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Health Exchange Nepal UK (HExN) Marks 15th Anniversary with Charity Ball in the UK

Posted on by SAT News Desk

London — North-West England, September 23, 2023 – Health Exchange Nepal UK (HExN), a charitable organization dedicated to supporting healthcare initiatives in Nepal, celebrated its 15th anniversary with a grand charity ball. The event, held at the prestigious Shaw Hill Golf Course in North-West England, was attended by prominent figures, including Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle and the Ambassador of Nepal, HE Gyan Chandra Acharya.

The guest list also featured renowned medical professionals, including President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, Prof Andrew Elder, Immediate past President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Prof Michael Griffin, and Member of Parliament Sir Mark Hendrick. A total of 170 attendees, primarily doctors from the UK and Nepal, graced the occasion.

In his address, Speaker of the House Sir Lindsay Hoyle expressed his deep gratitude to Nepali doctors for saving his life. He highlighted his commitment to supporting Nepal, referencing a recent event held at the Palace of Westminster to introduce the Kathmandu Institute of Child Health, a vital initiative backed by HExN.

The two Presidents, Prof Andrew Elder and Prof Michael Griffin, shared their close ties to Nepal through HExN and discussed various initiatives aimed at enhancing clinical training standards in Nepal. Prof Elder also revealed that the MRCP PACES examination will soon be conducted in Nepal, a significant development for medical education in the country.

Prof Satyan Rajbhandari, General Secretary of HExN, emphasized that the organization has been providing invaluable clinical and educational support to Nepal since its establishment in 2008. HExN has been involved in numerous training programs, disaster relief efforts during earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, and has played a pivotal role in training doctors and nurses in the UK. The charity continues to grow in strength, providing a platform for the Nepalese diaspora to contribute to their homeland’s well-being.

The evening’s festivities included the serving of Nepali Beer called ‘Khukuri’ and captivating Nepalese dance performances by 11-year-old Mishika Thapa, Ms. Prasuan Kandel, and the couple Ramesh and Pramita Khoju. The night concluded with a lively disco featuring Nepali songs, thoroughly enjoyed by all the guests.

HExN’s 15th-anniversary charity ball not only celebrated its significant accomplishments over the years but also reaffirmed its commitment to improving healthcare and medical education in Nepal. The event served as a testament to the enduring bond between the UK and Nepal in the field of healthcare.

Shenanigans in WHO South-East Asia as Politician’s Daughter Contests Regional Director Election

Posted on by SAT News Desk

Mukesh Kapila
Election fever is sweeping through the World Health Organization (WHO) in three of its six regions – Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), South-East Asia (SEARO), and Western Pacific (WPRO). It matters who becomes their regional directors because they have considerable decentralised authority to influence the health chances of billions.

Its regions also make or break WHO globally.  Close squeaks, as with Ebola and COVID-19, show that a divided WHO can be catastrophic. Conversely, a united WHO is a vital defence against borderless health threats yet to come.

Take SEARO – the focus of this article, after we earlierconsidered EMRO. The South-East Asia Region is special in WHO annals as it is the first regional office that opened – in 1948 in New Delhi where it is still based.

SEARO’s 11 members are home to two billion people – a quarter of humanity. They range from mighty India (1.4 billion) to the tiny Maldives (0.5 million), with Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, and Bhutan in between.

Remarkable progress

WHO was a household name during my childhood.  I got my immunisations at its centres and treasured the stickers I received as a reward.  We did not know what the WHO acronym meant but felt its goodness.

Global health’s biggest battles were waged in SEARO with notable successes including the eradication of smallpox, wild poliovirus, and maternal and neonatal tetanus. Several countries have vanquished other conditions: Nepal eradicated trachoma, Maldives eliminated lymphatic filariasis while yaws went from India, rubella from Timor-Leste, measles from Bhutan, and malaria from Sri Lanka. 

The region’s people live better with all countries approaching and four exceeding global healthy life expectancy (63.7 years). World Health Statistics indicate that SEARO has posted the fastest decline (57%) in maternal mortality ratio since the millennium and reduced its under-five mortality by 78%. New HIV infections have declined by 50%.

That is not all. The region has hot-housed crucial service innovations such as community health workers and financing, essential drug kits, integration of traditional healthcare systems,  malnutrition management, reproductive health outreach, small-scale water and sanitation technologies, and mass health education, among many examples.

To be accurate – these advances did not come from WHO but from increasing prosperity. All  SEARO countries except DPRK are now middle-income with Thailand and Indonesia in the upper-middle-income category. 

There are also hordes of well-qualified professionals, passionate health advocates and civil society groups in the region. WHO wisely partnered with them to build significant national capacities. That is how WHO accompanied South-East Asia’s post-decolonisation to help countries stand on their feet. It also eased the birth pains of newer nations emerging from bloody civil wars: Bangladesh and Timor-Leste.

Where next for SEARO? 

With increased geopolitical interest in health, WHO punches above its weight more than other technical  agencies as seen by its participation in political fora such as the G20 whose latest summit was in India.  Where does SEARO go next?  

It has plenty of unfinished business. COVID-19 was a reality check causing six million indirect excess deaths – the largest among all regions.  Service disruptions meant that immunisation rates dipped, and tuberculosis treatment declined. SEARO will catch up but remains ill-prepared for the next pandemic with a low 68% score for self-reported International Health Regulationscapacities.  

Women’s health struggles with 47% anaemia prevalence, the world’s highest. Child stunting rates of 30% with its most severe ‘wasting’ form contribute an embarrassing eight million of the 13 million children afflicted worldwide.  Water and sanitation coverage lags dismally, contributing 40% of preventable global deaths. With urbanisation edging 40-50% across SEARO, record levels of particulate air pollution and road crashes take years off lifespans.

