Sheriff Appeal Court remits interlocutor based on sheriff’s inadequate reasoning to new sheriff for reconsideration

By Mitchell Skilling

The sheriff initially granted the mother, who was the pursuer in the original case, residence orders in respect of all three children, aged between 6 and 10, and contact orders in respect of two of them were granted to the defender, their father. An appeal and cross-appeal were lodged against these decisions, which were reached after five years of litigation between the parties.

The appeal was heard by Sheriffs Principal Aisha Anwar and Nigel Ross, along with Appeal Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen. Ms Colledge, solicitor, appeared for the defender and appellant and Dewar QC and Ms Cartwright, advocate, for the pursuer and cross-appellant.

Violent conduct

Decree of divorce was granted to the parties in February 2019. There were three children from the relationship, AM, BM, and CM, who were 10, 8, and 6 respectively. The pursuer was granted a residence order in respect of all three children in 2021, with the defender granted contact with only BM and CM. It was recorded in the sheriff’s findings that AM had witnessed the defender being violent to the pursuer on at least one occasion and had expressed great reluctance to contact.

It was the defender’s case that the sheriff’s decision was irrational and that he had failed to give proper consideration to AM’s welfare and benefit to her of contact with the defender. Further, his decision represented an unwarranted interference with his article 8 right to a family life, and he had erred by treating AM’s views as determinative of the question of contact between them.

In her cross-appeal, the pursuer appealed on the ground that the sheriff had failed to have regard to the ability of the parties to cooperate in light of his findings relating to the defender’s violent conduct. He had further failed to provide any reasoning as to why contact handovers could take place at the pursuer’s home.

During the proof, a joint expert witness, Dr Edward, expressed the opinion that contact between the children and the defender would not be successful while AM and BM held the view that he was a negative presence in their lives. It was the pursuer’s submission that the sheriff had failed to adequately explain why he had rejected this evidence.

Erroneous approach

Delivering the opinion of the court, Sheriff Principal Anwar began: “It is clear that the appeals must be allowed. While the appeal and the cross appeal consist of distinct grounds of appeal, properly understood each has its genesis in the sheriff’s erroneous approach to Ordinary Cause Rules which has led in turn to a decision which is inadequately reasoned and which fails to deal with the substantive issues.”

Analysing the sufficiency of the sheriff’s reasoning, she said: “The terse style in which the sheriff has expressed his decision gives rise to both concern and challenges for this court. It has left the parties and this court questioning why the sheriff made the orders he did. The sheriff heard evidence from eight witnesses including the pursuer, the defender and an expert witness. In addition, several affidavits were lodged by both parties. The proof lasted five days. The sheriff’s note consists of five pages, two of which set out his findings in fact.”

She continued: “In cases involving craves for orders in terms of section 11 of the 1995 Act, it is incumbent upon the sheriff to identify and resolve the relevant material issues of fact, provide a clear and intelligible explanation as to what facts have been found to be established and why, and thereafter to explain how the law has been applied to the facts. Importantly, it is incumbent upon the sheriff to consider and apply the terms of section 11(7) and (7A) to (7D) of the 1995 Act. Viewed in light of these considerations, the sheriff’s decision falls short.”

Highlighting the sheriff’s handling of the findings concerning the defender’s violence to the pursuer being witnessed by AM, Sheriff Principal Anwar explained further: “There is no qualitative or quantitative analysis of the incident or incidents referred to. Nor is there any discussion as to whether the sheriff accepts that this finding amounts to ‘abuse’ in terms of section 11(7C). There is no link with the effect this may have on the parties’ ability to co-operate with each other in terms of section 11(7D). That omission is striking when considered in light of the sheriff’s decision to order contact handovers to take place at the pursuer’s home.”

On the appropriate disposal, she concluded: “Reading the transcripts is unlikely to assist this court in making findings in fact in relation to highly contentious matters such as the extent and nature of the allegations of abuse, its effect or lack thereof upon the pursuer and the children and the underlying reasons for the children’s reluctance to attend for contact with the defender. Regrettably, the most sensible way forward is for this court to recall the sheriff’s interlocutor of 16 July 2021 and remit the cause to another sheriff to proceed as accords.”

