ICON'21 Newsletter

ICONICA The newsletter of ICFAI Conference of Nations, 2021 PEGASUS: CONSPIRACY AGAINST INDIA OR AGAINST RIGHTS? - Pragnya, Lok Sabha The Pegasus issue has been a highly debated topic. Some privacy was secondary in matters of national security. The question the very existence of it while others question government categorically denied Pegasus use on Indians. those who allegedly used it. The committee showed these The opposition still stood on their ground that Pegasus disparities as the side led by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) existed and had been used and countered by saying that claimed that Pegasus has not been used in India while the journalists, human rights activists, and political leaders opposition put forward Amnesty international`s research were not a threat to national security. Rahul Gandhi went as “proof '' for the existence and use of Pegasus in India. as far as to say that “the spyware is not for India’s enemies The BJP dispersed this claim by saying that it was “Drama but enemies of BJP.” Narendra Modi injected a question done by opposition to stop the proceedings of Lok here “Why is it that only our government is targeted on Sabha.” the alleged use of this spyware when the governments before us did the same things (tap phones, surveillance, etc. for national security)?” The first question which arose was regarding the legality The second major question was regarding the proof. The of the alleged spyware. Can the government use it to spy major proof produced by the opposition was Amnesty on someone? Nabha Kumar and the BJP replied by International's report. The BJP impressed upon this fact saying that they do have the power to do so. Using the to repeatedly claim that there was an active conspiracy Puttaswamy judgement they highlighted that right to against India worldwide. One thing which both sides concurred on was the formation of an independent probe by the court. While both hope that this would benefit them, an ordinary Indian can only hope that their rights are protected. SHARIA, PATH TO WATER - Chandana Pagadala, UNHRC Sharia - the fundamental religious concept of Islam, guides Muslims towards a practical expression of translating to “the path leading to watering place”, religious conviction and goal of divine favor in the world representing a divinely ordained path of conduct that to come. Page | 1

The development of sharia law was devised under the from. According to a Taliban spokesman, \"the face of a leadership of Prophet Muhammad, legal problems that woman is a source of corruption\" for men not related to arose were resolved by interpreting and expanding this them. basic standard of conduct, establishing a legal tradition even after his death. Restrictions on the various segments of one's life, not The corpus of jurisprudence that has been produced over only on women but sexual minorities too, did no good to centuries by scholars have varied, and so has the the condition of citizens in Afghanistan, under the interpretation of ‘Islamic law’. Taliban’s rule. Such interpretations by the Taliban over time have risen Harsh punishments were carried out under the Taliban to be controversial. The stated motive was to create a regime. In October 1996, a woman had the tip of her \"secure environment where the chasteness and dignity of thumb cut off for wearing nail varnish, when a woman women may once again be sacrosanct”. Women were was discovered to be running an informal school, the stripped off from their basic rights and had gone back to children were beaten up and the woman was thrown the times where they had tried so hard to move ahead down the stairs along with getting imprisoned. Various instances as such have been seen throughout history where the Taliban has made its interpretation of sharia law and have its citizens go through the pain even when it had not been interpreted as such. Even after such instances and heinous acts, the United Nations and other Intergovernmental organizations are struggling to get a clear instance on Afghanistan’s condition and standing on the status of various up takes within the country currently, with such proceedings the status quo still stands obscure. THE BEGINNING OF THE BARRICADE BATTLE, THE SUEZ CANAL CRISIS - Keerti, HCC The Suez Canal, an important passage for trade, was other hand, was Israel believed a stronger Arab world owned by the Suez Canal Company encompassing British would be a threat to the existence of Israel. The growing and French interests. The second World War led to the conflict between the Arab-Israel, eventually led to the ultimate downfall of the British and French powers, Egyptian navy attacking Israel, blocking access to the weakening the control over their colonies. Straits of Tiran and the Red Sea. A strengthening of Soviet-Arab relations occurred when the Soviets In 1954, Gamal Abdel Nasser was appointed as President, provided arms through communist Czechoslovakia. after a military coup demolished the monarchy and the Revolutionary Command Council was brought to power, Page | 2 a crucial figure involved in the crisis. The newly appointed Prime Minister, Antony Eden, was suspicious of the favouritism for Nasser across Arab countries. He believed that Nasser was a threat to the oil trade. On the