 Storm clouds on the horizon include rapidly increasing anti-microbial resistance. That is on top of climate change causing changes in vector and pathogen behaviours, risking the re-emergence of defeated conditions or increased virulence of familiar infections.  Meanwhile, richer lifestyles fuel non communicable diseases risks such as rising blood pressures and obesity across the region.

How will SEARO health systems respond? A prospering but grossly unequal region is pushing 100 million into catastrophic poverty through the world’s highest out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Ironically, the region is a mecca for medical tourism – valued at S$7.5 billion in India alone and projected to rise to $42 billion this decade.

 SEARO’s fast-digitising population has high expectations that won’t be satisfied by community health workers. They expect hospital-centered technology-dependent specialist attention.  However,SEARO is short of around seven million health workers with only DPRK and Maldives above the WHO thresholdof 44.5 per 10, 000 population. That is not for lack of training. India has the most medical schools in the world and exports thousands of doctors and allied personnel to OECD and Gulf countries.

Contradictory trends mean that SEARO’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) index has crawled to a disappointing 61 (on a 100-point scale). There is no chance of reaching the SDG target of 80 by 2030 by following WHO’s standard prescription. Where are the new ideas?

Expectations from the new regional director

In short, SEARO has already plucked the low-hanging fruit, and residual and new challenges are not amenable to quick fixes.  What is to be expected from the new SEARO regional director elected on 30 October – 2 November by 10 voting states (Myanmar’s military regime is disenfranchised under UN sanctions)?

The new leader must be humble to understand that whereas WHO was once indispensable to advancing health in the SEARO region, that is no longer the case. As ever-stronger nations grip their own destinies, and their populations’ health is dictated by externalities that only they can manage, SEARO (and wider WHO) must recalibrate its role.

The region has a cornucopia of strategies, frameworks, goals and targets bestowed by global and regional governance bodies or special interest lobbies. The incoming regional director needs political courage and clarity of purpose to cut through them to define the few essential works that SEARO is best placed to do.

Change at the regional level means more than moving into its smart new premises, a $30 million gift from the Indian government. It requires re-setting the bloated Delhi regional office with its wasteful, initiative-sapping rituals and regulations that have left staff at their lowest morale. A more collegiate leadership style and greater diversity of appointments from around Southeast Asia should reduce a stultifying atmosphere more reminiscent of the British Indian Raj than modern corporate management.

 A murky election

Who can do this? Astonishingly, Southeast Asia’s vast reservoir of talent has turned up only two candidates (compared to six in EMRO and five in WPRO elections). The SEARO contenders are from Bangladesh and Nepal.

 Bangladesh’s nominee, Saima Wazed, also holds Canadian citizenship. She has a Master’s degree in psychology and specialises in autism. Her passion for this neglected aspect of mental health is admirable. Her pitch emphasises the continuity of SEARO flagship programmes while promoting partnerships and inclusion of marginalised groups.

Unfortunately, her own capability statement does not reveal the “strong technical and public health background and extensive experience in global health”, required by the official criteria for the role. Or the mandatory substantive track record in public health leadership and significant competencies in organisational management. 

Her rival is Nepal’s Dr Shambhu Prasad Acharya with a public health doctorate and Masters qualifications in business administration and sociology. He has 30 years of substantive leadership and management experience at WHO headquarters, SEARO, and at country-level organising practical programmes in many places. 

Born in a rural farming community, he appears committed to diversity and sensitive to social disadvantage concerns. His future vision seeks population well-being, accelerated Universal Health Coverage, strengthened future pandemic and emergency preparedness, innovating  to bridge inequities, and championing an inter-connected WHO.

It is banal to say that the best candidate should get the job in a fair competition. But the SEARO election is no ordinary process.  Wazed is the daughter of the Bangladesh Prime Minister. Of course, that should not he held against her as even the offspring of a privileged public figure has the right to make their own career.

But being introduced by her mother at recent high-level summits such as BRICS, ASEAN, G20 and the UN General Assembly to craft deals in exchange for votes may be seen as crossing the fine line between a government’s legitimate lobbying for its candidate and craven nepotism.

Earlier, intense political pressure from Bangladesh appears to have dissuaded good competitors from within Bangladesh and other countries. Nepal is now under intensified pressure to withdraw its nominee and allow Wazed to be anointed unopposed.

The waters are further muddied by a complaint to WHO legal authorities alleging that  Wazed may have faked her academic credentials and lacks the constitutionally required qualifications and experience. The requested investigation cites the dismissal of the previous Western Pacific Regional Director as an example of the Organization’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy towards lack of integrity.  But it is unlikely that Geneva will wade in and future investigations – if any – will be long after the event.

Such shenanigans in SEARO plumb a new low in multilateral ethics and standards.  They undermine the WHO when we need global health cooperation more than ever.  Whether raw politics or principled professionalism will decide the election of the next regional director remains to be seen while, regrettably, the health of Southeast Asians is just an afterthought.

Mukesh Kapila is a physician and public health specialist who has worked in 120 countries, including as a former United Nations (UN) Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan and a UN Special Adviser in Afghanistan.

Nepali embassy in London marks Nepal’s National Day

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London – On the occasion of the National Day of Nepal, a Special Ceremony was organised at the Embassy premises on Wednesday. 

In his welcome remarks, Ambassador of Nepal to the UK,  Gyan Chandra Acharya highlighted the importance of the current Constitution, its salient features and the foreign policy of Nepal. Sharing the progress made by Nepal in various areas over the decades, he stated that the government’s efforts are now focused on achieving the solemn objectives of the Constitution, including through the restructuring of the economy and further enhancing the quality of life of people. He also informed about Nepal’s contributions in promoting regional cooperation, and the world peace including through the UN peacekeeping operations around the world. “Nepal is now the second highest contributor to the UN Peacekeeping Force in the world,” he said.