Both the appeal and the cross-appeal were therefore allowed, and the interlocutor of the sheriff recalled.

Report on reform of legal services regulation in Scotland welcomed

The Scottish government has today published its analysis of responses to its recent consultation on reforming the regulation of legal services.

The report, Legal Services Regulation Reform in Scotland: Consultation Analysis, and the published responses, confirm that there is strong consensus from all respondents on reforms to the processes for regulating legal services and that professional bodies should maintain a role in complaint handling.

The Law Society has backed reforms to the way legal services are regulated, but has cautioned against the creation of new regulatory bodies as unnecessary and expensive.

Law Society president, Murray Etherington, said: “The report shows widespread support for the reforms suggested by the Law Society of Scotland such as introducing entity regulation, retaining a role for professional bodies in the complaints system and recognising the important role of the Lord President and Court of Session in safeguarding the independence of the regulation of the legal profession.

“The regulatory system needs to change because of unnecessarily complex processes and outdated procedures from 40-year old legislation. The system for handling legal complaints in particular is cumbersome, complex, and costs too much. Meanwhile, rigid regulatory processes restrict our ability to step in quickly to protect the public interest. The Scottish government should focus on addressing those issues on which there is consensus among all respondents, and introduce changes which could be progressed quickly through the Scottish Parliament.

“We are committed to continuing to work with the Scottish Government and others in the legal services regulation space to modernise the regulatory system and protect the public interest.”

The lay convener of the Law Society’s independent Regulatory Committee, David Gordon, added: “The Regulatory Committee welcomes the consensus on proposed changes to how the complaints processes could be improved. We are already implementing many of these, where current legislation allows.

“The independent Regulatory Committee includes 50 per cent lay people and we are further strengthening the consumer voice in the regulation of Scottish solicitors by creating a consumer panel. We encourage the Scottish Government to create more permissive legislation which would increase our ability to modernise the regulatory framework.”

Scottish Legal Complaints Commission CEO, Neil Stevenson, said: “It’s vital that all voices in this debate are heard, so this analysis is welcome. It shows that views continue to be polarised. Legal services users, consumer groups, and a number of organisations working in the sector have highlighted the clear and pressing need for reform to improve legal services regulation. However, many voices within the legal profession continue to believe there is no need for change.

“Since 2016 the SLCC has been setting out a bold vision for the future of legal services regulation. We continue to believe that the current regulatory and complaints framework is in need of fundamental reform to create an agile, future-proof, responsive and proportionate model of regulation. We stand ready to work with government and stakeholders across the sector to make that reform a reality.”

Number of people involved in UK competition class actions more than doubles in a year

CMS’s European Class Action Report 2022, led by Edinburgh-based partner Kenny Henderson, looks at class action activity in the UK and across Europe over a six-year period from 2016 to 2021. It is the only study to analyse data from class action proceedings across Europe and to map a true picture of class action risk.

2021 saw a record high for the number of collective proceeding order (CPO) applications filed in the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) in the UK. 85 per cent were stand-alone claims - a marked change from 2016 to 2020 when the majority of claims filed were follow-on claims. Stand-alone claims are often seen as attractive for claimant law firms and funders in that regulatory scrutiny attracts attention from various potential claimants.

“2021 was a huge year for UK competition class action,” says Mr Henderson, a litigation & arbitration partner at CMS. “Active claims now encompass a total of more than 170 million persons. With 100 million of those involved in claims filed in 2021 alone, it is abundantly clear that risk is growing rapidly. Class action risk is also increasing in other areas including consumer claims and ESG.

“A ‘rush to the courthouse’ dynamic is developing, where many people will be involved in multiple class actions without their knowledge. Claimant law firms and litigation funders are not waiting for regulators; they are increasingly bringing stand-alone claims where they will seek to prove liability.”

Litigation funding encouraging rise in class actions

The explosive growth in litigation funding has been identified as a major driver of class actions.

