rights, namely the
The Treaty on European Union sets out the conditions (Article 49) and principles (Article 6(1)) to which any country wishing to become a member of the European Union (EU) must conform.

Certain criteria must be met for accession. These criteria known as the Copenhagen criteria were established by the Copenhagen European Council in 1993 and strengthened by the Madrid European Council in 1995.

They are:

    • stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and protection of minorities;
    • a functioning market economy and the ability to cope with competitive pressure and market forces within the EU;
    • the ability to take on the obligations of membership, including the capacity to effectively implement the rules, standards and policies that make up the body of EU law (the ‘ acquis ’), and adherence to the aims of political, economic and monetary union.

Ukraine faces unprecedented challenges affecting gender equality and the enjoyment of equal rights and opportunites by women, particularly those facing multiple forms of discrimination. Structural discrimination of women persists in both the public and private spheres to varying extents in the country. The roots can be found in patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes, as well as deeply entrenched systemic gaps.

Clearly at present the human rights in Ukraine are not respected as declared by the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights which guarantees the EU citizens’ rights. The Charter lays down the fundamental rights that are binding upon EU institutions and bodies. It also applies to national governments when they are implementing EU law.

Ukraine faces unprecedented challenges affecting gender equality and the enjoyment of equal rights and opportunites by women, particularly those facing multiple forms of discrimination. Structural discrimination of women persists in both the public and private spheres to varying extents in the country. The roots can be found in patriarchal attitudes and stereotypes, as well as deeply entrenched systemic gaps.

Russia suspended from UN HRC Geneva

Blog, International, Politics

Brussels 07.04.2022 Today UN’s general assembly on Thursday, April 7, voted to suspend Russia from the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, in a new international reaction to Kremlin over the invasion of Ukraine and alleged atrocities, especially in the town of Bucha near the capital.

Ninety-three (93) UN members approved Russia’s suspension — the first imposed on any permanent member of the UN Security Council.

However, 24 UN members, including China, Iran, Bolivia and Kazakhstan, voted against Russia’s suspension. Another 58 countries abstained, including India, Indonesia and Egypt, showing that a wide range of countries are either siding with Moscow or remaining neutral as the military conflict continues.

Reacting upon the news Russian diplomat Gennady Kuzmin from the mission to the UN, said that the Human Rights Council has been in fact “monopolised by a single group of states that exploits the mechanism to achieve their opportunistic goals”.
“These states over years have either engaged in gross and mass violations of human rights or showed indulgence towards such”.

Europarliament imposes COVID19 Certificate

Blog, EU, Europe, Human rights, Uncategorized

Brussels 31.10.2021 EP’s Bureau decided that the request to present an EU Digital COVID Certificate to access Parliament’s buildings will be extended to all people wishing to enter, reads the announcement on the site of the European Parliament.

As of November 3, all people entering Parliament’s buildings in its three places will be requested to present a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate, including journalists. The EU Digital COVID certificate proves that a person is either fully vaccinated, has immunity after having recovered from COVID-19 or can show a recent negative PCR test result. Both digital and paper formats of the EU Digital COVID Certificate or of a recognised equivalent certificate will be accepted.

A proof of a negative result of a PCR test carried out within the last 48 hours in Belgium, Luxembourg or France will also be accepted.

Please note that the existing precautionary measures like the compulsory wearing of a medical face mask and temperature checks at entrances remain in place.

The measure, taken by the Bureau will enable MEPs the return to in-person meetings for parliamentary activities, while continuing to guarantee safety. The decision takes into account the specificity of the European Parliament, an Institution gathering MEPs and other actors travelling to and from different Member States on a regular basis and the significant differences in vaccination level in Member States, according to the latest ECDC data. Please note that the measure was already in place for all external visitors since the beginning of September.

Personal data retrieved from the Certificate during the scanning process will only encompass the name of the holder, the authenticity and the validity of the Certificate. The personal data will be processed in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 and its use will be strictly limited to granting access to Parliament’s buildings. Personal data will not be stored, recorded or retained locally or externally or transferred to any other Union body or third party.