Ambassador Acharya highlighted the historic nature of the bilateral relationship between Nepal and the UK, with the foundational link of the British Gurkhas. He outlined that this relationship now covers many different areas including political, economic, commercial, investment, educational, people to people interactions and a growing presence of the Nepali diaspora. Highlighting the fact that this year is the centenary of the signing of the Nepal-UK Friendship Treaty of 1923, he underscored the significance of the treaty in ushering in a new era in modern diplomatic engagements. He also underlined the importance of the 70th anniversary of the first ascent of Mt. Everest. 

In her speech as the Chief Guest, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), extended her best wishes on the constitution day of Nepal. Minister Trevelyan applauded the depth and warmth of Nepal-UK relationship, which has the potential to expand further into many different areas including trade, investment and collaboration on the issues of global concerns such as climate change. Recalling her visit to Nepal in March this year, she appreciated the cordiality of the people and the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries. She expressed happiness over the important milestones in Nepal-UK bilateral relations including the centenary of the Friendship Treaty and the 70th anniversary of the first expedition of Mount Everest, which was led by the British team. She also highlighted the contributions of the British Gurkhas in expanding people to people ties between the two countries. 

 On the occasion, some Nepali cultural dances were performed by Nepali children artists in the UK. Nepali cuisines were served to the guests. The ceremony was attended by members of the British Parliament, senior government officials, British friends of Nepal, Ambassadors, High Commissioners based in the UK and leaders and representatives of the Nepalese community in the UK.

Appropriate treatment for hypertension could avert 76 million deaths globally by 2050: WHO

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Geneva, Switzerland – The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued its first-ever global report on the impact of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, revealing it as one of the leading risk factors for death and disability worldwide. The report emphasizes the urgent need to address this “silent killer” and offers recommendations for effective prevention and management.

Hypertension is defined as a blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher, and it currently affects one in three adults globally, according to the WHO report. This condition often leads to severe health complications, including strokes, heart attacks, heart failure, and kidney damage.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, stated, “Hypertension can be controlled effectively with simple, low-cost medication regimens, and yet only about one in five people with hypertension have controlled it.”

High-performing countries like Canada and South Korea have already implemented comprehensive national hypertension treatment programs, resulting in over 50% of adults with hypertension having their blood pressure under control.

The WHO estimates that increasing the number of people effectively treated for hypertension to levels seen in these high-performing countries could prevent a staggering 76 million deaths between 2023 and 2030.

The report recommends a multifaceted approach to prevent and manage hypertension. This includes promoting healthier lifestyles by adopting a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, refraining from alcohol and tobacco use, and engaging in regular physical activity. These strategies should be incorporated into specific settings such as schools and workplaces to encourage healthier choices.

Another critical tactic involves reducing daily sodium intake. The WHO suggests that reducing salt consumption is a powerful way to prevent heart attacks and strokes. The recommended daily sodium intake varies by country, but the WHO advises consuming less than 2,000 milligrams per day. However, the global average salt intake currently exceeds this recommendation, standing at 10.8 grams per day.

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends limiting sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg per day. Unfortunately, the average American consumes over 3,400 mg of sodium daily.

In 2013, all 194 WHO member countries committed to reducing sodium intake by 30% by 2025. However, a recent report revealed that only 5% of these countries had implemented comprehensive sodium-reduction policies. The United States scored a rating of 3 out of 4 for having at least one mandatory sodium policy and declaring sodium content on pre-packaged food items.

Hypertension is prevalent in the United States, affecting approximately 32% of individuals between the ages of 30 and 79. The WHO report estimates that effectively controlling hypertension could prevent 1.2 million US deaths by 2040. To achieve a 50% control rate, an additional 693,000 people with hypertension would need effective treatment.

Dr. Tom Frieden, president and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives and former CDC director, highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “Every hour, more than 1,000 people die from strokes and heart attacks. Most of these deaths are caused by high blood pressure, and most could have been prevented.”

In addition to the human toll, hypertension and its complications result in substantial costs for patients, healthcare systems, and national economies worldwide. Dr. Frieden stressed the importance of commitment from governments worldwide, stating, “Good hypertension care is affordable, within reach, and strengthens primary health care. The challenge now is to go from ‘within reach’ to ‘reached.'”

India’s Agnipath Scheme Puts Strain on Historic Military Relationship with Nepal

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Kathmandu – A longstanding tradition of allowing ethnic Gurkha soldiers from Nepal to join the Indian army under a special agreement has been strained by India’s introduction of a controversial new army hiring plan, known as Agnipath. This change has sparked tensions between the neighboring nations.

The Gurkhas, renowned for their bravery and combat skills, have served in various wars over the years for both the Indian and British armies. Their history dates back to 1815 when they were first recruited by the British East India Company following a peace agreement with Nepal. Even after colonial rule ended in 1947, a tripartite agreement between Nepal, India, and Britain permitted the recruitment of Gurkhas into their respective militaries.

However, the arrangement with India came to an abrupt halt last year with the introduction of Agnipath. Under this scheme, soldiers are hired on fixed four-year terms, and only the top-performing 25% will be retained for India’s central security forces. The rest will be allowed to leave with a lump sum amounting to nearly $15,000 (£11,915), without receiving pensions or other career benefits. These rules also apply to Gurkha soldiers, who traditionally served for much longer terms in both the Indian and British armies.

Nepali officials express their surprise and disappointment at India’s unilateral decision, as they were neither informed nor consulted regarding this significant change in the military recruitment program. “We have a policy that if there is any change made to a tripartite treaty, then it should be implemented through a political consensus,” stated Nepalese Foreign Minister NP Saud. Consequently, the recruitment of Gurkhas has been postponed indefinitely, given the opposition from most Nepalese political parties.

Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, a senior leader of the main opposition Communist Party of Nepal (UML), emphasized, “We are not going to accept the new plan. If India is ready to revert back to the older Gurkha recruitment process, then it can be resumed.”