In the UK alone, funders’ new investment into UK litigation are approaching £1 billion per annum.

Across the EU, litigation funding is on the rise too, with third-party funding predicted to grow to €1.6bn in revenue by 2025. A lack of regulation governing litigation funding has been identified as a cause of concern, with industry experts expecting statutory regulation to be introduced if the use of third-party funding continues to expand. In June 2021, Axel Voss MEP published a report with draft recommendations for regulating third-party litigation funding. Included in these proposals are rules around transparency and clarity, capital adequacy and fiduciary duty. There is also a recommendation for funders to be authorised in order to conduct business, with an office registered in a member state and activities monitored by a domestic regulator.

“Claimant law firms and litigation funders are more active than ever before, looking for new claims to bring – which they see as profitable opportunities,” says Mr Henderson. “Class actions can be expensive to fund, and litigation funders will of course do their diligence carefully. But many funders are focusing on this area given the potential for very high rewards.

“As litigation funding expands, and in particular into class actions where the class members are often private individuals without independent legal advice, we are expecting increasing calls for formal statutory regulation.”

Claims across Europe reach record-high levels

A total of 110 class actions seeking damages were filed across Europe in 2021, slightly higher than 2020’s previous record-high figure. This represents a 120 per cent increase between 2018 and 2021. The UK continued to take the lion’s share of activity, accounting for 54 per cent of all claims in Europe, but claims continued to flow across Europe, with the Netherlands (13 per cent) and Portugal (2 per cent) in particular seeing a significant rise in class actions.

“Class action risk continues to increase across Europe, and it is high on the risk register for multinationals,” Mr Henderson adds. “Whether a claim is certified on an opt-in or opt-out basis continues to be a hotly contested topic across Europe, with the increasing prevalence of U.S.-style opt-out mechanisms still a major concern for businesses. The Representative Actions Directive, which all EU member states must pass legislation to comply with by the end of 2022, may also inspire a fresh wave of new claims across Europe and businesses need to be prepared.”

To date, very few countries have updated their domestic legislation to ensure compliance with the Directive.

Consumer and competition claims intensify

CMS’s study shows that between 2020 and 2021, there was significant growth in product liability, consumer law and personal injury claims across Europe, with triple the number of consumer claims being filed in 2021 as in 2020. This growth was driven by a number of factors, including large numbers of Dieselgate claims, relating to the scandal involving German carmaker Volkswagen over the emissions levels of its diesel cars.

The financial services sector in particular saw a greater diversity of new claims in 2021. Whereas over a five-year period, product liability, consumer law and personal injury claims and competition law claims comprised 15 per cent of claims; in 2021, they comprised over a third. Claims relating to financial products / shareholders / securities were still the most prevalent type in 2021 however, accounting for 42 per cent of all new claims.

Meanwhile, the technology sector saw a sharp rise in competition cases in 2021. Over the period 2017 to 2021, competition claims comprised fewer than 1 in 5 new claims. In 2021, competition claims accounted for 40 per cent new claims in this sector. This was closely followed by data protection claims (30 per cent), fuelled by GDPR and the potential for data protection issues.

New solicitor advocates introduced

The new solicitor advocates are:

• Ross Fairweather from Clyde & Co LLP
• David Ford from Brodies LLP
• Michael McLean from Jones Whyte LLP
• Rhona McLean from Revenue Scotland
• Fiona McLeod from Brodies LLP
• Eilidh Meikle from the Civil Legal Assistance Office
• David Nelson from Kennedys Law LLP
• Garry Sutherland from Macnabs LLP

There has been an increased number of new solicitor advocates this year following a lull during the pandemic, with more than 20 introduced so far in 2022.

Law Society president Murray Etherington invited Lord Richardson to administer the declaration of allegiance during the ceremony.

Mr Etherington said: “This is a special occasion, recognising the dedication and hard work that our new solicitor advocates have put in to reach this point. We will continue to offer guidance and support as they embark on this next stage of their legal careers.