Navalny wins Sakharov Prize

Blog, EU, Human rights

Strasbourg 20.10.2021 Sakharov Prize for Navalny is completely justified: “It is quite right that the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought should be awarded to Navalny. Alexei Navalny is constantly opposing Vladimir Putin’s regime, despite the Russian president’s efforts to silence him in every possible way.” That is the reaction of MEP Peter van Dalen (ChristenUnie) to the announcement just now.

By awarding the Sakharov Prize to Alexei Navalny, the European Parliament is giving the Russian opposition a great boost, says Van Dalen: “We are making it clear loud and clear that Putin’s attempts to silence opponents are not working.” Navalny was nominated by the EPP group for the Sakharov Prize more than a month ago, after MEP Peter van Dalen (Christian Union) nominated him. He then justified it as follows: “Navalny deserves this award for his continued resistance to Putin and his regime. For this fight he almost paid the highest price: his life. He has been bullied, harassed, imprisoned, arrested, poisoned and re-arrested countless times since 2006.”

According to Van Dalen, the former opposition leader stands for human rights, open democracy and transparency and advocates reforms against corruption in Russia: “The result of this, however, is that he is now in a Russian prison camp. As far as I am concerned, there is therefore no other person who meets the criteria of this award as well as Navalny. He is truly committed to freedom of thought.” Van Dalen hopes that a large group in Russia may feel supported by this award: “In addition to Navalny, we also honor the enormous list of others who have become victims of Putin’s regime in recent years. Navalny is therefore the icon of resistance against the dictator in Moscow.”
The official presentation of the Sakharov Prize is on December 15 in Strasbourg.

“Back from Davos” event under siege

Blog, Europe

The unnamed protestors gathered to prevent the evening debate “Back from Davos” which is held annually in Brussels, and during which European and national politicians, business leaders and representatives of civil society exchange their views on the main conclusions of the World Economic Forum. The freedom of assembly was violated in the name of disliking of “absence of transparency” of Davos Economic Forum yearly gathering.

The activists, who presented themselves vaguely as “defenders of social and climate justice, yellow vests, unionists”, intended to padlock each other to block the entrance to the business club located at Place Poelaert, opposite the Palace of Justice.

The police, apparently informed of the preparation of their action, prevented the troublemakers from storming into the building.

The protestors prvented participants from entering the building, in a brutal violation of the freedom of assembely. Apparently they denied the fundamental rights and freedoms to the guests of the event, imposing their will as only valid reason:
“We do not want you come in! We do not want to allowed anyone in!!” they screamed, unimpressed by the press card.

However the discussion with the President of the European Research Council Mauro Ferrari and Brussels Bureau Chief of the The Wall Street Journal Dan Michaels successfully began at 6:00 pm.

Mauro Ferrari,59, is a nanoscientist acknowledged for leadership in founding the field of nanomedicine and serving as special expert on nanotechnology for the National Cancer Institute (2003-2005) where he was instrumental in establishing the Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer in 2004.

28/01/2020 AMENDEMENT:

Congo: EU sanctions failed again

Africa, Blog, World

The expulsion of the EU Ambassador Bart Ouvry from the Democratic Republic of Congo is a serious blow to the image of already weakened by Brexit block. In multi-polar world Congo will be not short of friends and those, willing to co-operate with one of the richest African nations. The EU is losing again its positions, due to its outdated foreign policy, inclined to give unsolicited advise and tutorials on democracy and human rights. The price to pay is high – in face of one diplomat, Congolese government turns its back on 28 European states for at least a decay to come.

The EU insistence on prolongation of sanctions on Presidential candidate, Interior minister Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary,  who is the incumbent President’s chosen successor, shows a very poor analysis and judgement of the situation in Congo, especially in view of a broader trend of political longevity of African leaders. It is highly likely that Kabila‘s protégé will win the bid, and it is certain, that he will not forgive and forget the position of Brussels diplomacy.

“Africa’s future is also our future,” said the European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said recently at high level Africa-EU Forum in Vienna. However, if the course of the EU foreign policy remains unchanged,  and rigid, soon Europe will be excluded from African future without reverse, and Africa’  future will be shared with Chinese, Indians, and Arabs.