Prior to the implementation of the Agnipath scheme, India recruited approximately 1,400 Nepali citizens into its Gurkha regiments each year. Presently, there are approximately 35,000 Nepali Gurkhas serving in the Indian army, including in sensitive regions such as Indian-administered Kashmir and northeastern parts of the country.

India defends the new hiring plan by asserting that it will reduce the army’s expenditure on salaries and pensions, which currently consume more than half of its defense budget. Additionally, the short-term contracts will lower the average age of its 1.3 million-strong armed forces.

However, Nepal fears an increased risk from insurgents, as individuals with four years of military training might become targets for insurgent groups or foreign mercenaries. Nepal endured a decade-long armed rebellion by Maoists that ended in 2006, resulting in significant casualties. The country is not in a position to offer employment to all those returning from India.

Some voices in India have also called for exempting Nepali Gurkhas from the short-term contracts. Maj Gen (Retd) Ashok Mehta, who served in the Indian Gurkha regiment, warned that the Agnipath scheme could complicate India’s relations with Nepal and accused the Indian government of disregarding diplomatic protocols.

Indian officials have suggested that if Gurkhas from Nepal do not accept the short-term contracts, these positions could be offered to others within India temporarily.

This move could further alienate Nepal, which has already been discontented with India’s actions in recent years. In 2019, a territorial dispute arose when India published a map that included areas claimed by Nepal near the border with China. Nepal responded by publishing its own map, exacerbating tensions between the two nations.

In the midst of this uncertainty, young Nepali men, like 19-year-old Aneesh Thapa Magar, are pursuing alternatives. Some aspire to join the British army rather than accept the Agnipath program, which offers no long-term security. Magar explained, “The Agnipath program is of no use to us. After four years, we will return home without knowing what to do next. That’s why I am now practicing hard to get selected for the British army.”

Despite the strong opposition, not everyone in Nepal is resistant to the new hiring scheme. Some Nepali Indian Gurkha veterans argue that Agnipath has its advantages and suggest engaging in dialogue with India to secure more concessions.

Meanwhile, the first batch of Indian soldiers enrolled in the Agnipath scheme has completed their training and joined the army in early August, adding a new chapter to the historic relationship between India and the Gurkhas.

Hoysala Temples in Karnataka now India’s 42nd UNESCO’s World Heritage site

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NEW DELHI — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on Monday announced the inclusion of the Hoysala temples, located in India’s southern state of Karnataka, into its world heritage list.

The temples had been on UNESCO’s tentative list since April 2014. They portrayed the masterful skill of Hoysala artists while featuring Dravidian style of south India, Bhumija style in central India, and Nagara traditions of northern and western India, said a report by The Indian Express.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the inscription brought more pride to the South Asian country. (Xinhua)

India Expels Senior Canadian Diplomat Amid Escalating Rift Over Sikh Separatist Killing

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New Delhi– In a rapidly escalating diplomatic row, India has ordered a senior Canadian diplomat to leave the country, citing concerns over Canadian interference in internal matters and alleged involvement in anti-India activities. This move comes hours after Canada expelled an Indian diplomat in response to tensions surrounding the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar earlier this year.

The Indian Foreign Ministry released a statement on Tuesday expressing its “growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.” The duelling expulsions have exacerbated already tense relations between Canada and India, resulting in the derailment of trade talks and the cancellation of a planned trade mission to India.

Protests by pro-Sikh independence groups in Canada have further strained relations between the two nations. Canada recently asserted it was “actively pursuing credible allegations” linking Indian government agents to the murder of Nijjar, who was organizing an unofficial referendum for an independent Sikh nation at the time of his death in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18.

India vehemently denied the allegations, dismissing them as “absurd and motivated” and urging Canada to take legal action against anti-Indian elements operating from its soil.

The Sikh independence movement, known as Khalistan, is banned in India, where it is viewed as a national security threat. However, the movement retains support in northern India, as well as among the sizable Sikh diaspora communities in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the issue in Parliament, stating that he raised Nijjar’s killing with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the recent Group of 20 (G20) Summit. Trudeau emphasized that any Indian government involvement in the murder on Canadian soil would be “unacceptable” and called for cooperation in the investigation.

India’s Foreign Ministry responded by dismissing the allegations as unsubstantiated and reiterated that Canada harbored Khalistani terrorists and extremists who posed a threat to India’s sovereignty.

Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed the expulsion of a top Indian diplomat, whom she identified as the head of Indian intelligence in Canada, in response to the allegations. She labeled any potential foreign government involvement in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil as a “great violation of our sovereignty.”

Canada is home to more than 770,000 Sikhs, constituting approximately 2 percent of its total population.

Amid these developments, Canadian opposition leader Jagmeet Singh, himself a Sikh, expressed surprise at the Prime Minister’s statements and highlighted the longstanding concerns that challenging India’s human rights record might hinder Canadians’ ability to obtain visas for travel to India.

British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed deep concern after receiving a briefing from Canada’s intelligence agency regarding Nijjar’s assassination. Nijjar had been an outspoken supporter of Khalistan, leading peaceful protests against human rights violations in India and in support of Khalistan.

Nijjar’s lawyer, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, claimed that Canadian intelligence officials had warned Nijjar about being targeted for assassination by “mercenaries” prior to his killing.

The Sikh separatist movement has been a longstanding issue in India, dating back to the 1980s when an armed rebellion for an independent Sikh state began in Punjab state. The Indian government’s intensified pursuit of Sikh separatists has led to increased tensions and diplomatic incidents in recent years.

In 1984, Indian forces stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar to flush out Sikh separatists, resulting in a controversial operation that claimed hundreds of lives. This event, along with the subsequent assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by Sikh bodyguards, triggered anti-Sikh riots across northern India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has continued to crack down on Sikh separatists, particularly in response to protests and movements that raise concerns about the rights of farmers and activists. This latest expulsion of diplomats threatens to further strain relations between Canada and India as both countries grapple with the complex issue of Sikh separatism.