“Today is my first Introduction to Court ceremony as Law Society President, and it was a privilege to be part of such a special occasion. The courts are not part of my own legal work, but I admire the skills and dedication of my solicitor advocate colleagues.

“The number of new solicitor advocates has fluctuated over recent years, so it’s encouraging to see such high numbers admitted this year. Indeed, it’s been an eventful year for solicitor advocates generally, given Lord John Scott’s appointment as senator to the College of Justice.

“Returning to in-person ceremonies is a great outcome for our new solicitor advocates. I am particularly pleased that this ceremony is the first since the pandemic began to allow some family members to attend the ceremony and to join in celebrating the solicitor advocates’ success.”

An­drew Walker: Employee businesses could hold the key to growth

The Scottish government’s Programme for Government included a goal to reach 500 employee-owned businesses (EOBs) by 2030. We currently stand at 200.

Appetite for this employee ownership model is rising. Indeed, the rate of businesses turning to employee ownership has increased by 13 per cent since June 2020. It is hard not to see this rate increase further, as EOBs are often remarkably resilient to risk and economic downturns.

Much of the growth of EOBs has been driven by succession planning – in particular smaller businesses creating Employee-Ownership Trusts.

A recent example of this is the online retailer Executive Shaving Company, which gave colleagues a stake in the business as part of the owners’ retirement plans. Another to take this route is Carlton Bingo, which has become Scotland’s largest employee-owned business. Carlton’s major shareholders commented that, although a management buyout was initially a possible exit option, it just deferred the inevitable for the business – succession through employee-ownership.

There are sound macroeconomic reasons why employee ownership should be viewed positively. Primarily because it means that businesses do not have to be sold via trade sale or be wound down. The rise of EOBs helps to keep the economic cogs turning.

EOBs also often show greater resilience than non-EOBs during economic downturns. This is because non-EOBs increasingly think more in the short-term in times of trouble. They also tend to turn to cost-cutting which can have a negative impact on the economy. Meanwhile, EOBs tend to focus more on the long-term, including innovation and risk-taking, which often results in more effective performance.

With today’s cost-of-living crisis, it’s perhaps this innovation and risk taking that will better support business growth and economic resilience.

Furthermore, EOBs are becoming more attractive because employees have greater confidence in their long-term thinking. EOBs can spur on job creation through innovation and offer greater job security, too; a survey from the midst of the pandemic suggested that EOBs were 3.2 times more likely to retain staff in times of economic hardship than non-EOBs and that they “kept considerably more money in employees’ hands – and in the economy”.

But, beyond profit, there’s great purpose in being employee-owned. Many businesses that have become employee-owned believe that it’s the socially responsible thing to do.

By giving colleagues more control of the company, profit is distributed more equally, and engagement and confidence in the business increases, too.

We can see this positively impacting the inner workings of business – if employees are more involved with decision-making processes, they learn valuable lessons about the consequences of business decisions and gain greater individual responsibility. This doesn’t just benefit the business – it increases colleagues’ awareness of wider economic implications.

Confidence in EOBs has evidently increased in recent years. In Scotland in particular, more SMEs have adopted the model. With a cost-of-living crisis on our hands, giving employees more ownership of businesses may be part of the solution. Not only because it can benefit those working for the business, but because it will, in turn, assist the Scottish economy too.

Andrew Walker is a partner at Morton Fraser. This article first appeared in The Herald.

Father and son banned from keeping animals after puppy farming offences

At Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday, Samuel Ronald Hessin and his son Samuel Arthur Hessin were both were given a community payback order requiring them to carry out the unpaid work and supervision for 18 months.

They were also banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Samuel Ronald Hessin had previously pled guilty to running an unlicensed pet shop which put up for sale more than 100 dogs. He also failed to provide a suitable environment for the dogs and puppies.

Samuel Arthur Hessin pled guilty to an offence involving misleading commercial practices and causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate care and treatment and obtain veterinary advice.

The court heard that on 3 September 2019 witnesses went to the Hessin farmhouse at Balnamoon, Grange to view a puppy which was advertised on Gumtree. The puppy was described as “filthy and smelt filthy”. Due to their concerns for the puppy and conditions at the property they left and telephoned the Scottish SPCA.