With the Cold War in the air, the alliance of Egypt with and British. With newfound Soviet support, Nasser the Soviets, convinced the Americans and British to pull decided to act against the British and Americans, out funding for construction of the Aswan High Dam, declaring Martial Law in the Suez while taking control of the fundings of which was promised by the Americans the Suez Canal Company. The Egyptian government believed that the expenses for constructing the dam would be covered within five years. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict failed, worsening the crisis. The British and French planned to secretly set out to regain control, allying with Israel. 29th October 1956 marks the beginning of the Suez Crisis when the Israeli troops invaded Egyptian territory. NATIONALISATION OF SUEZ CANAL - Smrithi, HCC The Suez Crisis was an international crisis in the Middle which supported Israel are Belgium, Poland, United East. The Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser states America. The countries which were affected the announced the nationalisation of the Suez Canal, On July most are Britain and France. 26,1956. According to many countries the nationalisation of Suez Canal created many problems to the people. Opinion of many were in favour of Israel as many of the goods which were shipped passed through the Suez Canal it effects people a lot, as the whole control was with Egypt it could close the Suez Canal anytime which can cause a great loss to the other countries as transportation of the products are very important. According to some other countries this situation could be handled peacefully without any violence as it has connection with many countries, in their perspective violence is not the solution. It began with Egypt taking control over the Suez Canal Hence this is always a topic of debate to figure out the which was followed by military attack from Israel, Great different perspective of different countries. Britain, and France. However, some of them were upset with the fact that there was a military attack on Egypt, but Approximately 12% of global trade passes through the majority of them supported Israel. Some of the countries Suez Canal, representing 30% of all global container traffic, and over USD $1 trillion worth of goods per annum. ADDRESSING THE SITUATION IN ETHIOPIA - Anchit Bharti, UNGA SOCHUM Page | 3

The Ethiopia is at war with itself. The conflict that began Tigray, who swept into western Tigray amid accusations between Ethiopia’s federal government and the ruling of attacks on civilians. In early November, Ethiopia party in the Tigray region in the country’s north last declared a state of emergency. The government called on September has since blown up into a full-scale crisis in its citizens to pick up arms and prepare to defend the the Horn of Africa. Currently, it has led to a catastrophic capital. There was an imminent danger and several situation where hundreds and thousands of people are Ethiopian Army units had collapsed or retreated. The dying of famine, starvation, fear, and war. Sexual violence, crisis is brewing and is blowing out of proportion. as well as food, has become a weapon in this barbaric civil war. Food security is fast deteriorating in the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar, as the ripples of the war and a deepening nationwide macro-economic crisis are disrupting livelihoods and deepening poverty. There are also warnings of escalating food needs in Sudan. Mr. Abiy ordered a military offensive against the Tigrayan leadership and its security forces. He bolstered his forces by deploying militia fighters from Amhara, south of ETHNIC AND COMMUNAL VIOLENCE IN ETHIOPIA - Yash Barik, UNGA SOCHUM As Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed struggled to maintain order amid growing political tensions, the security and human rights situation in Ethiopia was quickly falling apart. Ongoing abuses by official security forces, assaults on civilians by armed groups, deadly violence along communal and ethnic lines formed the defining features of Ethiopia’s human rights situation. In 2020, the increasingly polarizing history and persistent grievances about land, identity, and politics led to deadly violence among ethnic communities. 22 university campuses in 2019, specifically within the Afar and Somali groups routinely clashed over border regions of Oromia and Amhara, observed deadly violence demarcations and got entry to land and assets. They which prompted about 35,000 students to flee. claimed civilian lives on both sides. They have reportedly been in conflict since January, and it has resulted in about In January, Amhara and Oromo groups clashed due to 35,5000 displaced which is about half of the conflict- the use of an old national flag and decorations used in the induced displacements recorded in the United States. orthodox Christian celebration called Epiphany, resulting in an unknown number of casualties and the destruction of belongings. Hachalu’s killing was followed by one of the deadliest periods of unrest, over 170 people were killed, some by the hands of security forces, others as a result of civilian Page | 4