London comes together to raise awareness about changes to the voting system and to encourage voter registration

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London — The Greater London Authority (GLA) and Shout Out UK (SOUK) have launched the fifth annual London Voter Registration Week to help under-represented and under-registered Londoners access their right to vote. 

Local councils, civil society organisations and education institutions across the capital have joined together to support the voter registration campaign which is designed to address the equalities impact of the Elections Act (2022), especially the introduction of mandatory photo ID to vote.

The Electoral Commission’s full report into the impact of photo Voter ID at the May 2023 elections [1] found that some voters, especially ethnic minority, disabled, young and low income, have found it harder to vote because of the new requirement to show an accepted photo ID at polling stations. This was due to a lack of appropriate ID and low awareness of the need to bring it when voting. Both the Electoral Commission report, and the report of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Democracy and the Constitution [2], call on the UK Government to review the current list of accepted forms of ID to identify any additional documents that could be included to improve accessibility for voters.

In its fifth year, London Voter Registration Week (LVRW) 2023 is raising awareness about who can vote and how to do it, including the option to register anonymously for those concerned about their name and address appearing on the electoral register. It will advise on steps to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate for Londoners who do not have any accepted form of photo ID.

The GLA campaign will inform Londoners via social media, grassroots community engagement and events in education institutions. It will include accessible materials for Deaf and disabled Londoners, with resources available in Easy Read format and 16 community languages, including British Sign Language. Londoners will also have access to the GLA Democracy WhatsApp chatbot (+44 7908 820136) that will help them navigate the voting changes, answer frequently asked questions, and point to GLA Political Literacy resources.

The collective action comes as figures show London already has one of the lowest voter registration rates across the UK [3]. Three in 10 young Londoners (aged 16-24) are not registered to vote [4], with young Londoners, alongside Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and migrant Londoners, including Commonwealth and EU Londoners; and social and private renters, the most under-registered and under-represented groups [5]. Many of these Londoners are also Deaf and disabled and on low incomes. 

These under-registered and under-represented Londoners have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis and are at a higher risk of losing their vote when the impact of the Elections Act 2022 is felt in May 2024, when the next London elections will be held.

Since January 2023, the GLA together with statutory and civil society partners from across London have significantly increased awareness of the introduction of photo Voter ID, but one in four Londoners are still not aware. Ethnic minority and migrant Londoners, disabled Londoners, young Londoners, low-income Londoners and already under-registered Londoners are the least likely to be aware [6]. More awareness raising and support is needed around: the list of accepted forms of photo Voter ID; the steps to apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate, as just 1 in 5 Londoners claim to have heard of it (20 per cent); and around the upcoming changes to postal and proxy voting, as only 28 per cent and 14 per cent, respectively, are aware.



Matteo Bergamini, CEO/ Founder, Shout Out UK: “Born and raised in London by an immigrant mum, I could not be prouder that our city is at the forefront of ensuring every single Londoner, regardless of background, is engaged in our democracy through a campaign filled with cutting edge democratic engagement innovation. So join us, your boroughs, education institutions and many civil society organisations this London Voter Registration Week by registering, informing yourself of the coming changes to our elections and ensuring your ‘democratic health’ is in check!”


Phil Stevens, CEO, Disability Action Haringey: “Disability Action Haringey have partnered with a number of other DDPOs, as well as Inclusion London and are proud to be supporting the London Voter Registration Week 2023 with the GLA and the wider Voter ID campaign.

DAH will be supporting D/deaf and Disabled Londoners to register to vote, get an accepted form of photo ID to vote, or apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate, and raise awareness of the requirement to have suitable photo ID at the polling station in order to be able to vote. We feel it is also important to raise levels of democratic literacy among our community and regarding the wider equality implications of the Voting System Changes, brought in by the Election Act (2022), to ensure under-registered and under-represented Londoners get heard.”



Nishan Dzhingozyan, Founder, Bulgarian Centre for Social Integration and Culture: “We believe that everyone should have access to correct and reliable information in order to understand and access their rights. Many Londoners from Eastern European backgrounds are from countries with not very long history of democratic traditions and being able to vote and engage in democratic processes is a step that is complex and important.”


Aaron Lartey, Communications and Engagement Assistant, Jack Petchey Foundation: “At the Jack Petchey Foundation, we strongly believe in empowering young voices. Given that young people are among the least likely groups to register and more likely to be under-represented in voting, we proudly announce our support for London Voter Registration Week 2023. We can pave the way for a brighter future by encouraging more young people to vote.”


Rebecca Deegan, Founder and CEO, I Have a Voice:“I Have a Voice is proud to support the London Voter Registration Week. Our work will help people understand the power of their vote and how they can use it to make the changes they want to see. We want to help under-represented young people to feel empowered to vote and have their voices heard!”

Andrew Dewey, Interim CEO, The Royal Association for Deaf people: ”The Royal Association for Deaf people proudly supports London Voter Registration Week. We are committed to enabling deaf individuals to engage fully in the democratic process and have their say. Together we amplify the power of democracy by making it accessible to all.”

HRW calls upon Bhutanese authorities to release ‘political prisoners’

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London – Human Rights Watch has renewed its call upon the Bhutanese authorities to release ‘political prisoners’ without further delay.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the New York-based rights watch dog urged the international community to for the immediate release of the political prisoners held in violation of their human rights.

“Bhutan’s government has sought to cultivate its global image by espousing ‘gross national happiness,’ but its treatment of political prisoners tells a different story,” said Meenakshi Gangul, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck should exercise compassion and his sole authority to grant amnesty to these unjustly held prisoners and release them.”