A search warrant was applied for by of Police Scotland and it was granted under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA and officers from Moray Trading Standards and Police Scotland went to the Hessin’s property to execute the warrant on the morning of 19 September 2019.

Dogs and puppies of various breed types were found within the house, outbuildings and roaming free across the property. It was clear from the initial search that the property was being used as an unlicensed breeding operation.

The conditions were unhygienic with no provision to prevent the spread of disease or infection. Many of the dogs and puppies were suffering from diseases, including skin conditions and eye infections. A number of them were visibly coughing and the puppies were passing bloody, faecal matter. The floors where the dogs and puppies were housed in the outbuildings had wet shavings or straw on the ground and were covered in faeces. The stench of ammonia was strong within some areas and there was no proper ventilation.

Many of the adult dogs were kept in small crates, filled with faecal matter and straw, with little room to move.

The Scottish SPCA removed 60 dogs to ensure their welfare and prevent future suffering or disease.

Moray Trading Standards seized phones and paperwork during the search which showed that between 3 December 2018 and 19 September 2019 Samuel Arthur Hessin had placed multiple adverts on Gumtree and Freeads under various email addresses and contact names.

He used 18 different names and mobile numbers, 11 email addresses and three separate locations to misled buyers into thinking they were buying family pets from a family home when they were actually buying puppies, many imported from Northern Ireland, from a puppy farm.

Samuel Arthur Hessin was also responsible for failings in relation the unnecessary suffering of 56 dogs including 12 puppies by failing to provide adequate care and treatment and obtain veterinary advice.

Three puppies named Tiree, Calla and Danna were suffering from chronic skin conditions. Danna also suffered from an eye condition which required surgery. Another dog, Scarba, was suffering from fractured teeth, an infected neck laceration and an ear mite infestation.

At Moray Council Offices on 9 October 2019, they relinquished ownership of all but four of the dogs and puppies to the SSPCA.

Speaking following the sentencing, Andy Shanks, procurator fiscal for Grampian, Highland and Islands, said: “This was a case of widespread and indiscriminate neglect where dogs and puppies were caused suffering and pain by Samuel Ronald Hessin and Samuel Arthur Hessin.

“I would like to thank the Scottish SPCA, Moray Trading Standards and Police Scotland for their part in investigating and gathering evidence of these offences.

“We expect the highest standards of commercial dog breeders and are committed to working with enforcing authorities to ensure that those who do not meet these standards are held to account.”

Ness Gallagher promotes family lawyer Louise Gillies to director

Ms Gillies, who joined Ness Gallagher in 2006, has over 15 years’ legal experience and is a respected family lawyer. A member of the Family Law Association, she is also an Accredited Mediator in Family Mediation and a member of CALM Scotland.

Based in the Motherwell office of Ness Gallagher, Ms Gillies specialises in all aspects of family law. Her expertise extends to general practice and she also advises clients with property matters, wills, power of attorneys and trusts.

Director Graham Keys said: “I am delighted to welcome Louise to the Directorship. Our team is growing and we always strive to invest in our staff and recognise and develop talent from within the business as well as externally. Louise’s commitment to the firm is invaluable and her vast expertise in family law is a huge asset to our clients.”

Ms Gillies said: “It’s great to be taking this next step and to help drive the business forward along with my colleagues at Ness Gallagher. Many people feel that meeting with a solicitor, especially when it comes to family law matters, can feel like a very daunting experience.

“But it doesn’t need to be that way. Personal service and integrity are at the heart of everything we do here at Ness Gallagher and we understand that nothing is more important than family. So, if you are involved in a family dispute, whether you are going through a divorce or seeking contact with your child, you can be assured that we will fully explain your options to you and find a solution that works for your particular circumstances.”

Aberdein Considine makes raft of trainee appointments

The trainees are spread across the firm’s offices in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverurie, Stonehaven, Perth and Newcastle.