So far the EU politics of sanctions failed wherever it was applied conducted at costs of growth and jobs, leading to impoverishment of Europeans, whose despair erupted in Yellow Vests protests in France. But who will criticize French Minister of interior for an excessive use of force against the protectors?..  Who will apply sanctions against the Interior Minister?..  Quod licet iovi non licet bovi… (What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to a bull – Latin proverb).

Congo’s most important export partners are: China (24% of total exports) followed by South Africa (22%) and the European Union (4%). Main imports are: foodstuffs, fuel, textiles and machinery, and leading partners: Angola (15%), France (13%) and Singapore (10%).

Orban: lion’s uproar

Blog, EU, Politics

Farewell l to a shy and clumsy man with blushing cheeks, –Viktor Orban, whom once president Juncker was jokingly slapping and calling  the“dictator”.

The times of jokes are over, and there are no traces of shyness left.

Vikor Orban showed his true self, answering to the adoption of the Article 7 European Parliament resolution with the lion’s uproar, reminding to the EU of a power of a democratically elected leader of a nations state.

The clash between nation and supranational construction as the European Union has never been so dramatic – it is the first time in the history of the bloc that Members of the European Parliament voted to reprimand a state for its independent policy, while Hungarians openly called the action a “revenge” for reluctance to follow the EU migration strategy opening arms to flows of illegals on humanitarian grounds.

Formally the Resolution based on Socialist MEP Judith Sargentini report accuses Hungary of disrespect and violations of human rights.

Elected upon the resistance of the Hungarians to follow
French and German model of hosting flows of illegal migrants from Africa and Middle East, Orban holds mandate from Hungarian nation
to protect “Europan Chrisitan values“, and insists that when
his country joined the club of nations nobody ever mentioned
a obligation to abandon protection of the EU outside borders,
and massively accept illegals.

Orban positioned himself a as true defender of “European values”,
unlike his opponents, who flooded Europe with descendants from
other civilizations carrying different, and often conflicting
with the modern European lifestyle views.

So far Orban didn’t react upon Nigel Farage “invitation” to follow the UK path and show back to the EU. On multiple occasions Orban underlined Hungarians are the most loyal Europeans and they sill believe in the EU, so at present they don’t consider the exit scenario.

In spite of Orban‘s intentions to ‘make peace’ with the EU, it is obvious, that the arrogance of Brussels, imposing the policy of globalists eager to flood graying Europe with cheap labor force, will inevitably push Hungarians
to the exit door, and there is no compromise possible.

The bitter irony of the situation that the EU member-state, which openly and massively abuses human rights – Spain, crushing Catalan attempts to organize independent referendum, and jailing Catalan politicians, – Spain did not receive any criticism from the European Parliament. No resolution in support of the human rights of jailed Catalan politicians has been issued so far, and nobody expects it will be in the nearest future.

However it is difficult to imagine most unsuitable time for sorting out relations with Orban, than the European Parliament election year.Imposition of illegal migrants, who in public debate already became just ‘migrants’, attempting to make Europeans forget the criminal  nature of human trafficking, continues to rise anti-EU sentiment, and pushing Hungarians away. Ceteris paribus!

 

Kosovo: bleeding wounds

Uncategorized

kosovo-church

“Many victims of the 1998-1999 war in Kosovo*,  in particular displaced persons, families of missing persons and victims of wartime sexual violence, are still trying to re-build their  lives, find out the truth about their loved ones and access justice.”

“The on-going political deliberations have not focused sufficiently on the needs of victims, leaving them with the feeling of abandonment and hopelessness. A paradigm shift is necessary in order to put the victims at the centre of the political dialogue, and prioritise their human rights,” – said today the Council of Europe  Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, at the end of his four-day mission to Kosovo.

The Commissioner is concerned that more than 15 years after the conflict around 16 500 persons belonging to all communities remain internally displaced in Kosovo, while some 20 000 displaced persons from Kosovo to Serbia have not yet managed to return home despite their wish. About 470 displaced persons are accommodated in 29 collective centres throughout Kosovo, including the collective centre “Samacki dom”, in northern Mitrovica, that the Commissioner visited.