assailants who also looted and burned establishments and other communities in the Metekel quarter of the houses of ethnic Amharas and other minority groups. Benishangul-Gumuz region which prompted residents to Their transgressions resulted in significant property flee. However, in April, the ruling authorities in Amhara damage and the displacement of over 9,000 people. There and Benishangul-Gumuz region began returning lots of were instances when forces didn't interfere in time even internally displaced people within Merkel. Assaults by when destruction could have been avoided and casualties armed groups escalated in August and September. These reduced. targeted guards, officials, and residents, such as ethnic Amharas, resulted in numerous killings, kidnappings, Casualties and inhumane transgressions by armed forces property destruction, and unfair displacement. intensified among ethnic-Gumuz, Agew, Amhara, and AN UNCIVIL CIVIL WAR - S. Mysha Urooj, UNGA SOCHUM “God bless America!” partners, the former being the “Lynchpin of security”. However, this fraternal relationship seems to be in a Famous words by many. However, unlike most scenarios, dilemma when Ethiopia is rejecting all aid the US has to the USA deserves the blessing here. Citizens of Ethiopia offer. struggle to get through each day, while politics has destroyed many lives just in the greed of power. In this Ethiopian aid workers report empty food warehouses, civil war, thousands of civilians are losing lives, especially while US executives accuse Ethiopia of blocking the food in the Tigray-Eritrea region. aid offered. So, why has Ethiopia blocked all assistance when it has none to provide itself with? Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s spokesperson has conveyed that aid convoys entering through the Tigray are the primary suppliers, and it being a “volatile area”, its security cannot be “compromised”. However, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has also accused rebels of roadblocks. All roads in the region have been blocked, and aid trucks are struggling to come through. While the country is undergoing its oppression, Whatever may be the reason, the citizens are suffering government, and humanitarian imperialism problems, the and struggling. They can’t even convey their struggles to USA continues to offer aid to the common folk. the world. With electricity and communication supply According to the US, Ethiopia and US are strategic down, Ethiopia is a dark corner of the world, suffering in silence. THE TALIBAN TAKEOVER: HUMANITARIAN CRISIS LEADING TO AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE OF WOMEN AND OTHER GENDER MINORITIES - Harshita Goenka, UNHRC Page | 5

The impact on the lives of thousands of women and girls with losing their jobs. Women have been shot and died after the takeover of the Taliban is getting worse day by as a result of refusing to comply with the Taliban's threats. day. Suffering from gender-based discrimination and Also, the healthcare facilities for them are at risk of violence to the removal of participation of women in the almost collapsing. Women were only allowed to see male government and other employment areas is a situation doctors if they were accompanied by a male chaperone, that was never faced by Afghanistan before. The children which resulted in diseases going untreated. are continued to face harassment and sexual violence. The concern for the future of women and children have Talking about the other gender minorities brings nothing increased in Afghanistan since. The restrictions faced by but shame to the name of humanity. According to media them are nonetheless highly controversial. A life which a reports, a Taliban judge stated that gay men will be stoned normal person can never imagine. or crushed to death under the Taliban's stringent sharia rule. Fears of increased criminalization and persecution They say “the face of a woman is a source of corruption”. of the LGBT community have been expressed in the Women are forbidden from working and girls' education aftermath of the Taliban's takeover in August, with is restricted. Women who are employed are threatened homosexual people apparently fleeing the country and going underground, and countries being encouraged to accept LGBT refugees. Well, the LGBTQ community will only be able to breathe if they keep their sexuality under wraps. All these atrocities highlight the gravity of the situation and the devastating impact that Taliban control will have on human rights. These groups also had dreams and hope like everyone but right now all they want is to get out of this situation. NOSTALGIA - Keerti, HCC A conversation between a grandfather, Abayomi and his grandson, Seth, a curious 10-year-old about the Suez during the Suez Canal crisis Seth: Gramps, when were you born? Seth: Can you tell me more about it then? Abayomi: 1944, why do you ask my boy? Abayomi: Ahh well I don't remember anything much... Seth: OH! so you were alive during the Suez Canal Crisis, Seth: Can you please try and remember? I'm your weren't you? Mama was talking about it. favourite grandchild so, can you? Abayomi: Yes indeed, I was just as old as you were when Abayomi: Ahahaha sure then kid that took place. Abayomi (after a pause): I remember that my mother had Seth: Woah, that's so COOL grandpa!! told me to be at home? Which was rather odd because she would ask me to run errands for her all day! Abayomi: Well, it wasn't really, it was difficult time to be honest. (He says chuckling) (Long pause) Page | 6