Most of Bhutan’s political prisoners belong to the country’s marginalized Nepali-speaking community and were convicted of prohibited political activity between 1990 and 2008. Bhutanese law defines a “political prisoner” as “any person convicted for conspiring, attempting, soliciting, abetting or committing offenses against the Tsa-Wa-Sum [king, country, and people].” Many are serving sentences of life without parole, and they are all denied contact with their families or the outside world, in violation of international standards. When foreign diplomats have raised concerns about their cases, Bhutanese authorities denied these prisoners’

Madhukar Monger’s story

Madhukar Monger, who was released in August 2023 after serving 29 years in prison after confessing to distributing political literature, told Human Rights Watch that the remaining political prisoners face food shortages and have inadequate medical care. Concerned governments should press for the immediate release of the political prisoners held in violation of their human rights.

Monger, now aged 57, fled Bhutan with his family in 1990, when around 90,000 Nepali-speaking Bhutanese were forced to leave the country as refugees. He said he returned to campaign on behalf of the banned Bhutan People’s Party and was arrested and tortured by the army in February 1994. A court sentenced him, then age 26, to 31 years in prison for “anti-government activities,” following a trial at which he had no defense lawyer. He was released around one year early after paying a fine of 21,000 Bhutanese ngultrums (US$250).

Monger was held in a section of Chemgang prison, near the capital, Thimpu, known as the “anti” block, short for “anti-national.” He said the authorities refer to the political prisoners as “rajbandi” (state or royal prisoners) and the guards address them as “traitors.”

Monger said that the conditions for political prisoners have declined “drastically” in recent years. The authorities cut the monthly rice ration from 20 kilograms to 12, wheat flour from 6 kilograms to 1.5, and lentils from 3 kilograms to 2. Prisoners also receive a small weekly allowance of fresh meat and vegetables. Monger said that although the rations are inadequate, prisoners sell a portion of their allowances to police and prison guards in order to buy medicine and clothes, which the authorities do not provide.

He said that at the time of his release, at least four prisoners in the “anti” block had serious health problems, including one who received back surgery twice for a condition that the prisoners believe resulted from torture, and three who are regularly hospitalized for chronic conditions.

The authorities have not provided the prisoners with new bedding or clothing since before the Covid-19 pandemic, Monger said.

Bhutan continues to imprison at least 36 people, including one woman, convicted of political offenses following unfair trials that frequently relied on confessions coerced under torture, the Human Rights Watch said.

The Global Campaign for the Release of Political Prisoners in Bhutan (GCRPPB) has welcomed the release of Madhukar Monger, after serving 30 years as a political prisoner in Chemgang Central Prison in Bhutan.

“We appeal His Majesty, The King of Bhutan, to grant amnesty to all the Bhutanese Political Prisoners without further delay. Until all of them are safely released, GCRPPB requests that the Bhutan government provide them with enough rations, and proper and free medical treatment, including free-of-cost medicines,” said Ram Karki, Coordinator of The Hague-based GCRPPB.
The GCRPPB says at least 36 Bhutanese Political prisoners are still languishing in various jails in Bhutan on fabricated charges without proper trial.

Nepal Mourns the Sudden Demise of former Constituent Assembly Chairman Subash Nembang

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KATHMANDU: Nepal was plunged into mourning last night with the unexpected passing of Subash Nembang, the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly and a prominent figure in the CPN-UML party. Nembang, aged 70, suffered a severe heart attack at his Baluwatar residence at approximately 1:15 am, according to family sources. Despite immediate medical attention at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, doctors pronounced him dead upon arrival.

Subash Nembang’s legacy in Nepal’s political landscape is extensive. He played a pivotal role as the Chairman of the Constituent Assembly responsible for promulgating the country’s new constitution in 2015. Furthermore, he held key positions as a minister and Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR).

In the aftermath of this sudden tragedy, Nembang’s family members, in coordination with CPN-UML Chairman K P Oli, are arranging for his body to be brought to his residence. He leaves behind two sons and two daughters, who are grieving the loss of their beloved patriarch.

Numerous dignitaries and political leaders, including Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Speaker of the House of Representatives Devraj Ghimire, and UML Chairman K P Oli, have rushed to TU Teaching Hospital to offer their condolences to the grieving family and pay their final respects.

Meanwhile, President Ram Chandra Paudel expressed profound sorrow over the untimely demise of Constituent Assembly Chairman Nembang, stating that he was deeply shocked by the news.

In a significant move to honor Nembang’s contributions to the nation, the government has decided to bestow him with a national honor. Additionally, a public holiday will be declared on the day of his funeral. This decision was reached during a Council of Ministers meeting held this morning, reflecting the widespread recognition of Subash Nembang’s indelible impact on Nepal’s political history.

Historic Rail and Port Deal: G20 Unveils Game-Changer Linking Middle East and South Asia

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New Delhi – A groundbreaking rail and ports deal was unveiled on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi on Saturday, marking a significant step in enhancing trade connectivity between the Middle East and South Asia. The agreement, involving the United States, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and other G20 partners, aims to explore a shipping corridor project that promises to reshape trade flows between Europe and India.

US President Joe Biden hailed the announcement, stating, “This is a big deal. This is a really big deal.” The proposed corridor is expected to facilitate increased trade, enhance the transportation of energy resources, and improve digital connectivity across the region.

The agreement holds immense potential for benefiting low and middle-income countries in the region and positioning the Middle East as a pivotal player in the global commerce arena.

Commenting on the development, Srikanth Kondapalli, a professor in Chinese studies at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University, remarked, “India’s spice route project thus becomes robust and with the Africa-Asia Growth Corridor with Indonesia and Japan, this becomes inclusive.”