Three trainees – David Millar (corporate), Hannah Prosser (conveyancing) and Amy Dignon (conveyancing) – will be based in Aberdeen. Campbell Gordon (conveyancing) will be based in Inverurie and Eric Fong (executry) in Stonehaven.

Katie MacDonald (banking litigation), Hannah Harper (conveyancing) and Lauren McIntyre (executry) will be based in Glasgow, with Alanna Clark (conveyancing) working out of the firm’s Perth office and Cassey Kinghorn (banking litigation) in Newcastle.

The new appointments take the firm’s total trainee complement to 23.

Jacqueline Law, managing partner, Aberdein Considine said: “Our trainees are of the highest calibre, and it’s reassuring to know that there is a great deal of talent coming through to help support our clients as we continue to grow.

“Many of them started with the firm in very different roles, whether that was as a personal assistant, a mortgage consultant or a student placement and they have all shown incredible drive, determination and ambition in completing their studies and embarking on their legal careers.

“We look forward to supporting the progress of our trainees, and providing opportunities for many more in the years ahead.”

Prosecutors recover £52,000 for community fund

The forfeiture order against William McPhee Junior was granted under the account forfeiture provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 at Hamilton Sheriff Court on 27 June 2022.

Proceedings were raised by the Civil Recovery Unit (CRU), acting on behalf of the Scottish ministers.

The CRU raised a civil action in respect of the balance of funds held in Mr McPhee’s account on the basis that it had been derived from unlawful conduct and was recoverable property.

The action was initially defended by Mr McPhee but he later entered into a settlement agreement with CRU. The money forfeited from Mr McPhee represented most of the money held in his bank account. The money has now been transferred to the Scottish Consolidated Fund.

Speaking after the decision, Anne-Louise House, head of the Civil Recovery Unit said: “The account forfeiture provisions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 are an invaluable tool to law enforcement.

“The forfeiture of £52,702.37 held in William McPhee Junior’s bank account is a good example of successful joint working between the CRU and Police Scotland.

“The money will now be put to good use in communities across Scotland, through the Scottish government’s CashBack for Communities Programme.”

Detective chief inspector Stevie Trim, of Police Scotland’s economic crime and financial investigation unit, said: “Police Scotland welcomes the imposition of the forfeiture order on William McPhee Junior.

“Working in partnership to tackle organised criminality is a priority for our officers and we will use every tool, including the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Act, to thwart the activities of those involved.

“This was a challenging and complex investigation and underlines the value of working closely with our colleagues in the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to contribute to achieving the aim and vision of Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.”

Turcan Connell wins eprivateclient award

For the 2022 awards, Turcan Connell was up against well-known firms where there were 28 finalists across 11 categories.

Richard Douglas-Home, tax & succession partner, and Kenny MacDonald, principal in tax services, attended the awards ceremony on yesterday.

Alexander Garden, chairman, said: “On behalf of the firm, we are delighted to have been recognised for the tremendous amount of work the team at Turcan Connell puts in for our clients. This is a big year for us as we celebrate the firm’s 25th Anniversary and winning this award highlights our all-inclusive professional offering and our strong commitment to the legal sector. Turcan Connell will continue to strive to deliver the excellent service our clients expect.”

McColgan hails sponsorship boost as Lindsays renews support

The new agreement – which extends to the end of 2024 and includes the Olympic Games in Paris – comes as the Dundonian distance runner aims to continue her incredible run of form at the upcoming World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Lindsays, which has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dundee, has provided support to the 31-year-old athlete since 2013.

Ms McColgan, who this week announced her intention to compete in this year’s London Marathon, said: “For me, it’s important to have people like those at Lindsays who have stuck with me through my athletics career. This year has been incredible for me and I’m super-excited by what lies ahead this summer, but I’ve also had some difficult years along the way.

“It’s amazing to have the support of a firm like Lindsays who are there for you during the good times and bad, whether I’m winning medals or recovering from injury or illness. It motivates me to continue doing what I’m doing because I have that support behind me. I feel as though I have the right people in my team - including Lindsays - and I am grateful for their support over the years.