Abayomi: Oh! I just remembered! One day I was set out Seth: OOH that's interesting, so you didn't see any of the to get bread from the local bakery and for the first time cool action movie stuff, he said sounding slightly saw foreigners in our land. I'm not quite sure where they disappointed were from, but they looked intriguing. Abayomi (with amusement painting his face): My my my! Seth: hmm… These modern-day movies have made you think wars are action movies! I think that's about all I remember now no Abayomi: I was tempted to have a chat with them, but more questions about it! Ah the timing! Your mother is the baker's uncle asked me not to talk to them or he'll calling for supper. snitch on my mother. At the time I thought, my fear of what my mother might do was far greater than my Seth: Let's go eat then I'm hungry!!! curiosity, but now I realise it was for the better My country is fighting, HUNGER But hunger is not. My people are fighting, - S. Mysha Urooj, UNGA SOCHUM But somnolence is not. For a migrant, there is no place called home. At the rich's, the sac fully loaded, And their food left to rot. During this crisis, ignorance is to be ignored, At the poor's, the belly is empty, And if there is a moment to spare, And a bite to satisfy, there is not. One should look around and find a lot to care about. For a traveler, there is no haven to abode, For people are starving and wandering aimlessly, In search of a ray of hope. And people who can take a stand, Can give them hope, offer a helping hand. TOUGH QUESTIONS ON PRIVACY - Pragnya, Lok Sabha The controversy of Pegasus raked up the even more main issues, that of Pegasus and of the data protection fundamental question of right to privacy. The members bill have been boiled down to two basic questions. of Lok Sabha had debated extensively on the Pegasus issue and the data protection bill over the past 2 days. 11 members responded of which, only 3 were from One of the few things the committee agreed upon opposition. unanimously was that the right to privacy is integral. How absolute it is, the committee had many different views. The first question dealt with the Pegasus issue. The To better voice their opinions to the common people, the options provided were regarding whether Amnesty international press conducted an opinion poll. The two International’s reports, Forbidden stories reports and the wire`s reports could be accepted as valid proof. The Page | 7

general notion was the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Pegasus issue has been a highly debated topic. Some would say that they were not valid proofs whereas the question the very existence of it while others question opposition would support it. Ironically though, a member those who allegedly used it. The committee showed these from BJP Bhagirath Choudhary, did support it. Whether disparities as the side led by Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) they will officially take an opposite stance to their party is claimed that Pegasus has not been used in India while the yet unknown, but this does leave space for a lot of opposition put forward Amnesty international`s research questions. as “proof '' for the existence and use of Pegasus in India. The BJP dispersed this claim by saying that it was “Drama The second question was regarding the right to privacy done by opposition to stop the proceedings of Lok and the options provided were whether the right to Sabha.” privacy should be absolute or should it be subject to reasons like national security and public safety. The The first question which arose was regarding the legality common narrative during committee proceedings was of the alleged spyware. Can the government use it to spy that both sides wanted right to privacy to be subject to on someone? Nabha Kumar and the BJP replied by reasonable restrictions. The BJP pushed for it the entirety saying that they do have the power to do so. Using the of the committee, so it was indeed surprising to see Puttaswamy judgement they highlighted that right to Rajnath Singh take a different stance to that of his party. privacy was secondary in matters of national security. The government categorically denied Pegasus use on Indians. Rahul Gandhi too voted that right to privacy should be The opposition still stood on their ground that Pegasus absolute. existed and had been used and countered by saying that One thing is for sure, BJP might need to keep a check on journalists, human rights activists, and political leaders its members considering that 2 of its people voted against were not a threat to national security. Rahul Gandhi went their party policy. as far as to say that “the spyware is not for India’s enemies but enemies of BJP.” Narendra Modi injected a question here “Why is it that only our government is targeted on the alleged use of this spyware when the governments before us did the same things (tap phones, surveillance, etc. for national security)?” The second major question was regarding the proof. The major proof produced by the opposition was Amnesty International's report. The BJP impressed upon this fact to repeatedly claim that there was an active conspiracy against India worldwide. One thing which both sides concurred on was the formation of an independent probe by the court. While both hope that this would benefit them, an ordinary Indian can only hope that their rights are protected. Page | 8

THE TEAM - LOK SABHA: Pragnya - UNHRC: Chandana Pagadala, Harshita Goenka - UNGA SOCHUM: Anchit Bharti, S. Mysha Urooj, Yash Barik - HCC: Keerthi, Smrithi Anurag Dwibhashyam Preetam Kaligotla (Head of International Press) (Editor-in-Chief) Page | 9