This ambitious endeavor follows India’s initiatives such as the Sabang port in Indonesia, the multimodal project with Myanmar and Thailand, Sagarmala in India, and Chabahar in Iran. The rail and shipping corridor will establish vital railway links between Middle East countries and connect them to India through ports, facilitating the seamless flow of energy and trade from the Gulf to Europe while reducing shipping times, costs, and fuel consumption.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the project as a “green and digital bridge across continents and civilizations.” She emphasized that the corridor includes infrastructure for transmitting both electricity and data.

Additionally, von der Leyen announced a “Trans-African Corridor” aimed at connecting the Angolan port of Lobito with landlocked regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia.

The primary objective of this ambitious corridor is to counter China’s extensive investment in global infrastructure, with the potential to increase rail-bound trade between India and Europe by up to 40 percent. It represents a substantial response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has significantly expanded Chinese influence, investments, and commerce across various continents.

Amos Hochstein, Biden’s coordinator for global infrastructure and energy security, outlined a preliminary timeline for the project. Over the next 60 days, working groups will formulate a comprehensive plan and establish timelines. The initial phase will involve identifying areas requiring investment and the physical infrastructure needed for cross-country connections.

Mr. Hochstein expressed confidence that the plans could be implemented over the next year, allowing the project to progress to the stages of financing and construction. This ambitious rail and ports deal holds the promise of transforming trade dynamics between the Middle East and South Asia while bolstering global connectivity and cooperation.

G20 Leaders Adopt Consensus Declaration at Delhi Summit, Ukraine Expresses Disappointment

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New Delhi – World leaders gathered at the G20 summit in India have officially adopted a joint declaration despite concerns over the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The consensus declaration, announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, signaled a breakthrough in the face of potential disagreements.

Modi, speaking during the summit, announced, “I have just received the good news that due to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation, a consensus has been reached on the New Delhi G20 leaders’ summit declaration.” The declaration was met with applause and marked a significant achievement for the summit.

However, the declaration’s omission of direct condemnation of Russia for the war in Ukraine has left Ukraine disappointed. While the statement did call on all states not to use force to acquire territory, it did not name Russia explicitly.

Notably, the G20 summit was held without the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s President Xi Jinping. Instead, China was represented by Premier Li Qiang. Despite this absence, the summit witnessed important developments, including the African Union being granted permanent membership in the G20.

India formally handed over the G20 presidency to Brazil, which is set to assume leadership in December. The joint declaration addressed various global issues, including climate financing, global debt, World Bank reform, and a new “green development pact” among member states. It also ratified the African Union’s official inclusion in the G20.

Regarding climate action, the declaration was described as the “most ambitious document” yet, with commitments to triple global renewable energy capacity by 2030. However, there was no new language concerning efforts to phase out fossil fuels, with member states committing only to a “phase down” of coal.

The summit took place under tight security measures, with businesses, offices, and schools closed in the host city, New Delhi. Prime Minister Modi opened the meeting by urging G20 members to address the “global trust deficit.”

Despite the consensus over the Leaders’ Declaration, the summit had been anticipated to be dominated by Western nations and their allies. Speculation arose over China’s decision not to send President Xi Jinping, with U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer suggesting that China might be shifting its focus towards other groupings like BRICS, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

BRICS has recently agreed to expand its membership to include Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the United Arab Emirates, a move aimed at reshaping the existing world order.

Prominent leaders attending the summit include U.S. President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, among others. President Biden, addressing the absence of President Xi, stated, “It would be nice to have him here, but the summit is going well.”

As the G20 summit in India concludes, the world watches closely for the impact of the joint declaration and the evolving dynamics among global leaders

Dengue Fever Wreaks Havoc in South Asia Amid Climate Change Impact

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Kathmandu – Mosquito-borne dengue fever is taking a devastating toll on South Asian nations this year, with Bangladesh grappling with a historic death toll and Nepal facing the rapid spread of the disease in new areas. Disease experts are linking these worsening outbreaks to the impacts of climate change.

Climate Change Fuels Dengue Epidemic:
Authorities in Bangladesh and Nepal are racing to contain and treat dengue, also known as “breakbone fever” due to its severe symptoms. Entomologists and epidemiologists point to rising temperatures and longer monsoon seasons as ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, which transmit the disease.

Global Dengue Threat:
This threat is not limited to South Asia, as dengue rates are surging worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 4.2 million cases in 2022, marking an eightfold increase since 2000. Earlier this year, WHO declared dengue the fastest-spreading tropical disease globally, labeling it a “pandemic threat.”

Bangladesh’s Alarming Statistics:
In Bangladesh, the situation is dire, with at least 691 deaths and over 138,000 infections recorded in 2023, making it the deadliest year since the first epidemic in 2000. The spread of the dengue-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquito across the entire country raises concerns of more infections during the ongoing monsoon season.

Nepal’s Struggle:
Meanwhile, Nepal, which first reported dengue in 2004, has seen at least 13 deaths and over 21,200 cases across 75 of its 77 districts in 2023. Rising temperatures have led to dengue cases appearing even in colder months, with higher mountain districts now grappling with the disease’s spread.

Climate Change’s Role:
The WHO attributes the rise in dengue cases partially to global warming, which favors mosquito proliferation, along with factors like increased human movement, urbanization, and sanitation issues. Climate change-induced floods and changing weather patterns further exacerbate the problem.

International Efforts:
Efforts to combat dengue include mosquito control, public awareness campaigns, and symptom management. Civil society and organizations like the International Red Cross are actively involved in raising awareness and providing support, but the cost of treatment remains a challenge, especially for ordinary families.

Dengue remains a pressing concern, requiring global attention and collective action to combat its spread, particularly in regions vulnerable to the effects of climate change

Sri Lankan migrant workers remit over 3.8 bln USD in January-August

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COLOMBO — Sri Lankan migrant workers have remitted over 3.8 billion U.S. dollars during the period from January to August, an increase of 74.4 percent from a year earlier, Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said Saturday.