“Lindsays has made an investment in me, not just as an athlete, but as a person. They appreciate it’s not all going to be smooth sailing and their sponsorship for me is, in many ways, unique and family-like. I feel as though I have a really close relationship with Lindsays.

“I’m incredibly lucky to have strong relationships with all of the brands I work with, to have them in my corner - and for all the wider support I get.”

Ms McColgan set a new British and European 10k record in May’s Great Manchester Run, having already broken Paula Radcliffe’s British half-marathon record in February.

Lindsays chief operating officer Ian Beattie, who is also chairman of UK Athletics, said: “We are delighted that the firm has been part of Eilish’s journey for so long and to be able to offer her our continued support. She is in amazing form and does so much to inspire people with her determination and achievements. I’m sure there are a lot more exciting times ahead.

“On and off the track, Eilish is a remarkable role model for young Scots and a great ambassador for Scottish sport. It’s a source of huge pride for us to be able to call her a friend of our firm.”

Rights watch

Two Chinas: As Beijing suppresses Tibetans, Xi Jinping preaches human rights to world leaders

While the human rights situation has steadily deteriorated in Tibet with the Communist Party monitoring the life of each individual through an Orwellian system, Xi Jinping preaches and promotes human rights to the rest of the world.

British MP, Activists in London Protest Attacks on Indian Muslims, Dissenters

The protestors criticised the British government for not including a human rights’ stipulation in trade agreements with India.

Myanmar refugees in Thailand endure resettlement wait

Refugees who fled a military crackdown in Myanmar face a precarious situation in Thailand as they wait for resettlement in a third country.

Giving Saudi a free pass undermines universal human rights

Kourosh Ziabari warns that the lack of international criticism and accountability towards Saudi, especially following the execution of 81 people, means other nations like Iran feel no sense of obligation towards the defence of universal human rights.

Ukraine reconstruction is a ‘long road’ but it must start now: Guterres

UN chief António Guterres lent his support on Tuesday to international efforts to rebuild Ukraine, as a conference began in Switzerland to garner support for the war-shattered country.

Arbitrary detention widespread in Russian-held parts of Ukraine - UN rights chief

Arbitrary detention of civilians has become widespread in parts of Ukraine held by Russia’s military and affiliated armed groups, with 270 cases documented, the U.N. human rights chief said on Tuesday, announcing plans to boost monitoring in the country.

Cameroon: End threats against activists who exposed violations and abuses in Anglophone regions

The Cameroonian authorities must ensure that human rights defenders are able to work free of intimidation and reprisals, Amnesty International said today after receiving reports that activists are being targeted with death threats for exposing human rights violations and abuses in Anglophone regions.

How Italy’s biggest steel mill makes a mockery of EU environmental rules

The European Commission says EU citizens benefit from some of the world’s highest environmental standards. Taranto residents don’t see it that way.

Brazilian court world’s first to recognise Paris Agreement as human rights treaty

The Supreme Court ruling requires the Brazilian government to reactivate its climate fund and has implications for international law.

Mexico ratifies ILO Convention on Violence and Harassment

On 6 July 2022, Mexico deposited the instrument of ratification of the Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190) with the ILO. Mexico is the 19th ILO Member State to ratify Convention No. 190, and the 7th in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Quote of the day

The only real revolution is in the enlightenment of the mind and the improvement of character, the only real emancipation is individual, and the only real revolutionists are philosophers and saints.

Will Durant, ‘The Lessons of History’ (1968)‎

And finally… la dolce vita

The coastal town of Sorrento has threatened tourists who bare their torsos with fines of up to €500, The Times reports.

Mayor Massimo Coppola said tourists showing too much skin are acting “contrary to decorum and to the decency that characterises civilised cohabitation”.

He described the situation as “causing discomfort and unease in the resident population and among visitors” and warned it could also “lead to a negative judgment on the quality of life in our town, with consequences for its image and for tourism”.

A local journalist recently compared the conduct of tourists to scenes from Dante’s Divine Comedy, calling for action to end “this macabre procession”.