The minister said on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that nearly 500 million dollars were remitted in August alone.

The minister earlier said over 200,000 Sri Lankans had left the South Asian country for foreign employment by early September this year after registering with Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.

In 2021, Sri Lankan workers sent a total of 5.49 billion dollars, compared to around 3.8 billion dollars recorded in 2022, showed official data.

Workers’ remittances are one of the main sources of foreign revenues for Sri Lanka. ( Xinhua)

UK Prime Minister of Indian Heritage Makes Landmark Visit Amid High Hopes for UK-India Trade Deal

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New Delhi – In a momentous occasion, Rishi Sunak, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and the first-ever UK Prime Minister of Indian heritage, has arrived in New Delhi to attend the G20 summit, marking a historic homecoming for the leader.

The “Living Bridge” Between Nations:
Downing Street has hailed Sunak’s visit as a “powerful reminder of the living bridge between the two countries,” emphasizing the strong cultural and economic ties that bind India and the UK. Accompanying him on this significant journey is his wife, Akshata Murty, who, born and raised in India, is the daughter of one of India’s wealthiest individuals.

G20 Summit:
The primary reason for Prime Minister Sunak’s visit is the G20 summit, which brings together leaders from the 19 largest global economies and the European Union. The G20’s purpose is to facilitate discussions among nations that collectively drive the world’s economy.

Diplomatic Dynamics:
However, the summit is not without its diplomatic intricacies. Notably, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is absent for the second consecutive year, drawing criticism from Sunak, who accused Putin of isolating himself diplomatically. Additionally, China’s President Xi Jinping is also notably absent, raising questions about the dynamics within the G20.

UK-India Trade Talks:
During his visit, Prime Minister Sunak is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and discussions are likely to focus on a UK-India free trade agreement. There is growing optimism that a deal may be reached soon, with India’s Finance Minister expressing hope for an agreement by the end of the year. However, the issue of visas and business mobility remains a potential sticking point.

Historical Significance:
Beyond the politics and diplomacy, this visit carries profound historical significance. It is a moment when a British Prime Minister of Indian heritage is visiting a former British colony that is now hosting a significant portion of the global economy through the G20 summit.

As the world watches, all eyes are on the outcome of the UK-India trade talks and the potential for strengthened ties between these two nations, grounded in shared history and a vision for a prosperous future.

Universities and their students are vulnerable to money laundering – new research

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 Nicholas Ryder, Cardiff University, Henry Hillman, University of Reading, Sam Bourton, University of the West of England
Money laundering jeopardises the security of UK citizens and the integrity of its economy. Money launderers often target financial institutions, but they are also increasingly targeting lesser regulated or unregulated sectors, such as universities. 

Our research has focused on how universities apply anti-money laundering legislation, as well as their response to identified threats. We have found that universities, their employees and students are vulnerable to threats from money launderers because universities are not explicitly included within the UK’s money laundering, terrorist financing and transfer of funds regulations.

The government’s anti-money laundering laws and regulations focus on preventing the crime by requiring organisations to submit suspicious activity reports to the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) Financial Intelligence Unit. These are reports of financial transactions that may be linked to money laundering.

In the UK, more than 90% of suspicious activity reports submitted to the NCA are from financial or credit institutions. However, money launderers have adapted their techniques to exploit the weaker controls and regulations in the university sector. 

UK universities, in some cases, attract the family members of convicted criminals and corrupt politically exposed persons. These are people who hold prominent positions in government, business or other organisations. Their status makes them vulnerable to corruption and involvement in money laundering schemes.

The NCA revealed in 2020 that increasing numbers of students are having their bank accounts used by organised criminals. Young people can be used or exploited as “money mules” by crime gangs for laundering money. In 2018, students Abdi Mohamed and Nyanjura Biseko were found guilty of laundering more than £10,000 through their bank accounts, part of a £37,986 fraud.

There have also been instances where people have used their student loans to finance terrorism. For example, Yahya Rashid was jailed for five years in 2015 after using his student loan to pay for himself and four friends to go to Syria to join the terror group, Islamic State.

What we found

We sent freedom of information requests to 120 universities across the UK to discover how anti-money laundering legislation is being applied. Nine out of ten institutions responded to our requests, and while some universities provided a full response to every question we asked, others declined to answer some or all questions. Overall, we found there is a disparity among universities regarding the implementation of anti-money laundering legislation. 

A significant minority of universities are failing to provide staff and students with guidance on money laundering and terrorism financing risks. We found that 20% of respondents do not provide any internal anti-money laundering training for staff. While 24% of respondents do not provide any guidance to their students on the risks posed to them by financial and organised criminals. 

Some universities are failing to recognise the money laundering risks inherent in large cash payments, with more than 21% of respondents willing to accept cash payments. For example, three universities received more than £1 million in cash between 2019 and 2020, for tuition fees and accommodation. This is concerning, particularly given that some universities do not impose any limits on cash payments. 

Also, universities are seemingly failing to recognise the value of the financial intelligence created by submitting suspicious activity reports. This is despite the fact that university employees are bound by the obligation to submit these reports under the Terrorism Act 2000 and the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. 

In fact, we found that most universities do not submit any suspicious activity reports at all to the NCA. Most suspicious activity reports are submitted by a small number of universities. 

This means that while universities are not explicitly included within the regulations, the current disparity of its application by the sector will continue. It means that universities and their employees are at risk of criminal and civil liability for committing money laundering and terrorism financing offences, or for failing to establish preventative measures. 

To reduce the risks to which universities and their students are exposed, the UK’s money laundering, terrorist financing and transfer of funds regulationsshould be explicitly applied to the higher education sector. This should include providing guidance to staff and students on terrorism financing and money laundering risks. And allowing cash payments for accommodation and tuition fees should be prohibited, or at least severely restricted. ( From : The Conversation)